Asm. Ken Blankenbush

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the maximum jail term for certain misdemeanors from 364 days to one full year. It directly affects individuals convicted of Class A misdemeanors and unclassified misdemeanors under New York's penal law. The key change amends specific sections of the penal law to update the sentencing limit, allowing courts to impose sentences up to one year for these offenses. The bill repeals a prior subdivision that previously capped sentences at 364 days for these categories.

Provides milk dealers who operate trucks throughout the state buying, delivering, and selling milk with an EZ pass free of charge, where the authority will be responsible for the cost so long as it can be proved the truck is used exclusively for such purpose.

Maddy summaryThis New York bill (A 894) allows individuals to transfer legally owned and registered firearms to their children or spouse through their estate after death. It amends penal law to permit such transfers without triggering standard sale or transfer restrictions, provided the weapons were legally registered before the owner's death. The bill specifically defines "immediate family" for this purpose as only a child or spouse, not other relatives. It does not change general firearm transfer rules but creates an exception for estate distributions to these family members.

Provides that the court may, in its discretion, dispense with the defendant's personal appearance at an arraignment and conduct an electronic arraignment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New York state contracting agencies to set minority and women-owned business enterprise (M/WBE) participation goals based on the actual percentage of certified M/WBEs in each specific industry within the relevant economic development region. It mandates that the Department of Economic Development publish these regional industry-specific M/WBE percentages on its website for every state contract bid opportunity, updating them annually. This directly affects state agencies awarding contracts and contractors who must meet these data-driven participation rates. The policy change replaces previous fixed requirements with regionally and industry-specific targets to better reflect local business certification rates.

Directs that moneys in the veterans' home services fund shall be payable on vouchers certified by the commissioner of veterans' services; directs a report to be submitted by such commissioner; directs that moneys in the military family relief fund shall be payable on vouchers certified by the commissioner of veterans' services.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes the safety inspection requirement for antique, classic, and collector cars from annual to biennial (every two years). It directly affects owners of these vehicles by reducing the frequency of mandatory safety inspections. The key provision amends vehicle law to specify that such vehicles must undergo safety inspections every two years, aligning with existing inspection standards while easing the burden on owners. The change applies to all applicable safety inspections under current law.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $500 annual tax credit for K-12 teachers in New York who pay out-of-pocket for approved classroom supplies. It covers expenses like books, writing tools, paper, instructional materials, and field trips, but excludes religious materials, sports programs, and most extracurricular activities (except music/drama). The credit reduces income tax liability, with any excess paid as a refund if it exceeds the tax owed. The credit applies to taxable years starting January 1, 2027, and is limited to qualified public or private schools. It directly benefits teachers who bear these costs without employer reimbursement.

Relates to prompt payments to counties by the state; provides if prompt payment is not provided an interest payment shall be made to the contractor or county government.

Relates to aggravated harassment of an employee by an incarcerated individual; eliminates the requirement that an incarcerated individual causes or attempts to cause an employee to come into contact with blood, seminal fluid, urine, feces, saliva, or the contents of a toilet bowl by throwing, tossing or expelling such fluid or material.