Sen. Mark Walczyk

Maddy summaryThis New York State Senate resolution formally commends Kristen Cummins for receiving the Liberty Medal, the highest individual honor bestowed by the state legislature. The bill recognizes her heroic actions on June 6, 2026, when she rescued a man stranded in Lake Durant after his boat capsized during a severe storm. It details how she navigated strong winds to reach the victim and assist him to safety despite his injuries. The resolution concludes by directing that a copy of the document be sent to Cummins as an official acknowledgment of her service.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the occupancy tax in St. Lawrence County from three percent to five percent. It directly affects guests staying at hotels, motels, apartment hotels, and boarding houses within the county by raising the fee charged on their room rentals. The law allows the county to collect this additional tax on the per diem rental rate for each room, regardless of whether the stay is daily or longer. The change takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Herkimer County to impose a 5% tax on overnight hotel, motel, and bed-and-breakfast stays. It applies to businesses renting rooms for lodging (excluding government entities, nonprofits, and guests staying 90+ consecutive days). The county can implement this tax via local law, with revenue funding the county's general fund. The tax rate is capped at 5% of the room's daily rental price, and collection mechanisms mirror existing county tax processes.

Maddy summaryThis bill dedicates a specific segment of State Route 28 in Herkimer village (from Canal Access Road to State Route 5) to "War Dogs" as a ceremonial honor. The bill requires transportation officials to install signage stating "Bridge Dedicated to War Dogs" along this highway segment. Crucially, it clarifies this is purely symbolic - no official highway name change occurs, and the dedication won't disrupt traffic or commerce. The measure takes effect immediately upon passage.

Exempts the East Herkimer Volunteer Fire Department No. 1, Inc. from the requirement that the percentage of non-resident fire department members not exceed forty-five percent of the membership.

Permits the establishment of reserve funds for unanticipated costs relating to special education, provided that the amount in such fund shall not exceed four percent of the district's current school year budget.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New York's criminal procedure law to clarify how courts assess whether a defendant has the mental capacity to stand trial. It requires psychiatric examiners to specifically evaluate whether "restoration services" (such as medication support, competency training, or symptom management) could reasonably restore a defendant's capacity within a set timeframe, and include this assessment in their reports. The bill directly affects defendants in criminal cases who may lack mental capacity due to illness or disability, ensuring their evaluation process considers potential treatment pathways. Key provisions define "restoration services" and mandate that examiners' reports detail the feasibility of such services before a court decides on next steps.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate resolution that formally congratulates Cardinal Timothy Dolan on the 50th anniversary of his ordination as a priest. It recognizes his long history of service, including his leadership of the Archdiocese of New York and his participation in the recent papal election. The resolution expresses the legislative body's appreciation for his contributions to the community and directs that a copy of the text be sent to him.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate resolution that officially designates May 2026 as Jewish American Heritage Month throughout New York State. It aims to honor the historical contributions of Jewish Americans to the state's culture, civil rights, and economy while acknowledging the ongoing challenges of antisemitism. The resolution does not change laws or allocate funding but serves as a formal declaration to recognize and celebrate Jewish heritage. Once adopted by the legislature, the text is sent to the Governor for official acknowledgment.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors the life and public service of Carl L. Marcellino, a former New York State Senator and community leader from Syosset. The document formally acknowledges his career achievements, including his work as an educator, town clerk, and legislator who championed environmental laws and education funding. It concludes by directing the legislative body to pause its proceedings to mourn his passing and instructs that a copy of the resolution be sent to his family.