Sen. Peter Oberacker

Maddy summaryS 1296 establishes a cap on annual growth for state spending on day-to-day operations (excluding federal funds and capital projects). The cap equals the average of the prior three years' inflation rates (or 2%, whichever is lower). The governor must certify budget proposals don't exceed this cap, and the comptroller verifies compliance after the legislature acts. Exceptions allow exceeding the cap only during declared emergencies with a two-thirds legislative vote. This directly affects how the governor and legislature draft and approve the state budget each year.

Maddy summaryS 1427 proposes changes to how non-commercial driver's licenses and learner's permits are issued, specifically for those that do not meet federal identification standards. The bill creates different requirements for counties designated as "boundary land" compared to other counties. In counties *without* boundary land, applicants could use certain foreign documents, like passports or consular IDs, as proof of identity and provide an affidavit if they lack a social security number. However, these alternative forms of identification and the social security number affidavit would not be accepted for these specific license types in "boundary land" counties.

Enacts the "consumer utility meter choice protection act"; allows customers to decline the installation of smart meters without being liable for fees.

Requires utility companies to reimburse consumers for spoilage of food and medication due to the lack of refrigeration in the event of a power outage lasting seventy-two hours or more.

Maddy summaryS 480 eliminates a $10 one-time application fee for veterans' special license plates in New York. It directly affects veterans who apply for plates through veterans organizations, removing the additional charge while keeping the standard registration fee. The bill amends multiple sections of the vehicle and traffic law (including 404-h, 404-j, and 404-v) to remove the $10 fee provision. This is a concrete policy change that reduces costs for veterans obtaining these plates.

Maddy summaryS 2144, "Abbagail's Law," prohibits supervising drivers (such as parents or instructors overseeing new drivers in graduated licensing programs) from being under the influence of alcohol or drugs while performing that role. The bill creates two offenses: standard supervision while impaired is a class A misdemeanor, and aggravated cases (where the supervising driver would face more severe penalties if driving) is a class E felony. It directly affects individuals legally responsible for supervising new drivers, making their impairment while in that role a criminal violation. The law takes effect 90 days after enactment and aligns supervising driver penalties with existing laws for drivers operating vehicles while impaired.

Maddy summaryS 209 establishes a tax credit for businesses that create new full-time jobs in the state. It provides a credit equal to 6.85% of a new employee's gross wages (capped at $5,000 per employee annually for three consecutive years), with an additional $3,000 credit for hires who were receiving unemployment benefits during 2027-2028. The credit applies only to employees hired after July 1, 2026, who increase a business's total workforce above its 2025 employment level (defined as "base employment"). Businesses can use the credit to offset quarterly tax payments, and the credit cannot be claimed if other employment-based credits apply for the same hire.

Maddy summaryThis bill reclassifies rape in the first degree as a class A-I felony under New York's penal law, making it one of the most serious criminal offenses. It mandates life imprisonment without parole for anyone convicted of this specific crime, removing eligibility for parole or conditional release. The law directly affects individuals convicted of rape in the first degree, requiring judges to impose this sentence without discretion. This change updates sentencing requirements to align with the severity classification of the crime.

Maddy summaryThis bill regulates wildlife capture methods by banning leg-gripping traps with teeth, suspended leg-hold traps, and traditional snares. It permits the use of live-capture cable devices (with specific safety features like swivels, deer stops, and breakaway mechanisms) for coyotes and other species, but only under Department of Environmental Conservation rules. Trappers must check devices daily, complete mandatory training, and follow strict device specifications. The law takes effect immediately and expires February 16, 2028.

Includes aggravated cemetery desecration in the second degree and aggravated cemetery desecration in the first degree as specified offenses for purposes of hate crimes.