Sen. Jeremy Cooney

Authorizes the cannabis control board to issue a cannabis showcase event permit to certain licensees authorized to conduct retail sales of adult-use cannabis, cannabis products and cannabis merchandise.

Expands disability benefits for firefighters who suffered any condition or impairment of health caused by endocrine/thyroid cancer resulting in total or partial disability.

Establishes a maximum temperature in school buildings and indoor facilities; provides a definition of extreme heat condition days and the standard to measure room temperature.

Expands the food donation and food scraps recycling program by scaling down the annual average tonnage requirement every two years until 2028; removes exceptions regarding recycler capacity.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in the state to cover epinephrine auto-injectors, which are devices used to treat life-threatening allergic reactions. It mandates that insurers provide coverage for at least two medically necessary devices per person, ensuring that the total out-of-pocket cost for these items does not exceed $100 annually. The law applies to various types of insurance policies, including major medical plans and group policies, while also accounting for specific federal rules regarding health savings accounts. The changes are set to take effect on January 1, 2026, for all policies issued or renewed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes local election boards to set up secure drop boxes where voters can return their completed absentee ballots in person. The law requires these boards to post the locations of the drop boxes on their websites and gives the state board the power to create rules ensuring the boxes are secure and properly managed. Additionally, the bill clarifies that ballots deposited in these boxes before the close of polls on election day are considered timely, even if they lack a postal service postmark. This change aims to provide another convenient method for voters to submit their ballots while maintaining specific security and timing standards.

Ensures that color vision requirements for appointment of police officers are tailored to only eliminate individuals with extreme color vision deficiencies from eligibility; provides methods under which an individual can meet such requirements after failing to meet an initial color vision standard.

Establishes a fiscal cliff task force to conduct a study on fiscal cliffs in the state's public assistance programs and to make recommendations related thereto.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New York City to use specific alternative project delivery methods, such as design-build and construction manager build, for public works projects. It applies these methods to large infrastructure projects involving water, sewer, or coastal resiliency, as well as to renovations of cultural institutions and public libraries. The legislation requires that all contracts using these methods be awarded through open, competitive processes and must include project labor agreements that bind all contractors and subcontractors to specific labor standards. Additionally, the bill clarifies that public employees will review project completion while maintaining contractors' primary responsibility for performing the work correctly.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates Diwali, the fifteenth day of the eighth month of the Indian calendar, as a mandatory school holiday. It updates state education law to ensure schools remain closed on this specific date, joining other recognized holidays like Asian Lunar New Year. The change directly affects school districts and students by adding a new day off to the academic calendar. The legislation takes effect immediately upon passage.