Sen. Peter Oberacker

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors the life of Ronald F. Lipton, a community leader and public servant who passed away in January 2026. The bill formally acknowledges his contributions to civic engagement, public service, and local governance throughout his life. It directs the legislative body to pause its proceedings to pay tribute to Lipton and sends a copy of the resolution to his family.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits utility companies from terminating residential electricity or heat service during forecasts of extreme temperatures - specifically when the National Weather Service predicts 95°F or higher (heat index) or 32°F or lower. It directly affects residential customers in New York, preventing service cutoffs on the day of such forecasts or during any subsequent holiday or weekend. Key provisions require utilities to maintain service during these periods and align with existing cold-weather protections for vulnerable residents. The law applies immediately upon enactment and does not override stricter existing utility settlements.

Directs the department of agriculture and markets to increase the number of regional farmers' markets for the direct marketing of foods and produce produced in the state.

Requires law enforcement and courts to notify the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) when an arrested person or defendant is not a United States citizen; adjusts certain maximum sentences for class A misdemeanors and unclassified misdemeanors; requires notification to be made to the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency prior to the release of certain noncitizens; repeals provisions of the "protect our courts act".

Enacts the "pretrial risk overview for threat evaluation, custody, and treatment (PROTECT) Act" to evaluate certain defendants; establishes a risk assessment instrument to aid judges in determining whether to release or detain a principal, where and when a release is appropriate and necessary conditions that should be imposed as part of such release; repeals provisions of law relating to qualifying offenses and allows a court to set bail or remand a principal where based on the risk assessment instrument, where the principal poses a safety risk or risk of flight; makes related provisions.

Expands the definition of professional misconduct to include refusing to provide professional services to a person referred for treatment by a United States Department of Veterans Affairs facility or provider because such person declines elective services during the course of treatment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 5554) requires that no homeless shelter in New York City can be located within 500 feet of any transit facility, such as subway stations, bus stops, or other public transportation hubs. It defines "transit facility" broadly to include subways, buses, and related infrastructure used for passenger or mail transport. The law directly affects homeless shelters seeking to open in the city, imposing a new zoning restriction on their locations. The rule applies to all new shelters established under the city's administrative code and takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill ceremonially dedicates a specific segment of State Route 42 in Fallsburg, Sullivan County (from Railroad Plaza to 5286-5288 Main Street) to honor Lieutenant Roland "The Gator" Ward. It requires installing commemorative signage but explicitly states the highway's official name will not change. The dedication is purely symbolic, with no alteration to the road's legal designation or impact on transportation operations.

Provides that a board of education or a board of cooperative educational services shall have the authority to award contracts for school food services on the basis of certain scoring criteria.

Requires the completion of animal cruelty prevention workshops by any person who purchases, acquires or initiates a farm operation on which horses and/or cows are kept.