Sen. Steve Rhoads

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 8428) designates a specific bridge on the Wantagh State Parkway overpass crossing the Southern State Parkway in Hempstead, Nassau County, as a commemorative site for Trooper James M. MacLarnon. It requires the installation of a commemorative plaque reading "Bridge Dedicated to Trooper James M. MacLarnon" but explicitly states this is ceremonial and does not change the official name of the bridge. The bill has no policy impact beyond this symbolic recognition and was signed into law on September 10, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1648) would have amended New York's criminal procedure law to allow bail for defendants charged with "aggravated cruelty to animals" under Agriculture and Markets Law § 353-a. It specifically added this offense to existing bail eligibility provisions that previously included firearm-related crimes (like third-degree weapons possession). The bill was defeated in the Codes committee on May 5, 2025, and did not become law. It directly affected individuals charged with severe animal cruelty offenses by changing their bail eligibility under state law.

Prohibits the keeping of inventory, storage, warehouse, processing, packaging, shipping or distributing of flavored vapor products near where vapor or tobacco products are sold at retail or wholesale.

Relates to utilization review program standards; requires use of evidence-based and peer reviewed clinical review criteria; relates to prescription drug formulary changes and pre-authorization for certain health care services.

Requires the department of veterans' services to provide information on the department's website on volunteer opportunities available to veterans and to post relevant application forms that a qualified veteran can use to apply for volunteer opportunities.

Maddy summaryS 8220 lowers out-of-state tuition rates for student-athletes who are members of Team USA and train in New York State through elite programs approved by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee. It directly affects non-resident athletes enrolled at SUNY or CUNY institutions who meet the defined eligibility standards for Team USA. The bill requires public universities to charge these athletes the same tuition rate as New York residents, contingent on state funding. This policy change applies specifically to athletes training in New York, not all out-of-state students.

Requires rates paid for rehabilitation and opioid treatment be pursuant to certain fee schedules published by the office of addiction services and supports.

Requires manufacturers of kratom products within the state to have a warning label that the product has not been approved by the federal food and drug administration and the products' side effects; prohibits labeling of kratom products as all natural.

Provides parity to durable medical equipment providers by requiring Medicaid managed care organizations to reimburse such providers at no less than one hundred percent of the medical assistance durable medical equipment and complex rehabilitation technology fee schedule for the same service or item.

Extends the effectiveness of certain sections of law relating to real property tax exemptions for real property owned by volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers.