Authorizes counties to lease county land for natural gas exploration, development and production for five years or as long as gas is produced in paying quantities.
Directs the department of economic development to study methods for keeping small retail businesses within the state and create a pilot program to train and counsel small business owners and potential small business owners; appropriates $210,000 therefor.
Relates to establishing the New York state grid modernization commission; provides the commission shall conduct a study of research, development and demonstrations of electric grid modernization and shall issue such report to the state energy planning board for consideration in the state energy plan.
Requires a call-blocking service to be provided in state contracts that include procurement of a voice service; provides that a voice service provider shall not be subject to civil or criminal liability for failure of a call-blocking service to block a call, or mistakenly blocking a call that should not have been blocked.
Provides for the continuation of a commercial driver's license after lapse or termination of insurance if a person needs such license to perform their employment.
Gives state income tax credit to volunteer firefighters and members of a volunteer ambulance corps in good standing up to $2500; must be in good standing for a minimum of five years and maintain continued eligibility.
Provides that before a person may receive public assistance benefits, they must submit to and pass a drug test; requires health care professionals, law enforcement agencies, and courts report certain instances of substance abuse to the commissioner of social services.
Establishes the professional practice of community midwifery; defines as the management in the home, birth center, or community setting, of normal pregnancies, child birth, and postpartum care, including newborn evaluation, resuscitation and referral for infants; sets requirements for license and practice.
Establishes an electronic military ballot application and military ballot transmittal system through which applicants may apply for a military ballot and return a marked military ballot, online.
Prohibits unsolicited telemarketing sales calls during a declared state of emergency or disaster emergency where the declaration or proclamation of emergency includes a finding that unsolicited telemarketing sales calls would impair actions taken to limit, control, or mitigate the emergency; explains the basis of such finding; provides that such prohibition may not extend for a period of more than two weeks, subject to renewal for additional two-week periods by further findings of necessity made at the end of each two-week period.
Establishes the rare disease advisory council to identify best practices, raise awareness regarding rare diseases, evaluate barriers to access to care, and to make recommendations to the legislature and the governor.