Sen. Jake Ashby

Directs the commissioner of education to develop a program and provide for a system whereby teachers may submit examination receipts for any New York state teaching certifications earned after the first permanent teaching certification for reimbursement by the department of education for any additional certifications.

Requires each school district to provide interventions and special curricula for children with dyslexia or other phonological learning differences or disabilities.

Provides for distinctive license plates for gold star family members; eliminates the registration fee for gold star mother and gold star family member distinctive license plates.

Requires the Empire State Development corporation's broadband program office to assist in the provision and expansion of broadband internet access service and to address inequities in the availability of such service.

Maddy summaryS 5931 delays the enforcement of regulations requiring truck manufacturers to sell more zero-emission vehicles. It prevents the Department of Environmental Conservation from implementing rules that would have forced manufacturers to increase zero-emission truck sales before January 1, 2027. The bill directly affects medium- and heavy-duty truck manufacturers by extending the timeline for compliance. This policy change postpones the effective date of the advanced clean trucks rules without altering the 2027 deadline.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $500 state tax credit for residents and businesses that purchase and professionally install a water filtration or purification system in their home or business within the state. Taxpayers can claim one credit per residence or business where a qualifying system is installed, defined as one that removes impurities through physical, chemical, or biological processes. The credit applies to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, and is claimed against state income tax. It directly affects taxpayers who install eligible systems, providing a financial incentive for water quality improvements.

Directs the New York state energy research and development authority to establish a ride clean rebate program for electric assist bicycles and electric scooters; defines terms; provides a fifty percent rebate for eligible purchases.

Authorizes Kristin Proud to receive certain service credit with the New York state and local employees' retirement system for her volunteer service beginning March 25, 2020 and ending November 8, 2020.

Maddy summaryS 480 eliminates a $10 one-time application fee for veterans' special license plates in New York. It directly affects veterans who apply for plates through veterans organizations, removing the additional charge while keeping the standard registration fee. The bill amends multiple sections of the vehicle and traffic law (including 404-h, 404-j, and 404-v) to remove the $10 fee provision. This is a concrete policy change that reduces costs for veterans obtaining these plates.

Maddy summaryThis proposed bill (S 6608) would require banks in New York to obtain specific written consent from consumers before charging overdraft fees for checking account transactions. It mandates clear disclosures about fee amounts, coverage for ATM/electronic transactions, repayment terms, and circumstances where overdrafts won’t be covered. The bill caps annual overdraft fees at $100 per account and requires banks to automatically reject transactions if fees exceed this limit. It directly affects New York consumers with checking accounts and aims to prevent surprise fees by ensuring informed consent and transparency.