December 31, 2001
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For Immediate Release: December 31, 2001 |
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New York State Assembly Significant Legislation 2001 |
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AGING EPIC Eligibility Retention This bill would allow seniors to retain their eligibility for the state's Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage Program (EPIC). The legislation allows EPIC- enrolled seniors whose incomes increased because of cost of living adjustments in their public or private pensions or Social Security benefits to retain their EPIC eligibility. (A.5149; Passed Assembly / S.4342; Rules) Senior RPT Exemption This bill would allow school districts the option to grant a senior citizen real property tax (RPT) exemption to otherwise ineligible seniors who reside with a child attending public school. (A.2692 /S.1895; Chapter 199) Income Eligibility for SCRIE This bill would exclude from the definition of income any increases in a public or private pension when determining income eligibility for the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) program, as long as the increase does not exceed the Consumer Price Index in any given year. (A.3537 /S.4086; Chapter 500) SCRIE This bill would grant local governments the option to increase the maximum income eligibility limit for the SCRIE Program from $20,000 to $25,000. (A.2650; Passed Assembly/S.733; Rules) Green Thumb Expanded The bill would increase the Green Thumb Environmental Beautification Program's income limits in order to allow more senior citizens to continue in the program and to attract additional participants. Under the bill, income limitation increases would increase from $14, 600 to $15, 111 for an individual living alone, from $10,948 to $11,331 for an individual living in another's home, from $25,031 to $25,907 for a couple living alone and from $18,775 to $19,432 for a couple living in another's home. (A.4258 / S.2117; Chapter 253) |
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AGRICULTURE
Dangerous Dog Registry This bill would require the
commissioner of the Agriculture and Markets Department to
establish a dangerous dog registry and an advisory board to
determine what steps the state should initiate to protect the
public from vicious canines. The bill addresses an increasing
number of reported dog attack incidents by requiring the
state to begin tracking animals that have demonstrated violent
behavior so that if these dogs are involved in an additional
incident, the state can intervene, remove the dog and protect
the public. (A.5113; Passed
Assembly / S.2635; Rules)
Farming Protections This bill requires the commissioner of
the Agriculture and Markets Department to consult with local
government officials concerning local land use regulations,
ordinances or laws. The bill would utilize the department's
expertise to ensure that local laws do not adversely impact
farming. (A.29B /
S.3851; Veto Memo.2)
Agriculture Revolving Loan Fund This bill would create a
microbusiness revolving loan fund to stimulate business
enterprises that add economic value to New York home-grown
products. Under the bill, loans would be made for start-up
funds, working capital and the acquisition of machinery and
equipment. (A.5800; Passed
Assembly / S.3067; Rules)
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ALCOHOL AND DRUGS
Insurance Coverage Substance Abuse This bill would mandate
that substance abuse treatment be granted parity with other
types of health insurance coverage. (A.60;
Passed Assembly/S.2512; Rules)
Compulsive Gambling This bill would create a fund to pay for
treatment of compulsive gambling. The legislation aims to
establish a permanent state funding stream to assist problem
gamblers. (A.6023; Passed
Assembly/S.186; Rules)
Indigent Care Pool This bill would create an indigent care
pool to pay for uncompensated care for substance abuse
treatment given by non-profit health-care providers to
indigents. The measure would allow not-for-profit diagnostic
treatment centers to be compensated for these services.
Currently, the law only allows primary medical care facilities
to have access to indigent care funding.
(A.7360; Passed
Assembly)
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BANKS
Predatory Lending This bill would regulate high-cost home
loans by prohibiting balloon payments and "loan flipping" and
also would require that first time homebuyers receive credit
counseling. (A.7828; Passed
Assembly)
ATMs For The Disabled This bill would require automated
teller machines (ATM) to provide audio and visual messages
as a way to improve disabled New Yorkers' access to banking
services. The bill is part of the Assembly's legislative
agenda to meet the needs of the disabled.
(A.5797; Passed
Assembly)
Social Security Check Cashing This bill would allow senior
citizens who may not have the financial assets to maintain a
bank account to cash their Social Security check at any bank
in the state upon the presentation of sufficient
identification, even though they are not a depositor.
(A.202; Passed Assembly /
S.91; Rules)
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CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Seamless Child-Care Assistance This bill would provide child
day care assistance to families who experience a short break
in employment. Under the bill, child care would continue
without interruption for those eligible families who are
committed to working towards self sufficiency, but experience
a short break in their employment.
(A.8709 /
S.4861;
Chapter 569)
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CITIES
NYC Home Heating Sales Tax Repeal This bill would allow the
City of New York to eliminate its four percent sales tax on
home heating fuels. Under the bill, the New York City Council
will have the option to repeal, either for a limited time or
permanently, its four percent tax on sales of oil and natural
gas used for home heating and other residential uses, either
for a limited time or permanently. The bill responds to New
York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani's request to roll back the
sales tax on home heating oil only for 60 days.
(A.3332:
Passed Assembly)
Investment Powers Of The Board Of Trustees Of The New York
Fire Department Life Insurance Fund This bill would provide
a greater yield on investments made by the New York Fire
Department Life Insurance Fund. Currently, the trustees of
the life insurance fund are limited in how they may invest
the fund's assets. This bill will give them the same
investment options that are available to the trustees of the
pension fund. (A.2042/
A.1360; Chapter 477)
Consumer Protection For The City Of New York/New York City
Water Board This legislation would establish a four-year
time frame for customers of the New York City Municipal Water
and Sewage System to file complaints against billing records.
Under the measure, customers would have up to four years
from the date of the billing record to challenge New York
City Municipal Water and/or Sewage System. The bill aims
to provide consumers with an ample amount of time to
correct billing mistakes that are occurring because of
the transition to meters and changing rates and regulations.
(A.9456 /
S.5821; Chapter 467)
Providing Fiscal Security For The City Of New York This bill
would extend the expiration date from June 30, 2001 to June
30, 2002 for the City of New York to issue bonds and notes at
private sale, subject to the approval of the state
comptroller.
(A.7323; Passed Assembly/
S.3815; Rules)
Coney Island Mets/Steeplechase Park This bill would authorize
the City of New York to lease and make improvements to
Steeplechase Park for use as the home stadium of a
professional minor league baseball team, the Brooklyn
Cyclones, a farm team of the New York Mets.
(A.8865/
S.3761;
Chapter 88)
Lower Manhattan These bills would extend the Lower Manhattan
Energy Program (LMEP) to April 1, 2004. The measure would
continue special rebates for eligible energy users in New
York City.
(A.9367 /
S.5754; Chapter 118)
NYCIDA/Railroads This bill would authorize the New York City
Industrial Development Agency (NYCIDA) to provide assistance
to railroad freight projects that may lower transportation
costs for industrial businesses, reduce truck traffic,
decrease air pollution and improve overall community quality
of life.
(A.8381 /
S.4256; Chapter 239)
Sale Of Bonds For NYC, Buffalo, Yonkers This bill would
authorize New York City, Buffalo and Yonkers to continue the
sale of bonds and notes through negotiated agreement, subject
to the approval of the state comptroller. The bill aims to
help the cities address unforeseen fiscal problems that may
arise in their budgets or to expedite funds for projects that
require immediate attention.
(A.9367 /
S.5754; Chapter 118)
Distressed Cities Aid This bill would provide $26.6 million
in emergency aid to distressed. Under the bill, the
emergency aid would be available to Albany, Buffalo, Rochester,
Yonkers and Syracuse.
(A.5242; Chapter 91)
Transitional Finance Authority This bill would increase the
bonding authority of the Transitional Finance Authority by
$2.5 billion to help New York City rebuild from the World
Trade Center attack.
(A.9434 /
S.5790; Chapter 297)
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CODES
Anti-Terrorism Act of 2001 This bill would create new crimes
of terrorism and for making a terroristic threat. It also
would create new or raise by two degrees the crimes of
soliciting or providing support for an act of terrorism and
for hindering prosecution of terrorism. All these new crimes
are classified as violent felonies, with penalties ranging up
to mandatory life imprisonment. The bill also would amend
the state's death penalty law so that an intentional killing
motivated by terrorism may be prosecuted as a capital crime.
(A.60002 /
A.70002; Chapter 300)
Falsely Reporting An Incident This bill would increase
penalties for falsely reporting fires or bomb threats in
large public facilities, including sports stadiums, shopping
malls, airports and train stations. Under the bill,
violators could face up to four years of imprisonment.
(A.85 /
A.357; Chapter 244)
Bomb Threat Crackdown This bill would increase penalties for
falsely reporting an impending explosion and the release of
hazardous substances. The bill would classify this crime as
a violent felony and expand the law that bars the placement
of false bombs to include the placement of any item appearing
to be a bomb in a public building.
(A.60003/
=S.70003;
Chapter 301, A.60004 /
A.70004; Chapter 302)
Children's Weapon Accident Prevention Act This bill would
establish the crime of criminally negligent storage of a
weapon, require retailers to post notices regarding safe
storage requirements and create an education program to teach
the public how to store a weapon safely away from children.
Under the bill, gun owners would be criminally liable for
the failure to store loaded firearms away from anyone under
18 years of age if that failure results in serious injury or
death to any person.
(A.5363 Passed Assembly /
A.728;
Rules)
Gun License Revocation This bill would suspend gun licenses
for individuals found under the influence of alcohol or drugs
while possessing a loaded gun in public or in a motor
vehicle.
(A.5363; Passed Assembly /
A.7258; Rules)
Unlawful Wearing Of A Body Vest This bill would prohibit the
wearing of a body vest while armed with a rifle or shotgun in
the commission of a violent felony.
(A.8527 /
A.3678;
Chapter 317)
Toy Gun Look-A-Like Prohibition This bill would ban the
possession and use of real guns that are designed to look
like toy guns. The bill expands the current law's "disguised
guns" provision that prohibits the proliferation of guns that
are designed to look like something other than a firearm.
(A.833; Passed Assembly).
Son-of-Sam Legislation This bill would make funds of a
convicted person available to crime victims. The measure would
enhance the ability of crime victims to receive compensation
for injuries and expenses that result from criminal acts.
The bill enables crime victims to initiate a lawsuit under
the "Son of Sam law" to recover money and property received
by or on behalf of a convicted person from virtually any
source. The bill would ensure that crime victims have
access to funds paid to criminals.
(A.9278 /
A.5110;
Chapter 62)
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CONSUMER AFFAIRS
Identity Theft This bill would make identity theft illegal
by providing criminal penalties for the unlawful and
unauthorized use of personal identifying information. The
measure would allow victims of identity theft who incur costs
or losses due to adverse information being transmitted to a
credit reporting agency to be eligible for restitution. In
addition, a state identity theft prevention unit would be
established to coordinate statewide activities aimed at
protecting personal information and aiding victims in
regaining financial health.
(A.4939; Passed Assembly)
Consumer Funeral Protections This bill would establish the
Funeral Pre-Need Act of 2001 This bill would prohibit funeral
directors from receiving commissions or being paid for
recommending to their customers various insurance products.
This measure protects the special relationship between a
funeral director and a customer and aims to avoid conflicts
of interests.
(A.7739 /
A.3985; Chapter 557)
"Box Cutter" Knife Sale Restrictions This bill would
prohibit the sale or giveaway of utility knives,
otherwise known as "box cutters," to individuals under
the age of 18. The bill is designed to prevent the use
of these knives as weapons. Under the bill, individuals
convicted of selling or giving "box cutters" to a minor
would face a fine of up to $500.
(A.174; Passed
Assembly /
S.92; Rules)
Laser Pointer Sales Prohibition The bill that would prohibit
the sale of laser pointers to individuals under the age of
18. The legislation aims to prevent minors from causing eye
damage to themselves or others from the misuse of laser
pointers, a device useful to lecturers for visual
presentations. (A.287; Passed Assembly)
Price Gouging Crack Down The bill would give individuals who
have been charged excessive prices for goods or services
during an emergency a private right of action, enabling them
to seek restitution from those who engage in price gouging.
Under the measure, violators would face a minimum penalty of
$1,000 and a maximum of $5,000.
(A.4110; Passed Assembly)
Credit-Card Payoff Penalty Ban The bill would prohibit
credit-card companies from charging consumers a penalty fee
for failing to carry a monthly credit-card balance or pay off
balances before the grace period ends. The bill aims to
prevent consumers from being penalized for meeting their
financial obligations or encouraged to carry debt, even though
they are able to pay it off.
(A.1870; Passed the Assembly).
Odometer Fraud This bill would establish a civil fine for
misrepresenting the mileage of a motor vehicle for sale.
Under the bill, violators would face a fine of up to $1,500.
(A.710 /
S.15049; Chapter 404)
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CORPORATIONS
PSC To Evaluate Impact Of Utility Rate Hikes The bill
would require that the state Public Service Commission (PSC)
consider the economic impact utility rate increases would
have on consumers. Under the bill, the PSC would have to
evaluate a utility's need for a rate hike and the ability of
its customers to afford the higher utility rates. (
A.230 Passed Assembly /
S.1261; Energy and
Telecommunications)
Pennsylvania Station Redevelopment Corporation This law
authorizes the Urban Development Corporation to issue bonds
and notes in the amount of $155 million and the Pennsylvania
State Redevelopment Corporation to borrow up to $160 million
for the construction, development, design, etc. of the new
Pennsylvania Station in New York City.
(A.7914 /
A.2953
Chapter 28)
EZ Pass This bill would ensure that information gathered
electronically by methods such as EZ pass and Metro Card
remain confidential. The bill also would provide certain
exceptions in the cases of search warrants and certain civil
subpoenas.
(A.852; Passed Assembly)
Western New York And St. Lawrence Hydropower This
bill would allocate additional, low-cost electricity created
from the upgrade of the New York Power Authority's (NYPA)
Niagara and St. Lawrence hydropower plants to regional
businesses. Under the bill, of the 325 megawatts newly
generated from the Niagara power plant's expansion, 250
megawatts would be dedicated to western New York businesses
within a 30 mile radius of the facility. In the North
Country, 50 percent of the new 75 megawatts would be
committed to businesses within 100 miles of the St. Lawrence
plant. (A.2858-B; Passed Assembly)
Metrocard This bill would require the Metropolitan
Transportation Authority to refund to purchasers the unused
portion of electronic fare cards (Metrocard).
(A.1667; Passed Assembly)
Metrocard Refunds This bill would establish a
procedure for the MTA to refund moneys when a vending machine
fails to dispense a ticket, token or Metrocard.
(A.2197; Passed Assembly)
MTA Website This bill would require the MTA to post
certain operational and financial information on their
website within 10 business days of the date when such
information becomes available to the authority.
(A.3548; Passed Assembly/
S.3578; Rules)
MTA Conversion Of Diesel Bus Fleet This bill would require
the MTA to submit a long-range plan detailing their activity
and strategy for the conversion of their diesel bus fleet to
alternative fuel vehicles.
(A.4301; Passed Assembly)
MTA Citizen's Advisory Committee This bill would establish a
permanent citizen's advisory committee to the MTA. The bill
also would provide this committee with the authority to
examine and make suggestions regarding MTA's Capital Plan.
(A.4534; Passed Assembly)
Subway Station Closings This bill would require the
New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA) to hold public
hearings prior to the total or partial closing of a passenger
train station or public access to such facilities for periods
that exceed six months. This bill would also grant any city
resident to bring suit against the NYCTA if no hearings are
held to discuss local concerns.
(A.7204; Passed Assembly)
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Job Creation The Assembly budget resolution included
"Jobs Agenda 2001," a $470 million job-creation plan aimed at
investing in high-tech industries, academic research and
workforce training. The plan focuses on the state's
strengths and unique regional economies and reflects the need
for flexibility in tailoring economic-development efforts
across the state. (Resolution 421; Adopted)
Resurgence Zones and Liberty Zones This bill would
provide low-cost power to help in the revitalization of lower
Manhattan's economy. The bill would establish the geographic
boundaries for the Resurgence Zone, beginning at Houston
Street, and a Liberty Zone, beginning at Canal Street. The
zones would provide reduced power rates for
economic-development efforts aimed at rebuilding downtown
Manhattan.
(A.9459 /
S.5828; Chapter 383)
UDC Funds For Recovery This bill would authorize the New York
State Urban Development Corporation to facilitate access to
capital for businesses affected by the attack on the World
Trade Center.
(A.9459 /
S.5828; Chapter 383)
UDC Regional Venture Program This bill would create a regional
venture capital fund, administered by the Urban Development
Corporation, for small-and medium-sized companies.
(A.5172; Passed Assembly /
S.2877, Commerce, Economic Development
and Small Business)
Empire Zone Expansion This bill would increase the
number of Empire Zones from six to 14. The bill would
continue the economic success of Empire Zones to other parts
of the state. Empire Zones, initiated in 1999 by Assembly
Speaker Sheldon Silver and members of the Assembly, have
proven to be highly effective in attracting businesses and
creating jobs. The zones provide businesses with tax
exemptions, low-cost power and other economic-development
incentives.
(A.9459 /
S.5828; Chapter 383)
High-Tech Industry Development This bill would
establish a high-technology incubator program within the
state Office of Science, Technology and Academic Research
(NYSTAR). The measure aims to establish a statewide program
of financial assistance to these incubator facilities to
encourage the growth of small, high-technology companies.
Under the bill, eligible companies would receive assistance
for their first three years of operation.
(A.3124; Passed Assembly /
S.3200; Chapter 147)
Small Business Preference This bill would require the
state Department of Economic Development, Job Development
Authority, NYSTAR and Urban Development Corporation to
provide preferences to small businesses and entrepreneurs in
the administration of economic-development assistance
programs. The bill aims to ensure that small-business
funding needs are not undermined by larger, higher-profile
capital projects, for which the state economic development
agencies have shown a preference.
(A.1960; Passed Assembly)
Appearance Enhancement This bill would prohibit owners
and operators of appearance-enhancement businesses, such as
nail salons, from knowingly selling, using or applying to any
person a substance containing monomeric methyl methacrylate
("MMA"). MMA is known to be a dangerous chemical and to pose a
threat to public health. This bill also would prohibit owners
and operators from knowingly directing their employees to sell,
use or apply MMA.
(A.9428; Passed Assembly /
S.5783; Rules)
Excelsior Loans This bill would make permanent the Department
of Economic Development's Excelsior Linked Deposit Program, which
provide low-cost loans to businesses in distressed communities.
(A.6769 /
S.3398; Chapter 14)
EDUCATION
Two-Year Education Plan The Assembly budget resolution
would provide the state's public schools with a two-year
education plan of $3.4 billion in order to allow school
districts to plan ahead. The resolution also would restore
the governor's $1.1 billion cut in education aid and provide
$1.7 billion more than what the schools received last year.
The measure also would provide funding for early childhood
education, class size reduction and teacher training. The
resolution would continue the goals of the Assembly's
LADDER program, first implemented in 1998, including aid
to help schools meet higher standards, update computer
technology and ensure building maintenance and repair.
(Resolution 421; Adopted by Assembly)
Fingerprinting (Conditional Hires) This bill would
allow for the conditional appointment of school districts,
charter schools and BOCES programs to appoint employees while
waiting for background-check results from the Federal Bureau
of Investigation. Under the bill, when an unforeseen vacancy
occurs during the school year, the school may make a
conditional appointment. This appointment will terminate
when the school district is notified by the state of the
background check results or in 20 business days, whichever is
earlier.
(A.8898/
S.3148; Chapter 47)
School Violence Cleanup This bill would make technical
changes regarding school suspension, codes of conduct, school
safety plans and uniform state violent incident reporting
requirements. The bill would clarify the process of
information sharing between the New York City school district
and the state Department of Education.
(A.9333 /
S. 5768; Chapter 380)
Interagency Council For Services To The Deaf This bill
would create an interagency council to coordinate services to
persons who are hearing impaired.
(A.7536; Passed Assembly/
S.4153; Rules)
Disabled Students This bill would require every school
district and BOCES to develop a plan to ensure that all
instructional materials are available in a usable alternative
format for every disabled student.
(A.7926/
S.4178; Chapter 377)
Safety Devices for Partitions/Room Dividers This bill would
require electrically operated partitions and room dividers in schools
and educational institutions to be equipped with safety devices.
(A.8485 /
S.5100; Chapter 217)
Roosevelt School District This bill would continue the
existing oversight structure of the Roosevelt Union Free School
District to March 31, 2002.
(A.9459 /
S. 5828; Chapter 383)
Transportation Of Students This bill would require
school districts to return students who are on a
school-sponsored field trip or activity to the point of
departure. If there are circumstances that prevent this, a
representative of the school district will remain with the
student until the parent or legal guardian is contacted. The
bill also would allow for a parent or legal guardian to
choose an alternative form of transportation for a student,
if the district receives a written notice.
(A.5091 /
S.2762; Chapter 70;
A.9439 /
S.5805; Chapter 510)
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ELECTION LAW
Campaign Finance Reform Act of 2001 This bill would provide
candidates in statewide and state legislative races with the option
of accepting public campaign funds. Under the bill, participating
candidates would be required to adhere to campaign spending limits
and newly established contribution limits. The legislation also
would restrict amounts that can be donated to candidates and
political committees and ban soft money contributions to political
parties' housekeeping accounts.
In addition, the bill would ban fundraising events by state
legislators and statewide candidates within a 40-mile radius
of Albany during the legislative session; improve campaign
finance reporting procedures; close loopholes that allow
corporations to avoid campaign contribution limits by
funneling donations through subsidiary companies; require
clear identification of the funding source for communication
materials circulated in support of or against candidates; and
empower local governments to enact public financing programs
for local campaigns.
(A.8524; Passed Assembly)
Excessive Contributor Penalties This bill would
penalize corporations that exceed contribution limits. Under
the bill, corporations would be fined for contributing more
than the $5,000 the current law allows.
(A.1460, Passed Assembly /
S.101; Elections)
Bipartisan Ballot Information The bill would require
that the information provided to voters on ballot propositions
be prepared in a nonpartisan way by the State Board of Elections
and mailed to voters across the state. It would require the
preparation and distribution of pamphlets explaining how to
register, vote and obtain absentee ballots.
(A.243-A; Passed Assembly)
E-Filing Financial Records This bill would allow
counties to require local candidate's campaigns and political
committees that raise or spend $1,000 to file their financial
disclosure forms electronically. Under the bill, financial
disclosure forms would be filed with the board of elections
using computer software.
(A.5746-A; Passed Assembly)
Inaugural Committee Reform This bill would require
that gubernatorial inaugural committees be subject to all
campaign finance contribution laws that apply to candidates.
Under the bill, inaugural committees would have to abide by
the same expenditures and contribution reporting requirements
that apply to candidates for public office.
(A.123; Passed Assembly).
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ENERGY
Emergency Ratepayer Protection Act This bill would
provide consumer protections during a three-year transition
period to a competitive market and establish a universal
service rate, with a 25 percent discount on the first 200 KWh
of residential usage. The legislation would expand the Home
Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) and create a new program to
provide similar assistance for seniors, as well as require
electric utilities to develop energy plans in order to
insulate consumers from fluctuations in wholesale power
prices.
(A.9000; Passed Assembly)
Energy Conservation and Investment Act This bill would
require the Power Authority of New York State (PASNY) and the
Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) to spend a combined $1.5
billion over five years on energy conservation measures and
new technologies.
(A.8976; Passed Assembly)
Gasoline Tax Exemption This bill would provide an
exemption from state sales and use taxes on motor fuel and
diesel fuel that exceeds $1 per gallon. The bill also would
allow local governments, including New York City, to elect to
provide such an exemption. In addition, the bill would
provide authorization to New York City to reduce or eliminate
the city portion of the sales tax on one or more sources of
residential energy.
(A.9090; Passed Assembly)
PSC Oversight This bill would require increased
oversight by the Public Service Commission (PSC) regarding
the types of costs that are recovered through automatic
adjustments to gas and electric rates. This bill would require
the PSC to examine the effect of higher prices that are
passed on to consumers through these automatic adjustments
on customer bills and to ensure that utilities are providing
reasonable rates to retail consumers.
(A.8980; Passed Assembly)
Energy Consumer Protection Act The bill would extend
existing protections to residential consumers who choose
alternate energy suppliers and prohibit "slamming," which are
unauthorized changes in suppliers of natural gas or electric
service.
(A.8978; Passed Assembly)
PASNY Reform/Reliability Studies This bill would
establish a commission to make recommendations on the future
role, structure and governance of PASNY.
(A.8979; Passed Assembly)
Elimination Of Automatic Pass-Through This bill would
eliminate automatic utility price pass-throughs to consumers
by requiring a PSC review to ensure that any costs beyond
those already established in the rates would be passed along
only if they are proven by the utility companies to be
absolutely necessary, just and reasonable.
(A.980; Passed Assembly)
Agency Energy Conservation Action Plan This bill would
require the state Office of General Services (OGS) in
coordination with the Energy Research and Development
Authority (NYSERDA) and the PSC to prepare an integrated
energy conservation action plan. Under the bill, the plan
would have to specify the measures that state departments and
agencies will take to reduce energy costs by 10 percent in
2003 and 24 percent in 2010.
(A.8981; Passed Assembly)
Article 10 Generation Facility Repowering This bill
would provide the state Power Plant Siting Board with an
accelerated approval process for the repowering of an
existing facility or the phase out of an old facility for a
new, cleaner one. The measure would reduce the approval time
from one year to six months. Under the legislation, plant
emissions would have to be reduced by at least 75-percent to
qualify for the accelerated approval process.
(A.8952/
S.5443; Chapter 22)
Sales Tax Exemption For Super-Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicles
This bill would waive the sales tax on the purchase of
super-ultra-low emission vehicles (SULEV). The measure is designed
to encourage more New Yorkers to purchase vehicles that will help
save on fuel costs and protect the environment.
(A.6646-A; Passed Assembly/
S.3637-A; Rules)
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ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
Brownfield Remediation Act This bill would enact the
Brownfield Remediation Act in order to create a comprehensive
brownfield site cleanup program and provide financial incentives
for its implementation. Under the bill, a series of measures
would be available to foster the rehabilitation of brownfields,
including cleanup liability exemptions, community participation,
public hearings and the availability of technical-assistance
grants. (A.9265-A; Passed Assembly)
Brownfields Assistance This bill would authorize the
UDC to provide economic support to community-based
organizations in order to build community infrastructure on
brownfield sites after they are cleaned up. The measure
would ensure that parcels of land, which prior to clean up
were once considered environmentally unsuitable for
development, are eligible for UDC funding. The bill would
help many communities revitalize and develop prime pieces of
property for job-creation and other economic-development
purposes. (A.9203-B; Passed Assembly)
Curbing Air Pollution This bill would direct the
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to establish
emission standards for mercury, nitrogen oxide, sulfur
dioxide and carbon monoxide. These standards will help
reduce dangerous contaminant emissions and protect the
environment and public health.
(A.5577-B; Passed Assembly)
Arsenic In Drinking Water This bill would require that
the state Sanitary Code set a maximum allowable level for
arsenic in drinking water at 10 parts per billion. Arsenic
is a known human carcinogen that is also responsible for
blood disorders such as diabetes. The bill would reduce
the risk of these disorders and cancer by reducing the
allowable amount of arsenic in drinking water by 80 percent.
(A.8951; Passed Assembly)
Cancer Mapping Bill This bill would require that the
DEC and the Department of Health combine data to develop a
comprehensive map of the state that details incidences of
cancer and the proximity of these sites to facilities that
may involve materials responsible for producing these
incidences.
(A.404A Passed Assembly /
S.4834; Environmental
Conservation)
Cumulative Environmental Impact Statement This bill
would require state environmental impact statements (EIS) to
document the cumulative impact of a proposed facility's
emissions. The legislation would mandate that the EIS not
only include the proposed project's emissions, but also
combine the emissions of the new and existing projects within
a community. The bill aims to provide a more accurate
account of emission levels that would be disbursed into a
community in order to determine the cumulative impact of a
facility on the local environment.
(A.1328; Passed Assembly)
Lighting Standards This bill would establish lighting
standards for local governments. The measure aims to ensure
that municipal outdoor facilities are illuminated with
lighting fixtures that are energy efficient and do not
intrude on privacy.
(A.5352 /
S.3386-B; Passed both houses)
Open Waste Burning Ban This bill would prohibit the
open burning of solid waste that can result in serious
air-quality problems. The bill would address the findings of
a number of studies that found that burning three to 11
pounds of household waste in a barrel or similar open
container is equivalent to burning 200 tons of household
waste in a modern, well-constructed incinerator.
(A.7202; Passed Assembly)
Environmental Justice The bill would establish
guidelines for the siting of facilities with environmental
impacts in minority and economically distressed communities.
The legislation, which the Assembly has passed since 1994,
would require DEC to develop an equitable and fair siting
process to ensure that a disproportionate number of
facilities are not located in these neighborhoods.
(A.471; Passed Assembly)
State Land Acquisition This bill would ensure that the
natural-resource value of state-owned land is fully
identified and considered before its sale. The legislation
aims to ensure that state land is properly evaluated before
its sale and is done in a way that is consistent with the
state's land acquisition plan.
(A.506; Passed Assembly)
Pesticide Phase-Out This bill would require the
phase-out of certain potentially harmful pesticides used on
state property. The bill also would call for the state to
adopt a pest management plan for every state department,
agency and public benefit corporation.
(A.483; Passed Assembly)
Natural Gas Safety And Reliability Service This bill
would require natural gas corporations to continue to respond
to customer service calls involving safety and reliability
and to perform certain minor services and repairs. The bill
aims to ensure that basic customer services provided by
natural gas utilities are not diminished.
(A.1270; Passed Assembly/
S.579; Rules)
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GOVERNMENTAL EMPLOYEES
Civil Service Pay Equity This bill would require state civil service
laws to implement a salary policy that equally compensates state
employees for work of comparable value by eliminating wage inequality
in job titles. The measure aims to remove current wage inequalities
in state workforce job titles and classifications, which are based on
segregating employees by sex, race or national origin. The bill is
part of the Assembly pay equity legislative initiative.
(A.236; Passed Assembly)
Pay Discrimination Prevention This bill would prohibit public
employers from compensating employees of different sexes differently
for work that is of comparable worth. Under the bill, employers
would measure the worth of various jobs by measuring the skill,
effort and responsibility normally required in the performance of
work and the conditions under which the work is normally performed.
(A.7012;Passed Assembly /
S.483; Civil Service and Pensions)
Correction Officer's Contract This bill would permit state
correction officers to seek binding arbitration in the contract
process when an impasse is reached. It would expand the current
binding arbitration law to include correction officers. This bill
aims to provide a fair method for resolving contractual disputes and
in turn to avoid strikes by employees who provide critical public
safety services.
(A.3938; Passed Assembly/
S.214; Civil Service and
Pensions)
Binding Arbitration This bill would extend binding arbitration to
police and fire unions in New York City and extend it for another two
years to the unions in the rest of the state.
(A.6612; Chapter 58)
Veterans Service Credit This bill would provide supplemental pension
benefits to public retirees with veteran service but who were not
eligible for the veterans service credit buy back because they
retired prior to the enactment of that law.
(A.4246; Passed Assembly
/ S. 2329; Civil Service and Pensions)
School District Retirees This law will extend until May 15, 2002 the
prohibition on reducing health-care benefits to school district
retirees unless there is a similar reduction for active employees.
The legislation aims to protect the health-care benefits for public
retirees from being diminished by prohibiting public employers from
making changes that do not also affect active employees. This bill
would enable retirees to count on the same level of health care
without unexpected changes throughout their retirement years.
(A.4248 /
S.2308; Chapter 31)
COLA Law of 2000 This bill would increase the minimum
pension for teachers who retired prior to July 1, 1970 and who
did not benefit from the pension COLA Law of 2000.
The legislation would increase the minimum retirement allowance
for members of the New York State Teachers' Retirement System who
retired prior to July 1, 1970 to $500 per year of state service,
up to a 35-year maximum of $17,500.
(A.7913; Passed Assembly/
S.5327; Chapter 580)
Public Employment Earnings This bill would increase to $20,000 the amount
a retiree can earn in public employment without a loss of pension benefits.
(A.8345/
S.4401; Chapter 281)
Disabled Police Officers This bill would ensure that police
officers injured in the performance of their duties are eligible for full
salary during the period of their disability.
(A.8587-A /
S.5279-A; Delivered to governor)
Deferred Compensation Plan This bill would protect assets in the
state Deferred Compensation Plan from bankruptcy proceedings. Under the bill,
state employee deferred compensation funds would be exempted from bankruptcy
seizures. The funds would receive the same protections that the current law
affords to IRA, Keough and other retirement plans.
(A.9113 /
S.5491; Chapter 141)
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GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS
Gender Neutral This concurrent resolution would amend the state
Constitution's masculine references. Under the bill, the Constitution
would be changed to include gender references of male and female. These
amendments grant women parity in the Constitution.
(A.3960 /
S. 3733; Passed both houses, delivered to
the Secretary of State; approved by voters in November)
Construction Emergencies This bill would extend until June 30,
2003, certain provisions of the law increasing the dollar-value limitation
on contracts authorized to be let to meet construction emergencies.
(A.9074/
S.3914-A; Chapter 73)
Crime Victims Board This bill would require a health-care
professional who is experienced in treating and counseling crime victims
be included as a member of the state Crime Victims Board (CVB). The
measure aims to ensure that members of the CVB have the expertise
necessary to evaluate properly the medical care crime victims may need
in order to recover from their injuries.
(A.5567; Passed Assembly /
S.4812; Crime Victims, Crime and
Correction)
Crime Victims Rights This bill would require police officers and district
attorneys to inform victims about their rights and the availability of
support services provided by the CVB. The legislation is designed to make
crime victims better aware of their rights and services that are available
to them.
(A.1721; Passed Assembly /
S. 4798; Crime Victims, Crime and
Correction)
Sexual Discrimination Banned The bill that would prohibit
discrimination based on an individual's sexual preference. Under the
bill, sexual discrimination would be banned in the workplace, education,
housing and on financial credit applications. The bill would continue
society's vigorous pursuit for equal treatment of all and also would
dispel the climate of fear in which some New Yorkers are forced to live.
(A.1971; Passed Assembly /
S.720;Rules)
Internet Privacy This bill would require all state agencies to
adopt Internet privacy protection policies. Under the bill, state
agencies would be required to establish protections that will ensure that
information intended for transactions of a personal and confidential
nature must remain confidential and accessible only to designated
recipients.
(A.2358-B /
S.4624; Chapter 578)
Disability Accommodation Bill The bill would require public and
government facilities to make reasonable modifications to accommodate the
disabled. The bill is part of the Assembly's legislative agenda to meet
the needs of the disabled.
(A.4707 Passed Assembly)
Disability Driving Equipment Purchase This bill would authorize
the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance to establish
programs to help reimburse those with disabilities who need adaptive
equipment to drive. The bill provides for the purchase of driving
equipment that includes wheelchair lifts, automatic door openers and
adaptive and steering devices. The bill is part of the Assembly's
legislative agenda to meet the needs of the disabled.
(A.5248; Passed Assembly)
Handicapped Parking Aisle Width This bill would require the access
aisles for handicapped parking spaces to be at least eight-feet wide and
clearly marked. The bill would increase the width of handicapped parking
aisles in order to provide for the operation of vehicles equipped with
wheelchair lifts. Under the legislation, the ability of handicapped
drivers and passengers to enter and exit their vehicles would be
improved.
(A.4625; Passed Assembly)
Small Business Fee Relief This bill would require government
agencies to "tier" new fees based on business size, unless otherwise
precluded by law, and to review their rules to determine which fees
should be changed to provide additional relief to small businesses. The
bill also would speed the rule-making process for fee reductions and
require additional reviews when government agencies propose to increase
regulatory fees. The bill aims to ensure that small businesses are not
required to pay the higher fees assessed to larger businesses.
(A.4130; Passed Assembly)
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HEALTH
Nursing-Home And Health-Care Cuts Restored This Assembly budget
resolution would restore the governor's cuts to Medicaid in order to
secure $327 million in state, federal and local funds to help nursing
homes and home health care services deliver quality care. The resolution
also would reserve $100 million in new funding to address nursing home
quality-of-care and staffing issues. The measure also would raise the
income eligibility for Child Health Plus so a family of four with a gross
annual income of up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level of
$52,950 would qualify. The budget plan also would restore the governor's
$7.9 million funding cut for AIDS-related services and add $17 million in
new funding for programs that provide education, outreach and support
services to those with AIDS. (Resolution 421; Adopted)
Infant Shaking Prevention This bill would require that mothers of infants
be provided with information explaining the dangers of "Shaken Baby Syndrome"
and how to prevent it.
Under the bill, hospitals across the state would be required to provide
maternity patients with information, prepared by the state Health Department,
that explains the irreversible harm and injury baby shaking can cause and
what steps can be taken to protect babies from this violent assault. The
bill would require that hospitals that repeatedly fail to make this information
available to mothers be fined up to $500.
(A.2208 /
S.5436; Chapter 121)
Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment This bill would extend Medicaid
coverage for breast and cervical cancer treatment for women under 65 who have
been screened under the Center for Disease Control and Prevention program and
do not have health insurance coverage. The bill also would extend coverage
to women 65 and over and who are eligible for Medicare. Under the measure the
coverage is limited to the period during which care is necessary.
(A.5547; Passed Assembly /
S.4465; Health)
Breast Cancer Grants This bill would authorize the Health
Department to award grants for community-based breast cancer detection,
counseling, outreach and education programs. The bill also would require
community-based organizations accepting these grants to have breast cancer
survivors in decision-making positions and to provide a range of cancer
education support services free of charge.
(A.4036-B; Passed Assembly)
Breast Cancer Advocate The bill would expand the number of breast
cancer survivors or sufferers on the state Health Research Science Board
from one non-voting person appointed by the board to 10 voting persons
who have first-hand experience with disease. The bill also would allow
the Legislature and the governor to appoint an individual who has first
hand experience with the disease to serve on the board.
(A.5681; Passed Assembly)
Nursing-Home Staffing This bill would establish basic staffing
requirements and create an "Advisory Council on Nursing Home Staffing"
to evaluate the current nursing-home staffing crisis and to make
recommendations to ensure appropriate staff levels.
(A.4171-A; Passed Assembly)
Tobacco Product Display This bill would prohibit merchants from
displaying tobacco products in a way that minors could easily access.
Under the bill, retail establishments would be required to restrict their
display of tobacco and herbal cigarettes in order to discourage persons
under 18 years of age from shoplifting a product that has been proven to
cause health problems and addiction.
(A.1057/
S.4545; Chapter 568).
CHIP This bill would extend the Child Health Insurance Program
(CHP) to March 31, 2002. The bill would ensure that uninsured children
continue to receive quality health care.
(A.9459 /
S.5828; Chapter 383)
Child Care This bill would extend the Quality Child Care and
Protection Act until December 21, 2002.
(A.9459/
S.5828; Chapter 383)
Immunization for Children This bill would extend the expiration
of certain demonstration programs in connection with the immunization of
children. The bill would require the state Health Department to continue
to monitor regional immunization database programs in order to ensure
that the state's children are fully immunized.
(A.8803/
S.4394; Chapter 65)
Immigrant Health Care This bill would provide federal Medicaid and
New York State Family Health Plus coverage to 167,000 legal immigrant New
Yorkers. The legislation would provide $3.8 million in funding for Medicaid
coverage for eligible immigrants under the Assembly 2001-2002 budget resolution.
(A.7774; Passed Assembly)
Obstacles to Enrollment This bill would remove the obstacles to
enrollment and eligibility recertification for the Child Health Plus,
Prenatal Care Assistance, Medicaid and Family Health Plus programs. The
bill would ensure that these state health-care programs are free of
obstacles that may inadvertently discourage eligible New Yorkers from
participating.
(A.7909; Passed Assembly)
Bad Debt and Charity Allowances This bill would extend provisions
relating to authorizing bad debt and charity care allowances for
diagnostic and treatment centers and certified home health-care agencies
from June 30, 2001 to June 30, 2002 . Under the bill, certified home
health-care facilities that provide uncompensated services would continue
to receive financial assistance.
(A.9001/
S.4391; Chapter 75)
Recertification of Persons Providing Emergency Medical Care This bill
would extend to July 1, 2006 a pilot program allowing certain emergency
medical technicians to renew certification without requiring the
completion of a written exam. This program was originally enacted as an
alternative to the written examination required of emergency medical
technicians and advanced emergency medical technicians. The program needs
to be extended to give the Health Department more time to evaluate the
effectiveness of this alternative recertification process.
(A.9043/
S.5509; Chapter 190)
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HIGHER EDUCATION
Old Westbury Foundation This bill would change the description of land the State
University Board of Trustees is authorized to lease to the Old Westbury
Foundation. This bill also would authorize the trustees to designate and
maintain approximately 300 acres of real property located on the campus at Old
Westbury as open space and require the trustees to develop a stewardship plan for
the institution's property.
(A.9192 /
S.5621; Delivered to the governor)
Nanotechnology Manufacturing Facility This bill would provide for
the construction of a nanotechnology manufacturing facility at the SUNY
Institute of Technology (SUNY IT) at Utica/Rome. The bill would clarify
that the Urban Development Corporation and SUNY IT are authorized to
enter into agreements that develop and allow nanofabrication and
high-technology manufacturing. The legislation is part of the Assembly's
job-creation initiative aimed at attracting to New York State facilities
that are developing and manufacturing the next generation of
semiconductor chips.
(A.9200 /
S.5610; Chapter 462)
SUNY Graduate Student This bill would ensure that graduate
students in the SUNY system are paid, thereby averting any potential
delay in compensating them for the teaching services they provide. Under
the bill, state funds would be appropriated for members of the Graduate
Student Employees Union in order to meet the last payroll of the 2001
spring semester.
(A.8718 /
S.5256; Chapter 29)
Cornell University Land Transfer This bill would provide a land
conveyance from SUNY to Cornell University for the purpose of establishing
the Cornell Agriculture and Food Technology Park at the Agricultural
Experiment Station in Geneva. This bill would allow SUNY to transfer
78 acres to Cornell in exchange for a parcel of land owned by Cornell
located approximately three miles from the proposed site.
(A.9206-A /
S.5659; Chapter 463)
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HOUSING
Co-op/Condo Abatement This bill would allow New York City
residential condominium owners and tenant-shareholders in cooperative buildings
to be eligible for an abatement of property taxes levied for FY 2001 to 2003.
The legislation also requires the city to present a plan to the Legislature by
December 31, 2002 for addressing the problem of disparate tax treatment between
class one residential properties and class two cooperative and condominium
properties.
(A.6739; Passed Assembly)
Loft Law Extender The bill would renew loft law protections by extending
the law to March 31, 2002. The loft law was approved in 1982, creating the
interim, multiple-dwelling status that permits landlords to collect rents on
residential lofts, most of which were created in vacant commercial buildings.
(A.9459 /
S.5828; Chapter 383)
Loft Law Protections This bill would extend loft law protections to
residents living in buildings that have been designated as a "interim multiple
dwelling." The bill would provide protections to New York City renters who moved
into abandoned industrial buildings during the 1970's and 1980's. This bill
would include buildings and structures occupied for residential purposes from
January 1, 2000 to January 1, 2001 as interim multiple dwellings.
(A.5580-A; Passed Assembly/
S.3902; Housing)
Loft Law Legislation The bill would extend rent protections to residents
of loft apartments through 2007.
(A.5579; Passed Assembly/
S.3892; Housing)
Housing Authority Tax Exemptions This bill would continue state and local
tax exemptions to housing authorities across the state for another 60 years in
order to ensure HUD funding eligibility. This measure is necessary in order to
provide affordable housing to the state's low-income population.
(A.697 /
S.5230; Chapter 352)
Penn South This bill would enhance and extend tax exemptions for mutual
redevelopment companies in New York City. Under the bill, real-estate tax
exemptions would continue for housing units in Penn South, a naturally occurring
retirement community in Manhattan.
(A.6641-B; Passed Assembly)
Housing Agency Borrowing Increased This bill would increase the maximum
aggregate bonding authority of New York State Housing Finance Agency (HFA) to
$5.63 billion. The increased bonding will provide HFA with additional funds to
finance low-income housing developments.
(A.8761/
S.5132; Chapter 363)
Multi-Family Housing This bill would extend the effectiveness of the New
York City Housing Development Corporation's powers for the financing of
multi-family housing until June 30, 2003. The bill aims to continue the state's
efforts to provide affordable housing for the state's middle and low-income
citizens.
(A.8762/
S.5123; Chapter 80)
SONYMA This bill would extend the authority of State Office New York
Mortgage Agency to purchase forward commitment mortgages and increase the maximum
amount of new money tax-exempt bonds that SONYMA may issue until July 16, 2002.
The bill would continue SONYMA's ability to provide financing for the low and
moderate-income housing market.
(A.8763-A/
S.5119-A; Chapter 111)
Mortgage Insurance Fund Continued This bill would extend until July 16,
2003, the expiration of certain powers of the state of the SONYMA insurance
fund. The legislation would continue to provide funding to secure low-interest
loans made by the banking industry to under-served communities.
(A.8764-A/
S.5118-A; Chapter 110)
UDAAP Extender This bill would extend New York City's authorization to
provide rehabilitation loans and restructure rents as prescribed by the Urban
Development Action Area Program (UDAAP) until June 30, 2006. The bill continues
the city's authority to prevent residential buildings from being foreclosed on
and keep them available to New Yorkers in need of affordable housing.
(A.3996 S.4918; Chapter 85)
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INSURANCE
No-Fault Reform This bill would enact the Omnibus No-Fault
Insurance Fraud Prevention Act.
The bill aims to combat fraud in the auto insurance market by targeting
the growing number of individuals and professionals involved in exploiting
the state's no-fault system. The legislation also would: authorize county
district attorneys to appoint a special fraud prosecutor; provide greater
oversight of medical benefits and increase penalties for rip-off artists.
Under the bill, violators would face up to seven years in prison and a fine
of up to $5,000 or double the amount of the criminal gain.
(A.8654-D; Passed Assembly)
Infertility Coverage This bill would mandate that health-insurance
companies provide diagnostic testing and treatment for infertility. This
bill would require that medical insurance policies that cover hospital
stays and surgical/medical care also cover the cost of diagnosing and
treating medical conditions that result in infertility. Among procedures
included for insurance coverage under the bill are drug therapy, artificial
insemination and in-vitro fertilization.
(A.2003; Passed Assembly)
Women Health Screening This bill would require insurers to provide
coverage for the screening and treatment of osteoporosis. The legislation
would also remove deductibles or co-payments for mammography screenings and
cervical cytology screenings and expand the coverage to include multi-state
policies.
(A.2006; Passed Assembly)
Breast Cancer Prevention The bill would require insurers to provide
coverage for annual mammography screenings for all women more than 40 years old.
The measure would provide significant protections against breast cancer since
several studies have shown that mamographies performed on women less than 50
years of age reduces cancer deaths by 30 percent.
(A.2004; Passed Assembly /
S.1132; Insurance)
Contraception Coverage This bill would require all health insurance
policies that provide prescription drug coverage to include contraceptives. The
bill aims to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for health care in order to ensure
that all New Yorkers have access to affordable medical services.
(A.2002; Passed Assembly /
S.702; Insurance)
Health Insurance Hikes This bill would require the state Insurance
Department (SID) to review health-insurance premium increases over five percent.
The bill is in response to the alarming growth of rate increases that range from
10 to 40 percent. To ensure consumers are not strapped with unaffordable
insurance premiums, the bill would require SID to conduct public hearings on
rate-hike applications.
(A.1084-A; Passed Assembly )
Medical Malpractice This bill would extend the Excess Medical Malpractice
Insurance Program to March 31, 2001. This bill would ensure that medical
professionals in New York State have access to reasonable medical malpractice
insurance.
(A.9459; /
S. 5828; Chapter 383)
Blue Cross Conversion This bill would make provisionBlue Cross
Conversiondical or dental expenses indemnity corporations or health services
corporations to pecuniary profit organizations. This legislation would ensure
that non-profit insurers can convert to for-profit institutions in order to
remain financially competitive in the health care industry.
(A.7352; Insurance)
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JUDICIARY
Jury Sequestration This bill would end mandatory sequestration of juries
in felony trials in New York State. The legislation would return discretion to
judges, make the court system more jury-friendly and is projected to save
taxpayers an estimated $2 million a year. The bill would allow trial judges to
order sequestration when necessary or appropriate.
(A.8937 /
S.5394; Chapter 47)
Pay Equity This bill would amend Article One of the state Constitution to
require equal pay for equal work of comparable skill under similar working
conditions. The bill aims to correct wage disparity and provide pay equity for
all people who perform work of comparable skill, effort and responsibility. The
measure addresses the current men to women pay disparity, a condition that
discriminates against New York State women who receive only seventy-three cents
for every dollar earned by men. The bill is part of the Assembly pay equity
legislative initiative.
(A.290; Passed Assembly)
Harriet Tubman Day This bill would designate March 10, as a public holiday
to be known as Harriet Tubman Day. The legislation aims to recognize the lifetime
achievements of Harriet Tubman who in the mid-19 century established the
"Underground Railroad" to secure the freedom of blacks escaping slavery. Tubman's
network of safe houses throughout the United States included Auburn, which became
her base for delivering several hundred slaves to freedom.
(A.4090; Passed Assembly/
S.2203; Judiciary)
New Uniform Commercial Code, Article 9 This bill would update the
Uniform Commercial Code, Article (UCC) to establish a single statewide
system for filing financial statements. The legislation would embrace
new forms of borrowing, new markets for debt and changes in the technology
now being used in the financial industry. The bill is designed to reduce New
York State debt costs.
(A.8959-A/
S.5404-A; Chapter 84)
Jury "Tipping" This bill would prohibit the "tipping" of a juror. Under
the bill, violators would face a sentence of up to on year in jail. The bill
would make it illegal to offer or accept a gratuity for serving as a juror in a
civil or criminal court proceeding. Under the bill, violators could face a jail
sentence of up to one year.
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LABOR
Collective Bargaining This bill would allow employees to select a
bargaining agent when a majority of workers sign a dues deduction card. The
legislation would eliminate the previous process that required an election 90-days
after workers checked off their preference for a bargaining agent. The measure
would expedite and simplify the process for workers to unionize by using the
number of deduction cards to determine the will of employees.
(A.9202/
S.5617; Chapter 534)
Minimum Wage Increase This bill would increase the state's hourly minimum
wage from $5.15 to $6.75 as of January 1, 2002. The legislation aims to ensure
that the wages of working families keep pace with rising inflation costs and
boost the earning ability of the many individuals who depend on minimum-wage
jobs.
(A.5132",$postyr); ?>; Passed Assembly)
Health-Care Whistle-Blower Protection The bill would provide protections
to workers of health-care facilities who report violations of the law to the news
media. Under the bill, employers would be barred from firing an employee who
provides information to the media about the practices and policies of a
health-care facility that create a risk to the public's health or safety.
(A.3259; Passed Assembly /
S.5620; Rules )
Organ Donor Wages Bill This bill would permit state employees paid leave
for organ or bone marrow donation. Under the bill, individuals employed by the
state will be allowed paid leave to undergo organ donation procedures.
(A.4138 /
S. 114; Chapter 214)
Comparable Worth Pay Protection The bill would protect individuals from
being paid less than their fellow employees who are performing comparable work.
The legislation aims to reverse work place conditions that pay workers less than
other employees even though their job performance, skills and qualifications are
similar. The bill is part of the Assembly's pay equity legislative initiative.
(A.7432; Passed Assembly /
S.486; Labor)
Nursing Mothers This bill would require employers to allow employees who
are breast feeding young infants to take paid or unpaid leave time to express
breast milk for later feeding their children. Under the bill, reasonable leave
time must be given for up to one year following childbirth. The bill would
require employers to provide a room or other private location in close proximity
to the work areas for mothers. The bill also prohibits employers from
discriminating against mothers who wish to express breast milk while at work.
(A.7200; Passed Assembly)
Farm Workers Fair Labor Act This bill would provide all farm workers with
collective bargaining rights; require that farm employers give workers at least
24 consecutive hours of rest each week; set in law an eight-hour work day for
farm workers; and ensure farm workers receive overtime at time-and-a-half.
(A.7207; Passed Assembly)
Summer Youth Employment This bill would establish a summer employment
program for young New Yorkers between the ages of 14 and 21, with an emphasis on
targeting 14 and 15 year olds. The legislation requires the state labor
commissioner to develop a statewide summer youth employment program. The program
would be administered by local governments to fill employment positions in
municipal parks, recreational facilities and other community projects.
(A.8372; Passed Assembly /
S.5254; Rules)
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LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
Emergency Leave For Volunteers This bill would allow local
government employees to take paid leave from their jobs for limited
periods of time to volunteer for Red Cross disaster assignments. Under
the bill, employee emergency leave would be at the discretion of the
employer. The bill calls for an effective date of September 11, 2001 to
include the many employees who volunteered to assist in the Red Cross
response to the World Trade Center Attack.
(A.2709-A /
S.1518-A; Chapter 358 and
A.9447 /
S. 5794; Chapter 466)
Cellular-911 This bill would provide for the establishment and
implementation of technology that would enhance the ability of public
safety authorities to identify the location of a mobile handset 911
caller.
(A.1215-A; Passed Assembly)
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MENTAL HEALTH
Community Reinvestment This bill would provide for the
continuation of the Community Reinvestment Act, which provides financial
support for mental-health community-based services. This bill
establishes a funding stream to guarantee a minimum 2.5 percent COLA for
direct care workers for each of the next three years. The bill also
creates the "Community Mental Hygiene Services Fund," composed of the
proceeds from the sale of Office of Mental Health (OMH) properties and
debt-service savings. These funds can be used to meet community-based
agency needs for capital projects and operations.
(A.7362-B; Passed Assembly)
Discharge Planning Process This bill would extend the OMH inpatient
discharge planning process to community and residential programs. Under the
bill, OMH community and residential patients would undergo the same level of
discharge planning that inpatients receive in order to ensure a quick recovery
and minimize the need for re-hospitalization.
(A.3094; Passed Assembly)
Discharge Into The Community This bill would extend existing hospital
discharge planning and monitoring requirements for patients to OMH facilities.
Under the bill, OMH hospitals would have to comply with current discharge
standards in order to ensure that discharged patients have the community-based
support services necessary to enhance their long-term recovery.
(A.3095; Passed Assembly)
Education And Training This bill would require the OMH to provide
education and training to physicians and law enforcement officers in order
to help them safely assist mentally ill individuals. The bill aims to prevent
injuries when medical and public-safety personnel provide treatment to
mental-health patients who are dangerous.
(A.2908; Passed Assembly)
Commission On Quality Of Care This bill would extend the authority
of the state Commission on Quality of Care. This legislation aims to clarify
the commission's jurisdiction to assure that patients served in the community
are able to have the conditions of their care and treatment reviewed by a
program or facility funded by the OMH or Office of Mental Retardation and
Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD).
(A.1196; Passed Assembly)
Children's Bill Of Rights This bill would establish a Children's Bill of
Rights in order to ensure that children in state residential care facilities
receive appropriate care and treatment. This bill would require OMH, OMRDD, the
state Education Department and state Office of Children and Family Services to
develop rules and regulations that protect the rights of children.
(A.3162; Passed Assembly/
S.1802; Mental Health)
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RACING AND WAGERING
Casino Gambling/Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) This bill would
authorize job-creating casinos in western New York and the Catskills, as
well as video lottery terminals in various regions of the state. In
addition to creating jobs, these initiatives will help offset the fiscal
impact on state and local governments resulting from the September 11
terrorist attacks. The measure also includes a provision allowing the
state to participate in a joint, multi-jurisdictional lottery game. As
with existing lottery games, proceeds will be dedicated toward supporting
education. In addition, the new law provides for a one-year extension of
the Quick Draw video game.
(A.9459 /
S.5828; Chapter 383)
Aqueduct Race Track To improve the quality of the state's
thoroughbred racing program, this bill would allow the New York Racing
Association to eliminate 12 racing dates from its winter meeting at
Aqueduct Race Track in Queens.
(A.7315 /
S.3831; Chapter 277)
Batavia Downs Race Track This bill would allow the Western Regional
Off-Track Betting Corporation to conduct live harness race meetings at
Batavia Downs Race Track. The bill aims to boost harness racing in New York
State, local employment opportunities and state and local revenues, foster
continued agricultural development and promote other substantial
economic-development benefits.
(A.2164 /
S.1582; Chapter 116)
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REAL PROPERTY TAXATION
Nuclear Power Plants This bill would give local governments the
option to reduce the real-property tax impact of nuclear-powered electric
generating facilities to ensure a continued flow of revenue, so as to
protect other taxpayers. (A.6639 /
S.14; Chapter 87)
STAR Payment Schedule This bill would extend the payment schedule
of the school tax relief (STAR) program through the 2001-2002 school
year.
(A.9459 /
S.5828; Chapter 383)
STAR Deadline, New Owner Extension The bill would allow people who
purchase property after the STAR deadline to apply for the tax exemption
within 30 days from receiving title to their property.
(A.4352; Passed Assembly)
STAR Illness Extension This bill would permit a filing extension
to applicants who fail to meet the STAR deadline because of a death or
illness in the family or other extenuating circumstances.
(A.1768; Passed Assembly /
S.2628-A; Rules)
STAR COLA The bill would provide a cost-of-living adjustment for
the enhanced STAR income-eligibility ceiling. Under the bill, future
COLAs to Social Security or other retirement benefits would not make
seniors ineligible for the income-based STAR program.
(A.7539; Passed Assembly)
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SMALL BUSINESS
Pollution Prevention And Environmental Compliance This bill would
direct the state Department of Economic Development, through the
Industrial Effectiveness Program, to aid small businesses. Under the
bill, the program would provide technical and financial assistance to
help small businesses comply with state environmental laws and
regulations. (A.427; Passed Assembly)
Clean Air Compliance Assistance This bill would establish a Small
Business Environmental Compliance Fund that would provide loans of up to
$500,000 for equipment or working capital for businesses to help them
comply with the requirements of the federal and state clean air
statutes. (A.606-C; Passed Assembly)
Low-Interest Loans To Small Businesses And Start-Ups This bill
would allow credit unions to participate in the Excelsior Linked Deposit
Program that provides low-interest loans to small and start-up businesses.
(A.3550-C; Passed Assembly /
S.4945-A; Finance)
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SOCIAL SERVICES
Work And Wellness Act This bill would establish a Work and
Wellness Act to enable disabled workers to buy into the Medicaid program
by paying premiums on a sliding scale based on their income. Under the
bill, disabled individuals could enter the workforce without forfeiting
their Medicaid health-care coverage.
(A.734-A; Passed Assembly/
S.1691-A; Rules)
Community-Based Services Waiver Program This bill would extend for
one year the home and community-based services waiver program that permits
severely disabled children to be Medicaid eligible and remain in their homes,
rather than in a medical institution.
(A.3536 /
S.4858; Chapter 331)
Physician Case Management Program This bill would extend for one year the
statute which guarantees Medicaid eligibility to public assistance safety net
recipients enrolled in comprehensive health services plans.
(A.3643; Passed Assembly/
S.4745; Health)
SSI Benefits This bill would provide an automatic increase for 2002 in the
monetary standards used to determine eligibility and payment of Social Security
Insurance (SSI) and additional state payments to the aged, blind and disabled to
reflect SSI benefit increases that may result from any COLA occurring between
January 1, 2002 and June 30, 2002.
(A.7422-A /
S.4094-A; Chapter 89)
Child Support This bill would extend for two years provisions relating to
the enforcement of child and combined child and spousal support orders by the
state Department of Taxation and Finance. Since 1997, this initiative has
boosted child-support collections by more than $128 million.
(A.7923 /
S.3611; Chapter 68)
Suspension Of Driving Privileges This bill would extend for two years
provisions relating to the enforcement of child support through suspension of
driving privileges. As a result of this program, since July 1995, more than
300,000 deadbeat parents have made child support payments.
(A.7924 /
S.3613; Chapter 72)
Public-Assistance Eligibility This bill would extend for two years
provisions that prescribe the resources and assets that are exempt and disregarded
when determining eligibility for any public-assistance program. It also would
increase the amount allowed under the automobile exemption and would allow
savings of $4,650 for the purpose of purchasing or replacing a vehicle in order
to seek, obtain or maintain employment.
(A.8700-A /
S4859-A; Chapter 207)
Lump-Sum Payments for Public Assistance Recipients This bill would allow
public-assistance recipients who receive a non-recurring lump sum to use up to
$25,000 of the money within a 90-day period to purchase or pay expenses for
education or job training and still be eligible for public assistance.
(A.9020 /
S.4865-A; Veto Memo 52)
Food Assistance Program This bill would extend the state Food Assistance
Program (FAP) for two years and provide FAP benefits to immigrants who are also
victims of domestic violence.
(A.8706-A /
S.4863-B; Chapter 362)
Medicaid Presumptive Eligibility Program In an effort to reduce delays in
moving patients to more appropriate levels of care, this bill would extend the
authorization for hospital patient discharge to hospices and residential care
facilities, under the state Medical Assistance Presumptive Eligibility Program.
The bill aims to reduce delays that are sometimes encountered when moving
patients to more appropriate levels of care.
(A.8820 /
S.4964; Chapter 145)
Medicaid Eligibility To encourage participation in comprehensive health
services plans, this bill would extend, for an additional year, the provision
guaranteeing Medicaid eligibility for six months to family assistance recipients
enrolled in these plans.
(A.8913 /
S.5036; Chapter 79)
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TOURISM
State Official Ban From Media This bill would prohibit statewide
elected officials from appearing in television, radio, Internet or print
public-service announcements paid for by taxpayers. Under the bill, the
likeness, picture or voice of a state elected official or a member of the
official's family would be prohibited from appearing in public-service
announcements produced or distributed by the state. In addition, the bill
also would require state agencies to submit a 12-month advertising inventory
to the governor, Assembly and Senate that fully discloses a public-service
announcement's content, cost and distribution.
(A.3132; Passed Assembly)
Tourism Council This bill would establish an upstate and downstate
tourism council fund aimed at strengthening the state's commitment to tourism.
(A.9459 /
S.5828; Chapter 383)
Summer Olympic Games This bill would provide for a bond guarantee to be
shared by New York State and New York City for the purpose of enabling the New
York City Olympic Committee to submit its application for the 2012 summer games.
This guarantee is required by the United States Olympic Committee and the
International Olympic Committee.
(A.9459 /
S. 5828; Chapter 383)
Ticket-Scalping Protections This bill enacts the Ticket Consumer
Protection Act to protect New Yorkers from ticket scalpers who gouge the public
with outrageous ticket prices to sporting, cultural and entertainment events.
Under the bill, the current "no re-sale zone" outside an entertainment arena is
extended to 1,500 feet. Violators face a fine of $1,000 or twice the amount of
the defendant's gain and one-year imprisonment. The measure also would crack down
on large-scale scalping operations by making it a Class E felony to pay or accept
bribes in the sale of tickets.
(A.9041 /
S.5434; Chapter 56)
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TRANSPORTATION
Cell Phones This bill would prohibit the operation of a motor
vehicle while talking on a hand-held mobile phone. Under the bill,
violators will face a fine of up to $100.
(A.9280 /
S.5400-A; Chapter 69)
Reduce DWI BAC This bill would seek a crackdown on drunk driving
in New York State by reducing the BAC (blood alcohol concentration) level
at which persons are deemed to be driving while intoxicated from .10
percent to .08 percent.
(A.8429; Passed Assembly)
Repeat DWI Offender This bill would impose increased penalties
upon persons convicted of multiple DWI offenses within five years of a
similar conviction. Under the measure, repeat offenders could be
sentenced to imprisonment or community service.
(A.8775; Passed Assembly)
Dependency Screening and Treatment This bill would require certain
driving-while-intoxicated offenders to undergo a court-imposed alcohol and
drug dependency screening or assessment and treatment if deemed necessary.
(A.8430; Passed Assembly).
Boating While Intoxicated This bill would require courts to suspend a
person's privilege to operate a boat upon a conviction for driving while
intoxicated, and would allow courts to suspend a person's driver's license upon
a conviction for boating while intoxicated.
(A.2637; Passed Assembly/
S.1632; Rules)
Graduated Licenses The bill would establish additional criteria for
the issuance of learner permits and driver licenses for those persons under the
age of 18 years, in order to improve the safety of all motorists.
(A.3513; Passed Assembly)
Booster Seats This bill would require motorists to place children aged
five and six years in an appropriate child-restraint system, including booster
seats. The bill addresses concerns that the current law's child-restraint
provisions, which only apply to children under the age of four, leave four and
five year olds without proper protection. The measure aims to address the
problems associated with standard seat belts that do not fit young children
properly and have led to serious and fatal injuries in crashes.
(A.1262-A; Passed Assembly /
S.419; Transportation)
Child Safety Seats This bill would require that persons operating
a motor vehicle to transport children under the age of four and weighing
more than 40 pounds use a booster seat or an appropriate child-restraint
system. Under the bill, the booster seat would have to meet federal
safety standards and be used in conjunction with seat belts.
(A.3511-A; Passed Assembly)
Pick-Up Truck Safety In an effort to prevent serious and fatal
injuries to children riding in pick-up trucks, this bill would prohibit a
person from operating a pick-up while anyone under the age of 18 is in
the cargo area. (A.3512-B; Passed Assembly)
Pedestrian Rights Of Way This bill would enhance pedestrian safety
by requiring motorists to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in marked
crosswalks. Currently, the law requires motorists to yield only to
pedestrians in the same half of the roadway. In addition, the measure
would encourage the development of new methods to slow vehicular traffic
and further educate motorists and pedestrians to the rules of the road.
(A.4300-A; Passed Assembly/
S.2666-A; Rules)
Residential Permit Parking This bill would allow the City of Albany to
adopt a residential permit parking system within certain areas of the city.
(A.6144-A; Passed Assembly/
S.3176-A; Transportation)
Lap and Shoulder Seatbelts This bill would require that both the lap belt
and shoulder harness belt be worn by occupants of a motor vehicle when both are
available in a given seating position.
(A.8853-A; Passed Assembly/
S.5644; Rules)
Road Rage Prevention This bill would require that instructional materials
for the curriculum for the mandatory pre-licensing course and for defensive
driving courses, contain a component on "road rage" awareness.
(A.5168 /
S.1136: Chapter 536)
School Bus Stop-Arms The bill would require all school buses designed to
seat 45 or more persons, manufactured for use in New York State on and after
January 1, 2002, be equipped with a second stop-arm. The measure is designed to
enhance school bus safety by providing an additional warning to drivers not to
pass a stopped school bus.
(A.7171-A /
S.5545; Chapter 430)
Bus Passenger Safety This bill would prohibit school bus drivers from
performing their driving duties if they have received a first-time DWI or DWAI
conviction while operating their personal vehicle. Under the bill, bus drivers
would be barred from operating a school bus during the suspension period required
by the law.
(A.7575 /
S.704; Chapter 475)
Repair Shop Restitution This bill would direct the commissioner of the
state Motor Vehicles Department to make restitution to victims of unscrupulous
repair shops. Under the bill, restitution claims would be paid for from the
civil penalties imposed on repair shops that violate the law.
(A.8840 /
S. 4600; Chapter 356)
Scooter Helmets This bill would require all persons under the age of 14
years to wear helmets when riding scooters.
(A.1199-B /
S.1078-B; Chapter 402)
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| VETERAN AFFAIRS POW License Plates This bill would exempt former prisoners of war who are age 62 or older from paying motor-vehicle registration and renewal fees. (A.4244 / S.2306; Chapter 373) Registration Exemption This bill would remove registration fees, service charges and renewal fees for distinctive license plates for various veterans association members. (A.4651-B / S.3146-B; Chapter 415) Veteran Education This bill would authorize the commissioner of state Education Department to develop a program whereby any veteran of the armed forces who served in the Korean conflict and who was unable, for any reason, to complete a secondary education, may be awarded a high school diploma based on knowledge and experience gained while in the service. (A.9018 / S.1137; Chapter 284) Military Ballots In an effort to ensure that military personnel are afforded every opportunity to vote, this bill would allow a military ballot that is signed and dated by a military voter and a witness to establish the date an absentee ballot was mailed. The measure would also extend the date by which a military ballot may be received by the local board of election from 10 to 13 days following the general election. (A.9455 / S.5822; Chapter 381) National Guard Recruitment This bill would appropriate $300,000 for a recruitment and retention incentive program for eligible members of the New York Army National Guard, the New York Air National Guard and the New York Naval Militia. (A.9451 / S.5816; Chapter 372) National Guard Protections This bill would guarantee that an individual who is called to New York State military duty will be provided the same job he or she left in the private sector upon returning from service. (A.1693; Passed Assembly/ S.1112; Veteran Affairs) Paid Leave This bill would provide paid leave on Memorial Day and Veterans' Day to war-time veterans who are employed by public benefit corporations and public authorities. (A.1686 / S.1313; Chapter 434) Real Property Tax Exemption This bill would provide localities with the option of allowing a veteran who sells and purchases a home within the same city, town, or village to continue receiving an already-approved veteran on real-property tax exemption. (A.1449; Passed Assembly/ S.500; Rules) Local Real Property Tax Exemption This bill would give local governments the option of allowing veterans, who are otherwise entitled to the veterans' real-property tax exemption but purchased the property after the taxable status date, to take advantage of the exemption as of the date they purchased the property. (A.2057; Passed Assembly/ S.1357; Rules) Blinded Veterans Annuity This bill would provide regular adjustments to the blinded veterans annuity. Under the bill, the adjustment would be indexed to the rate of inflation so that recipients will not see a decrease in the value of their benefit. (A.5133; Passed Assembly/ S.4132; Rules) Veteran Spouses This bill would address the large numbers of unmarried military veterans and unmarried surviving veterans' spouses receiving Medicaid in nursing homes who are not receiving the federal Veterans Administration pension to which they are entitled. This bill would require nursing facilities to file applications for the federal Improved Pension Program on behalf of those veteran residents who are receiving Medicaid and are eligible for the VA pension. (A.7733-B; Passed Assembly / S.4023-B; Rules) Veteran Fundraising This bill provides that charitable and service organizations may conduct certain raffles without complying with licensing, filing or reporting requirements, provided that the cumulative net proceeds for a one time event do not exceed $10,000. (A.1087; Passed Assembly / S.788; Racing and Wagering) |