Sen. Jake Ashby

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a state tax credit for adoptive parents. It allows New York resident taxpayers to claim a credit equal to 50% of qualified adoption expenses (such as fees, court costs, and attorney fees) up to $10,000 per adoption. Any unused credit amount can be carried forward to future tax years. The credit applies to taxable years beginning January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1200) allows veterans to earn academic credit at New York State and City University systems for military training they completed. Specifically, full-time undergraduate veterans enrolled in good standing at these institutions can receive full credit toward their degree for military courses meeting American Council on Education standards - without any fees or tuition charges. It applies to veterans who served honorably in active duty, reserves, or New York National Guard/Militia. The law requires university boards to create procedures for implementing this credit transfer.

Relates to the salaries of certain teachers and aides employed by boards of cooperative educational services; puts limits on certain administrative and clerical expenses.

Requires the department of education to report information regarding counselors, social workers and psychologists in schools and to implement a plan to increase the school counselor, school social worker and school psychologist to student ratio to nationally accepted standards and provide funding for such.

Requires approval by a two-thirds vote of the state senate for certain salary increases of certain state officers that would result in a salary above the governor's salary.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state to reimburse municipalities in Rensselaer County for lost property tax revenue when contamination from the Dewey Loeffel Landfill forces them to lower property tax assessments. Eligible municipalities can apply annually to the state comptroller for reimbursement of the difference between actual property values and reduced values due to contamination, as certified by their chief fiscal officer. The state will continue these reimbursements each year until the Dewey Loeffel Landfill is removed from the state's hazardous waste site list.

Adds xylazine to the depressants designated as controlled substances with the exception of use in cattle or other nonhuman species if approved by the federal food and drug administration.

Allows reservists who have served or who are currently serving in the United States armed forces to be eligible for 2.5 points on civil service examinations.

Maddy summaryS 4320 extends a pilot program waiving civil service examination fees until December 31, 2027. The program currently allows fee waivers for unemployed job seekers primarily responsible for household support or receiving public assistance, and for all veterans (as defined by the bill, including those honorably discharged or with qualifying conditions). This extension maintains the same eligibility rules and applies to all civil service examinations held between July 1, 2023, and December 31, 2027. The bill does not change the fee waiver criteria but prolongs the temporary program for two additional years.

Requires that regents and elective officers of the university of the state of New York prove that their primary residence is located within New York state before entering on their duties.