Sen. Jim Tedisco

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate resolution that formally honors Staff Sergeant Michael H. Ollis posthumously after he received the Congressional Medal of Honor and was inducted into the Hall of Heroes. The resolution acknowledges Ollis's sacrifice during a 2013 Taliban attack in Afghanistan, where he shielded an allied officer and saved over 40 personnel. It recognizes the Medal of Honor ceremony held at the White House and Ollis's induction at the Pentagon, noting that his name is now inscribed on the Medal of Honor Garden Wall. The resolution concludes by directing a copy of the document to Ollis's family.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 8461) requires that uncommitted funds in New York's Climate Investment Account - collected by utilities through customer bills under the "bill-as-you-go" system - be automatically returned to ratepayers at the end of each fiscal year. It directly affects utility customers who paid these funds, ensuring unused money is credited back to their accounts instead of remaining in the state fund. The key provision amends state law to mandate this refund, specifying that funds not allocated for climate programs by year-end must be credited to ratepayer accounts. The bill does not change how funds are used for climate initiatives but clarifies the process for returning unused amounts.

Maddy summaryThis bill waives metered parking fees for vehicles displaying handicapped permits or plates in New York State, directly affecting severely disabled drivers. The key provision allows these vehicles to park at metered spaces without paying fees, though time limits still apply. The bill specifies that permits are issued to residents of cities with populations under one million and requires the disabled driver to be the only person in the vehicle. It also includes penalties for fraudulently obtaining permits and clarifies that New York State waiver permits are recognized statewide.

Maddy summaryS 587 creates a new income tax deduction for cash tips received by workers, specifically for tips classified as wages under federal tax law. This change directly affects service industry workers (like servers and bartenders) who receive cash tips, allowing them to subtract those tips from their taxable income. The bill adds a specific deduction line to the tax code for cash tips received during a tax year, effective for all tax returns filed for 2025 and later. It does not change how tips are reported to employers but adjusts how they are treated for state tax purposes. The bill is currently pending in committee review.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a property tax credit for homeowners in school districts and certain local governments that maintain stable property tax budgets (called "freeze-compliant budgets") for 2026 through 2028. Homeowners whose primary residence is in an eligible district can receive a credit equal to either the actual increase in their school district taxes or a calculated amount based on the district's allowable tax growth rate, whichever is larger. The credit applies to taxes paid directly to school districts or other eligible local governments (like towns or villages), but excludes cities with over one million residents. It only benefits taxpayers in districts that meet specific budget stability requirements for the specified years.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks Governor Kathy Hochul to officially recognize March 2026 as Youth Art Month in New York State. It does not change laws or create new programs, but rather designates a specific month for public awareness of art education. The resolution highlights the importance of visual arts in schools and encourages community support for art programs. It is a ceremonial measure that directs the governor to issue a proclamation for the observance.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks the Governor of New York to officially declare April 6, 2026, as Missing Persons Day in the state. The resolution is sponsored by Senator Tediscio and is intended to raise awareness about unexplained disappearances and honor Suzanne Lyall, a University at Albany student who has been missing since 1998. The legislation does not create new laws or change existing policies; instead, it serves as a symbolic gesture to recognize the ongoing issue of missing persons and bring attention to the families affected. The bill directs the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to Governor Kathy Hochul for her consideration.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Governor of New York to officially recognize April 11, 2026, as Submarine Day in the state. The resolution acknowledges the historical and ongoing contributions of submarine crews to national defense and maritime security. It highlights New York's connection to submarine history, including the birth of the U.S. Navy in Whitehall and local memorials dedicated to submariners. The measure requires no new funding or policy changes, serving only as a ceremonial proclamation to honor the submarine community.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks the Governor of New York to officially designate March 23, 2026, as Pakistan-American Heritage Day in the state. It directly affects the Pakistani-American community in New York by creating a formal day to recognize their cultural contributions and heritage. The resolution directs copies to the Governor, the Pakistani Consulate in New York City, and the American Pakistani Advocacy Group for their records. This is a ceremonial measure that does not change laws or require funding, but rather serves to acknowledge and celebrate the Pakistani-American community's presence and achievements in New York State.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks Governor Kathy Hochul to officially declare March 15-21, 2026, as Agriculture Week in New York State. The resolution recognizes the importance of farming to the state's economy and food supply, and it aligns with National Agriculture Week celebrations. It does not create new laws or change existing policies, but rather serves as a formal acknowledgment of agriculture's contributions to New York. The bill is a ceremonial measure intended to honor farmers and promote awareness of the agricultural industry.