Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal

Maddy summaryS 6398 creates a new class A-I felony offense for "operating as a major firearms trafficker." It directly affects individuals who unlawfully sell, exchange, give away, or possess 20 or more firearms within a one-year period with intent to sell. The bill establishes two specific triggers: selling 20+ firearms to others in a year, or possessing 20+ firearms with intent to sell. This law increases penalties for large-scale firearms trafficking by classifying it as the highest felony level under the penal law.

Establishes the New York long term care trust program to provide long term care benefits for eligible residents who have paid the required premium contributions and are in need of assistance with at least two activities of daily living as determined by the department of health.

Prohibits provisions in any waiver, settlement, agreement or other resolution of any claim where the foundation for which is an alleged violation of the labor law or article fifteen of the executive law, that prevent the disclosure of the employee's workplace experience with the employer.

Establishes the universal child care act to provide for the establishment and funding of universal child care in the state of New York; establishes a universal child care taskforce to help implement universal child care in the state and repeals certain provisions of the social services law relating thereto; establishes the permanent child care workforce pay equity fund; establishes a universal child care public option pilot program to provide universal child care in at least twenty locations throughout the state; makes an appropriation therefor.

Creates the office of expungement and automatic sealing within the division of criminal justice services to oversee the sealing and expungement of certain convictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 107) grants tenant associations in "assisted rental housing" (buildings with federal/state rent controls or subsidies) the right to purchase their building before it converts to market-rate housing. Tenant associations representing at least 60% of occupied units can submit a written offer to buy at the property's appraised value within 120 days of a potential sale, before the owner accepts a third-party offer. The bill defines "affordable" as rents not exceeding 30% of household income or prior rent restrictions, and requires the purchase to maintain long-term affordability. It applies specifically to properties participating in programs like Section 8 or HUD-subsidized housing, giving tenants priority to prevent displacement.

Prohibits a person currently employed by the governor in the executive chamber or employed as a lobbyist from being appointed to a position that requires approval of the senate.

Requires the metropolitan transportation authority to publish certain information pertaining to capital project data for projects that are committed for construction on the capital program dashboard maintained by the authority on the authority's website; requires sources of funding to be specified.

Maddy summaryS 1528 establishes a tax on carbon-based fuels like coal, natural gas, and petroleum, imposed on fuel distributors and utilities based on carbon dioxide emissions. The tax starts at $35 per ton of carbon dioxide equivalent and increases by $15 annually to a maximum of $185 per ton. Revenue from the tax funds a dedicated "Carbon Dioxide Emissions Fund," with 60% returned as tax credits to low-to-moderate income residents (below 115% of area median income) and 40% allocated to clean energy transition, mass transit, and climate adaptation projects. The bill requires annual reporting by distributors and utilities and mandates public reporting on tax adjustments to address inflation and climate goals.

Maddy summaryS 1068 requires New York municipalities to obtain state legislative approval before selling, leasing, or changing the use of publicly owned parkland. It mandates that any alienation must include acquiring replacement parkland of equal or greater size, value, and recreational utility, with exceptions for utility easements (requiring funding for new parkland) or park-related facilities (requiring ongoing public benefit). The bill establishes a review process where municipalities must first get certification from the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation confirming compliance with replacement requirements before the legislature can approve alienation. This directly affects all New York cities, towns, counties, and school districts owning parkland, ensuring parkland loss is offset by equivalent public space. The law codifies existing "public trust doctrine" requirements while adding specific procedural safeguards.