Sen. Luis Sepúlveda

Maddy summaryThis bill asks Governor Kathy Hochul to officially designate April 2026 as Arab American Heritage Month in New York State. The resolution highlights the historical contributions and cultural significance of Arab Americans within the state, noting that New York is home to over 300,000 individuals from diverse Arab backgrounds. By directing copies of the resolution to the governor and several advocacy organizations, the measure seeks to raise public awareness and promote recognition of this community's heritage.

Relates to providing language access services to individuals relating to the tax abatement program for rent-controlled and rent-regulated property occupied by senior citizens or persons with disabilities and senior citizen and disabled homeowners.

Establishes the insure our communities act to implement climate leadership and community protection act targets for insurers; identifies and protects such communities; relates to affordability of insurance rates; assesses covered insurance companies' record of performance at meeting insurance needs; requires covered insurance companies to file statistical reports, including information on insurance coverage in specific assessment areas and disadvantaged communities.

Prohibits public employers from diminishing health insurance benefits provided to Medicare-eligible retirees and their Medicare-eligible dependents or the contributions such employer makes for such health insurance coverage below the level of such benefits or contributions made on behalf of such retirees and dependents by the public employer as of December 31, 2021.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a new tax credit for individuals who own up to two household pets, specifically dogs or cats kept primarily for companionship. The credit would cover actual costs associated with pet ownership, including medical care, veterinary visits, and everyday expenses like food, toys, and grooming supplies. Taxpayers could claim a maximum of $150 annually for everyday items and $300 for medical expenses per pet, with a total cap of $900 per household per year. To qualify, owners must provide proof of pet ownership and receipts for expenses, while the bill explicitly excludes pets used in research, breeding, or law enforcement work.

Includes filing certain building permit applications containing false statements regarding tenant occupancy in the offense of offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree.

Relates to parole eligibility for certain incarcerated persons age fifty-five or older if they have served at least fifteen years of their sentence or sentences.

Expands the civil jurisdiction of county courts to matters of up to fifty thousand dollars and district courts to matters of up to thirty-five thousand dollars.

Enacts the "Empowering People in Rights Enforcement (EMPIRE) Worker Protection Act"; relates to the delegation of state enforcement authority to private actors; authorizes an affected employee, whistleblower, representative organization or an organizational deputy to initiate a public enforcement action on behalf of the commissioner for certain provisions of the labor law, or any regulation promulgated thereunder.

Extends the effectiveness of certain provisions of the coordinated construction act for lower Manhattan and certain other provisions relating to joint bidding on contracts for public work projects.