Sen. Rob Ortt

Maddy summaryS 3032 requires New York's Department of Transportation (DOT) to study the administrative costs the agency incurs when managing utility projects (like water, gas, electric, and fiber optic lines) in state highway rights-of-way. The study must separately analyze these costs for different utility types and be completed by April 1, 2026. The DOT must submit the findings to the governor and legislative leaders, after which the bill automatically expires 30 days later. This bill does not change current policies but directs a specific cost analysis to inform future decisions about utility project management.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts New York State-resident disabled veterans certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or Department of Defense for war-related disabilities from paying tolls on the New York State Thruway. It amends two laws to create this exemption, requiring veterans to have official certification of disability payments tied to wartime service. The change directly affects eligible veterans by removing a financial burden for using the Thruway. The policy modifies existing toll collection rules without altering other Thruway fees or requirements.

Creates the New York state commission on government efficiency to examine state spending, identify unnecessary and wasteful spending and create a report of recommendations of spending items that can be eliminated by New York state.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a requirement that professional wrestling promoters in New York must post a $20,000 bond to guarantee payments for wrestler purses, advertising, and other expenses (previously in Section 1015, subdivision 11). It directly affects promoters of professional wrestling events by removing this specific financial obligation. The bill amends the general business law to update definitions of "professional wrestling" and related terms but focuses the key change on eliminating the bond requirement. The annual license fee for promoters remains capped at $225, but the bond requirement is fully repealed. This change reduces administrative and financial burdens on wrestling promoters without altering other licensing or safety provisions.

Enacts the "Niagara parks reinvestment act"; requires fifty percent of parking revenue generated at state parks in the county of Niagara to be deposited in the Niagara parks reinvestment fund; establishes the Niagara parks reinvestment fund.

Enacts the "prison privilege limitation act"; restricts prison privileges, including the wearing of civilian clothing, for certain incarcerated individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes population restrictions that previously limited eligibility for a property tax relief program to municipalities in specific counties. Currently, the program only applied to counties with populations between 65,390-65,400 or 98,900-99,000 (based on the 2010 census). The bill would allow any municipality in New York to join the program regardless of its county's population size. This change directly expands access to the residential-commercial exemption program for all local governments.

Establishes a rental assistance loan-to-grant program to assist landlords of small rental properties who have lost rental income due to the inability of the landlords' tenants to pay rent during the COVID-19 state disaster emergency; provides for the repeal of such provisions upon the expiration thereof.

Determines that disability compensation or benefits received by veterans from the United States department of veterans affairs are not to be treated as income or resources for purposes of determining eligibility for means-tested programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all public school districts in the state - including New York City - to install two specific security measures in every classroom within five years: (1) a dedicated panic button, and (2) an additional door security device that provides greater protection than standard locks. The commissioner of education, in consultation with the state police superintendent, must approve a list of acceptable security devices. These requirements apply to all school districts, boards of cooperative educational services, and county vocational education boards. The law takes effect on July 1 following its passage, with implementation rules to be finalized before that date.