Sen. James Skoufis

Maddy summaryThis bill updates how the state calculates payment rates for federally qualified health centers to better match their actual operating costs. It requires the health department to analyze five years of cost data, including expenses for staffing, physical facilities, and technology, and to remove existing caps on these payments starting in April 2025. The law establishes a new method for adjusting these rates annually based on federal market basket figures and changes in the scope of services provided. This change directly affects federally qualified health centers by ensuring their reimbursement reflects the true cost of delivering care.

Maddy summaryThis New York bill prohibits the operation of drones over school grounds and specific critical infrastructure facilities unless prior written permission is obtained. It defines critical infrastructure as fenced or clearly marked sites such as power plants, oil refineries, and water treatment facilities, while allowing overflights that occur at least 250 feet above these areas without hovering. The law establishes penalties for violations, classifying the first offense as a class B misdemeanor and subsequent offenses as class A misdemeanors. Exceptions are made for government entities, law enforcement agencies, and individuals with explicit consent from school administrators or infrastructure operators. The legislation takes effect on November 1st following its enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for New York's Address Confidentiality Program to include election officers, allowing them to use a designated address instead of their home address to protect their privacy. The legislation requires the Secretary of State to designate specific agencies and county boards of elections to assist election officers in applying for the program, while also clarifying that the program does not require applicants to have left their residences due to violence to qualify. By adding election officers to the list of protected individuals alongside victims of domestic violence and reproductive health care providers, the law aims to enhance the safety and confidentiality of those working in election administration.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for when businesses must choose to pay taxes in installments instead of waiting for their annual tax return. It directly affects electing partnerships, S corporations, and their city equivalents by changing the deadline for making this election. For tax years starting on or after January 1, 2024, the election must be made by September 15 of that year, whereas previous years allowed the election by the due date of the first payment. The legislation also clarifies how much needs to be paid upfront if the election is made late in the year, requiring a larger initial payment if the choice is made after June 15. Additionally, the bill sets the total amount of required payments at the lower of ninety percent of the current year's tax or one hundred percent of the prior year's tax.

Establishes a process for designating transfer-on-death beneficiaries for farming implements involving filing a document with the commissioner of agriculture and markets.

Prohibits motor vehicle manufacturers and dealers from charging a subscription fee for certain functions of a motor vehicle after the vehicle is sold; provides that any manufacturer, dealer, or agent of a manufacturer or dealer that fails to comply with such requirements shall be assessed a civil penalty not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars per point of sale for each violation.

Relates to establishing a twenty year retirement plan for members or officers of law enforcement; includes every non-seasonally appointed sworn member or officer of the division of law enforcement in the department of environmental conservation, a forest ranger in the service of the department of environmental conservation, a police officer in the department of environmental conservation, the regional state park police, and university police officers in such twenty year plan.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York's estates law to allow individuals to create legally valid wills using electronic records, such as digital documents or emails. It establishes specific rules for how these wills must be signed, witnessed, and notarized, permitting witnesses and notaries to interact with the testator through electronic presence rather than requiring them to be in the same physical room. The legislation also clarifies how to handle minor technical errors in the document and outlines the process for revoking previous wills electronically. By defining terms like "electronic presence" and setting standards for self-proving affidavits, the bill modernizes the legal framework for estate planning in the digital age.

Provides for temporary authorization of certain registered nurses and licensed practical nurses to practice at children's camps between June fifteenth and September fifteenth of each year.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the Public Officers Law to protect the privacy of victims and witnesses by preventing their statements about sexual abuse or misconduct from being released under Freedom of Information Law requests. Under the new rule, government agencies must treat these specific personal accounts as confidential, even if the information is otherwise part of a public record. The change applies to all agencies handling such records and ensures that details shared by individuals regarding sexual abuse or misconduct cannot be disclosed to the public.