Sen. Nathalia Fernández

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York State law to explicitly include "temporarily erected structures" (such as scaffolding) in the legal definition of a "substandard or insanitary area." It directly affects urban renewal programs by expanding the types of areas eligible for redevelopment under these programs. The key mechanism adds these temporary structures to the list of features that can qualify an area as "blighted" or having a "blighting influence," allowing redevelopment efforts to address such structures. This change enables cities to include temporary structures in broader urban renewal initiatives aimed at eliminating blighting conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires nightlife venues, sports/event centers, theaters, concert halls, and amusement parks to maintain a supply of unexpired opioid antagonist nasal spray (overdose reversal medication) and to have at least two staff members trained to identify opioid overdoses and administer the medication during operating hours. It directly affects these specific types of public venues by mandating concrete safety measures to respond to opioid overdoses on-site. The key provisions are the requirement for both the medication supply and trained personnel, with guidelines to be established by the health commissioner. The bill aims to improve immediate response capacity at high-attendance locations where opioid use may occur.

Provides for a working families tax credit; directs quarterly prepayment of the credit; provides for a sliding reduction in the credit for incomes which exceed a certain threshold.

Maddy summaryS 685 creates an exception to existing prohibitions on fossil fuel use in new buildings. This bill allows new building projects to continue using fossil fuels if their site plan or subdivision plat received approval from a local planning board before December 31, 2025. The measure ensures that projects with initial approvals in place before this deadline are not subject to the upcoming fossil fuel ban.

Establishes the civil right to counsel in eviction proceedings in New York state; creates the New York state office of civil representation; requires that covered individuals be given notice of such right to counsel.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates an exception for licensed midwives who receive traffic tickets while responding to emergency medical situations. It establishes a rebuttable presumption that midwives are not liable for certain traffic violations (like running red lights or speeding) if they provide a signed affidavit confirming they were in an emergency response at the time. The provision applies specifically to midwives operating motor vehicles during urgent medical calls, not to general traffic violations. This change directly affects midwives by offering legal protection from ticket penalties when performing emergency medical duties.

Relates to requiring gender neutral bathrooms in state-owned buildings; provides that if no single-occupancy bathroom can be designated as gender neutral in a state-owned building, a multiple-occupancy bathroom shall be designated as gender neutral instead; requires state-owned and state-leased buildings to provide adequate notice regarding gender neutral bathrooms.

Establishes energy efficiency measures by the public service commission and NYSERDA including requiring utilities to hire and train employees who are from priority populations or living in areas designated as environmental justice communities.

Establishes the bank of Rochester, including provisions related to definitions; sponsors and corporate structure; powers and restrictions; governance; charter requirements; financial and operations frameworks; transparency and financial reporting; insurance; deposits; policy mandates; ethics and financial disclosure; inconsistency with other laws; and owners not to be considered bank holding companies.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits credit agencies and lenders from using late payments on cashless toll systems (like E-ZPass) when determining a person's credit score. It amends New York's General Business Law and Banking Law to explicitly ban this practice, requiring lenders to stop collecting or reporting such toll payment history. The law directly affects consumers who have experienced late toll payments but are not penalized for them in credit decisions. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.