Sen. Michelle Hinchey

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the Village of Catskill to impose a 4% occupancy tax on short-term lodging rentals, such as those booked for overnight stays. The tax applies to guests staying for fewer than thirty consecutive days, while permanent residents are exempt from the charge. Revenue collected from this tax will go into the village's general fund and can be used for any lawful purpose. The legislation also outlines how the tax will be collected, including provisions that allow property owners to collect the tax from guests and pass it on to the village. The law is set to take effect immediately and will remain in force until December 31, 2027.

Authorizes the cannabis control board to issue a cannabis showcase event permit to certain licensees authorized to conduct retail sales of adult-use cannabis, cannabis products and cannabis merchandise.

Requires public notice and public engagement when a general hospital seeks to close entirely or a unit that provides maternity, mental health or substance use care.

Establishes a maximum temperature in school buildings and indoor facilities; provides a definition of extreme heat condition days and the standard to measure room temperature.

Requires health insurance policies include coverage for anesthesia for the entire duration of a procedure for which a licensed medical practitioner has issued an order for such anesthesia.

Enacts "Melanie's law"; relates to orders of protection; allows courts to issue orders of protection for immediate family members or household members of the named victims, regardless of age.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes local election boards to set up secure drop boxes where voters can return their completed absentee ballots in person. The law requires these boards to post the locations of the drop boxes on their websites and gives the state board the power to create rules ensuring the boxes are secure and properly managed. Additionally, the bill clarifies that ballots deposited in these boxes before the close of polls on election day are considered timely, even if they lack a postal service postmark. This change aims to provide another convenient method for voters to submit their ballots while maintaining specific security and timing standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows physician assistants to officially serve as primary care practitioners within Medicaid managed care plans. By amending state social services law, it expands the list of qualified medical providers that managed care organizations must include when arranging access to care for participants. The legislation updates legal definitions to explicitly recognize physician assistants alongside physicians and nurse practitioners for these specific roles. Although the bill passed the legislature, it was vetoed by the governor and did not become law.

Requires a study on the national electric safety code line height standard for overhead utility lines and communication lines as such relate to the height of agricultural equipment and other heavy duty equipment.

Removes certain provisions relating to maximum rates for certain hotel and motel taxes in Ulster county; removes certain provisions exempting short-term rentals from such taxes.