Sen. Kristen Gonzalez

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate resolution that asks Governor Kathy Hochul to officially designate June 2026 as Black Music Month in New York State. The measure recognizes the historical and cultural significance of African American music, highlighting its roots in genres like jazz, gospel, and hip-hop, and its impact on both national and global culture. By formalizing this observance, the resolution aims to celebrate the contributions of Black musicians and preserve their legacy within the state. The bill does not create new laws or funding but serves as a ceremonial proclamation to honor the artistic heritage of the community.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks Governor Kathy Hochul to officially declare June 2026 as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in New York State. The resolution honors the history of the LGBTQIA+ community, particularly the 1969 Stonewall uprising, and recognizes past legal victories such as marriage equality and workplace protections. It does not create new laws or policies but serves as a symbolic gesture to acknowledge the ongoing struggle for equality. The measure is non-binding and requires no additional action beyond the governor's proclamation.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks Governor Kathy Hochul to officially declare May 2026 as Maternal Mental Health Month in New York State. The resolution aims to raise public awareness about mental health challenges faced by pregnant and postpartum individuals, such as anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders. By designating this specific month, the legislation seeks to highlight the importance of addressing untreated mental health conditions to improve outcomes for birthing people and their infants. The bill is a commemorative action that directs copies of the resolution to the Governor and the Legislative Women's Caucus for record-keeping and dissemination.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors New York veterans who are being inducted into the 2026 Veterans Hall of Fame. It formally pauses legislative proceedings to acknowledge their service and directs the transmission of a copy of the resolution to each of the 68 named inductees. The document serves as a ceremonial tribute rather than establishing new laws or policies.

Maddy summarySenate Bill S 3046 prohibits the use of adhesive-based rodent traps, such as glue traps and glue boards. This prohibition applies to all state-owned or state-leased buildings. One year after the bill becomes law, these traps can no longer be set, placed, or used to capture rodents in these government properties. This measure directly affects the pest control methods utilized in state facilities.

Requires gas corporations to file maps with the public service commission annually to assess leak-prone gas infrastructure and the decommissioning of such leak-prone gas lines; requires the public service commission to publish such maps and certain accompanying documents on the commission's website; directs the public service commission to designate neighborhood priority decarbonization zones.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires large data centers to help local households reduce their electricity costs by funding specific energy upgrades. Facilities with a power demand of twenty megawatts or more must either provide bill credits to residents in their local area or install technologies like heat pumps and solar panels. The Public Service Commission will create a program to manage these contributions, ensuring that low- and moderate-income families are prioritized for benefits. The rules for this program will take effect immediately, while the main funding requirements will begin after a ninety-day waiting period.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New York's parole process by requiring the state board of parole to consider specific, evidence-based factors when deciding whether to release incarcerated individuals on parole. It mandates that the board evaluate rehabilitation efforts (like vocational training or therapy participation), release plans (including job opportunities and community support), and the seriousness of the crime, while prohibiting decisions based solely on victim input. The board must now provide detailed written explanations for denials and report quarterly to the public on parole denials, including demographic data (without identifying individuals) and reasons for each decision. This directly affects incarcerated individuals seeking parole and the parole board's decision-making procedures.

Amends early voting provisions; provides that an application for an absentee ballot that does not provide a reason that the applicant is entitled to such a ballot shall be processed as an application for an early mail ballot.

Authorizes the commissioner of corrections and community supervision to discipline certain employees for acts of serious misconduct; defines serious misconduct; establishes procedures for such disciplinary action; prohibits employees who have been removed for serious misconduct from being placed on the eligible list after such removal.