Sen. Luis Sepúlveda

Maddy summaryS 3968 requires merchants (like stores) to include a specific disclosure in any written or spoken communication attempting to settle a civil case related to alleged shoplifting. The notice must clearly state that the settlement involves a larceny claim, explain the civil liability amounts ($1,500 max for unrecovered merchandise plus penalties), clarify that civil penalties are separate from criminal charges, and state that refusing the settlement doesn’t prevent criminal prosecution. Merchants who fail to include this notice face strict liability for actual damages, triple the settlement amount sought, and legal costs. This law applies immediately to all future settlement attempts involving larceny-related civil actions.

Enacts the tropical rainforest economic & environmental sustainability act requiring that companies contracting with the state do not contribute to tropical forest degradation or deforestation directly or through their supply chains; establishes the supply chain transparency assistance program to assist small and medium-sized businesses and minority and women-owned businesses in achieving compliant supply chains.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 5795) creates Excelsior Scholarships specifically for low-income students enrolled in public Juris Doctor (JD) or Master of Laws (LLM) programs at New York State public universities. It provides tuition assistance covering up to $5,500 per year (or actual tuition, whichever is less) for students with family adjusted gross income at or below $125,000 annually. To qualify, students must maintain full-time enrollment (12 credits/semester), complete required credits yearly, and not have full tuition covered by other aid like federal Pell Grants. The scholarship lasts up to the standard program duration (e.g., 3-4 years for JD programs) and applies to tuition only, after other financial aid is applied.

Relates to creating the Puerto Rican relief account which shall consist of all recovery and relief funds provided by the federal government to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico under the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018.

Requires facilities offering dialysis services to have an alternate generated power source for use during a general power outage or disaster emergency; provides exemptions.

Maddy summaryS 5091 expands New York's "Doctors Across New York" program to include dentists, allowing them to access the same loan repayment and practice support benefits previously available only to physicians. The bill allocates specific state funds for dentist loan repayment (through Section 2807-m) and practice support (through Section 2807-m), maintaining the existing regional funding distribution (1/3 to NYC, 2/3 to other areas) and prioritizing underserved communities. Key provisions require at least 50% of funds to support general hospitals and ensure dentists working in primary care or specialty practices in underserved areas can qualify for assistance. The changes directly affect dentists and physicians seeking to establish or join practices in medically underserved regions across New York State.

Enacts the building up immigrant legal defense or BUILD act to provide competitive workforce development and capacity building grants to eligible entities that are seeking to expand access to representation for individuals facing deportation by increasing the workforce and strengthening the legal services infrastructure needed to provide such representation.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits individuals who are or have ever been "foreign agents" from holding civil office or political party positions. A "foreign agent" is defined as someone acting under the direction of a foreign government, organization, or person outside the U.S., or someone significantly controlled or subsidized by such entities. The law applies to all elected and appointed government roles and party leadership positions, including those within political parties. It amends both the Public Officers Law and Election Law to implement this restriction, effective immediately.

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 the release of body camera recordings in instances where an officer fires a gun and hits someone or could have caused injury, uses a stun gun, or makes use of any other force that causes harm within thirty days of such incident.