Sen. Pam Helming

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 7856) requires all motor vehicle accident prevention courses that qualify for insurance premium discounts to include specific awareness components: portable electronic device use, cannabis use, road rage, and work zone safety. It directly affects drivers who complete these courses to earn premium reductions and insurance companies that offer such discounts. The Department of Motor Vehicles must monitor these courses to ensure they cover all four required topics. The law does not change existing premium discount rules but mandates these new instructional elements for qualifying courses.

Enacts the "homebuyer renovation property tax exemption act" to grant an exemption of up to fifteen thousand dollars from taxation levied by or on behalf of any county, city, town, village or school district in which such residential property is located for a period of five years from the date of purchase of the property; defines "primary residential property".

Directs the office of mental health to conduct a study on the mental health and prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder among corrections officers and other prison workers and to submit a report of the findings of such study to the governor and the legislature.

Prohibits public employers from diminishing health insurance benefits provided to Medicare-eligible retirees and their Medicare-eligible dependents or the contributions such employer makes for such health insurance coverage below the level of such benefits or contributions made on behalf of such retirees and dependents by the public employer as of December 31, 2021.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows property/casualty insurance companies to deliver certain notices (like policy updates or coverage evidence) electronically instead of by mail, under specific conditions. It directly affects policyholders receiving insurance notices and insurers managing policy communications. The key provision requires electronic notices to meet standards set by New York's state technology law, and permits delivery to an electronic address not listed in the policy. It amends Insurance Law §3458 and Vehicle & Traffic Law §313 to enable this change. The bill passed the Senate and is now in the Assembly for review.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands retirement service credit eligibility for various law enforcement officers in New York State, including those in the Department of Environmental Conservation, regional state park police, university police, and the New York Waterfront Commission. It requires these officers to be automatically covered by the state police retirement provisions and grants credit for their previous police service when calculating retirement benefits. The legislation also provides additional service credit for state university police officers who meet specific training and service requirements. These changes will take effect on July 1, 2026, and apply to officers entering or re-entering service after specified dates.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as "Pete's Law," removes the standard time limit for prosecuting drivers who flee the scene of an accident that results in a death. Under current rules, legal action usually must begin within a specific period, but this change allows prosecutors to file charges at any time, regardless of how much time has passed since the incident. The law specifically targets hit-and-run cases involving fatalities and applies to the state's criminal procedure code. It includes a delay in implementation, taking effect 120 days after it becomes official law.

Adds falsely reporting the use of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument as part of the crimes of falsely reporting an incident in the first and second degrees.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate Resolution that formally congratulates the Bolton Central School Boys Varsity Basketball Team, their coaches, and athletic director on winning the Class D State Championship. The resolution specifically names the individual players, Head Coach Cody Kober, Assistant Coach Angel Figueroa, and Athletic Director Mark Andrejkovics, and directs that copies of the document be sent to them. It recognizes the team's 26-1 season record and their victory over Sackets Harbor High School, highlighting the athletic achievement without altering any laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks Governor Kathy Hochul to officially recognize March 31, 2026, as Farmworkers Day in New York State. The resolution honors the historical contributions of farmworkers to democracy and human rights, particularly referencing the United Farm Workers movement and their advocacy for better working conditions. It does not create new laws or change existing policies but serves as a commemorative proclamation to acknowledge the legacy of farmworkers. The measure directs the governor to issue a formal statement recognizing this date and highlights New York's 2019 Farm Laborers Fair Labor Practices Act as part of the state's ongoing support for farmworker protections.