Creates the New York state commission on government efficiency to examine state spending, identify unnecessary and wasteful spending and create a report of recommendations of spending items that can be eliminated by New York state.
Sen. Steve Rhoads
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill creates special license plates for members of the New York City Fire Riders Motorcycle Club. To qualify, applicants must be active or retired New York City Fire Department members with current club membership. The plates would cost an additional $25 annually on top of standard vehicle registration fees. The bill does not change fire department operations or provide new benefits beyond the plate design.
Establishes the child victims act fund which provides grant awards in reimbursement to public school districts and voluntary foster care agencies located within the state who have been named as defendants in certain child sexual abuse legal cases and in which it can be demonstrated by the public school district or voluntary foster care agency that no insurance policy for the covered period can be located after a good-faith effort to do so has been made, there was a monetary judgment issued or settlement agreement with regard to such action and where it can be demonstrated by the public school district or voluntary foster care agency that payment in full of such judgment or settlement would put a substantial burden on the district's or agency's ability to execute its mission and negatively impact its existing student population.
Establishes the shovel-ready housing program under which certain municipalities, at their option, may pre-authorize parcels of property for the construction of housing; establishes a shovel-ready community tax rebate for taxpayers residing in municipalities that opt-in to the shovel-ready housing program; provides for annual apportionment to municipalities that have certified participation in the shovel-ready housing program.
Maddy summaryThis bill extends the deadline for certain organizations to provide fiscal intermediary services - such as managing payments for home care programs - from April 1, 2025, to July 1, 2025. It requires subcontractors working with the statewide fiscal intermediary to register with the state department within 30 days of being selected. The change directly affects entities currently offering these services, ensuring they can continue operating under the new timeline while meeting registration requirements. The law takes effect immediately but applies retroactively from April 1, 2025.
Maddy summaryS 2714 creates a five-member Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Control Board to address the MTA's fiscal crisis. The board, appointed by the governor with input from legislative leaders, must approve all major MTA projects and financing before the authority can commit funds or incur debt. Key provisions require the board to verify sufficient funding commitments - such as revenue projections or collateral - before approving projects, and to coordinate with the state comptroller within a seven-day review window. This bill directly affects the MTA's ability to fund infrastructure projects, aiming to ensure long-term fiscal stability and protect taxpayers from unsustainable costs.
Maddy summaryS 282 requires election boards to publicly post online images of all completed ballots after an election, while removing any personal identifying information like names or addresses. This applies directly to election officials who manage ballot processing and storage. The bill mandates this release immediately after elections, making ballot images accessible to the public through online platforms. It does not change voting procedures or eligibility but increases transparency around how ballots are handled.
Establishes the crimes of deceptive wearing of a mask and aggravated deceptive wearing of a mask; makes such crimes a class B misdemeanor and a class A misdemeanor, respectively.
Maddy summaryThis bill limits the New York State Insurance Superintendent's authority to create or enforce suitability requirements for term life insurance policies (which have no cash value). It requires that suitability assessments for such policies only consider a consumer's age and annual income, prohibiting any additional factors. The bill nullifies existing regulations (like 11 NYCRR Part 224) that conflict with this rule, directly affecting insurance agents, companies selling term life insurance, and consumers purchasing these policies in New York. It aims to increase term life insurance availability by reducing regulatory barriers.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 224) amends New York's penal law to upgrade the felony classifications for unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle (from E to D felony for third degree, D to C for second degree, and C for first degree). It also adds these specific fleeing offenses to the list of crimes subject to bail eligibility determinations under criminal procedure law. Under the changes, courts must evaluate whether a defendant charged with such fleeing offenses (third, second, or first degree) should be released on bail or held, considering factors like "harm to an identifiable person or property" as outlined in sections 510.10, 530.20, and 530.40. This affects individuals charged with these fleeing offenses during bail hearings.