Asm. Karl Brabenec

Makes life imprisonment without parole mandatory for defendants convicted of murder in the first degree or second degree and the victim is a police officer, peace officer, first responder or correctional officer.

Maddy summaryBill A 5336 establishes a new class A misdemeanor crime called "unlawful dissemination of a security body scan." This bill makes it illegal for a person to knowingly share a body scan, or any images from it, that was taken for legal security purposes without the permission of the individual who was scanned. The offense occurs if the scan is shared with someone not authorized to receive it by state or federal law. This measure aims to protect individuals by criminalizing the unauthorized distribution of these sensitive images.

Maddy summaryBill A 2335 proposes that, starting January 1, 2026, the Governor of New York's net salary will be withheld if the state budget is not legislatively passed by the first day of the fiscal year. The bill specifies that "net payment" refers to gross salary minus standard deductions like taxes and insurance. Once the legislature passes the budget and the state comptroller determines it is sufficient for state operations, the accrued, withheld salary will be promptly paid to the Governor.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 18-member task force to review and improve safety in school transportation. The task force, appointed by state leaders and including education stakeholders, school bus drivers, and agency heads, will study existing safety laws, bus stop practices, pedestrian safety, and protocols for drivers (including substitutes). It must issue recommendations within 18 months on measures like retrofitting buses, using sensor technology, and curbing illegal passing of school buses. The bill does not implement new safety rules but establishes a review process to inform future policy. (Procedural bill; expires 24 months after enactment.)

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 authorizes the New York State Power Authority to permit certain state and local governments, as well as non-profit corporations, to bundle electrical services with other utility offerings. It specifically allows counties, municipalities, school districts, fire districts, and similar entities to combine electricity purchases with other services through the Power Authority. The law changes the Power Authority’s existing authority to enable this bundling option, which could simplify procurement for eligible public and non-profit organizations. This is a direct policy change affecting how these entities manage their electricity contracts.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals New York State's Article 17-C, which established supplemental vehicle registration fees for New York City residents. It directly affects NYC vehicle owners who paid a $25 annual supplemental fee and those paying $1 every six months for learner permits or license renewals. The repeal removes these specific fees, ending their collection and redirecting related funds (previously deposited into MTA trust accounts) from the vehicle and traffic law. The change takes effect upon enactment, eliminating these targeted revenue streams for NYC registrants.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that when raffle tickets are sold online, the sale is considered to occur at the physical location of the authorized organization (or its games of chance lessor), not where the buyer is located. It updates existing rules to ensure online raffle sales comply with the requirement that raffles must be conducted within a municipality where the organization is based or in a contiguous county. The bill directly affects authorized organizations selling raffles online, requiring them to operate within the geographic restrictions tied to their physical base. It does not change the underlying rules for raffle locations but specifically addresses the jurisdiction for internet sales. The policy change takes effect immediately upon enactment.

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 allows the town of Warwick to use up to 10% of its community preservation fund for water quality improvement projects, such as cleaning rivers or protecting drinking water sources. It amends existing law to explicitly include these projects as a permitted use under the fund's purpose, requiring them to align with the town's community preservation plan. Unused funds allocated for water quality projects can roll over to future years, and the bill specifies that no more than 10% of the fund may be used for this purpose. The change directly affects Warwick's budget decisions for environmental projects funded through its community preservation program.