Sen. Steve Rhoads

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution honors Senator Michael N. Gianaris as he receives the President Pro Tempore and Senate Majority Leader's Legislative Legacy Award. The bill formally recognizes his decades of public service, highlighting his legislative achievements in areas such as tenant rights, criminal justice reform, and election access. It expresses the Senate's gratitude for his contributions and directs that a copy of the resolution be sent to him as a token of appreciation.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes specific deadlines for government agencies to respond to freedom of information requests, aiming to speed up access to public records. It requires agencies to provide requested records within 180 days for older requests, 90 days for requests made in 2028, and 60 days for requests starting in 2029, while also mandating that agencies accept and reply to requests via email. The law includes provisions to prevent agencies from delaying responses due to a lack of staff or the volume of records, except in cases involving federal legal barriers, safety concerns, or massive record sets. Additionally, the bill mandates that agencies with websites must allow for online submission of requests and requires them to use electronic methods whenever reasonably possible.

Enacts the "no gambling ads for kids act" under which certain covered platforms and social media platforms are prohibited from advertising a service permitting gaming-related gambling, predictive market wagering, online sweepstakes gaming, sports-related gambling, and/or traditional online gambling to minors.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 291) dedicates a specific section of the Wantagh State Parkway overpass at Merrick Road in Hempstead, Nassau County, to honor Trooper Edward L. Cunningham. The dedication is purely ceremonial, with no change to the official highway name, and requires only commemorative signage. The bill passed the Senate in June 2025 and is now pending in the Assembly Transportation Committee.

Authorizes the New York state and local employees' retirement system to accept an application for disability retirement benefits from Andrew Reilly, Jr.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 5835) waives state license fees for fishing, hunting, and trapping for a specific group: New York residents who are certified first responders and were disabled due to a certified World Trade Center-related medical condition. It directly affects those first responders who developed such disabilities as a result of 9/11 response efforts. The key provision amends existing law to add this group to the list of individuals eligible for free licenses, alongside tribal members, active military, and blind residents. The policy change provides direct financial relief for these eligible first responders by eliminating recurring license costs. The bill passed the Senate and is now in the Assembly for consideration.

Authorizes the issuance of "Blue Star Mother" and "Blue Star Family" distinctive license plates for parents and family members of active duty service members; establishes the "blue star mothers and families support fund".

Relates to participation in World Trade Center rescue, recovery and cleanup operations by members of the organized militia; provides that members of the organized militia shall qualify as employees for the purposes of making a claim under the workers' compensation law for participation in the World Trade Center rescue, recovery and cleanup operations.

Maddy summaryBill S 3815 amends New York's accidental death benefit rules for children of public safety employees. It allows children who were under age 25 when their parent (a police officer, firefighter, EMT, correction officer, or similar public safety worker) died accidentally to receive benefits until age 18 or 23 (whichever applies), instead of the previous cutoff of age 23. The key change extends the eligibility window for qualifying children by two years, ensuring those who turned 23 after their parent's death but were under 25 at the time of death can still receive benefits. This applies to children of members of specific public safety systems, including police departments, fire departments, and emergency medical services in New York City and surrounding areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4955) sets new standards for how New York's Medicaid Inspector General audits and reviews payments to healthcare providers. It requires the Inspector General to follow specific protocols when checking claims, cost reports, or payments, including providing providers access to applicable standards before audits begin. Key provisions include mandating detailed explanations in audit reports, considering factors like whether errors were minor clerical mistakes (e.g., transposed codes), and limiting recoupment for isolated errors. The bill directly affects Medicaid providers who receive state medical assistance payments, ensuring audits are transparent, fair, and based on clear, documented procedures.