Sen. Andrew Lanza

Maddy summaryS 3721 requires New York's education commissioner to reschedule any cancelled Regents examinations within 20 business days of the original test date. This directly affects students whose exams were cancelled due to disruptions like weather or emergencies. The key provision mandates the commissioner to establish new test dates promptly, ensuring minimal disruption to graduation timelines. The bill creates a clear, time-bound process for rescheduling without altering exam content or standards. (Procedural bill; summary focuses on concrete requirement.)

Establishes the "education affordability act" and tax credit; provides credits against income and corporate franchise tax for various qualified education investments including scholarships, education funds and home-based instructional materials.

Enacts the child custody reform act to provide uniform statewide standards for the litigation and mediation of child custody disputes; provides for an initial planning conference between the judge and all parties to attempt a settlement; provides for mediation unless the court finds mediation is inappropriate; requires the chief administrator of the courts to establish plans for the conduct of administration of the mediation and preparation of evaluation reports.

Maddy summaryS 6941 requires public authorities (like state agencies or public corporations) to hold at least one public hearing before purchasing materials overseas valued over $100,000 for capital projects. This applies to all such procurements exceeding the threshold, directly affecting public authorities making these specific overseas purchases. The key mechanism mandates the public hearing as a prerequisite step before the purchase is finalized. The bill does not alter procurement standards or costs but adds a transparency requirement for large overseas purchases. It becomes effective 30 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $1,000 supplemental payment for New York taxpayers who claim a newborn baby as a dependent on their federal tax return. It directly affects parents or guardians with newborns not previously claimed as dependents, providing the payment for each qualifying child starting in tax year 2026. The payment is issued automatically by the state tax commissioner and treated as an overpayment if it exceeds the taxpayer's state tax bill. The credit applies to newborns born in the current or prior tax year, with payments beginning April 1, 2026.

Establishes the "New York state veterans cemetery act"; directs the division to conduct an investigation and study on the issue of the establishment of a New York state veterans cemetery funding program.

Directs the metropolitan transportation authority to contract with a certified public accounting firm for the conducting of an independent forensic audit of such authority.

Relates to the notification of county boards of elections of an individual's death and the subsequent removal of such voter's name from the applicable registration roll.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires drivers renewing their licenses to prove they have adequate vision for safe driving. It affects all New York drivers applying to renew a standard non-commercial license. Applicants must either pass a vision test given by the DMV or provide a written certification from a doctor, optometrist, or other approved healthcare provider confirming their vision meets safety standards. The requirement applies specifically to license renewals, not new applications.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York's criminal procedure and penal laws to change how certain assault charges are handled in court. It requires defendants charged with second-degree assault (a class D felony) to enter a guilty plea, overriding other legal provisions. The bill also updates the definition of a "dangerous instrument" to explicitly include vehicles and umbrellas used in ways that could cause serious harm. These changes apply to cases involving assault during felonies, not specifically school grounds as the abstract suggests. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025.