Sen. James Skoufis

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the town of Highlands in Orange County to impose a 5% tax on hotel and motel stays, including bed-and-breakfasts and tourist facilities. It directly affects hotels and motels operating in Highlands, excluding permanent residents (staying 90+ consecutive days) and exempt entities like government bodies or qualified non-profits. Hotels must collect the tax from guests and remit it to the town, with clear collection procedures and administrative oversight. All revenue funds the town’s general fund for any lawful purpose, and the tax expires after two years.

Authorizes the denial of access to certain public records which relate to civil investigations; requires the superintendent of state police to provide the department of law with direct, real-time access to the criminal gun clearinghouse; relates to the enforcement powers of the attorney general; authorizes the attorney general to investigate and bring any civil action addressing repeated or persistent discrimination in elementary and secondary schools; requires the compromise of any claim which the state may have for care, maintenance or treatment furnished in hospitals or other such facilities to be made accordance with parameters established by the office of the attorney general; allows the commissioner of health to waive bills or compromise bills for the maintenance, care and treatment furnished to patients in medical facilities upon the prior approval of the comptroller alone.

Requires the department of health to enter into a contract with an entity experienced in maintaining genealogical research databases for the digitalization and indexing of certain vital records.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2520) changes New York State's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) response deadlines for government agencies. It sets new time limits: 180 days for requests made before 2026, 90 days for 2027 requests, and 60 days for requests on or after January 1, 2028. Agencies must explain delays if they cannot meet these deadlines due to federal law, safety concerns, or extremely large volumes of records, and must provide monthly updates to requesters. The bill directly affects state agencies (like departments and offices) that handle FOIA requests and all individuals or organizations seeking government records under FOIA.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the required supervised experience period for new real estate brokers from two to five years. It directly affects individuals applying for a real estate broker's license, mandating they have actively worked as a licensed salesperson under a broker for five consecutive years (or equivalent experience). Key provisions include requiring cultural competency training, proof of English language proficiency, knowledge of fair housing laws, and completion of a 152-hour approved course. The bill also specifies that certain course components must be taught in person, not online.

Ratifies and confirms the creation of water district number 14 of the town of Monroe, made up of the water system previously owned and operated by Orchard Hill Water Company and which has been owned and operated by the town of Monroe by mandate from the public service commission since 2013; authorizes the issuance of bonds or notes by such town to finance certain inter-fund borrowings by such water district.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4554) modifies New York City's pension rules to streamline benefits for police officers and firefighters who participated in World Trade Center rescue efforts. It creates a presumption that members with qualifying health conditions (like respiratory illnesses linked to WTC exposure) developed their disability during service, provided they filed a timely notice of participation. The presumption means the pension board must reclassify their retirement as "accidental disability" without changing their retirement option, unless the employer proves otherwise. This directly affects NYC police pension fund members who worked at the WTC site and later developed health conditions recognized under the law.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 7699) designates a specific segment of State Route 208 in Orange County - stretching from Schipps Lane in Montgomery to Otter Road in Hamptonburgh - as a ceremonial dedication to Jack Barletta. It requires the installation of signage reading "Highway Dedicated to Jack Barletta" but explicitly states this does not change the official highway name or affect commerce. The bill is purely commemorative, with no policy or funding changes, and was signed into law (Chap. 403) on September 10, 2025.

Clarifies provisions regarding the use of crossbows for hunting, allowing the department of environmental conservation to allow the use of crossbows for the taking of big game in any area long bows are permitted.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds arson offenses to categories where courts may deny pretrial release (bail) for defendants. Specifically, it authorizes judges to deny bail for "arson in the fourth degree" (§150.05) or "arson in the third degree" (§150.10) under the same conditions as other serious crimes involving harm to people or property. Prosecutors must show "reasonable cause" the defendant committed the arson, but courts may still release defendants if property damage is deemed negligible and unrelated to other crimes. The bill directly affects individuals charged with these arson offenses during pretrial proceedings.