Sen. Lea Webb

Maddy summaryS 1285, the "Tiarah Poyau Act," allows juries in criminal trials to request written instructions about legal requirements (such as offense elements or defenses) during deliberations. The bill requires courts to provide these written instructions upon request, after giving attorneys a chance to review and comment on them. This change aims to clarify legal standards for juries without altering substantive law. It directly affects juries, judges, and defense/prosecution attorneys in criminal cases. The bill passed the Senate in April 2025 and is now in the Assembly.

Increases access to resources for culturally diverse arts and culture organizations that advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion, racial and social justice, and cultural preservation.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the legal definition of "victim of a sexual offense" to include individuals who are victims of the unlawful dissemination or publication of intimate images. It directly affects people whose private images are shared without consent, ensuring they are covered under existing protections for sexual offense victims. The key change amends New York's Executive Law to add this specific scenario to the definition, aligning it with related penal law provisions. This update provides a clearer legal framework for supporting victims of non-consensual image sharing.

Provides for local input for the dissolution of a fire district by requiring the governing body of the fire district enact a resolution calling for a referendum on the proposed dissolution by the electors in the fire district.

Includes instances of sexual conduct against a child less than seventeen years of age to certain sex offenses; removes the time limit to bring subsequent sexual offenses.

Authorizes registered pharmacy technicians to administer the same immunizations as licensed pharmacists under direct supervision of such licensed pharmacist.

Maddy summaryS 415 establishes minimum cash wage requirements for "miscellaneous industry workers" in New York, including car wash attendants, nail salon staff, dog groomers, tour guides, and valet attendants. It mandates that employers pay these workers a specific hourly cash wage before tips, with rates varying by location: $12.77 in NYC starting 2026, $11.50 in other areas, and phased increases through 2029. The bill also includes a "one fair wage reimbursement credit" to help employers offset costs. The law modifies existing wage orders to ensure total pay (cash wage + tips) meets the state minimum wage, applying only to workers covered under specific state regulations for non-food service industries.

Maddy summarySenate Bill S 3071 establishes an 18-member task force focused on reviewing and promoting safety in school transportation. This task force will include education stakeholders, parents, teachers, administrators, and school bus personnel, along with state commissioners. Its duties involve studying current state laws, regulations, and programs related to school bus safety, pedestrian safety for students, and identifying best practices for bus stops and driver protocols. The task force is responsible for issuing a final report with recommendations to state leaders within 18 months, and the act itself will expire after 24 months.

Relates to false or misleading advertisements of food and food products; provides factors to determine whether an advertisement is false or misleading; provides for enforcement and a private right of action.

Maddy summaryS 1527 creates a sales tax exemption for commercial energy storage systems equipment and their installation costs. This directly affects businesses installing such systems on non-residential properties to store electricity for later use in heating, cooling, hot water, or power. The bill amends tax law to exempt these systems from state sales tax, covering both the equipment and installation services. Local governments must explicitly adopt this exemption in their tax ordinances to apply it.