Sen. Jamaal Bailey

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.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (J 1680) designates March 10, 2026, as "Bronx Day" to honor the borough's history and cultural significance. It directs the New York State Legislature to pause its proceedings on that date to recognize the Bronx's contributions, including its role as the birthplace of hip-hop, historical sites, and diverse communities. The resolution will be transmitted to the Bronx Borough President and Bronx Chamber of Commerce. As a commemorative measure, it has no binding policy impact or direct effect on residents or programs.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (J 1681) congratulating the Potsdam Central High School Girls Hockey Team for winning the 2026 NYSPHSAA Girls Hockey Championship. It formally recognizes the team's 17-3-2 season record, their 3-2 championship victory over Adirondack United, and their status as the school's first girls hockey champions in over a decade. The resolution specifically names all 25 players and coaches (including Head Coach Joe Stark and Assistant Coaches Lindsay LaSala and Olivia Scott) and directs that engrossed copies be sent to them. As a symbolic gesture with no policy impact, it does not create new laws or affect any regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies New York's vehicle insurance requirements for specific vehicle types. It allows nonprofit organizations operating commuter vans, pre-arranged for-hire vehicles (like small school buses or ride services), or ADA-compliant accessible vehicles to use federally registered risk retention groups (special insurance groups) instead of traditional insurers. The policy applies only if the vehicle isn't used for personal purposes by executives or their families, has under 15 seats, and excludes luxury limousines or TNC vehicles. This change aims to provide more flexible insurance options for nonprofits serving communities with specialized transportation needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New York State to keep lottery winners' personal information confidential from the public, including names and addresses. It directly affects anyone who wins a lottery prize over $5,000, preventing the state lottery division from disclosing their identity without their explicit consent. The key provision mandates that winners must actively consent for their details to be shared; otherwise, the state cannot publish or share their information publicly. The law also clarifies that payment procedures remain unchanged, including payments to estates or under court orders, but anonymity applies to all public disclosures. This is a privacy-focused change to existing lottery procedures.

Relates to false or misleading advertisements of food and food products; provides factors to determine whether an advertisement is false or misleading; provides for enforcement and a private right of action.

Maddy summaryS 1527 creates a sales tax exemption for commercial energy storage systems equipment and their installation costs. This directly affects businesses installing such systems on non-residential properties to store electricity for later use in heating, cooling, hot water, or power. The bill amends tax law to exempt these systems from state sales tax, covering both the equipment and installation services. Local governments must explicitly adopt this exemption in their tax ordinances to apply it.

Requires rental vehicle companies provide for additional liability insurance on rental vehicles and have such insurance be primary during each rental period.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 5277) changes cannabis cooperative membership rules by allowing businesses or organizations (not just individual people) to join adult-use cannabis cooperatives. It removes the current requirement that members must be "natural persons" (individuals) and also eliminates a restriction preventing members from joining multiple cooperatives. The key change means entities like corporations or nonprofits could now hold membership in these cooperatives, expanding potential ownership structures. This directly affects cannabis cooperatives operating under the state's cannabis law and their membership eligibility. The bill passed the Senate and is now in the Assembly for further consideration.

Establishes a nonprofit news media jobs grant program within the newspaper and broadcast media jobs program to provide grants to support certain nonprofit media organizations which increase employees.