Rep. Noah Burroughs

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New York's First Home Savings Program, creating tax-advantaged savings accounts for first-time home buyers. It directly affects New York residents who have never owned a primary residence (including those with mobile homes but excluding those who claimed home tax deductions), allowing them to save for purchasing a home in the state. Key provisions include tax incentives under state law, strict rules defining "first-time buyer" status, and requirements that funds be used only for qualified home purchases (houses, condos, or co-ops) within New York as a primary residence. Withdrawals for non-qualified purposes face penalties, while exceptions exist for death, emergencies, or military service. The program is managed by the state comptroller and requires accounts to be held at approved financial institutions.

Relates to the duty owed by cities and counties to children in the legal custody of such cities and counties with respect to the placement of children; provides a statutory private right of action for compensatory damage.

Provides for the creation of an ebony alert system to be activated on behalf of Black youth who are reported missing under unexplained or suspicious circumstances, at risk, developmentally disabled, or cognitively impaired, or who have been abducted.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires towns and villages to adopt a local law if they want to mandate that their justices (who handle minor civil and criminal cases) must be licensed attorneys admitted to practice law in New York. It does not impose this requirement statewide; instead, it allows each town or village to decide by majority vote of its governing body whether to adopt the requirement. If adopted, the change would take effect at the start of the next judicial term following the election after the local law is passed. The bill sets a clear, concrete policy change for local justice eligibility but leaves implementation entirely to individual municipalities.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 9571) increases family leave benefits under New York's workers' compensation law, directly affecting eligible employees taking leave for medical care, bonding with a newborn, or military family exigencies. It gradually raises weekly benefit percentages (from 50% to 67% of average weekly wage) and extends maximum leave duration (from 8 to 12 weeks) over time, with specific phased-in dates starting in 2018. Covered employers must provide these enhanced benefits while maintaining health insurance coverage during leave. The changes apply to employees meeting eligibility criteria under the law, with the Superintendent of Financial Services retaining limited authority to delay increases.

Establishes the "jobs and housing act"; directs the private housing finance agency to develop and administer a jobs and housing pilot program to construct and preserve housing, including workforce housing, that is affordable to low and moderate income persons, and creates jobs for those who build and work in such housing.

Maddy summaryThis bill reduces the number of names county executives can submit to fill vacancies on the Long Island Rail Road Commuter's Council. Specifically, it changes the requirement from submitting three names per county (Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, or Brooklyn) to submitting only one name per county for each vacancy. The council will continue to have 13 members appointed by the governor based on county recommendations, with existing provisions for borough presidents and a bicycle/pedestrian access expert remaining unchanged. This change directly affects Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, and Brooklyn county executives by limiting their input when filling council vacancies. The bill modifies the appointment process without altering the council's total membership or other key composition rules.

Maddy summaryBill A 8013 authorizes the Nassau County assessor to accept a late application for a real property tax exemption from Winners Chapel International New York. This applies to their property at 306 Fulton Ave. for the 2022, 2023, and 2024 tax assessment rolls. If the application is accepted and approved by the assessor and the Nassau County legislature, the organization could receive the exemption as if they had applied on time. The bill also permits the refund of any taxes already paid and the cancellation of outstanding taxes, fines, or penalties for those years.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New York's Motor Vehicle Commissioner to accept electronic signatures for all documents related to vehicle registration, titles, and other motor vehicle records. It directly affects drivers, dealers, and anyone submitting forms to the Department of Motor Vehicles, including those transferring titles or signing powers of attorney. The key provision mandates that electronic signatures - defined as digital processes with intent to sign - must be accepted whether submitted online or printed after electronic signing. Physical documents like title certificates still require original paper copies in certain cases, but electronic signatures cannot be refused if they meet the bill’s requirements. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates mandatory minimum prison sentences for certain offenses, replacing them with judicial discretion to determine appropriate sentences based on individual circumstances. It requires courts to provide written explanations for sentencing decisions and mandates that pre-sentence reports include analysis of incarceration costs to the state. Defendants gain expanded access to pre-sentence reports used in sentencing decisions, and judges must consider rehabilitation and community safety goals rather than fixed minimum terms. The law applies to felony sentencing under New York's penal and criminal procedure laws, directly affecting judges, defendants, and the state correctional system.