Sen. Toby Stavisky

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution requests Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 10-16, 2026, as Police Week in New York State, aligning with National Police Week. It honors law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, referencing historical data on officer fatalities and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. The resolution has no binding legal effect - it is a ceremonial request to the Governor, not a new law. It directly affects public recognition efforts for law enforcement families and communities.

Maddy summaryThis resolution requests Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 3-9, 2026, as Correctional Officers and Employees Week in New York, honoring the state's approximately 16,178 correctional officers and employees who oversee over 31,329 inmates in state facilities. It aligns with federal recognition of "National Correctional Officers and Employees Week" established in 1996 and emphasizes the dangerous nature of their work. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but serves as a symbolic tribute to these personnel through a gubernatorial proclamation.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution J 1293 commends Armando and Shayla Gramajo for receiving New York State's Liberty Medal, the Senate's highest honor for individuals. The resolution recognizes their 2024 actions when they intervened to save a woman attacked with a knife in White Plains - Armando (a bus driver and former Guatemalan Army veteran) stopped the attacker, and Shayla (a physician's assistant) provided medical aid using household items until emergency services arrived. This symbolic resolution, passed by the New York State Senate, formally honors their humanitarian act and does not create new laws or affect any policies. It serves as a ceremonial tribute to their spontaneous, life-saving response.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the state excise tax on cigarettes from $5.35 to $6.24 per 20 cigarettes (or $1.33 per 5 cigarettes beyond the first 20). It directly affects cigarette sellers and consumers within the state, applying to all cigarette sales except those to qualified Native American tribes for personal use on reservations, to the U.S. government, or to military organizations under federal regulations. The tax is collected via affixed stamps, with tribes having the option to use a tax exemption coupon system for sales to non-members or non-Indians on reservations. The change takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4262) increases pension benefits for New York City Police Department (NYPD) detectives, sergeants, and lieutenants who retire after meeting specific service thresholds. It adds 5% (for 25 years of service), 10% (for 30 years), or 15% (for 35 years) of the highest pay grade for their rank to their pension calculation, based on their final salary. The increase replaces any other pension adjustment under a separate provision (section 14-111). This directly affects NYPD officers retiring in these ranks with the required service years, providing a concrete, higher pension calculation.

Maddy summaryS 103, the "New York Religious Freedom Act," prohibits state and local agencies and law enforcement from collecting, sharing, or using personally identifiable information about individuals' religious beliefs, practices, or affiliations for government databases related to law enforcement or immigration. It specifically bans using public funds or resources to create or enforce such databases and restricts sharing religious data with federal authorities, except in limited cases like targeted criminal investigations with a clear link to the crime or for providing religious accommodations. The law also terminates existing agreements that conflict with these restrictions and clarifies that agencies may still share citizenship or immigration status information as permitted under federal law. This directly affects all New York state and local government agencies handling personal data.

Establishes a sustainable aviation fuel tax credit at a rate of $1.25 per gallon, or $1.50 per gallon for sustainable aviation fuels made with domestically produced corn and/or soybeans; creates a certification process for aviation fuel as sustainable aviation fuel under NYSERDA; directs the NYS climate action council to incorporate the use of sustainable aviation fuel in its updated scoping plan.

Enacts the small insurer protection act prohibiting the filing of an application for an order of rehabilitation or liquidation of a small insurer on certain grounds unless such order is based on: the superintendent's adoption of a report on examination finding the company insolvent; or the annual or quarterly financial statements of the company, which show that the company's admitted assets do not exceed its liabilities and surplus to policyholders if the company does not maintain reserves in an amount determined reasonable by its independent loss reserve specialist or its appointed actuary.

Enacts the "fair share act"; authorizes cities imposing city personal income taxes to adopt and amend local laws imposing an additional tax of two percent on the annual city taxable income of city residents, estates and trusts reporting any return in excess of one million dollars.

Requires persons possessing any firearm to hold a firearms safety certificate; establishes application and training process therefor; makes technical corrections.