Sen. Brian Kavanagh

Maddy summaryS 1069 prohibits the leasing of state-owned forests, reforestation areas, wildlife management areas, and unique natural areas for gas and oil production. The bill amends environmental conservation law to specifically ban these leases, protecting these lands from energy extraction. It directly affects state land management decisions and energy companies seeking to drill on these protected properties. The law takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Maddy summaryS 1548 bans specific harmful chemicals from menstrual products sold in New York State. It prohibits manufacturers from intentionally adding substances like lead, mercury, formaldehyde, triclosan, and PFAS (a class of chemicals including Teflon-like compounds) to products such as tampons, pads, and menstrual cups. The bill takes immediate effect for all intentionally added restricted substances, with a 2029 deadline for setting science-based limits on any remaining traces of these chemicals. This directly affects all companies producing or selling menstrual products in New York, requiring them to reformulate products to remove these substances.

Requires public notice and public engagement when a general hospital seeks to close entirely or a unit that provides maternity, mental health or substance use care.

Relates to rechargeable battery recycling; adds a battery used as the principal electric power source for an electric scooter or bicycle with electric assist to the definition of "rechargeable battery"; provides that a battery manufacturer may not sell, offer for sale, or distribute rechargeable batteries in the state unless the battery manufacturer is implementing or participating under an approved plan; allows a city with a population of one million or more to enforce through its own agencies.

Relates to the availability of technical assistance grants in brownfield site remedial programs; provides that the commissioner of environmental conservation shall provide grants to the New York city community board with jurisdiction over the site or to any not-for-profit corporation exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code at any site which may be affected by a brownfield site remedial program.

Authorizes the commissioner of education to conduct a survey regarding instruction on Asian American, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islander history within the state; establishes an Asian American, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islander history advisory committee; provides for the repeal of such provisions upon the expiration thereof.

Requires the board of elections in a city with a population of one million or more to notify by mail state and county party committees and certain elected officials prior to a change of polling place.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies who can enforce tobacco product regulations in New York City (and other cities over 1 million residents). It defines "enforcement officer" under Public Health Law §1399-ee to specifically include a city's Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH), replacing other city officials for this purpose. The change directly affects large cities' ability to regulate tobacco sales to minors and related smoking products. The law, effective immediately upon signing (Chap.551), streamlines enforcement under existing public health law.

Relates to the appointment of members of the Battery Park city authority; increases the number of members to nine; requires five of the nine members be primary residents of Battery Park city.

Requires that the entire amount of a rental deposit or advance be refundable to the tenant upon the tenant's vacating of the premises except for an amount lawfully retained for non-payment of rent or utilities, damage caused by the tenant, or storage costs; requires landlord to provide an itemized statement of damages and to return the balance of the deposit within 14 days; requires that tenant be given the opportunity to inspect the rental premises prior to signing a lease; allows a grantee or assignee of the leased premises to demand that an escrow account be opened.