Sen. Mark Walczyk

Maddy summaryBill S 1189 establishes new licensure requirements for entities providing fiscal intermediary services for personal assistance programs. Beginning April 1, 2027, these fiscal intermediaries must obtain a license from the commissioner, a process that includes an application fee and an assessment of their character, competence, and compliance. The bill also broadens the definition of fiscal intermediaries, modifies their annual reporting obligations, and creates a confidential state registry for personal assistants that these intermediaries must maintain. This legislation directly affects fiscal intermediaries, personal assistants, and consumers utilizing these services.

Establishes a legislative commission on article V conventions of the states to represent the state of New York at article V conventions; provides penalties for commissioners who exceed their scope of authority and individuals who interfere with the duties of a commissioner.

Provides a state income tax exemption for volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers who have qualifying service in the taxable year for which such exemption is sought.

Directs the commissioner of the division of homeland security and emergency services to conduct an after-action review study on the state's COVID-19 pandemic response; directs the commissioner to submit a report on such study after 1 year and make such report publicly available on its website, and share such report with the CDC.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires counties to establish at least one early voting location in either the largest city (based on the latest census) or the county seat if no cities exist. If a city has public transportation, the early voting site must be placed along those routes where feasible. It applies directly to county election officials and affects voters by standardizing early voting access points across all counties. The law takes immediate effect and includes a specific exception for Washington County.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all visitors entering New York correctional facilities to undergo body scanning before entry, and mandates that incarcerated individuals be scanned upon intake and after visits. It specifies that facilities must offer alternative screening methods for medical reasons or if someone declines scanning, though visitation may be denied for non-medical refusal. Regulations will define when scanning is required, including accommodations for medical needs and prohibiting harassment for choosing alternatives. The law takes effect immediately, with related public health law changes set to be repealed alongside it.

Requires a call-blocking service to be provided in state contracts that include procurement of a voice service; provides that a voice service provider shall not be subject to civil or criminal liability for failure of a call-blocking service to block a call, or mistakenly blocking a call that should not have been blocked.

Maddy summaryS 3380 would change New York State and New York City to observe daylight saving time year-round, eliminating the current practice of switching to standard time in the fall. It amends state and city laws to adopt federal daylight saving time rules (15 USC 260a) as the permanent standard, provided federal law permits year-round daylight saving. The bill would take effect only after neighboring states (Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania) pass similar legislation, or immediately if they have already done so.

Maddy summaryS 1427 proposes changes to how non-commercial driver's licenses and learner's permits are issued, specifically for those that do not meet federal identification standards. The bill creates different requirements for counties designated as "boundary land" compared to other counties. In counties *without* boundary land, applicants could use certain foreign documents, like passports or consular IDs, as proof of identity and provide an affidavit if they lack a social security number. However, these alternative forms of identification and the social security number affidavit would not be accepted for these specific license types in "boundary land" counties.

Authorizes and directs the commissioner of the office of general services to commission the flag design committee of the North American Vexillological Association to design a new state flag.