Sen. Jeremy Cooney

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution commemorates the 50th anniversary of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, a nonprofit organization founded in 1977 to support African American lawmakers. The bill formally recognizes the group's role in advocating for equity and providing resources to over 700 state legislators representing more than 50 million people. It directs the legislative body to pause its proceedings to honor the organization's contributions and mandates that a copy of the resolution be sent to the caucus. As a procedural measure, the bill does not alter laws or policies but serves to acknowledge the milestone and the organization's impact on public service.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks the Governor of New York to officially recognize May 2025 as Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month. The resolution highlights the impact of cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease affecting thousands of New Yorkers, and notes the importance of public awareness and early diagnosis. It does not change laws or allocate funds but serves to bring attention to the condition and support for those affected.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the enforcement powers of the Office of Cannabis Management to allow for the seizure of cannabis products and related items found in the possession of individuals suspected of violating cannabis laws. The key provision authorizes the office to conduct reasonable searches and confiscate such goods, including those in vehicles used for business, when there is probable cause of unlawful conduct. These actions are intended to be administrative measures designed to ensure consistent application of the regulatory scheme rather than criminal penalties. The changes apply immediately to the existing cannabis law framework.

Maddy summaryBill S 1454 requires local social services districts to set shelter allowances based on a recipient's actual rent obligation. These allowances would be capped at up to 100% of the current fair market rent, as determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, for the corresponding unit size in that district. This change directly affects individuals receiving shelter allowances and the local social services districts responsible for administering them.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most health insurance policies in New York to cover diabetes and prediabetes screening at no cost to the patient. It applies to policies covering physician services or major medical coverage, mandating that insurers include screening per national evidence-based guidelines without deductibles, copays, or other cost-sharing. The law affects health insurance companies and their policyholders who need preventive diabetes screening. Coverage must be provided free of charge for all qualifying policies issued or renewed after the effective date.

Maddy summarySenate Bill S 1665 updates the rules for vehicle operators when overtaking bicyclists and pedestrians in New York State. Outside of New York City, drivers passing a bicycle must now use "due care," which includes moving to an adjacent lane if safe, or passing at least three feet away. Similar "due care" requirements are also established for drivers passing pedestrians in these areas. For New York City, the bill retains the existing rule for drivers to pass bicycles at a safe distance and does not introduce specific new provisions for passing pedestrians.

Maddy summaryS 1209, the "Marvin Mayfield Act," eliminates mandatory minimum sentences for felony convictions by amending sentencing laws. It requires courts to issue written sentencing decisions explaining individualized findings, rather than applying fixed minimum terms. The bill also expands pre-sentence reports to include analysis of incarceration costs and increases access to these reports for defendants and their attorneys before sentencing. This directly affects individuals convicted of felonies in New York State, shifting sentencing focus toward rehabilitation and community safety over rigid minimum terms.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 5689) allows sellers of petroleum products (like gasoline or home heating oil) to provide delivery tickets electronically instead of as paper copies. It authorizes customers to receive delivery details - including quantities, prices, and seller/buyer information - via phone, tablet, or computer, as an optional alternative to physical tickets. The bill maintains existing requirements, such as mandatory meter measurements for home heating oil deliveries and serially numbered tickets retained for one year. It applies directly to businesses selling petroleum products and ensures electronic records meet the same informational standards as paper tickets.

Relates to fair pricing for low-complexity, routine medical care to more closely align payment rates across ambulatory settings for selected services that are safe and appropriate to provide in all settings.

Enacts the "New York state buy American cement act" to require the use of American materials when soliciting for a contract for the purchase of cement by any department or agency of the state, municipality, public authority and the commissioner of transportation.