Asm. Mary Beth Walsh

Provides that the tax levy limit shall be equal to a zero percent increase over the prior year tax levy when the difference between the total amount of taxes levied for the prior year less the tax levy limit results in a negative number.

Relates to establishing the lump sum allocation advisory committee (Part A); relates to requiring transparency, identification and disclosure of certain appropriations (Part B); relates to withholding the salaries of the governor, agency commissioners and deputy commissioners for failing to meet certain reporting deadlines (Part C); relates to creating a tax rate reduction board to look at personal income tax and corporate franchise tax rates (Part D); relates to conducting an audit of all state economic development programs (Part E); relates to prohibiting certain political contributions by individuals appointed to entities that oversee lump sum appropriations (Part F); relates to prohibiting certain third party contracts (Part G).

Relates to mandatory reporting of suspected child abuse or maltreatment at summer day camps; includes college coaches, athletic directors, professors, graduate assistants and college presidents among those required to report such suspected abuse or maltreatment.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the public disclosure or publication of the home address or unpublished home telephone number of any active or retired judge or prosecutor, including their spouse or child. It creates two new criminal offenses: a misdemeanor for reckless disclosure (Section 250.61) and a felony for intentional disclosure (Section 250.62). Violators face civil penalties of at least $1,000 per violation, plus damages, attorney fees, and possible punitive damages under the new Civil Rights Law Section 50-h. The law applies to individuals, businesses, and associations sharing this information online or otherwise under circumstances likely to cause harassment or harm.

Provides that the maximum speed limit on state highways may be established pursuant to an engineering and/or traffic investigation authorized or performed by the department of transportation or the municipality within which the section of state highway subject to such speed limit is located.

Enacts the New York state thruway authority accountability act; names the commissioner of DOT as chair of the thruway authority board; directs the commissioner of DOT to submit a plan to merge the thruway authority into the department of transportation.

Relates to the sufficiency of itemization in the state budget; requires budget bills to clearly reference the section in the accompanying bill or bills where the corresponding appropriation or reappropriation can be located and requires that the legislature not act upon bills that neglect to do so.

Directs the commissioner of the office of mental health to create and operate a law enforcement, first responder, active and non-active-duty service members and veteran informational mobile application.

Requires legislative fiscal impact notes to include objective calculations of anticipated economic impacts for next three years on state or political subdivisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 5661) changes New York State's earned income credit (EIC) calculation for tax years starting in 2026, setting the applicable credit percentage at 45% for qualifying low-income taxpayers. It directly affects New York residents who claim the EIC, increasing their state credit amount. The bill includes a safeguard: if federal actions materially reduce New York's ability to use Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant funds for the EIC, the credit percentage would drop to 20% for affected years. The change applies to tax years beginning January 1, 2026, and requires state officials to certify any triggering federal event.