Asm. Joe DeStefano

Maddy summaryThis bill provides a tax credit for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers to cover the cost of fishing and hunting licenses. Eligible residents must have served as active volunteers for 12 consecutive months and paid fees for licenses, tags, or permits under environmental conservation law. The credit reduces their state income tax, with any excess carried forward to future tax years. It applies to taxable years beginning January 1, 2026, and directly affects volunteer emergency responders who purchase these licenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 7032) creates a new felony charge for "aggressive driving" in New York. It defines aggressive driving as performing two or more specific dangerous actions, such as speeding more than 20 mph over the limit, suddenly stopping to interfere with traffic, or other maneuvers that unreasonably disrupt highway use. A first conviction is a class E felony, and a second conviction is a class D felony. The law directly affects drivers who commit multiple aggressive driving violations, imposing serious criminal penalties. The bill would take effect 90 days after enactment.

Establishes the home care jobs innovation program and the home care jobs innovation fund to identify, develop and support projects throughout the state designed to increase the number of individuals who become home care workers and to increase the employment retention of individuals who are employed as home care workers; provides for the granting of awards to such projects; makes an appropriation therefor.

Maddy summaryThis bill upgrades penalties for riot-related offenses under New York's penal law. It reclassifies riot in the first degree as a class D felony (previously a class E felony) and both riot in the second degree and inciting riot as class E felonies (previously misdemeanors). The bill also ties riot charges to stricter bail rules, making individuals charged with riot offenses ineligible for release on their own recognizance if they simultaneously committed other crimes like arson or property damage during the disturbance. These changes directly affect people who participate in or incite riots, particularly during events involving property damage or harm to others.

Enacts the New York state nursing shortage correction act; establishes the New York state nursing recruitment incentive and retention program; defines terms; provides for tuition benefits and the reimbursement of student loans if a person is a registered and licensed nurse; provides that SUNY and CUNY shall pay for a person's education if such person signs a contract stating that such person shall work in New York state as a registered nurse; makes related provisions; establishes the New York state nursing recruitment incentive and retention account.

Relates to qualifying offenses for pre-trial detention; adds class B felonies under article two hundred twenty of the penal law as qualifying offenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new class A-1 felony offense for selling controlled substances (from Schedules I-V) that directly causes someone's death. It specifically applies to individuals who violate public health law by selling, giving, or supplying these drugs, resulting in a fatality. The key provision defines this as the most serious felony charge, replacing or adding to existing penalties for drug-related deaths. The law takes effect 30 days after enactment, with necessary rule changes allowed before that date. It does not affect other drug offenses or non-fatal cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all mechanically propelled vessels (boats with engines) to install propeller guards around each propeller. A propeller guard is defined as a device that encases the propeller to prevent accidental contact with people near the vessel. The law applies to every such vessel operating in New York waters and takes effect one year after enactment. The requirement aims to enhance safety by physically blocking access to rotating propellers.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows certified handicapped individuals to use ATVs on public lands *only* for transportation purposes when entering or exiting areas used for hunting during the hunting season. It specifically permits ATVs for accessing hunting grounds, not for general travel on public lands. Non-handicapped individuals remain prohibited from using ATVs on public lands except where designated for ATV use under existing rules. The change applies exclusively to transportation related to hunting access during the designated season.

Establishes a veterans in agriculture assistance and outreach program to help integrate veterans into the field of agriculture, and support veterans currently working in agriculture; designs an associated logotype for the promotion of products produced by a veteran or qualified veteran business entity.