Asm. Tony Simone

Maddy summaryThis bill requires groups spending money on election ads (independent expenditures) to disclose major donors. It applies to political committees making ads that support or oppose candidates within 60 days of an election, mandating they list the top three donors (those contributing over $1,000 in the past year) in the ad. The disclosure must include the spender’s name, a statement that the ad wasn’t coordinated with candidates, and the election board’s website, all clearly visible for at least four seconds. This aims to increase transparency in campaign spending not directly tied to a candidate’s campaign.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 7369) changes election timing for certain judicial and municipal officials in New York State. It requires elections for state supreme court justices, county judges, city court judges (including NYC), and municipal officers like supervisors to occur only in even-numbered years, rather than odd-numbered years. Vacancies in these positions must be filled by appointment until the next even-year general election, with appointments expiring after December of the election year. The bill amends constitutional sections governing judicial elections (Article 4, Article 13) and municipal elections (Article 13), standardizing election cycles to align with statewide elections. It does not affect village-level judicial offices or school board elections.

Amends the constitution to delete the requirement that registration for purposes of voting be completed at least ten days before election day; provides that laws be made to adequately safeguard against deception in the exercise of the right of suffrage.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the state constitution to allow the legislature to adjust the number of justices on the supreme court in any judicial district. It sets a population-based limit: the number of justices cannot exceed one per 50,000 residents (or any fraction over 30,000) based on the latest census. The legislature may also reduce justices, but not below the current number in any district. The proposed change requires voter approval in the 2026 general election.

Provides that the Governor's annual budget proposal to the Legislature shall include statements of any new legislation, amendment to legislation, or limitation on the effect of any legislation contained in the budget; makes related provisions granting the legislature an equal role with the governor in the budget process.

Relates to the redistricting of congressional and state legislative districts and to redistricting in the event that another state has acted to determine the district lines for congressional offices more than once in less than ten years.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 8697) would amend New York's constitution to lower the voting age from 18 to 16 for all elections. It would allow residents aged 16 or older who have lived in their county, city, or village for at least 30 days before an election to vote. The bill directly affects 16- and 17-year-old New York residents. If passed, it would require a constitutional amendment process, including a 3-month public notice period before a vote on the change.

Relates to the qualification of voters; provides that a citizen who is seventeen years of age at the time of a primary election and who will be eighteen years of age at the time of the general election for which such primary election is held, shall be eligible to vote in such primary election.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 7.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for specific human services programs effective April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026. It directly affects providers of mental health, developmental disability, and addiction services (including clinics, residential programs, and outpatient care) by requiring them to use the COLA funds to provide at least a 2.6% targeted salary increase for eligible staff. The COLA applies to programs funded or certified by the Office of Mental Health, Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, and Office of Addiction Services and Supports. This adjustment is inclusive of other inflation factors for the specified period, excluding federal pandemic relief programs.

Relates to preventing discrimination and increasing awareness of rights for employees with menstrual-related conditions, perimenopausal-related conditions and menopausal-related conditions; requires employers to provide employees with an informational pamphlet on any regulations relating to the rights of employees.