Sen. James Skoufis

Maddy summaryS 2294 permits employees of authorized organizations to operate games of chance, such as raffles or bingo. The bill amends existing law to explicitly allow these employees, in addition to bona fide members, to manage and operate such games. It also clarifies that employees may receive compensation for their participation in managing or operating these games, while non-employees cannot. This change affects organizations licensed to conduct games of chance and their staff.

Establishes the New York road salt reduction council and the New York road salt reduction advisory committee to provide a mechanism for interagency cooperation and coordination to implement the recommendations of the report of the Adirondack road salt reduction task force.

Provides WiFi service and internet access to all individuals residing in temporary housing; relates to funding for internet service under the ConnectAll digital equity grant program.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 663) removes a rule requiring that no more than two members of the state liquor authority belong to the same political party. It directly affects the composition of the state alcohol beverage control board by eliminating this party balance requirement. The change modifies the law to allow the governor to appoint authority members without regard to political party representation. The bill does not alter the authority's duties, funding, or alcohol regulations.

Enacts the "packaging reduction and recycling infrastructure act" to require companies selling, offering for sale, or distributing packaging materials and products to register with a packaging reduction organization to develop a packaging reduction and recycling plan; makes related provisions.

Provides for reciprocity agreements with other states for medical cannabis programs; directs the cannabis control board to promulgate regulations for the approval of pre-roll products in the medical cannabis program.

Maddy summaryS 1181 creates a temporary 11-member task force to examine why New York City disability retirees are excluded from the Variable Supplements Fund (VSF) program, which provides retirement benefit supplements to police and fire retirees. The task force will investigate this eligibility issue, hold public hearings, and issue recommendations within one year. It includes appointments from the governor, legislature leaders, city officials, and representatives of affected retirees. The bill does not change the VSF program directly but mandates a formal review to address longstanding concerns about fairness for disability retirees.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the official description of the state's arms and flag by removing the phrase "E pluribus unum" from the motto. The change specifically affects the wording on the state flag and the state arms as legally defined, replacing the existing motto text. The bill does not alter any policy, rights, or obligations for residents or government operations. It is a purely descriptive procedural change to the state's official symbols, with no impact on existing flags or arms already in use. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Designates all agents employed by the city of New York police department in the titles of traffic enforcement agent I and traffic enforcement agent II as peace officers.

Establishes a right of first refusal in the state for federal public land to be transferred to private parties; prohibits the recording of any deeds for lands that have been transferred out of federal ownership to private ownership without giving the state the right of first refusal.