Sen. Rachel May

Maddy summaryThis bill allows volunteer firefighters to receive a property tax exemption on their homes if they live in the same school district where they serve. To qualify, firefighters must have been certified members of their fire company for at least five years, and their home must be their primary residence used only for living. The exemption covers up to $12,000 of the property's value, calculated using the state's equalization rate, and requires each school district to hold a public hearing before adopting the rule. Additionally, firefighters with over 20 years of service can receive this exemption for life, provided their district approves it. Existing volunteer firefighters who already receive other benefits under current laws will not lose those benefits if they also apply for this new tax break.

Relates to requiring the use of project labor agreements for large scale construction projects under the state university construction fund; provides an exception to such requirement may be granted; provides that the fund may require every contractor become party to a project labor agreement.

Provides that the submission of claims for services provided by home care agencies shall be done on forms approved by the centers for Medicare and Medicaid services.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates how the state calculates payment rates for federally qualified health centers to better match their actual operating costs. It requires the health department to analyze five years of cost data, including expenses for staffing, physical facilities, and technology, and to remove existing caps on these payments starting in April 2025. The law establishes a new method for adjusting these rates annually based on federal market basket figures and changes in the scope of services provided. This change directly affects federally qualified health centers by ensuring their reimbursement reflects the true cost of delivering care.

Repeals and reenacts statute of limitation provisions on wrongful death, personal injury and property damage actions against professional engineers, architects, landscape architects, land surveyors and construction contractors to provide for a limitations period of ten years after completion of improvement to real property; "completion", which constitutes the accrual date for the limitations period, is defined; provides for a one year extension for injuries to person or property or wrongful death which occur during the tenth year after completion.

Establishes a captive insurance program for commuter vans, black cars, ambulettes and paratransit vehicles, small school buses, and charter buses that are engaged in the business of carrying or transporting eight to twenty-four passengers for hire; pre-arranged for-hire vehicles and accessible vehicles; defines terms.

Relates to establishing a twenty year retirement plan for members or officers of law enforcement; includes every non-seasonally appointed sworn member or officer of the division of law enforcement in the department of environmental conservation, a forest ranger in the service of the department of environmental conservation, a police officer in the department of environmental conservation, the regional state park police, and university police officers in such twenty year plan.

Grants the legislature the authority to direct the attorney-general by concurrent resolution to inquire into matters concerning the public peace, public safety and public justice.

Amends the constitution to delete the requirement that registration for purposes of voting be completed at least ten days before election day; provides that laws be made to adequately safeguard against deception in the exercise of the right of suffrage.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes specific restrictions on who can receive personal and home care services under Medicaid in New York. It repeals a rule that previously required individuals to need assistance with more than two daily activities or, for those with dementia, supervision with more than one daily activity to qualify. The change allows people with fewer daily living challenges to become eligible for these services if a physician determines they are cost-effective and appropriate. Additionally, the bill clarifies that individuals must be able to make their own choices about the type of care they receive or have a designated representative do so. These updates take effect immediately upon becoming law.