Has anyone out there made a mod that turns this from a once a day ability to a simple on off? I mean seriously why would a cat be limited to using night vision to 60 seconds a day?

It is a toggle on/off. Atleast it is for me.

I thought in game it is only a second second ability you get once per day.

No, it is a power that can be used as much as you want without costing magicka. Much like the lesser powers in Oblivion (I believe).

There's also a mod out there that makes the duration infinite so you don't have to keep toggling it on/off after 60 sec. I think this one works http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=951

http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=12132also changes night eye to a toggle effect. It also weakens that blur effect too.