Sen. Monica Martinez

Authorizes and directs the commissioner of transportation to grant a perpetual conservation easement to certain entities over certain state-owned lands in the hamlets of Setauket and Port Jefferson Station, Suffolk County.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the pilotage fees that vessels must pay when passing through specific areas of Long Island Sound and Block Island Sound. It directly affects ship operators and companies that hire pilots to guide boats through these New York state waters. The legislation sets a new fixed fee of $13.91 per pilotage unit, replacing a previous schedule of gradually increasing rates. This change applies to all vessels transiting the designated sounds east of Execution Rocks or Sands Point and takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the authority of the Department of Environmental Conservation to manage black sea bass populations until December 31, 2029. It allows the department to set specific rules for fishing, such as size limits, catch limits, seasonal closures, and gear restrictions, provided these rules are no less strict than current state laws and align with federal and regional fishery plans. The legislation directly affects commercial and recreational fishermen by establishing a longer timeframe for the state to implement and adjust management strategies for this species. It takes effect immediately upon passage, giving the department the flexibility to regulate how black sea bass are taken, landed, and sold within the state.

Requires the consumer protection division to establish a process by which any state agency or third party, pursuant to an interagency agreement with the division for the purposes of fraud prevention, identity verification, and ensuring the integrity or security of individual identities, to grant access to verify New York resident identities via a secure comparison process against state systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 5053) raises the mandatory retirement age for New York City Police Department (NYPD) members from 62 to 65 years old. It applies specifically to NYPD officers covered under the relevant pension provisions effective July 1, 2025. The law changes the age requirement for forced retirement but maintains existing service-based retirement options (e.g., 20 years of service). It directly affects current and future NYPD members who would otherwise have been required to retire at age 62. The bill does not alter pension benefit calculations or other retirement eligibility rules.

Amends the definition of "small group" for purposes of health insurance policies and contracts to fifty employees or fewer; repeals provisions requiring the superintendent to conduct an impact study.

Establishes a co-shelter toolkit of best practices, resources, case studies and other information deemed helpful to inform and encourage the implementation and sustenance of co-shelter models for victims of domestic violence and people experiencing homelessness with companion animals; makes related provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill lowers the age for mandatory annual mammogram coverage under large group health insurance plans from 35 to 30 years old. It directly affects women aged 30-39 enrolled in large employer-sponsored health plans. The key change modifies insurance law to require annual mammograms for this age group in large plans (previously only for ages 35-39), though coverage remains subject to physician recommendation and medical necessity determination. This policy update applies to all large group health insurance policies issued or renewed after the effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Godschild Outreach Ministries, a non-profit organization in Wyandanch, to receive a retroactive exemption from real property taxes for the 2023-2024 through 2025-2026 tax years. Under the legislation, the town assessor would review the organization's application as if it had been submitted on time, granting tax relief on specific parcels of land if the group qualifies under existing laws. If the exemption is approved, the town may refund any taxes, fines, or penalties previously paid and remove any outstanding tax liens associated with the property. The measure applies only to this specific organization and does not change the general rules for property tax exemptions in the town of Babylon.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a property tax exemption for surviving spouses of firefighters killed in the line of duty. It allows local governments and school districts to exempt up to 50% of the assessed value of the surviving spouse's primary residence from real property taxes. The exemption applies specifically to firefighters who are members of the New York City Fire Department pension fund or the New York State Police and Fire Retirement System. Local legislative bodies retain the authority to reduce the percentage of exemption within their jurisdictions. The law takes effect on January 1st following its enactment.