Sen. Steve Rhoads

Directs the public service commission to conduct a full cost benefit analysis of the technical and economic feasibility of renewable energy systems in the state of New York and to compare such directly with other methods of electricity generation; makes certain changes relating to greenhouse gas emissions limits.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts the Wantagh Union Free School District from New York State regulations that restrict the use of indigenous names, mascots, and logos in schools. It directly affects Wantagh School District by allowing it to continue using such imagery without complying with existing rules, including those in Title 8 of the New York Codes. The exemption is immediate and applies to all relevant state laws, rules, or regulations governing this issue. The bill does not alter broader state policy but grants a specific exception for this district.

Prohibits funding for SUNY, CUNY or community colleges which, directly or indirectly, permit terrorist organizations on campus; provides that the state university trustees adopt rules and regulations that any student group or student organization that receives funding from the state university of New York that directly or indirectly promotes, encourages, advocates, or permits any terrorist advocacy or activities on campuses, shall be ineligible for funding, including funding from student activity fee proceeds.

Maddy summaryS 897 requires employers to provide nursing employees with a designated room for expressing breast milk that includes a sink or basin specifically for washing breast pump attachments, upon the employee's request. This amendment to New York's labor law (section 206-c) updates existing requirements for workplace accommodations by adding this specific provision for equipment cleaning. The bill directly affects nursing employees in workplaces who need to express milk, ensuring their designated space includes necessary facilities for hygiene. Employers must provide this sink in a room that is private, well-lit, near work areas, and not a restroom. The bill amends existing law and was referred to the Labor committee on January 8, 2025.

Provides that the penalty for the abandonment of animals is a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment for not more than one year, or by a fine of not less than five hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars, or by both.

Eliminates the zero-emission school bus mandate; authorizes the New York state energy research and development authority conduct a study to determine the feasibility of converting school buses to zero-emission vehicles.

Relates to segregated confinement; provides that certain incarcerated individuals shall not be placed in a residential rehabilitation unit; makes related provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 9-member Climate Action Cost Council to review climate-related regulations. State agencies must get the council’s 2/3 approval before adopting new rules to meet climate goals, and can issue no more than five such rules annually. The council must consider costs to businesses and ratepayers, grid reliability, and emissions reductions before approving proposals. Agencies must notify the council 60 days in advance of proposed rules, and the council will report annual costs and emissions data to the governor and legislature.

Maddy summaryS 16, "Jacobe's Law," requires school staff to contact parents or guardians when bullying or harassment is confirmed involving a student. School counselors, principals, or other designated staff must first discuss with the student whether contacting parents would raise health, safety, or privacy concerns before making reasonable efforts to notify them via phone, email, or mail. The law also protects individuals who report bullying or harassment in good faith from retaliation or legal liability. This affects students involved in such incidents, their parents/guardians, and school staff responsible for handling reports.

Removes references to the electric school bus mandate; provides that there shall be no mandate requiring school districts to purchase, operate or maintain any certain type of school buses and that the superintendent of each school district shall have the sole authority to determine the types of school buses such school district will purchase, operate and maintain; repeals certain provisions of law relating to electric school buses.