Sen. Pete Harckham

Maddy summaryBill S 1189 establishes new licensure requirements for entities providing fiscal intermediary services for personal assistance programs. Beginning April 1, 2027, these fiscal intermediaries must obtain a license from the commissioner, a process that includes an application fee and an assessment of their character, competence, and compliance. The bill also broadens the definition of fiscal intermediaries, modifies their annual reporting obligations, and creates a confidential state registry for personal assistants that these intermediaries must maintain. This legislation directly affects fiscal intermediaries, personal assistants, and consumers utilizing these services.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 5380) requires that every bill submitted to the legislature include a specific statement in its introducer's memorandum detailing how the bill would affect local government budgets. It directly affects political subdivisions like counties, cities, towns, and school districts by mandating that bill sponsors explain the financial impact on these local entities. The key provision adds a new requirement to legislative law, forcing sponsors to explicitly state the fiscal consequences for local governments before a bill can be formally introduced. This change aims to provide transparency about budgetary effects early in the legislative process. The bill does not alter policy content but changes the documentation required for bill introductions.

Establishes a school ventilation and energy efficiency assessment, repair and verification program to require each school to: obtain an HVAC Assessment Report performed by qualified testing personnel documenting the functionality of the existing system or lack thereof, and obtain a report from a mechanical engineer identifying any upgrades, replacements or other measures recommended to improve the functionality, health and safety and/or energy efficiency of the HVAC system; adjust, and, if necessary, repair existing building HVAC systems, and install or replace HVAC systems, if necessary, to ensure proper and efficient operation, as well as compliance with health and safety standards; obtain an HVAC Verification Report performed by qualified testing personnel documenting any upgrades, replacements, installations or any other work performed on the HVAC system functions as designed and/or in compliance with health and safety standards; install CO2 sensors in classrooms, assembly areas, kitchen or cafeteria areas or building office spaces to provide ongoing verification that proper ventilation is maintained during operation; makes related provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1198) limits patient co-payments for physical and occupational therapy services under group health insurance policies. It requires that insurers cannot charge co-payments exceeding 20% of the total reimbursement paid to the therapy provider. The law applies to all group accident, health, or accident-and-health insurance policies covering these services, which must be provided by licensed therapists under physician referral. This change directly affects insured patients receiving physical or occupational therapy, capping their out-of-pocket costs for these covered services.

Establishes new targets for offshore wind electricity generation; includes the requirements that there is at least 15 gigawatts of offshore wind electricity generation by 2040, at least 18 gigawatts of offshore wind electricity generation by 2045 and at least 20 gigawatts of offshore wind electricity generation by 2050.

Enacts the "faith-based affordable housing act" for development on residential land; defines terms; provides that each village, town, and city shall allow the construction and occupation of residential buildings on any covered site up to the specified densities; provides that all residential buildings constructed pursuant to this section in a town, village, or city with fewer than one million inhabitants shall set aside twenty percent of the residential floor area for households earning an average of eighty percent of area median income; outlines the densities for New York city; makes related provisions.

Enacts the beekeeping rights act to prohibit homeowners' associations from adopting or enforcing any rules or regulations that would effectively prohibit, or impose unreasonable limitations on, the installation or use of an apiary.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides a 10% property tax exemption on primary residences for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers in Westchester County who meet specific criteria. To qualify, applicants must have served at least five years with an incorporated volunteer fire or ambulance service in the county, reside in the service area, and own their primary home used exclusively for residential purposes. Long-term volunteers with 20+ years of service and those permanently disabled due to duty-related injuries also qualify for the exemption for life or during disability, respectively. The exemption applies to local taxes (city, town, school district, etc.) but does not reduce existing benefits for current recipients.

Relates to school climate and codes of conduct on school property and disciplinary action following violation of such codes of conduct; makes conforming amendments.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts breast pumps, breast pump replacement parts, collection supplies, and breast pump kits from sales and use taxes when purchased by individuals for home use during breastfeeding. It specifically covers items like electric or manual pumps, related parts (e.g., shields, tubes), storage bags, and kits containing these products. The law clarifies definitions to ensure only breastfeeding-specific items qualify for the exemption, excluding standard infant bottles or unrelated supplies. This change directly reduces out-of-pocket costs for mothers purchasing these essential lactation products.