Sen. Rob Ortt

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 18, "Billy's Law") amends New York's criminal procedure law to require judges to consider bail or pre-trial detention for individuals charged with specific arson felonies. It directly affects people facing charges for arson in the fourth degree (penal law §150.05) or arson in the third degree (penal law §150.10) during pre-trial proceedings. The key provision adds these arson offenses to existing categories where judges may deny release - such as for certain violent crimes or firearm charges - without requiring the defendant to prove they won't flee. Judges must still assess if the defendant poses a risk, but the bill makes arson felonies automatically subject to these detention considerations. The law takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate resolution that formally commends two eighth-grade students, Liam Hedley and Hunter Marcello, for receiving the New York State Senate Liberty Medal. It recognizes their heroic actions on July 3, 2024, when they helped rescue a woman in distress at a marina by recruiting their father to retrieve a boat and row her to safety. The resolution serves as an official acknowledgment of their bravery and compassion, with copies of the document to be sent directly to the students.

Establishes the rural suicide prevention council to identify barriers to mental health and substance use treatment and prevention services and other policies, practices, resources, services, and potential legislation that aim to reduce death by suicide and suicide attempts and acknowledge the demographic and cultural differences in rural communities; makes related provisions.

Relates to authorizing an occupancy tax in the village of Medina in Orleans county not to exceed two percent of the per diem rental rate for each room; provides for the repeal of such provisions upon the expiration thereof.

Authorizes hunting big game by rifle in the county of Niagara except within the city of Niagara Falls, the city of Lockport and the city of North Tonawanda.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the city of Niagara Falls to sell a specific 1.77-acre parkland known as the "Ten Rod Strip" to The Papermill, LLC. The primary goal of this transfer is to merge two separate commercial properties that are currently divided by the park, thereby allowing for new development. In exchange for selling this land, the city must dedicate an amount of money equal to its fair market value toward buying new parkland or improving existing recreational facilities. The legislation also ensures that if the city received any federal funding for the park, it must first meet all federal requirements for converting such land before the sale can proceed.

Maddy summaryThis bill declares a retirement application submitted by Cynthia Adam on behalf of her late husband, Paul C. Adam, as timely filed despite it being submitted years after the deadline. The legislation specifically addresses the conversion of his service retirement benefits to accidental death benefits related to the 2001 World Trade Center disaster. By retroactively accepting the September 2018 filing, the law ensures that the family can receive the appropriate benefits without penalty. All costs associated with implementing this change are to be covered by the state of New York.

Maddy summaryThis bill prevents state agencies, departments, municipalities, and other government entities from creating rules that limit how people buy or use motor vehicles based on their fuel source. It specifically bans regulations that would restrict vehicles powered by different energy types, such as gasoline, electricity, or hydrogen. The law applies to all public motor vehicles and takes effect immediately upon passage. By removing these potential restrictions, the legislation ensures that government bodies cannot discriminate against specific types of vehicles when enforcing sales or usage policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the list of libraries eligible to receive funding from the dormitory authority to include the Ogden Farmers' Library. By adding a specific provision to the state's public authorities law, it allows the library to apply for financial assistance to build or improve its facilities. The change takes effect immediately upon signing, enabling the library to access these resources without waiting for further legislative approval.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for library construction funding to include the Parma Public Library. It achieves this by adding a specific provision to the existing Public Authorities Law that allows the Dormitory Authority to finance projects for this specific library. The change applies immediately and enables the library to access financial resources previously available only to other qualifying public libraries.