Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins

Maddy summarySenate Resolution J 1293 commends Armando and Shayla Gramajo for receiving New York State's Liberty Medal, the Senate's highest honor for individuals. The resolution recognizes their 2024 actions when they intervened to save a woman attacked with a knife in White Plains - Armando (a bus driver and former Guatemalan Army veteran) stopped the attacker, and Shayla (a physician's assistant) provided medical aid using household items until emergency services arrived. This symbolic resolution, passed by the New York State Senate, formally honors their humanitarian act and does not create new laws or affect any policies. It serves as a ceremonial tribute to their spontaneous, life-saving response.

Maddy summaryS 1085 prohibits spreading false information that prevents voting (like fake election times or eligibility rules) and bans using force or threats to stop people from voting as they choose. It applies to candidates, campaigns, and organizations that intentionally share deceptive election details or suppress voter rights. Violations are misdemeanors (up to one year in jail or $500 fines for first offenses), with increased penalties for repeat violations. The attorney general can prosecute these offenses alongside local prosecutors.

Maddy summaryThis is a procedural Senate resolution (R 1306) introduced by Senator Stewart-Cousins. It directs the Temporary President to appoint two senators to formally notify the Assembly that the Senate is assembled and ready to begin legislative business. The resolution has no substantive policy impact - it only establishes a routine communication step between the two chambers at the start of sessions. It was introduced and adopted on January 5-7, 2026.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 1312 sets the permanent end date for the 2025 Legislative Session, specifying it will conclude on January 7, 2026, simultaneously with the start of the 2026 Legislative Session. This procedural resolution directly affects the state's legislative calendar by establishing the transition date between sessions. It does not change substantive laws or impact specific groups of people, as it is a routine scheduling measure for the legislature. The resolution was introduced on January 6, 2026, and later substituted by another measure on January 7, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis is a routine procedural resolution (not a substantive bill). It directs the Senate's Temporary President to appoint two senators to formally inform the Governor that the Senate is organized and ready to begin its legislative work. The resolution has no policy impact or effect on citizens; it simply follows standard Senate procedure for convening. It was introduced and adopted on January 5-7, 2026, as part of the Senate's organizational process.

Maddy summaryS 4588 (Relates to filling vacancies in elective offices) streamlines election scheduling by allowing special elections for state and federal offices to be consolidated with upcoming general elections when they would otherwise occur too close together. This directly affects local election boards, voters, and candidates by reducing the frequency of separate elections, lowering costs, and minimizing voter confusion. The bill amends election law to permit scheduling special elections on existing general election dates for congressional, state senate, and assembly vacancies if the general election is within 40-100 days for state offices or the same calendar year for congressional seats. It aims to prevent duplicated efforts and expenses for election boards while potentially increasing voter turnout by reducing election fatigue.

Provides for the trustees of the state university of New York to establish a four-year college of engineering and applied sciences in the city of Yonkers within the state university system.

Maddy summaryS 7775 authorizes the village of Sleepy Hollow to establish a residential parking permit system on designated streets to address parking shortages for residents, caused by high population density, nearby train stations, and tourism (including Halloween-related visitors). The system would require permits for parking in specific residential areas (such as Sleepy Hollow Manor and Downtown Sleepy Hollow), while ensuring at least 20% of spaces remain available for nonresidents with 60-minute short-term parking options. Permit fees collected would be deposited into the village's general fund, and the system must be implemented after a public hearing. The bill does not mandate adoption but provides the legal framework for the village to act.

Establishes the "county of Westchester public works investment act" which allows the Westchester county department of public works and the Westchester county department of transportation to utilize design-build project delivery.

Authorizes additional traffic-control signal photo violation-monitoring devices at no more than one intersection located on the Saw Mill River parkway within the village of Pleasantville, county of Westchester, upon approval from the state department of transportation.