Sen. Jeremy Cooney

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as "DJ's Law," mandates the presence of New York State Police at specific high-traffic work zones to improve safety. It requires state troopers with radar detectors and flashing lights to be stationed at any active construction site on expressways where traffic exceeds 5,000 vehicles daily and speed limits are over 45 mph. The legislation also directs the Department of Transportation to include the costs of these police officers in the overall project budget, ensuring they are itemized under traffic maintenance and protection. Additionally, the bill allows state police officers to volunteer for these duties while receiving their current pay scale from the Department of Transportation.

Requires a notice to be provided when selling a helicopter which contains all incidents reported within the past ten years by the national transportation safety bureau or the federal aviation administration involving the make and model, or a substantially similar make and model, of such helicopter.

Provides for joint and survivorship accounts; provides that absent indication to the contrary, funds remaining in such an account upon the death of the depositor shall be deemed part of the depositor's estate.

Requires all insurance policies and health maintenance organization contracts to provide coverage for maternity patients and their newborns for hospital stays of at least 48 hours following childbirth by natural delivery and 96 hours following childbirth by caesarean section; provides such coverage for patients who are recipients of medicaid.

Provides that the tax on premium cigars shall be at the rate of seventy-five percent of the wholesale price or fifty cents, whichever is less, and is intended to be imposed only once upon the sale of any premium cigars; defines "premium cigar"; provides for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies state tax laws to exempt the sale and installation of residential and commercial geothermal heat pump systems from sales and use taxes. It defines these systems as equipment that uses ground or groundwater to provide heating, cooling, or hot water for buildings, while explicitly excluding recreational facilities. Additionally, the legislation grants local governments the option to opt out of these state-level tax exemptions if they choose to impose their own taxes on such equipment. By removing the tax burden on these specific green energy components, the bill aims to encourage the adoption of geothermal technology in both homes and businesses.

Provides that receipts from other services and other business receipts, taxpayers, and combined groups including members, engaged in providing professional employer organization services shall include with such receipts amounts received with respect to wages, benefits, and other employee expenses disbursed to or for the benefit of a client's worksite employees and the related employment taxes if the amounts received are included in the calculation of the business income base or the combined business income base, respectively.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the list of approved driver education providers in New York by adding specific courses offered at licensed driving schools. It allows minors seventeen years of age to obtain a driver's license after completing these new courses, which must include both classroom instruction and supervised behind-the-wheel training. The legislation also clarifies that students enrolled in these programs may operate a vehicle under an instructor's supervision without holding a separate learner's permit. Additionally, it permits school districts to contract with licensed driving schools to handle the practical driving training portion of the curriculum.

Directs the Department of Transportation to conduct a study of certain bridges spanning bodies of water connected to deep water ports in the state to determine whether such bridges have the structural integrity to withstand an impact from large vessels such as cargo ships, oil tankers and cruise ships; requires a report and recommendations; provides for the repeal of such provisions upon the expiration thereof.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a nonpartisan poll monitoring program that allows civic organizations and ballot issue committees to appoint up to two monitors per polling place. To participate, these groups must submit an application to the state board of elections at least 32 days before an election, providing proof of their nonpartisan purpose, training materials, and a volunteer pledge. The board will review and approve or deny these requests within a specific timeframe, with an appeal process available for denials. Approved monitors must wear official badges and credentials issued by the relevant election board while observing voters' rights and election procedures.