Sen. Rachel May

Authorizes the commissioner of education to conduct a survey regarding instruction on Asian American, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islander history within the state; establishes an Asian American, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islander history advisory committee; provides for the repeal of such provisions upon the expiration thereof.

Directs the department of state, in cooperation with other departments, to provide technical assistance to any municipality, upon request, that has had a college or university close within such municipality.

Relates to prevailing wage requirements applicable to brownfield remediation work performed under private contract as it relates to certain remediation activities, for sites that are seeking or have received a determination that the site is eligible for the tangible property credit component of the brownfield redevelopment tax credit, and the work is paid for in whole or in part by public funds.

Requires utilities to notify property owners prior to beginning any non-emergency construction or other work that may interfere with a property owner's ability to use, or access such owner's property; requires notice to include, but not limited to, a description of the work to be performed, the expected duration of such work, the location of such work, any road closures or detours that may occur due to such work, any action that may directly and materially impact the use of such property, and the contact information for the utility performing such work; provides notice may include electronic communications, signage, and written materials; exempts cases where a natural or man-made disaster or state of emergency occurs.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1842) allows county election boards to hire election inspectors and poll clerks for split shifts with adjusted pay. However, it requires that at least one inspector and one clerk from each major political party must be present at every polling site for the entire time the polls are open. County boards must create rules to ensure proper polling site operations under this new structure. The law took effect immediately upon being signed by the governor on December 5, 2025.

Provides for the adjustment of the minimum amount of tax delinquency for which the driver's license of a taxpayer may be suspended, based on inflation; prohibits inclusion in the license suspension program of a taxpayer who receives public assistance or supplemental security income, or whose income does not exceed 250% of the poverty level; authorizes the commissioner to grant exemptions to taxpayers whose payment of past due tax liabilities would create a hardship to the taxpayer in meeting necessary living expenses.

Authorizes the New York state thruway authority to issue annual short distance commuter permits which shall provide for travel at no charge between interchanges in permit areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 923) would have automatically unenrolled voters registered with any political party containing the words "Independence" or "Independent" from all party affiliations. It directly affected voters whose party enrollment included those specific terms in their registration. The law would have changed their status to "unaffiliated" without requiring any action from them. The bill was passed by the legislature but vetoed by the governor on December 5, 2025, so it never became law.

Prohibits the application of pesticides to certain local freshwater wetlands for local governments that have implemented a freshwater wetlands protection law; provides that any local law or ordinance adopted pursuant to this section shall take effect on the first day of January after it shall have been adopted.

Requires the department of health to publish a report on the incidence of tick-borne illnesses annually on the department's website; requires the department to submit an annual report to the governor and the leaders of the legislature; requires the superintendent of financial services to review the status of health insurance coverage for the treatment of Lyme disease and other tick-borne related diseases and to submit a report to the governor and the leaders of the legislature.