Rep. Doug Smith

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a constitutional process allowing voters to remove elected state officials through a recall petition. To initiate a recall, voters must gather signatures equal to 12% of the last vote for the office (with at least 1% from five counties), certified by the secretary of state within 160 days. If a majority votes to remove an official in a special election (held 60-80 days after signature certification), the official is removed and replaced by the candidate with the most votes, unless consolidated with a regular election. The bill also requires the legislature to create detailed procedures for petitions, elections, and local recall processes, while prohibiting new recalls for six months after a vote.

Prohibits the governor, the legislature and state agencies from imposing residential housing zoning requirements on local governments without approval from the local government.

Creates the state office of the utility consumer advocate to represent interests of residential utility customers including a proposed change of rates, charges, terms and conditions of service, the adoption of rules, regulations, guidelines, orders, standards or final policy decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill would exempt the first $100,000 of an individual's private pension income from state income tax. It applies to regular pension payments from retirement plans based on prior employment, such as 401(k)s or IRAs, for people aged 59.5 or older. Married couples filing jointly would calculate the exemption as if they filed separately. The bill increases the state tax exclusion for pension income from $20,000 to $100,000 annually.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows workers to deduct cash tips they receive from their New York state income tax. It specifically applies to cash tips classified as wages under federal tax law (like those from servers or bartenders who collect cash). The deduction covers tips received during the taxable year, reducing the worker's taxable income. The change would take effect for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025.

Establishes the "stop online predators act"; requires operators of covered platforms to conduct age verification to determine whether a user is a covered minor; requires operators of covered platforms to utilize certain default privacy settings for covered minors; requires operators of covered platforms to require parental approval of certain activity related to a covered minor's covered platform account.

Maddy summaryBill A 945, known as "Jacobe's Law," requires school administrators to contact the parents or guardians of students when a verified incident of bullying, harassment, or discrimination has occurred. Designated school employees must first investigate and confirm the incident. Following verification, a school professional will discuss any health, safety, or privacy concerns with the students involved. If no such concerns are expressed, the school will make a good faith effort to contact the parents; if concerns are raised, the professional will use their judgment to determine if parental contact is in the student's best interest. The bill also provides immunity from civil liability for individuals who report such incidents in good faith.

Creates a New York state route 878, Nassau Expressway study to evaluate the costs of completing the construction of state route 878 in Nassau and Queens counties; makes related provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the MTA to create a half-fare program for eligible New York State veterans using public transportation. It applies specifically to veterans who are New York residents, honorably discharged from U.S. military service, and possess a valid New York veteran ID card. The MTA must establish the program but cannot fund it from its regular operating or capital budgets; instead, it can only implement it using state funds specifically allocated for this purpose. The bill defines "veteran" clearly and mandates that the program be implemented with state appropriations.

Eliminates state sales and compensating use taxes on motor fuels and diesel motor fuels; authorizes localities to eliminate such taxes at the local level; establishes various exemptions from New York's sales and use tax; provides for a sales tax exemption for housekeeping supplies and for ready-to-eat foods.