Sen. Leroy Comrie

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3777) requires manufacturers and franchisors to pay used car dealers compensation when they cannot sell or repair vehicles subject to safety recalls. Specifically, dealers receive 1.75% of a vehicle's trade-in value (based on a public guide) for every 30 days they cannot sell or repair a recalled vehicle due to manufacturer restrictions or unavailable parts. The law prohibits manufacturers from retaliating against dealers who claim this compensation, such as by reducing payments or withholding inventory. It directly affects used car dealers, manufacturers, and franchisors, ensuring dealers aren't financially penalized for holding recalled vehicles. The compensation mechanism applies only when parts/repairs aren't available, and dealers cannot double-claim from other manufacturer programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3400) amends two sections of New York's nonprofit and religious corporation laws to correct technical errors. It modifies provisions related to foreign corporations in mergers (allowing service of process in New York for certain liabilities) and updates rules for religious corporations (requiring court approval for long-term property leases or sales, with exceptions for purchase money mortgages). The changes directly affect nonprofit corporations and religious organizations operating in New York. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment, as specified in Section 3. Note: The official abstract mentioning "tax errors" does not align with the actual provisions in the bill text, which address corporate governance and property transactions.

Expands the emergency medical technician re-certification demonstration program throughout the state; extends the length of such re-certification from five years to seven years.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 4371 (STAR Act), removes a fee that mass transit authorities pay when issuing bonds. It directly affects major agencies like the MTA, NYC Transit, Triborough Bridge Authority, and regional transit authorities across New York State. The key provision exempts these authorities from paying up to 1% of bond value as a fee, freeing funds that can now be used for maintaining service or funding infrastructure projects instead of paying the state. The change takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Provides that a sponsoring agency shall give notice to persons owning property within 500 feet of a proposed site of a community residential facility; requires hearings to include evaluation of alternative sites; gives the municipality additional time to respond; gives municipality sixty rather than forty days after such notice to approve or object to the proposed site.

Maddy summaryS 2168 allows the New York State Thruway Authority to offer a 50% toll discount to eligible farmers transporting agricultural products. This discount applies only to farmers who qualify for a specific tax exemption under New York Tax Law §606(a)(2)(A), requiring them to provide their exemption certificate to receive E-ZPass tags. The discount covers regular toll rates (not surcharges) and excludes non-commercial vehicle travel. It will take effect January 1, 2027, directly benefiting farmers meeting the tax exemption criteria under Agriculture and Markets Law.

Maddy summaryS 4994 establishes an immediate ban on family courts using reports from forensic child custody evaluators (licensed psychologists, psychiatrists, or social workers) in custody or visitation cases. The bill prohibits courts from ordering or admitting such reports into evidence, directly affecting judges, attorneys, and families involved in custody disputes. It defines "forensic custody report" broadly to include any evaluation, assessment, or recommendation used by courts in these cases. The moratorium remains in place until all 11 recommendations from the Blue-Ribbon Commission on forensic custody evaluations are implemented.

Creates the city university of New York center for excellence in urban education to enhance the quality of teaching in public schools in NYC; establishes the regents public school teacher loan forgiveness program to allocate awards annually to teachers who agree to teach public school in an area of New York state designated by the board of regents as having a shortage of public school teachers.

Maddy summaryS 4429 requires gas and electric corporations in New York to dedicate 40% of their operating budget starting in 2026 to strengthen power systems against storms and outages. This includes hardening infrastructure, improving response times, and clearing trees near power lines to reduce outages. Corporations must submit quarterly reports to the Public Service Commission documenting compliance and include this evidence when requesting rate increases. The law aims to make power lines more resilient statewide, with the first reports due April 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance to create rules mandating that homeless shelters in New York undergo at least four unannounced inspections each year - once per quarter. The inspections will be conducted by the state department or local social services districts. The law directly affects all facilities providing shelter for homeless individuals statewide by requiring regular, surprise safety and operational checks. It establishes a concrete, annual inspection schedule without changing shelter funding or services.