Sen. George Borrello

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 66) allows military personnel assigned to state recruiting centers to carry their service-issued firearms while on duty at those locations. It directly affects military personnel working at recruiting centers in the state by overriding existing rules that might prohibit firearm carry. The key provision amends military law to explicitly authorize this, stating the adjutant general must permit it. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage, with no additional conditions or exceptions mentioned.

Amends provisions involving the arrest, prosecution, sentencing and penalties for offenses involving vehicular assault, manslaughter and homicide; removes certain barriers to prosecution for operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Prohibits the use of unmanned aerial vehicles to search for, scout, locate, hunt, detect, or otherwise aid in the taking of a wild animal to which the hunting season applies.

Establishes a home heating tax credit for qualified taxpayers with an income of $125,000 or less for single filers, or with a combined income of $250,000 or less for joint filers.

Adds a person having been previously convicted of petit larceny two times within any three month period or three times within any twelve month period to the definition of grand larceny in the fourth degree.

Maddy summaryS 7211 increases the maximum exclusion amount for pension and annuity income from federal taxable income to $22,000 (up from $20,000). It directly affects retirees aged 59.5 or older who receive regular pension or annuity payments from employer plans, IRAs, or self-employed retirement accounts. The bill modifies state tax law to allow more of these retirement payments to be excluded from taxable income, while excluding lump-sum distributions. This change applies to both individual and joint tax filers, with joint returns treated as if filed separately for this exclusion. The policy change is a straightforward adjustment to tax eligibility for qualifying retirement income.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state grant program to help fire departments fund construction or renovation of fire stations, covering up to 75% of eligible project costs. Fire departments must apply competitively, demonstrating specific need, securing matching funds, and showing how the project improves operational efficiency. It creates a dedicated $10 million "fire station construction fund" from the state general fund, kept separate from other accounts, to administer the grants. The program applies to buildings or infrastructure upgrades (like electrical systems) but excludes planning studies or feasibility work.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New York school districts to purchase or lease only zero-emission school buses (electric or hydrogen-powered, with no tailpipe emissions) when buying new buses starting July 1, 2027. It also mandates that any procurement for school transportation services or infrastructure components must prioritize U.S.-made parts and assembly, with limited waivers available for cost or feasibility concerns. School districts facing financial hardship may receive up to two years to comply after a cost-benefit analysis by the education commissioner. The law applies directly to all public school districts and their contractors, aiming for full transition to zero-emission buses by 2047 or when all state vehicle fleets meet the standard.

Creates the crime of unlawful dissemination or publication of discovery material; defines the circumstances under which a person is guilty of such crime; establishes that such crime is a class E felony.

Establishes a task force for the review of the state administrative procedure act to ensure that administrative rulemaking, adjudication and licensing is consistent, uniform, and not unnecessarily burdensome for regulated entities.