Sen. Andrew Gounardes

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution congratulating Jolie Chichak, a Shenendehowa High School student, on winning the 2025 NYSPHSAA Girls Tennis Singles State Championship. It formally recognizes her athletic achievement (including her first Section 2 singles title and school's first state singles championship) and academic record (96.33 GPA). The resolution has no policy impact - it solely offers symbolic recognition to Chichak and her coaches/school staff. It does not create legal obligations or alter any laws.

Maddy summaryThis is a procedural Senate resolution (not a bill), requesting Governor Hochul to declare July 1, 2026, as "Canada Day" in New York State. It memorializes the strong economic, cultural, and trade ties between New York and Canada, including $17 billion in annual exports and over 1,300 Canadian businesses operating in the state. The resolution has no binding effect; it simply asks the Governor to issue a ceremonial proclamation recognizing these connections. The legislature adopted it on February 3, 2026, and will send it to the Governor and Canada's New York Consul General.

Requires certain watercraft, aircrafts, and trains to use clean energy, including ensuring such vehicles are zero-emissions; requires NYSERDA to study zero-emission commercial vehicles, the use of renewable energy in publicly funded airports, and the use of sustainable aviation fuel; requires NYSERDA to administer a grant program to flying schools and clubs that install charging infrastructure.

Provides an exemption from requirements for the alienation of parkland for renewable energy generating projects with a generating capacity not exceeding two megawatts and which are located above real property currently used for vehicle parking.

Maddy summaryS 2221 would change New York's state budget process from an annual cycle to a biennial one, requiring the governor to submit a single budget covering two fiscal years instead of one per year. This affects state agencies (which must provide budget estimates to the governor), the legislature (which receives and reviews the biennial budget), and the judiciary (which must submit its financial needs by December 1 annually). The bill amends constitutional provisions to require biennial budget submissions by February 1 following gubernatorial elections, with the budget detailing expenditures and revenues for the next two years. It also modifies the rule that funds must be spent within three years of appropriation. The change aims to create longer-term budget planning by state government.

Provides that all persons have the right to grow, raise, harvest, produce and consume the food of their own choosing for their own nourishment, sustenance, bodily health and well-being, and the right to be free from hunger, malnutrition, starvation and the endangerment of life from the scarcity of or lack of access to nourishing food.

Provides that the Governor's annual budget proposal to the Legislature shall include statements of any new legislation, amendment to legislation, or limitation on the effect of any legislation contained in the budget; makes related provisions granting the legislature an equal role with the governor in the budget process.

Amends the constitution to delete the requirement that registration for purposes of voting be completed at least ten days before election day; provides that laws be made to adequately safeguard against deception in the exercise of the right of suffrage.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1117) proposes a constitutional amendment requiring the state to provide free public education for all students from pre-kindergarten through undergraduate degree programs. It would amend the state constitution to mandate that the legislature fund and maintain a system of free quality education covering all public K-12 schools and post-secondary institutions offering bachelor's degrees or certifications. The amendment must be approved by voters in a future election after a 3-month public review period, as outlined in the bill's text. Currently, the bill is under review by the Judiciary Committee following an attorney general's opinion.

Eliminates certain court surcharges and fees and probation and parole surcharges and fees; eliminates the requirement that a parolee or releasee receiving a merit termination of sentence be financially able to comply with an order of restitution; eliminates the requirement that a person receiving a discharge of sentence be financially able to comply with an order of restitution and the payment of certain surcharges or fees (Part A); mandates that courts engage in an individualized assessment of a person's financial ability to pay a fine prior to imposing a fine (Part B); eliminates the availability of incarceration as a remedy for a failure to pay a fine, surcharge, or fee, lifts and vacates existing warrants issued solely on a person's failure to timely pay a fine, surcharge or fee and ends existing sentences of incarceration based on such failure (Part C); vacates existing unsatisfied civil judgments based on a person's failure to timely pay a surcharge, or fee (Part D); prohibits the collection of a fine, restitution or reparation from the funds of an incarcerated person; prohibits the payment of court fines, mandatory surcharges, certain fees, restitution, reparation or forfeitures from the earnings of prisoners (Part E); vacates existing unpaid surcharges, DNA databank fees, crime victim assistance fees, sexual offender registration fees, supplemental sex offender victim fees, or probation or parole supervision fees; repeals certain provisions of law relating to restrictions on remitting such fees (Part F).