Sen. Lea Webb

Requires utilities to notify property owners prior to beginning any non-emergency construction or other work that may interfere with a property owner's ability to use, or access such owner's property; requires notice to include, but not limited to, a description of the work to be performed, the expected duration of such work, the location of such work, any road closures or detours that may occur due to such work, any action that may directly and materially impact the use of such property, and the contact information for the utility performing such work; provides notice may include electronic communications, signage, and written materials; exempts cases where a natural or man-made disaster or state of emergency occurs.

Requires the New York state thruway authority to submit biannual reports to the legislature of all fiscal transactions, receipts and expenditures, with each report covering activity from the prior six months.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the governance structure of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. It specifies that the governing board will consist of 12 voting commissioners (6 from New York, 6 from New Jersey) with residency requirements and new experience criteria for appointments starting in 2026, plus four non-voting commissioners representing transit users and labor groups. The bill also establishes a whistleblower program requiring confidential reporting channels and protections against retaliation for employees reporting misconduct, and creates an inspector general role to investigate fraud and abuse. These changes directly affect the Port Authority's leadership, employees, and commuters through new oversight mechanisms.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1842) allows county election boards to hire election inspectors and poll clerks for split shifts with adjusted pay. However, it requires that at least one inspector and one clerk from each major political party must be present at every polling site for the entire time the polls are open. County boards must create rules to ensure proper polling site operations under this new structure. The law took effect immediately upon being signed by the governor on December 5, 2025.

Directs the commissioner of parks, recreation and historic preservation to establish the state parks passport program allowing visitors to state parks and historic sites to log their visits to such sites in a passport book or electronic application.

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.

Relates to the filling of vacancies for elective offices in villages with November elections; provides such vacancies shall be filled in accordance with subdivision one of section forty-two of the public officers law.

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.

Directs the department of environmental conservation to conduct a study of ecological restoration needs of Jamaica Bay; imposes a five-year moratorium on placing sediment or fill in the borrow pits in Jamaica Bay.

Requires the department of health to publish a report on the incidence of tick-borne illnesses annually on the department's website; requires the department to submit an annual report to the governor and the leaders of the legislature; requires the superintendent of financial services to review the status of health insurance coverage for the treatment of Lyme disease and other tick-borne related diseases and to submit a report to the governor and the leaders of the legislature.