Sen. Rob Ortt

Maddy summaryS 2312 prohibits sex offenders from living within 1,350 feet of schools, playgrounds, parks, or childcare facilities. This restriction directly affects individuals classified as sex offenders under New York's correction law, applying to all such locations used for child-related activities. The bill requires notification to offenders through written and oral communication from the division, parole officers, and probation officers. Violations could lead to felony charges, with penalties increasing for repeat offenses. The residency ban remains in effect as long as the individual is classified as a sex offender.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that license plates be visually inspected during standard vehicle safety inspections to check for illegibility (e.g., damage, fading, or missing parts affecting readability). It also waives fees for replacing license plates due to either a design change or a failed plate inspection under the new rule. Vehicle owners needing replacements for these specific reasons will receive the same license plate number at no additional cost. The law ensures safety inspections won't increase fees while clarifying plate condition standards.

Requires corporations to provide written notice to the municipality in which the canal is located and properties adjacent to such canal prior to commencing work along such canal; requires the corporation to hold a public hearing prior to commencing such work; allows for exceptions in certain situations.

Requires a written determination to be made, on each application for issuance or renewal of a license to carry or possess a pistol or revolver, within 180 days of receipt; requires refund of all fees submitted with such application if a determination is not made in a timely manner.

Directs the department of veterans' services to establish and operate an electronic database of the number of openings in each of the 4 state veterans' homes and the number of persons on the waiting list for each such veterans' home.

Maddy summaryS 2465 would allow home-schooled children residing in a school district to participate in that district's interscholastic sports and driver's education programs, provided they meet the program's requirements and pay any applicable fees. The bill amends education law to permit this participation even if the child does not attend a public school within the district. It specifically states that home-schooled students cannot be enrolled in another school within the same district while participating. This change directly affects home-schooled students and school districts offering these activities. The bill is currently pending in the Education committee.

Maddy summaryS 2168 allows the New York State Thruway Authority to offer a 50% toll discount to eligible farmers transporting agricultural products. This discount applies only to farmers who qualify for a specific tax exemption under New York Tax Law §606(a)(2)(A), requiring them to provide their exemption certificate to receive E-ZPass tags. The discount covers regular toll rates (not surcharges) and excludes non-commercial vehicle travel. It will take effect January 1, 2027, directly benefiting farmers meeting the tax exemption criteria under Agriculture and Markets Law.

Enacts "Chelsey's law"; provides that a person commits the crime of manslaughter or aggravated manslaughter when such person knows or has reasonable grounds to know that a controlled substance is likely to cause the death of another person and sells, administers, delivers, or causes the delivery of a controlled substance to another person and such substance causes, contributes to, or aids in the death of such other person.

Relates to a leave of absence for military spouses; removes the requirement that leave be used when a person's spouse is on leave while deployed to a combat theater or combat zone of operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill lowers the minimum age for obtaining a hunting license in New York from 14 to 12 years old, directly affecting young hunters aged 12-13. Key provisions require that 12-13-year-olds must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or designated adult (21+ with 3+ years' big game hunting experience) holding a valid license while hunting deer, bear, or using firearms/crossbows. The bill also updates age requirements for muzzle-loading firearms and crossbow use, maintaining supervision rules for younger hunters. These changes apply specifically to hunting regulations for big game and firearms under the Environmental Conservation Law.