Sen. Peter Oberacker

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the city of Oneonta to impose a 6% occupancy tax on short-term lodging, including hotels, motels, and bed-and-breakfasts. The tax applies to guests staying overnight in rented rooms, with property owners responsible for collecting and remitting it to the city. Exemptions cover government entities, nonprofits meeting specific criteria, and permanent residents (staying 90+ consecutive days). All revenue generated must fund Oneonta’s general operations, infrastructure, and municipal services.

Maddy summaryBill S 7820 authorizes the town of Gardiner, in Ulster County, to implement a local tax on hotel and motel room rentals. This tax would apply to transient guests staying in hotels, motels, bed and breakfast facilities, or tourist accommodations within the town. The maximum tax rate is set at five percent of the daily rental cost, but it would not apply to permanent residents staying 90 or more consecutive days, government entities, or certain non-profit organizations. Hotel and motel owners would collect this tax, which would then be deposited into Gardiner's general fund for use on municipal services and infrastructure. This authorization is temporary and will expire two years after the bill takes effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 8861) designates a specific bridge on State Route 2 in Petersburg, Rensselaer County (bridge #1000250, crossing State Route 22) as "Robert Bornt Bridge" for ceremonial purposes. It requires the state transportation commissioner to install and maintain signs stating "Bridge Dedicated to Robert Bornt" but explicitly states this does not change the bridge's official name. The bill is purely commemorative with no substantive policy changes or impacts on transportation operations. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryJoycelynn's Law creates two new criminal offenses to address severe cases of child endangerment by parents or guardians. The first offense, aggravated endangering the welfare of a child, applies when an adult with criminal negligence causes serious harm or significant risk to a minor under seventeen, such as through failure to provide basic needs or excessive punishment. The second offense, aggravated endangering the welfare of a child resulting in death, is charged when the initial negligent act leads to the death of the child. Both charges are classified as felonies, with the death-related charge being the most severe, and the law clarifies that these new charges do not prevent prosecutors from using other existing charges if the circumstances warrant them.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows the state to issue a retail liquor license for on-premises consumption at a specific location in the Village of Catskill, Greene County. The proposed venue is situated within 200 feet of a school, church, synagogue, or other place of worship, which is currently restricted by existing alcohol control laws. The legislation defines the exact property boundaries using legal descriptions and deed references to identify the eligible premises. If passed, the change would take effect immediately, permitting the sale of alcohol for consumption on-site at this particular establishment.

Provides exceptions to the three-year prohibition of employment with the New York state gaming commission; excludes starters from the three-year prohibition; allows the commission to provide exceptions during the hiring process.

Makes conforming changes reflecting the previously authorized scope of practice of nurse practitioners; adds nurse practitioners as persons who can authorize or make certain determinations authorized to be made or determined by physicians.

Delays the zero-emission school bus mandate for a period of five years; requires school districts to only purchase or lease zero-emission school buses by 2032 and requires school districts to only operate and maintain zero-emission school buses by 2040.

Requires school districts, public libraries, BOCES, county vocational education and extension boards, charter schools, and non-public schools to provide and maintain on-site opioid antagonists; requires the department of health to provide such opioid antagonists to such entities upon request.

Maddy summaryS 8902 amends New York's social services law to ensure that medical assistance recipients (such as Medicaid beneficiaries) cannot access school-based health center services through managed care programs until at least April 1, 2026. The bill adds a specific provision requiring these services to be provided outside of managed care arrangements during that period. This directly affects medical assistance recipients who use school-based health centers and the managed care organizations that coordinate their care. The law takes effect immediately, but the amendment expires when the underlying section of the law is repealed.