Sen. Peter Oberacker

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New York schools to use state or local funds to purchase reduced fat or whole "New York milk" (defined as milk produced, transported, and processed within New York State) for consumption at school. It directly affects public school boards and New York dairy farmers by creating a market for locally sourced milk options. Key provisions include requiring schools to use only New York milk meeting specific fat content standards and giving the state attorney general authority to recover funds withheld due to federal policies. The bill expires if federal rules change to permit whole/reduced fat milk in schools or if updated dietary guidelines allow it, with a report required after two years on implementation.

Directs the office of fire prevention and control to conduct a study, which evaluates the minimum recommended qualifications to becoming a volunteer firefighter; requires such office to provide a report to the governor, temporary president of the senate and the speaker of the assembly within twelve months of the effective date of this act.

Enacts the "New York Business Emergency Relief Act"; directs the governor to use unallocated settlement funds reserved in the economic uncertainties, and any further settlement money received by the state or state surplus funds to pay the debt to the federal unemployment insurance trust fund.

Maddy summaryBill S 5579 increases the amount of money public retirement system retirees can earn while holding a position of public service. The bill raises the annual earnings limitation for these retirees from the current $35,000 (effective through 2025) to $65,000. This new earning limit will apply starting in the year 2026 and thereafter. The change directly affects retirees who wish to work in public service without impacting their retirement benefits.

Relates to the establishment of special districts for general ambulance services; requires a report on issues of volunteer firefighter and ambulance services staffing.

Relates to the establishment of special districts for general ambulance services in any county, city, town or village located within the Adirondack park.

Requires the reinstatement of certain officers and employees of the city of New York who were dismissed from employment due to a COVID-19 vaccine requirement including retirees, vested members and members terminated without a one-year limit on return.

Imposes fines for failure to exercise due care and move over when approaching parked, stopped or standing motor vehicles on the shoulder of a highway.

Establishes a real property tax exemption for persons sixty years of age or over with an annual household income not exceeding $100,000; directs the state to reimburse municipalities for lost revenues.

Requires utility corporations and municipalities to ensure that bills for service to residential customers include a line item for cost impact measures taken in accordance with the climate action council's final scoping plan; requires the department of public service to establish a formula to enable utility corporations and municipalities to calculate the cost impact on each residential customer's bill attributed to measures taken in accordance with the climate action council's final scoping plan.