Sen. Sean Ryan

Maddy summaryBill S 3655 establishes a new 25-year retirement plan for firefighters employed by the Division of Military and Naval Affairs. This plan allows eligible firefighters, including airport firefighters and training and safety officers, to retire after completing 25 years of creditable service. Upon retirement, these members would receive a retirement allowance equal to one-half of their final average salary. The bill specifies that creditable service includes time in their DMNA firefighter roles, service as a paid firefighter in other departments, and certain wartime service. Members have one year from the effective date to elect to join this new plan.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York's Family Court Act to clarify and expand orders of protection in child abuse and neglect cases. It specifically allows courts to issue protection orders against non-parent household members or caregivers (who aren't legally responsible for the child) independently of other court orders. Orders can last up to two years, or up to five years if "special circumstances" exist (like prior violence, sex offenses, or history of violating orders), and must undergo annual review by the court. The bill directly affects children, their caregivers, and household members involved in family court proceedings where child safety is a concern.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1224) prevents school-based health center services from being delivered to medical assistance recipients (like Medicaid beneficiaries) through private managed care insurance plans. It amends state law to require these services to continue being provided directly outside of managed care programs. The key change ensures that students receiving medical assistance can access school health services through traditional public health channels, not through private insurance networks. The bill was passed by the legislature in June 2025 but was vetoed by the governor on October 16, 2025, so it did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the Scajaquada heritage area as a state-recognized heritage area. It officially defines the area as the cohesive geographic region surrounding Scajaquada Creek in the city of Buffalo. The designation does not create new programs or funding but formally recognizes this specific Buffalo area under state heritage law. The bill was signed into law on September 26, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 5403) allows the City of Buffalo to privately sell its existing serial bonds or notes issued on or before June 30, 2026, without needing public auction. It specifically permits the city to arrange private underwriting or sales through negotiated agreements, with costs treated as preliminary expenses. The city must still get approval from the state comptroller for the sale terms. This directly affects Buffalo's ability to manage its bond financing for these specific debt instruments. The bill removes standard legal restrictions on private bond sales for this limited timeframe.

Adds employee-owned enterprises and worker cooperatives to the list of preferred contractors for public contracts in the state; authorizes such enterprises and cooperatives to make certain purchases from centralized contracts for commodities, subject to conditions of the office of general services; authorizes the comptroller to conduct certain audits of employee-owned enterprises and worker cooperatives.

Enacts "the construction reporting pay act"; provides that each laborer, worker or mechanic in the employ of a contractor who by request or permission of an employer reports for work on any day shall be paid no less than four hours at the prevailing rate of wages.

Maddy summaryS 8220 lowers out-of-state tuition rates for student-athletes who are members of Team USA and train in New York State through elite programs approved by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee. It directly affects non-resident athletes enrolled at SUNY or CUNY institutions who meet the defined eligibility standards for Team USA. The bill requires public universities to charge these athletes the same tuition rate as New York residents, contingent on state funding. This policy change applies specifically to athletes training in New York, not all out-of-state students.

Extends the reporting deadline of the advisory panel on employee-owned enterprises from June 30, 2025 to June 30, 2026; extends for one year the advisory panel on employee-owned enterprises which is tasked with reporting and making recommendations on how best to support such businesses and promote the formation and growth of new employee-owned enterprises in New York state.

Requires the state liquor authority to provide notice to state legislative representatives upon receipt of an application for a liquor license in their district.