Sen. Chris Ryan

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a policy bill) congratulating Shawn MacKinnon on retiring after 30 years of service as a Senate staffer. It recognizes his roles including Secretary to the Senate Finance Committee, expertise in school funding, and mentorship, but contains no policy changes or mechanisms. The resolution formally acknowledges his contributions and will be sent to him as a copy. It directly affects MacKinnon as the honoree, with no impact on legislation or constituents.

Provides protections for telecommunications tower technicians, including requiring certain trainings during work hours without a loss of pay; requires certain reporting by bidders for telecommunication contracts.

Maddy summaryS 4815 establishes a stakeholder group to coordinate water releases in the Oswego river basin. The bill requires the state corporation to form this group within six months, including entities controlling flood discharges, community groups, environmental experts, and the Department of Environmental Conservation. The group must review flood storage and watershed release strategies, then recommend a regulatory structure to the governor and legislative leaders within six months. This bill directly affects water management entities and communities in the Oswego basin by creating a process for coordinated flood response, without immediately changing existing water management rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state and local transportation agencies to design all new or majorly reconstructed public roads - including those funded by federal and state money - to safely accommodate all users. Specifically, it mandates considering pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, and public transit riders during planning, construction, and major rehabilitation (but not routine maintenance or resurfacing under 10 years). Agencies must incorporate "complete street" features like bike lanes and wider sidewalks where projects meet certain thresholds, such as a 10-year service life for resurfacing. The law applies to all projects overseen by the Department of Transportation and takes effect 180 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the existing rules allowing big game hunting in Onondaga County until October 1, 2027. It directly affects residents and hunters in Onondaga County by maintaining current hunting authorization without changes to the rules. The bill simply updates the expiration date from 2025 to 2027 in the law, with no new hunting regulations or restrictions added. The provisions will automatically end on October 1, 2027, unless renewed.

Maddy summaryS 138 establishes a "Medical Aid in Dying Act" for New York, allowing terminally ill patients (with decision-making capacity and a confirmed terminal illness expected to cause death within six months) to request and self-administer medication to end their life. Key provisions require patients to make an oral and written request, receive confirmation from two physicians (an attending physician and a consulting physician), and sign a witnessed written request with two non-related, non-beneficiary adults. The bill mandates patients be fully informed of alternatives like palliative care, outlines physician responsibilities, and includes requirements for documentation, safe medication disposal, and protections for healthcare providers.

Enacts the "small cannabis farmer relief act" in relation to authorizing certain licensees who qualify as distressed farmer licensees and who legally cultivated cannabis during the two thousand twenty-two or two thousand twenty-three calendar year to expand their cultivation canopy.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (J 1100) asks Governor Hochul to officially recognize September 21-27, 2025, as Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD) Awareness Week in New York State. It does not create new laws or funding but aims to raise public awareness about FTD, a terminal brain disease affecting speech, behavior, and motor skills, often misdiagnosed in people aged 40-60. The resolution highlights FTD's impact - accounting for 10-20% of dementia cases under 60 - and its high care costs, urging greater attention to the condition. This symbolic action directly affects New Yorkers living with FTD and their families by promoting community recognition.

Includes not-for-profit corporations and public television or radio corporations in the definition of business entity; allows such entities to claim the newspaper and broadcast media jobs tax credit.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes a New York state law that previously prohibited patients from being listed on multiple organ transplant waiting lists simultaneously. It directly affects individuals awaiting organ transplants who may now be eligible to join waiting lists managed by different organ procurement organizations within the state. The key change allows patients to participate in multiple transplant programs without violating state rules, while requiring transplant facilities to inform patients about this new option before listing them. The bill does not alter organ allocation criteria or medical suitability standards.