Creates a commission to plan for the celebration in the year 2025 of New York state's canal system and the bicentennial of the opening of the Erie Canal.
Provides that the division of criminal justice services shall give preference when awarding grant funds to any law enforcement agency to law enforcement agencies who are accredited by the law enforcement agency accreditation council.
Increases the handling fee paid by a deposit initiator to a dealer or operator of a redemption center from three and one half cents to five cents per container; decreases the amount of quarterly payments a deposit initiator must pay the commissioner of taxation and finance from eighty to forty-seven percent of the balance of initiator's refund value account; provides for registration as a redemption center.
Provides that the tax on premium cigars shall be at the rate of seventy-five percent of the wholesale price or fifty cents, whichever is less, and is intended to be imposed only once upon the sale of any premium cigars; defines "premium cigar"; provides for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof.
Establishes an intensive addiction and medical services integrated services pilot program to support two three-year demonstration programs that provide intensive addiction and medical services integrated services to individuals who have significant addiction and medical issues.
Clarifies the definition of veteran to include career members of the armed forces for purposes of the veterans alternative tax exemption by considering individuals who meet certain conditions to have been discharged or released from active military service of the United States despite the fact that no discharge may have been issued.
Relates to emergency medical services; establishes a special district for the financing and operation of general ambulance services; provides for a statewide comprehensive emergency medical system plan.
Establishes a tax credit for individuals who serve or are employed as a direct support professional, or direct care worker, up to five thousand dollars for taxpayers who make less than fifty thousand dollars and phased out for individuals who make over one hundred thousand dollars.
Establishes the water-based fire protection licensure act, setting forth licensure requirements for contractors engaged in the business of the layout, installing, repairing, inspecting, testing, or maintaining of water-based fire protection systems and components.
Authorizes a personal income tax deduction for expenses paid during the taxable year by a qualified taxpayer attributable to the cost of residential heating, including, but not limited to amounts paid for fuel oil, coal, wood, propane, natural gas, electricity, steam, kerosene and any other fuel used to heat such taxpayer's primary residence.
Relates to horsemen's health, welfare, pension and administrative benefits for harness racing licensees in the absence of contractual obligations; requires that in the absence of a contract between the licensed harness racing corporation or association and the representative horsemen's organization, the state gaming commission shall as a condition of racing require an association or corporation to withhold and pay eight percent of all unpaid and existing monies and to pay such sum to the horsemen's organization quarterly at facilities located in Westchester and Nassau county.
Establishes the commission on retired racehorses, which shall be responsible for the oversight of retired racehorses including the creation of a registry to track such racehorses.