Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1580) requires state human services agencies to implement a 7.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for eligible programs starting April 1, 2025. It directly affects programs administered by the Office of Mental Health, Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, and Office of Addiction Services and Supports, including mental health clinics, developmental disability services, and addiction treatment programs. The COLA applies to reimbursement rates for these services and mandates that recipients use funds to provide at least a 2.6% targeted salary increase for eligible staff. The bill prohibits other new COLA increases during this period, except for specific federal pandemic relief programs.

Establishes the New York state abortion clinical training program within the department of health for the purpose of training health care practitioners in the performance of abortion and related reproductive health care services; requires the commissioner of health to submit a report to the governor and the legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires election commissioners and key election board staff to complete mandatory training. New appointees must finish a 30-hour initial course within six months of starting their role, and all staff must complete a three-hour annual refresher by June 1 each year. The state board of elections designs and delivers all training, including web-based options for annual sessions. Failure to complete training triggers written notice to county legislators, city councils, and local party chairs. The law affects all county election boards and their designated staff responsible for election operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits foreign-influenced businesses from spending money on New York state or local elections. It defines "foreign-influenced" as businesses where foreign owners hold 1% or more of equity (or 5% for multiple owners), or where foreign entities control political decisions. Businesses making political contributions must certify they aren’t foreign-influenced and provide this certification to election committees. Violations carry felony charges and civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation.

Maddy summaryS 3849 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing New York's legislature to adjust the number of supreme court justices in any judicial district, with limits based on population (no more than one justice per 50,000 residents, or fraction over 30,000). It also permits decreasing the number, but not below the current count in any district. The amendment requires voter approval in the 2026 general election. This is a procedural change to the state constitution affecting court structure, not direct policy for residents.

Relates to certain crimes of interference with health care services or access to places of religious worship; expands interference to include groups of two or more people demonstrating or preparing to demonstrate twenty-five feet outside of reproductive health care facilities and places of religious worship.

Relates to filling the void left by the expansive and overbroad applicability of the qualified immunity doctrine that operates as a near absolute shield to civil liability for public officials and ensures that state officials are justly held accountable for violating an individual's rights, privileges and immunities under state law.

Establishes in the department of agriculture and markets a program to purchase fresh produce from farms located in the state and distribute such produce to areas determined by the commissioner of agriculture and markets to be food deserts; promotes opportunities for farm ownership among under-represented farmers, including farmers who are black, indigenous, or people of color.

Prohibits a cause of action for defamation where the subject of such action includes an allegation made to an employer regarding an unlawful discriminatory practice or act of retaliation.

Provides that municipal housing authorities in cities having a population of one million or more shall be subject to the review and regulation of the authorities budget office.