Sen. Andrew Gounardes

Relates to the imposition of sales and compensating use taxes with respect to certain aircraft; repeals provisions relating to the exemption from sales and compensating use taxes of general aviation aircraft, and machinery or equipment to be installed on such aircraft.

Provides that certain allegations made by employees involving employment discrimination shall be protected and matters of public interest in actions involving public petition and participation.

Prohibits the enforcement of mandatory arbitration agreements clauses and joint-action waivers with respect to workplace disputes; clarifies that section 7515 of the civil practice laws and rules applies retroactively to nullify pre-existing illegal mandatory arbitration clauses.

Relates to parole eligibility for certain incarcerated persons age fifty-five or older if they have served at least fifteen years of their sentence or sentences.

Enacts the "Empowering People in Rights Enforcement (EMPIRE) Worker Protection Act"; relates to the delegation of state enforcement authority to private actors; authorizes an affected employee, whistleblower, representative organization or an organizational deputy to initiate a public enforcement action on behalf of the commissioner for certain provisions of the labor law, or any regulation promulgated thereunder.

Requires that all sexual offense evidence shall be kept in a locked, separate and secure area for twenty years from the date of collection or until the victim's fortieth birthday, whichever is later; makes other sexual offense evidence collection kit procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands retirement service credit eligibility for various law enforcement officers in New York State, including those in the Department of Environmental Conservation, regional state park police, university police, and the New York Waterfront Commission. It requires these officers to be automatically covered by the state police retirement provisions and grants credit for their previous police service when calculating retirement benefits. The legislation also provides additional service credit for state university police officers who meet specific training and service requirements. These changes will take effect on July 1, 2026, and apply to officers entering or re-entering service after specified dates.

Relates to the establishment of a single computerized state DNA identification index; requires municipalities to expunge any DNA record stored in a municipal DNA identification index.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Access to Representation Act, would guarantee the right to legal counsel for certain low-income individuals facing immigration proceedings in New York. It directly affects non-citizens and citizens with disputed status who are detained or subject to removal, as well as those with a significant connection to the state. Under the proposed law, eligible individuals would receive ongoing legal representation from designated providers starting from their first court appearance or as soon as possible thereafter. The program would be administered by the New York State Office for New Americans, which would set income limits and oversee the delivery of legal services.

Maddy summaryThis bill would temporarily exempt basic school supplies from sales tax during a 15-day period each year - the 15 days preceding Labor Day (the first Monday in September). It applies to items like backpacks, textbooks, pens, notebooks, and calculators purchased for under $110 total per transaction. The exemption covers only purchases made during this specific annual window, directly benefiting families buying school essentials for the upcoming school year. The bill amends tax law to create this temporary relief period while maintaining existing tax definitions.