Sen. Rob Ortt

Maddy summaryS 2036 allows New York school districts to receive state building aid for specific school safety equipment, including stationary metal detectors, security cameras, and safety devices for room dividers or doors. The bill requires districts to include these projects in their approved school safety plans and specifies that aid equals 10% extra on top of the standard building aid ratio, calculated based on actual approved spending. It explicitly excludes portable metal detectors and ensures the aid doesn’t replace existing safety funding or contractual obligations. This change directly affects school districts seeking state financial support for permanent safety infrastructure improvements.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 1414 (the "utility ratepayer protection act"), requires electric, gas, and water utilities to get legislative approval before raising rates. Utilities must submit a detailed report 180 days in advance, including justification and their financial status, to the legislature. The legislature can deny an increase if it deems it unnecessary to cover service costs, and any approved increase requires a majority vote in both the Senate and Assembly. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts private and parochial schools, as well as day care centers, from state immunization requirements for children. It amends the public health law to remove these facilities from the definition of "school" subject to immunization mandates. The change directly affects private schools, parochial schools, and day care centers by eliminating their obligation to enforce childhood vaccination rules. The bill is currently referred to the Judiciary committee.

Relates to providing ten million dollars annually to be used for the provision of grants related to the expansion and support of crisis intervention services and diversion programs.

Makes life imprisonment without parole mandatory for defendants convicted of murder in the first degree or second degree and the victim is a police officer, peace officer, first responder or correctional officer.

Relates to requiring approval through public referendum in the municipality in which a major electric generating facility is intended to be located prior to final determination for a final siting permit.

Maddy summaryS 3619 amends New York's burglary law to specifically include "real property used as a farm operation" as a scenario that elevates burglary to second degree. This means entering or remaining unlawfully on a farm property with criminal intent - such as stealing equipment or livestock - would now automatically be classified as second-degree burglary, a class C felony. The bill directly affects farm owners and operators by extending the same legal protections against burglary that apply to residential dwellings, and it affects individuals committing such burglaries by increasing the potential penalties. The change clarifies that farm operations, as defined under agriculture law, are explicitly protected under this burglary statute.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new class A misdemeanor offense for harassing first responders (including police, firefighters, and EMTs) during lawful duty. It prohibits approaching within 25 feet after being verbally warned, when the intent is to interfere with their work, threaten them, or cause substantial emotional distress through repeated unwanted conduct. The law specifically applies to both paid and volunteer first responders while they are performing official duties. Violating this law would be punishable as a class A misdemeanor under New York State law.

Establishes a temporary state commission to study and investigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic response on deaths in nursing homes; provides for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof.

Requires the use of biodiesel and renewable diesel in state diesel operated vehicles; defines biodiesel as renewable, biodegradable, mono alkyl ester combustible liquid fuel derived from agricultural plant oils, animal fats or waste oils and greases.