Sen. Chris Ryan

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York's labor law to clarify which private construction projects must follow prevailing wage rules when using public funds. It defines "covered projects" as those where public funds make up at least 20% of total costs (over $5 million) or $3 million+ in public funds. The law excludes single-family homes, small nonprofits, and certain affordable housing projects (like those with 25%+ affordable units under 15-year agreements) from these requirements. It also specifies that tax benefits, loan savings, and some public subsidies do not count as "public funds" for this purpose.

Relates to qualified energy storage systems; authorizes energy storage permitting under the office of renewable energy siting and electric transmission.

Requires the state interagency coordinating council for services to persons who are deaf, deaf-blind, or hard of hearing to develop and implement a training program to educate first responders on effective communication with deaf and hard of hearing individuals in emergency situations.

Relates to the availability of opioid reversal agents; requires the department of health to make available any formulation and dosage of opioid reversal agents approved by the federal food and drug administration.

Establishes a civil cause of action for employees who are subjected to an abusive work environment; provides employers shall be vicariously liable for such work environment.

Establishes a cannabis processor tax credit; authorizes a tax credit that is the equivalent to the licensed processor's cannabis potency tax liability for the year two thousand twenty-three, multiplied by three, but shall not exceed four hundred thousand dollars.

Relates to returnable beverage containers; amends certain definitions relating thereto; repeals a certain provision of law relating thereto; provides that a dealer whose place of business is less than ten thousand square feet and whose primary business is the sale of food or beverages for consumption off-premises may obtain an exemption from the obligation to accept empty beverage containers for redemption under certain conditions; provides for different handling fees for beverage containers accepter by a deposit initiator from a dealer or operator of a redemption center; provides that a deposit initiator shall have the right to conduct audits of containers presented for redemption by redemption centers or dealers subject to certain provisions; provides requirements for groups of deposit initiators and brands to form a commingling group; relates to provisions governing redemption centers.

Requires coverage for colorectal cancer early detection beginning at age thirty-five; adds coverage for colorectal cancer early detection as a required coverage for individual policies; requires notification of colorectal early detection coverage to be provided to insured individuals beginning at age thirty-five.

Maddy summarySenate Bill S 856 reorganizes the State Commission of Correction by expanding its membership from three to nine individuals. The bill diversifies the appointment process, allowing the Governor, Speaker of the Assembly, Temporary President of the Senate, and the Correctional Association to each appoint members. It also mandates that the commission include members with specific professional backgrounds, such as formerly incarcerated individuals, health professionals, and attorneys. Additionally, the bill establishes a ten-year term limit for commissioners and alters the process for designating the chairperson and removing members.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes permanent disability benefits for volunteer firefighters who develop heart or coronary artery conditions related to their service. It removes an expiration date (previously set for June 30, 2025) from existing provisions in the volunteer firefighters' benefit law. The change directly affects volunteer firefighters who become disabled due to heart disease or coronary artery issues while serving, ensuring they continue to qualify for these benefits without time limits.