Asm. Marianne Buttenschon

Allows child day care providers an extension of time of the original 90 day period to make necessary changes or accommodations to their facility to meet licensing requirements; grants the office of children and family services authority to grant additional extensions of time, if necessary.

Maddy summaryBill A 4944 prohibits individuals from operating uncrewed aircraft, such as drones, over school grounds or specific critical infrastructure facilities in New York. It bans drones from hovering or remaining above these areas at altitudes below 250 feet, or from making contact with anything within their boundaries. Critical infrastructure includes fenced or clearly marked facilities like power plants, refineries, and water treatment plants. Exceptions apply to government agencies, law enforcement, or those with prior written consent, as well as drones continuously flying through at 250 feet or higher. Violations can result in misdemeanor charges.

Directs the department of public service to promulgate rules, regulations and model policies regarding setback requirements for the siting of battery energy storage systems; requires minimum setback requirements for commercial energy storage systems, with a capacity of three megawatts or greater, of no less than seven hundred fifty feet from residential property and no less than three hundred feet from residential property located in a city with a population of one million or more inhabitants; requires public hearings prior to the approval of an application for a permit for such systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific section of State Route 28 in Herkimer Village as a ceremonial tribute to War Dogs. The legislation requires the transportation commissioner to install signs reading "Bridge Dedicated to War Dogs" along the designated highway segment. It clarifies that this dedication is symbolic only and does not change the official name of the road, ensuring no disruption to commerce or navigation. The act takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a law) introduced by Assembly Member Buttenschon to honor Utica University's 80th anniversary. It recognizes the university's history since its founding in 1946, its transition to full independence in 2008, and its elevation to university status in 2022. The resolution formally commends the institution and its president, Dr. Stephanie Nesbitt, by pausing legislative business for the commemoration and sending a copy of the resolution to the university president. It has no binding effect or policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows licensed health and professional service providers (such as doctors, dentists, veterinarians, engineers, social workers, and therapists) to form limited liability companies (LLCs) for their practice. It requires all LLC members to hold valid state licenses for their specific profession and prohibits altering the scope of any member's licensed practice. The bill specifies that LLCs can offer multidisciplinary services only if each member practices within their individually licensed scope, and it explicitly bars law firms from mixing with other professional services. This changes existing rules by expanding LLC formation options for these professionals while maintaining strict licensing and scope-of-practice boundaries.

Enacts the "military experience recognized for institutional transfer (MERIT) act"; grants academic credit for veterans with regard to SUNY and CUNY college credits for military learning, training, coursework and occupational experience.

Provides for the filling of vacancies in the office of lieutenant-governor by appointment of the governor subject to confirmation by majority vote in the senate and majority vote in the assembly.

Maddy summaryThis bill sets strict deadlines for filling lieutenant governor vacancies: the governor must nominate a candidate within 60 days, and the legislature must confirm or reject the nomination within 60 days. If rejected twice, the governor must choose from the governor's succession line. If the governor fails to nominate or the legislature doesn't act, the legislature fills the vacancy via joint vote. It directly affects the governor, legislature, and ensures continuity in state leadership during vacancies.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes clear procedures for handling situations where the governor, lieutenant governor, or acting governor is unable to perform their duties. It creates a committee (comprising the lieutenant governor, attorney general, comptroller, and six confirmed department heads) to formally declare a governor's inability or confirm their return to office. The committee's majority vote (or two-thirds if a vacancy exists) triggers the lieutenant governor or next in line to assume duties, with the legislature resolving disputes if the governor and committee disagree. The process also includes specific steps for lieutenant governors declaring or recovering from inability. This procedural bill affects state executive succession protocols and the committee's role in governance continuity.