Asm. Steve Hawley

Maddy summaryThis bill, the "Veterans' Memorials Preservation Act," requires public entities like cities, towns, and school districts to preserve existing veterans' memorials - such as parks, monuments, plaques, or structures - without altering, moving, or destroying them, except when changes are "reasonably necessary." It mandates that these memorials remain publicly accessible and properly maintained by the groups that own or manage them. The law directly affects local and state government bodies responsible for veterans' memorials across the state. It takes effect immediately upon passage.

Enacts the "omnibus emergency services volunteer incentive act" to provide benefits to volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers; increases the personal income tax deduction after four or more years of service; exempts motor vehicles used in the performance of such volunteers' duties from registration fees, use taxes and special fees for volunteer license plates; authorizes the provision of municipal health insurance coverage to such volunteers; establishes a volunteer recruitment service loan forgiveness program.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts seeds purchased for growing food from sales and use taxes when used for personal or family consumption. It directly affects home gardeners who buy seeds to grow their own food, not commercial sellers or resellers. The key provision states that the tax exemption applies only to seeds cultivated for direct human consumption by the purchaser, excluding any seeds later resold. The law would take effect January 1st following its enactment.

Authorizes the issuance of distinctive legion of valor license plates for individuals who have received the army medal of honor, navy medal of honor, air force medal of honor, army distinguished service cross, navy cross, coast guard cross, or air force cross.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 6185) exempts livestock guardian dogs (used to protect livestock from predators) and herding dogs (trained to herd cattle or sheep) from municipal dog license fees. It directly affects ranchers, farmers, and dog owners who use these specific working dogs on farms. The law amends licensing rules to require municipalities to waive fees for these dogs and mandates that their licenses be marked "Livestock Guardian Dog" or "Herding Dog." The change takes effect immediately upon passage.

Expands agricultural tourism to include, but not be limited to, the production and processing of grapes, grains or other crops used to create alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in an on-farm brewery, winery, cidery, meadery or distillery, the production and processing of fiber such as sheep or alpaca wool, and the production of processed food commodities, including but not limited to ice cream, jams, baked goods and similar items.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires counties to establish at least one early voting location in either the largest city (or highest-population municipality, based on the latest census) within the county, or in the county seat if no city exists. It specifically mandates that such locations must be placed along public transportation routes where feasible. The provision applies to all counties except Washington County, which retains its existing requirement for the county seat. This change standardizes early voting access points across New York counties without altering voting eligibility or procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits state and local government entities - including agencies, courts, universities, municipalities, and public authorities - from contracting out any function they could perform themselves, unless explicitly allowed by law. It defines "outsourcing" as hiring outside entities to handle work a government body could do internally. Existing outsourced contracts without prior legal approval must be terminated by January 1 after the law takes effect, requiring the return or destruction of all materials shared with contractors. The law applies broadly to all government functions, with no exceptions beyond specific legislative authorization.

Establishes an electronic military ballot application and military ballot transmittal system through which applicants may apply for a military ballot and return a marked military ballot, online.

Requires the office of children and family services implement a regional cost factor analysis for child care subsidies; requires social services districts implement such findings.