Sen. Rob Ortt

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits individuals convicted of certain sex offenses (under Penal Law Article 130) from voting if they are both on parole/conditional release and in civil commitment at a hospital or institution. It directly affects people meeting both conditions during their period of civil confinement. The law amends voting rights provisions in the Executive Law and Election Law to bar voting in all elections held while the person remains confined. The restriction applies only during the time of civil confinement, not for the entire parole period. The bill takes effect 30 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryS 1427 proposes changes to how non-commercial driver's licenses and learner's permits are issued, specifically for those that do not meet federal identification standards. The bill creates different requirements for counties designated as "boundary land" compared to other counties. In counties *without* boundary land, applicants could use certain foreign documents, like passports or consular IDs, as proof of identity and provide an affidavit if they lack a social security number. However, these alternative forms of identification and the social security number affidavit would not be accepted for these specific license types in "boundary land" counties.

Provides that when an appointment to an office by the governor by and with the advice and consent of the senate is communicated, in the form of a written nomination of a person for the office, the senate shall wait at least thirty days to confirm or reject such nomination from the date such written nomination was received; makes related provisions.

Maddy summaryS 480 eliminates a $10 one-time application fee for veterans' special license plates in New York. It directly affects veterans who apply for plates through veterans organizations, removing the additional charge while keeping the standard registration fee. The bill amends multiple sections of the vehicle and traffic law (including 404-h, 404-j, and 404-v) to remove the $10 fee provision. This is a concrete policy change that reduces costs for veterans obtaining these plates.

Maddy summaryS 2144, "Abbagail's Law," prohibits supervising drivers (such as parents or instructors overseeing new drivers in graduated licensing programs) from being under the influence of alcohol or drugs while performing that role. The bill creates two offenses: standard supervision while impaired is a class A misdemeanor, and aggravated cases (where the supervising driver would face more severe penalties if driving) is a class E felony. It directly affects individuals legally responsible for supervising new drivers, making their impairment while in that role a criminal violation. The law takes effect 90 days after enactment and aligns supervising driver penalties with existing laws for drivers operating vehicles while impaired.

Maddy summaryS 209 establishes a tax credit for businesses that create new full-time jobs in the state. It provides a credit equal to 6.85% of a new employee's gross wages (capped at $5,000 per employee annually for three consecutive years), with an additional $3,000 credit for hires who were receiving unemployment benefits during 2027-2028. The credit applies only to employees hired after July 1, 2026, who increase a business's total workforce above its 2025 employment level (defined as "base employment"). Businesses can use the credit to offset quarterly tax payments, and the credit cannot be claimed if other employment-based credits apply for the same hire.

Maddy summaryThis bill regulates wildlife capture methods by banning leg-gripping traps with teeth, suspended leg-hold traps, and traditional snares. It permits the use of live-capture cable devices (with specific safety features like swivels, deer stops, and breakaway mechanisms) for coyotes and other species, but only under Department of Environmental Conservation rules. Trappers must check devices daily, complete mandatory training, and follow strict device specifications. The law takes effect immediately and expires February 16, 2028.

Adopts the PA licensure compact to enhance the portability of a physician assistant license between participating states while safeguarding the safety of patients.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the Village of Lewiston to reduce the speed limit on Center Street to 25 miles per hour, directly affecting residents and drivers in that area. The village must pass a local law or ordinance to implement the change, as required by existing traffic law. The measure takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Prohibits state agencies from promulgating rules, regulations or any form of guidance requiring individuals under the age of eighteen who are not exhibiting COVID-19 related symptoms, as defined by the centers for disease control and prevention, to wear a mask or face covering in a public place or while participating in any recreational or organized sporting activity.