Sen. Steve Rhoads

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution congratulates Gabrielle Jospa of Plainview, New York, on earning the Gold Award, the highest honor in Girl Scouting. The bill formally recognizes her achievement for completing a rigorous project titled "Gabby's Guide to Invisible Illness" and acknowledges her dedication to service and leadership. It directs the legislative body to pause briefly to honor her accomplishment and mandates that a copy of the resolution be sent to her. This measure is a ceremonial tribute rather than a policy change affecting broader laws or regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate resolution that formally honors Samantha Hecker for receiving the New York State Citizenship Award. The document lists her various community service activities, academic achievements, and leadership roles to justify the recognition. The resolution directs the legislature to pause proceedings to acknowledge her accomplishments and mandates that a copy of the document be sent to her.

Maddy summaryThis resolution congratulates Hope Friedman of Plainview, New York, for earning the Girl Scouts' Gold Award, the organization's highest honor. The document recognizes her completion of a rigorous service project titled "The Go to Guide to Empowering Our Youth" and formally honors her achievement. It directs that a copy of the resolution be sent to Friedman as a gesture of appreciation for her dedication to community service and leadership development.

Requires the state comptroller to procure the services of one or more independent private professional services firms with expertise in accounting, auditing, and fraud detection to conduct a comprehensive audit of state government programs receiving state funds; requires the auditing firm to report fraud, abuse or other unlawful conduct to appropriate law enforcement agencies; requires the audit to be made publicly available.

Phases out certain reimbursements for expenditures made by or on behalf of social services districts for medical assistance for needy persons, beginning with a 10% reduction for 2025, and ending with a 100% reduction for 2034, and remaining eliminated for each year thereafter.

Maddy summaryS 8463 provides a one-year exemption from utility taxes and specific surcharges for all residential and commercial utility customers, effective 14 days after enactment. It also creates a two-year exemption from tariffs for renewable energy systems, electric vehicle infrastructure, and charging stations. During these periods, utility companies must reduce customer prices by the exact amount of the exempted taxes and surcharges. The state will reimburse lost revenue to utility funds within 45 days after the one-year period ends. This bill directly affects all utility ratepayers and impacts how utilities price services for renewable energy investments.

Enacts "Bryan Johnson's law"; includes prior convictions of operation of a vessel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs as prior convictions of driving while intoxicated.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates how New York state calculates payment rates for residential health care facilities (like nursing homes) that provide long-term care. It requires the state to adjust rates annually based on current operating costs, with mandatory updates by April 2026 and every five years after, using the most recent cost data. Certain specialized facilities (such as those for children, ventilator-dependent patients, or behavioral health) retain historical rates adjusted for inflation, while others transition to the new cost-based system over a minimum four-year period. The bill also mandates a workgroup of experts to advise on rate-setting methodology and includes provisions for quality improvement funding.

Maddy summaryS 703 amends New York's animal cruelty law by removing the requirement that injury must be "serious" to qualify as aggravated cruelty. This change means prosecutors no longer need to prove severe physical harm to charge someone with aggravated cruelty to animals. The bill defines "aggravated cruelty" as conduct intentionally causing extreme pain or carried out in a depraved or sadistic manner, applying to companion animals. The law directly affects individuals accused of animal cruelty, broadening the scope of what constitutes a punishable offense under this specific charge.

Restricts the performance of surgical devocalization procedures on dogs and cats; prohibited for reasons of convenience in keeping or handling a dog or cat.