Sen. Tony Palumbo

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate resolution that formally acknowledges the death of Sergeant Richard T. Gurniak, a retired New York Police Department officer who served 30 years and was a respected member of the Brewster Police Department. The document highlights his long career in law enforcement, his role as a mentor to new officers, and his active participation in community and family life. It concludes by directing that a copy of the resolution be sent to Gurniak's family as a tribute to his service and contributions to his community.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate resolution honoring the life and service of Officer Jose Colon, a retired NYPD officer who recently passed away. It formally acknowledges his career in the U.S. Army and his two decades of police work, including his response to the September 11 attacks and his continued service in the Brewster Police Department. The resolution directs the legislative body to pause its proceedings to mourn his death and instructs that a copy of the document be sent to his family.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks the Governor of New York to officially designate June 2024 as Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month. The resolution highlights the significant impact of the disease, noting that over 427,000 New Yorkers are affected and that it kills more people than breast and prostate cancer combined. By directing the Governor to proclaim this month, the legislature aims to increase public awareness and encourage further action against the disease. The text includes statistics on the rising number of cases, the high cost of care, and the challenges faced by caregivers and communities of color.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Franklin Square & Munson Fire Department, honoring its century of service to the community. The bill formally recognizes the department's history, which began in 1907 with volunteer horse-drawn units and evolved into a modern force serving approximately 30,000 residents. It acknowledges the department's growth from a single company to a multi-unit organization that responds to over 1,000 annual calls for fire and medical emergencies. The resolution expresses gratitude for the firefighters' dedication and directs a copy of the document to the department members.

Provides that the thruway authority shall issue permits for ambulances and fire vehicles exempting such vehicles from paying tolls on the thruway when engaged in an emergency operation.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as "Nick's law," increases the penalties for drivers who leave the scene of an accident that results in a death. Under the new provisions, such an offense is elevated to a Class B felony, which carries a fine between thirty thousand and fifty thousand dollars, in addition to any other applicable penalties. The legislation also modifies how courts handle cases involving adolescent offenders charged with this specific crime, requiring stricter criteria for transferring these cases to family court compared to other serious felonies. By raising the severity of the punishment and adjusting juvenile court procedures, the bill aims to address the consequences of fatal hit-and-run incidents more directly.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows schools to use portable suction devices designed to clear airways during choking emergencies. It requires schools that have these devices to create policies for their use and to train designated staff, such as nurses and employees, on airway management. The legislation also permits schools to seek reimbursement for training costs and provides legal protection for volunteers who use the devices to help students.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new retirement benefit for New York State public employees who have volunteered as firefighters or in emergency services. Under the law, eligible workers can earn one year of retirement credit for every five years of volunteer service, up to a maximum of three years total. To receive this credit, employees must apply before retiring and pay a fee based on their recent earnings, while the state and their employers cover the remaining costs. The legislation also ensures that any money paid for this credit is refunded with interest if the employee dies before retiring and does not benefit from the additional service time.

Enacts the climate resilient New York act; establishes the office of resilience and a resilience task force to assess and identify climate related threats and develop a statewide resilience plan.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Act to create a dedicated funding mechanism for improving groundwater and surface water quality across the county. It establishes a new water quality restoration fund financed by an additional sales tax of one-eighth of one percent, which would be approved through a mandatory referendum and remain in effect until 2060. The revenue generated would be split evenly between funding individual septic system upgrades and larger wastewater treatment facility projects. Additionally, the legislation grants the county authority to consolidate existing sewer districts into a single county-wide wastewater management district to streamline operations and enforce nitrogen reduction goals. The bill also outlines a schedule for transferring a portion of existing sewer taxpayer protection funds into the new restoration fund over a ten-year period.