Sen. Patrick Gallivan

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 7415) allows individuals aged 60 and older to hunt deer using a crossbow during a designated special archery season. It amends hunting regulations to add a new eligibility category for crossbow hunting, specifically for seniors, replacing previous restrictions that limited crossbow use to younger hunters. The law requires the state environmental department to create regulations for this season and establish documentation rules to verify a hunter's age eligibility. The policy takes effect June 1, 2026, and directly affects older adult hunters in New York State.

Authorizes occupational therapy services to be provided in school to students in grades pre-kindergarten through twelve with occupational impairments of a severity that does not adversely affect the student's educational performance but does present a barrier to functioning at home or in the community; directs the commissioner to promulgate rules and regulations for the provision of such occupational therapy services.

Gives state income tax credit to volunteer firefighters and members of a volunteer ambulance corps in good standing up to $2500; must be in good standing for a minimum of five years and maintain continued eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals an exemption in New York's Vehicle and Traffic Law that previously allowed police vehicles to skip routine safety inspections. It directly affects all police vehicles operated by New York state or local law enforcement agencies, requiring them to undergo the same periodic safety inspections as other vehicles. The key provision removes Section 308, subdivision 6 of the law, mandating that police vehicles comply with standard inspection requirements. The change takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Relates to protecting witnesses in criminal prosecutions from intimidation and threats by permitting the court to withhold disclosure of names and other information if the court finds on the record that such witness is subject to potential intimidation, violence or threats.

Requires the notice to crime victims of case disposition to inform the victim of the right to attend interviews between the board of parole and the incarcerated individual in cases where the final disposition includes a felony defined in article one hundred twenty-five of the penal law that results in the commitment of the defendant to the custody of the department of corrections and community supervision for an indeterminate sentence; requires the board of parole to review victim impact statements, failure to review such statements shall make a hearing by the board of parole invalid.

Establishes the New York state equine industry board, to advise and make recommendations to the state agencies on state government plans, policies and programs affecting all aspects of equine industry, and in such areas as its experience and studies may indicate to be appropriate.

Requires the budget submitted by the governor to include an itemization, by each individual school district, of appropriations for the support of school districts.

Provides that any person interested in the grant or denial of discretionary release shall have the right to submit a written statement of views in support of or in opposition to the granting of discretionary release which the parole board may consider.

Relates to procedures relating to driving while ability impaired by drugs; defines impairment and intoxication; updates procedures for field testing of drivers suspected of being under the influence of drugs to include the use of oral/bodily fluid tests; provides that refusal to submit to such field tests is specified to be a traffic infraction; makes related provisions.