Sen. Leroy Comrie

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York State's personal income tax rates for high earners, specifically increasing rates for taxpayers with taxable income over $5 million. It modifies tax brackets for three filing categories (single, head of household, and married filing jointly), raising the top marginal rate from 10.30% to 10.80% for incomes exceeding $5 million starting in 2028. The changes apply to tax years beginning after 2027, with temporary adjustments for 2023-2027. The policy directly affects New York residents with very high incomes, increasing their tax liability under the revised brackets.

Allows new buildings where new parking is provided to have an optional, charger-agnostic, power-based allocation method alternative to certain electric vehicle charging infrastructure requirements; requires the department of state division of building standards and codes to promulgate rules and regulations relating to such alternative.

Provides for requirements for the appointment of a guardian for personal needs or property management; requires financial institutions to provide all necessary bank statements for a Medicaid application to a requesting department of social services within thirty days of having received such request.

Extends paid family leave benefits to certain construction employees who shall be eligible for family leave benefits if they were employed for at least twenty-six of the last thirty-nine weeks by any covered employer which is signatory to a collective bargaining agreement; relates to the effectiveness thereof.

Provides a defense from liability for MTA vehicles standing, stopped, or parked in violation of certain bus lane restrictions in New York city where such MTA vehicles were operated by an employee of the MTA performing authorized duties.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York's real property law to clarify requirements for accessing adjoining property to make improvements or repairs. It defines "state entity" to explicitly include agencies like the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and their affiliates. The key provision requires licensees (e.g., contractors) seeking access to obtain commercial general liability insurance naming the adjoining property owner as an additional insured, and to provide proof of this insurance to the owner. These changes directly affect property owners and entities needing access to adjacent land for repairs or improvements.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the franchise tax rate to 9% for businesses with a business income base exceeding $5 million, effective for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025. It replaces a prior rate of 7.25% that applied to these businesses from 2021 through 2024. The change specifically targets larger businesses as defined by the tax law and does not affect smaller businesses or other tax provisions. The legislation directly alters the tax calculation method for this income threshold without introducing new exemptions or deductions.

Directs the department of public service to promulgate rules, regulations and model policies regarding setback requirements for the siting of battery energy storage systems; requires minimum setback requirements for commercial energy storage systems, with a capacity of three megawatts or greater, of no less than seven hundred fifty feet from residential property and no less than three hundred feet from residential property located in a city with a population of one million or more inhabitants; requires public hearings prior to the approval of an application for a permit for such systems.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors Investigator Michael Theetge of the Chemung County Sheriff's Office for receiving the Order of the Blue Heart Award from Wounded Blue, a national organization supporting law enforcement officers injured on duty. The resolution formally commends his 14-year service, leadership as SWAT commander, and recovery from a severe March 2024 on-duty injury, directing that a copy be sent to him as a token of legislative respect.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative Senate Resolution (J 1558) honoring Margaret D. Williams, a Coney Island community leader and member of the doo-wop group The Cookies, who passed away in January 2026. The resolution recognizes her musical legacy - including chart-topping hits like "Chains" and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction - and her decades of community service, including 33 years with NYC Health and her work with the Coney Island History Project. It serves as a symbolic tribute from the legislature, expressing condolences to her family and celebrating her life’s impact. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new laws or affect any policies.