Sen. George Borrello

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the state tax credit for business training costs from 50% to 70% under the employee training incentive program. It directly affects eligible businesses that provide approved training to employees, allowing them to claim a tax credit covering 70% of qualifying training expenses (up to $10,000 per employee). The change applies to training costs defined in existing law, reducing the tax burden for businesses participating in the program without altering eligibility rules or other program details.

Maddy summaryS 1959 requires New York's corrections department to submit a detailed report 365 days before closing any prison or correctional facility, including justification for the closure. The legislature must review this report and can request additional information. If the legislature determines the closure is unjustified, it cannot proceed without approval by a majority vote in both the Assembly and Senate. This bill directly affects state correctional facilities and shifts decision-making authority for closures to the legislature.

Repeals the requirement that any person, firm or corporation that sells or offers for sale at retail any motor fuel for use in internal combustion engines in motor vehicles or motorboats posts on the dispensing device signage stating the price per gallon of such motor fuel.

Enacts the voter registration integrity act; requires a birth certificate, passport, certificate of naturalization or citizenship, evidence of New York state residency, or any other documentation that the board of elections determines establishes United States citizenship.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 8488) allows students in New York schools to earn physical education (PE) credits by completing state-approved lifeguard certification training courses. It directs the Board of Regents to create rules enabling schools to count such training toward required PE credits. The policy directly affects students in public schools who complete certified lifeguard programs, replacing traditional PE instruction for credit purposes. The change applies only to courses meeting New York State’s lifeguard training standards.

Maddy summaryS 1449 removes the 35-year maximum age limit for taking civil service exams to become a police officer or environmental conservation officer in New York State. This change directly affects applicants over 35 who wish to enter these specific state or local government roles. The bill amends Section 58 of the civil service law by deleting the age cap from eligibility requirements. Existing exceptions (such as military service time counting toward age or specific Buffalo police hiring scenarios) remain unchanged.

Relates to the justified use of physical force; removes requirement that a person facing an imminent physical threat must retreat; provides immunity from civil and criminal liability.

Enacts the "employment first choice act" to ensure that an individual with developmental disabilities in a nonintegrated setting shall have the right to remain in such a setting under certain circumstances.

Relates to paratransit services; directs that an applicant for recertification submit correspondence from a licensed physician in lieu of an in-person assessment.

Expands agricultural tourism to include, but not be limited to, the production and processing of grapes, grains or other crops used to create alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in an on-farm brewery, winery, cidery, meadery or distillery, the production and processing of fiber such as sheep or alpaca wool, and the production of processed food commodities, including but not limited to ice cream, jams, baked goods and similar items.