Sen. Pete Harckham

Aligns utility regulation with state climate justice and emission reduction targets; provides for a statewide affordable gas transition plan and utility home energy affordable transition programs; repeals provisions relating to continuation of gas service; repeals provisions relating to the sale of indigenous natural gas for generation of electricity.

Requires any gas or electric provider of last resort to publicly notice each purchase of electricity supply, energy or capacity, within seven days of purchase and report it to the department.

Requires clinical experience for certain mental health practitioners; allows such practitioners to make assessment-based treatment plans; makes related provisions.

Maddy summarySenate Bill S 2253 requires the Public Service Commission to develop a standardized formula for a "residential water cost index," which measures the annual water cost for an average single-family household. Water-works corporations and municipal water systems serving at least 1,000 customers must annually calculate and submit their residential water cost index to the commission. The commission will then publish an annual report analyzing and comparing these water costs across the state, making this information publicly available.

Maddy summaryS 6203 creates two new criminal offenses targeting actions that endanger emergency workers during building-related emergencies. It establishes "reckless endangerment of an emergency service person" as a second-degree felony (class E) when someone violates building codes during an emergency evacuation, impeding egress and causing injury to a firefighter, police officer, code enforcement officer, or other defined emergency personnel. A first-degree felony (class D) applies if the same violation causes death or if the person has a prior conviction for this offense within the last decade. The law directly affects building owners or contractors who alter structures without permits in ways that compromise safety during emergencies, with penalties increasing based on severity.

Requires the department of education to establish an education for environmental sustainability program to teach children the importance of conserving and protecting our environment.

Establishes a moratorium on the installation of synthetic turf pending a comprehensive environmental and public health study; relates to environmental impact assessments of the use of synthetic turf; provides for the repeal of certain provisions upon expiration thereof.

Maddy summaryS 5408 authorizes NYSERDA to distribute $500 million for zero-emission school buses and supporting infrastructure, requiring contractors (like dealers, manufacturers, and retrofit companies) to submit a "New York jobs plan" detailing job creation, wages, benefits, and environmental commitments. The jobs plan must include specifics on hiring displaced workers, creating jobs in disadvantaged communities, using recycled materials, and responsibly sourcing minerals like lithium and cobalt. Incentive amounts for bus purchases or conversions are determined by the jobs plan, with higher payments for meeting goals related to job quality and community benefits. This directly affects school districts purchasing buses, contractors, and their suppliers.

Prohibits any motor vehicle with a manufacturers' gross vehicle weight rating of ten thousand one pounds or more which utilizes autonomous vehicle technology from being operated on public highways unless a natural person holding a valid license for the operation of the motor vehicle's class is present within such vehicle.

Establishes certification procedures for the profession of nurse anesthesia; provides for the issuance of a certification to practice as a certified registered nurse anesthetist upon the filing of an application, having a license as a registered professional nurse, having the appropriate educational requirements and paying the fifty dollar initial certification fee and the triennial thirty dollar registration fee.