Sen. Cordell Cleare

Maddy summaryThis bill redirects specific percentages of revenue from video lottery gaming at Aqueduct, Belmont Park, and Saratoga racetracks to three key areas: (1) 6.5%-7.5% of wagered funds to support New York schools (including those for students with disabilities), (2) 4% to fund racetrack capital improvements (like equine drug testing labs), and (3) 3% for general racing operations. It also allocates 8.5% to a breeding fund and modifies prior funding structures for Nassau/Suffolk video lottery facilities. The bill directly affects New York’s public education system, thoroughbred racing industry, and specific racetracks. It replaces outdated language in tax law to clarify how video lottery gaming revenue is distributed.

Requires that in civil claims under the child victims act, adult survivors act, or a civil sex trafficking claim any insurer who may provide liability coverage for a claim shall, upon request from the claimant or claimant's attorney, provide information regarding each known policy of insurance; provides that a person bringing a civil claim in a sex trafficking case need not disclose their immigration status.

Provides that a business entity may not provide false caller identification information with the intent to defraud or harass any party; provides definition of business entity.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends New York City's on-demand E-hail paratransit pilot program until March 2027, expanding it to include 1,200 additional Access-A-Ride paratransit users. It requires the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to add these new users by March 2026, selecting them to represent diverse demographics (age, disability, location, and usage patterns). The pilot allows enrolled users to book immediate rides via smartphone app or phone, with fares matching standard bus/subway rates and no limits on ride duration or frequency. The MTA must also report on ridership, usage, and costs by April 2027.

Repeals certain provisions relating to use tax exemptions for certain race horses; prevents nonresident race horse owners from avoiding use tax in certain situations.

Maddy summaryThis bill imposes a tax on sugary drinks based on their sugar content per 12-ounce serving. Distributors (like manufacturers and wholesalers) pay the tax, which is added to the retail price: no tax for drinks with ≤7.5g sugar/12oz, $0.01 per ounce for 7.5-30g, and $0.02 per ounce for ≥30g. Revenue from this tax funds a "community health equity fund" as specified in the bill's abstract. The tax applies to most nonalcoholic beverages containing added sugars, excluding medical drinks, milk, natural fruit/vegetable juices, and water.

Establishes a housing succession rights task force to conduct a state-wide assessment of succession rights in rent stabilized, public housing and city or municipal owned buildings.

Maddy summaryBill S 6761 changes how the area median income (AMI) is calculated for new affordable housing programs in New York City. For these programs, the AMI will be determined by using the lower figure between the AMI of the specific zip code where the program is located and the AMI of the broader region. This new calculation method will directly affect how eligibility and rent levels are set for future affordable housing projects within NYC.

Requires every parole officer and employee of the department of corrections and community supervision to wear body cameras with video and audio whenever they are interacting with a parolee; implements the use of cameras in every official office and room in the department.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4160) requires state correctional facilities to provide free voice communication services (like phone calls) to incarcerated individuals, with no cost to the person initiating or receiving the call. It prohibits state agencies from charging fees or generating revenue from these communication services and mandates that in-person visit programs remain available - digital services cannot replace them. The law repeals an existing correction law section and takes effect April 1, 2026, applying to new or renewed communication contracts after that date. It directly affects incarcerated people in state prisons and youth detention centers by guaranteeing free access to basic voice communication.