Asm. Ari Brown

Maddy summaryBill A 3631 allows New York schools to use state or local funds to purchase whole or reduced-fat New York milk (defined as milk produced, processed, and distributed within New York State) for student meals or sales. It requires the Education Commissioner to notify schools about the provision and mandates a report after two years tracking school participation, milk consumption changes, and state promotion efforts. The bill expires if federal school lunch rules change to permit whole/reduced-fat milk generally or if updated federal dietary guidelines allow it. This policy directly affects public schools in New York seeking to support local dairy producers through school meal programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New York school districts to purchase or lease only zero-emission school buses (electric or hydrogen-powered with no tailpipe emissions) when buying new vehicles by July 2027. It also mandates that all components and final assembly of these buses and their charging infrastructure must be made in the U.S. unless a waiver is granted for cost or feasibility reasons. Districts facing financial hardship may receive up to two years to comply after a cost-benefit analysis, and the law includes protections preventing workforce displacement for transportation employees during the transition. The full transition to zero-emission school buses must be completed by July 2047, or when all state vehicle fleets meet this standard, whichever comes later.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits any person or entity from selling, leasing, or transferring ownership of real property in New York State to the People's Republic of China, the Chinese Communist Party, or their affiliated organizations. It directly affects property owners, sellers, and lessees who might engage in transactions with these entities. The law authorizes the state attorney general to enforce it by seeking court orders to stop violations, including injunctions or declaratory relief for properties already sold or leased in violation. The policy change explicitly bans such transactions without exceptions, making them unlawful under New York law.

Provides for the chief administrator of the courts to, upon request by a municipality, ensure the assignment and presence of a uniformed court officer during court proceedings or a law enforcement officer where no uniformed court officer is available.

Provides for instruction in food and agriculture in schools using a curriculum established by the commissioner of education in consultation with the commissioner of agriculture and markets.

Maddy summaryThis bill officially designates "The Empire State" as the formal nickname for New York. It achieves this by adding a new section to the state laws that explicitly states this name. The change takes effect immediately upon passage and applies to the state as a whole.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the red-spotted newt, also known as the eastern newt, as the official state amphibian of New York. It achieves this by adding a new section to the state laws that formally recognizes the species with its scientific name. The change takes effect immediately upon passage and serves primarily as a symbolic designation rather than altering legal protections or management rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill waives standard civil service exam requirements (including age limits) for Kevin Donohue, a current part-time police officer employed by the town of Goshen. It allows him to take the competitive exam for a full-time police officer position with Goshen's department, bypassing usual eligibility rules under state civil service law. If he passes the exam, he becomes eligible for appointment to the full-time role, though he must still meet merit and fitness standards. The bill applies solely to Donohue and takes effect immediately.

Addresses the financial, health care, educational, and workforce needs of disabled veterans and their families by providing tax relief, expanding health care access, enhancing education benefits, and improving workforce protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides a full exemption from real property taxes, special district charges, and assessments for the primary residences of certain disabled veterans. To qualify, a veteran must have been discharged under honorable conditions, possess a qualifying disability or be a discharged LGBT veteran, and be rated as permanently and totally disabled by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The exemption also applies to land used for housing units modified to accommodate the veteran's disability needs, provided the veteran meets all other statutory requirements. This change directly affects eligible veterans by removing their home's tax liability while leaving other existing veteran exemptions intact.