Sen. Mike Gianaris

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally congratulates Daniel Casper of Briarcliff, New York, for representing the United States as the skip of the Men's Curling Team at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. The measure highlights Casper's athletic achievements, including his recent victory at the U.S. Olympic Trials and his history of competing in national and international championships. It also acknowledges his perseverance in the sport despite being diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome. The bill is a ceremonial gesture that does not alter any laws or policies but serves to publicly honor Casper's accomplishments.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution formally recognizes the New York Chapter of the National Domestic Workers Alliance for its advocacy work and historical contributions to improving conditions for domestic workers. The bill highlights the organization's efforts in securing legal protections, such as paid sick leave and family leave, and recovering stolen wages for employees in the field. By adopting this resolution, the legislative body intends to publicly honor the group's achievements and the legacy of its founder, Dorothy Bolden, without enacting any new laws or funding.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 2298 is a commemorative bill honoring Minerva Solla, a labor activist and social justice advocate who passed away in April 2026. The resolution formally recognizes her lifelong contributions to workers' rights, including her role in organizing strikes, founding Latino labor committees, and helping pass legislation like Paid Family Leave. It directs the legislature to pause proceedings to mourn her death and sends a copy of the resolution to her family. The bill does not create new laws or policies but serves as an official acknowledgment of her legacy.

Requires that any law enforcement agency in the state that encrypts any portion of its radio communications shall ensure that all of its radio communications, with the exception of sensitive information, may be monitored in real time by professional journalists, newscasters, and individuals employed by emergency services organizations.

Establishes a three calendar day waiting period from contact of the New York State National Instant Background Check System (NYS NICS) before a firearm, shotgun or rifle may be delivered to a person; provides exceptions where a person possesses a license to purchase, carry or possess a pistol, revolver, or semiautomatic rifle.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes sales tax on admission fees for comedy shows, including both scripted and unscripted stand-up performances. It applies to theaters, concert halls, and venues like cabarets or establishments that serve food while hosting comedy acts on a designated stage. The change would allow people to pay less for tickets to comedy performances while still paying sales tax on food and merchandise sold at the venue. The exemption takes effect at the start of the next sales tax quarter after the bill becomes law.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New York's official definition of "eating disorder" in mental health law to explicitly include avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), alongside existing conditions like anorexia and bulimia. It directly affects individuals diagnosed with ARFID by ensuring they qualify for mental health services, insurance coverage, and prevention programs previously limited to other recognized eating disorders. The key mechanism amends two laws: updating the definition in the Mental Hygiene Law (Section 30.02) and requiring the state's eating disorders awareness program to cover this newly included condition. This change ensures ARFID is formally recognized in medical and mental health practice under state law.

Relates to certain guilty pleas where the plea is in the interest of justice and which are entered into with both the permission of the court and the consent of the people.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits commercial octopus farming for human consumption within the state. It bans any person from raising octopus in controlled aquaculture settings (like farms) where the purpose is food production, while explicitly exempting wild-caught octopus and research activities unrelated to commercial farming. Violations carry daily fines of up to $1,000 per offense. The law takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires election boards to extend voting time at affected polling places or districts if voting is disrupted for over 15 consecutive minutes. If disruptions occur, the board must toll the voting clock during the delay and extend voting time proportionally afterward, or schedule additional voting on the next available day if same-day extension is impractical. The board must also publicly notify voters, candidates, media, and community groups about the extended hours through multiple communication channels. This directly affects voters at disrupted locations, election officials managing polling operations, and candidates needing to coordinate with affected districts.