Sen. Pete Harckham

Maddy summaryThis bill asks Governor Kathy Hochul to officially declare April 19-25, 2026, as Library Week in New York State. The resolution highlights the value of libraries and librarians during this annual observance, which aligns with National Library Week. It does not create new laws or change policies, but instead serves as a symbolic gesture to recognize the role of libraries in the community.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks the Governor of New York to officially declare April 28, 2026, as Animal Advocacy Day. The resolution highlights the positive roles animals play in families, public safety, and the well-being of vulnerable populations. It does not create new laws or change existing policies but serves as a symbolic gesture to raise awareness about animal welfare. The measure is a ceremonial action that requires no further legislative steps once the proclamation is issued.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks the Governor of New York to officially recognize April 2026 as Sikh Heritage Month. The resolution highlights the contributions of the Sikh community to the state and aims to increase awareness of Sikh history and traditions. It does not change laws or create new programs but serves as a formal proclamation to honor the community.

Provides that charter school applicants shall first apply to the community district education council or the board of education of the school district for approval for renewal of a charter within a certain amount of time and public hearings shall be conducted on such proposed application.

Requires certain corporations authorized to operate in the state and subject to the supervision of the department of financial services that had annual gross revenues of at least five hundred million dollars ($500,000,000) in the prior calendar year to annually prepare a climate-related financial risk report for submission to the secretary of state and to make such report available to the public.

Maddy summaryThis bill grants retroactive Tier V membership in the New York State and Local Employees' Retirement System to Marca McClenon, a former part-time employee of the Yorktown library. It allows her to be treated as if she joined the retirement system on March 26, 2012, the date she became eligible, provided she submits an application to the state comptroller within one year of the bill's effective date. Under this provision, the Yorktown library would cover any past service costs associated with the change, and McClenon would not receive a refund of her previous contributions. The legislation takes effect immediately upon passage and is designed to correct a situation where she missed enrollment due to circumstances beyond her control.

Maddy summaryS 399 makes it illegal for most people to possess or sell "pistol converters" (devices that turn semi-automatic pistols into machine guns) or "convertible pistols" (specific semi-automatic pistols that can be easily converted using common tools like screwdrivers). The bill defines convertible pistols as those with a "cruciform trigger bar" that can be altered with household tools, excluding most standard semi-automatic pistols. It criminalizes selling or transporting convertible pistols (a class D felony), with exemptions for police, military personnel, and licensed gunsmiths. The law aims to prevent easy conversion of standard firearms into automatic weapons under state law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires owners of commercial vessels 500 feet or longer operating in New York's marine and coastal district to create and submit whale strike prevention policies by July 1, 2027. The policies must include science-based measures like speed reductions, crew training, and vessel-specific considerations to minimize collisions with whales. Vessel owners must submit these policies at least 48 hours before entering the district (no more than annually), and failure to comply results in fines of $1,000-$15,000 per day. The law aligns with federal guidelines but does not override existing vessel speed restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires landlords to maintain habitable housing conditions before they can pursue rent payments or eviction cases. Specifically, landlords cannot file such actions if there are unresolved housing code violations, lack of essential utilities (heat, water, electricity, sewage), rodent infestations, or other dangerous conditions that have existed for five or more days in the building. Landlords may submit an affidavit claiming violations were recorded erroneously, but courts can dismiss cases if the affidavit is untrue or unsafe conditions persist at filing. The law also mandates that landlords include specific notices about tenant protections in eviction notices. This directly affects landlords seeking to collect rent or evict tenants and strengthens tenant safeguards against unsafe housing conditions.

Allows a one-year window for application for a disability retirement for members of the New York state and local employees' retirement system or the New York state and local police and fire retirement system who retired from service on or after January 1, 2021 due to heart disease; provides for the repeal of such provisions upon the expiration thereof.