240
1 NEW YORK STATE SENATE
2
3
4 THE STENOGRAPHIC RECORD
5
6
7
8
9 ALBANY, NEW YORK
10 January 21, 2026
11 11:48 a.m.
12
13
14 REGULAR SESSION
15
16
17
18 SENATOR JAMAAL T. BAILEY, Acting President
19 ALEJANDRA N. PAULINO, ESQ., Secretary
20
21
22
23
24
25
241
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: The
14 reading of the Journal.
15 THE SECRETARY: In Senate, Tuesday,
16 January 20, 2026, the Senate met pursuant to
17 adjournment. The Journal of Sunday, January 18,
18 2026, 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 The Secretary will read.
25 THE SECRETARY: Senator Harckham
242
1 moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules,
2 Assembly Bill Number 9436 and substitute it for
3 the identical Senate Bill 8773, Third Reading
4 Calendar 68.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: So
6 ordered.
7 Messages from the Governor.
8 Reports of standing committees.
9 Reports of select committees.
10 Communications and reports from
11 state officers.
12 Motions and resolutions.
13 Senator Serrano.
14 SENATOR SERRANO: I move to adopt
15 the Resolution Calendar.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: All those
17 in favor of adopting the Resolution Calendar
18 please signify by saying aye.
19 (Response of "Aye.")
20 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Opposed,
21 nay.
22 (No response.)
23 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The
24 Resolution Calendar is adopted.
25 Senator Serrano.
243
1 SENATOR SERRANO: Thank you,
2 Mr. President.
3 Please take up previously adopted
4 Resolution 1324, by Senator Stec, read the
5 resolution title only and recognize Senator Stec.
6 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The
7 Secretary will read.
8 THE SECRETARY: Resolution 1324, by
9 Senator Stec, memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul
10 to proclaim January 25-31, 2026, as Medicolegal
11 Death Investigation Professionals Week in the
12 State of New York.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Senator
14 Stec on the resolution.
15 SENATOR STEC: Thank you,
16 Mr. President.
17 And good morning, all my colleagues.
18 Thank you for bringing this resolution before us
19 today.
20 The role of the medicolegal death
21 investigator is to investigate any death that
22 falls under the jurisdiction of the medical
23 examiner or coroner, including all suspicious,
24 violent, unexplained and unexpected deaths.
25 The medicolegal death investigator
244
1 is responsible for the deceased person, whereas
2 the local law enforcement jurisdiction is
3 responsible for the scene. The medicolegal death
4 investigator performs scene investigations
5 emphasizing information developed from the
6 decedent and determines the extent to which
7 further investigation is necessary.
8 Medicolegal death investigators
9 should have a combination of education and skills
10 encompassing areas of medicine and law.
11 And I'm thrilled today that we have
12 a significant group of medicolegal death
13 investigators from my district and from Senator
14 Ashby's district and Senator Helming's district
15 here with us today to memorialize this week,
16 along with the Governor.
17 That would be Dr. Michael Sikirica,
18 who is an M.D. and board-certified forensic
19 pathologist; Dr. Kia Newman; Jay Heald; Chad
20 Deans; Connie Goedert; Rob Lemieux; Sarah Coyne;
21 Doug Pinzer; J. Eric Cullum; Sarah Holliday; and
22 Robert Waltman.
23 So again, if you wouldn't mind,
24 please extend the cordialities of the house to
25 this group and thank them and all their
245
1 colleagues around the state for doing the
2 important work that they do for the people that
3 pass away that are in their care.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Thank
5 you, Senator Stec.
6 To our guests, I welcome you on
7 behalf of the Senate. We extend to you all of
8 the privileges and courtesies of this house.
9 Please rise and be recognized.
10 (Standing ovation.)
11 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Senator
12 Serrano.
13 SENATOR SERRANO: At the request of
14 the sponsor, the resolution is open for
15 cosponsorship.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The
17 resolution is open for cosponsorship. Should you
18 choose not to be a cosponsor on the resolution,
19 please notify the desk.
20 Senator Serrano.
21 SENATOR SERRANO: Thank you.
22 Let's please take up the reading of
23 the calendar.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The
25 Secretary will read.
246
1 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 19,
2 Senate Print 8772, by Senator Bailey, an act to
3 amend the Insurance Law.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
5 last section.
6 THE SECRETARY: Section 11. This
7 act shall take effect immediately.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
9 roll.
10 (The Secretary called the roll.)
11 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Announce
12 the results.
13 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 56.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
15 is passed.
16 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 20,
17 Senate Print 8774, by Senator Ramos, an act to
18 amend the Labor Law.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
20 last section.
21 THE SECRETARY: Section 6. This
22 act shall take effect immediately.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
24 roll.
25 (The Secretary called the roll.)
247
1 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Announce
2 the results.
3 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
4 Calendar 20, voting in the negative are
5 Senators Borrello and Walczyk.
6 Ayes, 54. Nays, 2.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
8 is passed.
9 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 27,
10 Senate Print 8795, by Senator Comrie, an act to
11 amend the Workers' Compensation Law.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
13 last section.
14 THE SECRETARY: Section 5. This
15 act shall take effect on the same date and in the
16 same manner as a chapter of the Laws of 2025.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
18 roll.
19 (The Secretary called the roll.)
20 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Announce
21 the results.
22 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
23 Calendar 27, voting in the negative:
24 Senator Walczyk.
25 Ayes, 55. Nays, 1.
248
1 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
2 is passed.
3 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 29,
4 Senate Print 8800, by Senator Bailey, an act to
5 amend the Insurance Law.
6 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
7 last section.
8 THE SECRETARY: Section 8. This
9 act shall take effect immediately.
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: Ayes, 56.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
17 is passed.
18 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 32,
19 Senate Print 8804, by Senator Rivera, an act to
20 amend the Public Health Law.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
22 last section.
23 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
24 act shall take effect immediately.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
249
1 roll.
2 (The Secretary called the roll.)
3 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Announce
4 the results.
5 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 56.
6 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
7 is passed.
8 Apologies. Announce the results.
9 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
10 Calendar 32, voting in the negative:
11 Senator Walczyk.
12 Ayes, 55. Nays, 1.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
14 is passed.
15 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 34,
16 Senate Print 8807, by Senator Krueger, an act to
17 amend the Insurance Law.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
19 last section.
20 THE SECRETARY: Section 4. This
21 act shall take effect on the same date and in the
22 same manner as a chapter of the Laws of 2025.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
24 roll.
25 (The Secretary called the roll.)
250
1 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Announce
2 the results.
3 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
4 Calendar 34, voting in the negative are
5 Senators Ashby, Borrello, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo,
6 Helming, Lanza, Martins, Mattera, Murray,
7 Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads,
8 Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber and Weik.
9 Ayes, 35. Nays, 21.
10 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
11 is passed.
12 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 37,
13 Senate Print 8814, by Senator Fahy, an act to
14 amend the Public Health Law.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
16 last section.
17 THE SECRETARY: Section 7. This
18 act shall take effect immediately.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
20 roll.
21 (The Secretary called the roll.)
22 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Announce
23 the results.
24 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
25 Calendar 37, voting in the negative:
251
1 Senator Ashby.
2 Ayes, 55. Nays, 1.
3 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
4 is passed.
5 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 38,
6 Senate Print 8818, by Senator May, an act to
7 amend the State Finance Law.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
9 last section.
10 THE SECRETARY: Section 5. This
11 act shall take effect immediately.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
13 roll.
14 (The Secretary called the roll.)
15 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Announce
16 the results.
17 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
18 Calendar 38, voting in the negative:
19 Senator Walczyk.
20 Ayes, 55. Nays, 1.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
22 is passed.
23 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 46,
24 Senate Print 8831, by Senator Gonzalez, an act to
25 amend the State Technology Law.
252
1 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
2 last section.
3 THE SECRETARY: Section 18. This
4 act shall take effect immediately.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
6 roll.
7 (The Secretary called the roll.)
8 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Announce
9 the results.
10 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
11 Calendar Number 46, voting in the negative:
12 Senator Walczyk.
13 Ayes, 55. Nays, 1.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
15 is passed.
16 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 47,
17 Senate Print 8832, by Senator Kavanagh, an act to
18 amend the Environmental Conservation Law.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
20 last section.
21 THE SECRETARY: Section 6. This
22 act shall take effect on the same date and in the
23 same manner as a chapter of the Laws of 2025.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
25 roll.
253
1 (The Secretary called the roll.)
2 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Announce
3 the results. (Sneezing.)
4 UNIDENTIFIED VOICES: Bless you.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Thank you
6 for your blessings.
7 Announce the results.
8 (Laughter.)
9 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
10 Calendar 47, voting in the negative are
11 Senators Griffo, Martinez, Oberacker,
12 Scarcella-Spanton and Walczyk.
13 Ayes, 51. Nays, 5.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
15 is passed.
16 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 61,
17 Senate Print 8758, by Senator Fernandez, an act
18 to amend the Public Health Law.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
20 last section.
21 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
22 act shall take effect on the same date and in the
23 same manner as a chapter of the Laws of 2025.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
25 roll.
254
1 (The Secretary called the roll.)
2 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Announce
3 the results.
4 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
5 Calendar 61, voting in the negative are
6 Senators Chan, Lanza and Walczyk.
7 Ayes, 53. Nays, 3.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
9 is passed.
10 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 62,
11 Senate Print 8763, by Senator Brouk, an act to
12 amend the Criminal Procedure Law.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
14 last section.
15 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
16 act shall take effect on the same date and in the
17 same manner as a chapter of the Laws of 2025.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
19 roll.
20 (The Secretary called the roll.)
21 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Senator
22 Murray to explain his vote.
23 SENATOR MURRAY: Thank you.
24 I want to just thank the sponsor for
25 the bill. Any bill that we pass that keeps crime
255
1 victims informed of the process is a good thing.
2 But I do have a suggestion that
3 perhaps could make it a little bit better. If
4 we're going to expand the notification process to
5 include emails and things of that nature, might
6 we add a provision in there that requires
7 confirmation that the victims actually did
8 receive the notification? Just a suggestion.
9 With that said, I proudly support
10 the bill.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Senator
12 Murray to be recorded in the affirmative.
13 Announce the results.
14 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 56.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
16 is passed.
17 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 65,
18 Senate Print 8769, by Senator Skoufis, an act to
19 amend the Executive Law.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
21 last section.
22 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
23 act shall take effect on the same date and in the
24 same manner as a chapter of the Laws of 2025.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
256
1 roll.
2 (The Secretary called the roll.)
3 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Announce
4 the results.
5 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 56.
6 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
7 is passed.
8 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 68,
9 Assembly Bill 9436, by Assemblymember Simon, an
10 act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
12 last section.
13 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
14 act shall take effect on the same date and in the
15 same manner as a chapter of the Laws of 2025.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
17 roll.
18 (The Secretary called the roll.)
19 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Announce
20 the results.
21 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 56.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
23 is passed.
24 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 74,
25 Senate Print 8785, by Senator Martinez, an act to
257
1 amend the Veterans' Services Law.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
3 last section.
4 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
5 act shall take effect on the same date and in the
6 same manner as a chapter of the Laws of 2025.
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: In relation to
13 Calendar 74, voting in the negative:
14 Senator Walczyk.
15 Ayes, 55. Nays, 1.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
17 is passed.
18 Senator Serrano, that completes the
19 reading of today's calendar.
20 SENATOR SERRANO: On behalf of
21 Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, I hand up
22 the following committee assignments of the
23 Majority Conference and I ask that it please be
24 filed in the Journal.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The
258
1 handup is received and shall be filed in the
2 Journal.
3 Senator Serrano.
4 SENATOR SERRANO: Is there any
5 further business at the desk?
6 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: There is
7 no further business at the desk.
8 SENATOR SERRANO: I move to adjourn
9 until Monday, January 26th, at 3:00 p.m., with
10 the intervening days being legislative days.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: On
12 motion, the Senate stands adjourned until Monday,
13 January 26th, at 3:00 p.m., with intervening days
14 being legislative.
15 (Whereupon, at 11:59 a.m., the
16 Senate adjourned.)
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25