Sen. Andrew Gounardes

Maddy summaryS 1279 would create a new license allowing supermarkets (defined as 4,000+ square feet with over 65% food sales revenue) to sell sealed wine for off-premises consumption. It requires a $10,000 franchise fee and prohibits licenses within 200 feet of schools/churches or 500 feet of liquor stores. Local governments cannot ban these licenses but may regulate operating times or locations. The bill would expand wine sales in grocery settings while preempting conflicting local laws.

Establishes energy efficiency measures by the public service commission and NYSERDA including requiring utilities to hire and train employees who are from priority populations or living in areas designated as environmental justice communities.

Establishes the "division of research and analysis" which is a part of the legislative library and assists members of the legislature by providing research and analysis on policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3386) affects New York residents with New York adjusted gross income exceeding $10 million. It prohibits them from claiming a 25% itemized deduction for charitable contributions that would otherwise be allowed under federal tax law. The change applies to taxable years starting after the bill's effective date, removing this specific deduction for high-income New Yorkers. The policy directly impacts tax deductions for charitable giving among the highest earners in the state.

Creates statewide emergency and crisis response council to work in conjunction with the commissioners of mental health and addiction services to jointly approve emergency and crisis services plans submitted by local governments, and provide supports regarding the operation and financing of high-quality emergency and crisis services provided to persons experiencing a mental health, alcohol use, or substance use crisis.

Provides for the revocation of licenses to sell cigarettes, tobacco products, alcohol and lottery tickets for the possession or sale of illicit cannabis in violation of the cannabis law.

Maddy summaryThis New York bill (S 7876) eliminates the state tax deduction for gambling losses. It directly affects New York taxpayers who itemize deductions and claim gambling losses on their state returns. The law changes the tax code to set the state deduction for gambling losses at zero percent of the federal amount allowed under IRS rules. This means taxpayers can no longer deduct gambling losses from their New York state taxable income, effective for tax years beginning January 1, 2025. The change applies to all such taxpayers regardless of their gambling activity level.

Maddy summaryS 2429 creates a New York state tax credit for employers who hire residents from targeted groups (like veterans, ex-offenders, or long-term unemployed individuals) as defined by federal law. Employers can claim up to $500 per eligible employee annually, with a total lifetime cap of $90 million and an annual limit of $30 million. The credit reduces state tax liability but cannot lower tax below minimum thresholds, and any unused credit is treated as an overpayment. The program applies to wages paid starting January 1, 2026, and expires December 31, 2028. It directly affects New York employers hiring from specified target populations.

Maddy summaryS 2331 removes buprenorphine from the legal definitions of "controlled substance" and "narcotic preparation" under New York's penal law. This change means possessing buprenorphine (a medication used to treat opioid use disorder) will no longer be treated as a criminal offense under these specific provisions. The bill amends two sections of the penal law to exclude buprenorphine from lists that previously carried criminal penalties for possession. It will take effect on November 1, 2025.

Lowers the blood alcohol concentration required for driving while intoxicated from .08 of one per centum to .05, and for aggravated driving while intoxicated from .18 per centum to .12.