Gaveled in 4:01 PM · Albany, New York · 2015–16 session
NEW YORK STATE SENATE
THE STENOGRAPHIC RECORD
ALBANY, NEW YORK
February 25, 2015
4:01 p.m.
REGULAR SESSION
SENATOR THOMAS F. O'MARA, Acting President
FRANCIS W. PATIENCE, Secretary
P R O C E E D I N G SACTING PRESIDENT O'MARA:The Senate will come to order.
I would ask that everyone please rise and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance to our Flag.
(Whereupon, the assemblage recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.)
ACTING PRESIDENT O'MARA:We are joined today by the Reverend Edward VanKampen, pastor of the Nassau Reformed Church.
REVEREND VANKAMPEN:Let us pray.
Almighty God, You have given us the great land and resources in the State of New York for which we are grateful. It is our heritage, and with it we are blessed. Make us always remember to use it constantly as You will.
Forgive, we pray, our shortcomings. Purify our hearts to see and love truth. Give wisdom to our counselors and steadfastness to our people. And bring us at last to the fair city of peace whose foundations are mercy, justice and goodwill, and whose builder and maker You are.
Bless those who hold office in the government of this state, that they may do their work in the spirit of wisdom, kindness and justice. Help them use their authority to serve faithfully and to promote the general welfare of all.
Provide that they always remember Your generosity and constantly do Your will, O God; that they serve to bring and maintain our state with honest industry and sound learning and an honorable way of life; that they save all peoples of our state from violence, discord and confusion, from pride and arrogance and from every evil way.
O God, we commend all that we are and all that we shall become to Your merciful care, that we may live securely in peace and be guided by Your providence. Guide all who lead and all who follow to remember we are called to serve one another as lovers of truth and justice.
Now and forever, amen.
ACTING PRESIDENT O'MARA:Thank you, Reverend.
Senator Libous.
SENATOR LIBOUS:Thank you, Mr. President.
At this time could you please call on -- can we have some order, Mr. President?
ACTING PRESIDENT O'MARA:Can we please have quiet in the chamber.
SENATOR LIBOUS:Thank you. Could I ask you to call on Senator Gianaris, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT O'MARA:Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Thank you, Mr. President.
This past weekend we lost a former member of this body who was beloved on both sides of the aisle. George Onorato was someone who dedicated his life to service -- first as a member of the military, then as a labor leader, and for 27 years as a member of this body, where I daresay, if I could speak on behalf of all of my colleagues in a bipartisan fashion, he was one of the most beloved members not only among his colleagues but even among the staff here. I know that the sergeant-at-arms, even to this day, would ask me how George was doing.
Unfortunately, his health caught up with him this past weekend.
I know everyone who knew him here knew how close he was and how he always had his wife Athena by his side even when in Albany. And now as he rests, he's by her side once again, as she passed just a couple of years ago as well.
So if we could open the session with a moment of silence in his honor, I'd appreciate it, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT O'MARA:Please rise.
(Whereupon, the assemblage respected a moment of silence.)
ACTING PRESIDENT O'MARA:Mr. Secretary, the reading of the Journal.
THE SECRETARY:In Senate, Tuesday, February 24th, the Senate met pursuant to adjournment. The Journal of Monday, February 23rd, was read and approved. On motion, Senate adjourned.
ACTING PRESIDENT O'MARA:Without objection, the Journal stands approved as read.
Presentation of petitions.
Messages from the Assembly.
Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:On page 8, Senator Young moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 2552A and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill Number 2405, Third Reading Calendar 46.
ACTING PRESIDENT O'MARA:Substitution ordered.
Messages from the Governor.
Reports of standing committees.
Reports of select committees.
Communications and reports from state officers.
Motions and resolutions.
Senator Libous.
SENATOR LIBOUS:Thank you, Mr. President.
On behalf of Senator Griffo, on page 10 I offer the following amendments to Calendar Number 73, Senate Print Number 2722A, and ask that said bill retain its place on the Third Reading Calendar.
ACTING PRESIDENT O'MARA:So ordered.
SENATOR LIBOUS:On behalf of Senator Funke, Mr. President, I move that the following bill be discharged from its respective committee and be recommitted with instructions to strike the enacting clause. And that would be Senate Number 3615.
ACTING PRESIDENT O'MARA:So ordered.
SENATOR LIBOUS:Mr. President, at this time I would call an immediate meeting of the Rules Committee in Room 332, immediate meeting of the Rules Committee in Room 332. And then we'll come back and finish our agenda.
ACTING PRESIDENT O'MARA:There will be an immediate meeting of the Rules Committee in Capitol Room 332.
The Senate will stand at ease.
(Whereupon, the Senate stood at ease at 4:07 p.m.)
(Whereupon, the Senate reconvened at 4:18 p.m.)
ACTING PRESIDENT O'MARA:The Senate will come to order.
Senator Libous.
SENATOR LIBOUS:Thank you, Mr. President.
At this time could we return to reports of standing committees. I believe there's a report of the Rules Committee at the desk.
ACTING PRESIDENT O'MARA:Reports of standing committees.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Senator Skelos, from the Committee on Rules, reports the following bills:
Senate Print 22, by Senator LaValle, an act to amend the Correction Law;
1520, by Senator Klein, an act to amend the Executive Law;
2269, by Senator Golden, an act to amend the Correction Law;
2950, by Senator Murphy, an act to amend the Correction Law;
2981, by Senator Ortt, an act to amend the Correction Law;
3547, by Senator Ranzenhofer, an act to amend the Public Health Law;
3681, by Senator Seward, an act to amend the Insurance Law;
3811, by Senator Lanza, an act to amend the Correction Law;
3925, by Senator Venditto, an act to amend the Correction Law;
And Senate 3926, by Senator Seward, an act to amend the Penal Law.
All bills reported direct to third reading.
ACTING PRESIDENT O'MARA:Senator Libous.
SENATOR LIBOUS:Thank you, Mr. President. Could I move to accept the report of the Rules Committee.
ACTING PRESIDENT O'MARA:All in favor of accepting the report of the Rules Committee say aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT O'MARA:Opposed, nay.
(No response.)
ACTING PRESIDENT O'MARA:The report is accepted.
Senator Libous.
SENATOR LIBOUS:Thank you, Mr. President.
At this time could we do the active list for Wednesday, February 25th, the noncontroversial reading, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT O'MARA:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 46, by Member of the Assembly Russell, Assembly Print 2552A, an act to amend the Public Health Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT O'MARA:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT O'MARA:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT O'MARA:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 51, by Senator Lanza --
SENATOR LIBOUS:Mr. President, Senator Lanza would like to lay it aside for the day, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT O'MARA:The bill is laid aside for the day.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 74, by Senator Croci, Senate Print 3404, an act to amend the Penal Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT O'MARA:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the first of November.
ACTING PRESIDENT O'MARA:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT O'MARA:The bill is passed.
SENATOR LIBOUS:Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT O'MARA:Senator Libous.
SENATOR LIBOUS:I believe Senator Croci has just passed his first bill in the Senate. Congratulations.
ACTING PRESIDENT O'MARA:Congratulations, Senator.
(Applause.)
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 75, by Senator Croci, Senate Print 3405, an act to amend the Executive Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT O'MARA:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT O'MARA:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT O'MARA:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 76, by Senator Croci, Senate Print 3406, an act to amend the Penal Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT O'MARA:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect on the first of November.
ACTING PRESIDENT O'MARA:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT O'MARA:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 77, by Senator Croci, Senate Print 3407, an act to amend the Executive Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT O'MARA:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT O'MARA:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT O'MARA:Senator Croci, you wish to explain your vote?
SENATOR CROCI:To explain my vote. Thank you, Mr. President.
As we know, in watching what's happening in the world and certainly in our country, the battlefield has changed. We are today taking a stride in protecting our critical infrastructure.
The Empire State is a leader in industry, is a leader in education, and these are institutions that must be protected. And I commend my colleagues for their votes.
Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT O'MARA:Senator Croci will be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT O'MARA:The bill is passed.
Senator Libous, that completes the reading of the noncontroversial calendar.
SENATOR LIBOUS:Mr. President, is there any further business at the desk, sir?
ACTING PRESIDENT O'MARA:There is no further business at the desk.
SENATOR LIBOUS:If there is no further business, sir, then the Senate will adjourn until Thursday, February 26th, at 11:00 a.m.
ACTING PRESIDENT O'MARA:On motion, the Senate stands adjourned until Thursday, February 26th, at 11:00 a.m.
(Whereupon, at 4:22 p.m., the Senate adjourned.)
Highest impact first.
Not yet analyzed. Open the bill for its official title.
Not yet analyzed. Open the bill for its official title.
Not yet analyzed. Open the bill for its official title.
Not yet analyzed. Open the bill for its official title.
Not yet analyzed. Open the bill for its official title.
Not yet analyzed. Open the bill for its official title.
Not yet analyzed. Open the bill for its official title.
Not yet analyzed. Open the bill for its official title.