Sen. Steve Chan

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New York City and its counties to exclude estimated uncollectible real estate taxes from the annual tax limitation cap. It permits cities to set aside a reserve for taxes they anticipate won't be paid (due to inability or refusal to pay), reducing the amount counted toward the tax limit. The reserve specifically excludes abatements or exemptions authorized by existing tax laws (like those for seniors or historic properties). This change takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Allows reservists who have served or who are currently serving in the United States armed forces to be eligible for 2.5 points on civil service examinations.

Maddy summaryS 1781 amends New York's animal cruelty law to broaden the definition of "aggravated cruelty" to companion animals. It removes the previous requirement that an animal must be killed to qualify as aggravated cruelty, making it a crime to intentionally cause serious injury or kill a pet with extreme pain or sadistic conduct. The bill directly affects individuals who commit severe animal abuse, expanding legal consequences beyond cases resulting in death. Key provisions clarify that "aggravated cruelty" includes acts intended to cause extreme suffering or carried out in a depraved manner, regardless of whether the animal dies. This change creates a clearer legal standard for prosecuting severe animal cruelty cases.

Enacts "the combating campus antisemitism act"; prohibits the granting of tuition assistance awards to any student who has knowingly engaged in promoting antisemitism in a manner that is directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action and is likely to incite or produce such action, that constitutes "true threats"; makes related provisions.

Maddy summaryS 4614 requires that any revenue from new or increased state taxes be deposited into a special fund. This fund then distributes payments annually to all cities, villages, and towns (outside villages) based on their proportion of the state's total property value. The payments must be used directly to lower each municipality's local property tax levy, reducing residents' property tax bills. The bill takes effect January 1, 2026, after passing committee referral.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a religious exemption allowing children to attend school without required vaccinations if their parent, guardian, or legal custodian holds genuine and sincere religious beliefs opposing the vaccines. It directly affects families seeking to exempt their children from vaccination requirements for school attendance. The key provision amends public health law to require schools to accept such religious exemptions without demanding a certificate, while still reporting immunization status for exempt children. The exemption covers vaccines for diseases like measles, polio, and pertussis, as specified in existing law. This changes school vaccination policy by adding a religious exception to the current immunization requirements.

Enhances penalties for aggravated cruelty to animals by making such offense a felony, including torture, beating, or killing of any animal; makes animal cruelty, including overdriving or depriving an animal of sustenance a felony when committed while released on recognizance for violating an order of protection; allows aggravated animal abuse to be considered for bail.

Relates to the required disclosure upon the release of a juvenile or adolescent offender from the custody of the office of children and family services of certain records that are necessary to ascertain the nature of such offender's conviction and would be beneficial in identifying and mitigating any risk that such offender could pose if released.

Enacts the New York state antisemitism vandalism act which establishes the crime of vandalism of pro-Israel print, which provides a class A misdemeanor for any individual who intentionally destroys, damages, removes, or causes to be destroyed, damaged or removed any banner, poster, flyer or billboard which is located in a public space, where the intent or purpose of such banner, poster, flyer or billboard is to bring awareness for Israeli individuals who have been victims of a crime, or to positively support the country or citizens of Israel in any way.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1943) expands New York's hate crime definition to include trespassing at religious buildings like churches, synagogues, mosques, or other houses of worship. It directly affects individuals who commit trespass at these locations while targeting someone based on their race, religion, gender identity, or other protected characteristics. The key change amends the penal law to add these locations to the list of places where a hate crime can be charged, raising the offense level if convicted. This creates a specific legal pathway for prosecuting bias-motivated trespass at religious sites.