Sen. April Baskin

Maddy summaryThis bill asks Governor Kathy Hochul to officially designate March 2026 as Problem Gambling Awareness Month in New York State. The resolution aims to raise public awareness about problem gambling and encourage people to learn about prevention, treatment, and recovery resources. It highlights statistics showing that problem gambling affects hundreds of thousands of adults and students in the state, particularly as mobile sports betting continues to grow. The bill does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal proclamation to promote awareness during a designated month.

Requires the state shall offer a statewide emergency services internet protocol network (ESINet) available for connection to local public safety answering points (PSAPs).

Relates to the utilization of minority and women-owned business enterprises, service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, small businesses and microbusinesses in state-funded construction projects; directs the empire state development corporation, in consultation with other state agencies, to develop a state division of post-construction commitments and compliance to create rules and regulations for private businesses operating in buildings constructed using state funding to have certain employment goals and living wage requirements, annual minority and women-owned business enterprise, certified service-disabled veteran-owned business, small business and microbusiness utilization goals for maintenance and operations spending, and a community grant program; directs the state division of post-construction commitments and compliance to establish a post-construction compliance review board; provides penalties for noncompliance.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution directs Governor Kathy Hochul to officially proclaim March 2026 as Women's History Month in New York State. The bill asks the governor to recognize and honor the historical contributions of women across various fields including politics, education, medicine, civil rights, and business. It highlights specific New York women who have made significant impacts, from early suffrage leaders to modern public servants and athletes. The resolution is ceremonial in nature and does not create new laws or change existing policies.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (J 1664) honors Jonathan A. Dandes, president of Rich Baseball Operations and a Buffalo Baseball Hall of Fame inductee, who died on February 22, 2026. It memorializes his 40+ years of service to the Buffalo Bisons, Sahlen Field, and Western New York community through roles including executive vice president of Rich Entertainment Group and director of the National Kidney Foundation. The resolution directs the legislature to "pause in its deliberations to mourn" his passing and transmit a copy to his family. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create policy changes or affect any legislation.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a law), formally recognizing Holi as an ancient Hindu Spring Festival. It acknowledges Holi's cultural significance - celebrating fertility, love, the triumph of good over evil, and the arrival of spring - without creating any new policies or affecting anyone's rights or obligations. The resolution simply directs the legislature to pause its proceedings to observe the festival, with no binding requirements for citizens or government action. It was adopted by the legislature on March 5, 2026, as a symbolic gesture honoring cultural diversity.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (J 1680) designates March 10, 2026, as "Bronx Day" to honor the borough's history and cultural significance. It directs the New York State Legislature to pause its proceedings on that date to recognize the Bronx's contributions, including its role as the birthplace of hip-hop, historical sites, and diverse communities. The resolution will be transmitted to the Bronx Borough President and Bronx Chamber of Commerce. As a commemorative measure, it has no binding policy impact or direct effect on residents or programs.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (J 1681) congratulating the Potsdam Central High School Girls Hockey Team for winning the 2026 NYSPHSAA Girls Hockey Championship. It formally recognizes the team's 17-3-2 season record, their 3-2 championship victory over Adirondack United, and their status as the school's first girls hockey champions in over a decade. The resolution specifically names all 25 players and coaches (including Head Coach Joe Stark and Assistant Coaches Lindsay LaSala and Olivia Scott) and directs that engrossed copies be sent to them. As a symbolic gesture with no policy impact, it does not create new laws or affect any regulations.

Maddy summaryS 4547 establishes a dedicated "diversion part" in every county court to handle judicial diversion cases for eligible defendants. It directly affects individuals charged with specific class B, C, D, or E felonies (excluding certain serious offenses like class A felonies) who have a qualifying mental health or substance use diagnosis. The bill requires a clinical evaluation by licensed professionals to determine if diversion is appropriate, including recommendations for evidence-based treatment (like counseling or medication) instead of incarceration. It repeals outdated provisions about alcohol/substance use evaluations and clarifies eligibility criteria for this program.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands access to small business loans for New York's smallest businesses. It defines a "microbusiness" as an independently owned, non-dominant business with under five employees operating for at least five years in designated economic zones (like Empire Zones). The law requires the state's Urban Development Corporation to allocate at least $5 million specifically for loans to these microbusinesses, making them eligible for the same revolving loan programs and interest rate reductions previously available to larger small businesses. This directly affects qualifying microbusinesses in targeted communities seeking affordable financing.