Sen. Steve Rhoads

Co-sponsor S 4652

In committee · New York Senate · Co-sponsor

Adjusts the school tax relief (STAR) exemption for homes located outside New York city (Part A); relates to a real property tax freeze (Part B); and relates to supplemental state assistance (Part C)

Adjusts the school tax relief (STAR) exemption for homes located outside a city with a population greater than one million for the 2025--2026 school years and thereafter (Part A); relates to a real property tax freeze to reimburse qualifying homeowners for increases in local property taxes on their primary residences (Part B); provides for supplemental state assistance to be paid to cities, counties, towns and villages that are compliant with the property tax levy limits (Part C).

Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAdjusts STAR exemption for non-NYC homes, implements property tax freeze with reimbursement, and provides supplemental aid to compliant localities - direct tax relief and fiscal management support.95% confidence

In committee Jan 7, 2026 1 co-sponsor Track

Co-sponsor S 6878

In committee · New York Senate · Co-sponsor

Relates to withholding certain information during discovery where the defendant is associated with a criminal street gang or the offense is connected to a criminal street gang or criminal enterprise activity

Permits the court to withhold names, contact information, and statements of any victim or eyewitness from discovery where the defendant is associated with a criminal street gang or the offense is connected to a criminal street gang or criminal enterprise activity.

Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts defendant discovery rights in gang cases by permitting withholding of victim/witness info, reducing access to evidence.85% confidence

In committee Jan 7, 2026 1 co-sponsor Track

Co-sponsor S 942

In committee · New York Senate · Co-sponsor

Makes life imprisonment without parole mandatory for defendants convicted of murder in the first degree or second degree and the victim is a police officer, peace officer, first responder or correctional officer

Makes life imprisonment without parole mandatory for defendants convicted of murder in the first degree or second degree and the victim is a police officer, peace officer, first responder or correctional officer.

Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandatory life without parole for specific murders increases sentencing severity and reduces defendant rights, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.95% confidence

In committee Jan 7, 2026 1 co-sponsor Track

Primary S 7490

In committee · New York Senate · Lead sponsor

Relates to county-wide shared services panels

Authorizes the South Nassau Water Authority and the North Shore Water Authority to remain eligible for funding in state fiscal year two thousand twenty-six--two thousand twenty-seven.

Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes continued state funding eligibility for water authorities, directly supporting budget allocation for essential services without cuts or restrictions.90% confidence

In committee Jan 7, 2026 0 co-sponsors Track

Co-sponsor S 4684

In committee · New York Senate · Co-sponsor

Establishes the crime of aggravated criminal concealment of identity

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new offense called "aggravated criminal concealment of identity" for individuals who commit certain serious crimes while wearing a mask or face covering. It directly affects people committing listed offenses like assault, stalking, sexual abuse, kidnapping, robbery, or terrorism-related crimes while concealing their identity. The key mechanism is automatic sentencing enhancement: if the underlying crime is a violent felony, this new offense is treated as a violent felony; for other crimes, it elevates the offense category. Minimum sentences are specified, such as at least six years for indeterminate sentences when the underlying crime is a class B felony.

Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new offense with automatic sentencing enhancement for masked violent crimes, expanding criminal penalties rather than reforming justice system.95% confidence

In committee Jan 7, 2026 1 co-sponsor Track

Co-sponsor S 94

In committee · New York Senate · Co-sponsor

Requires high schools to provide a course in financial literacy and requires students to complete such course as a condition of graduation

Requires high schools in grades nine through twelve to provide a course in financial literacy; requires students to complete such course as a condition of graduation.

EducationSupports EducationMandates financial literacy course as graduation requirement, advancing curriculum standards and student financial education95% confidence

In committee Jan 7, 2026 1 co-sponsor Track

Co-sponsor S 3641

In committee · New York Senate · Co-sponsor

Enacts the "pupil privacy act"

Enacts the "pupil privacy act" which requires schools to notify the parents or legal guardians of every student when a student protected information survey will be administered and provide such parent or legal guardian the opportunity to opt their child out of taking such survey.

TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires parental consent for student data surveys, strengthening privacy protections for minors' information in educational technology contexts.95% confidence

In committee Jan 7, 2026 1 co-sponsor Track

Co-sponsor S 966

In committee · New York Senate · Co-sponsor

Relates to the establishment of a non-traditional hours model

Relates to the establishment of a non-traditional hours model; provides that the office of children and family services shall: create a non-traditional hours model within a year, publish its findings on its website, and conduct a review of child care providers and centers that use such model.

In committee Jan 7, 2026 1 co-sponsor Track

Co-sponsor S 236

Failed · New York Senate · Co-sponsor

Relates to setting bail for defendants that pose a current physical threat to public safety

Requires the court to make an individualized determination whether a defendant poses a current physical threat to any person or to public safety when making a bail determination.

Failed Jan 7, 2026 1 co-sponsor Track

Co-sponsor S 1122

In committee · New York Senate · Co-sponsor

Extends the benefits of the STAR program to small businesses

Relates to extending the benefits of the STAR program to small businesses; defines small business as a business which employs one hundred persons or less.

Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends STAR tax benefits to small businesses, providing targeted tax relief per program's purpose of reducing property tax burdens.95% confidence

In committee Jan 7, 2026 1 co-sponsor Track