Sen. Rob Ortt

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals specific exclusions that previously prevented farm laborers from being covered under New York's labor laws. It directly affects farmworkers by removing barriers to collective bargaining rights they were denied under prior law. Key provisions include amending the definition of "employees" to exclude farm laborers from the definition (Section 2), repealing Section 163-a (which previously excluded agricultural labor), and clarifying that agricultural labor is not automatically excluded from labor law coverage (Section 7). These changes align farm laborers with other workers under the state's labor protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts active-duty military compensation from New York State income tax calculations for qualifying residents. It directly affects New York residents who serve in the U.S. armed forces outside the state for at least 90 days during a tax year while maintaining a permanent New York residence (such as a home, barracks, or military quarters). The exemption applies to taxable years beginning January 1, 2026, and covers all active-duty pay earned outside New York, provided the service member meets the residence requirements. The policy change removes military compensation from taxable income under specific residency conditions, aligning with New York's tax treatment for service members.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows private employers (like corporations or nonprofits with employees) to voluntarily create written policies giving hiring, promotion, or retention preference to veterans over equally qualified candidates. It defines "veteran" as someone with qualifying military service (e.g., 180+ days active duty with honorable discharge) and requires any preference policy to be applied uniformly. The policy must be in writing and does not apply to government entities like state agencies or school districts. Private employers can adopt this policy without legal obligation, but must follow it consistently for all employment decisions affecting veterans.

Authorizes the city of Lockport to add unpaid housing code violation penalties, costs and fines to such city's annual tax levy; provides the city of Lockport shall notify all owners or known interested parties of record of the placement of the code violations on the city tax levy as uncollected fines and penalties within thirty days of placement.

Relates to enacting the volunteer emergency services mileage reimbursement tax credit; allows an active volunteer firefighter or a volunteer ambulance worker a credit equal to their reasonable mileage allowance owed for each mile actually and necessarily traveled by the volunteer firefighter or volunteer ambulance worker who utilizes their personal vehicle in the fulfillment of their emergency response duties.

Establishes the crime of failure to retreat when a person who is within twenty-five feet of a police officer or peace officer engaged in the performance of their duties and the police officer or peace officer orders such person to halt or retreat and the person fails to do so immediately; requires the posting of bail.

Provides that the commissioner of motor vehicles shall waive the payment of fees for license plates if the new plates required are due to a change in plate design.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits village boards from changing rules regarding volunteer fire company members, except for one specific exception. It directly affects volunteer firefighters by preserving their current legal status under village law. The change is procedural, preventing local governments from altering these regulations through ordinary local laws. (Note: As a procedural bill, the summary is concise per guidelines.)

Relates to the establishment of special districts for general ambulance services; requires a report on issues of volunteer firefighter and ambulance services staffing.

Relates to the establishment of special districts for general ambulance services in any county, city, town or village located within the Adirondack park.