Sen. Nathalia Fernández

Maddy summaryS 4731, the "Small Contractors Relief Act," creates a pilot program to help small contractors who were denied liability insurance coverage. It establishes the New York Small Contractor Safety Group, Inc. - a nonprofit organization that will provide insurance coverage to eligible contractors who have been rejected by traditional insurers. The program targets contractors meeting specific criteria, including those with under $1 million in annual revenue (or higher revenue with proof of insurance denial) and certified minority/women-owned businesses. The bill appropriates funds to support this pilot program and outlines its governance structure, including a nine-member board appointed by state leaders.

Establishes the rental assistance payment standard pilot program where the owner of a housing accommodation shall be entitled to charge and collect a rent equal to the maximum amount that the rental assistance program prescribes for like housing accommodations, subject to rent reasonableness calculations.

Relates to establishing the housing access voucher program; provides that the commissioner of the division of housing and community renewal shall implement a program of rental assistance in the form of housing vouchers for eligible individuals and families who are homeless or who face an imminent loss of housing; provides that the commissioner shall designate housing access voucher local administrators in the state to administer the program.

Prohibits a court from bifurcating the primary elections for members of the state and county committees and assembly district leaders and associate district leaders and all other party positions to be elected and all nominations for public office required to be made at a primary election in such year, except presidential primaries.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new "Office of Addiction and Mental Health Services" in New York by merging the existing Office of Mental Health and Office of Addiction Services and Supports. It integrates care for individuals with mental health conditions, substance use disorders, or both under one office, replacing outdated references to previous agencies. The office will be led by a single commissioner with dual authority, supported by two deputy commissioners focused on addiction and mental health services, respectively. This structural change aims to streamline service delivery and coordination for people seeking treatment for co-occurring conditions.

Maddy summaryS 4799 creates a legal right for New Yorkers to sue fossil fuel companies that contributed to climate change through their activities. It applies to companies that emitted at least one billion metric tons of greenhouse gases from 1989 until the bill's effective date, excluding public utilities and government entities. The bill establishes new provisions in state law, including definitions and a "right of action," to enable lawsuits for climate-related damages like health impacts and property loss. This would allow individuals and communities to seek compensation for harms directly linked to fossil fuel emissions.

Prohibits the use of weaponized robots, non-weaponized robots which may potentially cause injury, or robots being used for surveillance purposes by police agencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New York high schools to keep opioid overdose-reversal medication (like naloxone) on hand and designate at least one trained staff member to administer it during all school hours and after-school activities. Schools must ensure the medication is accessible and that at least one employee has completed a state-approved training course on its use. The law applies directly to high schools and their designated staff, mandating immediate availability of the medication for emergencies. It does not change existing health protocols but adds a specific requirement for opioid overdose response in school settings.

Enacts The New Deal for CUNY; increases the ratio of faculty and mental health counselors to full-time students; requires that certain amounts of tuition be replaced by federal, state, and city funds.

Requires certain state police vehicles to carry jumper cables; requires officers operating such vehicles offer to use such jumper cables on disabled vehicles.