Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal

Maddy summaryS 703 amends New York's animal cruelty law by removing the requirement that injury must be "serious" to qualify as aggravated cruelty. This change means prosecutors no longer need to prove severe physical harm to charge someone with aggravated cruelty to animals. The bill defines "aggravated cruelty" as conduct intentionally causing extreme pain or carried out in a depraved or sadistic manner, applying to companion animals. The law directly affects individuals accused of animal cruelty, broadening the scope of what constitutes a punishable offense under this specific charge.

Requires the department of environmental conservation and the department of health, owners or operators of public water systems, and owners or operators of buildings to take actions to prevent and control waterborne pathogens including legionella from source-to-tap.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends election law to establish rules for designating polling places used during early voting periods. It prohibits public school buildings from being used as early voting locations and requires that if a public building (other than a school) is selected, the controlling entity must provide an accessible, suitable room for voting unless they file a cancellation request within 30 days. The bill also allows religious organization buildings as polling places (with exemptions for Saturday voter registration if it conflicts with religious beliefs) and bans alcohol-serving establishments from being designated on registration or voting days. Boards of elections must finalize these designations by March 15th each year, with adjustments permitted if locations become unsuitable.

Relates to actions or practices that establish or maintain a monopoly, monopsony or restraint of trade; authorizes a class action lawsuit in the state anti-trust law.

Prohibits the release of a consumer's electrical or gas consumption data to any police officer, or private, local, state or federal law enforcement entity without a judicial court-ordered subpoena, warrant or the consumer's written consent.

Prohibits proceeds from the auction or sale of carbon dioxide emission allowances pursuant to New York's participation in the regional greenhouse gas initiative (RGGI) from being transferred into the state general fund; provides that if such proceeds are transferred to the state general fund, they shall be used for the purposes directed by the RGGI.

Decreases the frequency of lock-down drills in schools; directs that such drills shall be implemented with a trauma-informed approach; permits parents to opt their children out of such drills.

Establishes application processing and review requirements for reprieves, commutations and pardons by the governor; requires the governor to provide: a written notification that the application has been received; a receipt number that the applicant can then use to check on the applicant's application status; guidelines for supplementing the application with additional or updated information; and a notification when a decision is made on the application; requires quarterly reports to the legislature regarding reprieves, commutations and pardons.

Maddy summaryThis bill defines a "noncompliant state agency" as one failing to meet specific deadlines for submitting contracts with not-for-profit organizations to the attorney general. It requires agencies that miss deadlines to submit monthly reports detailing delayed contracts, reasons for delays, corrective steps, and estimated completion dates - publicly posting these reports online. Agencies must also provide similar reports to nonprofits and submit detailed six-month improvement plans to state leaders, outlining how they will fix contracting delays. Additionally, the bill clarifies that temporary "written directives" allowing nonprofits to continue services during negotiations must specify payment terms and interest for late payments.

Requires public agencies to establish preliminary license application procedures to determine whether an applicant for a license would be ineligible for such license based on criminal history; establishes time frames for public agencies to respond to such applications; requires public agencies to report information regarding granting licenses annually.