Sen. Robert Jackson

Establishes a captive insurance program for commuter vans, black cars, ambulettes and paratransit vehicles, small school buses, and charter buses that are engaged in the business of carrying or transporting nine to twenty-four passengers for hire; pre-arranged for-hire vehicles and accessible vehicles; defines terms.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 6434) increases retirement benefits for beneficiaries of New York City correction officers. It requires the city's correction officers' variable supplements fund to pay beneficiaries an amount based on what they would have received if they retired on their earliest eligibility date (starting January 1, 2025), covering the period from that date until their actual retirement date. The change applies to payments made around December 15 each year following retirement. It directly affects retired correction officers and their dependents who receive these supplemental benefits. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Provides that the unemployment insurance minimum weekly benefit amount shall be the greater of two hundred fifty dollars or fifteen percent of the state average weekly wage.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state and local government agencies to create language-specific job titles for customer-facing roles in areas where certain non-English languages are commonly spoken. It defines high-need languages as those among the top three in a county or top five statewide, and mandates that at least 25% of positions in these roles be filled by employees proficient in those languages. Agencies must include language proficiency tests in hiring exams, track hiring data, and submit annual reports on language access compliance. The law also allows agencies to use interpretation services when qualified candidates in language-specific titles are unavailable.

Provides that unemployment insurance benefits shall not be paid in an amount greater than thirty times the claimant's weekly benefit rate in any benefit year, subject to certain exceptions.

Authorizes the New York power authority to supply electric energy to low-income households receiving assistance through the New York city human resources administration and the New York state office of temporary and disability assistance, and to designate such agencies and local social services districts as billing energy service companies.

Provides that a claimant's weekly unemployment insurance benefit shall be calculated based on such claimant's average weekly wage compared to the state average weekly wage.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution directs Governor Kathy Hochul to officially proclaim March 2026 as Women's History Month in New York State. The bill asks the governor to recognize and honor the historical contributions of women across various fields including politics, education, medicine, civil rights, and business. It highlights specific New York women who have made significant impacts, from early suffrage leaders to modern public servants and athletes. The resolution is ceremonial in nature and does not create new laws or change existing policies.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (J 1664) honors Jonathan A. Dandes, president of Rich Baseball Operations and a Buffalo Baseball Hall of Fame inductee, who died on February 22, 2026. It memorializes his 40+ years of service to the Buffalo Bisons, Sahlen Field, and Western New York community through roles including executive vice president of Rich Entertainment Group and director of the National Kidney Foundation. The resolution directs the legislature to "pause in its deliberations to mourn" his passing and transmit a copy to his family. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create policy changes or affect any legislation.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a law), formally recognizing Holi as an ancient Hindu Spring Festival. It acknowledges Holi's cultural significance - celebrating fertility, love, the triumph of good over evil, and the arrival of spring - without creating any new policies or affecting anyone's rights or obligations. The resolution simply directs the legislature to pause its proceedings to observe the festival, with no binding requirements for citizens or government action. It was adopted by the legislature on March 5, 2026, as a symbolic gesture honoring cultural diversity.