Asm. John Mikulin

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a constitutional process allowing voters to remove elected state officials through a recall petition. To initiate a recall, voters must gather signatures equal to 12% of the last vote for the office (with at least 1% from five counties), certified by the secretary of state within 160 days. If a majority votes to remove an official in a special election (held 60-80 days after signature certification), the official is removed and replaced by the candidate with the most votes, unless consolidated with a regular election. The bill also requires the legislature to create detailed procedures for petitions, elections, and local recall processes, while prohibiting new recalls for six months after a vote.

Prohibits the governor, the legislature and state agencies from imposing residential housing zoning requirements on local governments without approval from the local government.

Includes in the class E felony of vehicular assault in the second degree, the causing of serious physical injury while operating a vehicle with suspended, revoked or no license; creates the crime of vehicular homicide.

Maddy summaryThis bill would exempt the first $100,000 of an individual's private pension income from state income tax. It applies to regular pension payments from retirement plans based on prior employment, such as 401(k)s or IRAs, for people aged 59.5 or older. Married couples filing jointly would calculate the exemption as if they filed separately. The bill increases the state tax exclusion for pension income from $20,000 to $100,000 annually.

Maddy summaryBill A 5465 grants Kenneth Panaro retroactive Tier IV membership in New York's state and local employees' retirement system, effective June 25, 2007 - the date he began working for the Town of Hempstead. It retroactively treats him as a system member from his hire date, allowing him to access Tier IV benefits without refunding past employee contributions. The Town of Hempstead must cover all associated costs, and Panaro must apply within one year of the law's effective date. This is a targeted, individual bill with no broader policy impact.

Maddy summaryBill A 945, known as "Jacobe's Law," requires school administrators to contact the parents or guardians of students when a verified incident of bullying, harassment, or discrimination has occurred. Designated school employees must first investigate and confirm the incident. Following verification, a school professional will discuss any health, safety, or privacy concerns with the students involved. If no such concerns are expressed, the school will make a good faith effort to contact the parents; if concerns are raised, the professional will use their judgment to determine if parental contact is in the student's best interest. The bill also provides immunity from civil liability for individuals who report such incidents in good faith.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the MTA to create a half-fare program for eligible New York State veterans using public transportation. It applies specifically to veterans who are New York residents, honorably discharged from U.S. military service, and possess a valid New York veteran ID card. The MTA must establish the program but cannot fund it from its regular operating or capital budgets; instead, it can only implement it using state funds specifically allocated for this purpose. The bill defines "veteran" clearly and mandates that the program be implemented with state appropriations.

Exempts water system property owned by a private water-works corporation located in counties with a population of one million or more that are special assessing units from being included as special franchise property.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all pontoon boat rental businesses (defined as entities renting to the public for compensation) to equip every rental pontoon boat with a safety ladder meeting specific standards. The ladder must be a non-rope, fixed device designed for safe access, as outlined by the Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Violations carry a warning for the first offense, followed by $500 fines per subsequent violation. The law takes effect one year after enactment, with the department authorized to create implementing rules.

Eliminates state sales and compensating use taxes on motor fuels and diesel motor fuels; authorizes localities to eliminate such taxes at the local level; establishes various exemptions from New York's sales and use tax; provides for a sales tax exemption for housekeeping supplies and for ready-to-eat foods.