Sen. Steve Rhoads

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4105) would allow licensed commuter vans in New York City to pick up passengers from the street in specific neighborhoods: Manhattan Community District 2, Queens Community District 12, and several Brooklyn districts (5, 9, 16, 17, and 18). Currently, such vans can only accept prearranged rides, but this bill creates a limited program permitting street hails in those areas while banning pickups at airports. The city commission must report annually on the program's impact and effects by February 1, 2028, and thereafter. It directly affects licensed commuter van operators in those designated zones.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a property tax exemption for police officers who are 100% disabled due to duty-related injuries or illnesses, certified by a physician. Eligible officers must own their primary residence, and local governments must adopt a specific ordinance after a public hearing to implement the exemption. The exemption covers all local property taxes (city, town, county) for qualifying officers' homes. It does not apply to cooperative apartment buildings covered under certain housing laws. The exemption begins for 2027 assessment rolls.

Provides that a person convicted of murder in the first or second degree, or aggravated murder, in the death of a minor shall be sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.

Maddy summaryBill S 7021 establishes a new retirement service credit for members of New York State public retirement systems who serve as volunteer firefighters or emergency service providers. Eligible members can receive one year of service credit for every five years of volunteer service, up to a maximum of three years of credit for fifteen years of service. To qualify, members must have at least five years of existing credited service and will pay a portion of the cost, calculated as three percent of their compensation for the twelve months preceding the application. The bill requires volunteer service to be certified by the agency and applications to be submitted before retirement.

Prohibits advertisements on television and radio of cannabis and cannabis products subject to a $5000 fine and license or registration revocation after notice and an opportunity to be heard.

Requires the principal of any high school to allow any local trade union, upon request, to enter the school for the purpose of trade union recruitment, including, but not limited to: making presentations; disseminating literature; and answering questions by students.

Relates to the required disclosure upon the release of a juvenile or adolescent offender from the custody of the office of children and family services of certain records that are necessary to ascertain the nature of such offender's conviction and would be beneficial in identifying and mitigating any risk that such offender could pose if released.

Enacts the New York state antisemitism vandalism act which establishes the crime of vandalism of pro-Israel print, which provides a class A misdemeanor for any individual who intentionally destroys, damages, removes, or causes to be destroyed, damaged or removed any banner, poster, flyer or billboard which is located in a public space, where the intent or purpose of such banner, poster, flyer or billboard is to bring awareness for Israeli individuals who have been victims of a crime, or to positively support the country or citizens of Israel in any way.

Defines the practice of certified registered nurse anesthetist; requires collaboration with a licensed physician qualified to determine the need for anesthesia services; requires licensing; defines qualifications.

Maddy summaryS 58 creates a new criminal offense for making threats of violence against police officers, classifying it as a class C felony. The bill defines the crime as threatening to commit violence against an officer with the intent to intimidate civilians, influence government policy, or disrupt government operations. It explicitly states that lacking the intent or ability to carry out the threat is not a valid defense. This law directly affects individuals who make such threats, imposing felony penalties rather than lesser offenses. The bill aims to strengthen legal consequences for threats targeting law enforcement personnel.