Sen. Dean Murray

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4423) clarifies the types of damages survivors can recover in wrongful death cases in New York. It specifically allows recovery for funeral expenses, medical costs related to the injury causing death, emotional distress (grief/anguish), loss of financial support or inheritance, and loss of guidance or companionship. The damages would go directly to the decedent's spouse, children, parents, or others in a parental role (like a guardian), with distribution based on proven financial losses. The bill was vetoed by the governor on December 5, 2025, so it did not become law.

Amends the real property tax exemption for surviving spouses of volunteer firefighters or volunteer ambulance workers killed in the line of duty to permit continuation of such exemption for volunteer members with service between two and five years.

Requires the department of health to publish a report on the incidence of tick-borne illnesses annually on the department's website; requires the department to submit an annual report to the governor and the leaders of the legislature; requires the superintendent of financial services to review the status of health insurance coverage for the treatment of Lyme disease and other tick-borne related diseases and to submit a report to the governor and the leaders of the legislature.

Maddy summaryBill S 3655 establishes a new 25-year retirement plan for firefighters employed by the Division of Military and Naval Affairs. This plan allows eligible firefighters, including airport firefighters and training and safety officers, to retire after completing 25 years of creditable service. Upon retirement, these members would receive a retirement allowance equal to one-half of their final average salary. The bill specifies that creditable service includes time in their DMNA firefighter roles, service as a paid firefighter in other departments, and certain wartime service. Members have one year from the effective date to elect to join this new plan.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits food stores and retail establishments from refusing cash payments for in-person purchases. It requires businesses to accept all U.S. coins and currency (excluding foreign money or checks), bans charging more for cash payments than card payments, and allows exceptions for bills over $20 or remote transactions. Violations carry civil penalties of up to $1,500 per offense, with specific requirements for cash-to-prepaid card devices (free, no minimum deposit, no expiration). The law directly affects retailers selling consumer goods or food on-site, ensuring cash remains a valid payment method without surcharges.

Expands the membership of the interagency task force on trafficking in persons to include the commissioner of the department of transportation, the commissioner of the department of motor vehicles and the executive director of the New York state thruway authority.

Authorizes a court issuing a non-family offense temporary order of protection or an order of protection to direct that such order be filed with the computerized registry for orders of protection and warrants, if it is necessary to fulfill the purposes of such order; directs the superintendent of state police to include such orders on computerized registry.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the required supervised experience period for new real estate brokers from two to five years. It directly affects individuals applying for a real estate broker's license, mandating they have actively worked as a licensed salesperson under a broker for five consecutive years (or equivalent experience). Key provisions include requiring cultural competency training, proof of English language proficiency, knowledge of fair housing laws, and completion of a 152-hour approved course. The bill also specifies that certain course components must be taught in person, not online.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1376) encourages farmers' markets selling farm products in state parks, provided they don't harm the park's environment. It directly affects state parks, farmers' markets operating there, and state agencies like the Department of Agriculture and Markets. Key provisions require parks to post market locations/times online, identify new park locations for markets, and coordinate with agencies like Empire State Development. The law, now effective (signed September 26, 2025), aims to expand access to local food while protecting park integrity.

Relates to training police officers on how to respond to situations involving individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities.