Asm. Chris Friend

Waives the registration fee and service charge for distinctive plates for volunteer firefighters and members of volunteer ambulance services where the applicant has attended twenty-five percent or more of the emergency calls for the previous year.

Requires that any rules or regulations promulgated by the department of environmental conservation pursuant to the climate action fund are subject to a vote of the legislature and must be approved by a majority vote prior to implementation.

Prohibits a municipal corporation from prohibiting the issuing of a permit for the construction of any new commercial, residential, or mixed-use building on the basis that such building will be a mixed-fuel building.

Authorizes local municipalities and political subdivisions to have final say on if a renewable energy power plant can be sited in such municipalities' or political subdivisions' jurisdiction; establishes conflict of interest standards for approving the siting of a renewable energy power plant in a local municipality or political subdivision; requires the office of renewable energy siting and electric transmissions establish a database to collect and display host agreements and land contracts for renewable energy power plants; establishes contract standards concerning the forfeiture of mineral rights for the siting of renewable energy power plants; regulates the conduct of businesses engaged in the conduct of selling renewable energy power plants.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes upper age limits for supervised firearms training in New York. It eliminates the previous 16- and 21-year caps for individuals participating in rifle/shotgun instruction (Section 1) and pistol/revolver range use (Section 3), allowing anyone aged 14+ (with prior qualifications) to train without an upper age restriction. The key change modifies existing penal law sections to remove the phrases "but under sixteen" and "but under twenty-one," keeping only the minimum age requirements. This directly affects New Yorkers seeking supervised firearms instruction or range practice, including adults who previously faced age barriers. The bill amends specific training supervision provisions to permit indefinite participation for qualified individuals.

Maddy summaryBill A 7914 establishes a 25-member commission to investigate foreign influence on New York State government employees and elections. The commission will examine weaknesses in laws related to lobbying, public corruption, foreign entity influence on officials, and election integrity, then make reform recommendations. It has authority to request documents or testimony, hold public hearings, and refer evidence of violations to prosecutors. The commission must issue a preliminary report by May 1, 2026, and a final report by May 1, 2027, after which it expires. This bill directly affects state government operations and election processes by creating a structured review mechanism.

Authorizes the department of transportation to establish and implement a state memorial sign program to memorialize persons who died due to injuries sustained in a fatal motor vehicle crash on state highways.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends Broome County's existing authorization to collect an additional 1% sales and compensating use tax for two more years, through November 30, 2027. It directly affects Broome County residents and businesses, as the county will continue collecting this local tax on top of the state's 3% sales tax rate. The bill amends tax law to update the expiration date from 2025 to 2027 without changing the tax rate or scope. This is a procedural extension of an existing local tax authority, not a new tax or policy change.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends Chemung County's authority to impose an additional 1% sales tax (on top of existing rates) through November 30, 2027. It directly affects residents and businesses in Chemung County who pay sales tax, as the county can continue collecting this additional tax during the extended period. The key change updates the expiration date in tax law from 2025 to 2027, maintaining the existing 1% rate without altering tax rates or eligibility. The bill does not create new taxes but prolongs an existing authorization.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends Tioga County's authority to collect an additional 1% sales and use tax on top of existing rates, through November 30, 2027. It directly affects residents and businesses in Tioga County who pay sales tax, as the county may continue using this tax to fund local services. The bill amends existing tax law to update the expiration date of this specific tax authorization, maintaining the current 1% rate for the new period. This is a straightforward extension of an existing tax policy with no new requirements or changes to the tax rate itself.