Sen. Tom O'Mara

Maddy summaryS 972 creates a new class A-1 felony offense for unlawfully selling or transporting an opiate-controlled substance (defined as any opiate or opium derivative listed in New York's public health law schedules I-V) that causes another person's death. It directly affects individuals who sell or transport such substances, including those involved in the illicit drug trade. The bill includes a specific defense if the defendant jointly used the substance with the deceased for mutual consumption. This law imposes the highest felony penalty for these actions, distinct from standard homicide charges. The bill, nicknamed "Laree's Law," will take effect 90 days after enactment.

Provides immunity from prosecution for certain individuals engaged in prostitution who are victims of or witnesses to a crime and who report such crime or assist in the investigation or prosecution.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow local governments (counties, cities, towns, villages, or school districts) to create a property tax exemption for the primary residence of veterans with a 100% service-connected disability. To qualify, veterans must have an honorable discharge, a 100% disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and be permanently and totally disabled due to military service. The exemption covers all real property taxes, special district charges, and assessments on their primary home. This policy change directly affects veterans meeting these specific criteria, providing them with tax relief on their main residence starting with 2026 assessment rolls.

Amends the real property tax exemption for surviving spouses of volunteer firefighters or volunteer ambulance workers killed in the line of duty to permit continuation of such exemption for volunteer members with service between two and five years.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1376) encourages farmers' markets selling farm products in state parks, provided they don't harm the park's environment. It directly affects state parks, farmers' markets operating there, and state agencies like the Department of Agriculture and Markets. Key provisions require parks to post market locations/times online, identify new park locations for markets, and coordinate with agencies like Empire State Development. The law, now effective (signed September 26, 2025), aims to expand access to local food while protecting park integrity.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific 52-mile stretch of New York State highways (State Route 96 from Ithaca to Ovid, then State Route 96A to Geneva, and finally State Routes 5 & 20 to Route 14) as the "Between Cayuga and Seneca Lakes Wine Trail." It directly affects travelers and businesses along this corridor by officially naming it as a designated wine tourism route. The bill adds this specific designation to a list of existing state-designated wine trails, primarily for promotional and informational purposes. No new regulations or funding are created; it solely modifies highway signage and official naming.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York State law to allow assistant district attorneys and assistant public defenders in Yates County to reside in Chemung County instead of being required to live within Yates County. Specifically, it updates two sections of the Public Officers Law to include Chemung County as an acceptable residence location for these roles, alongside Yates County and adjacent counties. The change directly affects Yates County legal staff who previously needed to live within Yates County to hold these positions. The bill requires no new funding or programs - only a modification to existing residency requirements for these specific county legal offices. (Signed into law September 10, 2025.)

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 7412) changes residency requirements for the town justice position in Montour, New York. It allows the person serving as town justice in Montour (Schuyler County) to not live in the town itself, as long as they reside in Schuyler County. This specifically amends two state laws to remove the previous requirement that the town justice must be a resident or elector of Montour. The change applies only to Montour; all other towns in New York must still require their town justice to be a resident of that specific town. The bill was signed into law on September 10, 2025.

Clarifies provisions regarding the use of crossbows for hunting, allowing the department of environmental conservation to allow the use of crossbows for the taking of big game in any area long bows are permitted.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1899) designates a specific segment of State Route 14 in Yates County as a ceremonial tribute to Sergeant James S. Hayes. It directs the state transportation commissioner to install commemorative signage along the route - beginning at Plum Point Road in Milo and ending at Main Street in Dresden - reading "Highway Dedicated to Sergeant James S. Hayes." The bill explicitly states this is purely ceremonial, confirming the official highway name will remain unchanged. It does not alter road infrastructure, traffic rules, or create new policies.