Sen. Joe Addabbo

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 9231) amends New York's criminal procedure law to include "aggravated cruelty to animals" as an offense for which bail may be authorized. It specifically adds this charge - defined under Agriculture and Markets Law § 353-a - to existing lists of offenses where bail eligibility applies. The bill affects defendants charged with aggravated animal cruelty under current law, directly changing their bail eligibility under sections 510.10, 530.20, and 530.40. It does not alter the definition of the crime or its penalties, only the bail process for this specific charge. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 9222) prohibits pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from owning, operating, or controlling pharmacies directly or indirectly. It directly affects PBMs and any entities that currently hold both pharmacy and PBM operations. The law requires violators to divest from pharmacy ownership within three years of the law taking effect, as defined under New York’s Public Health Law. The bill aims to separate pharmacy operations from PBM management to prevent potential conflicts of interest.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new property tax exemption for the primary residence of veterans with a 100% service-connected disability. It applies to veterans who were honorably discharged, have a 100% disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and meet specific criteria like permanent total disability or receipt of VA benefits. The exemption fully removes property taxes and special assessments for qualifying veterans' primary homes, in addition to existing tax benefits. The law takes effect for tax assessments dated October 1, 2026, and does not reduce a property's taxable value below zero.

Maddy summaryS 8809 establishes strict, tiered time limits for filing third-party lawsuits in civil cases. Defendants must file third-party claims within 60 days of serving an answer, with subsequent filers having progressively shorter deadlines (45, 30, and 20 days). The bill generally prohibits filings more than 90 days after serving an answer without court approval, except for workers' compensation cases where the deadline extends to 120 days if employer identity or grave injury details were unknown. This directly affects defendants seeking to add new parties to civil lawsuits, aiming to prevent delays through repetitive third-party filings.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes the language in New York's Public Health Law by replacing the term "addict" with "person with substance use disorder" in sections governing medical treatment. It specifically affects healthcare practitioners who prescribe controlled substances for maintenance or detoxification treatment, ensuring they reference patients as "person with substance use disorder" instead of "addict" in legal documents. The key mechanism is a simple terminology update within existing prescribing provisions, aiming to use more clinical and less stigmatizing language. This change aligns with broader efforts to reduce stigma in healthcare communication.

Relates to welfare, medical, and retirement plans provided by a horsemen's organization in the absence of contractual obligations; provides that in the absence of a contract between the licensed harness racing corporation or association and the representative horsemen's organization, the previous contract shall be automatically extended for a one-time period of twelve months commencing from the date that the previously negotiated contract expired.

Maddy summaryBill S 8084 establishes a statewide public registry for individuals convicted of felony or misdemeanor animal cruelty offenses. These individuals, defined as "animal abusers," would be required to register with the state, providing personal and conviction details, with annual renewals for a specified period or for life in some cases. The registry would be publicly accessible, and failure to register or providing false information would be a felony. Additionally, pet stores and animal shelters would be denied licenses if the applicant is on this registry, and no person would be allowed to sell or transfer an animal to someone listed on the registry. Local animal welfare organizations would also be notified of registered animal abusers in their area.

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.

Establishes a tax credit for commercial trucks entering into the central business district for all additional tolls charged on trips into the central business district after the first entry per day.