Sen. Robert Jackson

Enacts the "New York wildlife crossing act"; directs the department of transportation and the New York state thruway authority to identify sites along all highways, thruways and parkways in the state where wildlife crossings are most needed to increase public safety and improve habitat connectivity and create a priority list of wildlife opportunity areas where federal grant monies may be available to implement the top five projects identified.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Division of Housing and Community Renewal to conduct a study on non-rental fees charged by landlords of rent-regulated housing. The study must gather data on common fees, their amounts, how they are calculated, and any other relevant information before submitting a report to the legislature by April 1, 2025. The legislation affects landlords of regulated apartments and tenants who may be subject to these additional charges, though it does not ban or change the fees themselves. Ultimately, the bill requires the state agency to investigate these practices and provide findings to lawmakers, but it was vetoed by the governor and did not become law.

Allows for treatment costing less than $1,500 to be done without prior approval, and more clearly defines the list of "pre-authorized procedures" as a floor on treatment as opposed to its current status as a ceiling; allows non-network providers of testing to be compensated at the provider network rate negotiated by the carrier.

Exempts credit card debt from the definition of medical debt unless the credit card is issued under an open-ended or closed-ended plan offered specifically for the payment of health care services, products, or devices provided to a person.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the range of medications optometrists can prescribe by explicitly including nasal sprays used to treat dry eye disease. Currently, optometrists are authorized to use topical therapeutic agents, but this legislation clarifies that this category now covers specific drugs administered via nasal spray for dry eye conditions. The change allows eye care professionals to prescribe these nasal sprays directly, streamlining treatment options for patients without requiring a referral to another specialist. Once signed into law, the update takes effect immediately to align with existing practices where nasal sprays are already utilized for this purpose.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows private schools and programs in the state that educate children with disabilities to keep a portion of the tuition money they receive. Instead of returning all excess funds to the state after accounting for costs, these approved providers can retain up to a specific percentage of their allowable expenses as a surplus. The law ensures that any interest earned or investments made with these retained funds must be used to support their services rather than replace existing state funding. This change applies to both school-age and preschool students and takes effect immediately, retroactively covering the period starting April 1, 2021.

Enacts the housing development fund company self-determination, preservation and affordability act to clarify certain provisions relating to the dissolution and reincorporation of housing development fund companies; provides for tax exemptions and abatements for housing development fund companies.

Relates to voting rights and access for incarcerated individuals; authorizes polling places to be available at correctional facilities and local facilities; requires such facilities to provide persons detained or confined in such facilities access to register to vote or apply for an absentee ballot; requires voting information to be included in the inmate handbook.

Increases the number of traffic-control signal photo violation-monitoring devices that may be installed in New York city to six hundred intersections; extends certain provisions authorizing photo-monitoring devices until December 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends state laws to explicitly define "pistol converters" as devices that allow a semi-automatic pistol to fire multiple rounds rapidly with a single trigger pull. It requires firearm dealers to implement specific security measures, such as inventory controls and background checks, to prevent the sale of these devices to prohibited individuals or for theft. Additionally, the law mandates that businesses take reasonable steps to stop customers from installing or using these converters on purchased firearms. The changes take effect immediately upon signing.