Asm. Dave McDonough

Maddy summaryThis bill raises the income limit for New York seniors to qualify for the enhanced STAR property tax exemption from its current level to $120,000. It applies to tax years beginning in 2024, meaning seniors with incomes up to $120,000 will now qualify for the exemption. The change directly affects seniors aged 65+ who own their primary residence and apply for the enhanced exemption. This increases the income threshold for eligibility, allowing more seniors to receive this property tax benefit.

Requires each school district to ensure that every public school in which school days exceed five hours in duration provides up to thirty minutes of daily recess within the school day for all students in kindergarten through fifth grade and for students in sixth grade who attend an elementary school.

Maddy summaryThis bill reduces the fee utilities pay to cover state department costs from 1% to one-third of one percent (0.333%) of their gross operating revenue. It applies to most public utilities and the Long Island Power Authority, but excludes entities regulated solely for safety or the power authority itself. Telephone companies pay the reduced rate only on revenue exceeding $500,000 annually. The change takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Establishes the biometric identifier privacy act; requires private entities in possession of biometric identifiers or biometric information to develop a written policy establishing a retention schedule and guidelines for permanently destroying biometric identifiers and biometric information when the initial purpose for collecting or obtaining such identifiers or information has been satisfied or within three years of the individual's last interaction with the private entity, whichever occurs first.

Requires utility corporations and municipalities to ensure that bills for service to residential customers include a line item for cost impact measures taken in accordance with the climate action council's final scoping plan; requires the department of public service to establish a formula to enable utility corporations and municipalities to calculate the cost impact on each residential customer's bill attributed to measures taken in accordance with the climate action council's final scoping plan.

Directs the metropolitan transportation authority, in consultation with the Long Island Rail Road, to establish a no fare program for transportation on the Long Island Rail Road for individuals in active military service of the United States and active duty members of the New York national guard, upon showing a military or national guard identification card.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 10124) changes New York's criminal law by removing hate crimes from the list of offenses that allow a young person to receive a "youthful offender" finding instead of a formal conviction. Specifically, it amends the criminal procedure law to explicitly exclude "hate crime" (as defined in Penal Law § 485.05) from the types of offenses eligible for youthful offender status. This means individuals convicted of hate crimes will no longer qualify for this status, resulting in a formal adult conviction record. The change directly affects young people (typically under 18) who commit hate crimes, requiring them to face adult sentencing procedures rather than the rehabilitative options available under youthful offender status. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Prohibits the participation of certain animals in traveling animal acts; prohibits the department of environmental conservation from issuing permits or licenses allowing participation of certain animals in traveling animal acts; excludes certain permanent performing institutions; imposes a civil penalty not to exceed $1000 for a violation.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2291) requires public utility authorities (like water, gas, or electric providers operating under state law) to get approval from the state legislature before increasing existing rates or fees, or creating new ones. It directly affects these utility authorities by preventing them from unilaterally changing customer costs. The key provision mandates that any rate or fee change must be reviewed and approved by the state legislature first. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 5116) prohibits the release of individuals convicted of first-degree murder through parole or any other means. It mandates that courts must sentence such offenders to either the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole, eliminating any possibility of parole consideration. The law directly affects people convicted of first-degree murder under New York Penal Law, requiring mandatory life sentences without parole options for this specific crime. The bill amends existing sentencing provisions to ensure no release is permitted for these offenders.