1737
1 NEW YORK STATE SENATE
2
3
4 THE STENOGRAPHIC RECORD
5
6
7
8
9 ALBANY, NEW YORK
10 March 24, 2026
11 3:31 p.m.
12
13
14 REGULAR SESSION
15
16
17
18 SENATOR SHELLEY B. MAYER, Acting President
19 ALEJANDRA N. PAULINO, ESQ., Secretary
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21
22
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24
25
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1 P R O C E E D I N G S
2 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The Senate
3 will come to order.
4 I ask everyone to please rise and
5 recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
6 (Whereupon, the assemblage recited
7 the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.)
8 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: 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 MAYER: Reading of
14 the Journal.
15 THE SECRETARY: In Senate, Monday,
16 March 23, 2026, the Senate met pursuant to
17 adjournment. The Journal of Friday, March 20,
18 2026, was read and approved. On motion, the
19 Senate adjourned.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: 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 Addabbo
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1 moves to discharge, from the Committee on Racing,
2 Gaming and Wagering, Assembly Bill Number 9234B
3 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill
4 9183, Third Reading Calendar 552.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: 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 Gianaris.
14 SENATOR GIANARIS: Good afternoon,
15 Madam President.
16 On behalf of Senator Harckham here,
17 on page 22 I offer the following amendments to
18 Calendar 532, Senate Print 9020A, and ask that
19 said bill retain its place on the Third Reading
20 Calendar.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The
22 amendments are received, and the bill will retain
23 its place on the Third Reading Calendar.
24 Senator Gianaris.
25 SENATOR GIANARIS: I move to adopt
1740
1 the Resolution Calendar.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: All those
3 in favor of adopting the Resolution Calendar,
4 please signify by saying aye.
5 (Response of "Aye.")
6 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Opposed,
7 nay.
8 (No response.)
9 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The
10 Resolution Calendar is adopted.
11 Senator Gianaris.
12 SENATOR GIANARIS: Please take up
13 previously adopted Resolution 1745, by
14 Senator Fernandez, read its title and recognize
15 Senator Fernandez.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The
17 Secretary will read.
18 THE SECRETARY: Resolution 1745, by
19 Senator Fernandez, memorializing Governor Kathy
20 Hochul to proclaim May 22, 2026, as Maritime Day
21 in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
22 observance of National Maritime Day.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Senator
24 Fernandez on the resolution.
25 SENATOR FERNANDEZ: Thank you,
1741
1 Madam President.
2 And thank you for allowing me to
3 speak on this exciting resolution today.
4 I rise in support of the resolution
5 to proclaim May 22, 2026, as Maritime Day in the
6 State of New York.
7 Long before highways and rail lines,
8 it was our waterways that connected us, moved
9 commerce, and helped build the economy of this
10 state and this nation. This resolution gives us
11 an opportunity to recognize the merchant mariners
12 and the maritime workers who have served America
13 with distinction throughout our history,
14 especially in times of war, crisis, and national
15 need.
16 Their work is essential. They move
17 goods across the world, strengthen our economy,
18 and sustain jobs here in New York on ships,
19 tugboats and ports across the state and beyond.
20 And today we are especially proud to
21 recognize and celebrate SUNY Maritime College, a
22 premier state institution located right under the
23 Throgs Neck Bridge in the beautiful borough of
24 the Bronx, an institution with a legacy dating
25 back more than 150 years, shaping the maritime
1742
1 industry through training, innovation and
2 leadership development.
3 SUNY Maritime is the oldest
4 institution of its kind. The campus is
5 remarkable. It is built within and around the
6 historic pre-Civil War Fort Schuyler, a coastal
7 defense fort constructed in the mid-1800s to
8 protect our waterways.
9 The federal government purchased the
10 land in Throgs Neck in 1826 to revitalize
11 American shipping. And in 1874, the New York
12 Nautical School was established to train merchant
13 mariners. Just under 100 years later, the school
14 incorporated into the SUNY system and became the
15 school we know today -- the institution we know
16 today.
17 Generations of cadets have trained,
18 studied and prepared for careers that extend far
19 beyond the classroom. From its earliest training
20 ships, like the St. Mary, to the Empire State VII
21 today, Maritime has provided hands-on, real-world
22 experience that sets its students apart. In
23 fact, it is ranked number one in return on
24 investment among SUNY institutions.
25 The combination of
1743
1 engineering/science degrees and maritime licenses
2 creates high employability, and students who gain
3 their education here, whether you are in the
4 cadet program or not, have all landed in these
5 well-paying specialized fields. And to this day,
6 it is the number-one institution in the country
7 to create new mariners.
8 Also unique to the school is the
9 Cadet Appointment Program, which allows elected
10 officials to nominate qualified New York
11 residents from their district to attend the
12 college on a full-tuition scholarship. I've
13 always been very proud to advocate for funding of
14 the CAP program in the budget every year, and I
15 hope that we continue to support it to create
16 more new great cadets.
17 And on days like today, we can see
18 the impact of this funding. I want to take a
19 moment to recognize and thank our cadets who are
20 recipients of the scholarship for joining us in
21 Albany today. You represent the future of the
22 industry, and you make our state very proud.
23 I'm going to go one by one;
24 everyone's cadet is here.
25 Cadet Stephanie DeMan, from
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1 Pleasant Valley, in Senator Hinchey's district.
2 Could you stand when I say your
3 name? Thank you.
4 Cadet Pietro Lorino, from
5 West Nyack, from Senator Weber's district.
6 Cadet Samuel Petramale, from
7 Poughkeepsie, from Senator Rolison's district.
8 Cadet James Wageman, from
9 Breezy Point, from Senator Sanders' district.
10 Cadet Cecilia DeMallie, from Naples,
11 from Senator Helming's district.
12 Cadet Peter Demontreux, from
13 Staten Island, from Senator Lanza's district.
14 Cadet Elton Endress, from Hamburg,
15 from Senator Gallivan's district.
16 Cadet Alexa Heise, from Levittown,
17 from Senator Rhoads' district.
18 Cadet Nicholas Lebron, from
19 Washingtonville, from Senator Skoufis's district.
20 Cadet Gurnett Maximillian, from
21 Bayside, from Senator Liu's district.
22 Cadet Alexa Nolan, from
23 Howard Beach, from Senator Sanders' district.
24 Cadet Nicole Ostapakowitz --
25 SENATOR MARTINEZ: Ostapowicz.
1745
1 SENATOR FERNANDEZ: -- Ostapowicz,
2 lo siento --
3 (Laughter.)
4 SENATOR FERNANDEZ: -- from
5 Amityville, from Senator Martinez's district.
6 Cadet Lola Palaez, from Manhattan,
7 in Senator Cleare's district.
8 Cadet Joseph Saraceni, from
9 Baldwinsville, from Senator May's district.
10 Cadet Christopher Taylor, from
11 Babylon, from Senator Weik's district.
12 And Cadet Peyton Langguth, from the
13 Bronx, from my district.
14 Thank you for being here.
15 I also want to recognize guests on
16 the floor, our leaders of this great institution,
17 including Rear Admiral John A. Okon, whose return
18 to lead this institution reflects a deep
19 commitment to its mission and its future.
20 Also SUNY Maritime Provost
21 Dr. Todd Lidh; Captain Thomas Murphy; and
22 Captain Christopher Zola.
23 Thank you for ensuring SUNY Maritime
24 College continues to be a point of pride for the
25 Bronx and New York State, and for their
1746
1 consistent excellence through their mission of
2 loyalty, valor, and leadership.
3 It is an honor to highlight
4 SUNY Maritime today and the broader maritime
5 community here in Albany. I thank you for this
6 opportunity and this honor, and I proudly vote
7 aye on this resolution.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Thank you,
9 Senator Fernandez.
10 Senator Helming on the resolution.
11 SENATOR HELMING: Thank you,
12 Madam President.
13 And thank you, Senator Fernandez,
14 for this resolution.
15 Today I rise to welcome and
16 recognize SUNY Maritime to the chamber. SUNY
17 Maritime, as Senator Fernandez shared with us, is
18 an outstanding institution providing a rigorous,
19 hands-on educational experience and preparing
20 cadets for careers of service, leadership, and
21 responsibility.
22 SUNY Maritime instills discipline,
23 technical skills, and a strong sense of purpose,
24 equipping all of these young men and women to
25 meet the demands of critical industries and to
1747
1 serve our nation with distinction.
2 I too would like to thank the
3 leaders, the instructors and the mentors whose
4 guidance and support make this possible. A
5 special thank you to Rear Admiral and
6 President John Okon, and Dr. Todd Lidh, provost.
7 Today I'd also like to offer a
8 special congratulations to the cadets who have
9 committed themselves to this path. Their
10 dedication, perseverance and willingness to take
11 on challenging coursework and training speaks
12 volumes about their character.
13 It is especially my honor to
14 recognize two cadets. From Senator Weik's
15 district, Senate District 8, is Christopher
16 Taylor, from Babylon. And I mention
17 Senator Weik's district because the Senator has
18 proclaimed her district as the district that is
19 churning out great Americans.
20 So congratulations to you,
21 Christopher.
22 I also want to recognize
23 Cecilia DeMallie, a third-year cadet and proud
24 graduate of Naples Central School District. I
25 was so honored to nominate Cecilia as a senior in
1748
1 high school. It's exciting to see how she's
2 continuing to build on the strong foundation that
3 she developed at Naples.
4 Like her fellow cadets, she is
5 distinguishing herself through her hard work,
6 discipline, and commitment to her future.
7 Cecilia is majoring in marine
8 environmental science and is a member of the
9 sailing team while also participating in the
10 rock climbing club. She's pursuing her
11 3rd Mate's license with unlimited tonnage through
12 rigorous U.S. Coast Guard training.
13 I had the opportunity to speak with
14 her earlier today and I asked her to share with
15 me one of her most memorable experiences. And
16 what she shared with me was that so far, her
17 cadet shipping assignment aboard a research
18 vessel on the West Coast this past summer was one
19 of the most invaluable experiences she's had. So
20 much hands-on learning, and she's earned
21 significant academic credit toward her degree.
22 Cecilia and her classmates represent
23 the very best of our region, the very best of our
24 state, and the next generation of leaders.
25 To all of the cadets who are here,
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1 your commitment to excellence, service, and
2 leadership inspires confidence in your future.
3 Thank you for stepping forward to take on
4 responsibility at a time when it matters most.
5 Our state and our nation will be stronger because
6 of you.
7 Congratulations, and thank you for
8 choosing a path of purpose and service.
9 I vote yes, Madam President.
10 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Thank you,
11 Senator Helming.
12 To our guests, the cadets from
13 SUNY Maritime College, and the distinguished
14 leadership of the college, we welcome you to the
15 Senate on behalf of all the members. You are
16 entitled to the privileges and cordialities of
17 the house.
18 Please rise and be recognized.
19 (Standing ovation.)
20 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The
21 resolution was adopted on March 17th.
22 Senator Gianaris.
23 SENATOR GIANARIS: Madam President,
24 Senator Fernandez would like to open that
25 resolution for cosponsorship.
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1 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The
2 resolution is open for cosponsorship. Should you
3 choose not to be a cosponsor, please notify the
4 desk.
5 Senator Gianaris.
6 SENATOR GIANARIS: Please recognize
7 Senator Webb for an introduction.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Senator
9 Webb for an introduction.
10 SENATOR WEBB: Thank you,
11 Madam President.
12 I rise today to introduce some
13 pretty distinguished guests who are here in our
14 chamber today.
15 You know, I get the pleasure to
16 represent a number of colleges and universities
17 in Senate District 52, and we are joined today by
18 students from the State Policy Advocacy Clinic at
19 the Brooks School of Public Policy at
20 Cornell University.
21 They provide both undergraduate and
22 second-year MPA students with the opportunity to
23 work with us as legislators and others, along
24 with academics and community members and
25 organizations, on state-level policy initiatives.
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1 It has been my pleasure to work with
2 these incredible students, who I am certain will
3 advocate for a number of issues that we talk
4 about here in this chamber. But I'm going to
5 lift up one in particular that they've been
6 working very closely with my office on, and that
7 is the Lethality Assessment bill.
8 And I also want to give a shout out
9 to Senator Rolison for his support on this bill
10 as well. We had a press conference earlier, and
11 of course a number of colleagues as well.
12 This bill passed our chamber. And
13 the reason why I lift this up is because these
14 students have done an incredible job of not only
15 looking at national data, looking at case studies
16 that are really helping to shape and mold policy
17 that's literally helping to save people's lives.
18 And so their work through research,
19 of course design, and pushing for solutions to
20 some of our most pressing policy issues -- I'm
21 truly delighted that they are here with us today.
22 Madam President, I want to introduce
23 them by name. We are joined today by
24 Azaria Hysmith, Micah Schuchman, Sunni Horton,
25 Emily Mercer, and Emily Kolodner.
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1 And, Madam President, I ask that you
2 join me in welcoming the students to our chamber
3 and extend them the privileges of the floor.
4 Thank you.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Thank you,
6 Senator Webb.
7 To our guests from the State Policy
8 Advocacy Clinic at Cornell University, thank you
9 for joining us here today. Thank you for your
10 work. You're entitled to the privileges and
11 cordialities of the house.
12 Please rise and be recognized.
13 (Standing ovation.)
14 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Senator
15 Gianaris.
16 SENATOR GIANARIS: At this time
17 recognize Senator Chan for an introduction.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Senator
19 Chan for an introduction.
20 SENATOR CHAN: Thank you,
21 Madam President.
22 Today I rise to ask my colleagues to
23 join me in welcoming a bunch of very special
24 kids. It's the Staten Island Technical High
25 School Ensemble -- the Wind Ensemble, I'm sorry,
1753
1 led by Conductor Mr. Robert Rams.
2 Just a couple of days ago, this
3 ensemble here marched in the St. Paddy's Day
4 Parade in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, and yet today they
5 rose to the occasion once again, performing in
6 the Concourse just an hour ago.
7 Man, you guys are like the Marines
8 of bands.
9 (Laughter.)
10 SENATOR CHAN: And that's one of
11 the reasons why this ensemble is honored with the
12 Gold Distinction from the New York State School
13 Music Association, which is their most
14 prestigious honor given to a high school band.
15 Staten Island Technical High School
16 is one of the eight specialized high schools in
17 New York City, currently ranked No. 3, Best
18 Public Schools in New York State, out of 1,269,
19 on niche.com, and ranked No. 25, Best Public
20 High Schools in America. That's out of 20,162
21 schools. I think that speaks volumes for itself.
22 It's not a study course, folks, that
23 get these kids into that school. It's years of
24 hard work for a student to get to this school.
25 And I personally know of a middle-class student
1754
1 who did exactly that. That's my daughter,
2 Elizabeth. She is a member of that band, and she
3 couldn't be here today because she's studying for
4 the SAT tomorrow.
5 So many others from everywhere in
6 the city, especially from my district in
7 Brooklyn, just across the bridge, travel every
8 day, often braving the wind and rain, snow and
9 sleet, just to hop on that bus just to attend
10 this school, my own daughter included, and one of
11 her best friends, Marsha Novakhov. She is the
12 daughter of Assemblyman Michael Novakhov, just
13 down the hall in the Assembly.
14 And coincidentally, one of their
15 teachers is Ms. Abby Lanza. Does that ring a
16 bell? Sounds familiar? Ms. Abby Lanza is the
17 daughter of Senator Andrew Lanza, our deputy
18 minority leader. Talk about a small world,
19 right?
20 So please join me in welcoming these
21 wonderful, studious go-getters to our Senate
22 chambers in Albany today. Welcome, and let's see
23 how far you can go.
24 Madam President, I ask that we
25 extend the courtesies of the Senate to these
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1 young people right here.
2 Thank you.
3 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Thank you,
4 Senator Chan.
5 To our guests from the Staten Island
6 Technical High School Wind Ensemble and
7 Marching Band, welcome to the Senate chambers.
8 We extend to you the privileges and cordialities
9 of the house.
10 Please rise and be recognized.
11 (Standing ovation.)
12 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Senator
13 Gianaris.
14 SENATOR GIANARIS: Madam President,
15 please take up the reading of the calendar.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The
17 Secretary will read.
18 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
19 215, Senate Print 7618A, by Senator Hinchey, an
20 act to amend the Agriculture and Markets Law.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Read the
22 last section.
23 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
24 act shall take effect on the 180th day after it
25 shall have become a law.
1756
1 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Call the
2 roll.
3 (The Secretary called the roll.)
4 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Senator
5 Borrello to explain his vote.
6 SENATOR BORRELLO: Thank you,
7 Madam President.
8 While I understand the purpose of
9 this is to try to reduce food waste -- which is
10 certainly a challenge -- however, I think this is
11 a very onerous and difficult way to go about it.
12 First of all, making a unique
13 requirement, mandate, for food suppliers that
14 only applies to New York State is going to
15 increase costs and reduce supply.
16 And on top of that, there's really
17 no protections in this bill in the event that the
18 dates that are chosen by New York State end up
19 becoming a liability for those folks that produce
20 the food and make sure it's on our store shelves.
21 And I'm afraid, in a state like New York,
22 litigiousness is a common thing.
23 So I'm going to be voting no on this
24 bill and looking forward to a commonsense federal
25 standard that will set the same standard for
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1 every state and make it easier for food
2 manufacturers to comply. I don't think we should
3 be messing with our food supply no matter how
4 I guess honorable the idea may be.
5 So I'm voting no. Thank you.
6 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Senator
7 Borrello to be recorded in the negative.
8 Announce the results.
9 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
10 Calendar 215, voting in the negative are
11 Senators Ashby, Borrello, Helming, O'Mara, Ortt,
12 Stec, Walczyk and Weik.
13 Ayes, 53. Nays, 8.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The bill
15 is passed.
16 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
17 296, Senate Print 438A, by Senator Myrie, an act
18 to amend the Insurance Law.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Read the
20 last section.
21 THE SECRETARY: Section 4. This
22 act shall take effect on the 150th day after it
23 shall have become a law.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Call the
25 roll.
1758
1 (The Secretary called the roll.)
2 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Announce
3 the results.
4 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
5 Calendar 296, voting in the negative are
6 Senators Oberacker, Stec, Walczyk and Weik.
7 Ayes, 57. Nays, 4.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The bill
9 is passed.
10 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
11 326, Senate Print 3689, by Senator Sanders, an
12 act to amend the Real Property Actions and
13 Proceedings Law.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Read the
15 last section.
16 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
17 act shall take effect immediately.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Call the
19 roll.
20 (The Secretary called the roll.)
21 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Announce
22 the results.
23 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
24 Calendar 326, voting in the negative are
25 Senators Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan,
1759
1 Griffo, Lanza, Martins, Mattera, Murray,
2 Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads,
3 Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber and Weik.
4 Ayes, 42. Nays, 19.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The bill
6 is passed.
7 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
8 405, Senate Print 6718B, by Senator Jackson, an
9 act to amend the Administrative Code of the City
10 of New York.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Read the
12 last section.
13 THE SECRETARY: Section 5. This
14 act shall take effect immediately.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Call the
16 roll.
17 (The Secretary called the roll.)
18 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Announce
19 the results.
20 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
21 Calendar 405, voting in the negative are
22 Senators Ashby, Borrello, Bynoe,
23 Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo,
24 Helming, Lanza, Martins, Mattera, Murray,
25 Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads,
1760
1 Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber and Weik.
2 Ayes, 38. Nays, 23.
3 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The bill
4 is passed.
5 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
6 408, Senate Print 7731, by Senator Webb, an act
7 to amend the Insurance Law.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Read the
9 last section.
10 THE SECRETARY: Section 4. This
11 act shall take effect on the 120th day after it
12 shall have become a law.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Call the
14 roll.
15 (The Secretary called the roll.)
16 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Senator
17 Webb to explain her vote.
18 SENATOR WEBB: Thank you,
19 Madam President.
20 You know, the birth of a child is
21 one of the most profound and joyful moments in a
22 parent's life, but it can also involve worry,
23 fear, and stress.
24 In the terrible event that
25 complications arise, families and healthcare
1761
1 professionals must act quickly. Occasionally an
2 infant must be immediately transferred to a
3 hospital that is able to provide the type of
4 specialized care that the child needs.
5 Despite the obvious importance of a
6 birthing parent being near a newborn during this
7 time, insurance coverage for the transfer of
8 hospitalized birthing parents is not guaranteed.
9 Physicians who provide maternity care must
10 receive approval from an insurance company for
11 the transfer to be covered. Waiting for approval
12 and potentially being denied coverage for the
13 transfer creates time-consuming barriers that
14 impede care.
15 This legislation amends the
16 Insurance Law to ensure that a birthing parent
17 and their infant are not separated in the event
18 that a newborn infant requires transportation to
19 special care.
20 Madam President, no parent should be
21 separated from their infant because an insurer
22 simply has not gotten back to them. The science
23 is clear: Early bonding and physical contact are
24 critical to a newborn's health development, and
25 every hour apart has consequences.
1762
1 This legislation is straightforward
2 and will ensure that when a newborn must be
3 transferred for specialized care, the birthing
4 parent can go with them.
5 I proudly vote aye, and I encourage
6 my colleagues to do the same.
7 Thank you.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Senator
9 Webb to be recorded in the affirmative.
10 Announce the results.
11 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The bill
13 is passed.
14 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
15 409, Senate Print 8542, by Senator Webb, an act
16 to amend the Public Health Law.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Read the
18 last section.
19 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
20 act shall take effect immediately.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Call the
22 roll.
23 (The Secretary called the roll.)
24 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Announce
25 the results.
1763
1 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The bill
3 is passed.
4 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
5 415, Senate Print 7821A, by Senator May, an act
6 to amend the General Business Law.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Read the
8 last section.
9 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
10 act shall take effect January 1, 2026.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Call the
12 roll.
13 (The Secretary called the roll.)
14 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Announce
15 the results.
16 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
17 Calendar 415, voting in the negative are
18 Senators Lanza and Walczyk.
19 Ayes, 59. Nays, 2.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The bill
21 is passed.
22 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
23 451, Senate Print 4039A, by Senator Skoufis, an
24 act to amend the Public Officers Law.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Read the
1764
1 last section.
2 THE SECRETARY: Section 5. This
3 act shall take effect immediately.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Call the
5 roll.
6 (The Secretary called the roll.)
7 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Announce
8 the results.
9 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
10 Calendar 451, voting in the negative are
11 Senators Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan,
12 Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Martins,
13 Mattera, Murray, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt,
14 Palumbo, Rhoads, Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk,
15 Weber and Weik.
16 Ayes, 40. Nays, 21.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The bill
18 is passed.
19 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
20 509, Senate Print 7681, by Senator Comrie, an act
21 to amend the Public Authorities Law.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Read the
23 last section.
24 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
25 act shall take effect immediately.
1765
1 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Call the
2 roll.
3 (The Secretary called the roll.)
4 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Announce
5 the results.
6 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The bill
8 is passed.
9 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
10 538, Senate Print 5067A, by Senator Sepúlveda, an
11 act to amend the Education Law.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Read the
13 last section.
14 THE SECRETARY: Section 33. This
15 act shall take effect on the 90th day after it
16 shall have become a law.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Call the
18 roll.
19 (The Secretary called the roll.)
20 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Announce
21 the results.
22 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
23 Calendar 538, voting in the negative are
24 Senators Skoufis and Walczyk.
25 Ayes, 59. Nays, 2.
1766
1 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The bill
2 is passed.
3 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
4 547, Senate Print 6365, by Senator Salazar, an
5 act to amend the Correction Law.
6 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Read the
7 last section.
8 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
9 act shall take effect immediately.
10 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Call the
11 roll.
12 (The Secretary called the roll.)
13 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Announce
14 the results.
15 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
16 Calendar 547, voting in the negative are
17 Senators Borrello, Chan, Oberacker, O'Mara, Stec,
18 Walczyk, Weber and Weik.
19 Ayes, 53. Nays, 8.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The bill
21 is passed.
22 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
23 552, Assembly Bill Number 9234B, by
24 Assemblymember Woerner, an act to amend the
25 Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law.
1767
1 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Read the
2 last section.
3 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
4 act shall take effect immediately.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Call the
6 roll.
7 (The Secretary called the roll.)
8 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Announce
9 the results.
10 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
11 Calendar 552, voting in the negative are
12 Senators Brisport and Martinez.
13 Ayes, 59. Nays, 2.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The bill
15 is passed.
16 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
17 563, Senate Print 1380A, by Senator Serrano, an
18 act to amend the Parks, Recreation and Historic
19 Preservation Law.
20 SENATOR LANZA: Lay it aside.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The bill
22 is laid aside.
23 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
24 564, Senate Print Number 5400, by
25 Senator Scarcella-Spanton, an act to amend the
1768
1 Navigation Law.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Read the
3 last section.
4 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
5 act shall take effect immediately.
6 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Call the
7 roll.
8 (The Secretary called the roll.)
9 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Announce
10 the results.
11 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The bill
13 is passed.
14 Senator Gianaris, that completes the
15 reading of today's calendar.
16 SENATOR GIANARIS: Let's continue
17 on to the controversial calendar, please.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The
19 Secretary will ring the bell.
20 The Secretary will read.
21 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
22 563, Senate Print 1380A, by Senator Serrano, an
23 act to amend the Parks, Recreation and Historic
24 Preservation Law.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Senator
1769
1 Murray, why do you rise?
2 SENATOR MURRAY: Thank you,
3 Madam President.
4 Would the sponsor yield for a few
5 questions?
6 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Senator
7 Serrano, do you yield?
8 SENATOR SERRANO: Sure.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The
10 Senator yields.
11 SENATOR MURRAY: Thank you,
12 Madam President.
13 Senator, first let me be perfectly
14 clear. I do not want children playing on
15 equipment that is covered in pesticides. So
16 let's be clear about that.
17 But I do just have some questions
18 about -- I guess operationally about this. And
19 we've talked before.
20 So the -- under Line 6 on the bill
21 it says "municipalities shall mean a city,
22 county, town or village, or an improvement
23 district within a city, county, town or village,
24 or any combination thereof."
25 First, can you explain what you mean
1770
1 by "any combination thereof"?
2 SENATOR SERRANO: Thank you.
3 Through you, Madam President. The
4 bill here states that it would be the
5 municipality that would be responsible for
6 providing this service and this cleaning. And
7 that could be within the jurisdiction of any of
8 these entities that you just listed here.
9 So to answer your question, it would
10 be the local town or village -- I'm not sure if
11 this is answering your question, but the local
12 town or village or any of those within that
13 jurisdiction.
14 SENATOR MURRAY: Madam President,
15 would the sponsor continue to yield.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Do you
17 continue to yield?
18 SENATOR SERRANO: Yes.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The
20 sponsor yields.
21 SENATOR MURRAY: Thank you.
22 I'm going to lay a scenario out
23 because I think this is the best way to maybe
24 wrap my head around this.
25 So where I live, we have
1771
1 Bellport Village, and about 6 miles to the west
2 is Patchogue Village. In between is the
3 jurisdiction of the Town of Brookhaven. Within
4 that, there's a private community with a
5 playground.
6 So Suffolk County does vector
7 spraying for mosquitos in the spring and summer,
8 particularly in the summer, especially along the
9 South Shore, where these communities are.
10 If Suffolk County were to do some
11 vector spraying on a Friday and go across that
12 area covering Bellport Village, Brookhaven Town
13 and into Patchogue Village, affecting several
14 different playgrounds, who would be responsible
15 for the cleaning, and how would that get done
16 within 24 hours when 24 hours would put it into
17 Saturday?
18 (Pause.)
19 SENATOR SERRANO: Through you,
20 Madam President.
21 Senator, they would -- it would be
22 the responsibility of whoever authorized the
23 spraying or whoever requested the spraying.
24 So if a town or village is
25 requesting that vector spraying as you're
1772
1 mentioning, that individual town or village would
2 be responsible for the cleaning, if indeed it did
3 go beyond the buffer zone, which has not been
4 set.
5 Because as is stated in the bill,
6 this would be contingent upon regulations that
7 are going to be put forth by DEC or DOH, so we
8 haven't gotten to that part yet.
9 SENATOR MURRAY: Madam President,
10 would the sponsor continue to yield.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Does the
12 sponsor yield?
13 SENATOR SERRANO: Yes.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The
15 sponsor yields.
16 SENATOR MURRAY: Thank you.
17 So in that scenario, here's the
18 problem. Neither village or town requested it,
19 the county does it upon themselves. But they do
20 cover those jurisdictions with the spraying.
21 That's where the confusion lies under who would
22 be responsible.
23 SENATOR SERRANO: Through you,
24 Madam President. In this case, Senator, it would
25 be the jurisdiction of the county, and it would
1773
1 be their responsibility.
2 And -- so again, it is whoever is
3 the issuing entity, whoever the entity -- the
4 town, the village, the municipality -- that
5 authorized or requested the spraying, they would
6 be the ones ultimately responsible for the
7 cleanup.
8 And again, it would be only if it
9 was close enough to the equipment that it would
10 require the cleaning, and of course that would
11 have to be set up by the state departments.
12 SENATOR MURRAY: On the bill,
13 Madam President.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Senator
15 Murray on the bill.
16 SENATOR MURRAY: Thank you,
17 Senator Serrano.
18 Actually, you answered my questions
19 and convinced me now. So I literally did -- I
20 was trying to get clarification and understand,
21 and I think I do now.
22 Thank you very much. I appreciate
23 that.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Are there
25 any other Senators wishing to be heard?
1774
1 Seeing and hearing none, debate is
2 closed.
3 Senator Gianaris.
4 SENATOR GIANARIS: Madam President,
5 we've agreed to restore this bill to the
6 noncontroversial calendar.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The bill
8 has been restored to the noncontroversial
9 calendar.
10 Read the last section.
11 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
12 act shall take effect on the 180th day after it
13 shall have become a law.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Call the
15 roll.
16 (The Secretary called the roll.)
17 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: Announce
18 the results.
19 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
20 Calendar 563, voting in the negative:
21 Senator Ortt.
22 Ayes, 60. Nays, 1.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: The bill
24 is passed.
25 Senator Gianaris, that completes the
1775
1 reading of today's calendar.
2 SENATOR GIANARIS: Is there any
3 further business at the desk?
4 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: There is
5 no further business at the desk.
6 SENATOR GIANARIS: I move to
7 adjourn until tomorrow, Wednesday, March 25th --
8 Greek Independence Day! -- at 3:00 p.m.
9 (Laughter.)
10 ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: On motion,
11 the Senate stands adjourned until Wednesday,
12 March 25th, Greek Independence Day, at 3:00 p.m.
13 (Whereupon, at 4:04 p.m., the Senate
14 adjourned.)
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