Sen. Steve Rhoads

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a pilot program in Nassau County to allow licensed professionals, known as nuisance wildlife specialists, to remove deer that are considered a nuisance or a threat to public safety and property. Under the new rules, the state wildlife department can issue permits to these specialists to use specific management tools, such as setting traps, using salt licks, and employing artificial lights to attract deer, which are currently restricted for most people. The program requires strict oversight, including mandatory marksmanship qualifications, liability insurance, and a detailed site-specific management plan approved by the county. Additionally, the bill authorizes these specialists to take deer from public highways and repeals a previous provision that had limited the use of artificial lights on lands inhabited by deer.

Enacts the feathered lives also count act directing the commissioner of general services to incorporate practices and strategies to reduce bird fatality resulting from collisions with certain state-owned or state-leased buildings, and for other purposes; requires the commissioner to develop a design guide that includes features, methods and strategies, and best practices for reducing bird fatalities; requires the commissioner to report to the governor and the legislature.

Exempts water system property owned by a private water-works corporation located in counties with a population of one million or more that are special assessing units from being included as special franchise property.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows the Maimonides Educational Center in Nassau County to apply for a real property tax exemption for its building at 2083 Seneca Gate in Merrick. It authorizes the county tax assessor to accept a late application for the 2020-2021 tax year, treating it as if it were submitted on time, provided the organization qualifies under existing tax laws. If the exemption is approved by the county legislature, the center may receive a refund for any taxes already paid and have related penalties or liens removed. The legislation takes effect immediately upon passage.

Provides that in the event child protective services receives a duplicate report on an open case that has not been founded, indicated or referred to services, such duplicate report shall merge with the open case and remain open an additional thirty days for further investigation.

Establishes a maternity care coordination program to provide community maternity care providers with training and support with respect to the unique needs of pregnant and postpartum veterans including veteran reproductive mental health care.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires colleges and universities to run education campaigns informing students, faculty, and staff about the 9-8-8 suicide and crisis lifeline and the crisis text line. Under the law, student identification cards must display contact information for these services, or institutions without such cards must distribute the contact details annually. The mandate applies to all student IDs issued, updated, or altered on or after July 1, 2025.

Clarifies the application of standardized testing requirements to the general education development exam by explicitly including it in the definition of "standardized test" and "test".

Maddy summaryThis bill asks Governor Kathy Hochul to officially declare June 2024 as Dairy Month in New York. It aims to honor the dairy industry and acknowledge the work of the state's dairy farmers, who are a significant part of New York's agricultural sector. The resolution highlights the economic importance of dairy farming and the nutritional benefits of dairy products for the public.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks the Governor to officially recognize May 2024 as Speech-Language-Hearing Month in New York State. The resolution aims to raise public awareness about the importance of communication health and the work of speech, language, and hearing professionals. It does not create new laws or change funding but serves to honor the field and encourage communities to value effective communication. The measure also highlights efforts by local organizations to promote understanding of these health issues through events like poster contests.