Sen. Pat Fahy

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 3144, expands the required service area for accessible paratransit transportation. It mandates that accessible buses be available within a service area measuring three miles from any bus line operated by a transportation authority or its subsidiaries. This provision applies to both existing requirements for a percentage of accessible buses and the mandate for 100% accessible fixed-route buses, aiming to ensure broader geographical access for transportation-disabled persons, including those in wheelchairs.

Relates to returnable bottles; adds noncarbonated soft drinks, certain noncarbonated fruit or vegetable juices, coffee and tea beverages, carbonated fruit beverages and cider to the definition of "beverage"; provides that beginning April 1, 2027, the handling fee will be six cents for each beverage container accepted by a deposit initiator from a dealer or operator of a redemption center; directs the multi-agency bottle bill fraud investigation team to submit a report on findings of pervasive bottle redemption fraud in New York state.

Relates to creating the health emergency response data system, which collects information and statistical data relating to public health emergencies in order to assist the department of health, other government entities, health care providers, and the public in understanding and responding to public health emergencies.

Allows a licensed psychologist to apply to the department of education for conditional prescribing certification if the psychologist meets certain requirements; allows the department of education to waive certain requirements for an applying psychologist; provides that a conditional prescribing certification shall be valid for a period of two years.

Requires the New York state energy research and development authority to establish a do-not-solicit solar development statewide registry prohibiting solar solicitors from contacting persons who are included on such registry; establishes requirements for solar solicitors who make solar marketing sales calls, electronic messaging, and on-premises sales appeals to customers in New York state; establishes penalties for violations.

Relates to qualified energy storage systems; authorizes energy storage permitting under the office of renewable energy siting and electric transmission.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires contractors working on public improvement projects costing over $250,000 without an established public fund to post a surety bond or irrevocable letter of credit equal to the construction cost. The bond guarantees payment to subcontractors, laborers, and material suppliers who work on the project. It directly affects contractors and their workers on larger public projects where public funds aren't pre-allocated. The key mechanism ensures contractors cannot delay or withhold payments to those providing labor or materials for state or public entity projects.

Relates to the availability of opioid reversal agents; requires the department of health to make available any formulation and dosage of opioid reversal agents approved by the federal food and drug administration.

Establishes a civil cause of action for employees who are subjected to an abusive work environment; provides employers shall be vicariously liable for such work environment.

Establishes clean energy goals of reducing the annual total of vehicle miles traveled within the state by 20% by the year 2050; requires state and local highway projects to comply with reductions to vehicle miles traveled targets.