Sen. Joe Griffo

Maddy summarySenate Resolution J 1293 commends Armando and Shayla Gramajo for receiving New York State's Liberty Medal, the Senate's highest honor for individuals. The resolution recognizes their 2024 actions when they intervened to save a woman attacked with a knife in White Plains - Armando (a bus driver and former Guatemalan Army veteran) stopped the attacker, and Shayla (a physician's assistant) provided medical aid using household items until emergency services arrived. This symbolic resolution, passed by the New York State Senate, formally honors their humanitarian act and does not create new laws or affect any policies. It serves as a ceremonial tribute to their spontaneous, life-saving response.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate Resolution (J 1355) honoring Sharie L. Fiorini-Parsons for her retirement from the Oneida County Board of Elections after five years of service. It recognizes her work ensuring election compliance during the 2020 pandemic election cycle and her dedication to community service. The resolution has no policy impact - it simply expresses legislative appreciation and will be presented to her.

Includes New York guard members to the recruitment incentive and retention program for members of the New York state organized militia; permits tuition benefits for post-graduate study.

Returns the state's energy codes to the less expensive earlier provisions; repeals provisions of the state energy conservation construction code which relate to the state's clean energy and climate agenda.

Maddy summaryS 3656 exempts certain inland lakes from wetlands designations under environmental law. Specifically, it removes the requirement for wetlands classification for lakes that are used for navigation and cover at least 150 acres, excluding the Great Lakes. This change directly affects property owners and developers near qualifying lakes by eliminating wetlands-related permitting requirements for those bodies of water. The exemption applies whenever wetlands boundaries are being defined by environmental authorities.

Prohibits state funding of any college if instructional staff promotes, encourages, advocates or engages in activities on campus in support of a terrorist organization as defined in federal statute.

Adds employees of the office of children and family services to the list of public employees for which prevention of duties constitutes assault in the second degree.

Establishes a temporary state commission to be known as the commission on public authority reform to study and investigate reducing the number of public authorities and their subsidiaries in New York state; requires reporting; appropriates $100,000 therefor.

Provides that the commissioner of motor vehicles shall affix a cost for the sale of registration lists and title information or other records in bulk at the annual cost not to exceed $1,520,000; authorizes such commissioner to impose other requirements; makes related provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New York's governor to decide whether to hold a special election to fill vacancies in the comptroller or attorney-general positions, rather than requiring the legislature to appoint someone. If the governor chooses to call an election, it must occur between 45 and 60 days after the governor's announcement. This changes the current process where the legislature would fill such vacancies, giving the governor discretion over the method of appointment.