Sen. Peter Oberacker

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York's penal law to increase penalties for possessing or selling heroin-containing substances based on specific weight thresholds and packaging quantities. It sets new limits: for example, possessing or selling heroin preparations totaling 1.5 grams or packaged in 50+ containers triggers enhanced penalties under Section 220.16. Similar thresholds apply to other offenses (e.g., 12 grams for sales under Section 220.18), with higher limits for other contexts like methadone. The bill directly affects individuals possessing or distributing heroin-based substances that meet these quantitative thresholds, making those acts subject to stricter criminal penalties.

Provides for the rate of employer contributions to the unemployment insurance fund in the 2026 fiscal year; establishes the unemployment insurance solvency reserve fund.

Requires every franchisor, including its affiliates and subsidiaries to properly fulfill any warranty agreement and/or franchisor's service contract and to compensate each of its franchised motor vehicle dealers for warranty parts and labor, including but not limited to all warranty repairs, extended service contract repairs, extended warranty repairs, campaigns, service bulletins, policy repairs, component part warranties, factory compensated repairs, recalls, diagnostics, parts and other voluntary stop-sell repairs, and any other franchisor compensated repairs; relates to reimbursement to a motor vehicle dealer from a motor vehicle franchisor.

Maddy summaryS 972 creates a new class A-1 felony offense for unlawfully selling or transporting an opiate-controlled substance (defined as any opiate or opium derivative listed in New York's public health law schedules I-V) that causes another person's death. It directly affects individuals who sell or transport such substances, including those involved in the illicit drug trade. The bill includes a specific defense if the defendant jointly used the substance with the deceased for mutual consumption. This law imposes the highest felony penalty for these actions, distinct from standard homicide charges. The bill, nicknamed "Laree's Law," will take effect 90 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the maximum age limit of 21 for supervised pistol and revolver instruction at shooting ranges in New York. It specifically amends Section 265.20 of the penal law to eliminate the "under twenty-one" restriction for individuals aged 14+ seeking supervised pistol practice, while maintaining existing requirements for supervision by certified instructors or guardians. The change directly affects people aged 14-20 who wish to receive supervised firearm training at licensed ranges or competitions. The bill does not alter firearm ownership laws but modifies eligibility for supervised instruction exemptions.

Ensures that construction and fabrication done off of a public work site for specific use only in a public work project be compensated at the prevailing wage rate.

Permits the rendering of an estimated bill from a utility corporation or municipality under certain circumstances; requires each utility corporation and municipality within six months to submit to the commission a model for the calculation of and procedures for estimated bills that incorporates best practices and technology and accounts for any barriers to the use of actual meter readings.

Amends the real property tax exemption for surviving spouses of volunteer firefighters or volunteer ambulance workers killed in the line of duty to permit continuation of such exemption for volunteer members with service between two and five years.

Allows for individuals consent to receive information from the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program and the national marrow donor program at the time of application for or renewal of a driver's license or non-driver identification card; directs the commissioner of motor vehicles to establish a process by which the department of motor vehicles shall refer driver's license and non-driver identification card applicants who consent to having their information shared with the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program and the national marrow donor program for the purposes of receiving information from such programs about enrolling as a potential donor.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires gas and electric utility companies in New York to provide customers with 45 days' written notice before implementing any service rate or charge increase. It directly affects all residential and business customers of these utilities by giving them advance warning of upcoming cost changes. The key provision mandates that notices must be delivered in writing at least 45 days prior to the effective date of the increase. This policy change aims to provide customers with greater transparency and time to adjust their budgets or explore alternatives.