Sen. Robert Jackson

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the state constitution to allow limited uses of forest preserve land while maintaining its core protection. It permits specific highway construction (up to 300 acres total), ski trail development (up to 25 miles on Whiteface, Belleayre, and Gore/Pete Gay mountains), and land exchanges with municipalities for public purposes like airport extensions, cemeteries, and water wells. The bill requires legislative approval for land exchanges and ensures the state receives land of equal value in return. It directly affects state management of forest preserve lands and local governments seeking land for public infrastructure. The bill does not address the Mount Van Hoevenberg Olympic Sports Complex, as its title suggests, but focuses on constitutional changes to forest preserve regulations.

Requires the appointment of a Title VI coordinator at every college and university in the state to ensure compliance with Title VI of the federal civil rights act of 1964; requires the division of human rights to develop training for students and employees; requires the Title VI coordinator to notify annually all students and employees of the institution's policies and procedures for reporting discrimination and harassment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires day care homes to maintain a specific caregiver-to-child ratio for infants and toddlers. It mandates one caregiver for every two children under eighteen months in both group family day care homes (serving 7-12 children) and standard family day care homes (serving 3-6 children). The law also specifies that family day care homes may serve up to eight children if no more than six are under school age and school-aged children are accommodated during non-school hours. These requirements apply to all qualifying homes operating under New York's social services law. The bill directly affects home-based day care providers caring for young children.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (J 1100) asks Governor Hochul to officially recognize September 21-27, 2025, as Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD) Awareness Week in New York State. It does not create new laws or funding but aims to raise public awareness about FTD, a terminal brain disease affecting speech, behavior, and motor skills, often misdiagnosed in people aged 40-60. The resolution highlights FTD's impact - accounting for 10-20% of dementia cases under 60 - and its high care costs, urging greater attention to the condition. This symbolic action directly affects New Yorkers living with FTD and their families by promoting community recognition.

Relates to audio-visual coverage of judicial proceedings by the media; allows the judge or justice presiding over a proceeding to exercise discretion to prohibit or limit filming or photographing of particular participants; defines terms; provides limitations on audio-visual coverage.

Authorizes the secretary of state to appoint a person from the utility intervention unit within the consumer protection division to serve on the state energy planning board.

Includes not-for-profit corporations and public television or radio corporations in the definition of business entity; allows such entities to claim the newspaper and broadcast media jobs tax credit.

Enacts the "keep police radio public act"; ensures that, except for sensitive information, all radio communications are accessible to emergency services organizations and professional journalists.

Provides that the thruway authority shall issue permits for ambulances and fire vehicles exempting such vehicles from paying tolls on the thruway when engaged in an emergency operation.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (J 1131) is a ceremonial tribute honoring U.S. Army Air Forces Staff Sergeant Eugene J. Darrigan, who died in World War II on March 11, 1944. It commemorates his service and recognizes his long-overdue burial in Wappingers Falls, New York, on May 24, 2025, after remains were recovered 81 years posthumously. The resolution expresses New York State's gratitude to Darrigan's family and community for his sacrifice, but it does not create new laws or affect any policies. As a symbolic gesture, it was adopted by the Senate on June 5, 2025.