Sen. Tom O'Mara

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York's penal law to clarify and strengthen penalties for illegal cannabis sales. It creates three criminal offenses based on quantity sold (e.g., selling over 3 ounces triggers a third-degree crime) and restricts sales to minors (e.g., selling to anyone under 21 is prohibited, with limited exceptions for caregivers). Businesses selling cannabis without a license face criminal charges and are barred from obtaining future cannabis permits. Additionally, commercial establishments violating these rules face escalating civil fines ($10,000-$50,000 per violation) payable to local counties. The changes take effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New York as a participating state in the Interstate Nurse Licensure Compact (Part A) and the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Compact (Part B). It creates "multistate licenses" that allow registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPNs) licensed in New York to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses, while maintaining accountability under the state where the patient is located. Key provisions include uniform licensing requirements, mutual recognition of licenses across states, and processes for sharing disciplinary information between states. The compact aims to reduce licensing barriers for nurses working across state lines while ensuring consistent public safety standards.

Eliminates bail for all offenses; provides for imposition of restrictions and conditions and remand for certain offenses; directs consideration of a defendant's character, reputation, habits, mental condition, activities and history, and whether they pose a danger to themselves, another person or the community, when determining a securing order; creates the commission on public safety reform to issue a determination on which offenses should be eligible for pretrial detention.

Relates to penalties for the crimes relating to methamphetamine laboratory operations, including criminal possession of methamphetamine manufacturing materials and unlawful manufacture of methamphetamines.

Limits the tenure of the temporary president of the senate, speaker of the assembly, majority leader of the senate, minority leader of the senate, majority leader of the assembly and minority leader of the assembly to 8 years; limits the tenure of the chair of any single legislative committee to 8 consecutive years.

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.

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.

Maddy summaryS 1519 aligns penalties for methamphetamine possession and sale with those for heroin and cocaine by adjusting weight thresholds in New York's penal law. It lowers the weight threshold for methamphetamine possession from 1 gram to 100 milligrams (matching existing heroin/cocaine standards) and reduces sale thresholds from 0.5 ounces to 1 gram. These changes directly affect individuals possessing or selling methamphetamine, as the bill modifies specific legal definitions in sections 220.06, 220.09, 220.16, 220.21, 220.39, and 220.43. The law applies only to offenses committed on or after its effective date, leaving prior cases governed by older penalties.

Establishes the professional practice of community midwifery; defines as the management in the home, birth center, or community setting, of normal pregnancies, child birth, and postpartum care, including newborn evaluation, resuscitation and referral for infants; sets requirements for license and practice.

Grants free access to state parks for firefighters upon showing a sufficient method of identification, as designated by the office of parks, recreation and historic preservation or other state agency having jurisdiction.