Sen. Erik Bottcher

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New York City agencies from purchasing single-use plastic water containers, aiming to reduce waste and promote sustainability. It defines these containers as sealed plastic bottles under one gallon containing unflavored water intended for one-time use. While the rule is strict, it allows exceptions for protecting health and safety, responding to emergencies, or honoring existing contracts and labor agreements. The changes take effect immediately upon passage.

Provides that for any school district located wholly or partially within a municipality that meets transit-oriented development or housing growth benchmarks, the approved building aid ratio for any eligible capital construction project shall be increased by five percentage points.

Creates shared housing rooming units in new class A multiple dwellings or buildings converted to class A multiple dwellings; creates new regulations in the New York city building codes.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands legal protections for long-term residents living in specific loft buildings in large cities. It defines these protected spaces as interim multiple dwellings if they were occupied by at least two or three independent families for twelve consecutive months between 2015 and 2016, with an additional requirement for three families prior to 1996 for some cases. The law ensures that remaining residents continue to receive these protections even if the total number of occupied units in the building decreases. Additionally, any non-residential areas within these buildings must obtain a residential certificate of occupancy before being used for housing.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to exempt haircuts and basic barbering and cosmetology services from sales tax. The exemption covers specific services like hair trimming, shampooing, and styling when performed by a state-licensed professional. However, the tax would still apply to the purchase of physical items such as hair products and cosmetics, as well as other personal care services like massages or nail salon treatments. The changes would take effect immediately but only apply to sales occurring after a ninety-day waiting period.

Expands access to higher education in correctional facilities by requiring the department of corrections and community supervision to provide meaningful access to postsecondary educational programming and to establish a transparent process for incarcerated individuals to request transfers to facilities where such programs are available.

Relates to gender indication on insurance claim forms; provides policies shall not exclude coverage if gender indication is different from sex assigned at birth or gender otherwise recorded.

Establishes the pro-housing communities incentive fund to provide incentive payments to municipalities based on the number of eligible new housing units produced within such municipality.

Permits certain members of the state liquor authority or officers, deputies, assistants, inspectors or employees thereof to be a member of a board of education.

Maddy summaryThe Heroes Park Pass Act grants free access to state parks and campsites for specific groups of New York residents, including veterans, Gold Star families, and retired first responders. This law defines first responders to include firefighters, law enforcement officers, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, and dispatchers who have served in their roles. Eligible individuals can use public recreation areas without paying fees, provided they meet the same terms and conditions as the general public. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.