Sen. Jake Ashby

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a law), formally recognizing Holi as an ancient Hindu Spring Festival. It acknowledges Holi's cultural significance - celebrating fertility, love, the triumph of good over evil, and the arrival of spring - without creating any new policies or affecting anyone's rights or obligations. The resolution simply directs the legislature to pause its proceedings to observe the festival, with no binding requirements for citizens or government action. It was adopted by the legislature on March 5, 2026, as a symbolic gesture honoring cultural diversity.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (J 1680) designates March 10, 2026, as "Bronx Day" to honor the borough's history and cultural significance. It directs the New York State Legislature to pause its proceedings on that date to recognize the Bronx's contributions, including its role as the birthplace of hip-hop, historical sites, and diverse communities. The resolution will be transmitted to the Bronx Borough President and Bronx Chamber of Commerce. As a commemorative measure, it has no binding policy impact or direct effect on residents or programs.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (J 1681) congratulating the Potsdam Central High School Girls Hockey Team for winning the 2026 NYSPHSAA Girls Hockey Championship. It formally recognizes the team's 17-3-2 season record, their 3-2 championship victory over Adirondack United, and their status as the school's first girls hockey champions in over a decade. The resolution specifically names all 25 players and coaches (including Head Coach Joe Stark and Assistant Coaches Lindsay LaSala and Olivia Scott) and directs that engrossed copies be sent to them. As a symbolic gesture with no policy impact, it does not create new laws or affect any regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts individuals aged 75 or older from jury duty upon their written request. It requires the court to provide a form for seniors to submit, after which they are automatically excused from service unless they later request to be reinstated. The exemption remains in effect until the person formally asks to be considered for jury duty again. This change directly affects New York residents who are 75 years or older and wish to avoid jury service.

Maddy summaryThis bill would provide a full real property tax exemption for the primary residence of disabled veterans who meet specific criteria. To qualify, veterans must have been discharged under honorable conditions, have a qualifying disability or LGBT status recognized under veterans' services law, and be rated as permanently and totally disabled by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The exemption also applies to veterans who are individually unemployable due to their disability and have received government pecuniary assistance for housing modifications. The law ensures the property's taxable value cannot go below zero and does not affect any existing tax exemptions veterans may already receive.

Maddy summaryS 1527 creates a sales tax exemption for commercial energy storage systems equipment and their installation costs. This directly affects businesses installing such systems on non-residential properties to store electricity for later use in heating, cooling, hot water, or power. The bill amends tax law to exempt these systems from state sales tax, covering both the equipment and installation services. Local governments must explicitly adopt this exemption in their tax ordinances to apply it.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires local tax offices to send seniors two notices about renewing their real property tax exemption. It mandates an initial notice 60 days before the tax deadline and a second notice 30 days before if the renewal application hasn't been received. Seniors must submit a completed application by the deadline to maintain their exemption, and tax offices must notify them of approval or denial within three days of the assessment roll closing. This applies directly to seniors who previously qualified for the exemption and need to renew it annually.

Maddy summaryS 487 designates August 31st of each year as "Overdose Awareness Day" in New York State. The bill amends the executive law to add this date to a list of established commemorative days, such as Juneteenth and Holocaust Remembrance Day. This is a symbolic designation with no new funding, policies, or direct impact on specific groups - it simply recognizes the day for public awareness purposes.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (J 1603) memorializes Governor Hochul to officially designate April 2026 as "Workplace Violence Prevention Month" in New York State. It does not create new laws but requests the Governor issue a proclamation to raise public awareness about preventing workplace violence, particularly highlighting healthcare workers' elevated risk (five times higher than other industries). The resolution references April as the nationally recognized Workplace Violence Prevention Awareness Month and directs copies to the Governor and medical associations. It is a ceremonial measure focused on awareness, not policy change.

Maddy summaryThis resolution requests Governor Hochul to designate April 6, 2026, as Tartan Day in New York State, recognizing Scottish heritage and contributions. It does not create new laws or affect specific groups, but formally asks the Governor to acknowledge Scottish-American cultural ties through a ceremonial proclamation. The resolution highlights historical connections between Scotland and New York, including Scottish roots of many early American leaders and cultural traditions like tartan. As a non-binding memorial resolution, it has no direct policy impact beyond the symbolic recognition.