Relates to protecting the communication rights of individuals with disabilities; provides that each person with a disability has the right to communicate in their preferred manner.
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.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a state task force to study the feasibility of growing crops for cellulosic ethanol production, a renewable fuel that substantially reduces greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional ethanol. The task force, to be formed by the Agriculture Commissioner with members from environmental and conservation agencies, must identify optimal crops and locations within the state and submit findings and recommendations within one year. The bill expires two years after enactment, making it a temporary study initiative focused on advancing renewable energy research without implementing new regulations.
Relates to establishing guidelines for DAs with regard to electronic conversion of certain records, books or papers in the care, custody or control of DAs that are more than 10 years old.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state to reimburse counties for the full cost of Medicaid fraud detection software they've already purchased or plan to buy. It directly affects counties that use data mining tools to identify patterns of fraud, waste, or abuse in medical assistance programs. Counties must provide documentation (like receipts) of their software purchases, and the state will pay from the general fund. The reimbursement is automatic for qualifying software, defined as tools using statistical analysis to detect improper use of Medicaid.
Maddy summaryThis bill (A 5165) changes sentencing requirements for certain serious crimes in New York. It mandates that defendants convicted of specific types of first-degree murder (as defined in sections 125.27(i)-(iii) of the penal law), aggravated murder, or certain terrorism/chemical weapon offenses must receive either the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole. For other first-degree murder convictions, the court must choose between death, life without parole, or a standard class A-I felony sentence. The bill also specifies that individuals convicted of murder in the second degree under defined circumstances must receive life without parole. These changes apply directly to defendants convicted of the listed offenses in New York State.
Prohibits the comptroller from using environment, social, and governance criteria as a screening method for selecting companies and funds to invest the state pension fund in.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows municipalities to offer a 5% real property tax exemption for primary residences owned by National Guard members or reservists. It defines "qualified owner" as active or retired military personnel and requires annual applications with military service verification. The exemption applies only to residential property used as a primary home (excluding non-residential portions) and cannot be combined with other military tax benefits. Municipalities must choose to adopt this option locally through their own ordinances.
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.
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.
