Sen. Kevin Thomas

Maddy summaryThis bill limits how much property tax base proportions can increase in Nassau and Suffolk counties for the 2024-2025 tax year. In Nassau County, approved assessing units must pass a local resolution to cap any single property class increase at one percent, while special assessing units in both counties face the same one percent limit without needing a separate vote. The legislation requires that if these caps are applied, local legislative bodies must adjust the proportions of other property classes to ensure the total tax rate remains at one hundred percent.

Enacts the "beauty justice act"; provides for the regulation of ingredients in personal care products and cosmetics; prohibits the sale of personal care products and cosmetic products containing certain restricted products.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the monthly pension benefits for surviving spouses of retired New York public employees from fifty percent to one hundred percent of what the deceased partner would have received. The change applies to several retirement systems, including those for city employees, teachers, police, firefighters, and board of education staff, and takes effect on September 1, 2025. Under the new rules, a surviving spouse who chose a lifetime benefit option for their partner will receive the full amount of the pension starting either in September 2025 or the month after the partner's death, whichever occurs later.

Relates to requiring the use of project labor agreements for large scale construction projects under the state university construction fund; provides an exception to such requirement may be granted; provides that the fund may require every contractor become party to a project labor agreement.

Prohibits utility corporations from imposing late fees, interest, or penalties during an investigation by the commission; allows retroactive late fees, interest, or penalties if a determination is made in favor of such utility corporation; prohibits utility services from being terminated during an investigation by the commission; requires utility corporations to notify customers of investigations; requires notice to the general public.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates how the state calculates payment rates for federally qualified health centers to better match their actual operating costs. It requires the health department to analyze five years of cost data, including expenses for staffing, physical facilities, and technology, and to remove existing caps on these payments starting in April 2025. The law establishes a new method for adjusting these rates annually based on federal market basket figures and changes in the scope of services provided. This change directly affects federally qualified health centers by ensuring their reimbursement reflects the true cost of delivering care.

Permits a candidate who was depicted in materially deceptive media in a political communication to seek injunctive or other equitable relief prohibiting the publication of such materially deceptive media unless certain disclosures are provided; establishes an affirmative defense.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows animal shelters, rescue groups, and humane societies to implant microchips in dogs and cats they hold, provided the animals do not already have one. It applies specifically to organizations that are tax-exempt and registered with the state, enabling them to use microchipping as a tool for animal identification and adoption tracking. The law also requires these groups to make their best effort to keep the contact information linked to each microchip current, including details about the organization, adoptive owners, and lost animals. By taking effect immediately, the measure updates existing regulations to formalize the use of microchips within the animal welfare sector.

Amends the constitution to delete the requirement that registration for purposes of voting be completed at least ten days before election day; provides that laws be made to adequately safeguard against deception in the exercise of the right of suffrage.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes specific restrictions on who can receive personal and home care services under Medicaid in New York. It repeals a rule that previously required individuals to need assistance with more than two daily activities or, for those with dementia, supervision with more than one daily activity to qualify. The change allows people with fewer daily living challenges to become eligible for these services if a physician determines they are cost-effective and appropriate. Additionally, the bill clarifies that individuals must be able to make their own choices about the type of care they receive or have a designated representative do so. These updates take effect immediately upon becoming law.