Sen. Andrew Gounardes

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate resolution honoring the life and service of Officer Jose Colon, a retired NYPD officer who recently passed away. It formally acknowledges his career in the U.S. Army and his two decades of police work, including his response to the September 11 attacks and his continued service in the Brewster Police Department. The resolution directs the legislative body to pause its proceedings to mourn his death and instructs that a copy of the document be sent to his family.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks the Governor of New York to officially designate June 2024 as Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month. The resolution highlights the significant impact of the disease, noting that over 427,000 New Yorkers are affected and that it kills more people than breast and prostate cancer combined. By directing the Governor to proclaim this month, the legislature aims to increase public awareness and encourage further action against the disease. The text includes statistics on the rising number of cases, the high cost of care, and the challenges faced by caregivers and communities of color.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Franklin Square & Munson Fire Department, honoring its century of service to the community. The bill formally recognizes the department's history, which began in 1907 with volunteer horse-drawn units and evolved into a modern force serving approximately 30,000 residents. It acknowledges the department's growth from a single company to a multi-unit organization that responds to over 1,000 annual calls for fire and medical emergencies. The resolution expresses gratitude for the firefighters' dedication and directs a copy of the document to the department members.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new work opportunity tax credit for employers in New York who hire residents from specific targeted groups, such as individuals with barriers to employment. Under the proposed rules, eligible businesses can claim a tax credit of up to $500 per employee for qualified wages paid to these workers, provided they receive a certification from the state Department of Labor. The legislation limits the total amount of credits available to $30 million over its lifespan and prevents wages used for this credit from being counted toward other tax incentives. The program is scheduled to begin on April 1, 2025, and will remain in effect until December 31, 2027.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New York State Fashion Workers Act to regulate model management companies and protect the rights of models working in the state. It requires these companies to register with the Department of Labor, providing detailed information about their business operations and ownership, and mandates that larger firms post a financial bond. The law also defines specific duties and prohibited actions for both model management companies and their clients, such as requiring clear written summaries of job terms known as deal memos. Additionally, the act creates a formal process for filing complaints and outlines penalties for violations, ensuring oversight of the fashion modeling industry.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits hospitals from restricting licensed medical practitioners who are acting in good faith and within their professional scope of practice. Specifically, it prevents hospitals from limiting a doctor's ability to share comprehensive medical information with patients or from blocking necessary treatments for pregnancy complications when those services are required to meet the standard of care or prevent serious health risks. The legislation also protects these practitioners from retaliation, such as firing or discipline, if they provide care or communicate in accordance with the new rules. Additionally, the state health department is tasked with creating online materials to help medical staff understand these new protections.

Establishes the climate corporate data accountability act requiring certain business entities within the state to annually disclose scope 1, scope 2 and scope 3 emissions; establishes the climate accountability and emissions disclosure fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill prevents New York residents with an adjusted gross income exceeding ten million dollars from claiming any itemized deduction for charitable contributions on their state tax returns. By amending the state tax law, it removes the ability for high-income individuals to reduce their taxable income by twenty-five percent of their donations, a provision that previously applied to contributions made during specific past years. The change applies immediately to all tax years beginning on or after the effective date, directly impacting the tax liability of wealthy New York taxpayers who make charitable gifts.

Relates to the purchase of zero-emission buses and the procurement of electric-powered buses, vehicles or other related equipment and infrastructure; requires public utilities to have infrastructure, capacity, facilities, and transmission and distribution systems needed to supply power for the charging of zero-emission buses; provides a tariff for charging of electric buses.