Sen. Jim Tedisco

Maddy summaryS 685 creates an exception to existing prohibitions on fossil fuel use in new buildings. This bill allows new building projects to continue using fossil fuels if their site plan or subdivision plat received approval from a local planning board before December 31, 2025. The measure ensures that projects with initial approvals in place before this deadline are not subject to the upcoming fossil fuel ban.

Establishes the New York state commission on out-migration which examines why the state of New York is losing residents and offering recommendations to reverse such trend.

Maddy summaryS 2036 allows New York school districts to receive state building aid for specific school safety equipment, including stationary metal detectors, security cameras, and safety devices for room dividers or doors. The bill requires districts to include these projects in their approved school safety plans and specifies that aid equals 10% extra on top of the standard building aid ratio, calculated based on actual approved spending. It explicitly excludes portable metal detectors and ensures the aid doesn’t replace existing safety funding or contractual obligations. This change directly affects school districts seeking state financial support for permanent safety infrastructure improvements.

Adjusts the school tax relief (STAR) exemption for homes located outside a city with a population greater than one million for the 2025--2026 school years and thereafter (Part A); relates to a real property tax freeze to reimburse qualifying homeowners for increases in local property taxes on their primary residences (Part B); provides for supplemental state assistance to be paid to cities, counties, towns and villages that are compliant with the property tax levy limits (Part C).

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 1414 (the "utility ratepayer protection act"), requires electric, gas, and water utilities to get legislative approval before raising rates. Utilities must submit a detailed report 180 days in advance, including justification and their financial status, to the legislature. The legislature can deny an increase if it deems it unnecessary to cover service costs, and any approved increase requires a majority vote in both the Senate and Assembly. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Makes life imprisonment without parole mandatory for defendants convicted of murder in the first degree or second degree and the victim is a police officer, peace officer, first responder or correctional officer.

Establishes a temporary state commission to study and investigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic response on deaths in nursing homes; provides for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof.

Increases certain penalties for violating the prohibition of animal fighting and for aggravated cruelty to animals; requires a psychiatric evaluation for defendants convicted of aggravated cruelty to animals.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a tax exemption for drugs and medicines used to treat illnesses in companion animals (like pets) and farm animals (like livestock), as defined by New York's Agriculture Law. It requires local governments (cities, counties, school districts) to actively adopt this exemption through local law or resolution - meaning they must choose to implement it rather than it applying automatically. The exemption applies to veterinary medicines and related supplies, reducing tax burdens for pet owners and farmers who purchase these products. Local jurisdictions can choose to include or exclude this exemption from their tax policies, with specific rules for implementation timing.

Requires unsealing of court records of youthful offenders convicted of animal abuse offense; provides that such persons undergo a psychiatric evaluation and treatment where necessary.