Sen. Rachel May

Requires food service establishments to permit the use of reusable beverage and food containers provided by customers when requesting a beverage refill or requesting leftovers from a partially consumed meal to be packaged and post signs to inform customers that they are permitted to do so.

Directs the wireless service industry to report on current and future plans to pursue renewable energy technology to power macrocells; provides for the repeal of such provisions upon the expiration thereof.

Provides that no incarcerated individual in any state or local prison, penitentiary, jail or reformatory shall be compelled or induced to provide labor against their will.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts the use of specific chemicals in menstrual products sold or distributed within the state. It defines "restricted substances" to include unsafe items like lead, mercury, and various phthalates, and prohibits their inclusion as intentionally added ingredients immediately upon the law's effective date. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Health to set lower safety thresholds for these chemicals within two years, with a mandate to review and potentially lower those limits every five years. The legislation applies to all menstrual products, including tampons, pads, and cups, and takes effect twelve months after becoming law.

Establishes a chief sustainability officer to coordinate efforts across state agencies and other state government entities to address climate change mitigation and climate sustainability efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New York State finance laws to establish stricter rules for state agencies that fail to sign contracts with not-for-profit organizations on time. It creates a specific definition for a "noncompliant" agency, which occurs when an agency repeatedly misses deadlines for submitting or finalizing contracts with these organizations over a six-month period. To address these failures, the bill requires noncompliant agencies to submit detailed monthly reports to the state comptroller and their legislative leaders, explaining the delays and outlining steps to fix internal processes. Additionally, the law clarifies that any temporary written directives allowing not-for-profits to start work before a contract is fully signed must include a payment schedule and a warning that late payments will incur interest.

Authorizes the attorney general to approve certain state land acquisitions made for the purposes of land conservation, and to accept a title policy from a commercial insurer to cover any title defects that would otherwise render the title unmarketable.

Requires DHCR to develop a common application and web portal for certain funding, tax credits, loans, and grants for housing; requires such application to be available upon request from relevant state agencies; requires such web portal to be manageable by relevant state agencies; makes relevant provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new program to boost the production and availability of native plant seeds within New York State. It requires three state agencies to work together to increase seed output from local nurseries and ensure these seeds are affordable and plentiful for public projects like roadside landscaping and habitat restoration. The program may use state funds to run its own growing operations or support private businesses that can help meet the demand. Additionally, the law mandates that state agencies use native seeds whenever possible for their land management and maintenance activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits state-chartered banks from investing in or providing financing to private prison operators. It achieves this by banning banks from purchasing stocks, securities, or other financial obligations of entities that own or run private correctional facilities, using the state's existing standards for public prisons as the benchmark for eligibility. The law applies immediately to all banking contracts entered into, renewed, modified, or amended on or after its effective date.