Sen. Pat Fahy

Requires forest management plans, subject to the approval of the department of environmental conservation, for certain lands subject to a conservation easement purchased by the state; forbids clearcutting on such lands without such forest management plan; increases the jurisdiction of the Adirondack park agency over clearcutting.

Establishes the human services wage commission for the purpose of investigating whether the wages paid to human services workers are sufficient to provide adequate maintenance and to protect the health and welfare of employees; defines terms; provides for the duties of the commission; requires reporting.

Imposes fines for failure to exercise due care and move over when approaching parked, stopped or standing motor vehicles on the shoulder of a highway.

Requires each agency to develop and implement a five-year accessibility plan, to include: the steps the agency is taking and will be taking over the next 5 years to ensure accessibility to the agency's facilities, services, and programs for persons with disabilities, and information on ongoing projects and projects planned over the next 5 years related to improving physical, digital and programmatic access, and effective communications for persons with disabilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new pathway for foreign-trained dentists to become licensed in New York. It allows dentists licensed outside the U.S. (who don't qualify for standard endorsement) to work under a limited permit in underserved community health centers after meeting requirements: five years of dental practice experience, passing a competency exam, and completing a supervised preceptorship program. After five years of practice under this permit in qualifying facilities, they may apply for full state licensure. The bill directly affects international dental graduates seeking to practice in New York, particularly in areas with dental health shortages.

Requires every school district to conduct a transition feasibility analysis within the next succeeding school year as of the effective date of this act, and every five years thereafter, to determine the feasibility of using zero-emission school buses on current routes.

Requires the commissioner of the office for people with developmental disabilities to work with an independent firm to allow such firm to conduct a study on the OPWDD eligibility criteria and determinations following diagnostic evaluations by a licensed professional and distribution of services.

Grants immunity from liability and professional retaliation against a law enforcement employee who intervenes against police misconduct committed by another member of law enforcement.

Maddy summaryS 1730 requires all plastic trash bags sold in the state to contain at least 30% recycled post-consumer material by weight, affecting manufacturers (who produce the bags) and retailers (who sell them). The bill mandates clear labeling of recycled content on product packaging and imposes $500 penalties for retailers or manufacturers who violate the requirement, with first-time violations receiving warnings. It allows the environmental department to later set higher recycled content standards. The law takes effect on January 1, 2028.

Requires the office for people with developmental disabilities to submit a detailed report of proposed savings and investment initiatives within the executive budget.