Sen. Bill Weber

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 7055) removes Orange and Rockland counties from the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District (MCTD) payroll tax jurisdiction. It amends tax law definitions to exclude these counties from the list of areas subject to the MCTD payroll tax, which currently applies to businesses and self-employed individuals in Dutchess, Nassau, Putnam, Suffolk, and Westchester counties. As a result, employers and self-employed people in Orange and Rockland will no longer pay this tax on qualifying payroll or self-employment earnings. The change takes effect for taxable years beginning January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryS 6203 creates two new criminal offenses targeting actions that endanger emergency workers during building-related emergencies. It establishes "reckless endangerment of an emergency service person" as a second-degree felony (class E) when someone violates building codes during an emergency evacuation, impeding egress and causing injury to a firefighter, police officer, code enforcement officer, or other defined emergency personnel. A first-degree felony (class D) applies if the same violation causes death or if the person has a prior conviction for this offense within the last decade. The law directly affects building owners or contractors who alter structures without permits in ways that compromise safety during emergencies, with penalties increasing based on severity.

Maddy summaryS 534 creates a new class A misdemeanor offense called "aggravated disorderly conduct" for individuals who obstruct traffic or block building entrances during unpermitted protests, demonstrations, or assemblies with intent to cause public alarm or recklessly create such risk. This law specifically designates aggravated disorderly conduct as a "specified offense" for hate crime prosecutions, meaning it could be treated as a hate crime if motivated by bias. The bill directly affects protest participants engaging in these specific types of obstruction without legal authorization.

Requires enhanced federal medical assistance percentage funds be directly shared with the counties and the city of New York; requires the comptroller examine and audit all funds received from the enhanced federal medical assistance percentage and the distributions made to counties and the city of New York.

Relates to the removal of an election commissioner by the governor or by affirmative vote of a majority of commissioners of the state board of elections for incompetence, misconduct, or other good cause, provided that prior to removal, such election commissioner shall be given a written copy of the charges against them and have an opportunity to be heard in their defense.

Authorizes a county, city, town or village to override a governor's declaration of a state disaster emergency in all or part of the territorial limits of such local government.

Prohibits qualified immunity for public officials; authorizes attorney general enforcement; provides that statutory immunities and statutory limitations on liability, damages or attorney fees do not apply to such claims.

Deems home instruction which is compliant with the provisions of article 65 of the education law and the home instruction requirements prescribed in the commissioner of education's regulations to be substantially equivalent in amount and quality to the instruction given to students of like age and attainments at the public schools of the city or district where the student resides.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1866) establishes a statewide "green alert" system for missing military members who have opted in and suffer from mental health conditions like PTSD or traumatic brain injury. It requires law enforcement to verify a member's military status, condition, and safety risk before activating the alert, which would then be broadcast through media and highway signs. The system includes privacy safeguards under HIPAA, an opt-out option for military members, and mandates coordination between state agencies and law enforcement. Alerts remain active only until the member is found or the designated notification period ends.

Maddy summarySenate Bill S 5837 increases the state tax credit available to active volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers. Beginning January 1, 2027, the individual credit will rise from $200 to $1,200 for resident taxpayers who have served for the entire taxable year. For two qualifying spouses filing a joint return, the credit will be $2,400. This bill also removes the previous restriction that prevented volunteers from claiming this credit if they also received a real property tax exemption for their service. The credit is refundable if it exceeds the taxpayer's tax liability.