Tuesday, April 29, 2025

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:There will be an immediate meeting of the Rules Committee in Room 332.

SENATOR GIANARIS:The Senate stands at ease.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The Senate stands at ease.

(Whereupon, the Senate stood at ease at 11:34 a.m.)

(Whereupon, the Senate reconvened at 11:39 a.m.)

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The Senate will return to order.

Senator Gianaris.

SENATOR GIANARIS:There's a report of the Rules Committee at the desk, Mr. President. Please take that up.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The Secretary will read.

THE SECRETARY:Senator Stewart-Cousins, from the Committee on Rules, reports the following bills:

Senate Print 7672, by Senator Martinez, an act to amend the General Municipal Law;

Senate Print 7673, by Senator Krueger, an act making appropriations for the support of government.

Both bills reported direct to third reading.

SENATOR GIANARIS:Move to accept the report of the Rules Committee.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:All those in favor of accepting the report of the Rules Committee please signify by saying aye.

(Response of "Aye.")

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Opposed, nay.

(No response.)

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The report of the Rules Committee is accepted.

Senator Gianaris.

SENATOR GIANARIS:Please take up the supplemental calendar.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The Secretary will read.

THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 713, Senate Print 7673, by Senator Krueger, an act making appropriations for the support of government.

SENATOR GIANARIS:Is there a message of necessity and appropriation at the desk?

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:There is a message of necessity and appropriation at the desk.

SENATOR GIANARIS:Move to accept the message.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:All those in favor of accepting the message please signify by saying aye.

(Response of "Aye.")

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Opposed, nay.

(Response of "Nay.")

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The message is accepted. The bill is before the house.

SENATOR LANZA:Lay it aside.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The bill will be laid aside.

SENATOR GIANARIS:Let's go to the controversial calendar.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The Secretary will ring the bell.

The Secretary will read.

THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 713, Senate Print 7673, by Senator Krueger, an act making appropriations for the support of government.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Senator O'Mara, why do you rise?

SENATOR O'MARA:Yes, Mr. President. If Senator Krueger would yield for some questions on this extender.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?

SENATOR KRUEGER:Indeed I will.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.

SENATOR O'MARA:Good morning, Senator.

Yesterday evening, clearly with great fanfare, the Governor announced a budget agreement with a budget at $254 billion, $10 billion above the current year or last year's budget. Last year an agreement was announced, and then we heard from Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Speaker Heastie that they didn't know what she was talking about.

Is there an agreement at this point on this budget? And where are we?

SENATOR KRUEGER:There's a conceptual agreement. So I think there's a little more information than at this moment in history last year when, again, the Governor also announced that it was done when some of us were like, well, not quite yet.

So not quite yet, but closer. We are still having three-way discussions on many different details within a financial plan that will add up to the amount that the Governor announced yesterday.

So we do have a general outline of the amount of money coming in and being spent. We are still having discussion about any number of individual policy discussions within the budget. This extender goes through Thursday. I believe we will be back here Thursday morning to pass hopefully one final extender.

And then I do not have a crystal ball, but I would guess we will probably be ready to do the budget bills when we come back on Monday.

SENATOR O'MARA:Thank you, Senator.

Mr. President, if the Senator will continue to yield.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?

SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.

SENATOR O'MARA:So have any of the eight remaining budget bills been finalized in print yet?

SENATOR KRUEGER:No.

SENATOR O'MARA:Through you, Mr. President, if the Senator will continue to yield.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?

SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.

SENATOR O'MARA:Of the really -- I guess the four big policy issues that have held up this budget of discovery -- involuntary commitment, cellphones and masks -- do you have any specificity of language on what the actual agreement is on any of those?

SENATOR KRUEGER:Through you, Mr. President. I wish I had actually written language to offer on all of those.

All I think I can say is that there does -- there seems to be three-way agreement on the language of all of those even if people are maybe still working on the exact sentence structure.

SENATOR O'MARA:Through you, Mr. President, if the Senator will continue to yield.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?

SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.

SENATOR O'MARA:So -- and I guess until those actual details get written down on paper in bill text to share, those -- the details can change, because there's a lot in the semantics of these languages -- the language of these proposals that can really change the whole thrust of these policy issues.

SENATOR KRUEGER:I agree, which is why I would prefer that we didn't operate in a scenario where there's a press conference saying there's a deal when there is only the conceptual framework of a deal.

I personally also always prefer to see things in writing. I always am telling people when they make propositions to me, when they suggest things to me, I'm like, Could you put it in writing and let me review? I'm just a legislator. I know how to read legislation. I don't necessarily know how to interpret what you're saying as being exactly what I'm hearing.

So yes, I would prefer that everything was in writing. I try to work that way in my personal life. But right now we do not have final language for budget bills, which is why we are not bringing budget bills to the floor or even into the legislative computer system.

SENATOR O'MARA:Thank you.

Mr. President, if the Senator will continue to yield.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?

SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.

SENATOR O'MARA:Senator, one of our, you know, overriding concerns with the lateness of this budget has been school budgets and the need to have those finalized and passed. And I think we're past that point of return.

But at this point, with this conceptual agreement, is there an agreement on overall education spending for our school districts? And are there school runs available?

SENATOR KRUEGER:Through you, Mr. President. There are not school runs available. Based on our conversations and discussions, we in the Legislature have been successful in increasing the amount of education aid compared to what the Governor proposed in her Executive Budget.

SENATOR O'MARA:Through you, Mr. President, if the Senator will continue to yield.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?

SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.

SENATOR O'MARA:I'm sorry, I didn't quite hear you. Did you say that you've been successful in increasing what the Governor -- because what I saw the Governor present yesterday I thought -- I was told, anyways -- I mean, I saw what she presented. Then I was told it was the same thing that was in her Executive Budget, the overall amount for that.

SENATOR KRUEGER:So I don't know that I saw what she presented yesterday. I couldn't watch her press event; we were in conference discussing the budget.

So did she put a number out?

SENATOR O'MARA:Yeah, it was the same number that was in her Executive Budget, is my understanding.

SENATOR KRUEGER:Okay. So my understanding is that there is an increase over what she put out in her Executive Budget.

But again, we don't have anything in writing right now.

SENATOR O'MARA:Again through you, Mr. President, if the Senator will continue to yield.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?

SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.

SENATOR O'MARA:What is your understanding of how much the Legislature added to her executive proposal for school funding?

SENATOR KRUEGER:I don't think I'm in a position to be able to answer that question right now. Because now you're leading me to believe that perhaps what she is putting out is different than my understanding of what I was told, so I want to make sure.

Okay. I'm told that we were advised there's an additional 140 million for Foundation Aid and related spending on top of what the Governor originally proposed.

SENATOR O'MARA:Okay, thank you.

Mr. President, if the Senator will continue to yield.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?

SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.

SENATOR O'MARA:Thank you for that.

But until we see it in writing -- and any of these bills, frankly -- you know, at this point we're on, what, our eighth or ninth extender here now? Will we be waiting the constitutionally required three-day waiting period to read these bills once they're actually put in print?

So I guess would you expect to have bills in print by Friday or Saturday so that we could then have that waiting period to review them and take them up next week?

SENATOR KRUEGER:That is very much my hope.

SENATOR O'MARA:Thank you.

Mr. President, if the Senator will continue to yield.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?

SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.

SENATOR O'MARA:Well, that's good news, I think. I hope your hope is correct, because it would be nice to have the time to actually go through these bills in a serious and comprehensive manner and, just as importantly, to allow the public and a variety of interest groups to review them and have input back to us on those as well.

So do you have any sense, Senator, when we'll see the first budget bills of the remaining eight put into print?

SENATOR KRUEGER:I wish I could tell you. I mean, I do know that there's a continuing pattern throughout every year of the Legislature, which is you are able to get the least controversial ones done earliest and get them out and ready.

And then the continuing negotiations -- because, clearly, negotiations are not done -- on the most controversial end up going into the last budget bills, which you'll attack me for later when we bring them to the floor. Trust me, I know this game. And you'll go, Why is that issue in a revenue bill? And I'll go, Because we always do the revenue bill last. And you'll go, Why? Because that's the way we do it. Even though I agree we shouldn't, and the last topics that finally get resolved go into the last two big bills.

So it is quite possible we could have some bills done fairly quickly, but they won't be the controversial ones with all the things we want to know about, because those will be the later ones.

SENATOR O'MARA:Thank you, Senator.

Mr. President, if the Senator will continue to yield.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?

SENATOR KRUEGER:Absolutely.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.

SENATOR O'MARA:Have there been table targets issued yet for the general joint conference committees to get together on?

SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes, we have table targets that add up to $375 million.

I am not aware that there is a schedule yet of discussions. But I can read you -- I hope I can read this gentleman's handwriting:

Fifteen million for economic development. An additional 80 million for lower education, pre-K through 12, separate from that 140 I already told you about. Fifteen million for -- (off the record) -- 15 million for environment, agriculture, housing. Twenty million for general government/local government. Forty-five million for health. Thirty million for higher ed. One hundred 10 million for human services/labor. Ten million for mental hygiene. Forty-five million for public protection. Five million for transportation.

Totaling 375 million for table targets.

SENATOR O'MARA:Thank you.

Mr. President, if the Senator will continue to yield.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?

SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes, I will.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.

SENATOR O'MARA:So I guess if -- one of those that's certainly always a target of mine is our local roads, CHIPS funding and other programs. But you just mentioned an additional 5 million towards that. That $5 million, just for everybody at home watching, is still a lot of money, but in a $254 billion budget it seems to be a little -- a very low priority.

SENATOR KRUEGER:With respect, I should have said this earlier. The table target monies are operating funds. CHIPS would be a capital program.

So none of these items would include CHIPS or other capital expenses. Capital is being negotiated separately, still not complete. And I think both sides of this room have supported increases in CHIPS capital money.

SENATOR O'MARA:Good to hear.

Thank you, Mr. President. That's all I have.

Thank you, Senator.

SENATOR KRUEGER:Thank you. Thank you.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Are there any other Senators wishing to be heard?

Hearing and seeing none, debate is now closed. The Secretary will ring the bell.

Read the last section.

THE SECRETARY:Section 13. 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 713, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Lanza, Ortt and Weik.

Ayes, 57. Nays, 4.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The bill is passed.

Senator Gianaris, that completes the reading of the controversial calendar.

SENATOR GIANARIS:Thank you, Mr. President.

Let me take a moment to recognize a former colleague who is in the chamber with us. From the Flower City of Rochester, Senator Rick Dollinger is with us today.

Let's welcome him.

(Applause.)

SENATOR GIANARIS:I believe that's your district that he's --

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Many good things come out of the 56th Senate District.

(Laughter.)

SENATOR GIANARIS:Now recognize Senator Weber for an introduction, please.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Senator Weber for an introduction.

SENATOR WEBER:Thank you, Mr. President.

Today is a very great day in Albany. We have the Rockland Business Association, or the RBA. They're a nonprofit organization that has been serving the business community of Rockland County in New York since 1967.

With a mission to educate, inform and provide beneficial services to members and actively represent, promote and support the business community of Rockland County, the RBA has played a pivotal role in the growth and success of countless businesses in the region.

The RBA started with a group of 40 local business leaders in 1967, and today they are 500 businesses strong, ranging from small businesses to large corporations. The RBA offers resources and support ranging from financing to business development training to helping local new businesses grow.

The RBA also works with local, state and federal officials to help navigate policies and regulations that can be cumbersome, obviously, to new businesses.

The RBA is not solely committed to local businesses. They're heavily involved with local charities and organizations, including animal shelters, YMCAs, the Salvation Army stores, and many more. In the month of May alone, the RBA has 11 scheduled events over five different towns and cities.

Again, I would not be talking about the RBA today if it were not for Al Samuels. I know Al Samuels is someone who is known statewide for his advocacy for businesses and small businesses. For over 40 years he sat as the president and CEO of the RBA.

So, Mr. President, please welcome our guests to the Senate here today, and please extend them all the courtesies.

Thank you.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Thank you, Senator.

To our guests, I welcome you on behalf of the Senate. We extend to you the privileges and courtesies of this house.

Please rise and be recognized.

(Standing ovation.)

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Senator Gianaris.

SENATOR GIANARIS:Mr. President, I move to adopt the Resolution Calendar, with the exception of Resolutions 827 and 835.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:All those in favor of adopting the Resolution Calendar, with the exception of Resolutions 827 and 835, please signify by saying aye.

(Response of "Aye.")

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Opposed, nay.

(No response.)

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The Resolution Calendar is adopted.

Senator Gianaris.

SENATOR GIANARIS:Now let's take up previously adopted Resolution 28, by Senator Sepúlveda, read its title, and recognize Senator Sepúlveda.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The Secretary will read.

THE SECRETARY:Resolution 28, by Senator Sepúlveda, memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2025 as Workplace Violence Prevention Month in the State of New York.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Senator Sepúlveda on the resolution.

SENATOR SEPÚLVEDA: Thank you, Mr. President, for allowing me to speak on this resolution.

Today I would like to recognize Dr. Kurien Mathews from the New York American College of Emergency Physicians, as well as Marilyn Dollinger, Louis Calderon, and Diana Rodriguez from the American Nurses Association of New York, who are here today to highlight the importance of proclaiming April as Workplace Violence Prevention Month in the State of New York.

Every day we see news reports highlighting the growing instances of violence in our emergency departments. This is not just a series of isolated events. It is a harsh reality that these departments face regularly.

It is troubling that the dedicated staff are subjected to being slapped, kicked, pummeled, punched, or had their lives threatened. This should not be the norm.

According to surveys by the American College of Emergency Physicians and the Emergency Nurses Association, almost half of the emergency physicians report being physically assaulted at work, and about 70 percent of emergency room nurses report being hit and kicked while on the job.

These instances of violence are unacceptable and continue to contribute to the ongoing crisis in New York hospitals. The issue not only hardens those who work in our emergency departments; it threatens every patient who walks in the door. It threatens our doctors, our nurses, and our support staff, each one of whom deserves better. Everyone is entitled to a safe workplace environment.

Proclaiming April as Workplace Violence Prevention Month in the State of New York is only the first step to recognizing this issue and working to make the emergency room departments safer for our patients and staff, those who care for them on a daily basis.

Let's create a future where our healthcare heroes work in peace and safety and every patient receives care in a secure environment.

Thank you.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Thank you, Senator Sepúlveda.

Senator Sepúlveda, do you have guests here with us today?

SENATOR SEPÚLVEDA: I'd like to recognize as our guests Dr. Kurien Mathews, Marilyn Dollinger, Louis Calderon, and Diana Rodriguez.

Thank you, Mr. President.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Thank you, Senator.

To our guests, I welcome you on behalf of the Senate. We extend to you the privileges and courtesies of this house.

Please rise and be recognized.

(Standing ovation.)

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The resolution was adopted on January 14th.

Senator Gianaris.

SENATOR GIANARIS:Mr. President, please take up Resolution 827, by Senator Comrie, read that resolution's title, and recognize Senator Comrie.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The Secretary will read.

THE SECRETARY:Resolution 827, by Senator Comrie, congratulating Yvonne Reddick upon the occasion of her retirement as District Manager after more than 40 years of distinguished service to Community Board 12.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Senator Comrie on the resolution.

SENATOR COMRIE:Thank you, Mr. President, for allowing me to present this resolution today.

Ms. Reddick could not be here today, but I wanted to read it into the record because she has been serving as district manager -- working in Community Board 12 since 1981, and district manager since 1989.

She's the first female to hold the position. Queens Community Board 12 is the largest community board -- second-largest community board in New York City.

Ms. Reddick has had a vital role in the development of Jamaica and indeed the communities of Jamaica. As a role model and as a person that was continually fighting to maintain her community's confidence through so much change, it reflects her commitment to protecting and uplifting her constituents and her capacity to see straight to the heart of people's issues.

Ms. Reddick was a fierce advocate to fight to make sure that South Jamaica and Downtown Jamaica especially was able to get change. She fought for everything from the removal of the J line -- those of you that may know, the J line used to be an overhead train in Downtown Jamaica -- fought for the installation of the new Parsons Boulevard and Archer Avenue stations, worked to make sure that the Long Island Rail Road created the AirTrain, and worked also to make sure that York College had the opportunity to develop as well.

There's not been one part of Southeast Queens that hasn't been impacted by the advocacy, by the knowledge and resources provided by Yvonne Reddick.

I'm honored today we are able to give her a proper personal proclamation today, which we'll deliver to her at her home at another time. But I just wanted to share with you that she has been given so many opportunities to pass on her knowledge.

The main thing with Yvonne Reddick is that she liked to share. She liked to role model. She liked to give people an understanding of the intricacies of government. She would be there at every major meeting in the community, fighting with the administration to ensure that the things that Community Board 12 needed, the resources, were given equally and adequately.

She never failed to reach out to all of the elected officials to let them know her commitment, her desire to see resources given to Downtown Jamaica and Jamaica and the area in a major way.

Back when we were suffering with major flooding, she was one of the leaders pushing my predecessor in the City Council to make sure that there was major funding done to do flooding relief in the area, and also to help those homeowners that got flooded from groundwater that wound up in the basement in their homes.

Yvonne Reddick has never failed to take on issues to fight to improve her community, to fight to share the resources with other community board managers and other people, to ensure that people could understand the intricacies of government, the policies, how New York City was able to move their budget. She is truly a role model and someone that I've been able to count on as a mentor, as a confidant, and as a friend. But, most importantly, as a patron and a person that this city has depended on for over 40 years, working on behalf of our community.

So I just wanted to take this opportunity. Thank you, Mr. President, for allowing me to talk a little bit about someone that has been truly dedicated to the life of New York State, improving it for all of its residents.

And I want to thank Yvonne Reddick for her service.

Thank you, Mr. President.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Thank you, Senator Comrie.

The question is on the resolution. All in favor signify by saying aye.

(Response of "Aye.")

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Opposed, nay.

(No response.)

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The resolution is adopted.

Senator Gianaris.

SENATOR GIANARIS:At the request of the sponsors, today's resolutions are open for cosponsorship.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The resolutions are open for cosponsorship. Should you choose not to be a cosponsor, please notify the desk.

Senator Gianaris.

SENATOR GIANARIS:Let's take up the calendar, Mr. President.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The Secretary will read.

THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 287, Senate Print 1540, by Senator Jackson, an act to amend the Civil Service 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, 61.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The bill is passed.

THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 344, Senate Print 952B, by Senator Kavanagh, an act to amend the General Obligations Law.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Read the last section.

THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the 30th 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 344, those Senators voting in the negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Martins, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Rolison, Skoufis, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber and Weik. Also Senators Murray and Chan.

Ayes, 38. Nays, 23.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The bill is passed.

There is a substitution at the desk.

The Secretary will read.

THE SECRETARY:Senator Fernandez moves to discharge, from the Committee on Crime Victims, Crime and Correction, Assembly Bill Number 4159A and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 1806A, Third Reading Calendar 380.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The substitution is so ordered.

The Secretary will read.

THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 380, Assembly Bill 4159A, by Assemblymember Jackson, an act to amend the Correction Law.

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:Senator Fernandez to explain her vote.

SENATOR FERNANDEZ:Thank you so much.

When someone is working to rebuild their life, hope can be the difference between a second chance and a lost opportunity. Peer advocates bring that hope. They offer trust, lived experience, and a hand to hold for those still behind bars.

But too often they are turned away because of their past. Whether you have hired anyone or even applied to a job, I think we can all agree that a candidate's past experience should weigh heavily on their ability to do the job. That is true for virtually every job out there -- except this one.

In fact, peer advocates are rejected for the very experience required for their role. I believe that when legislators have the rare opportunity to fix glaring holes in the system, they must take swift action. If we do not act, people will suffer. That is what this bill does, and that is what we are here to fight for.

The bill corrects this injustice. It ensures that certified or licensed peer advocates cannot be barred from providing support in correctional facilities simply because they were incarcerated themselves. We know that peer support strengthens recovery, it reduces recidivism, and prepares people to reenter our communities with dignity and purpose.

Their service reminds us that no one is defined by the worst chapter of their life. By passing this bill we stand for redemption, for recovery, and for the belief that change is always possible.

I urge my colleagues to please support this legislation. Thank you.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Senator Fernandez to be recorded in the affirmative.

Announce the results.

THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 380, those Senators voting in the negative are Senators Chan, Helming, Ortt, Stec, Walczyk and Weik.

Ayes, 55. Nays, 6.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The bill is passed.

THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 502, Senate Print 2295, by Senator Bailey, an act to amend the Executive Law.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Read the last section.

THE SECRETARY:Section 5. 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:Ayes, 61.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The bill is passed.

THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 568, Senate Print 2484, by Senator Parker, an act in relation to directing the State Energy Planning Board to conduct a study on the time frames for replacing or upgrading battery energy storage systems.

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 568, voting in the negative are Senators Griffo, Martins, Ortt and Walczyk.

Ayes, 57. Nays, 4.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The bill is passed.

THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 597, Senate Print 6244, by Senator Skoufis, an act to amend the Executive 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:Senator Skoufis to explain his vote.

SENATOR SKOUFIS:Thank you very much, Mr. President, for allowing me to explain my vote.

I want to express my gratitude to colleagues for supporting this bill for I believe the third session in a row now. This is the "Lieutenant Joseph Banish Mental Health Act."

And as we all know, our police officers throughout the state have at times incredibly dangerous jobs and missions that they report to every day. And some days there is trauma associated with those tasks that they undertake.

And as most first responders could attest, there is a brotherhood and a sisterhood that develops in this profession whereby one is comfortable after these traumatic events -- one is more comfortable speaking with their peer in the profession than going out and seeking professional mental health support for some individuals.

And so what this bill does is it establishes a peer-to-peer support program within the profession and, importantly, provides for the same confidentiality of those conversations that's offered if and when that individual would otherwise go and seek a professional psychiatrist or psychologist or other mental health professional.

And so the hope is, the desire here is that we can save lives, save individuals from taking their own life and inflicting harm on themselves and certainly make sure that they get the mental health support that they need by ensuring that the conversations that they can have with these certified peer-to-peer support specialists remain confidential and offers them that space to have those discussions.

Thank you very much, Mr. President.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Senator Skoufis to be recorded in the affirmative.

Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick to explain her vote.

SENATOR CANZONERI-FITZPATRICK:Thank you, Mr. President.

I want to thank the sponsor for bringing this legislation to the floor. As of earlier this month, six police officers in New York State have committed suicide, three of whom were from Long Island. According to Blue Health, New York State leads the nation in suicides by first responders. That's not a statistic I want us to have.

I pray that the number does not continue to grow during this year. We've seen tremendous success with peer support groups for our veterans through the Dwyer Peer Support Group because, as was stated, your peers know better than anybody what you're going through.

It's my hope that we'll see this legislation quickly signed into action, because we don't need to lose any more first responders.

Thank you, Mr. President. I proudly vote aye.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick in the affirmative.

Announce the results.

THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 61.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The bill is passed.

THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 636, Senate Print 5278, by Senator Sepúlveda, an act to amend the Surrogate's Court Procedure Act.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Read the last section.

THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the 30th 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 636, those Senators voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Martinez, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber and Weik. Also Senator Martins.

Ayes, 44. Nays, 17.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The bill is passed.

THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 664, Senate Print 4722, by Senator Fahy, an act to amend the Arts and Cultural Affairs Law.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Read the last section.

THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the 120th 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 664, those Senators voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Martins, Mattera, Murray, Oberacker, O'Mara, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk and Weik.

Ayes, 45. Nays, 16.

Oh, excuse me. Also Senator Rhoads.

Ayes, 44. Nays, 17.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The bill is passed.

There is a substitution at the desk, and the Secretary will read.

THE SECRETARY:Senator Hinchey moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 355C and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 1718C, Third Reading Calendar 682.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Substitution so ordered.

The Secretary will read.

THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 682, Assembly Bill Number 355C, by Assemblymember Barrett, an act to amend the Real Property Tax 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 682, voting in the negative are Senators Ashby, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Lanza, Martins, Mattera, Murray, O'Mara, Ortt, Skoufis, Walczyk and Weik. Also Senator Stec.

Ayes, 49. Nays, 12.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The bill is passed.

There is a substitution at the desk.

The Secretary will read.

THE SECRETARY:Senator S. Ryan moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 6770 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 7285, Third Reading Calendar 683.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Substitution so ordered.

The Secretary will read.

THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 683, Assembly Bill Number 6770, by Assemblymember Griffin, an act to amend the Real Property Tax Law.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Read the last section.

THE SECRETARY:Section 7. This act shall take effect on the 30th 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 683, voting in the negative are Senators Walczyk and Weik.

Ayes, 59. Nays, 2.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The bill is passed.

Senator Gianaris, that completes the reading of today's calendar.

SENATOR GIANARIS:Before we adjourn, Mr. President, let me remind my colleagues there will be an immediate meeting of the Cities 1 Committee in Room 124, and also a Majority conference in the Majority Conference Room.

With that, is there any further business at the desk?

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:So there will be an immediate meeting of the Cities 1 Committee in Room 124.

And there is no further business at the desk.

SENATOR GIANARIS:In that case, I move to adjourn until tomorrow, Wednesday, April 30th, at 11:00 a.m.

ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:On motion, the Senate stands adjourned until Wednesday, April 30th, at 11:00 a.m.

(Whereupon, at 12:18 p.m., the Senate adjourned.)