Asm. Karl Brabenec

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.

Establishes masked harassment when a person wears a mask or other face covering that intentionally hides or conceals their face for the primary purpose of menacing or threatening another person or placing another person or group of persons in reasonable fear for their physical safety.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 50% property tax exemption for real estate used as a licensed child day care facility, as defined by state social services law. The exemption is optional for local governments - counties, cities, towns, or school districts must pass a local law to adopt it after a public hearing. Property owners operating qualifying day cares would see their tax bill reduced by half, but the exemption ends if the property stops being used for child care. Localities may also choose to limit the exemption to less than 50% through separate local laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 6850) increases the tax credit for New York manufacturers from 20% to 100% of real property taxes paid on manufacturing facilities. It directly affects qualified New York manufacturers who own property primarily used for manufacturing. The key provision allows these businesses to apply the full amount of qualifying property taxes toward their business franchise or personal income tax credit, instead of just a portion. The change takes effect for taxable years beginning January 1, 2025.

Requires the state to provide state funds to community colleges for additional operating costs associated with an increase in the state minimum wage; requires the board of trustees of community colleges to report to the state comptroller on an annual basis the amount of such additional operating costs.

Enacts the "educational equity and choice act"; requires nonpublic schools to provide the same services that public schools currently provide to nonpublic schools; provides that such costs shall be approved by the commissioner of education and borne by the state; makes related provisions.

Relates to providing a tax exemption for volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers in a county with a population of more than 250,000 and less than 500,000 persons.

Maddy summaryBill A 5187 expands the definition of hate crimes to include offenses committed against law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical services personnel. It amends existing law to classify an offense as a hate crime if the perpetrator intentionally targets an individual based on their actual or perceived employment in these roles. This means that crimes motivated by bias against these public safety workers could be prosecuted as hate crimes. The bill also provides specific definitions for who qualifies as a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or emergency medical services personnel.

Authorizes municipalities located in the county of Orange and county of Rockland to charge for the cost of providing additional police protection to paid-admission events.

Grants volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians academic credit at state operated institutions of the state university of New York and the senior colleges of the city university of New York to the extent of three academic credits per year, and 6 credits in the aggregate; provides that no fee, tuition or other charge shall be assessed against a volunteer firefighter or emergency medical technician who qualifies for such credit; directs the board of trustees of the state university and the city university of New York to adopt necessary procedures.