Sen. Bill Weber

Establishes the safe water and infrastructure action program for the purpose of making payments toward the replacement and rehabilitation of certain existing local drinking water, storm water and sanitary sewer systems; applies to any county, city, town, village or public authority drinking water system, storm water system or sanitary sewer system within the state that is not under the maintenance and/or operational jurisdiction of a private entity; does not apply to NYC.

Enacts the "homebuyer renovation property tax exemption act" to grant an exemption of up to fifteen thousand dollars from taxation levied by or on behalf of any county, city, town, village or school district in which such residential property is located for a period of five years from the date of purchase of the property; defines "primary residential property".

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new retirement benefit for New York State public employees who have volunteered as firefighters or in emergency services. Under the law, eligible workers can earn one year of retirement credit for every five years of volunteer service, up to a maximum of three years total. To receive this credit, employees must apply before retiring and pay a fee based on their recent earnings, while the state and their employers cover the remaining costs. The legislation also ensures that any money paid for this credit is refunded with interest if the employee dies before retiring and does not benefit from the additional service time.

Increases Rockland county's annual minimum allocation through the MTA Dutchess-Orange-Rockland Fund (DORF) from two million dollars to ten million dollars.

Grants Rockland county residents a rebate who are charged the central business district toll; establishes the "Rockland county central business district toll account".

Prohibits state funding of any college if instructional staff promotes, encourages, advocates or engages in activities on campus in support of a terrorist organization as defined in federal statute.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new fourteenth judicial district in New York State by combining the counties of Putnam, Dutchess, Orange, and Rockland. The legislation reorganizes the state's judicial departments to include this new district and adjusts the number of Supreme Court justices assigned to each district, reducing the count for the ninth district while adding eleven positions to the newly formed fourteenth. It also specifies which current judges will remain in the ninth district and which will transfer to the new fourteenth district based on their current locations and terms. The changes are designed to take effect on January 1, 2025, ensuring a structured transition for court officials.

Relates to paratransit services; directs that an applicant for recertification submit correspondence from a licensed physician in lieu of an in-person assessment.

Directs the New York state energy research and development authority to conduct a feasibility study and prepare a report on the benefits and implementation of geothermal energy.

Relates to annual professional performance reviews of teachers and principals; establishes an optional system of annual professional performance review plans; repeals provisions relating to streamlined removal procedures for teachers rated ineffective.