Sen. Leroy Comrie

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits credit agencies and lenders from using late payments on cashless toll systems (like E-ZPass) when determining a person's credit score. It amends New York's General Business Law and Banking Law to explicitly ban this practice, requiring lenders to stop collecting or reporting such toll payment history. The law directly affects consumers who have experienced late toll payments but are not penalized for them in credit decisions. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Relates to the conduct of public hearings by the metropolitan transportation authority; requires one additional hearing where more than 75 persons are unable to attend a required public hearing due to limited seating capacity.

Exempts a person from a money judgment arising from an action in another state for knowingly engaging in conduct that aids or abets the performance or inducement of an abortion.

Maddy summaryThis bill caps annual rate increases for utility services by gas and electric corporations, as well as municipalities providing such services, at 2%. It directly affects utility providers by prohibiting them from raising rates beyond this limit without department review. Key provisions require rate proposals exceeding the cap to undergo review by the Department of Public Service, with final rate plans subject to a 2% maximum. The law aims to limit annual cost increases for consumers while establishing a formal process for rate adjustments.

Authorizes the department of health to implement a community food security, empowerment and economic development program (SEED) to help meet the food needs of low-income people and promote comprehensive responses to local food, farm and nutrition issues; provides grants for the cost of program projects which will be available to non-profit organizations and local governments, with limited partnership with for-profit enterprises; makes related provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill would impose a new tax on New York State residents with $1 billion or more in net assets (total wealth minus debts), calculated as if they sold all assets at market value on December 31, 2024. Taxpayers would pay the resulting tax over 10 years with an annual interest-like fee, or in full for the 2025 tax year. It includes credits for taxes paid to other states on assets accumulated before New York residency, and excludes certain assets like gifts made within five years. The tax applies only to New York residents meeting the $1 billion threshold, with the first payment due for the 2025 tax year. The bill is currently pending in the Budget and Revenue committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires county election boards to provide at least 15% of the previous election's voter turnout in each district as affidavit ballots at every polling site. Affidavit ballots are backup ballots for voters who cannot cast a regular ballot due to issues like missing registration. The number supplied must be calculated based on the actual turnout from the last election of the same type (e.g., general election) in that specific polling district. This applies directly to county election boards and polling sites across the state, ensuring a minimum supply of backup ballots for voter access.

Provides that each electric corporation shall establish a unique priority phone number that shall remain in operation every day of the year for customers who have documented their need for essential electricity for medical needs; makes related provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires consumer and employment contracts to use plain language that a reasonable person can understand, prohibiting confusing terms or hiding important details in separate documents. It applies to standard consumer agreements (like credit cards or services) and employment contracts, but excludes union-negotiated contracts. Consumers or employees can ask a court to rewrite non-compliant contracts to reflect what the parties reasonably understood. The law takes effect 180 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2557) exempts sales of Energy Star-certified appliances (including washers, refrigerators, air conditioners, and dehumidifiers) from New York state sales tax. It directly affects consumers purchasing these qualifying appliances, reducing their upfront cost. Municipalities may choose to adopt this exemption through local resolutions, though they are not required to do so. The exemption applies to new purchases only (not rentals or repairs) and expires on April 1, 2031.