Sen. Tony Palumbo

Maddy summaryS 6559 would allow local governments (counties, cities, towns, villages, or school districts) to provide a 100% property tax exemption for veterans who served in combat zones and are 100% permanently disabled due to military service, or their unmarried surviving spouses. This exemption would apply directly to the property tax bill for eligible veterans, bypassing any local limits on standard property tax exemptions. Localities would choose whether to implement this option, and the exemption would apply to properties assessed on or after January 1, 2025. The bill does not require localities to adopt this exemption but provides a new option for those that choose to do so.

Increases the reimbursement amount authorized to be paid to localities maintaining incarcerated individuals convicted of felonies to $300 per day per capita for the first 10 days, and $600 per day per capita for each day thereafter, or the actual per day per capita cost, whichever is more.

Maddy summaryS 2603 expands the definition of "aggravated cruelty to animals" to include intentionally causing injury with a deadly weapon (like a gun or knife) or a dangerous instrument (like a broken bottle). This specifically targets individuals who use such objects to harm companion animals, making it a more severe offense. The law defines "aggravated cruelty" as conduct meant to cause extreme pain or carried out in a depraved, sadistic way. It directly affects people convicted of animal cruelty involving weapons, increasing penalties for those acts. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Relates to costs and expenses of the department of public service and the public service commission; directs the public service commission to develop a formula to determine the average cost, on a per ratepayer basis, to comply with the provisions set forth in article seventy-five of the environmental conservation law; provides for a ratepayer protection tax credit; repeals certain provisions of the public service law relating to the assessment of costs and expenses of the department of public service and the public service commission.

Directs the commissioner of health to conduct an investigation of the department's performance, compliance and enforcement of applicable state laws, rules, regulations, and directives or executive orders, with respect to mitigating the impact of COVID-19 in nursing homes, adult care facilities, and assisted living residences, and to propose a pandemic response plan for future disease outbreaks.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York law to allow courts to issue **lifetime orders of protection** when the respondent is convicted of specific violent felonies, including sexual assault under Penal Law sections 255.25-255.27 or felonies in Penal Law articles 120, 125, 130, 135, or 263 (or attempts to commit them). Previously, such orders had fixed time limits (up to 8 years), but this change adds "lifetime" as a duration option for these high-risk cases. The law directly affects victims of domestic violence or abuse where the perpetrator received one of these felony convictions. It does not apply to lesser offenses or non-felony cases.

Establishes a residential fuel oil storage tank credit; directs the office of temporary and disability assistance to establish a program to assist eligible households in the replacement of residential fuel oil storage tanks.

Maddy summaryS 4930 makes certain fees charged for emergency medical services (EMS) permanent, replacing a temporary 4-year provision that was set to expire. The bill changes existing law to eliminate the expiration date for fees collected by municipalities or EMS providers under a 2022 law. This directly affects local governments and emergency medical service organizations that collect these fees. The key change is removing the automatic repeal after four years, ensuring these fees remain in place indefinitely. The bill does not create new fees or alter service requirements - only changes the duration of existing fee collection.

Excludes the five state-run veterans homes from assessments on their gross receipts received from all patient care services and other operating income; directs the Commissioner of Health to apply to the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services for any necessary waivers pursuant to federal law and regulation.

Requires a disclosure form for the surrender of a dog to a shelter, pound or dog protective association detailing the reasons for surrender and any aggressive tendencies of such dog.