Sen. Brian Kavanagh

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution commemorates the 50th anniversary of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, a nonprofit organization founded in 1977 to support African American lawmakers. The bill formally recognizes the group's role in advocating for equity and providing resources to over 700 state legislators representing more than 50 million people. It directs the legislative body to pause its proceedings to honor the organization's contributions and mandates that a copy of the resolution be sent to the caucus. As a procedural measure, the bill does not alter laws or policies but serves to acknowledge the milestone and the organization's impact on public service.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks the Governor of New York to officially recognize May 2025 as Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month. The resolution highlights the impact of cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease affecting thousands of New Yorkers, and notes the importance of public awareness and early diagnosis. It does not change laws or allocate funds but serves to bring attention to the condition and support for those affected.

Enacts the "bird safe buildings act" directing the commissioner of general services to incorporate practices and strategies to reduce bird fatality resulting from collisions with certain state-owned or state-leased buildings, and for other purposes; requires the commissioner to develop a design guide that includes features, methods and strategies, and best practices for reducing bird fatalities.

Imposes a moratorium on the issuance of permits for new data centers; requires the public service commission to issue an order or orders to minimize the impact of new data centers on electricity and gas rates for residential, commercial, and industrial users; clarifies that certain provisions are applicable to the Long Island power authority.

Maddy summaryBill S 1454 requires local social services districts to set shelter allowances based on a recipient's actual rent obligation. These allowances would be capped at up to 100% of the current fair market rent, as determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, for the corresponding unit size in that district. This change directly affects individuals receiving shelter allowances and the local social services districts responsible for administering them.

Maddy summaryS 1209, the "Marvin Mayfield Act," eliminates mandatory minimum sentences for felony convictions by amending sentencing laws. It requires courts to issue written sentencing decisions explaining individualized findings, rather than applying fixed minimum terms. The bill also expands pre-sentence reports to include analysis of incarceration costs and increases access to these reports for defendants and their attorneys before sentencing. This directly affects individuals convicted of felonies in New York State, shifting sentencing focus toward rehabilitation and community safety over rigid minimum terms.

Enacts the "low-carbon building construction act"; relates to requiring construction of any building, addition or renovation greater than 25,000 square feet meet certain standards intended to reduce the embodied carbon emissions associated with the construction.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows residential cooperative corporations in New York to offer health insurance to their shareholders and dependents. To qualify, the cooperative must have existed for at least two years and cannot be created solely to obtain insurance coverage. The insurance must be provided by a state-authorized insurer, and the law clarifies that offering this coverage does not mean the cooperative is acting as an insurance company itself. The Superintendent of Financial Services will create rules to ensure financial stability, prevent discrimination, and require proper reporting. The changes will take effect 180 days after the bill becomes law.

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.

Relates to actions or practices that establish or maintain a monopoly, monopsony or restraint of trade; authorizes a class action lawsuit in the state anti-trust law.