Life-Care Communities--This bill would allow for the development of continuing care retirement communities. Under the bill, seniors would have the option of a more affordable living environment and operators would be better able to serve residents in an assisted living-setting. (A.8661/S.5387; Passed both houses)

Alzheimer's Community Assistance Program--This bill would allow the commissioner of the Department of Health to award grants to the local chapters of the Alzheimer's Association, which provide support and educational services to those caring for Alzheimer's patients. (A.4002/S.4968-A; Passed both houses)

Alzheimer's Disease Services--This bill would establish a coordinating council for services related to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and would establish a statewide grants program to encourage the development of community services to assist individuals with Alzheimer's disease and their families. (A.5490-A; Passed Assembly/S.5364; Rules)

Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC's)--This bill would extend the naturally occurring retirement community supportive services program for two years. The bill is aimed at helping many older people who moved into housing complexes and apartment buildings when they were younger and now need help to remain independent in their homes. (A.8669/S.5531; Passed both Houses)

SCRIE Eligibility Benefits--This bill would provide local governments the option to exclude income and medical expenses not reimbursed by insurance when determining eligibility for Senior Citizens Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) benefits. (A.7576-A; Passed Assembly/S.5561; Rules)

Domestic Violence Victims--The bill would assist in developing methods to assist elder victims of domestic violence. (A.8064/S.5365; Passed both houses)

NYS Center for Agribusiness Development--This bill would create the New York State Center for Agribusiness Development to provide a broad range of programs and assistance to the state's Agribusiness industry. (A.994/S.547; Veto #16)

Seized Animals--This law requires a person from whom an animal has been seized to post security for the cost of caring and providing for the animal. (A.8279/S.5499; Chapter 256)

Agriculture District Program--This law includes ratites, such as ostriches, emus, rheas and kiwis, in the definition of livestock under the agriculture districts program. (A.4920/S.3055; Chapter 62)

Confinement of Animals--This law directs the state commissioner of agriculture and markets to order the 60-day confinement of animals when the exposure to equine infectious anemia is apparent. (A.6609/S.719; Chapter 92)

Sustainable Agriculture--This bill would establish a council on sustainable agriculture. The council would seek to help the agriculture industry address the numerous challenges facing consumers and farmers, including increasing energy costs, loss of family farms, groundwater pollution and consumer concerns over food safety. (A.4093; Passed Assembly)

Dangerous Dogs--This bill would regulate the activities of dangerous dogs in municipalities outside the city of New York by providing for the seizure, control and confinement of dangerous dogs. (A.3028-C/S.4749-B; Passed both houses)

 Appointment of Receivers--This law would establish the appointment of receivers for facilities operated under the auspices of the State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS). This law will ensure that the Commissioner of OASAS has the ability to provide for the continuation of services for clients of facilities whose license or operating certificate is or is about to be suspended or revoked by the appointment of a receiver. (A.7045/S.3817; Chapter 65)

Wild Card--This bill would authorize the state superintendent of banks to permit state-chartered banks and trust companies to exercise powers, engage in any activity or enter into any loan, investment or transaction which is permitted to a national bank. (S.5717-B; Passed Both Houses)

 MUNI Deposits--This bill would extend until June 11, 1997, provisions of the general municipal law which expanded the list of collateral local governments may accept to secure deposits and investments. (A.8133,A.8134-B; Passed Assembly)

LTD Liability Trust--This law authorizes the creation of limited liability trust companies; makes provisions for their operation and tax treatment, and authorizes the superintendent of banking to promulgate rules and regulations. (A.6492-A/S.4386-A; Chapter 248))

Banking Development Districts--This bill would authorize municipalities to provide incentives to banks that open branches in the state Banking Development Districts. Incentives include a real property tax exemption, the deposit of municipal and state funds and grants from the New York State Urban Development Corporation. (A.6351-B/S.4244-B; Chapter 204)

Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) Commitments--This bill would require banks that apply to the state Banking Department for the approval of a merger and make a commitment to make loans or investments to low-to-moderate income communities, to file a strategic plan that details the commitment. (A.6647-A; Passed Assembly)

Limited Liability Companies--This bill would allow a limited purpose trust company to be organized under New York State banking law as a limited liability company (LLC). A LLC permits greater organizational flexibility by blending corporate and partnership attributes. (A.6492-A/S.4386-A; Chapter 248)

Limits On Check Cashers--This bill would authorize licensed check cashers to cash checks in an amount up to $6,000. Certified bank or credit union checks, checks from insurance companies, registered securities brokers or dealers and attorneys would be exempt from the cap. (A.7658/S.5124; Chapter 144)

Child Protective Services Workers--This bill would require the state Department of Social Services (DSS) to establish standards for a training curriculum for Child Protective Services workers that would teach investigatory techniques for reporting sexual abuse incidents. The bill also would mandate on-going training for Child Protective Services workers. (A.234; Passed Assembly/S.4460; Rules)

Child Care--This bill would require the state Commissioner of Social Services to study child care demand and utilization patterns for low and moderate-income families with particular emphasis on the needs for minority group members. (A.5968; Passed Assembly)

Removal Of Foster Child--This bill would stop the removal of a foster child by a foster care agency or social services district to another foster care setting until after a fair hearing had been held to determine if the move was in the child's best interests. If the state Department of Social Services decided to approve the removal, it would be further delayed for 10 days in order to prepare the child. The removal would not be stayed if the health or safety of the child was at risk. (A.6397; Passed Assembly)

Prior Notification--This bill would establish a clear protocol for medical professionals to follow when conducting medical examinations of children who may be victims of abuse or maltreatment. This bill would require prior notification to a parent or legal guardian by a child protective services investigator before a medical examination could take place. (A.7072; Passed Assembly)

William B. Hoyt Memorial Children And Family Trust Fund Advisory Board--This bill would ensure New York State's eligibility for federal funding to support family resource programs and to add consumer representation to the William B. Hoyt Memorial Children and Family Trust Fund Advisory Board. (A.8332/S.5221; Passed both houses)

Emergency Cities Aid--This bill would provide $26 million in Emergency financial aid to cities that cannot generate additional municipal income because they are at their constitutional limit for raising revenues through the real property tax. This emergency assistance aid would be used to pay for municipal services in the cities of Albany, $1.4 million; Buffalo, $13.7 million; Rochester, $3.2 million; Syracuse $5.6 million; and Yonkers, $2.4 million. (A.4563/S.2397; Chapter 83)

New York City Transitional Finance Authority--The bill would create a temporary finance authority to issue up to $7.5 billion in bonds to provide emergency financing necessary to meet the revenue needs of the city's multi-year capital program. The bill will address the city's debt-cap crisis that threatens to halt its capital construction plan and calls for a constitutional amendment that would establish a new debt cap reflecting a broader city revenue base than just that gained from real property taxes. The declining value of New York City's real estate market has led to declining bonding potential. (A.4320/S.2592; Chapter 16)

Sale Of Bonds By City Of Buffalo--This law extends the authorization for private sale of bonds and notes by the city of Buffalo until June 30, 1998. (A.1666/S.910;Chapter 32)

Sale of Bonds By The City Of Niagara Falls--This bill would extend for an additional year, conditions relating to the private sale of bonds by the city of Niagara Falls. (A.4941/S.2917; Delivered to governor)

Corporate Obligations And Bankers' Acceptances--This bill increases from $100 to $250 million the amount cities of one million or more are authorized to invest in certain corporate obligations and bankers' acceptances. (A.7532/S.4678; Chapter 366)

School Safety Officers--This bill would provide the special death benefit now available to police families, to the families of school safety officers employed by the City of New York, should they be killed in the line of duty. (A.8036-A; Rules/S.5059; Civil Service and Pensions)

Special Officers--This bill would provide the special death benefit now available to police families, to the families of Special Officers employed by a mayoral or non-mayoral agency of the City of New York, including the health and hospital employees, should they be killed in the line of duty. (A.8037-A; Passed Assembly/S.5056; Rules)

Domestic Violence Penalties Stiffened--This bill would increase penalties for domestic violence assaults. Currently, persons convicted of reckless or criminally negligent physical injury to a household or family member would face a Class A misdemeanor with a maximum one-year prison sentence. Under the bill, such persons would face a Class E felony punishable by up to four years in prison. The legislation also would make it easier to prosecute those who batter family members by decreasing the severity of injury a prosecutor has to prove. (A.2227;Passed Assembly)

Safe Streets / Safe Cities--This bill would authorize the continuation of New York City's 12.5-percent personal income tax surcharge through 1998 in order to maintain police staff levels at 38,310. Under the bill's provisions, the $925 million expected to be raised during the two-year extension would provide at least $275 million for police manpower and other criminal justice activities and up to $650 million for the city's supplemental school capital construction program. (A.4844 / S.2959; Chapter 17)

Assault Weapons Ban--This bill would ban 19 high-capacity, military-style assault weapons by name, any replicas of those weapons and clips that contain more than 10 rounds of ammunition. Under the bill, persons convicted of using assault weapons would face a mandatory sentence of 5-10 additional years for using an assault weapon while committing a violent crime, and 15 years for using one in a terrorist act. (A.1268; Passed Assembly/S.449; Codes)

Bias Crime--This bill would enact tough new criminal penalties for persons who commit acts of violence or intimidation based on an individual's race, color, religion, gender or age. (A.1242; Passed Assembly/S.572; Codes)

Children's Weapon Prevention Act--This bill is aimed at preventing accidental shooting deaths that result from children playing with guns. The bill requires firearms to be safely secured and stored away safely. Under the bill, violators would be guilty of criminally negligent storage of a weapon in the first and second degree. In addition, the bill would require gun dealers to make available firearm safe-storage devices and to post a sign warning customers about negligent weapon storage. (A.651-C; Passed Assembly)

Firearm Licensing Reform--This bill would require that persons seeking a gun license complete a firearm safety program successfully. The bill would also establish a children's weapons safety program aimed at reducing firearm injury by teaching public and non-public school students safety procedures. In addition, the bill would set new renewal and certification standards for a firearm license. (A. 6363; Passed Assembly/S.5449; Codes)

Ban Convicted Violent Felons From Possessing Firearms--This bill would remove a loophole in the laws that allows a convicted felon to legally possess a rifle or shotgun. The current law allows criminals who have served their prison sentence to obtain a license to legally carry a firearm, if they have received a good conduct certificate. (A.819; Passed Assembly)

Victim Notification--This bill would require that a victim be notified when an inmate escapes or is released from a correctional facility or hospital. (A.3588; Passed Assembly).

Parole Board Victims Statement Notification--This bill would require district attorneys to notify victims when they will be able to provide a written or oral impact statement to the parole board before an inmate is released. (A.974; Passed Assembly/S.1350; Codes).

Crime Victims Advisory Council--This bill would restructure the Crime Victims Advisory Council in order to represent the needs of crime victims more effectively. (A.4072; Passed Assembly/S.4746; Crime Victims,Crime and Corrections)

Victims Assistance Education Program--This bill would ensure that members and staff of the Crime Victims Board are fully aware and trained in skills that will assist crime victims. (A.1064; Passed Assembly)

Tougher Penalties For Crimes Involving Bombs--This bill would require that a greater number of explosive material include tracer elements, called "taggants," which are special identifying chips that assist police in investigating bombings. Under the bill, those who knowingly possess, sell or use explosives that lack this tracer element could face up to 15 years in prison. (A.1813; Passed Assembly)

Assembly Cracks Down On Cemetery Vandalism With Tougher Penalties--This bill would require that vandals convicted of desecrating cemeteries face up to four years in prison. The legislation would make cemetery vandalism a class E felony and require that community service sentences include the maintenance and repair of the damaged cemetery plot. (A.2959/S.1884; Chapter 165)

Primary Aggressor--This bill would relate to the arrest without a warrant of more than one member of the same family. It would authorize a police officer who would otherwise be required to arrest more than one member of the same family or household to arrest only the person whom the officer believes to be the primary physical aggressor, and it would set forth factors to be considered in making such determination. (A.987; Passed Assembly)

Sex Offenders Registration Requirement--This bill would classify course of sexual conduct against a child, in the first or second degree, as a sexually violent offense for purposes of the sex offenders registration requirement. (A.426; Passed Assembly)

Statewide Registry--This bill would provide any person who willfully releases or permits the release of any data or information contained in the Statewide Registry of orders of protection and family offense warrants to persons or agencies not authorized to receive it shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. (A.438; Passed Assembly)

Tracer Elements to Explosive Materials--This bill would provide for the addition of tracer elements to explosive materials and would establish the crime of criminal sale of explosive material as a Class C Felony. (A.1813; Passed Assembly)

Alcohol Related Ignition Interlock Device--This law authorizes the installation of an ignition interlock device as a condition of probation or conditional discharge in connection with an alcohol related driving offense. (A.1986/S.5416; Chapter 181)

Ignition Interlock Device--This bill requires the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles to note on the operator's record that such person may operate a motor vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device as a condition of probation. (A.1495-A; Passed Assembly/S.5689; Rules)

State Rape Crisis Intervention and Prevention Program--This bill would establish a State Rape Crisis Intervention and Prevention Program to be operated by the Department of Health, funding will be provided through grants to approved rape crisis intervention and protection programs rendering at least two comprehensive programs in related areas. (A.2079; Passed Assembly/S.1589; Finance)

Domestic Assault--This bill would establish the crimes of domestic assault in the first degree, a Class E felony, and domestic assault in the second degree, a Class A misdemeanor. (A.2227; Passed Assembly)

Health Care Facilities Anti-Violence Act of 1997--This bill would codify blocking ingress to or egress from a health care facility as aggravated harassment in the first and second degrees. (A.2450; Passed Assembly/S.1562; Codes)

Firearm Suspension and Revocation--This bill would establish procedure for the suspension and revocation of license to possess a firearm while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. (A.3845-A; Passed Assembly/S.2492-A; Codes)

Armor Piercing Ammunition--This bill would include within the definition of armor piercing ammunition: ceramic or polymer plastics; defines devastator ammunition as any ammunition capable of being used in pistols or revolvers containing a projectile or projectile core; includes possession of armor piercing or devastator within the definition of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree. (A.4537-A; Passed Assembly)

Firearm Licenses in Nassau and Suffolk County--This bill would relate to firearm licenses and repeals certain provisions of the penal law relating thereto; Extends renewal periods in Nassau and Suffolk County for firearm licenses to six years. (A.6363; Passed Assembly/S.5449; Rules)

Non-Consensual Sex--This bill would provide that a person is unable to consent to sex if he or she is committed to or placed with the Division for Youth. (A.5055-A; Passed Assembly)

Tainted Blood--This bill would extend time within which an action against a manufacturer of blood products which cause HIV or AIDS may be commenced. (A.5160/Passed Assembly)

Abuse Of Elderly Persons--This bill would require that reports of incidents or abuse of elderly persons filed by local law enforcement agencies be sent to a committee for the coordination of police services to elderly persons and such committee shall prepare reports to the legislature. (A.8064/S.5365; Passed Both Houses)

Endangering The Welfare Of An Elderly Person--This bill would establish the crimes of endangering the welfare of a vulnerable elderly person in the first and second degree, being Class E and Class D felonies respectively. (A.4236-A; Passed Assembly)

Illegal Fireworks Possession Penalty Increased--This bill would increase penalties for the unlawful possession or sale of dangerous fireworks to a person under the age of 18. Under the bill, first time offenders would face a maximum charge of a class "A" misdemeanor, a second time offender would face a class "E" felony. (A.1074-C / S.4788-A; Chapter 180)

Minors Banned From Being In Bars--The Assembly passed a bill that would ban anyone under 18 years of age from remaining in a bar where alcoholic beverages are being served and consumed. (A.3656-A; Passed Assembly/S.2291-A; Rules)

Children's Draw-String Clothing Banned--This bill would prohibit the retail sale of children's outerwear that has any hood, neck, or dangerously long waist bottom drawstrings. The bill is aimed at preventing children from being injured when the draw string becomes caught on bicycles, doorknobs, and other protruding devices. (A.5844-A;Passed Assembly/S.3278-A; Rules)

Child Auto Safety Seat Compatibility--This bill would require that all child safety seats sold in New York display a label notifying consumers with which automobiles the seat is compatible. The label would make consumers aware that some child safety seats are ineffective in protecting children because the seat is incompatible with the vehicle in which it is being used in. (A.7759-A; Passed Assembly)

Credit Card Information Disclosure Restrictions--This bill would allow consumers to restrict credit companies from releasing personal identification information and spending habits of credit card holders. Under the bill, credit card companies would be prohibited from disseminating this information without the approval of the credit card holder. (A.44; Passed Assembly/S.4452; Consumer Protection)

Sunscreen Expiration Dates Disclosure--This bill would require sunscreen containers to carry a conspicuous label showing the expiration date of the product. Because the average shelf-life of sunscreen products is three to five years, this bill is aimed at ensuring that consumers are purchasing and using sunscreen products that provide maximum protection. (A.494-A; Passed Assembly/S.1568-A; Rules)

Bill Protects Consumers From Unordered Merchandise And Service Charges--This bill would protect consumers from incurring charges for services or goods they never ordered by classifying the receipt of such item as a gift to the consumer. The bill is aimed at unscrupulous business promotions that send and then charge consumers for merchandise or services that were never requested. (A.593; Passed Assembly/S.2399; Rules)

Market Place Gender Discrimination--This bill would require that prices be prominently posted for services provided by hairdressers, cosmetologists, dry cleaners and tailors. This bill is aimed at ending gender-market place discrimination by making the cost of these common services more prominent for consumers so they can choose the best value for their money. (A.2024; Passed Assembly/S.4128; Rules)

Vehicle Rental Anti-Discrimination--This bill would strengthen existing statutes dealing with both age and credit card discrimination and add geographic location, creed, religion, marital status and disability to the existing prohibitions based on race, color, ethnic origin and gender, and limit the deposits charged to drivers without credit cards. (A.6939-A; Passed Assembly)

DMV Registration For Auto-Rental Agencies--This bill would require all rental vehicle companies doing business in New York to register with the state Department of Motor Vehicles and allow DMV to suspend or revoke company registrations for failure to comply with certain standby provisions. (A.6940-B; Passed Assembly)

Tougher Penalties For Discriminatory Car Rental Agencies--This bill would increase fines on automobile rental agencies that deny car rental agreements to consumers based solely on the basis of age. Under the bill, violators would face a maximum fine of up to $1,000. The measure is aimed at providing an incentive for the auto-rental industry to comply with New York's anti-discriminatory consumer laws, which the industry has ignored for the last 18 years. (A.850; Passed Assembly/S.498: Rules)

Advance Notice To Consumers For Credit Card/Overdraft Termination--This bill would require consumers to be notified when a financial institution cancels a credit card that provides check writing overdraft services. The bill also waives delinquent-check fees when consumers have not been notified that such a credit card has been canceled. (A.4112; Passed Assembly/S.2564; Banks)

PSC To Consider Rate Hike Impact on Consumers--This bill would require the Public Service Commission's (PSC) utility rate hike decisions to reflect the ability of consumers to afford higher utility costs. Under the bill, all PSC rate-increase decisions would have to be based on such variables as unemployment data, the average customer's monthly utility bill, the cost of living and heating fuel prices. (A.2605; Passed Assembly/S.1598; Energy and Telecommunications)

Toy Safety--This bill would protect children from being severely harmed if they swallow small plastic toys. Because plastic does not show up on x-rays, it is difficult for doctors to take prompt action when small toy parts are ingested. Over the years, children have developed chronic respiratory problems because toy parts they swallowed went undetected and appropriate medical treatment was never provided. (A.2136; Passed Assembly)

Fair Credit Reporting Act--This bill would amend provisions relating to the rights of consumers under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Under the bill, credit companies would be required to give consumers advance notice when an adverse action was going to be taken against a consumer and it was based on a credit report. (A.400C; Passed Assembly/S.1597-A; Rules)

Used Car Lemon Law Arbitration Program--This bill would authorize the state commissioner of Motor Vehicles to deny application, suspend, or revoke the registration of a used car dealer if the dealer deliberately failed to pay an arbitration award made pursuant to the state's Lemon Law. (A.955/S.4609; Chapter 323)

Weight Loss Services/Products--This bill would require persons providing weight-loss services or selling weight-loss products to provide consumers with information about the dangers of rapid weight loss. (A.1245-B; Passed Assembly/S.1603-C; Rules)

Auto Equity Promoter--This bill would provide that no person shall engage in the business of auto equity promoter. The bill bans individuals from fraudulently arranging automobile purchases or leases. The bill aims to stop prevalent scams involving the unauthorized transfer of motor vehicles that are subject to outstanding loans or leases. (A.2224-B/S.4913; Chapter 198)

Release Of Towed And/Or Stored Vehicles--This bill regulates the acceptance of credit cards and personal checks by commercial towing and storage lot concerns for payment of charges to secure the release of towed and/or stored vehicles sighted for parking violations. (A.3521-B/S.5065; Chapter 166)

Health Club Employee Training--This bill would require health club employees to be trained in first-aid and adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The same training is required of coaches for after-school athletic activities. (A.3627; Passed Assembly/S.2449; Rules)

Sale Of Monuments And Memorials--This bill would regulate the sale of monuments and memorials and it would require separate contracts for monuments. (A.4808; Passed Assembly)

Disclosure Of Interest Rates--This bill would require written disclosure of interest rates and other financing terms to prospective purchasers of new cars. (A.4858-A Passed Assembly)

Gift Certificates--This bill would require stores that issue gift certificates and store credits to accept such gift certificates or store credits in payment for goods and services. (A.6781-A/S.4060-A; Chapter 126)

Public Hearings For NYC Water And Sewer Rates--This law would require the New York City Water Board to hold public hearings prior to fixing annual water and sewer rates for the City of New York. (A.3898/S.2491; Chapter 184)

Consumer Input Before The Public Service Commission (PSC)--This bill would require the PSC to establish a public hearing procedure so that consumers can testify on the impact a major rate change would have on ratepayers. Notice of such hearings would be included in customer bills. (A.469; Passed Assembly/S.1594; Rules)

PSC To Consider Rate Change Impact On Community--This bill would require rate making decisions of the PSC to consider the economic impact that utility rate changes would have on consumers, municipalities, gas, electric, steam, waterworks, telegraph, or telephone corporations. (A.2605; Passed Assembly/S.1598; Energy and Telecommunications)

Curbing Excess Profits For Telephone Companies--This bill would give the PSC the power to provide for the refund of any revenue received by any telephone corporation in excess of its authorized rate of return for a period of 12 months. (A.3302; Passed Assembly)

Pollution Reduction By The Metropolitan Transportation Authority--This bill would require the MTA to formulate and update annually a long-range strategic plan to convert their existing diesel bus fleet to an alternative-fuel vehicle fleet in order to promote improved air quality and provide safe and efficient public transportation. (A.6095; Passed Assembly/S.4629; Rules)

Anti-"Golden Parachute" Bill--This bill would prohibit any public utility company from providing top executives with "golden parachute" agreements, which would take effect when control of the company changed hands. (A.2606; Passed Assembly)

Review Of Utility Executive Compensation--This bill would require the PSC to annually review proposed salary and benefits of utility personnel in order to determine if the compensation is fair and reasonable. The bill would apply to utilities whose gross annual income is more than $50 million. (A.1501-A; Passed Assembly/S.2371; Rules)

Public Protection Bill--This bill would authorize the construction of a maximum, 750 double-occupancy-cell prison facility. The bill would enact "Merit Time," which would reduce a prisoner's minimum sentence by one-sixth if they adjusted successfully to incarceration. Under the bill, inmate behavior that could provide a quicker parole hearing includes: vocational training, achieving a GED or successfully completing a substance abuse or drug rehabilitation program. Included in the bill are 500 Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse beds and 250 additional Department of Social Services domestic violence beds. The bill also provides 800 local, jail-rental cells for short-term confinement of non-violent inmates. (A.1304-C/S.704-B; Delivered to governor)

Prohibit Profiting From Crime--This bill would establish a penalty for anyone who enters into a contract with a criminal for rights to their criminal story and fails to give written notice to the Crime Victims Board. Under the bill, violators would be fined for the full amount of the contract, up to $25,000. For agreements worth more than $25,000, the fine would be $25,000 plus 25 percent of the contract. (A.7566; Passed Assembly)

Computerize Board Of Election Records--This bill would allocate $200,000 to computerize data in the state Board Of Elections. (A.1302-C/S.702-B; Delivered to governor)

Congressional Districts Adjusted--This bill would address the request of a federal court to reapportion the 12th Congressional District. Under the bill, six congressional districts in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens are affected. (A.8653; Passed both houses)

Clothing Sales Tax Exemption--This bill would exempt the state sales tax on clothing costing less than $100 per item. The bill would also give local governments the option of exempting clothing from the local sales tax. Under the bill, there would be a 1-week exemption this September and again in 1998 and the state sales tax would be eliminated in 1999. (A.8671/S.5785; Chapter 389)

Community Enhancement Projects--The Legislature authorized a $425 million state bond issue to fund arts, cultural, educational, athletic, housing, child care, recreation, and transportation facilities. The eligibility of Community Enhancement Projects for bond funding would be determined by the Legislature and the governor in a memorandum of understanding (MOU). (A.8648/S.5764; Delivered to governor)

Problem Bars And Tavern Notification--This bill would require communities be given 60-days notice when an application has been made to sell alcoholic beverages within their jurisdiction. Under the bill, communities would have two months to express their concerns about problem bars or taverns that have been disruptive to their community before a license to sell alcoholic beverages is granted by the State Liquor Authority (SA). (A.4682-A; Passed Assembly)

Centers Of Advanced Technology Focus On New York Industries--This bill would direct the Centers of Advanced Technology (CATs) to focus on applications and products that would benefit New York-based businesses. (A.5711; Passed Assembly)

Venture Capital Financing--This bill would authorize the state's Science and Technology Foundation to finance a regional venture capital investment program. It would allow the foundation to provide start-up financing to existing companies involved in new product development and emerging technologies. (A.6448; Passed Assembly/S.3686; Rules)

State Economic Policies Evaluated--This bill would establish a private industry review council to evaluate state economic policies and their ability to assist companies doing business in New York and to bring new job-creating industries to the state. (A.5416; Passed Assembly)

Job Creation History Disclosure Required For UDC Loan--This bill would require companies seeking financial assistance from the UDC to provide information about their job-creating history, economic viability and community investment. (A.2055;Passed Assembly)

Small Businesses And Entrepreneurs--This bill would require state economic development agencies to provide preference to small businesses and entrepreneurs in the programs they administer. (A.3309; Passed Assembly)

Residency Requirement--This bill would establish a residency requirement for businesses that receive state economic development assistance. (A.5445; Passed Assembly)

Licenses to Sell Beer and Wine--This bill would prohibit the issuance of licenses to sell beer and wine on premises that are within 500 feet of three or more premises licensed to sell beer, wine or liquor. (A.6048; Passed Assembly/S.3501; Rules)

Education Budget--This bill would appropriate a historic $750 million increase in school aid. It implements many provisions of the Assembly's education plan, LADDER. Under the bill, by the 2001-02 school year, pre-kindergarten for all four-year-olds will be available, as will full-day kindergarten. Additional resources would be provided to reduce class sizes in kindergarten through third grade. The bill would provide $2.2 billion in school property tax relief over five years.

          This measure also would make significant changes in the way in which school districts adopt their budgets. The legislation would require school budgets to be presented to voters in three parts, showing separate amounts for academic programs, administration and construction projects. Voters would have two chances to pass the proposed budget. If the proposal failed twice, a contingency budget would take effect. The contingency budget would cover academic programs, library and textbook costs, athletics, field trips and extracurricular activities. The contingency budget would be capped at 120 percent of the Consumer Price Index or four percent above the previous year's budget, whichever is less. Excluded from the cap would be increases in state education aid, the cost of tax refunds and additional state assistance to meet growing enrollments. The bill also would designate every third Tuesday in May as the statewide school-budget-voting day, beginning with consideration of the 1998-99 school year budgets next spring. (A.1305-C/S.705-B; Delivered to governor)

School Facility Health And Safety Bond Act--This bill provides for a $2.4 billion-bond act for the purpose of funding critical capital projects related to construction, expansion and modernization of school facilities to ensure safe school buildings, to promote the health and safety of school children and to provide for the latest in educational technology. (A.8642; Chapter 328)

Kiryas Joel--This bill authorizes the creation of certain union-free school districts by municipalities statewide and is of general application. It would apply only to those municipalities that are situated wholly within a central or union-free school district, the boundaries of which are not coterminous with the boundaries of the district. The bill will allow only these specific municipalities to create school districts. (A.8670; Chapter 390)

School-to-Work Act--This bill would require the State Education Department to establish the "School-to-Work System" which includes a credit-bearing curriculum developed to effect a positive transition between school and work. (A.5426-A; Passed Assembly)

Special Purposes Science Program Challenge Grants--This bill would establish three science program challenge grant programs, totaling up to $65,000 to create greater partnerships between the private sector and school districts, for the purpose of encouraging students to enter the fields of science and technology. (A.6868-A; Passed Assembly)

Electronic Doorways--This bill would provide grants, planning, staff training, and resources for technical expertise for electronic doorway library services development. This bill would expand participation and accelerate development for libraries (A.4321-A; Passed Assembly)

Banning Cigarette and Alcohol Ads Near Schools and Playgrounds--This bill would expand the Drug-Free School Zone by prohibiting billboard advertising of tobacco products or alcoholic beverages within 1,000 feet of schools or playgrounds adjacent to schools. (A.1830;Passed Assembly/S.1185;Rules)

Liquified Natural Gas--This bill would authorize and direct the state Energy Planning Board to study issues relating to liquified natural gas. (A.8427/S.5602; Chapter 385)

Low-Cost Power to Businesses--This bill would establish the power for jobs program to make available low cost power and not-for-profit corporations. It is aimed at stimulating the retention and creation of jobs and boosting economic development. (A.8577/S.5706; Chapter 316)

Electric Corporations Workforce--This bill would make provisions for the Public Service Commission to take various actions to protect reliability and equitable treatment of workforce of electric corporations. (A.8578; Passed Assembly)

Residential Solar Equipment--This bill would require electric corporations to interconnect residential solar equipment to their systems and provide net energy use metering at such residential properties. (A.8660-A/S.5400-A; Passed both houses)

Pilot Program for Dairy Farms--This bill would authorize a statewide competition pilot program that would allow dairy farms to purchase electricity directly at competitive market rates from other than the electric corporations within whose service territory such farms are located. (A.4513; Passed Assembly)

Veterans' Organizations--This bill would allow certain veteran's organizations to lower their electric bills being charged at rates similar to domestic customers. (A.422; Passed Assembly/S.2706; Rules)

Public Service Commission--This bill prohibits the public service commission from use of time-of-use for customers of certain electric corporations. (A.2657-A/S.4467; Chapter 307) 

Liquid Natural Gas--This bill would extend the effectiveness of chapter 395 of the laws of 1978 relating to moratoriums on issuance of certificates of environmental safety for the siting of facilities and certification of routes to transport liquified natural or petroleum gas until April 1, 1999. (A.1201-A/S.2921-B; Chapter 235)

Sewage Treatment--This bill would provide for certain federal funds to be deposited into the state water pollution control revolving funds and to be used for purposes set forth in the Omnibus Consolidated Rescissions and Appropriations Act of 1996. (A.8182/S.5429; Chapter 255)

 Scup/Black Bass--This law extends the authority of the State Department of Environmental Conservation to manage by regulation scup and black sea bass until December 31, 1999 in order to reduce excessive exploitation of these fish stocks. (A.8078/S.3679-A; Chapter 81)

Commercial and Industrial Waste Audit Program--This bill would reduce the amount of solid waste generated in New York State by establishing a commercial and industrial waste audit program. (A.430; Passed Assembly)

Inactive Hazardous Waste Sites--This bill would facilitate citizen participation in the remedial decision-making process of inactive hazardous waste sites. (A.706; Passed Assembly)

Citizen Suits--This bill would allow private citizens to commence civil actions to remedy environmental violations. (A.1620; Passed Assembly/S.2981; Environmental Conservation)

Siting of Environmental Facilities--This bill would provide for the equitable distribution among communities in the state in the siting of environmental facilities. The bill would require that before a permit for a new environmental facility is granted, the DEC must consider whether a disproportionate burden is placed on minority or economically-distressed communities by siting the facility at the proposed location. (A.1621; Passed Assembly)

Contaminated Residential Property--This bill would protect individuals from unknowingly purchasing residential real property contaminated by the release of hazardous substances, petroleum and/or methane. (A.1622; Passed Assembly)

DEC Permit--This bill would require that every application for a DEC permit include an inquiry regarding the applicant's record of compliance. (A.1623; Passed Assembly)

Inactive Hazardous Waste Site Remedial Program--This bill would expand the definition of inactive hazardous waste disposal sites to ensure that these qualify for state cleanup via the State's Inactive Hazardous Waste Site Remedial Program. (A.4138; Passed Assembly/S.4394; Rules)

Acid Rain--The bill would ensure the protection of sensitive areas from increased acid rain deposition by limiting the trading of air pollution allowance credits. (A.4625-A; Passed Assembly/S.5629-A; Rules)

DEET--This bill would prohibit the sale of insect repellant products for use on humans containing DEET with concentrations greater than 30 percent. (A.4652; Passed Assembly)

Consumer Pesticide Use Information--This bill would establish uniform standards for a consumer pesticide use information and require 48-hours advance notice of application. (A.6459-C; Passed Assembly/S.3889-B; Rules)

Eligibility for Commercial Food Fish, Lobster and Crab Licenses--This bill would provide eligibility criteria for commercial food fish, lobster, crab licenses through February 28, 1998 up to the number of licenses in effect as of June 30, 1997, and would implement some of the recommendations of the DEC's May 1996 "Report to the Legislature Regarding Commercial Fishing Effort and License Eligibility Requirements." This bill would also increase the fees for commercial fishing licenses to provide revenue to the Marine Resources Account of the Conservation Fund so that current levels of program staffing and expenditures may be maintained. (A.8525-B/S.5410-D; Chapter 263)

Retirement Incentive--This law authorizes the state and will permit local governments to grant an early retirement incentive to employees during 1997. (A.7597-A/S.4421-A; Chapter 41)

Retirement System Transfer--This bill would permit retirement system members who did not transfer a membership from one retirement system to another in a timely fashion to transfer the previously granted service credit. Applications would be due by December 31, 1997. (A.7908/S.5003-A; Delivered to governor)

Retiree Health Insurance Protection--This law prohibits the reduction of health insurance benefits or employer contributions to premium costs of retired educational employees unless there are commensurate changes in benefits and/or costs relating to active employees until May 15, 1998. (A.4217/S.2570; Chapter 80)

Teachers' Retirement--This bill would permit eligible members of the New York City Teachers' Retirement System and the Board of Education to retire at age 55 with 10 years of service without loss of retirement benefits. The cost of the plan would be borne by the employees, who would contribute 8.5 percent of their salary to the retirement system. (A.8624-A/S.5738; Passed both houses)

Cost Relief to Local Governments for Retroactive Membership Cases--This bill would provide that the initial employer will not be responsible for all the costs of retroactive membership granted pursuant to Chapter 437 of 1993 where the person receiving retroactive retirement system membership was employed by more than one public employer. (A.8157-A/S.5103-A; Passed both houses)

Death Benefits for Vested Members of Retirement Systems--This bill would grant a death benefit to a member of the NYS Teachers' Retirement System who is entitled to a retirement benefit (Vested) but dies prior to retirement. The benefit would be equal to 50 percent of the ordinary benefit. Currently the person is not entitled to any death benefit if he/she dies out of public service. (A.3848-A; Passed Assembly/S.2458-A; Rules)

Income Limitations for Retired Employees--This law increases to $14,500 the income a retired employee can earn in the public sector without a loss of retirement benefits. (A.6880/S.4298; Chapter 140)

Religious Freedom--This bill would ensure that state and local laws are not applied in ways that impose a burden on the practice of religious freedom. The bill would require that state or local laws that impose a substantial burden on the free exercise or practice of religion prove a compelling governmental interest and present the least restrictive means of serving that interest. (A.8499-passed Assembly)

Sexual Orientation--This bill would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation. (A.2826; Passed Assembly)

Genetic Characteristics--This bill would prohibit discrimination based on an individual's genetic characteristics. (A.4510-A; Passed Assembly)

Price Charged for Services Based on Gender--This bill would prohibit discrimination with respect to the price charged for services based on gender such as dry cleaning and hair cuts. (A.4729; Passed Assembly)

Crime Victims Board--This bill would provide a penalty for the failure of a contractor to notify the Crime Victims Board when contracting with a convicted criminal for the "profits of a crime". (A.7566; Passed Assembly/S.4295; Rules)

Health Care Provider--This bill would require that a member of the Crime Victims Board be a health care provider experienced in treating or counseling crime victims. (A.7569; Passed Assembly/S.4294; Crime Victims, Crime & Correction)

Child Victim of a Violent Crime--This bill would allow parents or guardians of a child victim of a violent crime to use the loss of earnings/loss of support award for time lost from work caring for their child. (A.7684; Passed Assembly/S.5144; Rules)

Medicaid Cost Containment Reform--This bill would restore $676 million of the state's share of Medicaid costs, which, when combined with the local and federal contributions, triggers a total restoration of over $1.7 billion to the state's health care industry. The restoration ensures that the medical industry is able to maintain appropriate staffing levels and deliver high-quality health care services. In addition, a $20 million rate increase would be provided to managed care providers hurt by the recent state procurement process, and a $48 million rate adjustment is given to Supplemental Low Income Patient Adjustment (SLIPA) and financially distressed hospitals. The bill continues recent cost containment initiatives and provides $121 million in new state share savings from Medicaid actions. (A.8654/S.5773; Delivered to governor)

Patients' Bill of Rights--This bill would require hospitals to include information regarding opportunities for making organ and tissue donations on the Patients' Bill of Rights form which they distribute to all their patients. (A.205-A/S.130-A; Chapter 47)

Breast Cancer--This bill would require all health insurers to cover hospital stays after a mastectomy or any other breast cancer procedure for as long as they are medically appropriate, as determined by the attending physician in consultation with the patient. The bill would also require all health insurers to pay for a second medical opinion from an appropriate specialist, including out-of-plan specialists, for any cancer-related diagnosis. (A.1455-A/S.11-A; Chapter 20)

Managed Long Term Care Act--This bill would authorize the Commissioner of Health to approve up to 24 provider-sponsored managed long-term care programs offering appropriate, cost-effective and coordinated services on a capitated basis to chronically ill or disabled individuals. (A.6617-A; Passed Assembly)

Ketamine--This bill would establish Ketamine as a controlled substance and set penalties for illegal possession of various quantities of Ketamine. (A.216-B/S.324-B; Passed both houses)

EMS-Local Option--This bill would authorize municipalities to adopt and amend local laws to establish and operate advanced life-support first-responder or municipal ambulance services. (A.1266-A/S.1086-A; Passed both houses)

Denying Care to a Patient--This bill would hold managed care organizations and other insurers legally responsible for the consequences of their actions if they wrongly deny care to a patient. It would prohibit insurers from penalizing health care providers who advocate on behalf of their patients or file complaints. (A.1816-A; Passed Assembly/S.2544-A; Rules)

Osteoporosis Prevention and Education Program--The bill would establish the Osteoporosis Prevention and Education Program in the Department of Health and would provide for an outreach campaign, regional programs and an Advisory Council. (A.5348-B/S.4283-B; Passed both houses)

Hospice Sunset--This law establishes an expiration date of July 31, 1999, for chapter 693 of the laws of 1996, which deemed patients transferred from a hospital to hospices and residential health care facilities presumptively eligible for Medicaid for 60 days. (A.5084-A/S.2625-A; Chapter 97)

Prostate Cancer--This bill would direct the commissioner of health to develop a public summary of the symptoms and risks of prostate cancer for distribution through health care providers to patients who are at-risk of or diagnosed with prostate cancer. (A.6852-A/S.4361; Chapter 141)

Health Care Whistleblowers--This bill would include health care workers who disclose dangerous practices or conditions to the news media would be protected from employer retribution. Health care facilities could not forbid employees to disclose their policies and practices. (A.2122-A; Passed Assembly/S.1384-A; Rules)

Female Genitalia Mutilation--This bill would ban the practice of some other cultures of mutilating or removing the genitals of a woman under 18 even with her parents' permission. (A.3379-A/S.2163-A; Passed both houses)

College Tuition Savings Plan--This bill would enact the New York State College Tuition Savings Plan to assist families in saving for their children's college education. (A.5735-C/S.3-A; Passed both houses)

SUNY Flex--This bill would allow health sciences centers to participate in coordinated care efforts and to provide the resources to work cooperatively with other health care providers and institutions to develop long-range health care plans. (A.3599; Passed Assembly)

SUNY Board of Trustees Slots for SUNY Alumni--This bill would require that five of the 16 members of the SUNY Board of Trustees by SUNY graduates. The bill is aimed at ensuring that SUNY retains the mission of a public institution and rejects attempts to transform it into a private university. (A.89A/S.4477A; Veto #14)

Rent Regulation Reform Act of 1997--The Rent Regulation Reform Act of 1997 extends New York State's rent and eviction protection and coop/condo conversion laws until June 15, 2003 and makes various reforms to the rent regulation system. (A.8346/S.5553; Chapter 116)

SONYMA--This law extends the State of New York Mortgage Agency's (SONYMA) powers until July 15, 1998, increases to $5,695,000,000 ($300 million increase) the maximum amount of tax exempt bonds which SONYMA is authorized to issue and extends SONYMA's authority to issue taxable bonds until December 31, 1998. (A.7610-A/S.3731-A; Chapter 196)

Neighborhood and Rural Preservation Programs--This bill enacts significant administrative and programmatic reforms to the Neighborhood and Rural Preservation Programs, including restructuring of contractual payments and making permanent the payment of technical assistance incentive grants from housing capital monies. (A.8648/S.5764; Delivered to governor)

HFA--This bill would increase the Housing Finance Agency's (HFA) bonding authority from $3.4 billion to $3.75 billion. (A.7606-A/S.3580-A; Delivered to governor)

Extension of HFA's Powers--This law extends HFA's powers until June 15, 1999. (A.7640-A/S.4815; Chapter 146)

Breast Reconstructive Surgery--This law provides coverage for breast reconstructive surgery following mastectomies. (A.1458-A/S.761-A; Chapter 21)

Experimental Treatments--This bill would require health insurers to cover experimental treatments. (A.1020; Passed Assembly/S.5569; Insurance)

Chiropractor Services--This bill would require health insurers to cover costs related to Chiropractor services. (A.8431/S.5594; Delivered to governor)

NYPIUA--This law extends the expiration until April 30, 1998, of provisions relating to homeowner's insurance/catastrophic coverage and the New York Property Insurance Underwriting Association (NYPIUA). (A.8005/S.5345; Chapter 66)

Prompt Pay--This bill would establish standards for settlement of claims for health care and payments for health care services. (A.7906-B/S.453-D; Passed both houses)

Long-term Care Insurance Policies--This law provides tax credit for certain long-term care insurance policies. (A.6461/S.3888; Chapter 42)

Excess Medical Malpractice Insurance Association--This law extends Excess Medical Malpractice Insurance Association and program for one year and provides for a study for the need of such program. (A.8500/S.5677; Chapter 161)

Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act--This bill would conform New York State Law to Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. (A.3189-A/S.5452-A; Passed both houses)

Child Support--This bill would strenthen the process to prove paternity and the enforcement and collection of child support orders. It also brings the state into compliance with the child support provisions of the federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA) and the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UNIFSA). In addition, the bill would also establish an automated, administrative method for review and adjustment of child support orders through the application of a cost of living adjustment. (A.8657/S.5771; Delivered to Governor)

Dead-Beat Parents--Enhances criminal penalties imposed upon parents and guardians who repeatedly fail to support their children (A.8677/S.5356A) Delivered to Governor)

Wrongful Death--This bill would allow the family of a victim of wrongful death to recover non-pecuniary damages, such as emotional distress damages, as well as pecuniary damages. (A.4553-A; Passed Assembly/S.585-A; Rules)

Estate Law--This law would provide for the use of lifetime (intervivos) trusts, which are a growing form of estate planning. The testator retains a life interest in the property in the trust but on his or her death it passes to the intended beneficiary. The law establishes procedures for establishing, funding, and maintaining such trusts, which have been unclear in state law. (A.7798/S.4223; Chapter 139)

Transfers of Investment Securities--This bill would streamline and clarify the rules relating to transfers of investment securities. (A.6619-C/S.5709; Passed both houses)

European Economic Community--This bill would ensure that if the European Economic Community adopts the euro as its currency, contracts governed by New York law that direct payment in a currency replaced by the euro will not be void but will be interpreted to allow payment in euros. (A.8047-A/S.5049-A; Chapter 311)

Prevailing Wage--This bill increases funding for enforcement of the prevailing wage law. (A.4797-A/S.3003-A; Delivered to governor)

Prevailing Wage--This bill would require employers to submit a certified payroll to the department of jurisdiction every 30 days to facilitate prevailing wage enforcement. (A.6394-B/S.3550-B; Passed both houses)

Wage Underpayments--This bill would authorize the commissioner of labor and the New York City comptroller to recover underpayments of the prevailing wage from subsidiary corporate entities. (A.4798/S.2821; Passed Assembly)

Unpaid Wages--This bill strengthens Labor Law provisions for reclaiming wages for workers paid less than the minimum wage. It also increases penalties for employers who repeatedly fail to pay the legal wage to employees. (A.4018-C/S.5071-C; Delivered to governor)

Joint Responsibility--This bill makes anyone who knowingly contracts with unregistered apparel manufacturers and contractors jointly responsible for certain labor law violations. (A.4435-A/S.3483-A; Passed Assembly)

Withholding From Benefits--This bill permits the voluntary withholding of federal income taxes from unemployment insurance benefits (A.3847/S.1793; Chapter 29)

Workers' Comp Premiums--This bill would make hours worked rather than salary the basis for calculating workers' compensation premium rates. (A.6543/S.4139; Delivered to governor)

Frivolous Challenges--This bill would establish penalties for an employer who frivolously controverts an employee's workers compensation insurance claim. (A.6126; Passed Assembly)

Domestic Violence--This bill would require the Department of Labor to create a model program for domestic violence prevention that would be made available to all employers. (A.8289/S.4853-A; Delivered to governor)

County Planning Boards and Regional Planning Councils--This bill would conform provisions relating to county planning board powers, duties and membership with recently enacted laws for city, town and village boards and would identify the role of planning boards in comprehensive county planning and development. (A.1478-A;/S.780-A; Passed both houses)

IDA Reform--This bill would establish additional restrictions on the funds of industrial development agencies and would enhance oversight of such agencies by municipalities. The bill would also expand the ability of the IDA's to finance certain not-for-profit projects such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities and college dormitories. (A.8448-A/S.4285-B; Delivered to governor)

Private Activity Bonds--This law provides for an allocation process for bonds issued by state and local governments for private activities. (A.8067/S.3482; Chapter 115)

School Districts and Municipality Audits--This bill would require audits of accounts of municipalities and school districts to include inquiry into their investments and investment practices. (A.1049; Passed Assembly)

Rockland County IDA Projects--This law provides that agency projects and projects promoted, developed and assisted by the Rockland County industrial development agency shall be liable for payment of local property and school taxes in a sum equal to the full amount of real property and school taxes that would have been levied if the agency were not involved, or a lesser amount specified by the taxing jurisdiction. (A.1081/S.563; Chapter 28)

Public Safety Agency Exemption--This law exempts public safety agencies from the enhanced emergency telephone system surcharge. (A.1281/S.683; Chapter 91)

Town Law Nominating Petitions--This bill makes conforms provisions for petitions in the Town Law to those for nominating petitions under the Election Law. (A.1429; Passed Assembly/S.1808; Local Government)

Accessibility Improvements--This bill would authorize business improvement districts to contract for the construction of accessibility improvements to accommodate persons with disabilities. (A.2985-A/S.3992; Delivered to governor)

Dissolution of Village--This law specifies signature requirements for propositions for dissolution of a village. (A.3838/S.2396; Chapter 96)

Arson History Report--This bill would require fire chiefs to obtain from the Division of Criminal Justice Services an arson history report on any person seeking fire company membership. (A.6005-B; Passed Assm/S.3314-A; Rules)

Disability Benefits for Volunteer Firefighters--This law extends until June 30, 1999, provisions for benefits for volunteer firefighters disabled by disease or malfunction of the heart or coronary arteries. (A.7944/S.5311; Chapter 218)

Municipal Investment Programs--This bill would authorize governments to pool investment funds pursuant to municipal investment programs. (A.8134-B; Passed Assembly)

Pilot Involuntary Outpatient Treatment Program--This bill extends the Pilot Involuntary Outpatient Treatment program for one year. (A.3383/S.2150; Chapter 104)

Uninsured Persons in Need of Medications--This bill makes uninsured persons in need of medications presumptively eligible for Medicaid for 90 days following discharge from OMH-operated or licensed in-patient psychiatric facilities. (A.6367; Passed Assembly)

Transitional Care Funding--This bill would require the state to immediately assume all costs of transitional care funding for the developmentally disabled rather than in 1999. (A.8092A/S.5458A; Veto #26)

Mental Hygiene Asset Sales--This bill would create a new fund for excess revenues from sales of mental hygiene facility property and other assets and the general fund savings from decreases in debt service that result. The fund would support community mental hygiene. (A.8350-B; Passed Assembly)

Omnibus Racing Act of 1997--This bill would extend the New York Racing Association (NYRA) franchise for seven years. It also permits increased out-of-state thoroughbred simulcasting throughout the year in order to increase handles and otherwise benefit in-state track interests. (A.8652/S.5759; Passed both houses)

Installment Payments--This law provides greater flexibility for installment payments of school district taxes. (A.2632/S.2394; Chapter 199)

Historic Property--This law exempts from taxation certain historic property that is altered or rehabilitated pursuant to a local law or resolution. (A.3201/S.478; Chapter 183)

Volunteer Ambulance Service Workers/Volunteer Firefighters--This bill would provide a partial real property tax exemption for voluntary ambulance service workers and volunteer firefighters. (A.3758; Passed Assembly/S.2339-A; Rules)

Disabilities--This bill would authorize a real property tax exemption for persons whose disabilities limit their incomes. (A.3977-A/S.5492-A; Delivered to the governor)

Nassau County--This bill reclassifies condos or co-ops located in Nassau County as Class One property, providing a lower tax rate. (A.4807; Passed Assembly/S.4504; Rules)

Real Property Tax Administration--This bill would eliminate unnecessary mandates upon local governments in relation to real property tax administration. (A.7059-A/S.3802-B; Chapter 355)

New York City Multiple Dwellings--This bill would extend the eligibility for a real property tax exemption on New York City multiple dwellings to construction commenced after January 1, 1999. (A.8256/S.5371-A; Passed both houses)

Real Property Tax New York City--This bill would stabilize real property taxes in New York City in the wake of revaluation by capping the maximum shift in the tax burden from one class of property to another for the 1998 fiscal year. (A.8345/S.4842; Delivered to governor)

Lower Manhattan Revitalization Program--This bill would revise the Lower Manhattan Revitalization Program in New York City to include smaller commercial rehabilitation. (A.8416-A; Passed Assembly/S.5630-A; Rules)

NYC Watershed--This bill authorizes New York City to acquire property and watershed protection easements in upstate areas to protect its water supply and to comply with federal EPA standards. It requires that the city pay taxes on acquired land and creates a system for shared taxes on lands encumbered for watershed protection easements. (A.8636/S.5683-A; Passed both houses)

Industrial Effectiveness Program (IEP)--This bill would extend the technical assistance provided under the Industrial Effectiveness Program (IEP) to small business and to complying with environmental regulations. (A.396; Passed Assembly)

Loan Loss Reserve Fund--This bill would create a state-backed loan loss reserve fund to provide capital to small businesses so that they can comply with environmental regulations. (A.693; Passed Assembly)

Deferred Installment Payment Plan--This bill would require that a deferred installment payment plan be offered to small businesses for telephone installation, initiation and nonrecurring maintenance charges. (A.4391; Passed Assembly/S.2542; Rules)

Excelsior Linked Deposit Act--This bill would allow credit system institutions that loan to farmers to accept low-interest deposits of state funds under the Excelsior Linked Deposit Act that would be loaned at favorable interest rates to farmers. (A.6874/S.4013; Passed both houses)

Welfare Reform--This bill would replace the former cash-welfare assistance program with a voucher system and expand workfare eligibility to include most able-bodied adults. The bill specifies that workfare participants will be paid the minimum wage. It continues current fraud and abuse detection measures and eliminates benefits for felons who violate parole or probation. The bill also places a 10-year ban on benefits for individuals who are convicted of welfare fraud in two or more states. The measure directs state and local governments to share the cost of food stamps for legal immigrants who are elderly or disabled or children under 18. (A.8678/S.5788; Delivered to governor)

Pharmacy Carve Out--This bill would "carve out" pharmaceutical services from Medicaid managed care and decrease by $1 the fee that pharmacists receive for dispensing pharmaceuticals to Medicaid recipients. (A.8151-A/S.4707-A; Delivered to governor)

SSI Local Pick-up--This law extends the state's responsibility for payment of both the state and local shares of additional payments to recipients of SSI to September 30, 1999, in New York City and to June 30, 1999, elsewhere in the state. (A.6588/S.5304; Chapter 111)

SSI COLA--This law gives the state authority to pass on federal cost-of-living adjustments to SSI recipients. (A.7602/S.5306; Chapter 189)

DAP--This law makes permanent the Disabled Advocacy Program (DAP). (A.7767/S.4122; Chapter 114)

Elder Care--This law extends for three years the elder care project, a social health maintenance organization program. (A.7878/S.5035; Chapter 130)

Mobility Reimbursement Program--This bill would create the Mobility Reimbursement Program to provide individuals with disabilities with up to $1,000 to purchase equipment needed for daily transportation. (A.7945-A; Passed Assembly) 

Ticket Scalping--This bill would make permanent provisions regulating the sale of theater tickets. It would require serial numbers to be printed on tickets and the disclosure of the total number of tickets available to the public for a particular event. The maximum premium price could not exceed the established price of the ticket plus thirty percent. Fines for violations would increase. (A.8056; Passed Assembly)

Ultimate Fighting--The bill makes ultimate fighting competitions illegal in New York and establishes fines and sentences for violations. (A.2718/S.1663; Chapter 14)

Helmets for Snowmobilers--This law requires operators and passengers on snowmobiles to wear protective helmets when not on their private property. (A.5530/S.1939; Chapter 228)

Boater Safety Courses--This law provides the court the option of requiring a boater who is convicted of reckless operation to take an approved boater safety course even if the boater's operating privileges were not suspended. (A.5422-A/S.2970; Chapter 236)

Freedom Trail--This bill would establish a state Freedom Trail Commission, which would identify historical sites in New York that are linked to the Civil War-era underground railroad and eligible for listing on the national or state registers of historic places. (A.8458-B/S.5642-A; Passed both houses)

License Suspensions--This bill would extend until November 1, 2000, Chapter 312 of the Laws of 1994 requiring that drivers arrested for DWI whose blood alcohol content is alleged to have been .10% or more have their license suspended at the time of arraignment pending prosecution of the charge. (A.133-A/S.100-A; Chapter 131)

School Bus Safety--This bill would require the placement of the telephone number of the owner/operator of school buses on the left rear of their buses. (A.2585/S.1763; Chapter 318)

School Bus Advertising--This bill would prohibit the placement of advertising on the sides of school buses. (A.8028; Passed Assembly/S.5698; Rules)

Local Mandate Relief--This bill would allow towns to enter into agreements with SUNY and community colleges to share town highway equipment and eliminate the requirement for county highway superintendents to approve sharing agreements. (A.4339/S.2648; Chapter 347)

Boating Safety--This bill would allow courts the discretion to require any person convicted of reckless boating to attend and complete a safe boating course. (A.5422-A/S.2970; Chapter 236)

BWI/DWI Reciprocal Penalties--This bill would allow courts to suspend a driver's license and vehicle registration of individuals convicted of repeat BWI offenses, and would require courts to suspend the privilege to operate a boat after a DWI conviction. (A.5285-A; Passed Assembly/S.3573-B; Rules)

Wrongful Towing--This bill would require the New York City Parking Violations Bureau Complaint Unit to respond to complaints from any person whose vehicle has been wrongfully towed. It would grant such persons the right to an expedited review before a panel of three administrative law judges. (A.85; Passed Assembly/S.1313; Rules)

Thruway Commuter Passes--These bills would authorize the NYS Thruway Authority to issue annual short-distance commuter permits allowing travel at no charge between certain interchanges in these areas: Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Utica and Albany. (A.2468; A.3329; A.4683; A.6423; A.6506; A.6912; Passed Assembly)

Parking for Persons with Disabilities--This bill would increase the availability of parking for persons with disabilities by phasing in requirements for single retail stores with at least 20 off-street parking spaces to reserve the lesser of 5% or 10 of their spaces as handicapped spaces, by July 1, 2000. (A.2886-A; Passed Assembly)

Child Passenger Safety--This bill would require passengers under the age of 16 to wear safety belts when riding in the rear seat of a motor vehicle. Current law requires rear-seat passengers to wear safety belts only if they are under the age of 10. (A.3080; Passed Assembly/S.606; Rules)

Parkway and Highway Safety--This bill would increase penalties for large commercial vehicles operating on highways, bridges or parkways where such operation is prohibited. (A.5744-A; Passed Assembly)

Driver's Permit Written Test--This bill would require applicants for learners' permits to take and pass a written exam, administered by DMV, prior to receiving such permit. (A.6726-B; Passed Assembly/S.4628-B; Rules)

Car Phone Safety--This bill would require the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee to study and report on the effects on highway safety of the use of car phones and of other distractions to drivers operating a motor vehicle. (A.6803-A; Passed Assembly)

Escort Vehicle Safety--This bill would allow police officers to issue tickets to operators of escort vehicles accompanying oversize loads if they violate highway safety requirements. (A.8209-A/S.5285-A; Passed both houses)

Title Branding of Salvage Vehicles--This bill would establish penalties for individuals willfully failing to disclose that a vehicle they are selling to another party is considered legally "totalled." (A.8185-A/S.4234-A; Delivered to the governor)

Veterans Real Property Tax Exemption--This bill gives veterans real property tax exemptions for cooperative buildings. (A.5811/S.819-A; Chapter 171)

Veterans Disability Benefits--This bill would exclude veterans disability benefits from the definition of income when computing the senior citizens tax exemption. (A.5323-B/S.4526-A; Chapter 168)

Veterans' Preference--This bill is a constitutional amendment clarifying ambiguities in the Civil Service Law to make it clear that veterans who are on active duty when they take a civil service test may still qualify for veterans' preferences and credits for civil service appointments so long as they are otherwise qualified at the time of appointment. (A.6489-A/S.4110-A; Delivered to Secretary of State / Will be on ballot this November)

Games of Chance and Bingo--This bill would exempt veterans organizations from restrictions on how they may spend income from "games of chance" and bingo. (A.7936/S.5447; Chapter 190)

Alternative Veterans Exemption--This bill would create an additional local option to increase the maximum exemptions allowable under the alternative veteran's real property tax exemption. (A.8417/S.4977-A; Delivered to governor)