Asm. Steven Raga

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 7321) would require New York health insurers to cover speech therapy for stuttering when recommended by a physician. It applies to all medical, major medical, and similar insurance plans, eliminating limits on the number of therapy sessions or visits. Coverage must be provided by licensed professionals and clarifies that school-based therapy (like IEPs) does not affect medical coverage for therapy outside educational settings. The bill was vetoed by the governor in October 2025 and did not become law.

Prohibits residential landlords from charging tenants a fee for a dishonored rent check in excess of the actual costs or fees incurred by such landlord as a result thereof, provided such dishonored check fee was included in the initial lease.

Requires the clear and conspicuous disclosure of pricing changes for online grocery delivery and online pick-up services; imposes a fine of not more than one hundred dollars for the first offense and not more than two hundred fifty dollars for a second and each subsequent offense for violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) existing authority to manage American shad (a fish species) until December 31, 2028. It amends a specific section of environmental law to change the expiration date from 2025 to 2028, ensuring the DEC can continue its current management practices without needing new legislation. The extension directly affects the DEC's regulatory role for American shad populations in state waters. The bill passed both legislative chambers in June 2025 and was signed into law in July 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a property tax exemption for the primary residence of New York veterans with a 100% service-connected disability. To qualify, veterans must have an honorable discharge, a VA/DoD rating of 100% disability due to military service, or be rated individually unemployable due to service-related conditions. The exemption covers all real property taxes, special district charges, and assessments on their primary home. The law takes effect for tax assessments starting January 2, 2026.

Ensures that construction and fabrication done off of a public work site for specific use only in a public work project be compensated at the prevailing wage rate.

Exempts processors of syrup made from tree sap or honey who do not purchase syrup made from tree sap or honey from others for repackaging, and who do not combine syrup made from tree sap or honey with any other ingredients capable of supporting the growth of infectious or toxigenic organisms from certain licensing requirements for food processing establishments.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New York City to transfer a parcel of city-owned land at 727 Greene Avenue in Brooklyn (described as Block 1614, Lots 1, 79, and 80) to the Bedford-Stuyvesant Volunteer Ambulance Corps (BSVAC) at no cost. The transfer allows BSVAC to establish a permanent facility for providing emergency medical services, ambulance response, community health programs, and EMS training to the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood. The land must be used solely for these purposes, and if BSVAC stops using it for emergency medical services, ownership reverts to the city. This is a property transfer bill directly affecting BSVAC and the community it serves.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New York's Freedom of Information Law to set stricter deadlines for government agencies to respond to public record requests. Agencies must acknowledge requests within 5 business days and provide records within: 180 days for pre-2026 requests, 90 days for 2027 requests, and 60 days for 2028 or later requests. Agencies may only extend these deadlines if federal law blocks them, staff can't safely access records, or requests are extremely voluminous - requiring detailed written explanations to requesters and the Open Government Committee. It directly affects citizens, journalists, and researchers seeking government records by ensuring faster, more predictable responses.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New York's veterans tuition awards program to allow qualified veterans to transfer unused benefits to their spouse, child, or eligible survivor. It defines key terms like "qualified veteran" (a veteran who would qualify for the award) and "eligible immediate family" (spouse, child, or survivor meeting specific marriage or family conditions). Veterans can transfer all or part of their unused award to family members, with children needing to be under 26 and the veteran having served at least 10 years (with exceptions for certain separations or deaths). The bill also limits transfers to 100 per year and takes effect July 1, 2026.