Sen. Rachel May

Maddy summaryThis bill asks the Governor of New York to officially recognize April 2026 as Pet Cruelty Awareness Month. The resolution defines animal cruelty to include abuse, neglect, abandonment, and lack of proper care, and encourages residents to learn about these issues and report them to authorities. It does not create new laws or change existing regulations, but rather serves to raise public awareness about the treatment of animals in the state.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution commemorates the 66th anniversary of Senegalese Independence on April 4, 2026, by formally recognizing the historical significance of the date and honoring the Senegalese-American community in New York. The bill directs the legislative body to pause its proceedings to acknowledge this event and mandates that a copy of the resolution be sent to the Association of Senegalese in America. It serves as a symbolic gesture to celebrate Senegal's history and the contributions of its diaspora without altering any laws or policies.

Establishes scramble crosswalks leading to and from school buildings during times of student arrival and dismissal to ensure all vehicular traffic is stopped while pedestrians are crossing in the same intersection.

Establishes the electric landscaping equipment rebate program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and reduce noise pollution by promoting the adoption of quieter, zero-emission landscaping equipment; provides for rebates at the point of sale for applicants purchasing or leasing certain equipment; provides for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof.

Establishes the "earned time act" providing for time allowances against the term or maximum term of sentences imposed by the court to be credited on an annual pro rata basis.

Establishes a duty to inform certain patients about the risks associated with cesarean section for patients undergoing a planned or unplanned primary cesarean section.

Eliminates provisions exempting employees with disabilities from the minimum wage law; provides that laws or minimum wage orders that authorize an employer to pay a wage that is less than the minimum wage are valid provided that under such laws or orders an employee with a disability is paid the same wage as an employee in a comparable position that does not have a disability.

Enacts the "food safety and chemical disclosure act"; prohibits certain food additives and food color additives; provides that in an action to enforce compliance, the recognition by the federal food and drug administration of any of these substances as safe may not be alleged as a defense; establishes requirements for the reporting of GRAS (generally recognized as safe) substances.

Prohibits the sale of foods containing synthetic color additives in schools except under certain circumstances off and away from the premises or on premises at least a half hour after the end of the school day.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks Governor Kathy Hochul to officially designate April 2026 as Arab American Heritage Month in New York State. The resolution highlights the historical contributions and cultural significance of Arab Americans within the state, noting that New York is home to over 300,000 individuals from diverse Arab backgrounds. By directing copies of the resolution to the governor and several advocacy organizations, the measure seeks to raise public awareness and promote recognition of this community's heritage.