Sen. Pam Helming

Establishes the safe water and infrastructure action program for the purpose of making payments toward the replacement and rehabilitation of certain existing local drinking water, storm water and sanitary sewer systems; applies to any county, city, town, village or public authority drinking water system, storm water system or sanitary sewer system within the state that is not under the maintenance and/or operational jurisdiction of a private entity; does not apply to NYC.

Enacts the "homebuyer renovation property tax exemption act" to grant an exemption of up to fifteen thousand dollars from taxation levied by or on behalf of any county, city, town, village or school district in which such residential property is located for a period of five years from the date of purchase of the property; defines "primary residential property".

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new retirement benefit for New York State public employees who have volunteered as firefighters or in emergency services. Under the law, eligible workers can earn one year of retirement credit for every five years of volunteer service, up to a maximum of three years total. To receive this credit, employees must apply before retiring and pay a fee based on their recent earnings, while the state and their employers cover the remaining costs. The legislation also ensures that any money paid for this credit is refunded with interest if the employee dies before retiring and does not benefit from the additional service time.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health and casualty insurance policies that cover prescription drugs to also cover prenatal vitamins when prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider. The law applies to comprehensive medical plans, including those offered by medical expense indemnity corporations and hospital service corporations. While the coverage is mandatory, insurers may still apply standard annual deductibles and coinsurance fees that align with other benefits in the policy. The changes take effect on the first of January following the bill's enactment and apply to all policies issued, renewed, or modified on or after that date.

Increases penalties for endangerment of a highway worker; promotes work zone safety awareness; establishes a fund for additional work zone safety enforcement.

Refers individuals to appropriate service providers that are able to provide services to such individual within seventy-two hours for substance use disorders.

Provides for the sale of salvaged airbags; allows for the sale of non-deployed recycled airbags in New York, provided that such airbags meet required safety standards.

Prohibits ballot harvesting; prohibits a person from submitting an application for an absentee ballot on behalf of a voter without notarized consent; permits family members, caregivers and other officials to submit applications.

Exempts computer hardware and software equipment and school supplies from sales tax during the seven day period commencing on the Tuesday immediately preceding the first Monday in September, known as Labor Day, and ending on Labor Day.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks the Governor of New York to officially declare May 12-18, 2024, as Fibromyalgia Awareness Week. The resolution highlights the challenges faced by people with fibromyalgia, a chronic condition causing widespread pain and fatigue, and notes the need for better medical understanding and support. It also acknowledges the work of the Fibromyalgia Task Force of New York State in advocating for improved diagnosis and treatment. The bill is a symbolic gesture intended to increase public awareness rather than changing specific laws or funding.