Sen. Jake Ashby

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution commemorates the 66th anniversary of Senegalese Independence on April 4, 2026, by formally recognizing the historical significance of the date and honoring the Senegalese-American community in New York. The bill directs the legislative body to pause its proceedings to acknowledge this event and mandates that a copy of the resolution be sent to the Association of Senegalese in America. It serves as a symbolic gesture to celebrate Senegal's history and the contributions of its diaspora without altering any laws or policies.

Establishes the adult care facility voucher demonstration program for persons with dementia, Alzheimer's diagnosis, or other cognitive impairments to provide a sliding-scale subsidy for adult care facility residents who are at risk of losing nursing home care due to depleted resources and to individuals who are not eligible for Medicaid or supplemental security income, but in need of adult day care services.

Authorizes members or officers of the state police who were previously firefighters receive credit for such previous firefighter service for the purposes of retirement.

Relates to the calculation of past service credit for members in the title of deputy sheriff who provided police protection or correction officer service transferring between the New York state and local employees' retirement system to the New York state and local police and fire retirement system.

Prohibits safety and emission inspections for new motor vehicles that are sold or transferred until the third year after the initial inspection by a dealer.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks Governor Kathy Hochul to officially designate April 2026 as Arab American Heritage Month in New York State. The resolution highlights the historical contributions and cultural significance of Arab Americans within the state, noting that New York is home to over 300,000 individuals from diverse Arab backgrounds. By directing copies of the resolution to the governor and several advocacy organizations, the measure seeks to raise public awareness and promote recognition of this community's heritage.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 7856) requires all motor vehicle accident prevention courses that qualify for insurance premium discounts to include specific awareness components: portable electronic device use, cannabis use, road rage, and work zone safety. It directly affects drivers who complete these courses to earn premium reductions and insurance companies that offer such discounts. The Department of Motor Vehicles must monitor these courses to ensure they cover all four required topics. The law does not change existing premium discount rules but mandates these new instructional elements for qualifying courses.

Authorizes the public campaign finance board to accept an application/certification form jointly signed by candidates for governor and lieutenant governor for eligibility to participate in public matching funds.

Prohibits public employers from diminishing health insurance benefits provided to Medicare-eligible retirees and their Medicare-eligible dependents or the contributions such employer makes for such health insurance coverage below the level of such benefits or contributions made on behalf of such retirees and dependents by the public employer as of December 31, 2021.

Requires social services districts to, every heating season, automatically re-enroll persons or households currently receiving assistance through the low-income home energy assistance program, so long as each person or household maintains eligibility.