Asm. Steve Hawley

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $1,500 wage tax credit for New York employers who hire National Guard members, reservists, volunteer firefighters, or volunteer EMS personnel. Employers qualify if these employees have worked for them at least six months. The credit applies to taxable years beginning January 1, 2027, directly reducing state tax liability for qualifying businesses. It specifically targets employers in these public service sectors to offset costs of retaining these workers.

Extends tuition free course benefits to volunteer firefighters or voluntary ambulance workers; authorizes the board of trustees of the state university to regulate the conferral of such benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill prevents village boards from changing specific rules about volunteer fire company members. It amends a village law section to prohibit local laws that alter or replace these rules, except for one specific exception (subdivision seven). The policy directly affects volunteer members of village fire companies by protecting their current legal standing. The key change is a restriction on village boards' ability to modify these provisions without adhering to the exception.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution (Assembly Resolution No. 187) commemorating the 200th anniversary of Orleans County, New York. It formally recognizes the county's establishment on April 15, 1825, and its historical significance, including its role in the Erie Canal era and agricultural heritage. The resolution directs the legislature to pause its proceedings on April 15, 2025, to honor the anniversary and sends a copy of the resolution to Orleans County officials. It directly affects Orleans County residents and officials by providing official state recognition of their county's milestone. No substantive policy changes or funding are involved.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a policy bill) congratulating the Byron-Bergen High School Girls Varsity Soccer Team for winning the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class C State Championship on November 17, 2024. It formally recognizes the team’s 22-1-1 record, their 1-0 victory over Stillwater, and their coaches and support staff. The resolution directs that copies be sent to the players, coaches, athletic trainer, equipment managers, and athletic director. As a symbolic gesture with no policy impact, it does not affect laws, funding, or regulations.

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally commends Leigha Walker, an 18-year-old Holley High School student and Subway employee, for saving a man's life during a June 9, 2024, car crash. It recognizes her immediate actions - including calling 911, breaking a truck window, administering CPR, and providing first aid - during a 12-minute emergency response. The New York State Senate awards her its Liberty Medal, the highest honor for individual acts of heroism, for her life-saving intervention. The resolution has no policy impact beyond this ceremonial recognition.

Expands the definitions of surplus agricultural products and processed products for the purposes of the Nourish New York program to include certain milk and other non-alcoholic farm produced beverages.

Creates a Down syndrome awareness program to provide up-to-date and evidence-based information on Down syndrome to health care providers who order tests for a pregnant woman or infants to screen for Down syndrome.

Prohibits mortgagees from requiring mortgagors of certain residential real property to purchase flood insurance exceeding a coverage amount that exceeds the balance as of the beginning of the year for which the policy shall be in effect, or that includes coverage for contents.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows local municipalities to form regional planning councils that can apply for federal and state grants. Under the new rules, these councils are officially recognized as government agencies, which removes previous barriers to receiving funding. Local governments must pass a resolution to agree on the terms of their collaboration before the council can seek these funds. The changes take effect roughly nine months after the law is signed.