Sen. Robert Jackson

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as "the prison wage act," mandates compensation for incarcerated individuals performing labor in state and local correctional facilities. It requires that these individuals be paid at least one-half of the state's minimum wage for any work performed or for which a wage would typically be due. This compensation applies to various types of labor, including general facility work, tasks for nonprofit organizations, and participation in work release programs. Additionally, hourly incentive allowances for educational and training programs must also meet this minimum wage standard.

Maddy summaryBill S 1189 establishes new licensure requirements for entities providing fiscal intermediary services for personal assistance programs. Beginning April 1, 2027, these fiscal intermediaries must obtain a license from the commissioner, a process that includes an application fee and an assessment of their character, competence, and compliance. The bill also broadens the definition of fiscal intermediaries, modifies their annual reporting obligations, and creates a confidential state registry for personal assistants that these intermediaries must maintain. This legislation directly affects fiscal intermediaries, personal assistants, and consumers utilizing these services.

Permits a school food authority to attribute moneys spent on purchases of food products from New York state farmers, growers, producers or processors made for its school breakfast program to the thirty percent of costs for school breakfast, snack and lunch service programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new progressive income tax structure for high earners in New York, replacing current tax brackets. It directly affects New York residents with significant taxable income, particularly those earning above $17,000 annually for single filers (with higher thresholds for married couples). The key mechanism uses tiered tax rates that increase as income rises - starting at 4% for lower incomes and reaching up to 24% for earnings over $20 million. The bill amends existing tax law to implement these rates, which apply to taxable years beginning in 2023 through 2027 and will be adjusted for 2028 onward.

Relates to unlawful strikes by public employees; provides for the settlement of certain disputes relating to terms and conditions of employment of certain transit and transportation authorities.

Requires SUNY and CUNY campuses to hire energy management, materials management, and sustainability education and engagement employees at each SUNY and CUNY campus in numbers proportionate to campus size.

Maddy summaryS 7030 amends New York's insurance law to expand the legal definition of "infertility" to explicitly include individuals in same-sex relationships. This change directly affects same-sex couples seeking insurance coverage for infertility treatments, as the updated definition now recognizes their circumstances under the same medical criteria used for heterosexual couples. The key provision adds "or be in a same-sex relationship" to the existing definition, which previously focused on heterosexual conception attempts. The bill does not create new benefits but adjusts how infertility is defined for insurance purposes, aligning the legal standard with current medical practice. It became law immediately upon enactment.

Provides that a licensee for an adult-use retail dispensary whose license was approved by the office prior to July twenty-eighth, two thousand twenty-five, and whose business location was found to be in compliance with standards used by the office at the time of such approval, regardless of such business location's proximity to a school property line, shall be deemed compliant for purposes of license renewal and continued operation at such location.

Establishes a school ventilation and energy efficiency assessment, repair and verification program to require each school to: obtain an HVAC Assessment Report performed by qualified testing personnel documenting the functionality of the existing system or lack thereof, and obtain a report from a mechanical engineer identifying any upgrades, replacements or other measures recommended to improve the functionality, health and safety and/or energy efficiency of the HVAC system; adjust, and, if necessary, repair existing building HVAC systems, and install or replace HVAC systems, if necessary, to ensure proper and efficient operation, as well as compliance with health and safety standards; obtain an HVAC Verification Report performed by qualified testing personnel documenting any upgrades, replacements, installations or any other work performed on the HVAC system functions as designed and/or in compliance with health and safety standards; install CO2 sensors in classrooms, assembly areas, kitchen or cafeteria areas or building office spaces to provide ongoing verification that proper ventilation is maintained during operation; makes related provisions.

Directs the commissioner of health to contract with an independent entity to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the existing methodology used to determine payment for early intervention screenings, evaluations, services and service coordination; directs recommendations on reimbursement methodology as well as needs under the program.