Sen. James Skoufis

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow local governments (counties, cities, towns, villages, or school districts) to create a property tax exemption for the primary residence of veterans with a 100% service-connected disability. To qualify, veterans must have an honorable discharge, a 100% disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and be permanently and totally disabled due to military service. The exemption covers all real property taxes, special district charges, and assessments on their primary home. This policy change directly affects veterans meeting these specific criteria, providing them with tax relief on their main residence starting with 2026 assessment rolls.

Maddy summaryS 6997 requires utility companies and contractors to electronically submit detailed information about pole attachments (including equipment ownership, work dates, and contractors) to a central database. It creates a public complaint system for safety issues like unsafe attachments or violations of industry standards, with inspectors required to investigate within two weeks. Violations can result in fines up to $50,000 for repeat offenses, and the commission must publish semiannual lists of repeat violators. The bill also adds new disclosure requirements for contractors working in public rights-of-way when applying for permits.

Requires the superintendent of state police to develop, maintain and disseminate to all members of the division of state police a critical incident leave policy requiring critical incident paid leave for any members directly involved in a critical incident; prohibits such superintendent from taking any punitive administrative action against any member of the division of state police granted critical incident leave solely on the basis of the provision of such leave.

Authorizes the use of an electronic signature by a person granted a power of attorney by a taxpayer with respect to documents submitted to the New York state department of taxation and finance and the New York city department of finance.

Prohibits the sale of kratom to individuals under the age of twenty-one; imposes a civil penalty of not more than five hundred dollars for the sale or provision of kratom to any person under the age of twenty-one.

Establishes masked harassment when a person wears a mask or other face covering that intentionally hides or conceals their face for the primary purpose of menacing or threatening another person or placing another person or group of persons in reasonable fear for their physical safety.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3318) extends paid leave for New York public employees who serve in the military. It increases the maximum annual paid leave from 30 days to 60 days (or 22 to 52 work days) per year for time spent on military duty, including travel to and from duty. The change directly affects state and local government workers called to active military service. The policy modifies existing law to provide longer paid absence coverage without creating new programs or eligibility requirements.

Permits the state board of elections to join certain multistate voter list maintenance organizations and provide such organizations with certain voter information; requires the state to join a multistate voter list maintenance organization on or before July 31, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes legal rules for creating and managing electronic wills in New York. It requires electronic wills to include an audit trail, be signed in real-time electronic presence by the testator and two witnesses (who must be state residents), and include a mandatory caution notice explaining validity requirements. The will must be filed with New York’s court system within 30 days of signing, and can be revoked by filing a new will, submitting a revocation document, or requesting removal from the court system. It directly affects New York residents who wish to create legally valid digital wills, ensuring they meet specific execution and filing standards while maintaining the same legal standing as traditional paper wills.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage, increasing premiums, or restricting policies solely because a homeowner or renter owns or harbors a specific dog breed. It directly affects renters and homeowners who might previously have faced higher costs or denial of insurance due to their dog's breed. The law requires insurers to offer standard coverage for homeowners' and renters' policies without discrimination based on dog breed. It applies to all policies issued, renewed, or modified after the law takes effect. The bill does not prevent insurers from considering other factors unrelated to dog breed.