Sen. Bill Weber

Maddy summaryS 8959 mandates that all New York public and private elementary and high schools include a dedicated unit studying the Irish potato famine (1845-1850) as part of their required civic education curriculum. This bill amends education law to specifically require schools to teach about the "mass starvation in Ireland from 1845 to 1850" alongside other topics like slavery, the Holocaust, and genocide. It directly affects all K-12 students in New York schools over age eight, requiring schools to integrate this historical study into existing courses on citizenship and human rights. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, following committee referral.

Establishes an internationally trained physician licensure pathway program to allow qualified, foreign-trained physicians and physicians trained and/or licensed to practice medicine in a territory or possession of the United States to contribute to the healthcare system through supervised practice in designated shortage areas, ultimately leading to full licensure.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 9222) prohibits pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from owning, operating, or controlling pharmacies directly or indirectly. It directly affects PBMs and any entities that currently hold both pharmacy and PBM operations. The law requires violators to divest from pharmacy ownership within three years of the law taking effect, as defined under New York’s Public Health Law. The bill aims to separate pharmacy operations from PBM management to prevent potential conflicts of interest.

Makes technical corrections to a chapter of the laws of 2025 relating to authorizing the Thiells-Roseville Fire District to file an application for exemption from school taxes and real property taxes.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases New York State's subsidy for school lunch meals from $0.1901 to $0.25 per meal served. It directly affects school food authorities statewide, requiring them to certify that at least 30% of their food purchases for lunch programs came from New York farmers or producers in the prior year. The subsidy applies to all free, paid, and reduced-price meals served during the 2022-2023 school year and each subsequent year. The change takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Establishes the veteran career assistance program within the SUNY and CUNY systems to provide veterans with assistance in resume writing and employment placement services.

Maddy summaryThis bill adjusts the regional labor cost index used to calculate state funding for schools in New York's Hudson Valley region. Starting with the 2025-2026 school year, the Hudson Valley's index increases from 1.314 to 1.425 (matching Long Island/NYC), while other regions' rates remain unchanged. The change directly affects public school districts in the Hudson Valley by increasing their state education funding based on updated labor market cost analysis. The adjustment reflects revised median salary data for professional occupations requiring similar credentials to education roles.

Extends the statute of limitations of actions related to certain sex trafficking offenses, reviving such actions otherwise barred by the existing statute of limitations; grants trial preference to such actions; exempts such actions from certain provisions requiring notice of claims.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors Investigator Michael Theetge of the Chemung County Sheriff's Office for receiving the Order of the Blue Heart Award from Wounded Blue, a national organization supporting law enforcement officers injured on duty. The resolution formally commends his 14-year service, leadership as SWAT commander, and recovery from a severe March 2024 on-duty injury, directing that a copy be sent to him as a token of legislative respect.

Establishes a tax credit for commercial trucks entering into the central business district for all additional tolls charged on trips into the central business district after the first entry per day.