Asm. Michael Durso

Maddy summaryBill A-154 provides a 100% real property tax exemption for agricultural lands used to grow bio-energy crops (specifically crops for cellulosic ethanol processing) for alternative fuel. It directly affects farmers who produce these designated crops, exempting their land from local taxes (village, town, city, county, or school district) based on assessed value. To qualify, landowners must submit proof to the taxing authority showing compliance, and applications must be filed by the taxable status date. The exemption expires five years after the law takes effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes the legal classification of "criminal possession of a firearm" from a class E felony to a class D felony under New York law. It directly affects individuals convicted of possessing a firearm without proper registration, as defined in the penal law. The key mechanism is amending the penal law to downgrade the felony level, which typically results in reduced sentencing severity. This policy change modifies the criminal penalty structure for this specific offense without altering the underlying conduct or registration requirements.

Maddy summaryBill A 2697 requires public school students participating in interscholastic athletics to provide a yearly cardiac fitness certificate. This applies to students in seventh grade or those who will turn thirteen during the school year. The certificate must be signed by a licensed medical professional and include the results of an electrocardiogram or echocardiogram. It must also describe the student's cardiac fitness and state if any heart conditions could lead to severe adverse health outcomes during athletic activity.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new crime in New York law: "harassment of a first responder," punishable as a serious misdemeanor. It directly affects anyone who approaches within 25 feet of a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or emergency medical personnel (including volunteers) while they are performing their duties, after being verbally warned to stop. The law prohibits this behavior when the person intends to block the responder’s work, threaten them with harm, or repeatedly cause them serious emotional distress without a legitimate reason. The penalty applies to actions that interfere with critical emergency services during active operations.

Provides that an applicant with a bachelor's degree or higher in engineering technology and an applicant with a bachelor's degree or higher in engineering shall have the same number of education and experience credit requirements, shall have the same eligibility for an identification card as "an engineer in training", as well as examination and examination eligibility requirements.

Creates the utility consumer advocate of the Long Island office of the department of public service to advocate and to represent the interests of residential Long Island utility customers.

Authorizes the imposition of bail for certain felony offenses involving the manufacture, sale, distribution, or possession with intent to sell synthetic opioids.

Authorizes and directs the commissioner of health to designate HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 communicable diseases; requires reporting of HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 cases to the department of health; creates educational materials about the virus.

Repeals the provision of law that volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers who receive a real property tax exemption for service may not receive the income tax credit for such service.

Allows for the removal of members of the state board of parole by a majority vote in the senate and the assembly; requires three or more members of such board personally interview potential parolees; requires that the determination to parole an incarcerated individual be unanimous.