Asm. Mary Beth Walsh

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a law) commemorating the 40th annual observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in New York State on January 20, 2025. The New York State Legislature resolves to pause its work to honor Dr. King's legacy and contributions to civil rights. It directs the transmission of a copy of the resolution to the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus. The resolution has no policy impact or direct effect on residents or state operations, as it solely serves to formally recognize the occasion.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the membership rules for the State Fire Prevention and Building Code Council to include a representative for agricultural producers. It changes the council's composition from fifteen to sixteen members and adjusts the number of seats for fire service officials, architects, engineers, and other stakeholders to eight. The amendment ensures that one appointed member specifically represents agricultural interests, giving farmers a formal voice in state fire and building code decisions.

Permits the court to withhold the names and addresses of jurors in certain proceedings; sets factors for determining good cause to issue protective orders for juries.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Staff Sergeant Alex R. Jimenez New York State Military Immigrant Family Legacy Program to help military members and their families with immigration issues. The program establishes liaisons within the Department of Veterans' Services and the Office for New Americans to connect eligible individuals with legal resources and guidance on obtaining citizenship or other immigration relief. These liaisons will coordinate with federal agencies, local organizations, and attorneys to assist service members, veterans, and reserve component members who have served honorably. The legislation also requires annual reports to track the program's activities and the number of people assisted.

Relates to the automatic identification of elderly pharmaceutical insurance coverage program enrollees who are eligible for HEAP and automatic enrollment of such eligible enrollees in HEAP.

Maddy summaryThis bill reduces the standard period of probable usefulness for zero-emission school buses from twelve years to eight years. The change directly affects school districts, boards of cooperative educational services, and county vocational education boards by altering how long these vehicles are counted for financial and leasing purposes. Specifically, the legislation shortens the maximum lease term for these buses and adjusts the timeframe used to calculate state aid for capital expenses related to their purchase or lease. Additionally, it updates the assumed amortization period for debt service associated with zero-emission buses and related infrastructure like charging stations.

Maddy summaryThis bill would have changed the recordkeeping rules for public notaries in New York State. It proposed that notaries only need to keep records for electronic notarizations and could stop maintaining paper records for traditional in-person signings. The legislation aimed to reduce administrative burdens by limiting what documents notaries must retain. Although the bill passed the Senate, it was ultimately vetoed by the Governor and did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows local municipalities to form regional planning councils that can apply for federal and state grants. Under the new rules, these councils are officially recognized as government agencies, which removes previous barriers to receiving funding. Local governments must pass a resolution to agree on the terms of their collaboration before the council can seek these funds. The changes take effect roughly nine months after the law is signed.

Provides for availability of ambulance services and advanced life support first response service to store and distribute blood and initiate and administer blood transfusions, by expanding current provisions for air transport to apply additionally to motor vehicle based ambulance services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires colleges and universities to run education campaigns informing students, faculty, and staff about the 9-8-8 suicide and crisis lifeline and the crisis text line. Under the law, these institutions must include contact information for these services on student identification cards or distribute the details annually to those who do not have cards. The mandate takes effect on July 1, 2025, and applies to any student ID issued, modified, or altered on or after that date.