Sen. Rob Rolison

Relates to costs and expenses of the department of public service and the public service commission; directs the public service commission to develop a formula to determine the average cost, on a per ratepayer basis, to comply with the provisions set forth in article seventy-five of the environmental conservation law; provides for a ratepayer protection tax credit; repeals certain provisions of the public service law relating to the assessment of costs and expenses of the department of public service and the public service commission.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2578) changes how certain financial assets can be used to pay compensation for minor victims of specific sexual crimes. It removes an exemption that previously protected trusts, annuities, and similar accounts held for a judgment debtor (the person who owes money), making these assets subject to payment in cases where a minor was a victim of rape in the first degree, aggravated sexual abuse, or sexual conduct against a child. The key provision amends New York's Civil Practice Law to require these assets be used to satisfy judgments for physical or psychological injury caused by those offenses. This directly affects minor victims of these crimes and their ability to recover compensation from the perpetrator's assets held in certain financial accounts.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York law to allow courts to issue **lifetime orders of protection** when the respondent is convicted of specific violent felonies, including sexual assault under Penal Law sections 255.25-255.27 or felonies in Penal Law articles 120, 125, 130, 135, or 263 (or attempts to commit them). Previously, such orders had fixed time limits (up to 8 years), but this change adds "lifetime" as a duration option for these high-risk cases. The law directly affects victims of domestic violence or abuse where the perpetrator received one of these felony convictions. It does not apply to lesser offenses or non-felony cases.

Maddy summaryS 4930 makes certain fees charged for emergency medical services (EMS) permanent, replacing a temporary 4-year provision that was set to expire. The bill changes existing law to eliminate the expiration date for fees collected by municipalities or EMS providers under a 2022 law. This directly affects local governments and emergency medical service organizations that collect these fees. The key change is removing the automatic repeal after four years, ensuring these fees remain in place indefinitely. The bill does not create new fees or alter service requirements - only changes the duration of existing fee collection.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes criminal possession of fentanyl a class E felony under New York law. It directly affects individuals who knowingly possess, manufacture, distribute, or use fentanyl or its analogs to enhance other illegal substances. The key provision defines these actions as a specific felony offense, raising the legal consequences for such possession. The bill was referred to the Codes committee on January 15, 2025, and takes immediate effect.

Maddy summarySenate Bill S 7954 amends the requirements for organizations providing fiscal intermediary services in the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program. It expands the definition of "fiscal intermediary" to include more entities, such as certain service centers for independent living, granting them equal status to the statewide fiscal intermediary. These newly defined fiscal intermediaries can contract directly with managed care plans and must provide culturally and linguistically competent services. The bill also removes the specific procurement process for a single statewide fiscal intermediary, aiming to offer consumers more choice in these services.

Excludes the five state-run veterans homes from assessments on their gross receipts received from all patient care services and other operating income; directs the Commissioner of Health to apply to the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services for any necessary waivers pursuant to federal law and regulation.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides free access to New York State parks and campsites for volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance service members. Specifically, it exempts these individuals from park fees when using public campsites, parks, or recreational areas, applying the same terms as the general public but without payment. The provision covers active volunteer firefighters (as defined in Section 215 of the General Municipal Law) and enrolled members of volunteer ambulance services (under Article 30 of the Public Health Law). It amends existing law to ensure these groups receive the same fee-free access already available to veterans, Gold Star families, and people with disabilities. The policy applies statewide across all relevant recreational facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2723) allows veterans to use state-owned cabins and cottages in public recreation areas without paying fees, effective immediately. It directly affects veterans who use these facilities, permitting free access under the same terms as the general public but limiting use to 14 days per year. The key provision amends state parks law to remove fees for veterans (and certain other groups like Gold Star families) at designated public recreation sites. It does not change existing fee structures for non-veteran visitors. The bill was recently referred to the Veterans committee for further consideration.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all traffic-control signals in New York State to be examined and certified as accurate every two years. It directly affects the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT), local governments, and entities that install signals with DOT permission (such as schools or private property entrances). The key provision mandates biennial accuracy checks to ensure signals function correctly, replacing prior maintenance standards. This applies to all signals under DOT jurisdiction, including those installed before 1986 under specific conditions. The change focuses on routine safety verification without altering signal operation rules.