Sen. Rachel May

Establishes an optional local tax exemption for affordable multi-family housing, to be implemented by cities, towns and villages based on recommendations developed by the division of housing and community renewal for each economic development region.

Relates to motions to vacate judgment; authorizes filing motions to vacate judgment due to a change in law; authorizes motions to vacate judgment to be filed at any time after entry of a judgment obtained at trial or by plea; relates to the requirements of discovery.

Provides that any small property owner that owns twenty units or less shall be entitled to free legal services if such small property owner can prove a loss of at least twenty percent of rent payments in a calendar year; defines "small property owner" as any lessor in a residential real property transaction, and includes an owner of twenty units or less who lists residential real property for lease with an agent, whether or not a lease results, or who receives an offer to lease twenty units of residential real property or less.

Maddy summaryS 6634 prohibits New York employers from discriminating against employees or job applicants based on their status as a caregiver. It explicitly adds "caregiver" to the list of protected characteristics under state anti-discrimination law, alongside race, gender, disability, and other categories. The law defines a caregiver as someone providing daily care for a minor child, elderly person, or disabled family member (excluding domestic workers performing caregiving as part of their job). This protects individuals from employment discrimination related to caregiving responsibilities in hiring, pay, promotions, and other terms of employment.

Requires that public schools provide instruction on climate change, including but not limited to identifying the causes and impacts of climate change on individuals, environments and communities, and learning to evaluate solutions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school districts to directly pay charter schools for federal or state aid tied to students with disabilities, based on the level of services the charter school provides for those students. Payments must be made in quarterly installments aligned with the district's state aid schedule, and initial payments for a charter school's first year are based on projected enrollment (later adjusted using actual enrollment data). The commissioner of education determines final payment amounts, and school districts may reduce payments through agreements outlined in the charter. This change ensures charter schools receive accurate, timely funding for disability-related services, directly affecting school districts and charter schools.

Relates to including the Asian longhorned tick and lone star tick on the invasive species list, and include them in the comprehensive plan for invasive species management.

Relates to establishing discount programs for low-income senior citizens and individuals with a disability; provides that utilities, waterworks corporations, telephone corporations and cable television companies shall create discount programs that provide a 10 percent discount to low-income senior citizens and individuals with a disability; defines terms.

Declares the waters of the state to be public trust resources; declares that the waters of the state are valuable public natural resources and the state has a duty to conserve and manage its waters effectively.

Exempts farmers from commercial driver's license (CDL) requirements when operating a covered farm vehicle within one hundred fifty miles of such farmer's farm.