Sen. Pete Harckham

Establishes the New York Health program, a comprehensive system of access to health insurance for New York state residents; provides for administrative structure of the plan; provides for powers and duties of the board of trustees, the scope of benefits, payment methodologies and care coordination; establishes the New York Health Trust Fund which would hold monies from a variety of sources to be used solely to finance the plan; enacts provisions relating to financing of New York Health, including a payroll assessment, similar to the Medicare tax; establishes a temporary commission on implementation of the plan; provides for collective negotiations by health care providers with New York Health.

Maddy summaryS 2621 limits the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority by prohibiting it from charging trucks more than one toll per day when entering Manhattan's central business district. This bill directly affects commercial truck drivers and the authority's tolling operations. The key provision establishes a daily toll cap for trucks, ensuring they pay only once regardless of how many times they enter the district in a single day. The legislation does not change toll amounts or funding mechanisms, focusing solely on the frequency of truck toll charges.

Enacts the "Consumer and Small business Protection Act"; relates to standing for persons affected by prohibited or unlawful business practices; expands prohibited acts to include unfair, deceptive or abusive acts.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a voluntary program allowing parents or guardians of children diagnosed with developmental disabilities to obtain GPS tracking devices. It requires the child's consent when they are capable of understanding, and strictly limits device use to locating a child who is lost, missing, or unaccounted for. Law enforcement may access location data only after the parent requests help and signs a consent form. The program mandates confidentiality for all personal information and requires law enforcement to receive training on developmental disabilities and appropriate response techniques. It does not create new requirements for children but provides a tool for families and agencies during emergencies.

Allows a tax exemption for taxpayers in the amount of the purchase price of a fire extinguisher, fire alarm, heat alarm or carbon monoxide alarm purchased for residential use during the month of October.

Authorizes municipalities in the county of Rockland to add unpaid housing code violation penalties, costs and fines to such municipalities' annual tax levy in accordance with applicable law.

Directs utilities to study the potential health risks and effects of smart meters including, but not limited to, the risks and effects of the installation of such smart meters, and recommended safe practices associated with the use of smart meters; requires utilities to report their findings to the public service commission; requires the public service commission to prepare a comprehensive report to the governor and legislature.

Requires amusement device operators to be at least 16 years old, trained in the use and function of all normal and emergency operating controls, and the proper use of the amusement device; requires the operator to be in the immediate vicinity of the main control panel during operation of the amusement device; prohibits operators from operating more than one device at a time.

Establishes the commission of the deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing; requires the commission of the deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing to transmit complaints in matters affecting the deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing communities to the vulnerable persons' central register; repeals provisions relating to the New York state interagency coordinating council for services to persons who are deaf, deaf-blind, or hard of hearing.

Relates to tax on sales of motor fuel and petroleum products and makes conforming changes; repeals provisions relating to manufacturing gallonage for purposes of the imposition of certain taxes; repeals provisions relating to reimbursement; repeals provisions relating to a utility credit or reimbursement; repeals provisions relating to an aviation fuel business which services four or more cities; repeals provisions relating to services rendered with respect to certain property; repeals provisions relating to fuel sold to an airline for use in its airplanes.