Sen. Robert Jackson

Provides that contractors and subcontractors to cable television companies who are assessed penalties for two separate violations of payroll reporting requirements shall be ineligible to submit a bid on or be awarded any public work contract with the state, any municipal corporation or public body for five years; provides that cable television companies shall be subject to the requirement that workers on certain excavation projects be paid not less than a prevailing rate of wage.

Maddy summarySenate Bill S 7954 amends the requirements for organizations providing fiscal intermediary services in the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program. It expands the definition of "fiscal intermediary" to include more entities, such as certain service centers for independent living, granting them equal status to the statewide fiscal intermediary. These newly defined fiscal intermediaries can contract directly with managed care plans and must provide culturally and linguistically competent services. The bill also removes the specific procurement process for a single statewide fiscal intermediary, aiming to offer consumers more choice in these services.

Excludes the five state-run veterans homes from assessments on their gross receipts received from all patient care services and other operating income; directs the Commissioner of Health to apply to the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services for any necessary waivers pursuant to federal law and regulation.

Relates to the criteria for determining tuition assistance program awards; provides for the elimination of the distinction between dependent students and independent students for the purpose of determining tuition assistance program award amounts and eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits home care aides to 12-hour shifts without their explicit consent. It prohibits employers from requiring overtime beyond this limit, and any agreement for longer shifts must be voluntarily provided in writing for each specific instance. The law protects aides from retaliation, including dismissal or penalties, for refusing excessive hours or reporting violations. Exceptions only apply during true emergencies after exhausting all staffing options, and even then, overtime cannot exceed four hours without consent.

Establishes a private cause of action for certain violations regarding machine-guns, assault weapons, disguised guns, ghost guns, and unfinished frames or receivers.

Establishes the "reciprocal enforcement of claims on unpaid or reduced state entitlements act" which requires a report on delinquent funds owed to the state by the federal government as a result of the federal government's nonpayment in contravention of a court decision and the withholding and appropriation of federal funds in an amount equal to.

Maddy summaryS 6398 creates a new class A-I felony offense for "operating as a major firearms trafficker." It directly affects individuals who unlawfully sell, exchange, give away, or possess 20 or more firearms within a one-year period with intent to sell. The bill establishes two specific triggers: selling 20+ firearms to others in a year, or possessing 20+ firearms with intent to sell. This law increases penalties for large-scale firearms trafficking by classifying it as the highest felony level under the penal law.

Requires signage on state highways designating where there is a zero-emission charging and refueling station that is open and available to the public within three miles of an exit or off-ramp.

Enacts the overdose prevention and recovery act; directs that at least twenty percent of funds from the opioid stewardship fund shall be invested in recovery services and supports; requires an annual report to the legislature regarding funds distributed from the opioid stewardship fund; makes the opioid stewardship fund permanent.