Sen. Pat Fahy

Allows for reimbursement of transportation costs for emergency care without prior authorization by the social services official including emergency medical transportation by an ambulance service certified under article 30 of the public health law; authorizes the commissioner of health to establish a reimbursement methodology to ensure providers are reimbursed.

Establishes the New York state equine industry board, to advise and make recommendations to the state agencies on state government plans, policies and programs affecting all aspects of equine industry, and in such areas as its experience and studies may indicate to be appropriate.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 25% tax credit for homeowners who install fire sprinkler systems in their residences. It directly affects residential property owners in municipalities that do not already require sprinkler systems. The credit covers 25% of labor and material costs, with a maximum annual credit of $5,000. The credit can be carried forward if it exceeds current tax liability but cannot reduce tax below the minimum amount required. The program begins for taxable years starting January 1, 2025.

Prohibits governmental entities from entering into agreements to house individuals in immigration detention facilities; requires governmental entities to terminate existing contracts for the detention of individuals in immigration detention facilities.

Relates to procedures relating to driving while ability impaired by drugs; defines impairment and intoxication; updates procedures for field testing of drivers suspected of being under the influence of drugs to include the use of oral/bodily fluid tests; provides that refusal to submit to such field tests is specified to be a traffic infraction; makes related provisions.

Prohibits the diminution of health insurance benefits of public employee retirees and their dependents or reducing the employer's contributions for such insurance; defines employers to include the state, municipalities, school districts, and public authorities and commissions.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts property and services used in adult-use cannabis cultivation from New York's sales and compensating use taxes. It directly affects licensed cannabis businesses operating under an adult-use cultivator, cooperative, or microbusiness license. The key provision modifies tax law to include qualifying cannabis cultivation activities within existing agricultural tax exemptions, allowing these businesses to purchase equipment and services without paying applicable taxes. The exemption applies to tangible personal property, including motor vehicles used predominantly in licensed cannabis cultivation operations.

Maddy summaryS 1681 imposes a 0.5% tax on corporations buying back their own issued shares (stock buybacks). It directly affects corporations that repurchase shares, requiring them to pay tax equal to half a percent of the total value paid for those shares. The tax applies regardless of whether the shares are later canceled, and it replaces the existing per-share tax rates for such transactions. This is a direct tax on corporate buyback activity, not on general stock sales.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how residential habilitation services are reimbursed for people with developmental disabilities who receive Medicaid. It defines three types of service days: "retainer days" (for medical leave), "service days" (regular care in community residences), and "therapy days" (for family visits or vacations), each paid at 100% of the daily rate but with annual limits (max 14 retainer days per facility capacity and 96 therapy days per person). Starting July 1, 2024, providers will also receive an occupancy adjustment for vacant beds (due to moves or deaths), which adjusts their operating rate by up to 5% based on actual occupancy. These rules apply to facilities licensed or approved by New York's Office for People with Developmental Disabilities.

Maddy summaryS 1080, the "Supportive Interventions Act," updates New York's mental health laws to improve outpatient treatment access for people with severe mental illness who may not recognize their need for care. It revises definitions of "likely to result in serious harm" to explicitly include risks like untreated psychosis, self-neglect, and psychiatric deterioration - expanding beyond current narrow interpretations. The bill requires clinicians to assess whether a person could adhere to outpatient treatment and consider long-term health impacts before recommending involuntary hospitalization. This aims to reduce unnecessary hospitalizations, support community integration, and strengthen the existing Kendra's Law assisted outpatient treatment program.