Sen. Peter Oberacker

Maddy summaryThis bill adds veterans to the list of protected classes under New York's housing discrimination law. It prohibits landlords, property owners, and housing providers from refusing to rent, sell, or lease housing accommodations based solely on a person's veteran status. The law applies to both publicly-assisted housing (Section 1) and general housing, land, or commercial space (Section 2). These changes take effect immediately upon enactment.

Grants school districts the ability to implement telehealth school-based mental health clinics; establishes the student mental telehealth reimbursement fund; relates to funding the student mental telehealth reimbursement fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 66) allows military personnel assigned to state recruiting centers to carry their service-issued firearms while on duty at those locations. It directly affects military personnel working at recruiting centers in the state by overriding existing rules that might prohibit firearm carry. The key provision amends military law to explicitly authorize this, stating the adjutant general must permit it. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage, with no additional conditions or exceptions mentioned.

Eliminates bail for all offenses; provides for imposition of restrictions and conditions and remand for certain offenses; directs consideration of a defendant's character, reputation, habits, mental condition, activities and history, and whether they pose a danger to themselves, another person or the community, when determining a securing order; creates the commission on public safety reform to issue a determination on which offenses should be eligible for pretrial detention.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New York schools - including public, charter, and non-public elementary and secondary schools - to maintain and properly test epinephrine auto-injectors for emergency use during severe allergic reactions. It designates school districts and schools as "public access epinephrine auto-injector device providers" under public health law, mandating they post clear signs showing device locations, notify regional health councils of device locations, and follow manufacturer and government maintenance standards. The law directly affects students, staff, and visitors at all covered schools by ensuring immediate access to life-saving treatment during allergic emergencies. The policy takes effect 90 days after enactment, with no cost or funding mechanisms specified in the bill text.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state task force to study whether New York should opt out of daylight saving time. The task force, appointed by state leadership, will examine health impacts (like heart risks), effects on morning activities and traffic, economic disruption from clock changes, and benefits of current daylight saving time. It will also review neighboring states' positions and relevant studies. The task force must submit findings and recommendations to the governor and legislature by April 1, 2026, but the bill itself does not change current timekeeping laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 6795) gives New York utility consumers the right to choose between analog and digital meters for electricity, water, or gas without fees, penalties, or service charges. It requires utilities to provide 90 days' written notice before installing digital meters and lets consumers refuse the switch or demand a return to analog meters at any time. Utilities must replace digital meters with analog ones within 10 days for those with electromagnetic sensitivity or 30 days for others upon written request. The law also prevents utilities from installing digital meters in multi-unit buildings if 50% or more of residents opt out.

Establishes a home heating tax credit for qualified taxpayers with an income of $125,000 or less for single filers, or with a combined income of $250,000 or less for joint filers.

Adds a person having been previously convicted of petit larceny two times within any three month period or three times within any twelve month period to the definition of grand larceny in the fourth degree.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New York school districts to purchase or lease only zero-emission school buses (electric or hydrogen-powered, with no tailpipe emissions) when buying new buses starting July 1, 2027. It also mandates that any procurement for school transportation services or infrastructure components must prioritize U.S.-made parts and assembly, with limited waivers available for cost or feasibility concerns. School districts facing financial hardship may receive up to two years to comply after a cost-benefit analysis by the education commissioner. The law applies directly to all public school districts and their contractors, aiming for full transition to zero-emission buses by 2047 or when all state vehicle fleets meet the standard.