Asm. Karl Brabenec

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates a $10 one-time service fee for veterans who obtain distinctive license plates in New York. It modifies several sections of the vehicle and traffic law to remove the charge that was previously required when applying for these plates. The change affects veterans purchasing plates through programs like those for veterans organizations, state veterans groups, or military service recognition plates. The regular registration fee remains unchanged; only the additional $10 service charge is discontinued.

Authorizes imposition of life imprisonment without parole sentence for persistent violent felony offenders upon conviction of a violent felony offense when such person has previously been subjected to two or more predicate violent felony convictions.

Relates to establishing guidelines for DAs with regard to electronic conversion of certain records, books or papers in the care, custody or control of DAs that are more than 10 years old.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state to reimburse counties for the full cost of Medicaid fraud detection software they've already purchased or plan to buy. It directly affects counties that use data mining tools to identify patterns of fraud, waste, or abuse in medical assistance programs. Counties must provide documentation (like receipts) of their software purchases, and the state will pay from the general fund. The reimbursement is automatic for qualifying software, defined as tools using statistical analysis to detect improper use of Medicaid.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 5165) changes sentencing requirements for certain serious crimes in New York. It mandates that defendants convicted of specific types of first-degree murder (as defined in sections 125.27(i)-(iii) of the penal law), aggravated murder, or certain terrorism/chemical weapon offenses must receive either the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole. For other first-degree murder convictions, the court must choose between death, life without parole, or a standard class A-I felony sentence. The bill also specifies that individuals convicted of murder in the second degree under defined circumstances must receive life without parole. These changes apply directly to defendants convicted of the listed offenses in New York State.

Enacts the "fair pay for home care act" relating to minimum wages applicable to home care aides; provides for a minimum wage of 150% of the applicable statewide or regional minimum wage.

Maddy summaryThis New York bill (A 894) allows individuals to transfer legally owned and registered firearms to their children or spouse through their estate after death. It amends penal law to permit such transfers without triggering standard sale or transfer restrictions, provided the weapons were legally registered before the owner's death. The bill specifically defines "immediate family" for this purpose as only a child or spouse, not other relatives. It does not change general firearm transfer rules but creates an exception for estate distributions to these family members.

Prohibits the comptroller from using environment, social, and governance criteria as a screening method for selecting companies and funds to invest the state pension fund in.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases weekly financial benefits for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers injured in the line of duty. It raises permanent total disability payments from $600 to $1,200 per week and updates temporary total disability rates, with the current rate at $800 per week for injuries occurring after July 2025. Permanent partial disability payments also increase, with rates rising from $95 to higher amounts depending on the injury date. The changes apply directly to volunteers who suffer work-related injuries affecting their ability to work. The bill amends Sections 8, 9, and 10 of the Volunteer Firefighters' Benefit Law.

Provides that the court may, in its discretion, dispense with the defendant's personal appearance at an arraignment and conduct an electronic arraignment.