Asm. Dave McDonough

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts pet food from sales and use taxes. It defines "pet food" as food prepared for domesticated animals typically kept in households, removing tax obligations for these products. The exemption applies to both retail sales and use taxes on qualifying pet food items. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment, during the next applicable sales tax quarter.

Establishes a supplemental household and dependent care credit payment for taxpayers who are eligible for certain household and dependent care services necessary for gainful employment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes clear rules for distributing surplus funds from tax foreclosure sales. If a property sells for more than the unpaid taxes plus costs, the excess must first go to other creditors with liens (like mortgage holders), then to the former owner. Municipalities must notify former owners about potential surplus funds and how to claim them. The law applies to all tax foreclosure sales starting October 1, 2025, and does not cover abandoned properties.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates three types of specialty license plates for New York residents: one for current members of the U.S. Army 10th Mountain Division, one for supporters of the division, and one for veterans. Applicants must verify their status (membership, support, or veteran status) and pay a $20 annual fee, with the revenue funding plate production and marketing. The state motor vehicle department requires a $6,000 bond for plate production unless 200+ orders are received upfront, with excess funds supporting a scholarship program. The bill directly affects eligible military members, supporters, and veterans who register vehicles in New York.

Establishes an Alzheimer's disease outreach and education program for medical and non-medical professionals to promote earlier identification of Alzheimer's and to provide information and other assistance in finding community support for caregivers.

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 requires New York's Education Commissioner to survey school districts about how they teach Jewish heritage history, including what grades cover it, teaching methods, and challenges faced. It creates a 4-member advisory committee of education experts to review the survey findings and recommend improvements to K-12 curriculum and instruction. The survey results and committee recommendations must be reported to state leaders by January 2026, with the bill expiring after three years. The bill directly affects school districts' current practices in teaching Jewish heritage history but does not mandate new curriculum or funding.

Allows withdrawals from family tuition accounts to pay for treatment of substance use disorder, including detoxification and rehabilitation for the designated beneficiary.