Sen. Lea Webb

Maddy summaryS 8596 prohibits civil arrests (such as for debt collection) of voters while they are traveling to, at, or returning from polling places in New York, directly affecting voters during election activities. The bill requires law enforcement to obtain a judicial warrant for any arrest in these situations and mandates that officers identify themselves and provide warrants to polling staff if entering a polling place. It also creates reporting requirements for law enforcement actions near polls and allows voters to sue for violations, with courts empowered to issue protective orders.

Prohibits children from being denied access to a free public education on account of perceived or actual citizenship or immigration status or the perceived or actual citizenship or immigration status of their parents or person in a parental relationship.

Enacts "new deal for SUNY: the New York state higher education equality act" to provide free tuition to students who attend SUNY who are enrolled in academic coursework and are on track to graduate; establishes the state university tuition fund to reimburse the state university of New York for the cost of tuition for students who are eligible for free tuition.

Maddy summaryS 6866 increases the maximum Excelsior R&D tax credit for non-green projects from 6% to 20% of qualifying New York state research and development expenditures. This bill directly affects businesses participating in New York's Excelsior Jobs program that conduct R&D within the state. The key change allows eligible companies to claim a higher tax credit (up to 20%) on their New York-based R&D spending, while maintaining an 8% cap for green projects or Green CHIPS projects. The credit is calculated based on state R&D expenditures, including related wages, and applies to participants in the Excelsior program.

Prohibits local, state and federal law enforcement officers from wearing any mask or personal disguise while interacting with the public in the performance of their duties; excludes certain protective masks.

Relates to employment of persons and veterans with disabilities by the state; provides up to five thousand positions may be filled by persons with a physical or mental disability and up to two thousand positions may be filled by disabled veterans and veterans with disabilities.

Prohibits electric corporations and gas corporations from passing along costs or increasing charges to ratepayers as a result of increased costs incurred due to the building or operation of a data center except to those ratepayers involved with or associated with the building or operation of such data center or semiconductor fabrication plant.

Establishes the Marshall plan for moms interagency task force to examine, issue proposals and make recommendations on multiple policy areas to address the disproportionate burden mothers have weathered from the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Relates to the creation of a department of corrections and community supervision identification form; relates to the use of such form as proof of identity for individuals applying for a non-driver identification card or certain driver's licenses.

Relates to domestic violence training for health and mental health professionals; requires such trainings to be updated annually by the commissioner of health in consultation with the office for the prevention of domestic violence; requires the commissioner of health to collect data on participation of such trainings by health professionals.