Sen. Gustavo Rivera

Relates to program eligibility for plans comparable to Medicare part D; provides for analysis of health plans by the department of health to determine whether such health plans meet or exceed the Medicare part D standard; requires the department of health, in consultation with the department of financial services, to notify prescription drug insurers of the provisions of this act.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a State Code Enforcement Ombudsman office within the Department of State, led by a state-appointed official with code enforcement expertise. The ombudsperson will investigate complaints about local code enforcement (covering fire, building, and energy codes), monitor local compliance with state standards, and recommend improvements to the Secretary of State. It also authorizes the Secretary to place a state oversight official in local governments for up to one year to assist with code enforcement and require local staff to follow their directives. These changes directly affect local governments by adding new state-level oversight to their code enforcement programs.

Establishes a specialized health home program to serve certain individuals with physical disabilities who are Medicaid eligible adults eighteen years of age or older with a diagnosis of a neurological, muscular, or neuromuscular condition, and a mobility impairment; provides that a specialized health home shall be reimbursed on a fee-for-service basis and shall receive enhanced rates of payment; makes related provisions.

Maddy summaryThis is a procedural Senate resolution (not a bill), requesting Governor Hochul to declare July 1, 2026, as "Canada Day" in New York State. It memorializes the strong economic, cultural, and trade ties between New York and Canada, including $17 billion in annual exports and over 1,300 Canadian businesses operating in the state. The resolution has no binding effect; it simply asks the Governor to issue a ceremonial proclamation recognizing these connections. The legislature adopted it on February 3, 2026, and will send it to the Governor and Canada's New York Consul General.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 160) proposes a constitutional amendment to grant voting rights to people incarcerated in state correctional facilities. It would amend the state constitution to explicitly include "any incarcerated person" among citizens entitled to vote in all elections, provided they are 18+ and meet standard residency requirements (30 days in the county, city, or village before an election). The amendment would directly affect incarcerated individuals by restoring their voting eligibility, aligning with existing constitutional provisions for other citizens. The bill requires a constitutional amendment process, including legislative approval and a public referendum after the next general election.

Maddy summaryS 2512 proposes a constitutional amendment establishing a fundamental right for all people to access public information and attend government meetings. If passed, it would add Section 20 to the state constitution, guaranteeing the right to inspect or copy government records and receive notice of public meetings without unreasonable restrictions. This directly affects every resident by ensuring transparency in government operations and participation in public decision-making. The bill aims to strengthen democratic accountability through concrete constitutional protection, not procedural changes.

Provides that the Governor's annual budget proposal to the Legislature shall include statements of any new legislation, amendment to legislation, or limitation on the effect of any legislation contained in the budget; makes related provisions granting the legislature an equal role with the governor in the budget process.

Amends the constitution to delete the requirement that registration for purposes of voting be completed at least ten days before election day; provides that laws be made to adequately safeguard against deception in the exercise of the right of suffrage.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits evictions from residential properties in New York State during periods of "inclement winter weather," defined as temperatures at or below 32°F (including wind chill), typically occurring from November through April. It directly affects all residential tenants in New York, with the legislature noting evictions disproportionately impact Black and Latinx households. The law amends real property law to block eviction proceedings during these cold-weather periods, citing health risks like increased mortality and homelessness linked to winter displacement. The ban aims to protect public health and safety by preventing homelessness during conditions that exacerbate exposure-related health crises.

Eliminates certain court surcharges and fees and probation and parole surcharges and fees; eliminates the requirement that a parolee or releasee receiving a merit termination of sentence be financially able to comply with an order of restitution; eliminates the requirement that a person receiving a discharge of sentence be financially able to comply with an order of restitution and the payment of certain surcharges or fees (Part A); mandates that courts engage in an individualized assessment of a person's financial ability to pay a fine prior to imposing a fine (Part B); eliminates the availability of incarceration as a remedy for a failure to pay a fine, surcharge, or fee, lifts and vacates existing warrants issued solely on a person's failure to timely pay a fine, surcharge or fee and ends existing sentences of incarceration based on such failure (Part C); vacates existing unsatisfied civil judgments based on a person's failure to timely pay a surcharge, or fee (Part D); prohibits the collection of a fine, restitution or reparation from the funds of an incarcerated person; prohibits the payment of court fines, mandatory surcharges, certain fees, restitution, reparation or forfeitures from the earnings of prisoners (Part E); vacates existing unpaid surcharges, DNA databank fees, crime victim assistance fees, sexual offender registration fees, supplemental sex offender victim fees, or probation or parole supervision fees; repeals certain provisions of law relating to restrictions on remitting such fees (Part F).