Sen. Bill Weber

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative Senate Resolution (J 1558) honoring Margaret D. Williams, a Coney Island community leader and member of the doo-wop group The Cookies, who passed away in January 2026. The resolution recognizes her musical legacy - including chart-topping hits like "Chains" and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction - and her decades of community service, including 33 years with NYC Health and her work with the Coney Island History Project. It serves as a symbolic tribute from the legislature, expressing condolences to her family and celebrating her life’s impact. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new laws or affect any policies.

Maddy summaryS 1145 increases New York State's annual contribution limit for family tuition accounts used in the college choice program. It doubles the maximum deductible contribution from $5,000 (individuals) or $10,000 (married couples filing jointly) to $10,000 (individuals) or $20,000 (married couples). The bill directly affects New York resident taxpayers who use these state-authorized tuition savings accounts. This change allows families to save more tax-advantaged funds for education expenses within the program's framework.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes "first responder safety zones" on highways, defining them as areas up to 660 feet around facilities where fire, police, or ambulance vehicles are stationed. Within these clearly marked zones, the maximum speed limit for drivers is set at 15 miles per hour. Drivers are required to yield the right of way to emergency vehicles with active lights during an emergency within or entering these zones, and also to pedestrians crossing the roadway. Violations, such as failing to yield or exceeding the speed limit, carry fines, and a third offense for failing to yield can result in a one-year license suspension.

Removes language requiring the state from moving public safety surcharge funds into the state general fund; increases from seventy-five million dollars to one million dollars available for grants or reimbursements to counties for the development, consolidation, or operation of public safety communications systems or networks designed to support statewide interoperable communications for first responders.

Prohibits the sale of vape products that resemble school supplies, toys, or are packaged or advertised in any way to appeal to or target minors or the youth population.

Expands health care services provided by telehealth to include services delivered through a facility licensed under article twenty-eight of the public health law that is eligible to be designated or has received a designation as a federally qualified health center, including those facilities that are also licensed under article thirty-one or article thirty-two of the mental hygiene law.

Provides for state assistance to local governments for the enforcement of fire prevention and building codes using monies paid into the code enforcement account.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires a 120-day warning period before municipal or health agencies can impose monetary fines for violations at facilities owned or operated by congressionally chartered veterans' groups (like American Legion posts or VFW halls). During this period, the veterans' group can fix the violation without penalty. The bill allows a written extension request with proof of corrective efforts, but does not apply to immediate life-threatening safety issues or alcohol law violations. It directly affects veterans' organization facilities covered under federal chartering under Title 36 of the U.S. Code.

Relates to the reporting requirements of the statewide fiscal intermediary; requires the reporting of utilization data and financial data to protect medical assistance recipients in using the program and ensure the effective use of medical assistance funds; requires the statewide fiscal intermediary to provide consumer directed personal assistant data to ensure the availability of a workforce to meet the needs of consumers utilizing the program; requires the statewide fiscal intermediary to provide data regarding customer service requests, complaints, and accessibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows licensed pharmacists to order and administer specific medical tests, including COVID-19, flu, RSV, strep throat, HbA1c, hepatitis C, and HIV tests, all authorized by the FDA. It directly affects pharmacists (expanding their clinical role) and patients (increasing access to convenient testing). The law requires tests to meet FDA authorization and federal "waiver" requirements, aligning pharmacists with qualified health professionals under existing public health law. The bill modifies prior 2022 legislation but includes a sunset provision, with most provisions set to expire on July 1, 2028.