Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Great compassionate Buddha! Please let people of different ages live in harmony. Please let people of different social status have mutual respect. Please let people of different professions work in cooperation. Please let people of different religions practice with tolerance.

Great compassionate Buddha, please accept this prayer for our country! Great compassionate Buddha, please accept this prayer for our country!

(In Chinese.)

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Thank you.

The reading of the Journal.

THE SECRETARY:In Senate, Monday, April 20th, the Senate met pursuant to adjournment. The Journal of Friday, April 17th, was read and approved. On motion, the Senate adjourned.

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Without objection, the Journal will stand approved as read.

Presentation of petitions.

Messages from the Assembly.

Messages from the Governor.

Reports of standing committees.

Reports of select committees.

Communications and reports of state officers.

Motions and resolutions.

Senator DeFrancisco.

Can I have some order in the chamber, please.

SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Mr. President, on page 19 I offer the following amendments to Calendar 247, Senate Print 3947, and ask that said bill retain its place on the Third Reading Calendar.

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The amendments are received, and the bill shall retain its place on third reading.

SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Also, on page number 20 I offer the following amendments to Calendar Number 263, Senate Print Number 3950, and ask that said bill retain its place on the Third Reading Calendar.

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The amendments are also received, and the bill shall retain its place on third reading.

Senator DeFrancisco.

SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Mr. President, I now ask that you recognize Senator O'Mara, who has some guests.

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Without objection, the chair recognizes Senator O'Mara.

Can I have some -- (gaveling). Thank you.

Senator O'Mara.

SENATOR O'MARA:I do. Thank you, Mr. President, for the opportunity to recognize some guests in the balcony.

As you may have seen, there are a few race cars over in the concourse between here and the LOB, in recognition of Motor Sports Appreciation Week, which there will be a resolution which we take up tomorrow recognizing this week as Motor Sports Appreciation Week.

We have standing here now, second from the right, Colin Braun, who is a driver in the IMSA series, who will be competing at Watkins Glen International this June at the Sahlen's Six Hours event in Daytona Prototype racing cars. Standing with him is Michael Printup, president of Watkins Glen International; Andrew Smith, with WGI as well; and Jon Beckman, with WGI. They were part of the display that's undertaken this week that I mentioned.

And I'd just like to welcome them here today and recognize the great importance of motor racing in New York State. And having Watkins Glen within my district, I'm proud to say it is the single largest sporting event of the year when NASCAR comes to town. It's very exciting. It's a huge economic engine to our region and part of the state. It boosts tourism and brings in a lot of tax revenues to the local governments in the area.

So thank you all for all you do, and thank you for joining us here today.

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:We thank our guests for being here today. We extend the courtesies of the house in recognition of Motor Sports Appreciation Week. And for those in the industry as well as Watkins Glen, welcome to the chamber.

(Applause.)

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator DeFrancisco.

SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Mr. President, would you now take up a previously adopted resolution, Number 1060, by Senator Díaz, and please read it in its entirety.

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The Secretary will read.

THE SECRETARY:Legislative Resolution 1060, by Senator Díaz, celebrating Taiwan Heritage Day.

"WHEREAS, The United States and the Republic of China (Taiwan) share common ideals and a clear vision for the 21st century, where freedom and democracy are the foundation for peace, prosperity, and progress; and

"WHEREAS, Taiwan has become a multiparty democracy in which all citizens have the right to participate freely in the political process, as evidenced by Taiwan's five democratic presidential elections, which took place in 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012; and

"WHEREAS, Through the cross-Strait dialogue, the establishment of the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement with mainland China, and the policy of Viable Diplomacy, President Ma Ying-jeou of the Republic of China (Taiwan) has transformed the Taiwan Strait from a major international flashpoint into an essential component of East Asian peace and prosperity; and

"WHEREAS, Taiwan is one of the strongest democratic allies of the United States in the Asia-Pacific region and spares no effort to maintain peace and prosperity in East Asia, as evidenced by the East China Sea Peace Initiative proposed by President Ma Ying-jeou; and

"WHEREAS, The United States passed the Taiwan Relations Act in 1979 to define the relations between the United States and the Republic of China (Taiwan), which strongly strengthens their friendship; and

"WHEREAS, The United States and Taiwan share a long-term and close economic relationship, including $63.6 billion of bilateral trade in 2013, making Taiwan the 10th largest trading partner of the United States; and

"WHEREAS, The United States assisted Taiwan in attaining participation in the assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization in 2013 and will continue supporting Taiwan's meaningful participation in other United Nations-affiliated organizations such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change; and

"WHEREAS, In order to strengthen bilateral trade relations with the United States, the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) has expressed its wish to participate in the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement, and to sign a Bilateral Investment Agreement and a Free Trade Agreement with the United States in the near future; and

"WHEREAS, The State of New York exported $763 million and imported $1.7 billion worth of products to/from Taiwan in 2013, making Taiwan the 15th largest foreign market for New York State, strengthening bilateral economic ties; and

"WHEREAS, Many of the United States' top 500 companies headquartered in New York -- including IBM, Pfizer, Corning, Citigroup, AIG, MetLife, JPMorgan Chase, Merrill Lynch, and New York Life -- have invested in Taiwan. The State of New York has maintained a friendly and fruitful relationship with Taiwan for many years; and

"WHEREAS, There are more than 300 Taiwanese companies that have invested in the State of New York in sectors such as computers, finance, jewelry, sporting goods, and garments; and

"WHEREAS, The State of New York is home to a thriving overseas Taiwanese community. The societies of Taiwan and Taiwanese Americans, including the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of New York, Inc., Buddha's Light International Association in New York, and the National Women's League of the Republic of China (Taiwan), devote themselves to serving the community of the State of New York; and

"WHEREAS, The New York State Legislature held the second Taiwan Heritage Day Celebration at the Legislative Office Building in Albany in May 2014, to promote bilateral relations between New York and Taiwan, and this Legislature is holding the third Taiwan Heritage Day Celebration in 2015; now, therefore, be it

"RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to celebrate Taiwan Heritage Day; and be it further

"RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to President Ma Ying-jeou of the Republic of China (Taiwan) through the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York."

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Díaz.

SENATOR DIAZ:Thank you, Mr. President.

Mr. President, you should know, my fellow Senators, ladies and gentlemen, that it has been my honor, as the State Senator from the 32nd Senatorial District in Bronx County, to bring many different cultures together and to bring these cultures to our State Capitol and to this chamber and to introduce them here to all of you.

To that effect, Mr. President, I was the first Senator to introduce the Dominican community and its culture in the Senate chamber and to have a Dominican minister offer the invocation in Spanish. I have honored the Garifuna community, having one of their ministers as well offer the invocation in the Garifuna language. I was also honored, ladies and gentlemen, and privileged to present the Bangladesh community to be recognized, and one of their imams offered the invocation in Bangla for the first time in this chamber.

You should also know, ladies and gentlemen, that today, for the sixth year in a row, I am privileged to sponsor a Senate resolution celebrating the government and the people of Taiwan in order to recognize them for their wonderful, humanistic, generous, rich financial and cultural contributions to our country and to the State of New York.

On behalf of my constituents and the children of the South Bronx, I must thank and recognize the contributions of the Taiwanese government and its representatives to the needy children of the Bronx.

Ladies and gentlemen, as you know, I represent the South Bronx, one of the poorest areas in the nation. Every year during Christmas celebrations, as the Three Kings came to visit Jesus, the Taiwanese government representatives come to the South Bronx bringing backpacks filled with all kinds of school supplies for the black and Hispanic children of the area.

These school supplies not only give our children a boost of encouragement to do their best in school during the new year, but these supplies also help relieve some of the financial burden of their parents.

And, Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, what is equally important is that each year that Taiwan officials come to the South Bronx for our Three Kings Day celebration, the children and parents in attendance get to witness cultural and racial unity at its best.

Ladies and gentlemen, it is important for you to know that Taiwan is one of the strongest democratic allies of the United States in Asia. We must never, we must never forget that Taiwan spares no effort to maintain peace and prosperity in East Asia, as evidenced by the East China Sea Peace Initiative proposed by President Ma Ying-jeou.

Taiwan's strong defense of democracy became evident when President Ma Ying-jeou spoke eloquently about the protests that took place in Hong Kong known as the Umbrella Movement.

President Ma stated, and I quote: "I fully understand and support Hong Kong residents' demand for free nomination and election of Hong Kong's chief executive, and urge the mainland authorities to listen carefully to the voices of Hong Kong residents and handle the matter in a peaceful and cautious manner."

At the same time, Mr. President, President Ma also urged the protesters "to express their views in a peaceful and rational manner."

Ladies and gentlemen, not only is Taiwan a strong defender of democracy, but Taiwan also provides much economic activity and support to both the United States and to the State of New York.

As you heard in the resolution, Taiwan is the 10th largest trading partner of the United States and is the 15th largest foreign market for New York State. Many of the United States' top 500 companies have headquarters in New York and also have significant investment in Taiwan. Additionally, there are more than 300 Taiwanese companies that have invested in New York State.

The relationships between the United States of America and Taiwan, and New York State and Taiwan, are very, very important and mutually beneficial. It is my fervent wish that these relationships continue and prosper, to the benefit of all our citizens.

Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, I also want to take the opportunity to acknowledge the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of New York, which has announced the founding of its Junior Chamber.

The vision of the Junior Chamber is to become the organization of choice for young people, providing direction and leadership to our communities and nation, and to foster young leaders through professional development, community service, and the promotion of Chinese culture and Chinese-American heritage.

Mr. President, listen carefully, ladies and gentlemen. Today we are joined in the visitor gallery, in both galleries, both galleries today we are joined by members of the Junior Chamber: Thomas Lu, Gary Tang, and Wade Li.

Finally, Mr. President, today I have the honor and privilege to be joined in the Senate chamber by my distinguished guests: Ambassador Paul Wen-Liang Chang, from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York -- stand up, please. Stand up.

(Applause.)

SENATOR DIAZ:Mr. Franklin Chen, deputy director general of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York.

(Applause.)

SENATOR DIAZ:Mr. Ronnie Lu, head of political affairs of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York.

(Applause.)

SENATOR DIAZ:Chairman Ching Hsiang Hu of the Taiwanese-American Senior Center.

(Applause.)

SENATOR DIAZ:Chairman Justin Yu of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of New York.

(Applause.)

SENATOR DIAZ:Mr. Ho Kew Lee, president of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of New York.

(Applause.)

SENATOR DIAZ:And the Reverend Chueh Chuan Shih, abbess from the International Buddhist Progress Society.

(Applause.)

SENATOR DIAZ:I'm also joined by my chief of staff, Ann Noonan.

I also want to acknowledge the more than 100 Chinese people who have joined us in both chambers, over there and over here.

(Applause.)

SENATOR DIAZ:They came in buses in Queens and from New York, downtown New York.

Finally, you, my colleagues, members of the Senate and staff, I'm inviting you to join me and the Taiwan delegation and Senator Martin Golden and Ambassador Paul Wen-Liang Chang for a reception after session in The Well, which will include delicious Chinese food for everybody, free of charge.

(Laughter.)

SENATOR DIAZ:Free of charge. And a stunning photo exhibit from the Buddha's Light Foundation, and a presentation of a Chinese dance. That's all free of charge today after session.

Madam Mayor, you are invited to come with the Chinese and join us, and all of you.

Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. And welcome, welcome, welcome to Albany.

(Sustained applause.)

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator DeFrancisco.

SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Yes, Mr. President, Senator Díaz wanted to open this resolution up for cosponsorship.

And in the event you do not want to be a cosponsor, you should notify the desk. Otherwise, you will be placed on as a cosponsor.

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:So noted.

We have several other speakers on the resolution.

Senator Stavisky.

SENATOR STAVISKY:Thank you, Mr. President.

Da jia hao.

(Laughter; applause.)

SENATOR STAVISKY:And huan ying lai dao Albany.

(Laughter, cheers.)

SENATOR STAVISKY:Somehow it sounds better when my friends from the Taiwan community say it.

(Applause.)

SENATOR STAVISKY:But I thank Senator Díaz for his leadership on this issue. And he has discussed the effect of the Taiwanese government and the results and the tremendous accomplishments of the Taiwanese community, both from the Republic of China and those who have settled in the United States.

And nowhere is it more apparent than in my Senate district in Flushing, because Flushing is undergoing a tremendous renaissance. You have a lot of construction, both residential and commercial, office buildings. You walk down Main Street in Flushing and you see nothing but cranes -- and a lot of traffic, but nothing but cranes and the potential for being a major force in the New York City and in fact the New York State economy.

Secondly, education is important to the Taiwanese community. And many of us in this chamber have been attempting to encourage the city to close the schools on the Lunar New Year because in Flushing, at the local school, at P.S. 20, approximately 80 percent of the children observe the Lunar New Year. And this is important to the Taiwanese community and to the Asian-American community in general.

And the Taiwanese community has been an important force in our cultural activities. We had a remarkable parade in downtown Flushing on February I think it was 21st or so, for the Lunar New Year. Tremendous activity. People came from all over the tristate area to Flushing to participate.

And the organizations, there are so many. They come, they have celebrations, I've attended many of them. And I thank them for being such an important part of New York City's cultural institutions.

It's interesting because there's been a tremendous increase in Taiwanese population in the last ten years. It has increased, believe it or not, according to statistics, by about 172 percent. Now, part of that is attributable to the fact that on the census forms in 2010, they listed Taiwan in addition to Chinese. And a lot of people identified, for the first time really on a census form, as being from Taiwan. And we've had a tremendous increase in population.

And lastly, let me say that I have been privileged to visit the Republic of China, Taiwan, on two occasions. In fact, the first trip was with a number of colleagues who are still here, as was the second.

And one of the things that I found most impressive was their system of transportation. They have a high-speed rail that goes from Taipei in the north to Kaohsiung in the south, a distance of about 200 miles, in about an hour and a half.

Can you think of that in New York State, coming to Albany on a high-speed rail?

It's just mind-boggling. You never realized that you were traveling at the speed that you were traveling. And the train moves at the rate -- up to about 185 miles per hour. And you never feel the vibrations, you never feel the sense of speed until a train passes going in the other direction, and then all of a sudden you sense the vibration.

But we have a lot to learn from the government of Taiwan. And I again welcome you to Albany, particularly Ambassador Paul Wen-Liang Chang. And I know you've come every year in the past, various people from the communities. And again, I hope that we can do the same thing next year.

Thank you.

(Applause.)

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Sanders.

SENATOR SANDERS:I too, Mr. President, must congratulate Senator Díaz. And I hope that he includes me next year in this great celebration.

As the former chair of economic development for the City Council, I had the opportunity to visit Taiwan and to have conversations with now President Ma over the economies of Taiwan and New York State.

Taiwan, of course, is the fifth largest trading partner with New York State, where we run a deficit, ladies and gentlemen. We run a deficit. But I have a way of dealing with this. I have a way.

Our good Governor is leading a trade delegation to Cuba, one that I support. I think it's a great idea. Let's go a step further. I hereby call upon our Governor to lead a trade delegation to our fifth largest trading partner, Taiwan. We have a deficit that we need to make up. I believe that we have companies and corporations in New York State that could go down and offer their goods and services to the good people of Taiwan, just as there are goods and services in Taiwan that we desperately need here.

So I certainly call upon the Governor to help lead this delegation. I'm sure that there are people right in this audience here who can work out this trip. In fact, if the trip is going to be done with the efficiency that the Taiwanese have shown the world, we could get it done by nightfall, I betcha.

Having said that, I say no more, Mr. President.

(Applause.)

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Hamilton.

SENATOR HAMILTON:I just want to say welcome to Albany to the delegation, to the people that are at this: Ni hao. Ni hao ma. Ni hao ma.

(Applause.)

SENATOR HAMILTON:Ni hao ma. Ni hao ma.

I represent the 20th District of Brooklyn, and I represent the Sunset Park area. And we have the most vibrant community with hardworking people from the Asian community who are driving the economic boom in Sunset Park. Soon Brooklyn will be the largest population of Asian-Americans in the State of New York.

And I feel proudful of that, and we're doing many great things together. We will soon have Asian Week in Brooklyn, with the borough president, Eric Adams, my predecessor, who sat here in the Senate.

So I just want to say to my sister-in-law, who was born in Taiwan, God bless her, she's a hardworking woman, and she has her own business in Massachusetts, a cleaning business.

So I just want to say I continue to support my Asian brothers and sisters, and thank you so much. (In Chinese.)

(Applause.)

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Squadron.

SENATOR SQUADRON:Thank you, Mr. President.

I'd like to join the chorus welcoming our guests today. And what a great turnout, a great sign of the engagement and organization of the community.

I want to welcome our special guests. Ambassador, it's always good to see you. I prefer to see you in my district, in Chinatown, but it's also lovely to see you here in Albany. And of course my good friend Justin Yu, Mr. Lee, all of the members of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, everyone here who resides in Confucius Plaza. And of course the newly formed Junior Chamber of Commerce, which is going to be so important.

You know, this resolution and Senator Díaz spoke eloquently about the economic links between our communities, our nation, and Taiwan. And I think that it's appropriate that at the same time we're acknowledging that in honor of Taiwanese Heritage Day, that we also simultaneously are acknowledging and honoring the Chinese Chamber of Commerce itself and the newly formed Junior Chamber of Commerce.

Because those economic statistics are not just about Fortune 500 companies, they're not just about the linkage in multinationals. Those are important signs of a connection between nations. But an also important sign of a connection between nations are the small businesses and the local businesses, the retail and the start-ups and the mom-and-pop shops and storefronts and the accountants and the attorneys who hang out a shingle in a small building somewhere on Mott Street or Division Street. And that is so critical too.

And that's where the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and now the Junior Chamber of Commerce are going to do so much to support. Because this story of our relationship and our cooperation is not just something that happens with the largest companies and between diplomats at the highest level of international negotiation, it's also something that happens in our communities, where our communities really are linked and are partners.

And the Chinese-American community in my district, in Brooklyn, as Senator Hamilton talked about, and across the state is such an important part of the vibrance, the immigrant spirit of our country, and the small business spirit that really does drive our economy and really does create the kinds of economic opportunity that our country is all about and that this partnership is all about.

So to all of our guests, to all of our honored guests here on the floor, and especially, because it is their first time being honored here in Albany, to the newly formed Chinese Junior Chamber of Commerce based right in my district, right in Lower Manhattan at the corner of the beautiful Boulevard of the Bowery, sprouting with cherry blossoms, and East Broadway, I want to say welcome, thank you.

Thank you, Senator Díaz, for the opportunity, and I look forward to the celebration later today.

(Applause.)

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Montgomery.

SENATOR MONTGOMERY:Thank you, Mr. President.

And I want to also thank my colleague Senator Díaz for allowing us to have this moment to celebrate this very special group of people.

And I must say that aside from the fact that I represent one of those districts in Brooklyn that has a very substantial community of Asian-Americans, I also am very proud to say that you have sent to me one of the most special people in my life, and that is my chief of staff, who is Chinese-American. And truly, truly she is my right hand, my left hand, and runs my office in the district and takes care of business for me on a daily business both when I'm there and when I'm here.

So it's a tribute to the community of Asian-Americans, particularly of Chinese-Americans, that I stand here to say you've sent me one of the best. I appreciate it. I appreciate all that you represent in terms of your culture. I have learned so much more, I am so much more appreciative of what you represent, your culture, and what the symbols and the significant holidays and all of the things that are very special to you are now special to me because I have learned so much from my chief of staff, Susan Leung.

So thank you and welcome to Albany.

(Applause.)

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:As noted, the resolution was previously adopted on March 24th of this year.

And the resolution has been opened for cosponsorship. If you choose not to be a cosponsor, please notify the desk.

We want to take this opportunity again to welcome all of our Taiwanese guests here, particularly the ambassador and members of the Chamber of Commerce. To all of you, thank you for being here. We appreciate your presence. (In Chinese.)

(Applause.)

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator DeFrancisco.

SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Yes. Would you please read the noncontroversial calendar.

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The Secretary will read.

THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 55, by Senator Hannon, Senate Print 676A, an act to amend the Public Health Law.

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.

THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the 180th day.

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.

(The Secretary called the roll.)

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Hannon to explain his vote.

SENATOR HANNON:Thank you, Mr. President.

This legislation is known as the CARE Act, and it is designed to ensure that patients in hospitals are provided with an opportunity to identify a caregiver when they are discharged, and that the caregiver him- or herself is included in the discharge plan.

And the idea is to provide adequate and comprehensive notice to people who will be leaving the hospital as to the steps that need to be taken once they get to be in their home.

We are entering a whole new era in changing around the healthcare system in this state, and ultimately the reliance will be on the family members and the siblings and the children to take care of people who are discharged. And this bill makes a formal process of it, requires absolute notice, recording of the notice, requires selection of a caregiver. It's not that it has to be permanent; it can be changed. But we think that this will make a large way to improving what we do for healthcare in the state.

A lot of the impetus to this was driven by AARP, and we should acknowledge that in so passing this bill.

Thank you, Mr. President.

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator Hannon to be recorded in the affirmative.

Announce the results.

THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 58.

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.

THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 90, by Senator Libous, Senate Print 830, an act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law.

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.

THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the 90th day.

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.

(The Secretary called the roll.)

THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 57. Nays, 1. Senator Dilan recorded in the negative.

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.

THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 91, by Senator Robach, Senate Print 844, an act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law.

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.

THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect on the 30th day.

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.

(The Secretary called the roll.)

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Announce the results.

THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 56. Nays, 2. Senators Krueger and Rivera recorded in the negative.

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.

THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 111, by Senator Bonacic, Senate Print 1606, an act to amend the Judiciary Law.

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.

THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.

(The Secretary called the roll.)

THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 58.

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.

THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 135, by Senator Larkin, Senate Print 2250, an act to amend the General Municipal Law.

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.

THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.

(The Secretary called the roll.)

THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 58.

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.

THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 154, by Senator Klein, Senate Print 1522, an act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law.

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.

THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the 180th day.

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.

(The Secretary called the roll.)

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Can I have a show of hands again, please? Is there anyone in the negative?

Announce the results.

THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 58.

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.

THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 230, by Senator Nozzolio, Senate Print 3806, an act to amend the Penal Law.

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.

THE SECRETARY:Section 4. This act shall take effect on the first of November.

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.

(The Secretary called the roll.)

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Announce the results.

THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 54. Nays, 4. Senators Hassell-Thompson, Krueger, Montgomery and Perkins recorded in the negative.

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.

THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 260, by Senator Young, Senate Print 3018, an act to amend the Municipal Home Rule Law.

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Read the last section.

THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Call the roll.

(The Secretary called the roll.)

THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 58.

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The bill is passed.

Senator DeFrancisco, that completes the noncontroversial reading of today's active-list calendar.

SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Mr. President, Senator Skelos hands up the following committee assignments.

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The committee assignments are received and placed into the Journal.

SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: There will now be an immediate meeting of the Rules Committee in Room 332.

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:There will be an immediate meeting of the Rules Committee in Room 332.

The Senate will stand at ease.

(Whereupon, the Senate stood at ease at 4:06 p.m.)

(Whereupon, the Senate reconvened at 4:33 p.m.)

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The Senate will come to order.

Senator DeFrancisco.

SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Mr. President, would you return to the reports of standing committees for a report of the Rules Committee.

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:We will return to reports of standing committees.

And there is a report of the Rules Committee before the desk. The Secretary will read.

THE SECRETARY:Senator Skelos, from the Committee on Rules, reports the following bills:

Senate Print Number 1195, by Senator Marchione, an act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law;

1599, by Senator Bonacic, an act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law;

1625, by Senator O'Mara, an act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law;

1626, by Senator Marcellino, an act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law;

1689, by Senator Libous, an act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law;

1781, by Senator Libous, an act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law;

1804, by Senator Marcellino, an act to amend the Tax Law;

1872, by Senator LaValle, an act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law;

2543, by Senator Lanza, an act to amend Chapter 395 of the Laws of 1978;

2905, by Senator Ortt, an act to amend the Tax Law;

2951, by Senator Ranzenhofer, an act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law;

3025, by Senator Larkin, an act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law;

3029, by Senator Funke, an act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law;

3060, by Senator Young, an act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law;

3064, by Senator Young, an act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law;

3945, by Senator Avella, an act to amend the Tax Law;

4211, by Senator Griffo, an act to amend the Public Service Law;

4214A, by Senator Martins, an act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law;

4279, by Senator Ortt, an act to amend the Tax Law;

4368, by Senator Bonacic, an act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law;

4563, by Senator Little, an act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law;

And 4753, by Senator Griffo, an act to amend the Tax Law.

All bills reported direct to third reading.

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Senator DeFrancisco.

SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Yes, I move to accept the report of the Rules Committee.

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:There's a motion to accept the Committee on Rules report. All in favor signify by saying aye.

(Response of "Aye.")

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:Opposed?

(No response.)

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:The Committee on Rules report has been accepted.

Senator DeFrancisco.

SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: Is there any further business at the desk?

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:There is no further business before the desk.

SENATOR DeFRANCISCO: That being so, I move that we adjourn until Wednesday, April 22nd, at 3:00 p.m.

ACTING PRESIDENT GRIFFO:On motion, the Senate will stand adjourned until Wednesday, April 22nd, at 3:00 p.m.

Senate adjourned.

(Whereupon, at 4:35 p.m., the Senate adjourned.)