Sen. John Liu

Aligns utility regulation with state climate justice and emission reduction targets; provides for a statewide affordable gas transition plan and utility home energy affordable transition programs; repeals provisions relating to continuation of gas service; repeals provisions relating to the sale of indigenous natural gas for generation of electricity.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New York City to establish 15-20 mph speed limits near 50 school locations annually along highways adjacent to schools. Starting in the 2026 school year, 20% of these locations must display official signs with reduced speed limits, flashing beacons, and notices indicating when the lower speed limit applies. The percentage of locations with these signs increases by 20% each year, with all required signage posted by the first day of each school year. The law directly affects schools, drivers near school zones, and city traffic safety planning under New York City's administrative code.

Maddy summarySenate Bill S 856 reorganizes the State Commission of Correction by expanding its membership from three to nine individuals. The bill diversifies the appointment process, allowing the Governor, Speaker of the Assembly, Temporary President of the Senate, and the Correctional Association to each appoint members. It also mandates that the commission include members with specific professional backgrounds, such as formerly incarcerated individuals, health professionals, and attorneys. Additionally, the bill establishes a ten-year term limit for commissioners and alters the process for designating the chairperson and removing members.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows owners of residential properties in New York City, including owner-occupied homes, residential co-ops, and condominium boards, to opt out of city tree planting on the sidewalk-to-curb strip adjacent to their property. It requires the city to notify property owners of planned tree planting and give them 30 days to request an opt-out. The policy change directly affects residential property owners who wish to exclude their property from the city's street tree planting program. The city must honor these opt-outs after the 30-day period. The bill takes effect 120 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the "Raise the Wage Act," increases New York's minimum wage to $21.25 per hour in New York City by 2028, $17.25 in the city's suburbs (Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester) by 2026, and gradually across the rest of the state. It repeals current static wage provisions and establishes automatic annual adjustments tied to inflation and productivity, mirroring the formula used for upstate wages since 2022. The bill directly affects all hourly workers covered under New York's labor law, particularly in low-wage sectors like home care and childcare. This indexing mechanism aims to prevent future erosion of purchasing power, ensuring wages keep pace with rising living costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 2710, changes retirement rules for New York City police officers by reducing the required service time for full retirement benefits from 22 years to 20 years. It specifically applies to members of the New York City Police Pension Fund, allowing them to retire with full benefits after 20 years of service instead of the previous 22-year requirement. The bill amends three sections of the retirement law to update definitions, benefits, and eligibility, ensuring NYC police officers can access normal retirement benefits at the 20-year mark. This is a direct policy change affecting NYC police officers' retirement timelines, with no broader application to other public safety workers.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires colleges and universities to include clear, standardized information about student loan repayment in financial aid award letters sent to undergraduate students. Specifically, institutions must detail estimated monthly payments, total payoff amounts (including interest), and standard 10-year repayment terms for any loans in the aid package. The requirement applies to all schools offering approved programs, directly affecting students receiving financial aid by making loan costs more transparent upfront. The Department of Financial Services must create and publish this standardized letter format, including a glossary of terms, by December 2015 (with implementation for the 2016-17 academic year). This change aims to help students understand long-term debt obligations before accepting financial aid.

Requires instruction in public schools aligned to the Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education Framework; requires the commissioner of education to update learning standards on an ongoing basis and provide technical assistance and resources to aid public schools in providing such instruction.

Provides for a working families tax credit; directs quarterly prepayment of the credit; provides for a sliding reduction in the credit for incomes which exceed a certain threshold.

Implements automatic enrollment for the tax abatement program for rent-controlled and rent-regulated property occupied by senior citizens; provides for a check box for a taxpayer to opt-out of data sharing and automatic enrollment on their tax return.