Sen. Tony Palumbo

Provides that where a person who meets the requirements for an enhanced exemption for property owned by senior citizens purchases real property after the levy of taxes, such person may file an application for exemption to the assessor within thirty days of the transfer of title to such person for such exemption.

Relates to the calculation of past service credit for members in the title of deputy sheriff who provided police protection or correction officer service transferring between the New York state and local employees' retirement system to the New York state and local police and fire retirement system.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks Governor Kathy Hochul to officially designate April 2026 as Arab American Heritage Month in New York State. The resolution highlights the historical contributions and cultural significance of Arab Americans within the state, noting that New York is home to over 300,000 individuals from diverse Arab backgrounds. By directing copies of the resolution to the governor and several advocacy organizations, the measure seeks to raise public awareness and promote recognition of this community's heritage.

Establishes the crime of interference with emergency first responders; creates a fifteen foot buffer zone around emergency first responders engaged in the performance of their official duties.

Imposes certain sentences of imprisonment for offenses committed while using public transportation; creates the offense of reckless endangerment on public transportation as a class A-I felony.

Prohibits public employers from diminishing health insurance benefits provided to Medicare-eligible retirees and their Medicare-eligible dependents or the contributions such employer makes for such health insurance coverage below the level of such benefits or contributions made on behalf of such retirees and dependents by the public employer as of December 31, 2021.

Establishes a public animal cruelty registry that requires persons over eighteen years of age convicted of animal abuse to register with the division of criminal justice services; requires such registry to contain certain information about each person registered; requires persons registered to pay an annual surcharge of fifty dollars to be used for costs and expenses associated with maintaining the registry.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands retirement service credit eligibility for various law enforcement officers in New York State, including those in the Department of Environmental Conservation, regional state park police, university police, and the New York Waterfront Commission. It requires these officers to be automatically covered by the state police retirement provisions and grants credit for their previous police service when calculating retirement benefits. The legislation also provides additional service credit for state university police officers who meet specific training and service requirements. These changes will take effect on July 1, 2026, and apply to officers entering or re-entering service after specified dates.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as "Pete's Law," removes the standard time limit for prosecuting drivers who flee the scene of an accident that results in a death. Under current rules, legal action usually must begin within a specific period, but this change allows prosecutors to file charges at any time, regardless of how much time has passed since the incident. The law specifically targets hit-and-run cases involving fatalities and applies to the state's criminal procedure code. It includes a delay in implementation, taking effect 120 days after it becomes official law.

Adds falsely reporting the use of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument as part of the crimes of falsely reporting an incident in the first and second degrees.