Sen. Samra Brouk

Maddy summaryThis bill asks the Governor of New York to officially declare April 28, 2026, as Animal Advocacy Day. The resolution highlights the positive roles animals play in families, public safety, and the well-being of vulnerable populations. It does not create new laws or change existing policies but serves as a symbolic gesture to raise awareness about animal welfare. The measure is a ceremonial action that requires no further legislative steps once the proclamation is issued.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks the Governor of New York to officially recognize April 2026 as Sikh Heritage Month. The resolution highlights the contributions of the Sikh community to the state and aims to increase awareness of Sikh history and traditions. It does not change laws or create new programs but serves as a formal proclamation to honor the community.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows retired New York state employees to change their designated beneficiaries if that beneficiary was convicted of a family offense (such as domestic violence) and the retiree was the complainant in the case. Retirees have 180 days from the conviction date to submit a written request to the retirement system to update their beneficiary or election. The law applies to all retirement systems covered under the state’s retirement and social security laws, including public education and city employee plans. The comptroller must notify retirees about this provision and create implementing rules. It directly affects retirees who are complainants in family offense cases involving their current beneficiaries.

Maddy summaryS 399 makes it illegal for most people to possess or sell "pistol converters" (devices that turn semi-automatic pistols into machine guns) or "convertible pistols" (specific semi-automatic pistols that can be easily converted using common tools like screwdrivers). The bill defines convertible pistols as those with a "cruciform trigger bar" that can be altered with household tools, excluding most standard semi-automatic pistols. It criminalizes selling or transporting convertible pistols (a class D felony), with exemptions for police, military personnel, and licensed gunsmiths. The law aims to prevent easy conversion of standard firearms into automatic weapons under state law.

Exempts aid derived from funding from childcare stabilization grants, childcare desert funding, or other non-recurring funding, issued by the office of children and family services to childcare providers from income for the purpose of determining aid provided pursuant to public assistance programs.

Provides that licensure as a licensed psychoanalyst or as a licensed clinical social worker with a certificate in psychoanalysis shall fully satisfy the educational requirement necessary to serve as a faculty member of a program of studies in a psychoanalytic institute leading to a certificate in psychoanalysis.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts toothpaste, toothbrushes, and dental floss from state sales tax when purchased by consumers. It directly affects individuals buying these oral hygiene products, removing the sales tax obligation on these specific items. The policy change adds these products to the existing list of tax-exempt goods under the state tax law, effective 90 days after enactment. The bill does not alter tax rates for other products or create new government programs.

Enacts the accelerate solar for affordable power (ASAP) act to set a new target for distributed solar energy capacity and direct the public service commission to advance reforms to the utility interconnection process to ensure timely and cost-effective integration of new distributed energy resources.

Enacts the "beauty justice act"; provides for the regulation of ingredients in personal care products and cosmetics; prohibits the sale of personal care products and cosmetic products containing certain restricted products.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors the life and legacy of Dorothy E. Reid, a civil rights activist who was a plaintiff in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case. The bill commemorates the 72nd anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision against school segregation and recognizes Reid's contributions as a young plaintiff and her subsequent 28-year career in New York public service. By adopting this resolution, the legislative body formally pauses its proceedings to acknowledge her achievements and transmits a copy of the document to her family.