Sen. Pete Harckham

Allows a beneficiary of a member whose death occurs on or after July 1, 2026 and who would have been entitled to a service credit at the time of such member's death to elect to receive a lump sum payment equal to the pension reserve that would have been established had the member retired on the date of such member's death.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1538) adds county probation officers in Nassau County to a list of public safety workers eligible for optional disability coverage. If Nassau County chooses to adopt it, probation officers injured or made ill while performing job duties would receive full salary during recovery and have medical/hospital costs covered by the county - mirroring existing protections for police, firefighters, and other covered roles. The coverage is optional for Nassau County, not mandatory statewide, and prohibits medical providers from billing the officers directly. It does not change current coverage for other counties or public safety workers outside Nassau.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York's environmental conservation law to exclude bullfrogs from the definition of "small game" and update related regulations. It removes bullfrogs from lists of animals regulated under small game hunting rules (such as licensing requirements and permitted take methods) and clarifies that bullfrogs are no longer classified as "wild amphibians" under the law. The changes affect hunters, wildlife managers, and enforcement of fishing/hunting regulations by specifying that bullfrog harvesting follows separate department regulations rather than small game rules. The bill also repeals outdated references to other amphibians like native frogs and salamanders in the small game definition.

Provides for administrative review when applying for an additional certification by applicants to become certified community behavioral health clinics if such applicant is already certified by either the department of mental health or the office of addiction services and supports and is in good standing for five or more years.

Maddy summaryS 8696 requires the State University of New York (SUNY) to install solar canopies on eligible parking facilities across its campuses. Specifically, SUNY must calculate suitable parking space within one year and set a goal for each campus to use at least 75% of that space for solar canopies by 2040. New construction projects involving parking garages, lots, or facilities (including those using state capital funds) must include solar canopies unless a campus has already met the 75% target. The bill directly affects all SUNY campuses and their future parking infrastructure projects. It mandates concrete solar energy infrastructure without specifying funding mechanisms or energy output targets.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to install solar canopies on its parking facilities. Specifically, the MTA must calculate suitable parking space for solar canopies within one year and achieve a goal of covering at least 75% of eligible parking space with solar canopies by 2040. New parking construction projects (including those using state funding) must include solar canopies unless the 75% target is already met. The law applies directly to MTA-owned or operated parking facilities used for public, employee, or pay-per-use purposes.

Requires social-media platforms to prevent, detect, and remove fraudulent advertisements and to establish advertiser-vetting obligations; requires reporting to the attorney general.

Maddy summaryS 8596 prohibits civil arrests (such as for debt collection) of voters while they are traveling to, at, or returning from polling places in New York, directly affecting voters during election activities. The bill requires law enforcement to obtain a judicial warrant for any arrest in these situations and mandates that officers identify themselves and provide warrants to polling staff if entering a polling place. It also creates reporting requirements for law enforcement actions near polls and allows voters to sue for violations, with courts empowered to issue protective orders.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4262) increases pension benefits for New York City Police Department (NYPD) detectives, sergeants, and lieutenants who retire after meeting specific service thresholds. It adds 5% (for 25 years of service), 10% (for 30 years), or 15% (for 35 years) of the highest pay grade for their rank to their pension calculation, based on their final salary. The increase replaces any other pension adjustment under a separate provision (section 14-111). This directly affects NYPD officers retiring in these ranks with the required service years, providing a concrete, higher pension calculation.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a pilot program to improve rural healthcare access in specific New York counties through designated "rural health zones." It creates four pilot zones (Orange/Sullivan/Ulster; Orleans/Genesee/Wyoming and adjacent areas; Cortland/Tompkins; and a fourth zone to be determined) and requires each zone to form a board of 8+ members - including county health officials, state appointees, and healthcare/business representatives - to develop transformation plans. The boards will review healthcare needs, hold public hearings, and distribute state funds to support hospitals, clinics, and safety-net providers through grants, loans, and tax incentives. The program aims to address gaps in rural healthcare infrastructure and outcomes by fostering collaboration between providers, communities, and state agencies.