927
1 NEW YORK STATE SENATE
2
3
4 THE STENOGRAPHIC RECORD
5
6
7
8
9 ALBANY, NEW YORK
10 February 25, 2026
11 3:40 p.m.
12
13
14 REGULAR SESSION
15
16
17
18 LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ANTONIO DELGADO, President
19 ALEJANDRA N. PAULINO, ESQ., Secretary
20
21
22
23
24
25
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1 P R O C E E D I N G S
2 THE PRESIDENT: The Senate will
3 come to order.
4 Everyone please rise and recite the
5 Pledge of Allegiance.
6 (Whereupon, the assemblage recited
7 the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.)
8 THE PRESIDENT: Rabbi Joshua Rabin,
9 of the Astoria Center of Israel in Queens,
10 New York, will deliver today's invocation.
11 RABBI RABIN: With the community's
12 permission, let us pray.
13 Picture a child and a parent on a
14 dangerous journey. The parent carries the child
15 on their shoulders, shielding them from harm, but
16 the child, unaware of who is holding them up,
17 asks: Where is my parent?
18 In response, the parent sets the
19 child down, and the child is bitten by a dog.
20 This ancient midrash, a Jewish word
21 for parable or legend, accompanies the story in
22 Exodus of the Israelites being attacked by a
23 nation known as Amalek, just after their
24 liberation from Egypt, which Jews around the
25 world will read this week on what is known as
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1 Shabbat Zachor, or the Shabbat of Memory.
2 It is a story of vulnerability, but
3 it is also a story about awareness, about what
4 happens when we fail to recognize what sustains
5 us. The Torah's command regarding Amalek begins
6 with a single word: Yizaharta {ph}, "and you
7 shall remember."
8 Today we have no idea who this
9 nation is. The command does not become a literal
10 directive but a moral warning. Amalek represents
11 what emerges when memory and gratitude recede and
12 when we forget how deeply interdependent we truly
13 are.
14 No one thrives alone. Each of us is
15 carried, often invisibly, by others -- the people
16 who prepare our food, maintain our roads, plow
17 our streets, teach our children, care for our
18 sick, keep our communities functioning day after
19 day. They carry us on their shoulders, whether
20 we see them or not.
21 What happens when we forget? I am a
22 rabbi who teaches about the lifesaving power of
23 organ donation. When I speak, I ask people to
24 imagine someone who, at first glance, appears to
25 have nothing in common with them. And then I ask
930
1 them to imagine that years later they find that
2 that person's final act of generosity saved the
3 life of someone you love.
4 In that moment, distance collapses.
5 We discover what was always true: We need each
6 other, even when we choose not to see it.
7 My blessing for you today is this.
8 May you remember. May you remember those whose
9 labor makes the state function. May you remember
10 those who are unseen in the drafting of policy
11 but deeply affected by it. May you remember that
12 power, too, rests on shoulders not always
13 visible.
14 I offer this prayer in the name of
15 my God, and with the deepest respect to whomever
16 you pray.
17 And let us say amen.
18 (Response of "Amen.")
19 THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, Rabbi.
20 Reading of the Journal.
21 THE SECRETARY: In Senate, Tuesday,
22 February 24, 2026, the Senate met pursuant to
23 adjournment. The Journal of Monday, February 23,
24 2026, was read and approved. On motion, the
25 Senate adjourned.
931
1 THE PRESIDENT: Without objection,
2 the Journal stands approved as read.
3 Presentation of petitions.
4 Messages from the Assembly.
5 Messages from the Governor.
6 Reports of standing committees.
7 Reports of select committees.
8 Communications and reports from
9 state officers.
10 Motions and resolutions.
11 Senator Gianaris.
12 SENATOR GIANARIS: Good afternoon,
13 Mr. President.
14 THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon.
15 SENATOR GIANARIS: On behalf of
16 Senator Myrie, I wish to call up Senate Print
17 438, recalled from the Assembly, which is now at
18 the desk.
19 THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary will
20 read.
21 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
22 296, Senate Print 438, by Senator Myrie, an act
23 to amend the Insurance Law.
24 SENATOR GIANARIS: Move to
25 reconsider the vote by which the bill was passed.
932
1 THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary will
2 call the roll on reconsideration.
3 (The Secretary called the roll.)
4 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 57.
5 THE PRESIDENT: The bill is
6 restored to its place on the Third Reading
7 Calendar.
8 SENATOR GIANARIS: I offer the
9 following amendments.
10 THE PRESIDENT: The amendments are
11 received.
12 SENATOR GIANARIS: Amendments are
13 also offered to the following Third Reading
14 Calendar bills:
15 By Senator Myrie, page 13, Calendar
16 Number 205, Senate Print 8609;
17 By Senator Salazar, page 18,
18 Calendar Number 287, Senate Print 156.
19 THE PRESIDENT: The amendments are
20 received, and the bills will retain their place
21 on the Third Reading Calendar.
22 Senator Gianaris.
23 SENATOR GIANARIS: I now move to
24 adopt the Resolution Calendar, with the exception
25 of Resolutions 1630 and 1633.
933
1 THE PRESIDENT: All those in favor
2 of adopting the Resolution Calendar, with the
3 exception of Resolutions 1630 and 1633, please
4 signify by saying aye.
5 (Response of "Aye.")
6 THE PRESIDENT: Opposed, nay.
7 (No response.)
8 THE PRESIDENT: The Resolution
9 Calendar is adopted.
10 Senator Gianaris.
11 SENATOR GIANARIS: Now let's take
12 up Resolution 1633, by Senator Webb, read its
13 title, and recognize Senator Webb.
14 THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary will
15 read.
16 THE SECRETARY: Resolution 1633, by
17 Senator Webb, memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul
18 to proclaim February 23, 2026, as
19 Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Day in
20 the State of New York.
21 THE PRESIDENT: Senator Webb.
22 SENATOR WEBB: Thank you,
23 Mr. President.
24 I rise and I first want to thank our
25 Senate Majority Leader for allowing this
934
1 resolution to come forward that essentially would
2 direct the Governor to proclaim February 23rd as
3 Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Day in
4 the State of New York.
5 Every minute, 24 people in the
6 United States become victims of domestic
7 violence, sexual assault or stalking. That is
8 more than 12 million people every year. These
9 are our neighbors, our friends, our coworkers,
10 and our loved ones.
11 Domestic violence is a public health
12 crisis, and it knows no boundaries. It impacts
13 individuals regardless of race, gender, sexual
14 orientation and socioeconomic status.
15 According to an annual survey
16 conducted by the National Network to End
17 Domestic Violence, New York State consistently
18 has the greatest demand for domestic violence
19 services in the country, with more than
20 10,609 survivors requesting services on just one
21 day in the year of 2024, and more than
22 1700 unfulfilled service requests on that same
23 day because of insufficient resource or staff.
24 Domestic violence also knows no age
25 limitation, as youth are most certainly impacted
935
1 by this issue, with a recent survey reporting
2 that in the past year nearly 21 percent of
3 high school females and 10.4 percent of
4 high school males experienced some form of teen
5 dating violence.
6 Researchers estimate that between
7 3.3 million and 10 million children are exposed
8 to adult intimate partner violence each year,
9 which increases the risk of later violence by
10 men.
11 I am proud of the work that we
12 continue to do in this chamber on this very
13 important issue, especially in the area of
14 strengthening funding for this important public
15 health issue. We are doing things to expand
16 access to safe housing and ensuring that
17 survivors can receive trauma-informed counseling
18 services, legal advocacy, and court navigation
19 supports as they work to not only heal their
20 lives but also to rebuild their lives and those
21 of their family members with dignity.
22 But we know there's more work to do
23 to meet this great need in our communities for
24 these lifesaving services. And so I'm honored to
25 be voting in favor of this resolution. I hope
936
1 my colleagues will join me by voting aye.
2 Additionally, Mr. President, I rise
3 on the occasion of this resolution to welcome
4 distinguished guests to our chamber.
5 I am honored that domestic violence
6 advocates have joined us today. Members may have
7 seen a number of people walking throughout the
8 Capitol today wearing purple; that is most
9 certainly a cause for the occasion.
10 And I want to take a moment to lift
11 up all of the work that they do to provide
12 training, technical assistance for local domestic
13 violence programs across our state, working with
14 communities to change our culture into one that
15 doesn't condone violence, that advocates for
16 policies to make sure that survivors across our
17 state are provided with the support they need to
18 be safe and to ultimately heal.
19 And with that, Mr. President, I ask
20 that you welcome these amazing advocates to our
21 chamber. Thank you.
22 THE PRESIDENT: Thank you,
23 Senator Webb.
24 To our guests, I welcome you on
25 behalf of the Senate. We extend to you the
937
1 privileges and courtesies of the house.
2 Please rise and be recognized.
3 (Standing ovation.)
4 THE PRESIDENT: The question is on
5 the resolution. All those in favor please
6 signify by saying aye.
7 (Response of "Aye.")
8 THE PRESIDENT: Opposed, nay.
9 (No response.)
10 THE PRESIDENT: The resolution is
11 adopted.
12 Senator Gianaris.
13 SENATOR GIANARIS: Please recognize
14 Senator Bailey for an introduction.
15 THE PRESIDENT: Senator Bailey.
16 SENATOR BAILEY: Thank you,
17 Mr. President.
18 The rabbi who gave the opening
19 invocation was very inspirational, and he spoke
20 about organ donations. And organ donations are
21 done by physicians, by doctors, people who take
22 the Hippocratic oath and decide that they --
23 regardless of race, creed, gender, color,
24 identity, whoever comes before them, they will
25 serve them. They will serve them admirably.
938
1 But sometimes people, if you don't
2 see what looks like you in the medical field, you
3 may not want to go to the doctor. And the artist
4 formerly known as diversity in medicine, because
5 of certain things that are happening, now is the
6 Associated Medical Schools of New York Scholars
7 in Medicine and Science.
8 But it does not lessen the necessity
9 for diversity any more. People in our families
10 do not go to the doctor because they do not trust
11 the medical profession. These scholars are here
12 to make sure that we not only trust the medical
13 profession now, but we entrust you to do it into
14 the future. The world we leave you is in
15 better -- we leave you to put the world in
16 greater hands than it is now.
17 So I have the honor of introducing
18 you all to a number of scholars. And I'm going
19 to say your name, and I apologize in advance if
20 and when I mess it up. But you are not messing
21 things up, you are making things better.
22 Alexandra Habibi, from NYU Grossman.
23 Sophia -- in the Senate we're going
24 to hold the applause like we do at the reunion
25 until everybody's okay.
939
1 Sophia Manduca, from NYU. You may
2 stand, absolutely.
3 Gabriella Gomez, from Stony Brook
4 University.
5 John Helm, from Stony Brook
6 University.
7 Jhessica Chauca, from Touro
8 Middletown.
9 Herman Low, from Stony Brook
10 University. Somewhere Speaker Heastie is very
11 happy.
12 Stephanie Cano Amaya, from Upstate
13 Medical University.
14 Ashley Mooring, from SUNY Upstate.
15 Martha Wojtowycz -- I'm sorry --
16 from SUNY Upstate Medical University.
17 Kayode Medugbon, SUNY Upstate.
18 Mustafa Abdalla, SUNY Upstate.
19 Emma Covillon, Upstate Medical
20 University.
21 Saba Solomon, Upstate Medical
22 University.
23 Leah Solomon, SUNY Upstate.
24 Nayeem Hussain, SUNY Upstate Medical
25 University.
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1 Stevens Bontemps, Chima Ezeh, and
2 Brooke D. Jones, all from the University of
3 Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry.
4 Yara Abdelrahman, from CUNY City
5 College of New York.
6 Lelosa Imasuen, from CCNY.
7 Melissa Rojas, from CCNY.
8 Amidala Figueroa, Angelica Vargas,
9 and Levi Vazquez, all from Lehman College in the
10 Boogie-Down Bronx. You know, God's country.
11 Sebastian Cota, from
12 Columbia University Mailman School of
13 Public Health.
14 Daphne Buitron, from Fordham
15 University.
16 And the program directors: Sarah
17 Khalil, Inefta Reid, and Victor Garcia, from NYU,
18 Stony Brook and New York Medical College. And
19 Aaron Glass, program director at SUNY Upstate
20 Medical.
21 Please stand up.
22 And I just want to -- as I close and
23 we get on to the rest of business in the session,
24 I just want you to know that this trip that
25 you've made is really important. In the face of
941
1 people losing healthcare all around this country,
2 you are that stopgap. You not only can but will
3 provide diversity in medicine and real
4 medicine -- and those necessary organ donations,
5 as we led, opened up our session today.
6 Everything happens for a reason.
7 There was a reason why that was mentioned in
8 there.
9 You should be inspired and steady in
10 the work that you do. I thank you. I salute
11 you. Hopefully I won't have to see you anytime
12 soon for any reasons other than to say hello.
13 But whoever you see will be under incredible
14 care.
15 Mr. President, please, I would like
16 you to extend all of the cordialities and the
17 courtesies of this house for these amazing
18 scholars.
19 Thank you, Mr. President.
20 THE PRESIDENT: To our guests, I
21 welcome you on behalf of the Senate. We extend
22 to you the privileges and courtesies of the
23 house.
24 You've already risen; you'll now be
25 recognized.
942
1 (Standing ovation.)
2 THE PRESIDENT: Senator Gianaris.
3 SENATOR GIANARIS: Please recognize
4 Senator Hinchey for another introduction.
5 THE PRESIDENT: Senator Hinchey.
6 SENATOR HINCHEY: Thank you,
7 Mr. President.
8 Today I am incredibly proud to
9 welcome students from the Advocacy Club at the
10 Mount Academy in Esopus for their annual
11 Lobby Day.
12 They've spent the day meeting with
13 elected officials, learning about the legislative
14 process, and asking thoughtful questions and
15 advocating on the issues that matter most to
16 them.
17 These meetings are incredibly
18 important because we deal with a lot of very
19 heavy, very serious topics in this chamber. But
20 we do it, and especially in this chamber, in the
21 Senate -- usually -- with deep respect and
22 understanding for one another. But learning that
23 can take a long time, and it may not come
24 naturally when you care so deeply and
25 passionately about something.
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1 So being in the room early, having
2 conversations, learning about respectful dialogue
3 and meeting people where they are is an
4 incredibly important gift that the Bruderhof
5 offers to their young students in the
6 Advocacy Club.
7 These students exemplify the values
8 of public service and volunteerism. They've
9 helped build homes with Habitat for Humanity
10 across our Hudson Valley communities, they've
11 used their agriscience skills to care for local
12 athletic fields, they've sewn pillows for
13 patients at Vassar Hospital in Dutchess County.
14 And last summer, several members of
15 the Advocacy Club traveled to Ukraine to help
16 lead a summer camp, organizing baseball and
17 soccer clinics, teaching English, and bringing a
18 sense of normalcy to kids who have fled the
19 frontlines of war. If that doesn't teach you how
20 to be a good, well-rounded human, I don't know
21 what will.
22 Their compassion speaks volumes
23 about their character and the service-driven
24 leaders that they are becoming, exemplified in
25 their meetings today.
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1 With that, I would like to recognize
2 several students who have joined us today in this
3 chamber. You can also stand as I read your name.
4 Alfred Wright, Donna Winter, Aliza
5 Wipf, Roderick Huleatt, and Sean Huleatt, as well
6 as leadership from the Bruderhof Community:
7 Johann Huleatt and Christine Mason.
8 Thank you all so much for being
9 here, for your participation and being involved
10 in our state legislative process.
11 Mr. President, please give them all
12 of the courtesies of the chamber and welcome them
13 to the Senate. Thank you.
14 THE PRESIDENT: Thank you,
15 Senator Hinchey.
16 To our guests, I welcome you on
17 behalf of the Senate. We extend to you the
18 privileges and courtesies of the house.
19 Please rise and be recognized.
20 Thank you.
21 (Standing ovation.)
22 THE PRESIDENT: Senator Gianaris.
23 SENATOR GIANARIS: Let's move on,
24 Mr. President, to previously adopted
25 Resolution 1558, by Senator Scarcella-Spanton,
945
1 read its title, and call on Senator
2 Scarcella-Spanton.
3 THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary will
4 read.
5 THE SECRETARY: Resolution 1558, by
6 Senator Scarcella-Spanton, mourning the death of
7 Margaret D. Williams, legendary vocalist and
8 community leader.
9 THE PRESIDENT: Senator
10 Scarcella-Spanton.
11 SENATOR SCARCELLA-SPANTON: Thank
12 you, Mr. President.
13 It is my honor to stand here as we
14 memorialize an outstanding member of our
15 community, my constituent, Ms. Margaret D.
16 Williams.
17 Ms. Williams, of Coney Island, was a
18 beloved, dedicated community member who has made
19 an immeasurable impact on not just her neighbors,
20 but on people miles and decades apart. Although
21 she left this world in January of 2026, her
22 legacy will be felt for years to come.
23 Born in North Carolina, Ms. Williams
24 moved to Brooklyn as a teenager, becoming
25 actively involved in music programs, nurturing a
946
1 passion and talent that would define her life.
2 As a young adult in the late 1950s,
3 Ms. Williams joined the renowned girl group
4 The Cookies, becoming an integral part of one of
5 the most influential vocal groups of the doo-wop
6 and Brill Building eras.
7 As some of you may remember,
8 The Cookies achieved national and international
9 success recording and performing songs written by
10 legendary songwriters such as Carole King and
11 Gerry Goffin, and collaborating with iconic
12 artists including Neil Sedaka, Mel Torme, Little
13 Eva, and many others.
14 Some of their hits, including
15 "Chains" and "Don't Say Nothin'," reached the
16 Billboard Top 40 charts in the 1960s, with
17 "Chains" later recorded by The Beatles on their
18 1963 debut album, further cementing the group's
19 enduring influence on popular music.
20 In recognition of their significant
21 contributions to American music, The Cookies were
22 inducted into the Roll & Roll Hall of Fame in
23 2002.
24 Ms. Williams continued to preserve
25 and celebrate The Cookies' legacy for decades
947
1 thereafter, performing in concerts throughout the
2 United States, Europe, and Spain. And after
3 years of touring, she returned to Coney Island,
4 where she remained deeply engaged in the
5 community, continuing to sing professionally and
6 as a member of the Coney Island Gospel Assembly
7 Church.
8 Ms. Williams was a dedicated public
9 servant, retiring after 33 years of service with
10 the New York City Department of Health, Prison
11 Health Services, and she was also an active
12 member of DC37, Local 1549.
13 She was a cherished participant and
14 supporter of the Coney Island History Project,
15 sharing her personal history and experiences in a
16 2004 interview and proudly cutting the ribbon to
17 open the Boardwalk Memory Booth in 2005.
18 You could always count on seeing
19 Ms. Williams at community events like our
20 Annual Juneteenth Jubilee in Coney Island or
21 whenever I stopped by Coney Island Gospel
22 Assembly. And we will certainly miss hearing her
23 sing.
24 Her life was marked by faith,
25 service, music and love, and she will be
948
1 remembered as a trailblazing artist and a devoted
2 public servant, a faithful church member, and a
3 pillar of the Coney Island community.
4 My deepest condolences are with her
5 family and all those who knew and loved her. And
6 as we continue celebrating Black History Month, I
7 cannot think of a more fitting time to celebrate
8 her legacy and honor her.
9 Thank you. I proudly vote aye.
10 THE PRESIDENT: The resolution was
11 adopted on February 10th.
12 Senator Gianaris.
13 SENATOR GIANARIS: And now, lastly,
14 Resolution 1630, by Senator Serrano. Please take
15 that up, read its title, and recognize
16 Senator Serrano.
17 THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary will
18 read.
19 THE SECRETARY: Resolution 1630, by
20 Senator Serrano, commemorating the
21 20th Anniversary of Park and Public Lands
22 Advocacy Day on February 25, 2026.
23 THE PRESIDENT: Senator Serrano.
24 SENATOR SERRANO: Thank you,
25 Mr. President.
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1 It's an honor to rise here today to
2 talk about Parks Advocacy Day here in Albany.
3 This is the 20th Annual Parks Day. And it really
4 is one of the best days of the entire year,
5 because we have so many parks advocates from
6 throughout the state coming to Albany to talk
7 about why parks are so important.
8 Now, one of the things that is so
9 amazing about parks is that they sort of
10 transcend all types of barriers. They are loved
11 by everyone because they are so meaningful in
12 everyone's life.
13 During the pandemic, our parks
14 became our solace, they became our oasis away
15 from the danger that we were facing. And they
16 really showed how important they are.
17 And since then we've seen
18 year-over-year growth in visitorship,
19 record-breaking visitorship at our state parks
20 throughout the State of New York, as well as our
21 public lands, like the Adirondacks and the
22 Catskills, DEC lands. All of these are very
23 important.
24 There is also another component
25 that's so necessary to talk about, is that
950
1 exposure to nature and green spaces has a
2 profound impact on our physical health and mental
3 health. It is really the good medicine that we
4 need right now. In a really crazy world,
5 engaging in nature and parks is something we
6 should all be doing more of.
7 So, I'm so grateful for all of the
8 advocates and folks from throughout the state and
9 the commissioners who were with us this morning
10 at our Parks Advocacy Briefing, and all of the
11 great things that were done today to help bring
12 awareness to the fact that we should be
13 supporting our wonderful parks and green spaces
14 throughout the State of New York.
15 And I'm so thankful for my
16 colleagues supporting this resolution today.
17 Thank you.
18 THE PRESIDENT: Thank you.
19 The question is on the resolution.
20 All those in favor please signify by saying aye.
21 (Response of "Aye.")
22 THE PRESIDENT: Opposed, nay.
23 (No response.)
24 THE PRESIDENT: The resolution is
25 adopted.
951
1 Senator Gianaris.
2 SENATOR GIANARIS: Please open
3 today's resolutions for cosponsorship.
4 THE PRESIDENT: The resolutions are
5 open for cosponsorship. Should you choose not to
6 be a cosponsor, please notify the desk.
7 Senator Gianaris.
8 SENATOR GIANARIS: Please recognize
9 Senator Lanza for an announcement.
10 THE PRESIDENT: Senator Lanza.
11 SENATOR LANZA: There will be an
12 immediate meeting of the Republican Conference in
13 the Republican Conference Room.
14 THE PRESIDENT: Senator Gianaris.
15 SENATOR GIANARIS: Mr. President,
16 we will stand at ease until 4:20. I believe this
17 will be a brief conference, and we'll be right
18 back in 15 minutes.
19 THE PRESIDENT: The Senate will
20 stand at ease.
21 (Whereupon, the Senate stood at ease
22 at 4:04 p.m.)
23 (Whereupon, the Senate reconvened at
24 4:21 p.m.)
25 THE PRESIDENT: The Senate will
952
1 come to order.
2 Senator Gianaris.
3 SENATOR GIANARIS: At this time,
4 Mr. President, let's take up the reading of the
5 calendar.
6 THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary will
7 read.
8 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 57,
9 Senate Print 659, by Senator Gianaris, an act to
10 amend the Environmental Conservation Law.
11 THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
12 section.
13 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
14 act shall take effect immediately.
15 THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
16 (The Secretary called the roll.)
17 THE PRESIDENT: Announce the
18 results.
19 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
20 Calendar 57, voting in the negative are
21 Senators Ashby, Borrello, Chan, Gallivan,
22 Helming, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Stec, Tedisco
23 and Walczyk.
24 Ayes, 46. Nays, 11.
25 THE PRESIDENT: The bill is passed.
953
1 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
2 101, Senate Print 3179A, by Senator Sanders, an
3 act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law.
4 THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
5 section.
6 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
7 act shall take effect two years after it shall
8 have become a law.
9 THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
10 (The Secretary called the roll.)
11 THE PRESIDENT: Announce the
12 results.
13 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
14 Calendar 101, voting in the negative are
15 Senators Ashby, Borrello, Chan, Gallivan, Lanza,
16 Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk
17 and Weber.
18 Ayes, 45. Nays, 12.
19 THE PRESIDENT: The bill is passed.
20 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
21 193, Senate Print 4424A, by Senator Ramos, an act
22 to amend the Labor Law.
23 THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
24 section.
25 THE SECRETARY: Section 5. This
954
1 act shall take effect immediately.
2 THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
3 (The Secretary called the roll.)
4 THE PRESIDENT: Senator Ramos to
5 explain her vote.
6 SENATOR RAMOS: Thank you,
7 Mr. President.
8 You know, there's some really bad
9 bosses out there who have been hiding clauses in
10 job applications and on-boarding paperwork that
11 forces workers to give up their legal rights
12 without the worker actually even realizing it.
13 Workers have been facing
14 discrimination, harassment, and even wage theft,
15 thinking that when they're told that they've
16 waited too long to sue because of deadlines that
17 are buried in the paperwork that they never
18 knowingly agreed to.
19 And these clauses have historically
20 discouraged workers from coming forward and have
21 allowed stolen wages to go unrecovered and given
22 bad actors an unfair advantage over honest
23 employers. We want to keep the good guys in
24 business.
25 So this is the fix. This is the
955
1 Anti Waiver of Employment Rights Act. And it
2 makes clear that employers cannot force workers
3 to sign away their protections under New York
4 labor and the Human Rights Law. Rights cannot be
5 waived in applications, rights can't be waived in
6 on-boarding forms, rights cannot be waived in
7 hidden contract language.
8 This law does not create new rights,
9 to be clear, but it does protect the rights that
10 workers already have. It's going to restore
11 balance in the workplace. It ensures
12 accountability. And it supports employers who
13 play by the rules.
14 It's my hope that the Assembly also
15 passes this bill so that we can put it on the
16 Governor's desk for her signature, so that we can
17 make New York an even better place for workers to
18 stay here. I vote aye.
19 Thank you, Mr. President.
20 THE PRESIDENT: Senator Ramos to be
21 recorded in the affirmative.
22 Announce the results.
23 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
24 Calendar 193, voting in the negative are
25 Senators Borrello, Chan, Helming, Lanza,
956
1 Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Stec, Tedisco
2 and Walczyk.
3 Ayes, 46. Nays, 11.
4 THE PRESIDENT: The bill is passed.
5 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
6 207, Senate Print 6227, by Senator Martinez, an
7 act to amend the Education Law.
8 THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
9 section.
10 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
11 act shall take effect on the first of July.
12 THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
13 (The Secretary called the roll.)
14 THE PRESIDENT: Announce the
15 results.
16 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 57.
17 THE PRESIDENT: The bill is passed.
18 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
19 233, Senate Print 1461, by Senator Kavanagh, an
20 act to amend the Administrative Code of the City
21 of New York.
22 THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
23 section.
24 THE SECRETARY: Section 10. This
25 act shall take effect immediately.
957
1 THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
2 (The Secretary called the roll.)
3 THE PRESIDENT: Announce the
4 results.
5 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
6 Calendar 233, voting in the negative are
7 Senators Ashby, Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick,
8 Chan, Gallivan, Helming, Martins, Mattera,
9 Murray, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads,
10 Rolison, Skoufis, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk and
11 Weber.
12 Ayes, 37. Nays, 20.
13 THE PRESIDENT: The bill is passed.
14 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
15 234, Senate Print 3406, by Senator Comrie, an act
16 to amend the Executive Law.
17 SENATOR LANZA: Lay it aside.
18 THE PRESIDENT: Lay it aside.
19 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
20 261, Senate Print 4408, by Senator May, an act to
21 amend the Environmental Conservation Law.
22 SENATOR GIANARIS: Lay it aside for
23 the day.
24 THE PRESIDENT: The bill will be
25 laid aside for the day.
958
1 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
2 307, Senate Print 78, by Senator Liu, an act to
3 amend the Education Law.
4 THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
5 section.
6 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
7 act shall take effect on the 90th day after it
8 shall have become a law.
9 THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
10 (The Secretary called the roll.)
11 THE PRESIDENT: Announce the
12 results.
13 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 57.
14 THE PRESIDENT: The bill is passed.
15 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
16 318, Senate Print 6273A, by Senator Bailey, an
17 act authorizing and directing the Commissioner of
18 Education to conduct a study on the number of
19 children who are caregivers.
20 THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
21 section.
22 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
23 act shall take effect immediately.
24 THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
25 (The Secretary called the roll.)
959
1 THE PRESIDENT: Announce the
2 results.
3 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 57.
4 THE PRESIDENT: The bill is passed.
5 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
6 331, Senate Print 2611, by Senator Addabbo, an
7 act to amend the General Municipal Law.
8 THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
9 section.
10 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
11 act shall take effect immediately.
12 THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
13 (The Secretary called the roll.)
14 THE PRESIDENT: Announce the
15 results.
16 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
17 Calendar 331, voting in the negative are
18 Senators Bynoe, Krueger, Martinez and May.
19 Ayes, 53. Nays, 4.
20 THE PRESIDENT: The bill is passed.
21 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
22 337, Senate Print 1130, by Senator May, an act to
23 amend the Executive Law.
24 THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
25 section.
960
1 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
2 act shall take effect immediately.
3 THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
4 (The Secretary called the roll.)
5 THE PRESIDENT: Announce the
6 results.
7 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
8 Calendar 337, voting in the negative are
9 Senators Ashby, Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick,
10 Chan, Gallivan, Lanza, Mattera, Murray, Palumbo,
11 Rhoads, Ryan, Stec, Tedisco and Walczyk.
12 Ayes, 43. Nays, 14.
13 THE PRESIDENT: The bill is passed.
14 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
15 342, Senate Print 2447, by Senator Mayer, an act
16 to amend the Executive Law.
17 THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
18 section.
19 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
20 act shall take effect immediately.
21 THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
22 (The Secretary called the roll.)
23 THE PRESIDENT: Announce the
24 results.
25 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
961
1 Calendar 342, voting in the negative are
2 Senators Ashby, Borrello, Helming, Oberacker,
3 O'Mara, Ortt, Stec and Walczyk.
4 Ayes, 49. Nays, 8.
5 THE PRESIDENT: The bill is passed.
6 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
7 344, Senate Print 3261, by Senator Cooney, an act
8 to amend the Tax Law.
9 THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
10 section.
11 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
12 act shall take effect immediately.
13 THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
14 (The Secretary called the roll.)
15 THE PRESIDENT: Announce the
16 results.
17 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
18 Calendar 344, voting in the negative are
19 Senators Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan,
20 Lanza, Martinez, Martins, Mattera, Bynoe, Murray,
21 O'Mara, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk and Weber.
22 Ayes, 43. Nays, 14.
23 THE PRESIDENT: The bill is passed.
24 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
25 346, Senate Print 6181, by Senator Parker, an act
962
1 to amend the Cannabis Law.
2 THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
3 section.
4 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
5 act shall take effect immediately.
6 THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
7 (The Secretary called the roll.)
8 THE PRESIDENT: Announce the
9 results.
10 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
11 Calendar 346, voting in the negative are
12 Senators Ashby, Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick,
13 Gallivan, Lanza, Martinez, Martins, Mattera,
14 Murray, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Stec,
15 Tedisco and Walczyk.
16 Ayes, 41. Nays, 16.
17 THE PRESIDENT: The bill is passed.
18 Senator Gianaris, that completes the
19 reading of today's calendar.
20 SENATOR GIANARIS: Can we move on
21 to the controversial calendar, please.
22 THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary will
23 ring the bell.
24 The Secretary will read.
25 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
963
1 234, Senate Print 3406, by Senator Comrie, an act
2 to amend the Executive Law.
3 THE PRESIDENT: Senator Lanza, why
4 do you rise?
5 SENATOR LANZA: Mr. President, I
6 believe I believe there's an amendment at the
7 desk. I waive the reading of that amendment and
8 ask that you recognize Senator Walczyk.
9 THE PRESIDENT: Thank you,
10 Senator Lanza.
11 Upon review of the amendment, in
12 accordance with Rule 6, Section 4B, I rule it
13 nongermane and out of order.
14 SENATOR LANZA: Accordingly,
15 Mr. President, I appeal the ruling of the chair
16 and ask that Senator Walczyk be heard on that
17 appeal.
18 THE PRESIDENT: The appeal has been
19 made and recognized.
20 Senator Walczyk may be heard.
21 SENATOR WALCZYK: Thank you for the
22 opportunity, Mr. President. And maybe I can
23 convince some colleagues to overrule the chair
24 here.
25 This amendment is indeed germane to
964
1 the bill-in-chief, because the bill-in-chief
2 deals with the State Uniform Fire Prevention and
3 Building Code and the amendment deals with the
4 State Energy Code, both affecting the price of
5 building in New York State.
6 This amendment, modeled from
7 legislation sponsored by Senator Mario Mattera,
8 would repeal the costly All-Electric Buildings
9 mandate and would allow building developers to
10 use the 2020 Energy Code instead of the more
11 costly and newly enacted 2025 Energy Code.
12 As everyone knows, the All-Electric
13 Building mandate is currently tied up in the
14 courts. The Governor agreed to pause
15 implementation of the costly mandate temporarily
16 while the case plays out in court, no doubt
17 because this is 2026 and it's an election year.
18 Developers have estimated that the
19 All-Electric Building mandate will increase the
20 cost of a typical single-family home in New York
21 by $20,000 at the low end; some say much higher
22 than that.
23 On top of the additional $20,000 in
24 cost to comply with the All-Electric Building
25 mandate, the 2025 Energy Code will increase the
965
1 cost of construction for a single-family home in
2 New York by $7400. And that's NYSERDA's cost
3 analysis -- again, on the low end.
4 I think everyone in this chamber
5 would agree that New York State is in the middle
6 of a housing affordability crisis. I've heard it
7 from both sides of the aisle. Builders can't
8 sell overpriced houses that people don't want to
9 buy in the first place.
10 It already costs between $200 and
11 $350 per square foot to build a new home in this
12 state, way above the national average. The 2025
13 Energy Code, which includes the All-Electric
14 Buildings mandate, would only increase the cost
15 of building homes, further putting the dream of
16 homeownership out of reach for so many
17 New Yorkers.
18 This amendment that I offer up today
19 allows this chamber to take a real and meaningful
20 step towards lowering the cost of homes in this
21 state.
22 Builders need to know that we're
23 providing regulatory certainty and cost-effective
24 solutions. The average first-time homebuyer is
25 now over 40 years old. A CNY builder recently
966
1 told me at a roundtable that new homes in
2 New York are a luxury item.
3 If that's true, you've made too many
4 mistakes in this chamber and I ask that you join
5 me in fixing just a couple of those egregious
6 mistakes that have been made recently. Vote to
7 overrule the chair, pass this amendment, and
8 please allow New Yorkers to have the dream of
9 owning an affordable home in New York State in
10 the future.
11 Thank you, Mr. President.
12 THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator.
13 I want to remind the house that the
14 vote is on the procedures of the house and the
15 ruling of the chair.
16 Those in favor of overruling the
17 chair, signify by saying aye.
18 (Response of "Aye.")
19 SENATOR LANZA: Show of hands.
20 THE PRESIDENT: A show of hands has
21 been requested and so ordered.
22 Announce the results.
23 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 20.
24 THE PRESIDENT: The ruling of the
25 chair stands, and the bill-in-chief is before the
967
1 house.
2 Senator Gianaris.
3 SENATOR GIANARIS: We've agreed to
4 restore this bill to the noncontroversial
5 calendar.
6 THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
7 section.
8 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
9 act shall take effect on the first of January.
10 THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
11 (The Secretary called the roll.)
12 THE PRESIDENT: Announce the
13 results.
14 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
15 Calendar 234, voting in the negative are
16 Senators Ashby, Borrello, Chan, Gallivan, Lanza,
17 Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Stec, Tedisco and
18 Walczyk.
19 Ayes, 46. Nays, 11.
20 THE PRESIDENT: The bill is passed.
21 Senator Gianaris, that completes the
22 reading of the controversial calendar.
23 SENATOR GIANARIS: Mr. President,
24 at this time there's a privileged resolution at
25 the desk. Let's take that up, please, read its
968
1 title, and recognize first Senator Mayer on that
2 resolution.
3 THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary will
4 read.
5 THE SECRETARY: Resolution 1637, by
6 Senator Mayer, Concurrent Resolution of the
7 Senate and Assembly providing for the election of
8 two Regents of the University of the State of
9 New York.
10 THE PRESIDENT: Senator Mayer on
11 the resolution.
12 SENATOR MAYER: Thank you,
13 Mr. President.
14 It's my honor again to rise in
15 support of this Concurrent Resolution of the
16 Senate and Assembly to appoint and reappoint
17 members to the Board of Regents.
18 For everyone's edification -- not
19 those here, because I think they know about the
20 Board of Regents, but people frequently confuse
21 the Regents exam with the Board of Regents. And
22 that's a very understandable confusion.
23 But people should understand that
24 the Board of Regents are people appointed by the
25 Senate and Assembly jointly to help drive
969
1 educational policy in New York State, not only
2 through kindergarten through 12th grade, but for
3 higher ed, for the professions, and for many
4 other aspects of regulated life dealing with
5 educational issues.
6 The Board of Regents meets
7 regularly. They consider issues of highest
8 importance to those of us who care about
9 education. And today we are lucky and very
10 fortunate to be appointing and reappointing two
11 distinguished members.
12 First I want to say, from the
13 Fifth Judicial District, Patrick Mannion, to be
14 reappointed to the Board of Regents.
15 And I would just say, as someone who
16 heard his testimony and listened in the
17 interviews the first time and then as he came
18 back for reappointment, what was striking is that
19 Mr. Mannion, who is not someone who came from
20 sort of the educational world, made a commitment
21 at that time that he was going to visit schools,
22 learn about education in his community, and
23 become a true advocate for the schools and the
24 students of the Fifth Judicial District.
25 And he has actually done so. It was
970
1 extremely impressive to hear in the interviews
2 that Senator Stavisky and I sat through with many
3 of our colleagues, to hear how much interest he
4 took in the schools and the issues that were
5 before the Board of Regents.
6 He did everything one could ask of
7 someone who was not entirely versed in education
8 to do, and I'm very pleased to have him
9 reappointed to the Fifth Judicial District seat.
10 And then for the at-large seat, we
11 are appointing today Janice Weinman Shorenstein,
12 who is joining us today in the gallery.
13 And Ms. Shorenstein has been a
14 transformational leader in the educational space,
15 currently running a program called Education
16 Through Music, which brings music and art to
17 students in the New York City public schools.
18 But she has a longtime history of
19 participation in schools in the New York City
20 community. She has been -- was the president of
21 what's called Kids, a global not-for-profit
22 organization that distributed new product to
23 children and families in need throughout the
24 United States and throughout the world.
25 She's worked in corporate affairs
971
1 for Mount Sinai and for other major
2 not-for-profit institutions in New York. And she
3 truly will bring her wealth of experience and her
4 perspective and her intimate knowledge of the
5 New York City public school community to the
6 Board of Regents where, as the largest school
7 district in the country, we need her expertise,
8 her enthusiasm, and her willingness to
9 participate.
10 Again, people who join the Board of
11 Regents do so and put in not only their time and
12 their energy but all of their intellect and
13 energy into improving our educational system.
14 We're very fortunate to have Patrick Mannion and
15 Janice Weinman Shorenstein be elected to and
16 joining the Board of Regents.
17 I vote aye and encourage all my
18 colleagues to do the same.
19 THE PRESIDENT: Thank you,
20 Senator Mayer.
21 Senator Stavisky on the resolution.
22 SENATOR STAVISKY: Thank you,
23 Mr. President. On the resolution.
24 As Senator Mayer indicated, the
25 selection of the Regents, and their mission, is
972
1 unique and has a long tradition of service. In
2 fact, the origins go back 242 years.
3 And if you understand that this body
4 and the Assembly have met for 242 years, and each
5 year, or almost every year, there's a vacancy and
6 they go through this process of selecting
7 Regents.
8 Regents in New York State have a
9 unique mission. Their selection is very
10 different. They set the education policy, and
11 they also select the Commissioner of Education.
12 In some states they -- the commissioner of
13 education is elected in an election; in other
14 states, the governor appoints the commissioner.
15 But New York State is unique. The
16 Regents choose the commissioner.
17 And the other point I want to make
18 is that they are joining a long, long list of
19 people who have gone through this process and
20 served as a Regent.
21 And in fact two of the first
22 Regents -- one was Assemblymember Alexander
23 Hamilton, and John Jay, the first chief judge.
24 And Teddy Roosevelt -- bipartisan -- he served as
25 a Regent.
973
1 So I welcome the selection, and I
2 congratulate Mr. Mannion and Ms. Shorenstein.
3 And they should understand that they are joining
4 a very select group. And I know that their
5 service will be commendable and just fitting in
6 with the tradition set by Alexander Hamilton.
7 They're going to be in the room where it happens.
8 Thank you.
9 THE PRESIDENT: Thank you,
10 Senator Stavisky.
11 Senator Borrello on the resolution.
12 SENATOR BORRELLO: Thank you,
13 Mr. President.
14 I think Senator Stavisky outlined
15 the importance of this role very well. Which is
16 why, as an employer myself, someone who was a
17 private-sector employee and a county executive,
18 who has hired and fired literally hundreds of
19 people in my career, I've never done so in
20 10 minutes or less. Which is what we've been
21 asked to do here today.
22 Literally we got this resume -- and
23 that's all we have, is a resume -- to make a
24 decision on folks that are going to have an
25 impact on every single child that is educated in
974
1 New York State.
2 I can't in good conscience do that
3 with such little time. And I would encourage my
4 colleagues, who -- other than, I'm sure, the very
5 capable Senators who reviewed and interviewed
6 them -- have not had the chance to vet these
7 folks properly for one of the most important jobs
8 in New York State.
9 So I'll be voting no. And those of
10 you that weren't in the interviews I would
11 suggest vote no as well. Nothing against the
12 folks that are here, but due diligence is very
13 important. So I'll be voting no.
14 Thank you.
15 THE PRESIDENT: Thank you,
16 Senator Borrello.
17 Senator Murray on the resolution.
18 SENATOR MURRAY: Thank you,
19 Mr. President.
20 Yes, I know, a broken record. Here
21 we go again. He's getting up and complaining
22 about the system.
23 But think about it. We voted on
24 multiple resolutions today individually. All on
25 important, very important issues. We took up
975
1 14 individual bills. We didn't do them as a
2 bunch. Why? Because each one is important on
3 its own merits.
4 You heard the Senators explain why
5 it's so important, the job that they do, the
6 effect that they will have on this state, on our
7 future, because they'll have an effect on
8 literally millions of New York children.
9 And yet instead of voting on them
10 each individually, it's up or down, both of them
11 yes or no.
12 Well, what if we have a problem with
13 one of them? What if we don't think one is
14 stellar? Oh, well, let the kids suffer. Oh,
15 well.
16 You're right, we're in the room
17 where it happens. But it should be happening
18 properly. We should be doing it the right way.
19 If they're that good, let's vote on them
20 individually on their own merit.
21 For that reason, I'll be a no.
22 Thank you.
23 THE PRESIDENT: Thank you.
24 There's a substitution at the desk.
25 The Secretary will read.
976
1 THE SECRETARY: Senators Mayer and
2 Stavisky move to substitute Senate Concurrent
3 Resolution 1637 for the identical Assembly
4 Resolution, 978.
5 THE PRESIDENT: The substitution is
6 so ordered.
7 The Secretary will read.
8 THE SECRETARY: Assembly Resolution
9 978, by Assemblymember Benedetto, Concurrent
10 Resolution of the Senate and Assembly providing
11 for the election of two Regents of the University
12 of the State of New York.
13 THE PRESIDENT: The question is on
14 the resolution.
15 The Secretary will call the roll.
16 (The Secretary called the roll.)
17 THE PRESIDENT: Announce the
18 results.
19 THE SECRETARY: In relation to the
20 resolution, voting in the negative are
21 Senators Ashby, Borrello, Brisport,
22 Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Gonzalez,
23 Lanza, Murray, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Salazar,
24 Stec and Walczyk.
25 Ayes, 42. Nays, 15.
977
1 THE PRESIDENT: The resolution is
2 adopted.
3 Senator Gianaris.
4 SENATOR GIANARIS: Mr. President, I
5 would like to remind the members of the
6 Majority Conference that we will be having a
7 conference immediately after session.
8 And with that, is there any further
9 business at the desk?
10 THE PRESIDENT: There is no further
11 business at the desk.
12 SENATOR GIANARIS: I move to
13 adjourn until tomorrow, Thursday, February 26th,
14 at 11:00 a.m.
15 THE PRESIDENT: On motion, the
16 Senate stands adjourned until Thursday,
17 February 26th, at 11:00 a.m.
18 (Whereupon, at 4:48 p.m., the Senate
19 adjourned.)
20
21
22
23
24
25