Sen. Dean Murray

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors the recipients of the LeadingAge New York 2024 Long Term Care Employee of Distinction Awards. It specifically recognizes over 400 individuals working in not-for-profit and public senior care facilities across New York State, including nurses, social workers, and support staff. The bill directs the legislature to pause briefly to acknowledge these employees and requires that copies of the resolution be sent to each award recipient. This action serves as a formal commendation for their dedication during a period of workforce challenges and post-pandemic recovery.

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, known as "Nick's law," increases the penalties for drivers who leave the scene of an accident that results in a death. Under the new provisions, such an offense is elevated to a Class B felony, which carries a fine between thirty thousand and fifty thousand dollars, in addition to any other applicable penalties. The legislation also modifies how courts handle cases involving adolescent offenders charged with this specific crime, requiring stricter criteria for transferring these cases to family court compared to other serious felonies. By raising the severity of the punishment and adjusting juvenile court procedures, the bill aims to address the consequences of fatal hit-and-run incidents more directly.

Establishes the safe water and infrastructure action program for the purpose of making payments toward the replacement and rehabilitation of certain existing local drinking water, storm water and sanitary sewer systems; applies to any county, city, town, village or public authority drinking water system, storm water system or sanitary sewer system within the state that is not under the maintenance and/or operational jurisdiction of a private entity; does not apply to NYC.

Requires plainly legible display of building numbers on all buildings to which numbers have been assigned; provides for a fine for violations of such requirement.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new retirement benefit for New York State public employees who have volunteered as firefighters or in emergency services. Under the law, eligible workers can earn one year of retirement credit for every five years of volunteer service, up to a maximum of three years total. To receive this credit, employees must apply before retiring and pay a fee based on their recent earnings, while the state and their employers cover the remaining costs. The legislation also ensures that any money paid for this credit is refunded with interest if the employee dies before retiring and does not benefit from the additional service time.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits state agencies from requiring visitors to use credit cards to pay fees at state parks, recreational facilities, and historic sites. It mandates that these locations must accept cash payments from all patrons while allowing them to voluntarily accept credit cards through separate agreements with financing agencies. The legislation clarifies that any credit card acceptance must be optional for visitors and governed by specific terms set out in contracts between the state and financial institutions.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Act to create a dedicated funding mechanism for improving groundwater and surface water quality across the county. It establishes a new water quality restoration fund financed by an additional sales tax of one-eighth of one percent, which would be approved through a mandatory referendum and remain in effect until 2060. The revenue generated would be split evenly between funding individual septic system upgrades and larger wastewater treatment facility projects. Additionally, the legislation grants the county authority to consolidate existing sewer districts into a single county-wide wastewater management district to streamline operations and enforce nitrogen reduction goals. The bill also outlines a schedule for transferring a portion of existing sewer taxpayer protection funds into the new restoration fund over a ten-year period.

Prohibits state funding of any college if instructional staff promotes, encourages, advocates or engages in activities on campus in support of a terrorist organization as defined in federal statute.