Sen. James Skoufis

Authorizes electronic absentee ballot applications for military voters and special federal voters; removes requirements that the federal post card application form be included with certain ballot application and ballots; requires institutions of higher education to provide students studying abroad with information on how to vote from abroad.

Requires state and county boards of elections to post sample ballots online at least twelve days prior to the first day of early voting; requires such ballots to be posted in a searchable database.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 6258) allows New York State Teachers’ Retirement System (NYSTRS) retirees to change their retirement plan beneficiary to a spouse at any time - before or after they retire. Previously, retirees could only update spouse beneficiary designations within 30 days of retirement. The bill removes this time limit specifically for spouse beneficiaries, applying to both regular retirees and those retired for disability. It does not change rules for non-spouse beneficiaries or other retirement plan options.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3053) requires the New York State Bridge Authority to install specific climb deterrent fencing on all bridges it manages. The fencing must include features like welded wire mesh panels, tightly spaced wires, and spike collars to prevent climbing and grip. It applies to all bridges under the Authority’s jurisdiction and mandates this installation in construction contracts for new bridge work. The law takes effect three years after enactment, with immediate rule changes permitted to implement it.

Allows dental provider networks, certain health and hospital service corporations, and health care plans to enter into contracts with a third party to gain access to services and discounted rates of a provider under a provider network contract.

Authorizes county highway superintendents to rent road machinery from any city, town or village; authorizes town highway superintendents to contract for the use of certain services and town machinery, tools and equipment with another municipality, district corporation, school district, community college or any unit of the state university.

Provides for the award of reasonable attorneys' fees in FOIL proceedings if the person is successful and in open meeting proceedings to the successful petitioner and against the public body.

Allows an authority having jurisdiction over a volunteer fire department or fire company in a county, city, town, village, fire district, or fire protection district to provide volunteer firefighters with a stipend of a nominal fee for responses to calls and for certain standby services; includes volunteer firefighters within the labor law definition of "employee" of a federal, state or municipal government of political subdivision thereof; establishes the volunteer fire service nominal compensation assistance fund.

Permits amendment of a claim or notice of intention to file a claim to correct jurisdictional pleading defects and the dismissal of a claim based upon claimant's failure to comply with jurisdictional pleading requirements.

Maddy summaryS 9107 extends the town of Cornwall's existing authorization to collect a hotel and motel tax for an additional three years. This bill directly affects Cornwall residents and businesses operating hotels or motels in Orange County by allowing the town to continue collecting this tax. The key provision amends the expiration date in the 2023 law, changing it from a 6-year term to a new three-year extension without altering the tax rate or structure. The change ensures the town can maintain this revenue source for local services without needing to reapply for the tax authority.