Gaveled in 3:36 PM · Albany, New York · 2025–26 session
NEW YORK STATE SENATE
THE STENOGRAPHIC RECORD
ALBANY, NEW YORK
March 10, 2025
3:36 p.m.
REGULAR SESSION
SENATOR JEREMY COONEY, Acting President
ALEJANDRA N. PAULINO, ESQ., Secretary
P R O C E E D I N G SACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The Senate will come to order.
I ask everyone to please rise and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
(Whereupon, the assemblage recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.)
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:In the absence of clergy, let us bow our heads in a moment of silent reflection or prayer.
(Whereupon, the assemblage respected a moment of silence.)
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Reading of the Journal.
THE SECRETARY:In Senate, Friday, March 7, 2025, the Senate met pursuant to adjournment. The Journal of Thursday, March 6, 2025, was read and approved. On motion, the Senate adjourned.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Without objection, the Journal stands approved as read.
Presentation of petitions.
Messages from the Assembly.
Messages from the Governor.
Reports of standing committees.
Reports of select committees.
Communications and reports from state officers.
Motions and resolutions.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Good afternoon, Mr. President.
I offer amendments to the following Third Reading Calendar bills:
By Senator Hinchey, Calendar Number 329, Senate Print 3852; and by Senator Martinez, Calendar Number 373, Senate Print 688.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The amendments are received, and the bills will retain their place on the Third Reading Calendar.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Please take up the reading of the calendar.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 102, Senate Print 1438A, by Senator Krueger, an act to amend the Public Health Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the first of April.
SENATOR MURRAY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 102, those Senators voting in the negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello, Chan, Felder, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Mattera, Murray, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber and Weik.
Ayes, 39. Nays, 21.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 118, Senate Print 1187, by Senator Addabbo, an act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 118, voting in the negative are Senators Brisport, Lanza and Ortt.
Ayes, 57. Nays, 3.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 120, Senate Print 1704, by Senator Harckham, an act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 60.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 129, Senate Print 1619, by Senator Rivera, an act to amend the Education Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 129, voting in the negative: Senator Walczyk.
Ayes, 59. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 202, Senate Print 123, by Senator Cleare, an act to amend the General Business Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the 90th day after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 202, voting in the negative are Senators Gallivan and Weik.
Ayes, 58. Nay, 2.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 249, Senate Print 2447, by Senator Mayer, an act to amend the Executive Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 249, those Senators voting in the negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello, Griffo, Helming, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Stec, Walczyk and Weik.
Ayes, 50. Nays, 10.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 257, Senate Print 1048, by Senator Salazar, an act to amend the Correction Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Senator Salazar to explain her vote.
SENATOR SALAZAR:Thank you, Mr. President.
This bill addresses a crucial gap in our state's occupational licensing process by enhancing transparency and fairness for individuals who have records of involvement in the criminal legal system, removing some of the barriers they face as they seek to rebuild their life and contribute to our state's economy.
Under the current system, individuals who have had encounters with the criminal justice system often face an unnecessary obstacle when applying for professional licenses. Many New Yorkers frequently experience uncertainty about whether their criminal record would automatically disqualify them from obtaining a license to pursue a profession they would otherwise qualify for.
This problem particularly affects marginalized communities and perpetuates systemic inequality in our state's professional workforce.
The PLAN Act, this bill, offers a practical solution to this problem. It establishes a preliminary process for applicants to determine in advance whether their criminal history would disqualify them from obtaining a particular professional license in New York. This includes details on which criminal offenses may impact eligibility and ones that cannot be considered, making the process clearer for all applicants.
Furthermore, they would have the ability to submit a preliminary application through a low-cost procedure that certainty before the applicant commits to a longer, more arduous process of obtaining a license.
By providing a clear and accessible pathway to assess eligibility, we would empower individuals to make informed decisions about their professional futures, while also ensuring that public agencies handle these applications with fairness and with accountability.
This promotes a fairer, more just system that values hard-earned second chances. It is a step toward breaking the cycle of poverty and incarceration by providing meaningful opportunities for people to move forward confidently and with dignity.
Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Senator Salazar to be recorded in the affirmative.
Senator Martins to explain his vote.
SENATOR MARTINS:Thank you, Mr. President.
I will be voting no on this bill. You know, just one more attempt, Mr. President, that prioritizes criminals over law-abiding citizens.
I don't want to see and my constituents don't want to see somebody with a record or a criminal record of alcohol abuses or driving while impaired or a criminal felony record applying for a liquor license. I don't want to see a criminal who was convicted of some sexual offense applying for a license to run a daycare center.
And we should be careful where we draw the line. Time and again, we prioritize the rights of criminals, those who have encountered the criminal justice system and have been convicted, over those of law-abiding citizens. And we should question ourselves as to where we draw that line.
For me, it's simple. I draw the line in favor of those law-abiding citizens who have expected that our laws would be complied with. That is, not worked around, not give them the benefit of the doubt. But there are specific licenses and requirements for licensing in our state that have existed for decades. And they make sense. And they make sense to us, and they make sense to our constituents.
The idea that we're going to vote to prioritize doing away with those, or lessening those, is something I won't be part of.
I'll be voting no.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Senator Martins to be recorded in the negative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 257, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Martins, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber and Weik.
Ayes, 42. Nays, 18.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 285, Senate Print 2040, by Senator Gianaris, an act to amend the Banking Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the 180th day after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 285, those Senators voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Martins, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Stec, Tedisco and Walczyk.
Ayes, 47. Nays, 13.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 292, Senate Print 923, by Senator Skoufis, an act to amend the Election Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 292, those Senators voting in the negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Martins, Mattera, Murray, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber and Weik.
Ayes, 39. Nays, 21.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 297, Senate Print 934, by Senator Gonzalez, an act to amend the General Business Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the 90th day after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar Number 297, voting in the negative: Senator Walczyk.
Ayes, 59. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 343, Senate Print 916, by Senator Sean Ryan, an act to amend the Judiciary Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 343, voting in the negative: Senator Walczyk.
Ayes, 59. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 345, Senate Print 1142, by Senator Gounardes, an act to amend the Civil Practice Law and Rules.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the 60th day after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 345, those Senators voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Helming, Lanza, Martins, O'Mara, Ortt, Rhoads, Walczyk and Weik.
Ayes, 51. Nays, 9.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 346, Senate Print 2422, by Senator Hoylman-Sigal, an act to repeal Section 470 of the Judiciary Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 346, voting in the negative: Senator Skoufis.
Ayes, 59. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The bill is passed.
There is a substitution at the desk.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Senator Mayer moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 5285 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 4587, Third Reading Calendar 447.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The substitution is so ordered.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 447, Assembly Bill Number 5285, by Assemblymember Reyes, an act to amend the Education Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 4. This act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as a chapter of the Laws of 2025.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 447, those Senators voting in the negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello, Chan, Felder, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Mattera, Murray, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber and Weik.
Ayes, 39. Nays, 21.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The bill is passed.
Senator Gianaris, that completes the reading of today's calendar.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Is there any further business at the desk?
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:There is no further business at the desk.
SENATOR GIANARIS:I move to adjourn until tomorrow, Tuesday, March 11th, at 3:00 p.m.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:On motion, the Senate stands adjourned until Tuesday, March 11th, at 3:00 p.m.
(Whereupon, at 3:51 p.m., the Senate adjourned.)
Highest impact first.
Train Abortion Care Providers
Early Criminal History Check
Extend Discrimination Lawsuit Deadline
Ban Toxic Playground Materials
Let Pharmacists Give Health Tests
Make Bias Claims Easier
Cut Tank Emissions
Ban Infant Walkers Statewide