Sen. Leroy Comrie

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2563) amends the state constitution to require that public service commissioners be elected by voters rather than appointed by the governor. It directly affects the public service commission, which oversees utility regulation (like electricity and gas providers). The key mechanism is changing the constitutional language to specify that commissioners "shall be elected in a manner to be prescribed by law," meaning future legislation will define the election process. The bill does not set specific election rules but creates the constitutional basis for elected commissioners. This change would shift oversight of utility regulation from appointed officials to elected representatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 160) proposes a constitutional amendment to grant voting rights to people incarcerated in state correctional facilities. It would amend the state constitution to explicitly include "any incarcerated person" among citizens entitled to vote in all elections, provided they are 18+ and meet standard residency requirements (30 days in the county, city, or village before an election). The amendment would directly affect incarcerated individuals by restoring their voting eligibility, aligning with existing constitutional provisions for other citizens. The bill requires a constitutional amendment process, including legislative approval and a public referendum after the next general election.

Provides an exemption from requirements for the alienation of parkland for renewable energy generating projects with a generating capacity not exceeding two megawatts and which are located above real property currently used for vehicle parking.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4393) proposes a constitutional amendment to allow all qualified voters to request mail-in ballots without needing to provide a specific reason, such as being away from their county or having a disability. It would remove the current requirement that voters state a "cause" (like absence or illness) to qualify for absentee voting. The change would make mail-in voting accessible to any eligible voter, streamlining the process and expanding voting options. The bill is currently under review by the Judiciary committee and awaiting an attorney general opinion.

Provides that the Governor's annual budget proposal to the Legislature shall include statements of any new legislation, amendment to legislation, or limitation on the effect of any legislation contained in the budget; makes related provisions granting the legislature an equal role with the governor in the budget process.

Amends the constitution to delete the requirement that registration for purposes of voting be completed at least ten days before election day; provides that laws be made to adequately safeguard against deception in the exercise of the right of suffrage.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits evictions from residential properties in New York State during periods of "inclement winter weather," defined as temperatures at or below 32°F (including wind chill), typically occurring from November through April. It directly affects all residential tenants in New York, with the legislature noting evictions disproportionately impact Black and Latinx households. The law amends real property law to block eviction proceedings during these cold-weather periods, citing health risks like increased mortality and homelessness linked to winter displacement. The ban aims to protect public health and safety by preventing homelessness during conditions that exacerbate exposure-related health crises.

Eliminates certain court surcharges and fees and probation and parole surcharges and fees; eliminates the requirement that a parolee or releasee receiving a merit termination of sentence be financially able to comply with an order of restitution; eliminates the requirement that a person receiving a discharge of sentence be financially able to comply with an order of restitution and the payment of certain surcharges or fees (Part A); mandates that courts engage in an individualized assessment of a person's financial ability to pay a fine prior to imposing a fine (Part B); eliminates the availability of incarceration as a remedy for a failure to pay a fine, surcharge, or fee, lifts and vacates existing warrants issued solely on a person's failure to timely pay a fine, surcharge or fee and ends existing sentences of incarceration based on such failure (Part C); vacates existing unsatisfied civil judgments based on a person's failure to timely pay a surcharge, or fee (Part D); prohibits the collection of a fine, restitution or reparation from the funds of an incarcerated person; prohibits the payment of court fines, mandatory surcharges, certain fees, restitution, reparation or forfeitures from the earnings of prisoners (Part E); vacates existing unpaid surcharges, DNA databank fees, crime victim assistance fees, sexual offender registration fees, supplemental sex offender victim fees, or probation or parole supervision fees; repeals certain provisions of law relating to restrictions on remitting such fees (Part F).

Enacts the "food delivery worker safety and fair algorithms act" to prohibit food delivery platforms from utilizing or deploying any algorithmic management system that requires or incentivizes delivery workers to complete deliveries within a fixed or rigid time window that cannot reasonably be met while complying with all applicable traffic laws and safety regulations; penalizes, deactivates, suspends, deprioritizes, or otherwise limits a delivery worker's access to work opportunities for failure to meet delivery time estimates that do not account for traffic patterns, traffic congestion, weather conditions, restaurant delays, or lawful compliance with traffic signals, signage, and rules of the road; directly or indirectly incentivizes speeding, unsafe operation of a vehicle or bicycle, or disregard of traffic control devices, signage, or pedestrian right-of-way; and reduces pay, tips, bonuses, or access to incentives based on a delivery worker's refusal or inability to engage in unsafe or unlawful conduct.

Requires registration of electric scooter programs; establishes the street and sidewalk infrastructure fund for projects supporting the repair, maintenance, and improvement of streets, sidewalks, and related pedestrian infrastructure.