Sen. Robert Jackson

Maddy summaryThis bill allows licensed pharmacists to order and administer specific medical tests, including COVID-19, flu, RSV, strep throat, HbA1c, hepatitis C, and HIV tests, all authorized by the FDA. It directly affects pharmacists (expanding their clinical role) and patients (increasing access to convenient testing). The law requires tests to meet FDA authorization and federal "waiver" requirements, aligning pharmacists with qualified health professionals under existing public health law. The bill modifies prior 2022 legislation but includes a sunset provision, with most provisions set to expire on July 1, 2028.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends constitutional provisions governing how the governor submits state budget bills. It requires the governor to submit separate bills for each specific purpose (not multiple purposes in one bill), with clear descriptions of each appropriation's purpose that cannot include program rules or modify existing laws. The governor must also submit any proposed non-budget legislation separately from appropriation bills. This affects the governor, legislature, and state departments during budget discussions, as departments must testify on budget items upon request. The changes aim to clarify budget structure and prevent bundling unrelated provisions.

Maddy summaryBill S 6794 proposes a constitutional amendment to change the term length for members of the state legislature. This bill directly affects state senators and assembly members. If enacted, it would increase their term of office from the current two years to four years. This change would apply to all senators and assembly members elected in the year 2026 and for all subsequent elections.

Renames an office of addiction services and supports scholarship program the "NYS Father Peter Young Memorial Addiction Professionals Scholarship Program"; codifies the purposes of such program as offering financial education assistance to individuals pursuing a bachelor's degree in addiction studies or the education requirements for an office of addiction services and supports credential at Alfred State College, Stony Brook University or Empire State University.

Provides that subsequent requests for an extension of a suspension period for certain rate, charge or other changes by utilities shall require approval by the public service commission and shall be valid for one month, after which the commission shall review and determine the necessity of a further extension; provides limitations on retroactive rate recovery by utilities.

Requires electric corporations, gas corporations, steam corporations and water-works corporations to adopt the common equity ratio and rate of return on equity authorized by the public service commission unless such utility can successfully demonstrate that such authorized rates do not meet their capital and/or operating needs.

Establishes a task force to conduct a comprehensive study on the presence of educator diversity in the state, state actions taken to promote educator diversity, and how the state can encourage new initiatives to enhance and promote educator diversity in New York; provides for the repeal of such provisions upon the expiration thereof.

Authorizes the public service commission to consider non-economic loss suffered by consumers, including pain and suffering or mental anguish, when determining penalties against a public utility company, corporation or person or a combination gas and electric corporation.

Provides that gas, electric, or combination gas and electric corporations shall not be permitted to retain revenues derived from their actual return on equity in excess of authorized rates of return on equity.

Relates to hearing procedures for certain public employees; provides that the recommendation of a hearing officer in relation to designated managerial and confidential employees shall be considered final and not subject to change or modification.