Weekly Legislative Update- February 7, 2025

Committee News

Energy

The Energy Committee reported the following bills:

A.1012: Institutes the “Comprehensive Electric Vehicle Fast Charging Station Implementation Plan” to facilitate the deployment of fast electric vehicle charging stations statewide and gives the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, in consultation with the New York Power Authority, the Departments of Transportation, Environmental Conservation, and Public Service, and a new 13-member Fast Charge NY Working Group, six months to develop it. This bill was reported to the Floor.

A.2579: Enacts a chapter amendment to Chapter 675 of the Laws of 2024, which addressed the outsourcing of call center activities anywhere outside of the in-state service territory of gas, electric, and gas-electric utilities, as well as the closure of call centers and related

facilities. This chapter amendment repeals the sizeable monetary penalties applicable when these utilities fail to notify the Public Service Commission (PSC) of these actions but continues to empower the PSC to approve or deny these activities. This bill was reported to Rules and subsequently to the Floor.

Health

Despite unanimous Republican opposition, the Health Committee reported a bill (A.1118) that would increase the civil penalties found in the Public Health Law (PHL), which apply to any violation of the PHL or any related lawful notice, order, or regulation that does not have a specific statutory penalty. This bill was reported to Codes.

Codes

Despite unanimous Republican opposition, the Codes Committee reported the following bills:

A.3475: Prohibits law enforcement from engaging in “bias-based profiling,” meaning the reliance,to any degree, on actual or perceived race, color, ethnicity, national origin, immigration or citizenship status, age, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, socioeconomic status, or housing status.This bill was reported to Ways and Means.

A.2565: Prohibits law enforcement from compelling the production of, or access to, electronic communications and metadata from persons or service providers except pursuant to a warrant.Exceptions to the warrant requirement include owner consent, locating a lost device, and emergencies involving imminent danger of death or serious physical injury. This bill was reported to the Floor.

The Codes Committee reported a bill (A.2570) that includes within the class A misdemeanor crime of Criminal Impersonation in the Second Degree, pretending to be a service member, former service member, or first responder for various reasons, including the intent to obtain a benefit, injure or defraud another, or solicit funds. This bill also assesses a $250 stolen valor fee. This bill was reported to Ways and Means.Transportation The Transportation Committee reported a bill (A.593), which mandates that official inspection stations must prominently display the following notice: "THIS INSPECTION STATION IS NOT AUTHORIZED TO INSPECT ALTERED MOTOR VEHICLES (STRETCH LIMOUSINES)UNLESS THE REGISTRANT PRESENTS A STATE DOT EXEMPTION LETTER.OTHERWISE SUCH VEHICLES SHALL REPORT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION." This bill was reported to the Floor.

Week in Focus

On 2/3, Leader Barclay and Assembly Republicans joined Congressman Lawler, Leader

Ortt, State Conservative Party Chairman Gerry Kassar, and Senate Republicans at a

press conference to discuss reports of New York Democrats potentially delaying the Special Election in the 21st Congressional District and government waste and spending. To view

CLICK HERE

This week’s Joint Legislative Budget Hearings were Local Government/General Government (2/4), Mental Hygiene (2/5), and Transportation (2/6). For archived footage of the hearings, CLICK HERE

Next week’s Joint Legislative Budget Hearings are Health/Medicaid (2/11), Human Services (2/12), and Public Protection (2/13).