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1 NEW YORK STATE SENATE
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3
4 THE STENOGRAPHIC RECORD
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9 ALBANY, NEW YORK
10 March 18, 2024
11 3:27 p.m.
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14 REGULAR SESSION
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18 SENATOR JAMAAL T. BAILEY, Acting President
19 ALEJANDRA N. PAULINO, ESQ., Secretary
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1 P R O C E E D I N G S
2 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The
3 Senate will come to order.
4 I ask everyone present to please
5 rise and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
6 (Whereupon, the assemblage recited
7 the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.)
8 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: In the
9 absence of clergy, let us bow our heads in a
10 moment of silent reflection or prayer.
11 (Whereupon, the assemblage respected
12 a moment of silence.)
13 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Reading
14 of the Journal.
15 THE SECRETARY: In Senate, Sunday,
16 March 17, 2024, the Senate met pursuant to
17 adjournment. The Journal of Saturday, March 16,
18 2024, was read and approved. On motion, the
19 Senate adjourned.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Without
21 objection, the Journal stands approved as read.
22 Presentation of petitions.
23 Messages from the Assembly.
24 Messages from the Governor.
25 Reports of standing committees.
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1 Reports of select committees.
2 Communications and reports from
3 state officers.
4 Motions and resolutions.
5 Senator Gianaris.
6 SENATOR GIANARIS: Mr. President,
7 we're going to begin by recognizing
8 Senator Scarcella-Spanton for an introduction.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Senator
10 Scarcella-Spanton for the purposes of an
11 introduction.
12 SENATOR SCARCELLA-SPANTON: Good
13 afternoon, everybody.
14 I rise today with perfect timing, as
15 she walks in, to pay tribute to an extraordinary
16 young woman. Today I got the opportunity to
17 acknowledge Kamora Freeland, who at the age of
18 just 17 has made history by becoming the youngest
19 African-American female licensed pilot. Yes, she
20 deserves a little cheer.
21 (Applause.)
22 SENATOR SCARCELLA-SPANTON: Through
23 a twist of fate, and with the encouragement of
24 her mother, Kamora found her passion for flying
25 airplanes in an aviation program for children
1491
1 spearheaded by two NYC police officers.
2 In July 2022 Kamora received a
3 scholarship from the United Youth Aviators,
4 taking her first flight and discovering a
5 profound connection to the skies, which fueled
6 her to earn her student pilot license.
7 Kamora's leadership and
8 determination extends well beyond the clouds.
9 She is also dedicated to serving her community,
10 volunteering at Little Leaders Learning Castle
11 Preschool, Kids Corner Daycare, Black Pilots of
12 America, and her community food pantry.
13 Kamora's dedication to service and
14 leadership has earned her numerous accolades and
15 invitations to prestigious events, including the
16 National Youth Leadership Forum and the Congress
17 of Future Medical Leaders Award of Excellence.
18 Her story is one of resilience,
19 determination and endless potential. As she
20 continues to take off to new horizons, may her
21 achievement inspire all of us to soar toward our
22 dreams without any turbulence. And truly she is
23 such an impressive young woman, she just got a
24 full scholarship to Spelman University.
25 (Applause.)
1492
1 SENATOR SCARCELLA-SPANTON: And I
2 am so excited to have her here. We have some of
3 the coolest constituents in the 23rd District.
4 So thank you and your family, and to
5 the Tuskegee group as well for joining us today.
6 Thank you, Kamora, and
7 congratulations on your achievement.
8 MS. FREELAND: (From gallery.)
9 Thank you.
10 (Applause.)
11 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: To
12 Ms. Freeland. May you continue to aspire and
13 rise well above all of us -- 50,000 feet up in
14 the air. May one of us get on your flight in the
15 future.
16 We extend to you all of the
17 privileges and courtesies of this house. Please
18 rise and be recognized.
19 (Standing ovation.)
20 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Senator
21 Gianaris.
22 SENATOR GIANARIS: Mr. President,
23 now let's recognize Senator Mayer for another
24 introduction.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Senator
1493
1 Mayer for the purposes of an introduction.
2 SENATOR MAYER: Thank you,
3 Mr. President.
4 I rise to introduce Ronen and Orna
5 Neutra, residents of Plainview, Long Island, who
6 are here with us today in their efforts to have
7 their son, Omer Neutra, an American citizen, and
8 all of the other hostages immediately released.
9 Omer was kidnapped by Hamas 164 days
10 ago, and we are here today in solidarity with
11 their efforts to bring him and the other hostages
12 home.
13 Personally, I stand here in awe of
14 their bravery and strength in their efforts to
15 get their son home. But as a parent and
16 grandparent, like all of us -- so many of us -- I
17 find this so difficult.
18 Omer was 21 when he was taken
19 hostage and is now 22. He grew up in Plainview,
20 Long Island, was a leader in his school, captain
21 on his basketball, volleyball and soccer team,
22 and a leader in his Jewish youth group, the
23 United Synagogue Youth.
24 After high school, though admitted
25 to attend Binghamton University, he decided to
1494
1 spend a gap year in Israel.
2 Today I heard his mother and his
3 father talk about him as a leader, a convener, an
4 empathetic and caring person who chose to do what
5 he believed was right and encourage others to do
6 the same. Hearing this makes this so very
7 painful.
8 As Americans and New Yorkers, Ronen
9 and Orna deserve that their government do
10 everything possible to ensure his safety and
11 immediate release. It is only fitting that we as
12 state leaders meet with them and hear that story.
13 Many of us have done that today.
14 I believe we need our government to
15 do more. This is not about being Jewish or not
16 being Jewish. I speak proudly as an American
17 Jew, but this is about being human, about lifting
18 up this family and this effort. The Neutra
19 family's fight to bring Omer home needs to be all
20 of our fights.
21 This is not the place for the
22 dispute about the politics of the Middle East.
23 This is simply about making release of the
24 hostages front and center in this moment, to
25 ensure their loved ones know about their
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1 condition and, sadly, to bring the bodies of
2 those who died home to their families.
3 But even so, as an American citizen,
4 a New Yorker -- someone who we would celebrate
5 and honor -- it is especially important. In this
6 chamber we speak on many important issues, but
7 this one is different. It's bipartisan. It's
8 personal. It's emotional, and so critical.
9 I'm proud to be standing for Omer
10 and all the other hostages to insist that they be
11 released and returned to their loved ones. I'm
12 honored to acknowledge Ronen and Orna and their
13 courage. Let us pray for the immediate release
14 of Omer and others to all those who love them.
15 Thank you to my colleague
16 Assemblywoman Nily Rozic, who arranged this
17 visit.
18 Mr. President, please acknowledge
19 them, pray with them, and ensure that we give
20 them all the respect of this house.
21 Thank you.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: To the
23 Neutra family, we applaud you and we thank you
24 for your courage. (In Hebrew.) We are together
25 with you. (In Hebrew.)
1496
1 Please rise and be recognized and
2 receive all of the privileges and courtesies of
3 this house, and the prayers of this house.
4 (Standing ovation.)
5 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Senator
6 Gianaris.
7 SENATOR GIANARIS: Thank you,
8 Mr. President.
9 Let me also add my words of welcome
10 to the Neutra family and let them know that we're
11 all praying for the safe return of their son.
12 I have two motions, Mr. President.
13 Amendments are offered to the
14 following Third Reading Calendar bills:
15 By Senator Skoufis, page 18,
16 Calendar 332, Senate Print 5500;
17 By Senator Rivera, page 28, Calendar
18 454, Senate Print 8470.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The
20 amendments are received, and the bills will
21 retain their place on the Third Reading Calendar.
22 Senator Gianaris.
23 SENATOR GIANARIS: Please take up
24 the reading of the calendar.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The
1497
1 Secretary will read.
2 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
3 223, Senate Print 346, by Senator Gounardes, an
4 act to amend the Labor Law.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
6 last section.
7 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
8 act shall take effect on the 180th day after it
9 shall have become a law.
10 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
11 roll.
12 (The Secretary called the roll.)
13 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Announce
14 the results.
15 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
16 Calendar 223, those Senators voting in the
17 negative are Senators Borrello, Gallivan,
18 Helming, Murray, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Rhoads
19 and Tedisco.
20 Ayes, 46. Nays, 9.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
22 is passed.
23 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
24 309, Senate Print 101A, by Senator Ryan, an act
25 to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
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1 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
2 last section.
3 THE SECRETARY: Section 9. This
4 act shall take effect one year after it shall
5 have become a law.
6 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
7 roll.
8 (The Secretary called the roll.)
9 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Announce
10 the results.
11 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 55.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
13 is passed.
14 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
15 354, Senate Print 965, by Senator Bailey, an act
16 authorizing and directing the Commissioner of
17 Education to conduct a study on the number of
18 children who are caregivers.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
20 last section.
21 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
22 act shall take effect immediately.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
24 roll.
25 (The Secretary called the roll.)
1499
1 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Announce
2 the results.
3 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 55.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
5 is passed.
6 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
7 358, Senate Print 540, by Senator Thomas, an act
8 to amend the General Business Law.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
10 last section.
11 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
12 act shall take effect immediately.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
14 roll.
15 (The Secretary called the roll.)
16 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Announce
17 the results.
18 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 55.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
20 is passed.
21 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
22 359, Senate Print 682, by Senator Comrie, an act
23 to amend the General Business Law.
24 SENATOR GIANARIS: Lay it aside for
25 the day.
1500
1 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
2 will be laid aside for the day.
3 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
4 420, Senate Print 14, by Senator Gounardes, an
5 act to amend the General Obligations Law.
6 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
7 last section.
8 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
9 act shall take effect on the 60th day after it
10 shall have become a law.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
12 roll.
13 (The Secretary called the roll.)
14 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Announce
15 the results.
16 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
17 Calendar 420, those Senators voting in the
18 negative are Senators Borrello,
19 Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming,
20 Lanza, Martins, Mattera, Murray, Oberacker,
21 O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Rolison, Stec,
22 Tedisco, Weber and Weik.
23 Ayes, 37. Nays, 19.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
25 is passed.
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1 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
2 423, Senate Print 1610, by Senator Hoylman-Sigal,
3 an act to amend the Real Property Law.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
5 last section.
6 THE SECRETARY: Section 4. This
7 act shall take effect on the 60th day after it
8 shall have become a law.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
10 roll.
11 (The Secretary called the roll.)
12 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Announce
13 the results.
14 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
15 Calendar 423, those Senators voting in the
16 negative are Senators Borrello,
17 Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming,
18 Lanza, Martins, Mattera, Murray, Oberacker,
19 O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Rolison, Stec,
20 Tedisco, Weber and Weik.
21 Ayes, 37. Nays, 19.
22 SENATOR O'MARA: The bill is
23 passed.
24 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
25 473, Senate Print 147A, by Senator Gianaris, an
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1 act to amend the Public Health Law.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
3 last section.
4 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
5 act shall take effect on the 90th day after it
6 shall have become a law.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
8 roll.
9 (The Secretary called the roll.)
10 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Announce
11 the results.
12 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 56.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
14 is passed.
15 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
16 485, Senate Print 5007B, by Senator Gonzalez, an
17 act to amend the State Technology Law.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
19 last section.
20 THE SECRETARY: Section 5. This
21 act shall take effect immediately.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
23 roll.
24 (The Secretary called the roll.)
25 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Announce
1503
1 the results.
2 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 56.
3 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
4 is passed.
5 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
6 517, Senate Print 1160, by Senator Skoufis, an
7 act to amend the Education Law.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
9 last section.
10 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
11 act shall take effect on the 90th day after it
12 shall have become a law.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
14 roll.
15 (The Secretary called the roll.)
16 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
17 is passed.
18 Senator Gianaris, that completes the
19 reading of today's calendar.
20 SENATOR GIANARIS: Is there any
21 further business at the desk?
22 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: There is
23 no further business at the desk.
24 SENATOR GIANARIS: Move to adjourn
25 until tomorrow, Tuesday, March 19th, at 3:00 p.m.
1504
1 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: On
2 motion, the Senate stands adjourned until
3 Tuesday, March 19th, at 3:00 p.m.
4 (Whereupon, at 3:41 p.m., the Senate
5 adjourned.)
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