Sen. Bill Weber

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution honors Takeshi and Carolyn Furumoto for their advocacy in recognizing Fred Korematsu's legacy and their efforts to preserve Japanese-American history. The measure formally acknowledges their personal backgrounds, including their families' experiences during World War II internment, and their professional achievements in community leadership and business. It specifically highlights their role in securing the passage of Fred Korematsu Day in New Jersey and their ongoing work through organizations like New York Hiroshima-Kai and the Digital Museum of the History of Japanese in New York. The resolution concludes by directing that a copy of the document be sent to the couple as an official recognition of their contributions.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors the memory of Don B. Lee, a distinguished citizen and community leader who passed away in May 2024. The bill formally acknowledges his contributions as a public servant, IT professional, and activist who advocated for Asian American rights and supported immigrant seniors in New York. It directs the legislative body to pause its proceedings to mourn his death and authorizes sending a copy of the resolution to his family and the Homecrest Community Services organization.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks the Governor of New York to officially recognize May 22, 2024, as the International Day for Biological Diversity within the state. It serves as a formal acknowledgment of the importance of protecting the variety of life in New York's ecosystems, including its plants, animals, and fungi. The resolution does not change laws or allocate funding but instead directs the Governor to issue a proclamation highlighting the global biodiversity crisis and the state's role in conservation. By adopting this measure, the legislature aims to raise public awareness about environmental issues without implementing new regulatory requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate resolution that formally acknowledges the death of Sergeant Richard T. Gurniak, a retired New York Police Department officer who served 30 years and was a respected member of the Brewster Police Department. The document highlights his long career in law enforcement, his role as a mentor to new officers, and his active participation in community and family life. It concludes by directing that a copy of the resolution be sent to Gurniak's family as a tribute to his service and contributions to his community.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate resolution honoring the life and service of Officer Jose Colon, a retired NYPD officer who recently passed away. It formally acknowledges his career in the U.S. Army and his two decades of police work, including his response to the September 11 attacks and his continued service in the Brewster Police Department. The resolution directs the legislative body to pause its proceedings to mourn his death and instructs that a copy of the document be sent to his family.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks the Governor of New York to officially designate June 2024 as Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month. The resolution highlights the significant impact of the disease, noting that over 427,000 New Yorkers are affected and that it kills more people than breast and prostate cancer combined. By directing the Governor to proclaim this month, the legislature aims to increase public awareness and encourage further action against the disease. The text includes statistics on the rising number of cases, the high cost of care, and the challenges faced by caregivers and communities of color.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Franklin Square & Munson Fire Department, honoring its century of service to the community. The bill formally recognizes the department's history, which began in 1907 with volunteer horse-drawn units and evolved into a modern force serving approximately 30,000 residents. It acknowledges the department's growth from a single company to a multi-unit organization that responds to over 1,000 annual calls for fire and medical emergencies. The resolution expresses gratitude for the firefighters' dedication and directs a copy of the document to the department members.

Provides that the thruway authority shall issue permits for ambulances and fire vehicles exempting such vehicles from paying tolls on the thruway when engaged in an emergency operation.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as "Nick's law," increases the penalties for drivers who leave the scene of an accident that results in a death. Under the new provisions, such an offense is elevated to a Class B felony, which carries a fine between thirty thousand and fifty thousand dollars, in addition to any other applicable penalties. The legislation also modifies how courts handle cases involving adolescent offenders charged with this specific crime, requiring stricter criteria for transferring these cases to family court compared to other serious felonies. By raising the severity of the punishment and adjusting juvenile court procedures, the bill aims to address the consequences of fatal hit-and-run incidents more directly.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows boards of cooperative educational services and local municipalities to install cameras on school buses to automatically detect and fine drivers who fail to stop for the bus. Under the proposed rules, local governments would pay for the equipment and its maintenance, while the school districts or boards would handle the technical operation of the systems. The bill strictly limits how the captured images can be used, prohibiting their use in school disciplinary actions or for any purpose other than enforcing traffic laws related to stopping for school buses. Additionally, the legislation requires that if a local government fails to pay the certified costs, the camera program in that area must be suspended until the debt is resolved.