Sen. Jim Tedisco

Relates to procedures relating to driving while ability impaired by drugs; defines impairment and intoxication; updates procedures for field testing of drivers suspected of being under the influence of drugs to include the use of oral/bodily fluid tests; provides that refusal to submit to such field tests is specified to be a traffic infraction; makes related provisions.

Enacts the "credit for rural broadband act"; provides for a refundable tax credit for costs paid for new construction of new broadband networks to residences and small businesses located in rural, unserved areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates all fees for volunteer firefighters to obtain distinctive license plates. It removes both the one-time $15 service charge and the annual $31.25 fee that previously applied under vehicle law. Volunteer firefighters directly benefit by avoiding these costs when getting their special plates. The change takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Extends tuition free course benefits to volunteer firefighters or voluntary ambulance workers; authorizes the board of trustees of the state university to regulate the conferral of such benefits.

Maddy summaryS 5374 amends New York's penal law to increase the felony classification for assaults targeting specific public safety personnel. It raises assault on police officers from a class D to a class C felony under Section 120.05, elevates assault on peace officers to a class B felony (from class C) under Section 120.08, and upgrades aggravated assault on police to a class A felony (from class B) under Section 120.11. These changes directly affect individuals convicted of assaulting police officers, firefighters, or emergency medical personnel. The bill makes the penalties for these specific crimes more severe by moving them to higher felony classifications. The legislation takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Excludes persons who, not having entered a lease or license for such dwelling with the rightful owner, enters into a dwelling unit, onto real property or otherwise settles on land or occupies real property without title, right, permission of the rightful owner, or payment of rent accepted by the rightful owner from the definition of "occupant" for the purposes of unlawful eviction.

Establishes the crime of doxing a police officer, peace officer, or state officer when a person knowingly makes restricted personal information about a police officer, peace officer, state officer, or a member of the immediate family of such officer, publicly available with the intent to threaten, intimidate, or incite the commission of a crime of violence against the police officer, peace officer, state officer, or a member of the immediate family of such officer; or with the intent and knowledge that the restricted personal information will be used to threaten, intimidate, or facilitate the commission of a crime of violence against the police officer, peace officer, state officer, or a member of the immediate family of such officer; requires the posting of bail.

Requires the dormitory authority of the state of New York to fulfill all outstanding monetary commitments made to any local government for a fiscal year prior to allocating any moneys to economic development grant programs for the following fiscal year.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds one additional county court judge position to Saratoga County, increasing the total number from one to two. It directly affects Saratoga County's court system by expanding judicial capacity. The law changes the Judiciary Law to reflect this increase, requiring the new judge to be elected in the November 2025 general election and assume office on January 1, 2026. The change takes effect immediately, but the new position will be filled through the 2025 election cycle.

Prohibits the use of state funds for non-residents seeking an abortion or any other procedure that results in the intentional termination of a pregnancy at any stage of gestation.