Sen. Rob Ortt

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1200) allows veterans to earn academic credit at New York State and City University systems for military training they completed. Specifically, full-time undergraduate veterans enrolled in good standing at these institutions can receive full credit toward their degree for military courses meeting American Council on Education standards - without any fees or tuition charges. It applies to veterans who served honorably in active duty, reserves, or New York National Guard/Militia. The law requires university boards to create procedures for implementing this credit transfer.

Repeals the provision of law that volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers who receive a real property tax exemption for service may not receive the income tax credit for such service.

Establishes the New York state volunteer fire protection emergency reimbursement account; provides reimbursement for expenses incurred related to procurement of personal protective equipment and other expenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires solar and wind energy project developers to provide financial bonds before receiving permits, ensuring funds are available for land reclamation after projects end. The bonds, based on estimated reclamation costs, must name the state as beneficiary and remain in effect until land restoration is approved. Developers who fail to maintain bonds risk permit suspension, and the state can use the bond funds or pursue legal action to cover reclamation costs. Government entities (like municipalities and federal agencies) are exempt from this requirement.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the requirement for New York counties and New York City to pay a local share of costs when increasing juvenile jurisdiction age above 15 years. It eliminates the obligation for local governments to fund eligible expenses that would not have existed without the 2017 law changing juvenile jurisdiction. Counties and NYC will no longer need to contribute local funds for these specific juvenile justice costs, though a hardship waiver process remains for exceptional financial situations. The change directly affects local governments responsible for juvenile justice funding under the 2017 law. The policy simplifies funding by shifting the cost entirely to the state.

Requires the state to reimburse counties for costs incurred when holding parolees in detention facilities for technical parole violations pending a hearing with their parole officer.

Adopts the psychology interjurisdictional compact (Part A); adopts the recognition of emergency medical services personnel licensure interstate compact (Part B); adopts the interstate counseling compact (Part C).

Relates to lowering the minimum required course load and permitting application prior to matriculation for the recruitment incentive and retention program for members of the New York state organized militia.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1417) strengthens New York's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) by making failure to comply with public record requests a criminal offense. It requires state agencies to respond to written FOIL requests within 5 business days, grant or deny requests within 30 days, and provide records within 90 days - adding specific deadlines and certification requirements for agency heads and the governor if delays occur. The law directly affects all state agencies, their leaders (like commissioners or directors), and the governor’s office when requests are not handled on time. Key provisions include mandatory written reviews by agency heads, public posting of delay certifications, and criminal penalties for willful non-compliance.

Establishes the offenses of menacing a police officer or peace officer in the first degree and menacing a police officer or peace officer in the second degree; relates to circumstances under which an officer is not required to issue an appearance ticket; makes conforming changes.