Sen. Lea Webb

Enacts the "go green schools act" to assist school districts in converting to renewable energy sources as a primary source of energy; directs NYSERDA to conduct a study and make recommendations for such purpose.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York's law to explicitly include veterans in the legal definition of "military status." It expands the current definition - which already covers active military service - to protect veterans who have completed their service from unlawful discrimination. The key change adds the phrase "a person's participation in the military service... if such person has been released from such service" to the existing definition. This means veterans will now be covered under the same anti-discrimination protections that apply to active-duty military personnel. The change applies to all areas governed by this law, including employment and housing.

Relates to the definition of elevated blood lead levels; provides that elevated lead levels means a blood lead level greater than or equal to 3.5 micrograms of lead per deciliter of whole blood or such lower blood lead level as may be established by the department of health pursuant to rule or regulation.

Authorizes the department of environmental conservation to independently add to the lists of prohibited and regulated invasive species on an emergency basis pending review by the department of agriculture and markets in consultation with the New York invasive species council.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York's insurance law to change requirements for medical malpractice insurance. It removes the need for insurers to obtain a declination from insurance associations before placing coverage for hospitals, physicians, or dentists. The key provision states that if insurance is available through an association or plan, insurers no longer must get a declination for these specific medical malpractice policies. This directly affects healthcare providers (hospitals, doctors, dentists) purchasing malpractice insurance by simplifying the placement process. The change applies to all medical malpractice coverage, not just specific types, streamlining how insurers secure this essential coverage.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3245) updates how New York local governments and school districts calculate payments in lieu of taxes (PILT) for tax-exempt properties. It requires the Commissioner of Taxation to compute an annual "quantity change factor" showing percentage shifts in taxable property values between specific assessment rolls. This factor must include changes in value for properties under PILT agreements, ensuring these adjustments directly impact local tax revenue calculations. The bill affects municipalities and school districts receiving PILT payments by standardizing how property value changes are factored into their funding.

Shifts the conducting of the income verification process for the purposes of the senior citizen tax exemption from municipalities to the department of taxation and finance.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2556) requires New York public authorities to sell or transfer property at fair market value unless specific exemptions apply, such as sales to other government entities or if the transfer serves a clear public interest. It adds new rules for contracts containing "right of first refusal," mandating that property must transfer at or above fair market value when that right is exercised. Authorities must publicly disclose detailed information about below-market sales - including appraisals, transfer purposes, community benefits, and competing offers - and provide written notice to state officials for non-government sales. The law affects all state public authorities managing public assets, ensuring transparency and preventing undervalued sales without proper justification.

Maddy summaryS 6639 increases the percentage of overtime pay excluded from retirement benefit calculations for public employees from 15% to 30% of their regular wages. It directly affects state and local government workers covered by retirement systems using "final average salary" calculations. The bill changes the threshold so more overtime pay will now be included in determining retirement benefits, rather than excluded.

Creates the offense of defrauding the government in the first degree; expands the definition of conspiracy in the fourth degree; relates to expanding the definition of tax fraud acts.