Establishes the New York state rural mobile communications fund to provide grants for the purpose of increasing cellular service in low- to no-coverage areas.
Authorizes the legislative commission on the development of rural resources to study the effectiveness of pond and lake management programs; provides for the comprehensive control and mitigation of harmful algal blooms in both marine and fresh water; provides for emergency response to water contaminations by algal bloom or hypoxia.
Repeals the provision of law that volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers who receive a real property tax exemption for service may not receive the income tax credit for such service.
Establishes a tax deduction for a taxpayer who is a beneficiary of a deferred compensation plan and who elects to make a distribution of such deferred compensation in order to pay for qualified health insurance premiums, in an amount equal to six thousand dollars.
Directs the secretary of state to develop and implement an adopt-a-rural-cemetery program for the purposes of improving, repairing, and maintaining cemeteries in rural communities which are registered with and overseen by the division of cemeteries; allows municipalities to opt in to the program.
Allows certain certified registered nurse anesthetists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants or physicians to be able to be certified as an emergency service technician to service rural areas of the state.
Requires the forfeiture of benefits to be paid pursuant to a service awards program to volunteer firefighters who have been convicted of felonies committed against a volunteer fire department, volunteer fire company, fire district, or fire protection district.
Requires residents of the state, who are foreign refugees, to register with the office of temporary and disability assistance; directs such office to provide registration information to the office of children and family services, the department of health, the office for new Americans, the department of law, the division of state police, the NYC police department, county sheriff's offices, municipal police departments, and the division of homeland security and emergency services; directs the office for new Americans to conduct background screenings of all refugees who register; requires refugee resettlement agencies to submit quarterly reports to the bureau of refugee and immigrant assistance on the refugees to whom it provides assistance, and to monitor the activities of such refugees for a certain period of time; directs the division of homeland security and emergency services to develop and implement a plan to ensure compliance by refugee resettlement agencies.
Requires the office of temporary and disability assistance promulgate regulations and create policies to encourage married adults or two adult households when determining the standard of need for eligibility for public assistance programs; and to exempt certain income and resources for such adults and households.
Relates to providing loan forgiveness for agriculture educators who provide didactic instruction to students about agriculture, food, and natural resources.
Directs the office of children and family services to develop and post a list of eligible substitute day care staff who can be used by a child day care provider in a time of need.
Authorizes an expedited application review process for certain health care professionals licensed to practice in other jurisdictions to practice in this state in connection with Double H Ranch; provides such application fee shall be waived.
Grants excused leave to civil service employees during states of emergency as declared by the federal, state or a municipal government, when such employees are members of a volunteer fire department or a volunteer ambulance or rescue squad.