Asm. Ari Brown

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 5165) changes sentencing requirements for certain serious crimes in New York. It mandates that defendants convicted of specific types of first-degree murder (as defined in sections 125.27(i)-(iii) of the penal law), aggravated murder, or certain terrorism/chemical weapon offenses must receive either the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole. For other first-degree murder convictions, the court must choose between death, life without parole, or a standard class A-I felony sentence. The bill also specifies that individuals convicted of murder in the second degree under defined circumstances must receive life without parole. These changes apply directly to defendants convicted of the listed offenses in New York State.

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.

Prohibits the comptroller from using environment, social, and governance criteria as a screening method for selecting companies and funds to invest the state pension fund in.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases weekly financial benefits for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers injured in the line of duty. It raises permanent total disability payments from $600 to $1,200 per week and updates temporary total disability rates, with the current rate at $800 per week for injuries occurring after July 2025. Permanent partial disability payments also increase, with rates rising from $95 to higher amounts depending on the injury date. The changes apply directly to volunteers who suffer work-related injuries affecting their ability to work. The bill amends Sections 8, 9, and 10 of the Volunteer Firefighters' Benefit Law.

Directs that moneys in the veterans' home services fund shall be payable on vouchers certified by the commissioner of veterans' services; directs a report to be submitted by such commissioner; directs that moneys in the military family relief fund shall be payable on vouchers certified by the commissioner of veterans' services.

Limits liability for certain provisions of the labor law for construction accidents in Nassau and Suffolk counties when such accident is elevation-related.

Authorizes the Long Island rail road commuter's council to study technologies which would allow seamless communication between fire departments and the Long Island rail road to improve passenger safety and emergency response efficiency.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 4832) prevents local governments from enacting laws that require volunteer security guards to work a minimum number of hours. It directly affects volunteer security programs in cities and towns by preempting local regulations on work hour requirements. The key provision amends New York's General Business Law to state that no local law may impose such minimum hour mandates for volunteer security guards. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Allows certain certified registered nurse anesthetists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants or physicians to be able to be certified as an emergency service technician to service rural areas of the state.

Establishes a legislative commission on article V conventions of the states to represent the state of New York at article V conventions; provides penalties for commissioners who exceed their scope of authority and individuals who interfere with the duties of a commissioner.