Sen. Brian Kavanagh

Enacts the "New York wildlife crossing act"; directs the department of transportation and the New York state thruway authority to identify sites along all highways, thruways and parkways in the state where wildlife crossings are most needed to increase public safety and improve habitat connectivity and create a priority list of wildlife opportunity areas where federal grant monies may be available to implement the top five projects identified.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the borrowing limit for the New York State Housing Finance Agency to $36.28 billion. The change allows the agency to issue more bonds to fund various housing and community development projects, such as senior citizen housing and mental health facilities. This adjustment applies to the total amount of new debt the agency can create, excluding money used to pay off existing loans. The legislation takes effect immediately upon passage.

Increases the number of traffic-control signal photo violation-monitoring devices that may be installed in New York city to six hundred intersections; extends certain provisions authorizing photo-monitoring devices until December 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows attorneys licensed in New York State to serve as poll watchers at any polling place within the state, regardless of the specific city or county where they are located. The law maintains existing rules requiring poll watchers to be qualified voters and prohibits candidates from acting as watchers in the same election where they are running for office. By amending the election law, the legislation expands the pool of eligible individuals who can monitor elections while ensuring that candidates retain the right to visit polling places on election day.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York's Access to Home and Access to Home for Heroes programs to allow funding for general home repairs alongside accessibility improvements. It permits financial assistance, such as grants or loans, to cover repair costs related to habitability, provided these repairs do not exceed 60% of the total program funding. The legislation sets specific limits, including a maximum contract value of $500,000, a three-year completion timeline, and a cap on administrative expenses at 10% of the contract amount. Additionally, it maintains a rule that no more than 50% of the annual funding can be awarded to any single municipality.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to amend the state constitution to allow the legislature to change the number of supreme court justices in any judicial district. It establishes a rule that the number of justices in a district can be increased based on population, with a limit of one justice for every fifty thousand people, or decreased to a minimum level set by current law. The changes would take effect after a public vote and a subsequent legislative session, giving voters a direct say in the size of the court.

Provides for a working families tax credit; directs quarterly prepayment of the credit; provides for a sliding reduction in the credit for incomes which exceed a certain threshold.

Establishes the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) For Kids Act prohibiting the provision of addictive feeds to minors by addictive social media platforms; establishes remedies and penalties.

Establishes the New York child data protection act to protect minors from having their personal data accessed; provides exceptions in certain circumstances.

Enacts a mattress collection program; requires mattress producers to establish a plan for the convenient and cost-effective recycling of used mattresses.