Sen. Andrew Gounardes

Subjects to taxation the possessory interest of a private individual or corporation which uses real property owned by the United States or the state, except for real property owned by public authorities, for business purposes; excludes private property where the use is for a concession available to the general public located on property, such as parks, available for the use of the general public.

Requires employers to annually report to the division of human rights the number of settlements with employees and other individuals performing services in the workplace regarding claims of discrimination on the basis of sex, including verbal and physical sexual harassment; requires the division of human rights to provide an annual report to the governor and the legislature; makes conforming technical changes.

Requires an insurance company which owns a health care provider to pay any health care provider which it does not own an amount that is no less than the amount that it pays a health care provider which it does own for a comparable service; prohibits an insurance company which is owned by a health care provider from paying any health care provider which does not own such insurance company an amount that is less than the amount that it pays a health care provider which does own such company for a comparable service.

Enacts the "home utility weatherization jobs act"; requires each gas corporation, electric corporation, or combination gas or electric corporation to submit to the public service commission for review and approval at least one and up to ten neighborhood scale weatherization and electrification-ready projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill ensures students with disabilities attending non-public schools in New York have the same due process rights and access to special education services as students in public schools. It requires school districts to provide these services upon written request from parents or guardians by specific deadlines, with exceptions for students identified with disabilities after certain dates. School districts must develop a personalized education plan for each student and allow parents to challenge decisions through due process procedures if they disagree with service recommendations or evaluations. The bill applies to all non-public school students with disabilities in New York and mandates equitable service provision compared to public school students.

Prohibits the release of a consumer's electrical or gas consumption data to any police officer, or private, local, state or federal law enforcement entity without a judicial court-ordered subpoena, warrant or the consumer's written consent.

Relates to the issuance of arrest warrants upon a youth who is still in high school; provides for the police officer to make a reasonable effort to notify the parent or other person legally responsible for the care of such youth or with whom the youth is domiciled that the youth has been arrested; provides that the police officer need not notify the parent or other person legally responsible when such youth is not also a juvenile offender and the notification would endanger the health and safety of such youth; amends provisions relating to sexually exploited children to include persons under the age of nineteen.

Decreases the frequency of lock-down drills in schools; directs that such drills shall be implemented with a trauma-informed approach; permits parents to opt their children out of such drills.

Maddy summarySenate Bill S 559 increases the minimum compensation for election workers in New York City. Specifically, it raises the daily pay for election inspectors to $300 and election coordinators to $350. The bill also increases the minimum payment for election inspectors and poll clerks who attend required training sessions from $25 to $50, allowing counties to optionally provide transportation expenses. This legislation directly affects individuals serving in these roles during elections and training periods within New York City.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 2043 formally congratulates 52 individuals who have been named the 2026 New York State Senate Women of Distinction. This ceremonial resolution recognizes these women for their professional achievements and personal contributions to their communities. The Senate will send copies of the resolution to each honoree as a gesture of appreciation. The bill does not create new laws or change existing policies, but rather serves to honor these individuals for their impact on New York State.