Sen. Jeremy Cooney

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies New York's public buildings and finance laws to streamline how the state handles smaller construction projects and ensures payment for labor and materials. It allows state agencies to directly manage minor repairs and improvements costing up to $250,000 without going through the commissioner of general services, while also adjusting the dollar threshold for simplified contracting procedures to $200,000. Additionally, the legislation changes requirements for payment bonds on public improvement contracts, permitting them to be waived for projects under $200,000 if an agency head determines it serves the public interest, though it mandates that up to 20% of payments be held back until work is finished. These changes aim to increase efficiency in state building maintenance and procurement while maintaining financial safeguards for contractors and workers.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Veteran Family Educational Attainment Act, allows New York State veterans who have unused tuition award benefits to transfer those funds to a spouse, child, or survivor. To qualify for the transfer, the veteran must have served at least ten years, unless their service was cut short due to death, medical issues, hardship, or other specific non-willful reasons. The recipient must be an eligible immediate family member living in the state, with children specifically required to be under twenty-six years old. The legislation also establishes clear definitions for who counts as a "qualified veteran" and "survivor," including spouses married within fifteen years of discharge or those with children born to the veteran.

Directs the commissioner of motor vehicles to conduct a study to examine and update the requirements of safety inspections conducted to ensure the operational safety of all motor vehicles; requires a report; makes related provisions.

Prohibits the manufacture, modification, sale, transfer, equipping, use, or operation of a robotic device or an uncrewed aircraft equipped or mounted with a weapon within the state.

Requires child protective services to orally and in writing disclose certain information to parents and caretakers who are the subject of a child protective services investigation; requires such oral and written disclosure to contain certain information regarding the rights of the person under investigation.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows registered pharmacy technicians to work in any pharmacy under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist. It clarifies that technicians can assist with tasks like preparing and dispensing drugs only when those tasks do not require professional judgment, which must always be reserved for the pharmacist. The law requires the pharmacy to ensure technicians have received proper training before they begin assisting and defines supervision as the pharmacist staying in the immediate area to authorize and evaluate the technician's work.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the state constitution to require that elections for various municipal and judicial officials occur in even-numbered years rather than odd-numbered ones. The changes specifically affect judges in county courts, surrogate's courts, family courts, and district courts, as well as city and county officers, ensuring their terms end at the conclusion of an even-numbered year. To manage gaps between vacancies and the next election, the bill establishes temporary appointment rules where governors, mayors, or local supervisors can fill positions until the end of December following the upcoming even-year election. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that lieutenant-governors must be elected at the same time as governors and sets specific procedures for filling vacancies in both offices simultaneously.

Provides that a board of education or a board of cooperative educational services shall have the authority to award contracts for school food services on the basis of certain scoring criteria.

Includes entities that provide employment or services to formerly incarcerated persons in the preferred source exemption for purposes of state purchasing.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates state transportation laws to ensure that buses serving people with disabilities are available within a three-mile radius of any fixed bus route. It mandates that new buses added to transit fleets must be accessible to individuals using wheelchairs or other mobility aids, with specific exceptions for temporary shortages and vehicles with a useful life of six years or less. The legislation applies to both the state transportation authority and its subsidiaries, as well as other transportation providers operating local fixed-route services. By requiring accessible vehicles in this expanded service area, the bill aims to improve mobility options for disabled passengers across a wider geographic range.