Gaveled in 1:38 PM · Albany, New York · 2025–26 session
NEW YORK STATE SENATE
THE STENOGRAPHIC RECORD
ALBANY, NEW YORK
June 12, 2025
1:38 p.m.
REGULAR SESSION
SENATOR ROXANNE J. PERSAUD, Acting President
ALEJANDRA N. PAULINO, ESQ., Secretary
P R O C E E D I N G SACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Hello.
The Senate will come to order.
I ask everyone present to please rise and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
(Whereupon, the assemblage recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: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 PERSAUD:Reading of the Journal.
THE SECRETARY:In Senate, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, the Senate met pursuant to adjournment. The Journal of Tuesday, June 10, 2025, was read and approved. On motion, the Senate adjourned.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Without objection, the Journal stands approved as read.
Presentation of petitions.
Messages from the Assembly.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Senator Skoufis moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 6277A and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 567A, Third Reading Calendar 242.
Senator Addabbo moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 5921A and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 2618A, Third Reading Calendar 333.
Senator Bailey moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 2643A and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 5275A, Third Reading Calendar 459.
Senator Rivera moves to discharge, from the Committee on Health, Assembly Bill Number 2027 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 3361, Third Reading Calendar 493.
Senator Skoufis moves to discharge, from the Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs, Assembly Bill Number 291A and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 243A, Third Reading Calendar 737.
Senator Martinez moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 8485 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 274B, Third Reading Calendar 738.
Senator Stavisky moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 7613B and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 6891B, Third Reading Calendar 906.
Senator Bailey moves to discharge, from the Committee on Insurance, Assembly Bill Number 5367A and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 6895A, Third Reading Calendar 925.
Senator Fahy moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 6943B and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 4879B, Third Reading Calendar 944.
Senator Sanders moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 8067A and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 7752A, Third Reading Calendar 1173.
Senator Hoylman-Sigal moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 26 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 5534, Third Reading Calendar 1264.
Senator Rivera moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 2520 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 1616, Third Reading Calendar 1345.
Senator Scarcella-Spanton moves to discharge, from the Committee on Labor, Assembly Bill Number 2730A and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 4881A, Third Reading Calendar 1514.
Senator May moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 584C and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 4070B, Third Reading Calendar 1618.
Senator Weber moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 5364 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 5233, Third Reading Calendar 1627.
Senator Tedisco moves to discharge, from the Committee on Investigations and Government Operations, Assembly Bill Number 7634 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 6998, Third Reading Calendar 1640.
Senator Hinchey moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 8784 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 8345, Third Reading Calendar 1664.
Senator Brouk moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 4762B and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 8210A, Third Reading Calendar 1858.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:So ordered.
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, Madam President.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Good afternoon.
SENATOR GIANARIS:There's a report of the Finance Committee at the desk. Let's begin by taking that up, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Senator Krueger, from the Committee on Finance, reports the following nominations:
As commissioners of the State Board of Parole: Darlene Grant Bruce, Jose A. Gomerez, Elizabeth Kase, Daniel J. O'Donnell.
As a member of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey: Marie Therese Dominguez.
As members of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority: Melva Miller and James O'Donnell.
As nonvoting members of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority: Andrew Albert, Gerard Bringmann, and Randolph Glucksman.
As members of the New York State Bridge Authority: Freddimir Garcia and Roger Higgins.
As a member of the Central New York Regional Transportation Authority: Heather Snow.
As a member of the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority: Wesley Hicks, Jr.
As members of the Port of Oswego Authority: Jennifer La Pietra and James Metcalf.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Move to accept the report of the Finance Committee, and then ask that you recognize Senator Krueger to speak first on the nominations for the commissioners of the Board of Parole.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:All those in favor of accepting the report of the Finance Committee please signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Opposed, nay.
(Response of "Nay.")
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The report of the Finance Committee is accepted.
Senator Krueger on the Board of Parole nominations.
SENATOR KRUEGER:Thank you very much, Madam President.
So today we are adding four representatives to be commissioners on our State Board of Parole.
And for people who might have listened to I think two hours of back-and-forth questioning of each of the four candidates, I think people may have a better understanding of the roles and responsibilities of these people in their jobs -- which are extremely demanding, which often find them putting themselves in difficult situations where they know that sometimes they will be making decisions that not everyone agrees with, that they don't have crystal balls, they can only work off the information before them and the law and the belief that this is a fair process that will ensure people who have done their time or should be let out of prison because they are not going to be a danger to the public is the right decision.
Other people may wish to speak after me. I will just highlight that two of the four are people I know quite well. In one case, Daniel O'Donnell I've known for 30 years, maybe -- maybe 30 years in various capacities. And Elizabeth Kase, who I have known her and her family now for quite a while as well.
And so I can speak strongly on their behalf as both not only well, well prepared to take on these jobs, and competent and responsible, but good people that are the kinds of people we want to see on our Parole Board.
I actually think that I can say that all four are good people, responsible professionals who bring their own skill sets and history to this job. And it's a hard job. Who wakes up in the morning and says, I want to be a parole commissioner? Well, these four people did. So thank you very much for waking up in the morning and being willing to do this work.
So I hope that my colleagues will join me in a yes vote on them.
Thank you, Madam President.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Thank you, Senator.
The question is on the nominations to the Board of Parole.
Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to the nominations, those Senators voting in the negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Helming, Lanza, Martins, Mattera, Oberacker, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk and Weik.
Ayes, 37. Nays, 18.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The nominees as commissioners of the State Board of Parole are confirmed.
Congratulations.
(Standing ovation.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:And now recognize Senator Krueger again on the remaining nominations, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Krueger on the nominations.
SENATOR KRUEGER:Thank you, Madam President.
So some of us know that we received nominations from the Governor's office for a very long list of people being confirmed or reconfirmed to various positions. Basically, these are non-paid positions. Some of them we've known, some of them we've interviewed in various capacities -- perhaps not for the capacity that they're being confirmed for today.
But after the review of multiple committees -- because it depends on which agency they're going to be confirmed to. We have multiple committees. In the case of the remainder of today's confirmations, we have overlapped between the Finance Committee, the Committee on Corporations and Authorities, the Committee on Transportation.
All three committees took votes separately, and all of the people before us today have been confirmed through the three committees to serve on these various, frankly very important, authorities and commissions for the State of New York: The MTA, Metropolitan Transportation Authority; the New York State Bridge Authority; the Central New York Regional Transportation Authority; the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority; and the Port of Oswego Authority.
So with that, Madam President, I do hope my colleagues will join me in voting yes on these nominees.
Thank you very much.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The question is on the nominations. All in favor signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Opposed, nay -- sorry, call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to the nominations, those Senators voting in the negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Lanza, Mattera, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber and Weik.
Ayes, 39. Nays, 16.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The nominees are confirmed.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Madam President, please recognize Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick for an introduction.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick for an introduction.
SENATOR CANZONERI-FITZPATRICK:Thank you, Madam President.
On a busy day like today it's so nice to recognize a young woman from my district who's here.
Brooke Boccio, from Girl Scout Troop 2570 in Lynbrook, has been named the VFW New York Scout of the Year, a top honor recognizing a scout for leadership and community service. Brooke has earned the prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest achievement in Girl Scouting, and her impactful work is raising awareness about equine assisted therapy, especially its use in helping veterans and first responders.
Her Gold Award involved over 80 hours of hands-on service, and she was one of only 11 Girl Scouts from Nassau County chosen to represent the region at the National Girl Scout Convention in Orlando, demonstrating her leadership on a national stage.
Brooke's project focused on educating the public about equine assisted therapy and a lesser known yet highly effective treatment for mental and physical health especially beneficial to veterans and first responders. Her work exemplifies the values of service, compassion and innovation.
She has recently graduated from Kellenberg Memorial High School and will continue her studies on equine science and management at the University of Kentucky.
I'm so proud to know you, Brooke, and your family, Rob and Danielle. Thank you for being here at the Capitol. And I'm so proud to represent you.
Thank you, Madam President.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Thank you.
Brooke, congratulations, and we welcome you. Continue doing great things. We 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 PERSAUD:Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:I move to adopt the Resolution Calendar -- no? No, we're not -- never mind, then. Okay.
We're going to simultaneously take up the calendar and have an immediate meeting of the Rules Committee. So please call a meeting of the Rules Committee in Room 332 and take up the calendar.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:There will be an immediate meeting of the Rules Committee in Room 332.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 203, Senate Print 363A, by Senator Gianaris, an act to amend the General Business Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 4. This act shall take effect on the first of January.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
(Pause.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 203, voting in the negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Helming, Martins, Mattera, Ortt, Palumbo, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk and Weik. Senator Rolison in the negative as well.
Ayes, 41. Nays, 14.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 225, Senate Print 620A, by Senator Stavisky, an act to amend the Education Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 55.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 242, Assembly Print Number 6277A, by Assemblymember Lupardo, an act to amend the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 55.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 255, Senate Print 319, by Senator Salazar, an act to amend the Correction Law.
SENATOR PALUMBO:Lay it aside.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Lay it aside.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 258, Senate Print 1050, by Senator Salazar, an act to amend the Correction Law.
SENATOR PALUMBO:Lay it aside.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Lay it aside.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 297, Senate Print 934A, by Senator Gonzalez, an act to amend the General Business Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: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 PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 297, voting in the negative: Senator Walczyk.
Ayes, 54. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 305, Senate Print 3335A, by Senator Cooney, an act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 4. This act shall take effect January 1, 2028.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 55.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 333, Assembly Bill Number 5921A, by Assemblymember Woerner, an act to amend the Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 55.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 350, Senate Print 3799C, by Senator Comrie, an act to amend the Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 350, voting in the negative are Senators Chan, Walczyk and Weik.
Ayes, 52. Nays, 3.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 356, Senate Print 3393A, by Senator Gounardes, an act to amend the Education Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: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 PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 356, voting in the negative are Senators Martins and Walczyk.
Ayes, 54. Nays, 2.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 442, Senate Print 372A, by Senator Gianaris, an act to amend the Labor Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 442, voting in the negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Martins, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber and Weik.
Ayes, 44. Nays, 15.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 445, Senate Print 2236A, by Senator Gounardes, an act to amend the Labor Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 5. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 459, Assembly Bill Number 2643A, by Assemblymember Solages, an act to amend the Education Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as Chapter 733 of the Laws of 2023.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Bailey to explain his vote.
SENATOR BAILEY:Thank you, Madam President.
We often wax poetic about the importance of sports and athletes, but we have to -- we cannot forget about the trainers, those individuals who prepare them.
And right now, as it stands, you know, we're going to be making trainers licensed in the State of New York. And I want to thank Senator Stavisky for helping me do that a couple of years ago. But right now, as it would be expiring in December, if we don't do this bill, which I'm glad that we're doing now, authorization would expire for out-of-state trainers to be able to properly do the work that they do for away games.
For professional sports teams, we have the World Cup coming, we have a whole number of things coming. And this is going to allow the trainers to do the work that they need to do.
This was supported by all local professional sports teams, including the ones I don't like, but I will mention the ones that I do like, like the New York Knicks. And I just want to make sure -- Madam President, the New York Knicks training staff was nominated to be the Training Staff of the Year, and so we want to make sure that the Training Staff of the Year is able to continue to do the good work that they're doing, and all the other training staffs for the lesser-important teams that we don't like as much.
Madam President, I proudly vote aye.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Bailey to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 493, Assembly Bill Number 2027, by Assemblymember Paulin, an act to amend the Social Services Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 499, Senate Print 54A, by Senator Fernandez, an act to amend the Penal Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 558, Senate Print 3529, by Senator Cooney, an act to amend the State Finance Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 4. This act shall take effect two years after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 558, voting in the negative: Senator Brisport.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 580, Senate Print 5331A, by Senator Bailey, an act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 4. This act shall take effect December 31, 2028.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 580, voting in the negative: Senator Walczyk.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 600, Senate Print 4576A, by Senator Skoufis, an act to amend the New York State Urban Development Corporation Act.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 600, voting in the negative are Senators Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Martins and Palumbo. Also Senator Borrello.
Ayes, 55. Nays, 4.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 621, Senate Print 2057A, by Senator Webb, an act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 6. This act shall take effect one year after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Webb to explain her vote.
SENATOR WEBB:Thank you, Madam President. I rise to explain my vote.
Dangerous chemicals are in personal care products that we use every day -- soap, lotion, deodorant, makeup and more. Exposure to these toxic chemicals begins in the womb. When chemicals are absorbed by a pregnant mother, they are transferred across the placenta and continue through infancy and into adulthood.
Many personal care and cosmetic products contain harmful chemicals like formaldehyde, phthalates, parabens, lead and PFAS that are linked to serious human health issues and risks.
Madam President, these chemicals are known to cause cancer, hormone disruption, asthma, infertility and developmental disorders. Women, people of color, and low-income communities are disproportionately exposed to toxic ingredients due to targeted marketing and product availability.
By establishing a list of restricted substances with known associated human health risks, this bill addresses a public health equity gap by reducing exposure in communities far too often overlooked in regulatory decisions.
By passing the Beauty Justice Act today, New York State has the opportunity to again be a leader in environmental health and justice by protecting all New Yorkers, especially vulnerable groups that more frequently use and are disproportionately impacted by these toxic chemicals.
These harmful chemicals are not only unnecessary in personal care products and cosmetics, they are also unwanted and there are alternatives that exist.
I want to thank our Senate staff for all their help in bringing this legislation forward, especially Mike Press and my team; also Assemblymember Glick, for her sponsorship in the Assembly; and of course all of our advocates. And I appreciate the input from the industry on this bill as well.
I vote aye, and I encourage my colleagues to do the same.
Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Webb to be recorded in the affirmative.
Senator Krueger to explain her vote.
SENATOR KRUEGER:Thank you, Madam President.
I rise to strongly support Senator Webb's bill, but also to take a moment hopefully for some education of my colleagues who choose to vote no, it seems, on everything relating to the environment and health.
And so I just want to read you some statistics. Up to 93 percent of all human cancers are not hereditary and more likely caused by interaction with environmental factors. The rate of cancer is going up, and it's environmentally caused.
And I get that we can't protect ourselves from everything imaginable. But what this bill and a number of other bills that are moving this year does is say, Let's make sure people know these things can be toxic. You can find alternative hair products. I can guarantee you can find alternative hair products that might not cause the baby you're carrying in you to absorb toxic chemicals, you yourself to face a future cancer.
I just sincerely can't understand why people don't vote for these bills. I of course am voting yes.
Thank you, Madam President.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Krueger to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 621, voting in the negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello, Chan, O'Mara, Ortt and Weik.
Ayes, 53. Nays, 6.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 650, Senate Print 1100A, by Senator May, an act to amend the Education Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 4. This act shall take effect on the 30th day after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator May to explain her vote -- sorry.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 650, voting in the negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello, Chan, Martins, O'Mara, Ortt, Rhoads, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber and Weik.
Ayes, 47. Nays, 12.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 656, Senate Print 3581, by Senator Rivera, an act to amend the Public Health Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Rivera to explain his vote.
SENATOR RIVERA:Thank you so much, Madam President.
We are all aware -- certainly scientists tell us for certain -- that any exposure to lead, particularly for children, is incredibly harmful. And so we've made some efforts in the last couple of decades to try to get rid of particularly lead pipes that lead to drinking water or that have drinking water going through them.
Unfortunately, our efforts are still not done. But thanks to this bill, I think that we will get closer to that.
This is the -- identifying lead service lines across New York. This bill would help us to identify -- this would mandate the creation of an inventory of where these lines are. And it's a critical first step in getting lead pipes out of our communities and ensuring safe drinking water.
I mean, as I said earlier, lead can have long-lasting effects, particularly on children, including permanent brain damage or reduced cognitive function. This is something that we have to address. And this bill would lead us to be able to identify where these are, to then hopefully -- considering where the federal government is and how resistant they are to the type of changes that we're trying to make here -- to identify these lines and to get them out of our way. This would go a long way to being able to provide safe drinking water for every single New Yorker.
So I proudly vote in the affirmative. Thank you, Madam President.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Rivera to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar Number 656, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Chan, Griffo, Oberacker, Stec and Walczyk.
Ayes, 53. Nays, 6.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 668, Senate Print 6273A, by Senator Bailey, an act authorizing and directing the Commissioner of Education to conduct a study on the number of children who are caregivers and how being a caregiver impacts their education.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 680, Senate Print Number 4545A, by Senator Hoylman-Sigal, an act to repeal Section 2307 of the Public Health Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 680, voting in the negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Martins, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber and Weik.
Ayes, 38. Nays, 21.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 696, Senate Print 5940, by Senator Skoufis, an act to amend the Executive Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect on the 180th day after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 696, voting in the negative: Senator Chan.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 698, Senate Print 6971, by Senator Kavanagh, an act to amend the Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Lay it aside for the day, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill will be laid aside for the day.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 737, Assembly Bill Number 291A, by Assemblymember Barrett, an act to amend the General Construction Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 738, Assembly Bill Number 8485, by Assemblymember Stern, an act to amend the Veterans' Services Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect on the 90th day after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 752, Senate Print 2032, by Senator Harckham, an act to amend the Public Authorities Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 752, voting in the negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Gallivan, Griffo, Lanza, Martins, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Rhoads, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber and Weik.
Ayes, 42. Nays, 17.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 782, Senate Print 2061, by Senator Cooney, an act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 7. This act shall take effect on the 180th day after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Palumbo to explain his vote.
SENATOR PALUMBO:Thank you, Madam President.
I rise to put this bill into context, because it's a great idea. However, these amendments have made drastic changes to this bill. The fact that this bill originally involved reckless driving, serious physical injury or death, making that a crime and enhancing the penalty, was very good. And I certainly would support that. And the laudable intent here, to further deter reckless drivers, is helpful.
But in fact, this is watering down our Penal Law. Because when you take this practically, reckless driving which causes serious physical injury or death -- it can otherwise be vehicular assault, but when you cause someone's death through reckless driving, that's manslaughter in the second degree, recklessly causing the death of another. So that is currently a Class C felony, C as in Charlie. And this is an A misdemeanor.
So I certainly appreciate the sponsor has done a lot of work in this field. But unfortunately, I'm going to vote no because this is actually providing a lesser included offense for the exact same charge. So instead of someone who's driving recklessly on the road, causing someone else's death, being charged with a Class C felony, here they'll only be charged with an A misdemeanor. It conflicts with current law.
So as a result, I'm going to be voting no. But I do appreciate the sponsor's intent. Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Palumbo to be recorded in the negative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar Number 782, voting in the negative are Senators Ashby, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Mattera, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Stec, Walczyk, Weber and Weik.
Ayes, 43. Nays, 16.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 892, Senate Print Number 5196A, by Senator Hoylman-Sigal, an act to amend the Public Health Law.
SENATOR LANZA:Lay it aside.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Lay it aside.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 906, Assembly Bill Number 7613B, by Assemblymember Peoples-Stokes, an act to amend the Education Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect 12 months after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 906, voting in the negative are Senators Martins and Weber.
Ayes, 57. Nays, 2.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 917, Senate Print 4774A, by Senator C. Ryan, an act to amend the Penal Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: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 PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator C. Ryan to explain his vote.
SENATOR C. RYAN:Thank you, Madam President.
So I rise today in support of this bill which will close a very dangerous and unacceptable gap in our New York law, which will ensure real accountability when reckless drivers take innocent lives.
First and foremost, I'll say thank you to Congressman Mannion, my predecessor who carried this bill who is down in Washington, D.C., and Senator Gianaris, for their versions of this bill dating all the way back to 2013. Here we are, 2025, a long fight, a long haul, but here we are, going to pass this bill.
So I first tell you about a 20-year-old girl named Kyriakoula. Kyriakoula was murdered when a friend was driving recklessly on a suspended driver's license and hit a tree. The driver was not charged with any crime. He paid his license suspension fee and left the state.
Since this horrible tragedy, Kyriakoula's mother Rena has fought ceaselessly to get this law passed. And, you know. Tragically and unfortunately we're going to be coming up on the fifth-year anniversary of her daughter's death. So Rena, I know you're watching from home right now. We appreciate your efforts. And, you know, this bill is for you.
So unfortunately, though, this story is not unique. Across the state, families have been ripped apart by these tragedies. Right now our laws unfortunately do not properly account for the most egregious, intentional forms of deadly driving, acts that don't just demonstrate carelessness but deprive people of human life.
This bill isn't about -- to be very clear, this bill isn't about punishing honest mistakes, it's about stopping people who knowingly and willfully break the law, endanger others, and take lives without consequence.
We're talking about drivers who operate a vehicle with a suspended license, speed through crowded pedestrian zones, run red lights at dangerous intersections -- at full speed, even -- and they know all too well their deadly consequences.
So this isn't intelligence negligence, this is reckless disregard for life, and it deserves a serious charge. I believe that we owe it to Kyriakoula and Rena and every single family in this state who have lost loved ones in this kind of senseless tragedy.
So again, to the cosponsors, to the many, many, many advocacy groups who brought this and who have championed for this -- obviously my previous Senator's friends who carried this bill, and the leader for bringing this to the floor.
So I vote in the aye. Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator C. Ryan to be recorded in the affirmative.
Senator Rhoads to explain his vote.
SENATOR RHOADS:I also want to rise and thank our sponsor for his hard work on this bill, and also to thank one of my constituents, Rena Gasparis, who has tirelessly advocated for passage of this legislation.
And it's incredibly important legislation as well. Punishing those who intentionally drive on a suspended or revoked license is a gap in our law that needed to be closed. And again, I want to thank Senator Ryan.
I do want to thank Senator Gianaris, as the previous sponsor of a version of this legislation, and of course our leader, Andrea Stewart-Cousins, for allowing the matter to come to the floor, and for our colleagues voting in favor.
I, Madam President, vote aye.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Rhoads to be recorded in the affirmative.
Senator Gounardes to explain his vote.
SENATOR GOUNARDES:Thank you, Madam President.
I too rise to commend our sponsor for passing this bill. I've gotten a chance to know the Gasparis family, to hear about Kyriakoula's life, her death. And I know how important this is to bringing a closure to that family. And not just for her, but for the countless other families that have been impacted similarly by the gap in our law.
We know that 75 percent of people who have a suspended license continue to drive anyway. So just the threat of a suspended license is not sufficient enough in order to change illegal or reckless behavior.
And this is a great example for many in the Safe Streets movement, many who have come up here time and time again for a lot of the bills that we pass, through Families for Safe Streets, about turning the pain of their loss, turning the pain of their family's suffering into purpose and into action. And I can think of no greater example of that than the success of this bill on this floor today.
Again, I want to commend Senator Ryan for shepherding this over the finish line, and I vote in the affirmative.
Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Gounardes to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 917, voting in the negative: Senator Brisport.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 918, Senate Print 7202A, by Senator Hinchey, an act to amend the Penal Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect on the 60th day after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 925, Assembly Bill Number 5367A, by Assemblymember Weprin, an act to amend the Insurance Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 936, Senate Print 1349C, by Senator Cleare, an act to amend the Education Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 938, Senate Print Number 3827A, by Senator Hoylman-Sigal, an act to amend the State Technology Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar Number 938, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Fahy, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Martins, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber and Weik.
Ayes, 38. Nays, 21.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 944, Assembly Bill Number 6943B, by Assemblymember Hunter, an act to amend the General Business Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 944, voting in the negative: Senator Walczyk.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 945, Senate Print 5598, by Senator May, an act to amend the General Business Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 4. This act shall take effect on the 60th day after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 945, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Oberacker, Stec and Walczyk.
Ayes, 55. Nays, 4.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1078, Senate Print 7720, by Senator Gallivan, an act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 4. This act shall take effect on the 180th day after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1090, Senate Print 5624, by Senator Kavanagh, an act to amend the Public Health Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1090, voting in the negative: Senator Walczyk.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1129, Senate Print 4500A, by Senator Fahy, an act to amend the General Business Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 7. This act shall take effect January 1, 2026.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Fahy to explain her vote.
SENATOR FAHY:Thank you, Madam President.
I rise today as the proud sponsor of this very critical legislation. This is about New Yorkers who rely on powered wheelchairs.
Across the country, over 3 to almost 5 million people rely on powered wheelchairs, yet timely repairs become more of a luxury, even though they are a lifeline.
When a wheelchair breaks down, there are dire consequences. A 2022 study, a national study said that 62 percent of powered wheelchair users wait four or more weeks for repairs, and 93 percent of respondents at that time said they needed at least one repair in the last year.
Yet in fact even one of my constituents, Shamika Andrews, recently spent two months -- two months in isolation in her home waiting on a wheelchair repair. And her chair itself got stuck at our local mall for a couple of weeks waiting on somebody to even pick it up. As Shamika put it, as she stated, there is no AAA service for wheelchairs.
This bill would allow wheelchair users the ability to repair their own wheelchairs using independent technicians or even themselves or their own creativity, just as we have done for car owners, just as we -- I was proud to sponsor a bill to allow cellphone users to do the same just a couple of years ago.
This will allow independent repair providers to enter this market, and without violating any warranties, and hopefully spur on more competition, lower costs, and definitely reduce wait times. Independence matters. Dignity matters.
And with that, I vote in the affirmative. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Fahy in the affirmative.
Senator Rolison to explain his vote.
SENATOR ROLISON:Thank you, Madam President.
I want to thank Senator Fahy for bringing this important piece of legislation forward.
You know, this chamber has spent an awful lot of great time in making sure that our disability community has the ability to do things, the ability to go places. But if you can't get there because your wheelchair is inoperable, well, then that's something that needs to be addressed.
And you hear about the wait times, and Senator Fahy just mentioned them. I've had constituents in my district call, looking for a place to get a repair. And there aren't a lot in the 39th District. And because there isn't a lot, it takes time. And some of these individuals actually have to have home-site visits by the repair people to even just analyze what's going on with the chair.
So this a great bill. I hope the Governor signs it as soon as possible. Because we do a lot here, and this is important in the overall scheme of things when it comes to what we're trying to do for our communities that need this kind of support.
So thank you, Senator Fahy.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Rolison to be recorded in the affirmative.
Senator Rhoads to explain his vote.
SENATOR RHOADS:Thank you, Madam President.
I rise in proud support of this legislation, and I want to thank Senator Fahy. This is such an important bill.
I've had some personal experience -- my dad had multiple sclerosis and was in a wheelchair, a motorized wheelchair for the last 15 years of his life. And it literally makes the difference between having any level of independence or simply being confined to home, and oftentimes to bed.
These motorized wheelchairs are able to accomplish not just the ability to get around, but the ability to raise and lower themselves, the ability to recline, which is so incredibly important.
And there are so few repair facilities that are approved and authorized to be able to perform these repairs, that expanding the number of facilities and options that families have is so incredibly important. Because waiting a day, much less one week, two weeks, three weeks, four weeks, five weeks for these repairs to be made by authorized facilities takes away the ability for individuals to have the already limited amount of independence that they enjoy with the use of that wheelchair.
And so again, Senator Fahy, I want to thank you for bringing this legislation to the floor, and my colleagues for voting in favor.
I proudly vote aye.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Rhoads to be recorded in the affirmative.
Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick to explain her vote.
SENATOR CANZONERI-FITZPATRICK:Thank you, Madam President.
And I too want to rise to thank the sponsor for this very important legislation.
And I want to give a shout out to my husband, who actually coordinates the wheelchair mission for the Knights of Columbus throughout Nassau County. So he appreciates this so much, because he sees how much -- there are so many people in need. And I really appreciate that we're going to help these people.
So thank you, Madam President. I vote aye.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1173, Assembly Bill Number 8067A, by Assemblymember Epstein, an act to amend the Banking Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1192, Senate Print 4424A, by Senator Ramos, an act to amend the Labor Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 5. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1192, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Chan, Helming, Lanza, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk and Weik.
Ayes, 46. Nays, 13.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1194, Senate Print 4473, by Senator Ramos, an act to amend the Labor Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 5. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1194, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Chan, Helming, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Stec, Walczyk and Weik.
Ayes, 50. Nays, 9.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1208, Senate Print Number 7633C, by Senator Hoylman-Sigal, an act to amend the New York City Civil Court Act.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect on the 90th day after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1208, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Martins, Mattera, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber and Weik.
Ayes, 41. Nays, 18.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1209, Senate Print Number 7860B, by Senator Hoylman-Sigal, an act to amend the Judiciary Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 4. This act shall take effect on the 180th day after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Hoylman-Sigal to explain his vote.
SENATOR HOYLMAN-SIGAL:Thank you, Madam President.
We're passing this bill today in the Senate because pro bono legal service should not be part of an agreement that's made outside of the provision of legal services for underserved New Yorkers. We all have heard how major law firms were forced into agreements with the Trump administration because of the perceived enemies within those firms by Trump and his allies in the White House.
Our bill would exclude pro bono, moving forward, that was provided as a result of an agreement between a law firm and the federal government.
Once again, pro bono is for underserved New Yorkers, not part of a corrupt deal between the federal government and major law firms in the City of New York and elsewhere.
I vote aye.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Hoylman-Sigal to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1209, voting in the negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Martins, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber and Weik.
Ayes, 38. Nays, 21.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1221, Senate Print 4358A, by Senator Bailey, an act to amend the Education Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 4. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1221, voting in the negative: Senator Martins.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1229, Senate Print 14A, by Senator Skoufis, an act to amend the Highway Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1229, voting in the negative: Senator Brisport.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1239, Senate Print 7699B, by Senator Skoufis, an act to amend the Highway Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1244, Senate Print 7955A, by Senator Cooney, an act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Cooney to explain his vote.
SENATOR COONEY:Thank you, Madam President.
In 2019 this legislative body passed legislation to protect our children on our roadways. We passed a comprehensive statewide bus stop-arm camera bill which would allow local municipalities to opt in and to hold people accountable when they go speeding past a school bus, endangering the lives of our children.
Today's bill is an accountability fix to make sure that the program works as designed and to make sure that our children all across New York State are kept safe.
Madam President, I'm proud to support and vote aye for this legislation.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Cooney to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1244, voting in the negative: Senator Martinez. Also --
(Pause.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator C. Ryan to explain his vote.
SENATOR C. RYAN:I want to just say thank you to Senator Cooney for bringing this, and these amendments make a really good bill better.
We did a lot of work with municipalities -- and previously on the county legislature -- to try to get as many school districts, towns and villages to cooperate. And again, this bill just gets a little bit better. And anything that we can possibly do to keep our children safe, I'll always be in favor of.
So again, thank you, Senator Cooney.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator C. Ryan to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar Number 1244, voting in the negative: Senator Martinez.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1249, Senate Print 1819A, by Senator Fernandez, an act to amend the Criminal Procedure Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Palumbo to explain his vote.
SENATOR PALUMBO:Thank you, Madam President.
I rise to discuss this bill as well that is certainly well-intended, but I'm going to be voting no because -- and I'd love to have a conversation with the sponsor about this. The exact purpose of the diversion court is for people to take advantage of the ability for a reduced sentence or a reduced plea on a criminal charge in exchange for them jumping through the hoops and getting sober.
So the fact that you can now conceal a negative test from the judge -- I actually many moons ago was the drug court ADA when I was a young narcotics prosecutor in Suffolk County, and the amount of people that at the -- when they would graduate after a year of coming back every week and getting tested. If they were positive, the judge would actually set bail for a couple of days, bring them back out.
They would cry, their family would cry, it was such an incredible celebration of sobriety. And the case would be virtually dismissed.
That is the point of these diversion courts, that you need to atone for mistakes. Right? Relapse is a part of recovery on many occasions. So when these folks are now -- I get we've got to have a confidentiality issue. But to conceal that from the judge at the defendant's request is completely contrary to what these diversion courts are about.
So for those reasons, I'll be voting no.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Palumbo to be recorded in the negative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1249, voting in the negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Martinez, Martins, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber and Weik.
Ayes, 37. Nays, 22.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Also Senator Scarcella-Spanton.
Ayes, 36. Nays, 23.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Also Senator Fahy.
Ayes, 35. Nays, 24.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1264, Assembly Bill Number 26, by Assemblymember Rosenthal, an act to amend the Social Services Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 4. This act shall take effect on the 180th day after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1264, voting in the negative are Senators Gallivan and Stec.
Ayes, 57. Nays, 2.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1268, Senate Print 7782A, by Senator Skoufis, an act to amend the Public Health Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1268, voting in the negative are Senators Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Martins, Rhoads, Stec, Tedisco and Weik.
Ayes, 50. Nays, 9.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1300, Senate Print 7944A, by Senator Ramos, an act to amend the Labor Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1300, voting in the negative: Senators Borrello and Walczyk.
Ayes, 57. Nays, 2.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1331, Senate Print 4274C, by Senator Kavanagh, an act to amend the Election Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1331, voting in the negative: Senator Walczyk.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1336, Senate Print 7962, by Senator Gonzalez, an act to amend the Election Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1345, Assembly Bill Number 2520, by Assemblymember McDonald, an act to amend the Social Services Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: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 PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Rivera to explain his vote.
SENATOR RIVERA:Thank you, Madam President.
Durable medical equipment -- and we all know what these are; we're talking about wheelchairs, hospital beds, oxygen machines, ventilators, prosthetics, orthotics and many more -- are things that are basic to people's lives. It is something that makes sure that patients who need them can live with safety, with dignity, and with independence.
But unfortunately some of the ways that we are currently paying for this, particularly Medicaid managed-care organizations, unfortunately means that providers are being paid less than what they should be paid. And this bill will change that.
What this bill would do, Madam President, is that it would make it so that Medicaid managed-care organizations will have to reimburse durable medical equipment providers at no less than 100 percent of the Medicaid fee-for-service rate for the same items or services.
And this is essential, again, because these are things that -- the impact that it has had, having providers not being paid enough, means that over 20 percent of providers have shut down in recent years across New York. Which means that physicians can't find suppliers, patients are left waiting for vital equipment, and that means again patients have less safety, less dignity and less independence in their lives.
So with this bill we will make sure that we change that and we provide what is necessary for patients to be able to live their lives in the best way possible.
So I'm glad that we're passing it, and I gladly vote in the affirmative.
Thank you, Madam President.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Rivera to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1366, Senate Print 7332, by Senator C. Ryan, an act to amend the State Administrative Procedure Act.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator C. Ryan to explain his vote.
SENATOR C. RYAN:Thank you, Madam President.
So today I rise and speak in favor of this bill which will make life a lot easier for small businesses and for local governments.
You know, unfortunately, all too often we hear stories about how New York is driving business out of our state, how great it is to do business in other states and, you know, things are -- or how great it is in Texas.
But today we're going to try to start to fix that. What this bill does, quite simply, it sets up an online hub, a small businesses regulatory nexus where rules, forms and help is needed and they can get all the help they need and clarification in one place.
So, you know, right now in this state too many business owners waste time hunting down rules or trying to figure what laws apply to them. So this is about cutting red tape. It's about breaking down barriers. And this is about ensuring businesses' laws -- the laws don't get lost in bureaucracy.
So common sense for small business, long overdue, and I urge my colleagues to vote yes. And Senate District 50 says New York's open for business. Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator C. Ryan to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1374, Senate Print 3492A, by Senator May, an act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 5. This act shall take effect on the 180th day after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator May to explain her vote.
SENATOR MAY:Thank you, Madam President.
We all know that New York faces a housing crisis and we need to build more housing units. But we don't need them way out in cornfields where people will have to drive farther and farther to get to work or to school or to the stores.
What we need is more housing in areas where there are already employers, where there is already transit, where there are sidewalks and you can walk to school or to shopping.
One of the big barriers to that, though, in New York is the State Environmental Quality Review Process, which does what it's supposed to do, tries to protect the air, the water, the soil, public health, but it also sets up a number of opportunities for people to bring lawsuits that end up dragging out the process of getting a permit for the building. And it may either just discourage the developers altogether or make it last so long that the cost just goes up and up and up and you can't build in an affordable manner.
So we are, with this bill, trying to streamline that process just a little bit for specific areas where we most want housing to be built, where people can live and shop and work in close proximity. And this bill streamlines the process just enough that we hope we will end up with a lot more housing for people in the places they want to live.
And I vote aye.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator May to be recorded in the affirmative.
Senator Martins to explain his vote.
SENATOR MARTINS:Thank you, Madam President.
I have concerns with this bill. You know, certainly I understand, I think we all understand the need for more affordable housing to be built in this state. It's been a priority, frankly, for everyone that we get there.
But to do so at the expense of a proper environmental review is troublesome. Cutting corners at the expense of a SEQR evaluation, which all it does is make sure that when you build higher-density units, something that will impact the environment, whether it is water, sewer, air, quality of life for those in the area.
Whether it is access to sewers, whether it is traffic and parking impacts as a result of a development, those are basic questions anytime we build. And there should not be any shortcuts, and we shouldn't cut corners when it comes to environmental impacts for the sake of building housing.
Now, I would agree that sometimes the SEQR process can be tedious, it can be long, it can be abused. And so that challenge is for us to reevaluate the SEQR process to see how we can streamline it in an effective way so that it doesn't serve as a block holistically to construction in this state.
But not under these circumstances, and frankly not when we're dealing with sources of water that are not sewered. I'm concerned about it. I'll be voting no. I understand why we're doing it, but not this way.
Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Martins to be recorded in the negative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1374, those Senators voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Martins, O'Mara, Ortt, Rhoads, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber and Weik.
Ayes, 43. Nays, 16.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1376, Senate Print 4691A, by Senator Cleare, an act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect on the 30th day after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1376, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk and Weik.
Ayes, 43. Nays, 16.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1386, Senate Print 1239E, by Senator Kavanagh, an act to amend the Agriculture and Markets Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 8. This act shall take effect one year after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Oberacker to explain his vote.
SENATOR OBERACKER:Thank you, Madam President.
You know, as a food scientist who built his company on finding healthy alternatives to ingredients, this bill does just that. As a father, as a grandfather -- or more appropriately, as a Pop-Pop -- I am extremely grateful to Senator Kavanagh for bringing this bill forward and proud, Madam President, to be a cosponsor.
You know, there are alternatives to these ingredients, and I've worked with them. Madam President -- and you probably know this, that lycopene could be used, which is derived from tomatoes, as a red dye. I'm going to throw a word -- oleoresin. Oleoresin of paprika could be used in places where we want to use red dye. All great alternatives.
I'm going to throw a word out at you. It's called Dactylopius coccus. And I know, Madam President, you know what that is. But for those that don't, that is the derivative where we get carminic acid from, which is one of the main ingredients for the red dyes that we're looking at trying to omit. It comes from a little red bug.
My colleagues and those on both sides of the aisle, I will leave you with this. You are what you eat.
I proudly, Madam President, proudly cosponsor and vote aye on this bill.
Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Oberacker to be recorded in the affirmative.
Senator Kavanagh to explain his vote.
SENATOR KAVANAGH:Thank you, Madam President.
I'd first like to thank my colleague from the other side of the aisle for his very kind words and for his science lesson.
I am not a scientist, but I just wanted to stand and say this is a tremendously important thing we're doing today. The federal food regulatory system has major gaps, and it is up to us to step in and close one of those gaps today.
The biggest effect of this bill will be to substantially close what's sometimes called the GRAS loophole. It is the notion that if a food company designates certain food ingredients as generally recognized as safe, with their own science behind closed doors, they can, under federal law, include that ingredient in our food without revealing, in some cases that they're including that ingredient and certainly without revealing the science.
Science works best when it is done in the open, when people can review the results, especially if the science that's being done is in a self-interested way. We have an opportunity today in New York to make sure that anybody who's providing food to New Yorkers, who is doing it pursuant to this loophole at the federal level, will have to disclose the presence of those ingredients and the science to New Yorkers. Ag and Markets will then make that available to all of us.
I'm very proud to vote aye and thank my colleagues for their support.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Kavanagh to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1386, voting in the negative: Senator Borrello.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1390, Senate Print Number 7297A, by Senator Hoylman-Sigal, an act to amend the Public Health Law.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Lay it aside for the day, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill will be laid aside for the day.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1409, Senate Print 4655, by Senator Fahy, an act to amend the General Business Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1409, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Helming and Walczyk.
Ayes, 56. Nays, 3.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1415, Senate Print 7494A, by Senator Gianaris, an act to amend the General Business Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 7. This act shall take effect on the 90th day after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1415, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Chan, Griffo, Helming, Oberacker, Weber and Weik.
Ayes, 52. Nays, 7.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1417, Senate Print 7821A, by Senator May, an act to amend the General Business Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect January 1, 2026.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1417, voting in the negative: Senator Walczyk.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1429, Senate Print Number 8195, by Senator Hoylman-Sigal, an act to amend the Civil Practice Law and Rules.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar Number 1429, voting in the negative: Senator Oberacker.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1434, Senate Print 2520B, by Senator Skoufis, an act to amend the Public Officers Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect June 21, 2026.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1450, Senate Print 6441A, by Senator Skoufis, an act to amend the Insurance Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Rhoads to explain his vote.
SENATOR RHOADS:Thank you, Madam President.
While I certainly understand the intent of the sponsor's legislation, in the State of New York we go to great lengths to attempt to respect all faiths. The blanket inclusion of mandated coverage without there being a good-faith religious exemption creates an issue for faith-based healthcare companies that might have a good-faith religious exemption to the provision of contraceptives.
So while I understand the purpose of the bill, the failure to exclude faith-based healthcare institutions requires me to vote no.
Thank you, Madam President.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Rhoads to be recorded in the negative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1450, voting in the negative are Senators Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Lanza, Rhoads, Walczyk and Weber. Also Senator Borrello.
Ayes, 53. Nays, 6.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1484, Senate Print 3886, by Senator Gianaris, an act to amend the Administrative Code of the City of New York.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect on the 90th day after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1484, voting in the negative: Senator Walczyk.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1508, Senate Print Number 5500, by Senator Hoylman-Sigal, an act to amend the General Business Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 4. This act shall take effect on the 180th day after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1508, voting in the negative: Senator Walczyk.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1509, Senate Print 6954A, by Senator Gounardes, an act to amend the General Business Law.
SENATOR LANZA:Lay it aside.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Lay it aside.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1510, Senate Print 7599C, by Senator Gonzalez, an act to amend the State Technology Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 10. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1510, voting in the negative: Senator Walczyk.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1514, Assembly Bill Number 2730A, by Assemblymember Barrett, an act to amend the Labor Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1516, Senate Print 7923A, by Senator Gonzalez, an act in relation to authorizing and directing the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to conduct a study to determine the possibility of closing the peaker plant electric generating facilities in Brooklyn, New York.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 6. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Gonzalez to explain her vote.
SENATOR GONZALEZ:Thank you, Madam President.
Long before I took office as State Senator for Senate District 59, I organized with my neighbors as a grassroots climate justice advocate alarmed by the toll that Astoria's "Asthma Alley" was taking on my community.
For far too long, my district has been disproportionately burdened with supporting our state's energy reliability needs. In Greenpoint in Western Queens, there are four peaker plant facilities, including two at the Ravenswood Generating Station.
Representing my district means confronting a long legacy of fossil fuel infrastructure. And by passing this bill we'll be actually creating a plan to close the peaker plants, especially in Brooklyn by Kent Avenue. I think that's important, given that I represent generations of Greenpointers and Northern Brooklyn residents who have been deeply impacted by that peaker plant, who have family members who have passed away from not only related illnesses from Newtown Creek, but others.
So I want to thank this body for moving on this piece of legislation. I want to thank the advocates who helped us craft this piece of legislation. And certainly, and enthusiastically, I vote aye.
Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Gonzalez to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1516, voting in the negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Rhoads, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber and Weik.
Ayes, 41. Nays, 18.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1534, Senate Print 5379, by Senator Harckham, an act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 5. This act shall take effect on the first of January.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Harckham to explain his vote.
SENATOR HARCKHAM:Thank you very much, Madam President.
I want to thank the Majority Leader for bringing this bill to the floor once again.
You may remember this bill. It passed last year by a comfortable bipartisan margin in both houses, went to the Governor, and unfortunately was vetoed.
We are more determined than ever. This is one of a series of bills for those of us who believe public money deserves prevailing wage. And there are a number of Senators who carry great bills in this space, Senator Mayer and others.
But this is an important bill because brownfield work is a public tax credit. It's sensitive work. And developers have done some really great work cleaning up brownfield sites for housing, affordable housing, mixed-use, commercial -- whatever the need, the projects are getting done.
But they need to be done by professionals. The operating engineers, the laborers.
And so once again, we are proud to put this legislation forward, more determined than ever to get the Governor to sign this bill.
I want to thank Marina O'Donnell from the operating engineers, Amanda Jensen from the laborers -- among the many people who worked on this bill -- for their tenacity.
I proudly vote aye.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Harckham to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1534, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Chan, Griffo, Helming, O'Mara, Ortt and Walczyk. Also Senator Gallivan.
Ayes, 51. Nays, 8.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1549, Senate Print 7611A, by Senator Bynoe, an act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 6. This act shall take effect on the 90th day after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1568, Senate Print 8104, by Senator S. Ryan, an act to amend the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: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 PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1568, voting in the negative: Senator Walczyk.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1600, Senate Print 1148, by Senator Gounardes, an act to amend Public Authorities Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 10. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Gounardes to explain his vote.
SENATOR GOUNARDES:Thank you, Madam President.
I rise to speak in strong support of the Rider Representation Act, because in a city and a region where public transit is the backbone of our daily lives, it's time that the people who rely on transit the most have a say and a seat at the table in how their transit system is run.
For far too long our rider representatives on the MTA Board have had a seat but not a voice. They've been to able to listen, but not been able to speak. And so they have not been able to fully represent the views, the needs, the concerns of the millions of members of the riding public who depend on public transit, whether in New York City or in the suburbs. It's like inviting someone to dinner and then refusing to give them a plate to put food for themselves.
This bill gives rider representatives full voting privileges. It allows them to matter. It allows them to lead. But it also adds a new seat to the MTA Board to represent specifically the disability community. And we know, specifically in New York City Transit, the incredible accessibility challenges that still remain. This will empower the disability community to have a real seat at the table as the MTA continues to make good on its commitments to make our system as accessible as possible.
This is not just about good governance, this is about justice and good transit administration. And I am proud to vote aye. Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Gounardes to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1600, voting in the negative are Senators Ashby, Chan, Griffo, Lanza, Oberacker and Stec.
Ayes, 53. Nays, 6.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1618, Assembly Bill Number 584C, by Assemblymember Steck, an act to amend the Labor Law.
SENATOR LANZA:Lay it aside.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Lay it aside.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1621, Senate Print Number 4544B, by Senator Hoylman-Sigal, an act to amend the Education Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Mayer to explain her vote.
SENATOR MAYER:Thank you, Madam President.
I rise to vote in favor of this bill, the Jack Reid Protect All Students Act. And first I want to thank Senator Hoylman-Sigal, who really made it his work to get this over the finish line.
This bill is in the memory of Jack Reid, whose parents, Elizabeth and Bill, took an incredible tragedy when their son took his own life after relentless bullying at a non-public school, and made it their mission to change the law so this would not happen to another child.
I personally promised them that I would do everything in my ability to get a bill over the finish line, and finally we are able to do so. We had tremendous cooperation from the non-public school community, and I appreciate that. But this bill extends many of the protections of DASA, the Dignity for All Students Act, to nonpublic schools, requiring them to have a written anti-bullying policy, investigate reports of bullying, and take action to stop the bullying and protect students from retaliation.
This bill will require our non-public schools to work proactively to prevent bullying and protect their students without compromising their integrity as independent schools. It's a critical step forward. It's a more -- it's a sad celebration of the loss of life, but it is in tribute to his parents and to their suffering and tragedy that they turned this terrible moment into what will be a success in changing the lives of so many future students in non-public schools in New York State.
I vote aye. And again I thank my colleagues, I thank the leader, and I thank everyone who helped make this possible, particularly Senator Hoylman-Sigal.
I vote aye.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Mayer to be recorded in the affirmative.
Senator Hoylman-Sigal to explain his vote.
SENATOR HOYLMAN-SIGAL:Thank you, Madam President.
And thank you to my colleagues, Leader Stewart-Cousins, and my esteemed chair of the Senate Education Committee, Senator Mayer, for her support and work on this bill.
This bill, the Jack Reid Protect All Students Act, is modeled after the Dignity for All Students Act, which applies only to public schools. And just earlier in this chamber today we had the author of that bill, former Assemblymember Danny O'Donnell. That bill was passed back in 2010. But students in private schools, up until this bill will be passed and signed into law, have not been protected.
The Jack Reid Protect All Students Act requires all non-public schools, like public schools under the current law, to develop and implement policies prohibiting bullying and the harassment of students. The law also requires schools to promptly investigate all complaints and take steps reasonably calculated to protect students and stop the bullying. And it also protects students against retaliation for making any reports.
As a result, students at non-public schools will be entitled to the same protections and dignity as all other students in New York State, no matter who they are.
And this is so important, Madam President, because we know the rates of bullying have skyrocketed here in New York and elsewhere. The majority of LGBTQ youth, the majority, 52 percent, who are enrolled in middle or high school reported being bullied either in person or electronically in the last year.
And of course this is in memory and a testament to the family that has pushed this legislation forward. In the memory of Jack Reid, I want to thank Elizabeth and Bill for their tireless efforts -- for turning, as has been said, pain into purpose, to creating a better and safer learning environment for all students in the State of New York in the memory of their dear son who tragically died in 2022 at just age 17.
I vote aye, Madam President.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Hoylman-Sigal to be recorded in the affirmative.
Senator Tedisco to explain his vote.
SENATOR TEDISCO:I want to thank the sponsors of this particular bill.
You know, bullying has been, is now and probably will be in the future a difficult problem for our schools. The Dignity for All Students Act was a good piece of legislation. And I don't think we can make anything perfect, but it's far from perfect.
Moving that portion of what we can do in terms of the private and public schools, and all schools, I think is an important thing to do.
But I have to ask a question to everybody in this room, people in the balcony: If your child was being bullied in school or your child was the bully in the school, just raise your hand so I can see if you would not want to be notified. I'm just going to look around here. Everybody in this room would want to be notified.
The Dignity for All Students Act -- and let me say this. All of us probably at one time or another were probably bullied in school. I won't ask you to raise your hand about this, but how many of us ran home and told our parents what happened? We didn't, most of us probably. I didn't. I sucked it up. Okay?
Now, I wasn't bullied to an extreme extent. Maybe you weren't either. But now this bullying can take place 24/7 in schools. It used to be stopping at the gates of the schools. We know with the websites now that it's 24/7 on occasion. And it just happens over and over and over again.
Nobody raised their hand. You would want to be notified if your child was being bullied in school. You would want to be notified because it's a terrible thing to have your child be a bully in school.
I'll tell you a story about Jacobe Taras and the Taras family in my district. Jacobe was going to school every day, basically being bullied, maybe 24/7. His parents never knew hardly the extent of that bullying. You know why? Because the Dignity for All Students Act, and now the private and public schools being involved with that, doesn't say, believe it or not, when your child is the bullier or your child is being bullied in school or any of the 19.5 to 20 million people in New York State have a child that may be involved in that way --
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Tedisco.
SENATOR TEDISCO:-- you know what the bill says?
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Tedisco.
SENATOR TEDISCO:You have to report it to the State Education Department --
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Tedisco.
SENATOR TEDISCO:-- but you don't have to tell the parents.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Tedisco, how do you vote?
SENATOR TEDISCO:I'm going to vote yes on this, and I hope my bill --
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Thank you, Senator.
SENATOR TEDISCO:-- for Jacobe Taras to involve you and all the students who didn't raise your hand here, and all the parents are notified when their child is a bullier or being bullied.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Tedisco --
SENATOR TEDISCO:Thank you, Madam President.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Thank you, Senator.
Senator Tedisco to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1621, voting in the negative are Senators Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Ortt, Stec and Walczyk.
Ayes, 55. Nays, 4.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1627, Assembly Bill Number 5364, by Assemblymember P. Carroll, an act to amend the Real Property Tax Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1627, voting in the negative: Senator Fahy.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1632, Senate Print 5713, by Senator Skoufis, an act to amend the Railroad Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: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 PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
Oops -- oh, sorry. In relation to Calendar 1632, voting in the negative: Senator Walczyk.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1635, Senate Print 6693B, by Senator Jackson, an act to amend the Education Law.
SENATOR LANZA:Lay it aside.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Lay it aside.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1640, Assembly Bill Number 7634, by Assemblymember McDonald, an act to amend the Tax Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1640, voting in the negative are Senators Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Gallivan, Harckham, Helming, Lanza, Martinez, O'Mara, Palumbo, C. Ryan, Scarcella-Spanton, Skoufis and Weik.
Ayes, 47. Nays, 12.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1644, Senate Print 7222A, by Senator Bailey, an act to amend the Insurance Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 7. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1653, Senate Print 8021B, by Senator Hinchey, an act to amend the Executive Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: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 PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1653, voting in the negative: Senator Brisport.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1664, Assembly Bill Number 8784, by Assemblymember Barrett, an act to amend the Chapter 465 of the Laws of 2016.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1664, voting in the negative are Senators Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Harckham, Lanza, Martinez, C. Ryan, Scarcella-Spanton, Skoufis, and Weik.
Ayes, 51. Nays, 8.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1665, Senate Print Number 8346, by Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, an act to amend Chapter 846 of the Laws of 1970.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1665, voting in the negative: Senator Fahy.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1679, Senate Print 1511A, by Senator Liu, an act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect on the 180th day after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1679, voting in the negative: Senator Walczyk.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1695, Senate Print 6231A, by Senator Webb, an act to amend the General Business Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 12. This act shall take effect one year after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1695, voting in the negative: Senator Walczyk.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1800, Senate Print 1455A, by Senator Kavanagh, an act to amend the Executive Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1800, voting in the negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Lanza, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk and Weik.
Ayes, 42. Nays, 17.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1808, Senate Print 4045C, by Senator Gounardes, an act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 7. This act shall take effect on the 180th day after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Gounardes to explain his vote.
SENATOR GOUNARDES:Thank you, Madam President.
In 2009 the State Legislature adopted Leandra's Law, which required those who are found to be driving while intoxicated or convicted of driving while intoxicated to have an ignition lock installed on their vehicle, to make sure that they never get behind the wheel of a car while they were under the influence and they, God forbid, hit and kill someone. That law has been incredibly successful.
Today our chamber is taking another step towards making sure that our streets are safe for all by adopting the same concept, but for reckless drivers. We are now for the first time saying that those drivers across the state who are extremely reckless, those who have their license at risk of suspension or those who rack up an egregious number of speed camera violation tickets in the City of New York, or elsewhere that has a speed camera program, they can be subject, by a court order, to having a speed limiting device installed on their car.
The process is the same as we have under Leandra's Law. And this is going to make a difference to save people's lives.
Many of you probably remember this past March there was a terrible tragedy in Brooklyn where 35-year-old Natasha Saada was walking along Ocean Parkway with her daughters Diana and Debra, and they were run over by a woman who had 90 violations on her car -- including 18 speed camera violations in one year -- and killed them. She had a suspended license, and yet she continued to drive.
Requiring a speed limiter on reckless drivers' cars will help us keep streets safe. We are not taking someone's car away. That's ineffective. We're not suspending their license. That's ineffective. We're not racking up fines. That's ineffective.
We can slow people down and keep people alive, and for that I proudly vote aye.
Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Gounardes to be recorded in the affirmative.
Senator Chan to explain his vote.
SENATOR CHAN:Thank you, Madam President.
I thank the sponsor for addressing this issue. I know about the accident that happened on Ocean Parkway in an adjacent district back in March.
Unfortunately, this bill is punishing a car. When a car speeds through a red light camera or a speeding camera, it is the car that is speeding. We don't know who's driving that car.
I agree with the other aspects of the bill where if they're speeding for a certain amount of -- if they rack up a certain amount of points, the driver should have this limiter installed in their car.
There has to be a better way of addressing this. Earlier today our sponsor said that a reckless driver -- in regards to another bill that a reckless driver is going to be a reckless driver 75 percent of the time. And likewise, a speeding driver, in this case, is still going to be a speeding driver when he or she is driving somebody else's car or a rental car or in another city.
So to address this issue by slowing down the vehicle is not the answer. But I am up on the bill, just to clarify. There's got to be other solutions. We have to arrest these drivers, possibly jail time.
And to be clear, a reckless driver and a speeding driver is two different things. I think I'm qualified to speak about that, having done over -- maybe 5,000 car stops in my days as a law enforcement agent.
But I am up on the bill and I do thank the sponsor in trying to make a difference here. Thank you.
Thank you, Madam President.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Chan to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1808, voting in the negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Rhoads, Stec, Walczyk and Weik.
Ayes, 44. Nays, 15.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1818, Senate Print 5759C, by Senator Harckham, an act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 4. This act shall take effect on the 60th day after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Harckham to explain his vote.
SENATOR HARCKHAM:Thank you very much, Madam President.
I want to thank the Majority Leader for bringing this bill to the floor. You know, in this chamber we talk about a lot of different things. A couple of those are protecting water quality from the dangers of PFAS, PFOA, heavy metals and other contaminants. And we also talk about protecting our farmers and their most valuable asset, their farmland.
Well, a body of science has uncovered across the country and here in New York a practice that was once thought as being helpful to farmers actually has turned out that it could be very dangerous to farmers. And that is using the biosolids from wastewater as fertilizer on their land. And what we've come to learn is that what really was an elegant solution 20 years ago -- what do we do with the biosolids from wastewater -- has now because a really dangerous situation as we concentrate PFAS, PFOA, pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, really creating a toxic sludge.
And unfortunately, this has been given to farmers, and now the body of science is showing this is impacting wells, water quality, and could impact crop health.
So this bill is a confluence of those two efforts -- a lot of farmers coming together, environmentalists coming together. And this will be a five-year moratorium on that practice to give us time to do more research, to figure out what to do with these biosolids.
Unfortunately, in the last waste management plan New York State did, it calls for more spreading of biosolids. So we do need to think of an alternative and also what we can do to help farmers with testing and remediation.
So I want to thank Senator Hinchey and her team for their work on this bill. A huge shout-out to Assemblymember Anna Kelles, who did amazing work on this bill. And again to the farmers and the environmental advocates, who came together in a very short time.
So with that, Madam President, I vote aye.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Harckham to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1818, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Mattera, Oberacker, Rhoads, C. Ryan, Stec, Walczyk and Weik.
Ayes, 48. Nays, 11.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1832, Senate Print 7501A, by Senator Mayer, an act to amend the General Municipal Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Mayer to explain her vote.
SENATOR MAYER:Thank you, Madam President.
This modest but important bill was a very long time coming. After COVID, or even in the midst of COVID, it became clear to me and to thousands of others that our EMS system was broken. EMS workers were truly essential workers and heroes of the COVID moment -- going into houses when they did not know what the disease was, what the risks were. And they took both personal risk and professional risks in their business.
And then it became clear that our whole EMS system was really quite a hodgepodge of different regulations, different rules, different financing. And yet people's lives were on the line. And everyone thought that if they called 911, EMS had to come.
We have worked tirelessly since 2022 to come up with a way to address this, and we've been unsuccessful in coming up with a major effort. But we finally have come up with some modest efforts that will make a difference.
This bill today focuses on establishing a local review and planning process involving counties, cities, towns and villages directed towards assessing service levels in every county, and developing a plan -- and this is so important -- to ensure every New Yorker is provided reliable EMS service.
This county-by-county assessment will provide a road map for statewide improvements, and we will match it going forward with a statewide plan that matches the variety of ways EMS services are provided.
I could not have gotten this far without my colleague Assemblymember Steve Otis, all the municipal officials -- NYCOM, NYSAC -- EMS providers, fire officials, fire unions all across the state who have worked so hard to find a solution here.
I also want to acknowledge my colleague Senator May's bill, which hopefully we will pass, which allows localities to exceed the tax cap when necessary to pay for these vital services.
We can't stop here. We have to use this as a beginning to continue the work to put our EMS system on a solid footing and ensure that our EMS providers get the respect, recognition and resources they deserve and sorely need to continue to provide this vital service to every New Yorker.
I vote aye. I'm incredibly grateful to our leadership and to all my colleagues who realize that EMS is a statewide issue requiring a statewide solution. And we're finally beginning that process today. I vote aye.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Mayer to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1837, Senate Print 7677A, by Senator Skoufis, an act to amend the Town Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1858, Assembly Bill Number 4762B, by Assemblymember Chandler-Waterman, an act to amend the Executive Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect one year after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1858, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Chan, Griffo, Lanza, Oberacker, O'Mara, Rhoads, Walczyk and Weik.
Ayes, 50. Nays, 9.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
Senator Gianaris, that completes the reading of today's active list.
SENATOR GIANARIS:I believe there's a report of the Rules Committee at the desk. Let's take that up, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Senator Stewart-Cousins, from the Committee on Rules, reports the following bills:
Senate Print 590A, by Senator Krueger, an act to repeal paragraphs (e), (f) and (g) of subdivision 5 of Section 36 of the Municipal Home Rule Law;
Senate Print 1169A, by Senator Gonzalez, an act to amend the Civil Rights Law;
Senate Print 1515, by Senator May, an act to amend the General Municipal Law;
Senate Print 1695, by Senator Skoufis, an act to amend the Real Property Tax Law;
Senate Print 1897, by Senator O'Mara, an act to amend the Highway Law;
Senate Print 2461, by Senator Rhoads, an act in relation to authorizing the New York State and Local Employees' Retirement System to accept an application for disability retirement benefits from Andrew Reilly, Jr.;
Senate Print 2602, by Senator Addabbo, an act to amend the Executive Law, in relation to establishing the Office of Native American Affairs;
Senate Print 3330, by Senator Cooney, an act to amend the Tax Law;
Senate Print 4043, by Senator Harckham, an act in relation to authorizing the Bedford Hills Fire District to file an application for exemption from school taxes;
Senate Print 4073, by Senator Webb, an act to amend the Tax Law;
Senate Print 4615B, by Senator Weik, an act to amend the Highway Law;
Senate Print 4725, by Senator Skoufis, an act in relation to authorizing Michael Winston Hoard, the widower of Kathy Marie Dwyer-Hoard, to file a new service retirement application;
Senate Print 5224B, by Senator Rolison, an act in relation to authorizing the Town of Union Vale, County of Dutchess, to alienate and discontinue the use of certain parklands;
Senate Print 5505, by Senator Salazar, an act to amend the Social Services Law;
Senate Print 5677, by Senator Tedisco, an act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law;
Senate Print 5929A, by Senator Martins, an act authorizing the Commissioner of General Services to transfer and convey certain state land to the Syosset Central School District;
Senate Print 5941B, by Senator Skoufis, an act to amend the General Business Law;
Senate Print 6048, by Senator Skoufis, an act to authorize Susan Gillinder, the widow of Robert C. Ritchie, to file a new service retirement application and option election form with the New York State and Local Employees' Retirement System;
Senate Print 6266, by Senator Salazar, an act to amend the Social Services Law;
Senate Print 6664A, by Senator Hinchey, an act to amend the Town Law;
Senate Print 6817, by Senator Bynoe, an act authorizing the assessor of the County of Nassau to accept from the Incorporated Village of Hempstead an application for exemption from real property taxes;
Senate Print 6818, by Senator Bynoe, an act in relation to authorizing the County of Nassau assessor to accept an application for a real property tax exemption;
Senate Print 6819A, by Senator Bynoe, an act in relation to authorizing the County of Nassau assessor to accept an application for a real property tax exemption;
Senate Print 6953B, by Senator Gounardes, an act to amend the General Business Law;
Senate Print 6977, by Senator Harckham, an act to amend the Real Property Tax Law;
Senate Print 7078A, by Senator Harckham, an act to amend the Tax Law;
Senate Print 7143, by Senator S. Ryan, an act to amend the Retirement and Social Security Law;
Senate Print 7157B, by Senator Cooney, an act to amend Chapter 416 of the Laws of 2007;
Senate Print 7189A, by Senator Rhoads, an act to amend the Highway Law;
Senate Print 7273A, by Senator Baskin, an act to amend Chapter 296 of the Laws of 1992;
Senate Print 7321B, by Senator Bailey, an act to amend the Tax Law;
Senate Print 7322, by Senator Bailey, an act to amend the Tax Law;
Senate Print 7397, by Senator Skoufis, an act in relation to authorizing Liliana Fernandez-Clemente, the widow of Daniel Clemente, to file a new service retirement application and option election form with the New York State and Local Employees' Retirement System;
Senate Print 7650A, by Senator Skoufis, an act to amend the Tax Law;
Senate Print 7663A, by Senator Bynoe, an act in relation to authorizing the County of Nassau assessor to accept an application for a real property tax exemption;
Senate Print 7687A, by Senator Palumbo, an act to amend the Public Authorities Law;
Senate Print 7692A, by Senator May, an act to amend the Tax Law;
Senate Print 7714A, by Senator Gonzalez, an act to amend the Public Health Law;
Senate Print 7758, by Senator Webb, an act to authorize the City of Binghamton to offer an optional retirement plan to Firefighter David Edwards;
Senate Print 7775, by Senator Stewart-Cousins, an act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law;
Senate Print 7790, by Senator Harckham, an act to amend the Tax Law;
Senate Print 7817, by Senator Baskin, an act to authorize the widow of William James Middlebrooks to file a retirement option election form;
Senate Print 7836, by Senator Skoufis, an act to amend the Tax Law;
Senate Print 7844, by Senator Baskin, an act to authorize the widow of Gerald J. Sullivan to file an application with the New York State and Local Police and Fire Retirement System;
Senate Print 7853A, by Senator Harckham, an act to amend the Village Law;
Senate Print 7880A, by Senator Krueger, an act to amend the Tax Law;
Senate Print 7927A, by Senator Mayer, an act to amend the County Law;
Senate Print 7989A, by Senator Mayer, an act to amend Chapter 799 of the Laws of 2021;
Senate Print 8077, by Senator May, an act to amend Part B of Chapter 56 of the Laws of 2020;
Senate Print 8155, by Senator Griffo, an act to amend the Tax Law;
Senate Print 8161, by Senator Weber, an act in relation to authorizing the assessor of the Town of Ramapo, County of Rockland, to accept an application for a real property tax exemption;
Senate Print 8162, by Senator Weber, an act in relation to authorizing the assessor of the Town of Ramapo, County of Rockland, to accept an application for a real property tax exemption;
Senate Print 8218, by Senator Cooney, an act to amend the Education Law;
Senate Print 8220A, by Senator S. Ryan, an act to amend the Education Law;
Senate Print 8222, by Senator Brouk, an act to amend the Public Health Law;
Senate Print 8241A, by Senator Harckham, an act to amend the Public Authorities Law;
Senate Print 8269A, by Senator Baskin, an act to amend the Tax Law;
Senate Print 8276, by Senator Harckham, an act to amend the Public Officers Law;
Senate Print 8285, by Senator Skoufis, an act to amend the General Business Law;
Senate Print 8308, by Senator Scarcella-Spanton, an act to amend the Public Health Law;
Senate Print 8311A, by Senator Kavanagh, an act to amend the Public Housing Law;
Senate Print 8314, by Senator Sanders, an act to amend the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law;
Senate Print 8315, by Senator Sanders, an act to amend the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law;
Senate Print 8328, by Senator Stec, an act to amend the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law;
Senate Print 8374, by Senator Persaud, an act to amend the Family Court Act;
Senate Print 8379, by Senator Gianaris, an act to amend the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law;
Senate Print 8382, by Senator S. Ryan, an act to amend the Family Court Act;
Senate Print 8385, by Senator Comrie, an act to amend the State Finance Law;
Senate Print 8387, by Senator Ramos, an act to amend the Workers' Compensation Law;
Senate Print 8388, by Senator Hinchey, an act to amend the Agriculture and Markets Law;
Senate Print 8389, by Senator Ramos, an act to amend the Labor Law;
Senate Print 8397, by Senator Martinez, an act to amend the Business Corporation Law;
Senate Print 8402, by Senator Gianaris, an act to amend Chapter 801 of the Laws of 2021;
Senate Print 8403, by Senator Webb, an act in relation to authorizing the Town of Cortlandville to discontinue the use of certain parklands;
Senate Print 8404, by Senator Sepúlveda, an act to amend the Coordinated Construction Act for Lower Manhattan;
Senate Print 8405, by Senator Sepúlveda, an act to amend Chapter 322 of the Laws of 2014;
Senate Print 8406, by Senator Sanders, an act to amend the Banking Law;
Senate Print 8407, by Senator Fahy, an act to amend the Social Services Law;
Senate Print 8408, by Senator Krueger, an act to amend the Financial Services Law;
Senate Print 8409, by Senator Martinez, an act to amend Chapter 670 of the Laws of 2022;
Senate Print 8411, by Senator Skoufis, an act to amend the Public Officers Law;
Senate Print 8413, by Senator Gounardes, an act in relation to authorizing a loan from the state to the City of Dunkirk;
Senate Print 8415, by Senator Salazar, an act to amend the Correction Law;
Senate Print 8417, by Senator Krueger, an act to amend the Public Service Law;
Senate Print 8418, by Senator Gianaris, an act to amend the Judiciary Law;
Senate Print 8419, by Senator Addabbo, an act to amend the Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law;
Senate Print 8421, by Senator Krueger, an act to amend the Public Service Law;
Senate Print 8434, by Senator S. Ryan, an act to amend the Economic Development Law;
Senate Print 8438, Senate Budget Bill, an act to amend Chapter 53 of the Laws of 2025.
All bills reported direct to third reading.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Move to accept the report of the Rules Committee.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:All those in favor of accepting the report of the Rules Committee please signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Opposed, nay.
(Response of "Nay.")
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The report of the Rules Committee is accepted.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Madam President, I have a motion here -- oh, wait, this is not mine.
I believe we have some messages from the Assembly.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Senator Krueger moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 3665A and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 590A, Third Reading Calendar 1866.
Senator May moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 2177A and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 1515, Third Reading Calendar 1868.
Senator Cooney moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 3141 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 3330, Third Reading Calendar 1873.
Senator Webb moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 2328A and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 4073, Third Reading Calendar 1875.
Senator Weik moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 5493B and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 4651B, Third Reading Calendar 1876.
Senator Hinchey moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 6918A and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 6664A, Third Reading Calendar 1885.
Senator S. Ryan moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 7861 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 7143, Third Reading Calendar 1892.
Senator Cooney moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 7385A and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 7157B, Third Reading Calendar 1893.
Senator Baskin moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 7651A and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 7273A, Third Reading Calendar 1895.
Senator Bailey moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 7341C and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 7321B, Third Reading Calendar 1896.
Senator Bailey moves to discharge, from the Committee on Investigations and Government Operations, Assembly Bill Number 7348 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 7322, Third Reading Calendar 1897.
Senator Skoufis moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 1969A and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 7650A, Third Reading Calendar 1899.
Senator Palumbo moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 8374A and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 7687A, Third Reading Calendar 1901.
Senator Gonzalez moves to discharge, from the Committee on Finance, Assembly Bill Number 778A and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 7714A, Third Reading Calendar 1903.
Senator Webb moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 7915 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 7758, Third Reading Calendar 1904.
Senator Harckham moves to discharge, from the Committee on Investigations and Government Operations, Assembly Bill Number 8348 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 7790, Third Reading Calendar 1906.
Senator Harckham moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 8558A and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 7853A, Third Reading Calendar 1910.
Senator Griffo moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 8490A and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 8155, Third Reading Calendar 1915.
Senator S. Ryan moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 761C and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 8220A, Third Reading Calendar 1919.
Senator Skoufis moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 5852A and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 8285, Third Reading Calendar 1924.
Senator Sanders moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 8418 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 8314, Third Reading Calendar 1927.
Senator Sanders moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 8639A and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 8315, Third Reading Calendar 1928.
Senator Stec moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 8795 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 8328, Third Reading Calendar 1929.
Senator Hinchey moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 8419 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 8388, Third Reading Calendar 1936.
Senator Sepúlveda moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 8679 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 8404, Third Reading Calendar 1941.
Senator Sepúlveda moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 8678 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill Number 8405, Third Reading Calendar 1942.
Senator Martinez moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 8657 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 8409, Third Reading Calendar 1946.
And Senator S. Ryan moves to discharge, from the Committee on Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business, Assembly Bill 8411 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 8434, Third Reading Calendar 1954.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:So ordered.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Let's move on, Madam President, to the supplemental calendar.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1866, Assembly Bill Number 3665A, by Assemblymember Simone, an act to repeal paragraphs (e), (f) and (g) of subdivision 5 of Section 36 of the Municipal Home Rule Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1866, voting in the negative are Senators Addabbo, Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Fahy, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Martinez, Martins, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Rhoads, Scarcella-Spanton, Stavisky, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber and Weik.
Ayes, 37. Nays, 22.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1867, Senate Print 1169A, by Senator Gonzalez, an act to amend the Civil Rights Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 5. This act shall take effect one year after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1867, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Chan, Griffo, Lanza, O'Mara, Rhoads, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk and Weik. Senator Lanza, pardon me, in the affirmative.
Ayes, 50. Nays, 9.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1868, Assembly Bill Number 2177A, by Assemblymember Lupardo, an act to amend the General Municipal Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator May to explain her vote.
SENATOR MAY:Thank you, Madam President. And thank you for shouting this bill out just a few minutes ago which will allow local municipalities to remove EMS from the limit on property taxes.
This is something a lot of our smaller municipalities have clamored for so that they can put more resources into emergency medical services. And I know you have worked very hard to build up our EMS system across the state. It is suffering from lack of investment and just struggling to get people and to do their job that we all depend on them.
And I'm hopeful that this will be one way that we can get more investment and enable local people to continue to take for granted that they can have emergency services when they need them.
So I vote aye. Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator May to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1868, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Griffo, Stec and Walczyk.
Ayes, 55. Nays, 4.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1869, Senate Print 1695, by Senator Skoufis, an act to amend the Real Property Tax Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1869, voting in the negative are Senators Chan and Lanza.
Ayes, 57. Nays, 2.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1870, Senate Print 1897, by Senator O'Mara, an act to amend the Highway Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1871, Senate Print 2461, by Senator Rhoads, an act in relation to authorizing the New York State and Local Employees' Retirement System to accept an application for disability retirement benefits from Andrew Reilly, Jr.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1872, Senate Print 2602, by Senator Addabbo, an act to amend the Executive Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: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 MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1873, Assembly Bill Number 3141, by Assemblymember Lunsford, an act to amend the Tax Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1873, those Senators voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, O'Mara, Palumbo, Rhoads, Walczyk and Weik.
Ayes, 49. Nays, 10.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1874, Senate Print 4043, by Senator Harckham, an act in relation to authorizing the Bedford Hills Fire District to file an application for exemption from school taxes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1875, Assembly Bill Number 2328A, by Assemblymember Angelino, an act to amend the Tax Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1875, voting in the negative are Senators Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Gallivan, Harckham, Lanza, Martinez, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, C. Ryan, Scarcella-Spanton, Skoufis and Weik.
Ayes, 47. Nays, 12.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1876, Assembly Bill Number 5493B, by Assemblymember Durso, an act to amend the Highway Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1877, Senate Print 4725, by Senator Skoufis, an act in relation to authorizing Michael Winston Hoard, the widower of Kathy Marie Dwyer-Hoard, to file a new service retirement application.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1878, Senate Print 5224B, by Senator Rolison, an act in relation to authorizing the Town of Union Vale, County of Dutchess, to alienate and discontinue the use of certain parklands.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 6. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1878, voting in the negative: Senator Fahy.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1879, Senate Print 5505, by Senator Salazar, an act to amend the Social Services Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1880, Senate Print 5677, by Senator Tedisco, an act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 4. This act shall take effect on the 30th day after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1880, voting in the negative are Senators Lanza and Martinez.
Ayes, 57. Nays, 2.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1881, Senate Print 5929A, by Senator Martins, an act authorizing the Commissioner of General Services to transfer and convey certain state land to the Syosset Central School District.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 6. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1882, Senate Print 5941B, by Senator Skoufis, an act to amend the General Business Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 5. This act shall take effect on the 180th day after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1883, Senate Print 6048, by Senator Skoufis, an act to authorize Susan Gillinder, the widow of Robert C. Ritchie, to file a new service retirement application and option election form with the New York State and Local Employees' Retirement System.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1884, Senate Print 6266, by Senator Salazar, an act to amend the Social Services law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1885, Assembly Bill Number 6918A, by Assemblymember Barrett, an act to amend the Town Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1885, voting in the negative are Senators Ashby, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Lanza, Martinez, Mattera, O'Mara, Ortt, Rhoads, Stec, Tedisco, Weber and Weik. Also Senator Scarcella-Spanton.
Ayes, 44. Nays, 15.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Also Senator Bynoe as well. Pardon me.
Ayes, 43. Nays, 16.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1885, voting in the negative are Senators Ashby, Bynoe, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Helming, Lanza, Martinez, Martins, Mattera, O'Mara, Ortt, Rhoads, Scarcella-Spanton, Stec, Tedisco, Weber and Weik.
Ayes, 41. Nays, 18.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1886, Senate Print 6817, by Senator Bynoe, an act authorizing the assessor of the County of Nassau to accept from the Incorporated Village of Hempstead an application for exemption from real property taxes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1886, voting in the negative: Senator O'Mara.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1887, Senate Print 6818, by Senator Bynoe, an act in relation to authorizing the County of Nassau assessor to accept an application for a real property tax exemption.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1887, voting in the negative: Senator O'Mara.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1888, Senate Print 6819A, by Senator Bynoe, an act in relation to authorizing the County of Nassau assessor to accept an application for a real property tax exemption.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1888, voting in the negative: Senator O'Mara.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1889, Senate Print 6953B, by Senator Gounardes, an act to amend the General Business Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator Gounardes to explain his vote.
SENATOR GOUNARDES:Thank you, Madam President.
You know, artificial intelligence is an incredibly powerful tool that is changing by leaps and bounds. I'm not talking about your chatbots or using ChatGPT to get you an answer to a question or using your Gemini assistant. I'm talking about the most expensive technology being created right now at the highest level of computing power that is being developed all around the world far beyond our ability to fully understand what this technology is fully capable of.
And that's not just Andrew Gounardes saying that, that is some of the world's leading AI computer scientists saying this as well. That is some of the CEOs of these labs and of these companies that are investing hundreds of billions of dollars into developing this technology saying this technology that we're creating that has the power to transform humanity and the planet can also create incredible harm and destruction.
And so right now there's no requirement that these companies, these platforms, these machines, have a safety plan developed. The leading CEO, one of the leading CEOs for a company called Anthropic, a major AI company, just last week published an op-ed in the New York Times saying we are creating something that we don't fully understand, we need protection. We need government to require us to have a safety plan. And we need government to require us to put guardrails in place. We need government to help us have a pull-the-plug contingency plan.
And that's what we're doing with the RAISE Act today. This would require companies that at the frontier developing these so-called frontier models, the highest level of computational power, to develop safety plans for the creation of their models.
This will, if enacted, become the first law in the country to require these safety plans. And it's the first step in what I think are many important steps we need to be taking as governments at all levels, at the federal and state level, to making sure that we are harnessing the incredible power of this technology and making sure it's being used for public good and not for the creation of chemical weapons, the creation of biological weapons and things of that like, which this technology right now is fully capable of.
There's a lot more work to be done in this space, but this is a significant first step, and I'm grateful to this chamber for passing this measure today.
I vote in the affirmative. Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator Gounardes to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1889, voting in the negative: Senator Cooney.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1890, Senate Print 6977, by Senator Harckham, an act to amend the Real Property Tax Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect on the first of January.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1891, Senate Print 7078A, by Senator Harckham, an act to amend the Tax Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1891, voting in the negative are Senators Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Gallivan, Lanza, Martinez, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, C. Ryan, Skoufis and Weik. Also Senator Helming.
Ayes, 47. Nays, 12.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1892, Assembly Bill Number 7861, by Assemblymember Peoples-Stokes, an act to amend the Retirement and Social Security Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1893, Assembly Bill Number 7385A, by Assemblymember Bronson, an act to amend Chapter 416 of the Laws of 2007.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator Cooney to explain his vote.
SENATOR COONEY:Thank you, Madam President.
As the first graduate of the Rochester City School District to serve in this State Senate in decades, the students and faculty of RCSD have always played a special part in my life and have a special role in my legislation.
As part of my work to help create a positive learning environment, I helped spearhead the initial investment into the Rochester School Modernization Project way back in 2021, one of the largest public works investments in Rochester's history.
This investment today represents a commitment to our young learners, a commitment that regardless of one's zip code you should have access to a quality education. By modernizing RCSD's facilities, we are ensuring that our schools' infrastructure is up-to-date and able to meet the needs of students and staff for years to come.
This bill is another step in helping that project come to fruition, giving the district greater flexibility and allowing them to finish the upgrades on time. Passing this bill is about supporting the educational needs of our students, creating good-paying jobs, especially good-paying union jobs, and allowing for a seamless process that does not disrupt our school services and innovation.
As a proud alum, I will always go to bat for our students in Rochester. And, Madam President, I am proud to vote aye.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator Cooney to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1893, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Palumbo, Rhoads and Weik.
Ayes, 54. Nays, 5.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1894, Senate Print 7189A, by Senator Rhoads, an act to amend the Highway Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1894, voting in the negative: Senator Brisport.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1895, Assembly Bill Number 7651A, by Assemblymember Chludzinski, an act to amend Chapter 296 of the Laws of 1992.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1896, Assembly Bill Number 7341C, by Assemblymember Pretlow, an act to amend the Tax Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1896, voting in the negative are Senators Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Gallivan, Harckham, Helming, Lanza, Martinez, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, C. Ryan, Scarcella-Spanton, Skoufis and Weik.
Ayes, 45. Nays, 14.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1897, Assembly Bill Number 7348, by Assemblymember Pretlow, an act to amend the Tax Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1897, those Senators voting in the negative are Senators Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Gallivan, Harckham, Helming, Lanza, Martinez, Martins, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, C. Ryan, Scarcella-Spanton, Skoufis and Weik.
Ayes, 44. Nays, 15.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1898, Senate Print 7397, by Senator Skoufis, an act in relation to authorizing Liliana Fernandez-Clemente, the widow of Daniel Clemente, to file a new service retirement application.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1899, Assembly Bill Number 1969A, by Assemblymember Maher, an act to amend the Tax Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1899, voting in the negative are Senators Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Gallivan, Harckham, Helming, Hinchey, Lanza, Martinez, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, C. Ryan, Scarcella-Spanton and Weik.
Ayes, 45. Nays, 14.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1900, Senate Print 7663A, by Senator Bynoe, an act in relation to authorizing the County of Nassau assessor to accept an application for a real property tax exemption.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1900, voting in the negative: Senator O'Mara.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1901, Assembly Bill Number 8374A, by Assemblymember Kassay, an act to amend the Public Authorities Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1902, Senate Print 7692A, by Senator May, an act to amend the Tax Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1902, those Senators voting in the negative are Senators Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Harckham, Helming, Lanza, Martinez, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, C. Ryan, Scarcella-Spanton, Skoufis and Weik.
Ayes, 44. Nays, 15.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1903, Assembly Bill Number 778A, by Assemblymember Rosenthal, an act to amend the Public Health Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: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 BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1904, Assembly Bill Number 7915, by Assemblymember Lupardo, an act to authorize the City of Binghamton to offer an optional retirement plan to Firefighter David Edwards.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:There is a home-rule message at the desk.
Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1905, Senate Print 7775, by Senator Stewart-Cousins, an act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:There is a home-rule message at the desk.
Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1906, Assembly Bill Number 8348, by Assemblymember Levenberg, an act to amend the Tax Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1906, voting in the negative are Senators Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Gallivan, Helming, Hinchey, Lanza, Martinez, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, C. Ryan, Scarcella-Spanton, Skoufis and Weik.
Ayes, 45. Nays, 14.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1907, Senate Print 7817, by Senator Baskin, an act to authorize the widow of William James Middlebrooks to file a retirement option election form.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1908, Senate Print 7836, by Senator Skoufis, an act to amend the Tax Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1908, those Senators voting in the negative are Senators Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Gallivan, Harckham, Helming, Hinchey, Lanza, Martinez, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, C. Ryan, Scarcella-Spanton and Weik.
Ayes, 45. Nays, 14.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1909, Senate Print 7844, by Senator Baskin, an act to authorize the widow of Gerald J. Sullivan to file an application with the New York State and Local Police and Fire Retirement System.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1910, Assembly Bill Number 8558A, by Assemblymember Levenberg, an act to amend the Village Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1910, voting in the negative: Senator Weik.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1911, Senate Print 7880A, by Senator Krueger, an act to amend the Tax Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1911, voting in the negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Martins, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber and Weik.
Ayes, 38. Nays, 21.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1912, Senate Print 7927A, by Senator Mayer, an act to amend the County Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1913, Senate Print 7989A, by Senator Mayer, an act to amend Chapter 799 of the Laws of 2021.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:There is a home-rule message at the desk.
Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1914, Senate Print 8077, by Senator May, an act to amend Part B of Chapter 56 of the Laws of 2020.
SENATOR LANZA:Lay it aside.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Lay it aside.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1915, Assembly Bill Number 8490A, by Assemblymember Buttenschon, an act to amend the Tax Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1915, voting in the negative are Senators Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Gallivan, Harckham, Lanza, Martinez, O'Mara, Palumbo, Rhoads, C. Ryan, Scarcella-Spanton, Skoufis and Weik.
Ayes, 47. Nays, 12.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1916, Senate Print 8161, by Senator Weber, an act in relation to authorizing the assessor of the Town of Ramapo, County of Rockland, to accept an application for a real property tax exemption.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator Skoufis to explain his vote.
SENATOR SKOUFIS:Thank you very much, Mr. President.
On its face, this appears like an innocuous bill, the type that we take up on occasion here at the end of session to provide for a retroactive property tax exemption.
But when you dig in, there are some alarming elements to this bill that I feel ought to be brought to the attention of this chamber.
Up until March 24, 2023, this property was used as a single-family home. There was a real estate transaction on March 24, 2023, that transacted the property to Yeshivas Nachlas Sofrim, the applicant who is seeking retroactive property tax exemption.
Now, what is particularly concerning, putting aside the previous use as a single-family home, is that this applicant is before the planning board, the local planning board, on June 24th to convert the property to a school.
And so why are we providing a retroactive property tax exemption for a building that was previously a single-family home, was then purchased by a school, a nonpublic school organization, a yeshiva, but the building cannot be used for a school until June 24th at the earliest if the planning board grants the conversion.
I believe voting for this bill opens up the possibility, the real possibility for tax fraud, and I recommend my colleagues vote against it. If we do pass it, I recommend the Governor veto it.
Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator Skoufis to be recorded in the negative.
Senator Krueger to explain her vote.
SENATOR KRUEGER:Thank you.
I also rise to vote no and reaffirm the points that Senator Skoufis is making. Because as I learn about this, basically it's the Legislature participating in the possibility of opening up a whole new precedent that private homes can somehow get defined differently than the use of the home and avoid school taxes.
So imagine if everybody who didn't want to pay their school taxes in all of our communities decided to try to get legislation to exempt themselves by claiming they're something they're not. That would be pretty scary.
So I also vote no.
Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator Krueger to be recorded in the negative.
(Pause.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1916, voting in the negative are Senators Hoylman-Sigal, Jackson, Krueger, May, O'Mara, Sanders and Skoufis. Also Senator Kavanagh. Also Senator Cleare.
Ayes, 50. Nays, 9.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1917, Senate Print 8162, by Senator Weber, an act in relation to authorizing the assessor of the Town of Ramapo, County of Rockland, to accept an application for a real property tax exemption.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1917, voting in the negative: Senator O'Mara.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1918, Senate Print 8218, by Senator Cooney, an act to amend the Education Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1918, voting in the negative: Senator Weik.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1919, Assembly Bill Number 761C, by Assemblymember R. Carroll, an act to amend the Education Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect on the first of July.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1920, Senate Print 8222, by Senator Brouk, an act to amend the Public Health Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator Cooney to explain his vote.
SENATOR COONEY:Thank you, Mr. President.
I want to rise and thank our bill sponsor on behalf of the Rochester delegation for her focus on the needs of older adults.
This bill allows not-for-profit nursing homes to work together to collaborate on staffing and quality-of-care issues, with the goal of trying to find efficiencies to better operate, meaning that we can serve more people if they need skilled nursing care.
It's a great bill, and I thank the bill sponsor for her leadership.
Mr. President, I vote aye.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator Cooney to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1920, voting in the negative are Senators Ortt and Walczyk.
Ayes, 57. Nays, 2.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1921, Senate Print 8241A, by Senator Harckham, an act to amend the Public Authorities Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1922, Senate Print 8269A, by Senator Baskin, an act to amend the Tax Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1922, voting in the negative are Senators Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Harckham, Helming, Lanza, Martinez, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, C. Ryan, Scarcella-Spanton, Skoufis and Weik.
Ayes 46. Nays, 13.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1923, Senate Print 8276, by Senator Harckham, an act to amend the Public Officers Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1923, voting in the negative: Senator Weik.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1924, Assembly Bill Number 5852A, by Assemblymember Steck, an act to amend the General Business Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect one year after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator Skoufis to explain his vote.
SENATOR SKOUFIS:Thank you very much, Mr. President.
Briefly, this bill, in conjunction with a companion bill by Senator Fahy, looks to finally put some guardrails around kratom, which is a relatively new substance here in the United States becoming very popular, but comes with significant dangers to some individuals.
And so this bill looks to allow for a label to be placed on these products and better inform consumers of the potential risks associated with the substance.
I do want to state for the record that there are likely some technical issues that need to be cleaned up through a chapter amendment process, and look forward to working with the Assemblyman, Assemblyman Steck, and the Governor on that process.
Thank you very much.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator Skoufis to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1925, Senate Print Number 8308, by Senator Scarcella-Spanton, an act to amend the Public Health Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1926, Senate Print 8311A, by Senator Kavanagh, an act to amend the Public Housing Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1926, those Senators voting in the negative are Senators Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Rolison, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber and Weik. Also Senator Fernandez.
Ayes, 45. Nays, 14.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1927, Assembly Bill Number 8418, by Assemblymember Bichotte Hermelyn, an act to amend the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1927, voting in the negative: Senator Martinez.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1928, Assembly Bill Number 8639A, by Assemblymember Bichotte Hermelyn, an act to amend the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1928, voting in the negative: Senator Martinez.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1929, Assembly Bill Number 8795, by Assemblymember Woerner, an act to amend the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1929, voting in the negative: Senator Martinez.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1930, Senate Print 8374, by Senator Persaud, an act to amend the Family Court Act.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 4. This act shall take effect on the 270th day after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1931, Senate Print 8379, by Senator Gianaris, an act to amend the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1931, voting in the negative: Senator Martinez.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1932, Senate Print 8382, by Senator S. Ryan, an act to amend the Family Court Act.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect on the 90th day after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1933, Senate Print 8385, by Senator Comrie, an act to amend the State Finance Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 4. This act shall take effect on the 60th day after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1935, Senate Print 8387, by Senator Ramos, an act to amend the Workers' Compensation Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 5. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1935, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rolison, Tedisco, and Walczyk.
Ayes, 46. Nays, 13.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1936, Assembly Bill Number 8419, by Assemblymember Conrad, an act to amend the Agriculture and Markets Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 4. This act shall take effect on the 120th day after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1936, voting in the negative: Senator Walczyk.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1937, Senate Print 8389, by Senator Ramos, an act to amend the Labor Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1938, Senate Print 8397, by Senator Martinez, an act to amend the Business Corporation Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 8. This act shall take effect on the 180th day after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1939, Senate Print 8402, by Senator Gianaris, an act to amend Chapter 801 of the Laws of 2021.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1939, voting in the negative: Senator Ashby.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1940, Senate Print 8403, by Senator Webb, an act in relation to authorizing the Town of Cortlandville to discontinue the use of certain parklands.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:There is a home-rule message at the desk.
Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 7. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1940, voting in the negative: Senator Fahy.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1941, Assembly Bill Number 8679, by Assemblymember Burke, an act to amend the Coordinated Construction Act for Lower Manhattan.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1941, voting in the negative: Senator Rhoads.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1942, Assembly Bill Number 8678, by Assemblymember Burke, an act to amend Chapter 322 of the Laws of 2014.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1942, voting in the negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Lanza, Martins, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber and Weik. Also Senator Rolison. Also Senator Mattera.
Ayes, 42. Nays, 17.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1943, Senate Print 8406, by Senator Sanders, an act to amend the Banking Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1943, voting in the negative: Senator Walczyk.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1944, Senate Print 8407, by Senator Fahy, an act to amend the Social Services Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
SENATOR GIANARIS:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1945, Senate Print 8408, by Senator Krueger, an act to amend the Financial Services Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 6. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1946, Assembly Bill Number 8657, by Assemblymember Otis, an act to amend Chapter 670 of the Laws of 2022.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1947, Senate Print 8411, by Senator Skoufis, an act to amend the Public Officers Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 11. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1947, voting in the negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Martins, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber and Weik.
Ayes, 38. Nays, 21.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1948, Senate Print 8413, by Senator Gounardes, an act in relation to authorizing a loan from the state to the City of Dunkirk.
SENATOR LANZA:Lay it aside.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Lay it aside.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1949, Senate Print 8415, by Senator Salazar, an act to amend the Correction Law.
SENATOR LANZA:Lay it aside.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Lay it aside.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1950, Senate Print 8417, by Senator Krueger, an act to amend the Public Service Law.
SENATOR LANZA:Lay it aside.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Lay it aside.
There's a substitution at the desk.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Senator Gianaris moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 8883 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 8418, Third Reading Calendar 1951.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The substitution is so ordered.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1951, Assembly Bill Number 8883, by Assemblymember Rivera, an act to amend the Judiciary Law.
SENATOR LANZA:Lay it aside.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Lay it aside.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1952, Senate Print 8419, by Senator Addabbo, an act to amend the Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1952, voting in the negative: Senator Skoufis.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1953, Senate Print 8421, by Senator Krueger, an act to amend the Public Service Law.
SENATOR LANZA:Lay it aside.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Sensing a trend. Lay it aside.
(Laughter.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Calendar Number 1954, Assembly Bill Number 8411, by Assemblymember Stirpe, an act to amend the Economic Development Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
Calendar Number 1955 will be temporarily laid aside.
Senator Gianaris, that completes the reading of the supplemental calendar.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Thank you, Mr. President.
Let's move on to the controversial calendar. We're going to do these a little bit out of order. So let's begin with, where is it, Calendar Number 1951.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The Secretary will ring the bell.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1951, Assembly Bill Number 8883, by Assemblymember Rivera, an act to amend the Judiciary Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator Palumbo, why do you rise?
SENATOR PALUMBO:Thank you, Mr. President. I wonder if the sponsor would yield for a few questions, the acting sponsor of the bill.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR GIANARIS:I am the sponsor of this bill, and I will gladly yield.
(Laughter.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The sponsor of the bill will yield.
SENATOR PALUMBO:Thank you, Senator Gianaris. Could you please explain to us what this bill does?
SENATOR GIANARIS:Yes. This bill deals with decades of underrepresentation that various communities, in the western part of the state particularly, have faced in terms of their judiciary that -- whose makeup in the Fourth Department particularly -- does not reflect the communities that live in those parts of the state.
SENATOR PALUMBO:Will the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR GIANARIS:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR PALUMBO:So just, I guess, to speed things up a little for our colleagues, it currently takes the 13 judicial districts in New York State and carves out two new ones, is that accurate?
SENATOR GIANARIS:Correct.
SENATOR PALUMBO:If the sponsor will continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR GIANARIS:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR PALUMBO:Now, we've just had this bill filed in indexing just for a few days, I believe. And so were there any public hearings held with respect to the creation of new judicial districts in New York State?
SENATOR GIANARIS:Allow me to also save some time, because I think I know where you're going.
This is the result of legislation that's been around for quite some time. Senator Sean Ryan had a bill that dealt solely with Erie County in this regard. There was a bill, I think it was in the Assembly originally, that dealt with Monroe County. And rather than consider these piecemeal, we came up with a comprehensive approach that dealt with all the regions of the state that were being considered.
But the individual proposals have been around for quite some time.
SENATOR PALUMBO:Will the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR GIANARIS:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR PALUMBO:Has the Office of Court Administration weighed in on the creation of these new districts at all?
SENATOR GIANARIS:I believe they have. We've talked to them at various points throughout this week. They have expressed their support for the goals of this legislation. And they probably said some other things.
SENATOR PALUMBO:Will the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR GIANARIS:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR PALUMBO:And with regard to the actual geographic maps themselves, has there been any input from the Office of Court Administration or any other administrative bodies that you can think of?
SENATOR GIANARIS:I don't --
SENATOR PALUMBO:Expressing support or not supporting it?
SENATOR GIANARIS:On the specific ways we've divided up the districts?
SENATOR PALUMBO:Yes, that's correct.
SENATOR GIANARIS:No, there was no specific comment on that.
SENATOR PALUMBO:Will the sponsor continue to yield.
SENATOR GIANARIS:But again, they did express --
SENATOR PALUMBO:Oh, I'm sorry.
SENATOR GIANARIS:They did express support for what we're trying to do by carving it up the way we did.
SENATOR PALUMBO:Will the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR GIANARIS:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR PALUMBO:Well, as we sit here today, there are elections coming up in November. And I saw in the bill text that each of these specific judges were now reapportioned into these essentially four new districts. And I have the map in front of me. And just to be clear -- maybe it will help my colleagues to understand -- that essentially the Eighth Judicial District, which includes Erie County, Allegany, Wyoming, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, Chautauqua, and Cattaraugus -- basically from Geneseo west -- that's now being reapportioned so that Erie County is its own judicial district, and then all around it those counties I just mentioned plus Livingston and Steuben. Is that accurate?
SENATOR GIANARIS:I take your word for it. I don't have the map in front of me like you do. But it sounds right.
SENATOR PALUMBO:Okay, thank you.
Will the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR GIANARIS:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR PALUMBO:And I believe they pronounce it Stu-ben out that way, not Stoob-en. But --
SENATOR GIANARIS:-- the counties, Senator Palumbo.
SENATOR PALUMBO:Yes. So that essentially carves out into two districts, the Eighth and then we have -- we slice up the others so that Erie is its own judicial district and Onondaga, which includes Syracuse, is its own judicial district. Is that correct?
SENATOR GIANARIS:Correct. And Monroe is also its own, correct.
SENATOR PALUMBO:And Monroe, I apologize. Yes.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Correct.
SENATOR PALUMBO:Will the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR GIANARIS:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR PALUMBO:Can you tell me if there's been any consultation or if you could explain to us how this affects our Regents. Because the Regents are of course sliced up by judicial districts, so that's something that I assume was contemplated when this map was drawn.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Yeah, that's a really good question. And in fact this will increase representation for this part of the state in the Regents.
There will be two new Regents, because the Regents are apportioned by judicial district. And since we're adding two new judicial districts, there will be two new Regents that will be appointed from the western part of the state.
SENATOR PALUMBO:Will the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR GIANARIS:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR PALUMBO:Thank you, Senator. Through you, Mr. President.
We now have a bunch of judges who are on the ballot in all of these judicial districts, the new ones and the current ones. So have we apportioned where they will end up? Since now these districts are completely moved around geographically. And they're not contained within the bill because we haven't had an election yet. That's in November still.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Yeah, let me just clarify something, because you keep referring to the election that's coming up this November.
This bill does not take effect until the 2026 elections, and then the new districts would be in place as of January 2027. So if anyone's on the ballot this year, they would be unaffected.
SENATOR PALUMBO:Understood.
Will the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR GIANARIS:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR PALUMBO:So then I have the same question for the 2026 election. This will also be mystery judges until we know who's elected.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Yes. And the way -- and we've -- I should mention that we modeled this based on the last time this was done that split off Staten Island from Brooklyn, I believe. Senator Lanza was the sponsor of that legislation in 2007. And it specifically identifies all of the judges who are currently in that district and where they would be assigned, so that there's no confusion about where everybody is.
What we did -- because this may be your next question -- what we did in terms of how we went about doing that is we attempted to place the various judges in the districts in which they reside. And to the extent the apportionment required some movement, we allowed the most-senior judges to remain in the districts they reside in and reapportioned the less-senior members.
SENATOR PALUMBO:Will the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR GIANARIS:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR PALUMBO:Thank you, Senator.
So when drawing these districts, was there any reconsideration with regard to voter enrollment? Because it just so happens that these other districts now -- some are very, quote, Republican.
And Erie's demographics I saw are about two to one, 300,000 Democrats to 164,000 Republicans. Onondaga I did not look up, but I do know that that also is a blue area. And all the others seem to be quite Republican. Was that a factor when considering the maps that are currently drawn?
SENATOR GIANARIS:No. And, you know, I guess it says more about you than me that you figured that out, because we did not take that into consideration.
What we did, however, was look at the racial makeup of the judges in these parts of the state. And frankly I, was aghast to see what the numbers were. This is a part of the state where there's a significant population of people of color. And yet out of 67, I believe -- is that right? -- 67 judges in this department, two are Black, zero are Asian, zero are Hispanic. That's what we're trying to solve for. That we looked at.
And frankly we were shocked to find out that you have a very homogenous, almost all white judiciary from this part of the state.
SENATOR PALUMBO:Will the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR GIANARIS:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR PALUMBO:Through you, Mr. President. So when I looked at some of those demographics as well -- because I thought that was a concern -- my understanding is in now the soon-to-be Eighth Judicial District that just includes Erie County, Erie County has one person of color on the bench countywide, and that is an African-American Family Court judge who is actually a Republican.
So despite that being a very blue area, do you know if -- can you -- did your investigation reveal any reason why the Erie County Democratic Party didn't seem to be running any individuals of color, just the Republicans?
SENATOR GIANARIS:No. And, you know, we could have a whole other debate on another bill about how to select judges in this state, which I would be in favor of having. But I did not investigate how Erie County has chosen its Family Court judges, no.
SENATOR PALUMBO:Will the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR GIANARIS:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR PALUMBO:Thank you.
Senator Gianaris, you indicated that you also evaluated these districts statewide. Are you aware of, in the First Judicial District, New York County, they have had one elected Latina judge ever, Mary Rosado? And currently on the bench in New York County, which has an enrollment last year of 779,000 registered Democrats, 86,000 registered Republicans, New York County has one Asian-American judge and two Latino judges, in the progressive County of New York.
So did that come into your analysis at all? Because you obviously were evaluating racial makeup upstate. But did you decide to take a look at all downstate? Because that's of real concern to us.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Well, first of all, I'm glad you asked the question the way you did, because initially you said I did look at the whole state, and that would be misrepresenting what I said at the outset.
This came to us because our members and members of the Assembly from the parts of the state this bill affects had individual proposals specifically dealing with those parts of the state.
I happen to agree with you that the representation statewide is lacking, but at least the geography of the districts downstate accurately gives the power to these communities in the selection process that they should have.
What's happening upstate is the population centers that have these communities within them have been diluted by the way the districts are drawn.
Now, I would say to you I'm happy to work with you, and Senator Sepúlveda has been a leader in efforts to have more Latinos on the bench, and Senator Liu in terms of trying to get more Asians on the bench. It's a goal I wholeheartedly support.
This is a great step towards moving in that direction. So you should support this if you care about that.
SENATOR PALUMBO:Would the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR GIANARIS:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR PALUMBO:Thank you, Senator.
And last year you and I had some discussion offline about some comments in the past 24 hours that we both made. And last year we had a bill that required all Election Law challenges to only be brought in four counties in the state. That would be Erie County, Albany County, New York County, and Westchester County, even for the 10th Judicial District, which is where I live.
So if I had a constitutional challenge on an election law case from Eastern Long Island, I would have to travel to Westchester.
Was that part of any consideration to carve out Erie County? Which is a blue county in and of itself, but the current Eighth Judicial District is not.
SENATOR GIANARIS:No, it was not.
SENATOR PALUMBO:Thank you, Senator Gianaris.
On the bill, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator Palumbo on the bill.
SENATOR PALUMBO:Well, Mr. President, this is a little suspect to me, that this came to us in very short order and carves out areas that I think will -- certainly on their face it would be denying many residents of adequate representation in the Supreme Court, quite frankly.
And the comments I was talking about, I believe that this was done for purely political purposes. And unfortunately the most sacrosanct area of our government is supposed to be the judiciary. And so that's -- it's a very significant concern that when you look at these demographics that now we are essentially gerrymandering districts so that Erie is carved out.
And actually the Supreme Court judges, this is what I believe is the number, that it goes from -- in Erie County they actually get three extra. Because the Eighth Judicial District had 28 judges, and now it -- that had all of those counties. Now, between that area that was sliced up, it goes up to 31. And the Eighth Judicial district, Erie County is going to get 18 judges, when I think about Erie County has less than a million people. I'm in the 10th Judicial District; we have 3 million people.
So it's unfortunate that I have to really address this as a political move. But when you think about the judges that are in that Eighth Judicial District, I believe almost all of them outside of Erie County, all but one, out of 14, are Republicans.
So unfortunately I'm going to have to have to oppose this because I don't think that the actual intent of this bill is accurate. Because when you look at Erie County, the only individuals of color are Republicans. And when you look at places like New York County, that's where we should be really thinking about who are the ones that are not nominating for Supreme Court judge individuals who should represent the communities in which they serve.
I mean, I've looked at a little more information. Albany County has never elected an Asian-American to the Supreme Court.
So this is a problem, I certainly agree with that. We need to have an accurate reflection of this. This is something that's a little bit near and dear to my heart. As a little refresher, about a year and a half ago I sued some of my colleagues because we had an historic nominee for chief judge in Hector LaSalle that was rejected by that side of the room.
So we do need to do more on this. But this is politically motivated. For those reasons, Mr. President I'll be voting no.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Are there any other Senators wishing to be heard?
Senator Walczyk, why do you rise?
SENATOR WALCZYK:Thank you, Mr. President. Would the sponsor yield.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Yes!
(Laughter.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:It is not Walczyk Wednesdays, it is Walczyk Thursdays.
The sponsor yields.
SENATOR GIANARIS:A day late. A day late, Senator Walczyk. We'll take it.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Mr. President, Senator Gianaris is more excited about it than I am for sure.
(Laughter.)
SENATOR WALCZYK:Through you, Mr. President, has the population increased, shifted? Have demographics changed significantly in the areas of Central and Western New York?
SENATOR GIANARIS:Well, yes, I would imagine they would, since these districts were created about a century ago, from what I understand.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Through you, Mr. President, would the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR GIANARIS:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR WALCZYK:In what way, for the group. I mean, this bill is only three days old. Could you explain why redistricting needed to happen here? What demographics shifted or what populations changed?
SENATOR GIANARIS:I believe I already explained that, but I'm happy to do it again.
And in fact it's not so much about the shifting, which I'm certain has occurred. I didn't go back and look at the census data from the last 100 years, but what I do know is that the judges who represent this part of the state are grossly misrepresentative of the demographics of the people who live in this part of the state.
So whether that has changed and gotten worse over time or it was just bad to begin with when they were first drawn and has never been remedied, I don't know.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Through you, Mr. President, would the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR GIANARIS:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR WALCZYK:You've mentioned the racial makeup when you were talking to my colleague. When was the last time that Democrats nominated a person of color to run in the Fifth Judicial District?
SENATOR GIANARIS:I don't know the answer to that.
But I think anyone who is in this chamber is very familiar with the flawed process of selecting judges that we have. And what ends up happening is often the parties collude with each other to nominate people who can win. And if you have districts that are drawn in such a way that these communities' power, voting power is specifically diluted, they will end up not doing that.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Thank you.
Madam President, through you, if the sponsor would continue to yield.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator Gianaris, do you --
Yes, Senator Gianaris yields.
SENATOR WALCZYK:The answer is never.
Today is our last day of session. A bill is required to age for three days. When was this legislation introduced?
SENATOR GIANARIS:I believe it was Monday. But again, let me point out that the individual components of this proposal have been around for much longer.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Through you, Madam President, would the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR GIANARIS:Yes.
SENATOR WALCZYK:So it has the minimum of three days of age today?
SENATOR GIANARIS:I think I answered you already.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Through you, Madam President, would the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Do you continue to yield?
SENATOR GIANARIS:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Speaking of threes, we have three coequal branches of government in New York and in the United States. Was the OCA consulted on this bill?
SENATOR GIANARIS:Yes.
SENATOR WALCZYK:And through you, Madam President, would the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Do you continue to yield?
SENATOR GIANARIS:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR WALCZYK:What feedback did you receive from the Office of Court Administration?
SENATOR GIANARIS:As I mentioned earlier, they indicated support for the goals of the legislation. They -- we had various technical questions that they answered for us to make sure that the bill was technically sound. And then they I believe expressed some interest in continuing the dialogue.
SENATOR WALCZYK:And through you, Madam President, would the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Do you continue to yield?
SENATOR GIANARIS:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Was the Unified Court system contacted? Did you receive feedback from them?
SENATOR GIANARIS:You mean as opposed to OCA? I believe they're the same people you're talking about.
SENATOR WALCZYK:And through you, Madam President, would the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Do you continue to yield?
SENATOR GIANARIS:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR WALCZYK:The Onondaga Bar Association that this impacts, did you hear back from them?
SENATOR GIANARIS:I understand they put out some kind of statement today.
SENATOR WALCZYK:And through you, Madam President, would the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Do you continue to yield?
SENATOR GIANARIS:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The Senator yields.
SENATOR WALCZYK:In three days -- and I know it's not a lot of time, but often in legislation we'll receive memos of support and opposition. Are there any memos in support of this bill?
SENATOR GIANARIS:I don't know.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Thank you.
Madam President, on the bill.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator Walczyk on the bill.
SENATOR WALCZYK:From the Unified Court System of New York State: "UCS fully supports the Legislature's goal of increasing the diversity of the judiciary in these districts. Diversity in the courts has been a priority of this administration. We have worked to diversify the bench and leadership of the courts.
"Unfortunately, this bill would substantially alter our current operations and require consideration of a wide variety of factors, including determining which districts should be impacted, reviewing the number of judges allocated to each district, the likely caseload impacts, and the impact on infrastructure operations and the public.
"In our view, this legislation should be deferred until next session to allow all interested parties to analyze the above issues and also give everyone sufficient time to consider whether this is the best way to divide the existing districts and whether any other districts shall be altered or created, which can be done only once every 10 years."
The Onondaga County Bar Association has also urged a delay until next session for many similar reasons.
But we know what this is about. If you can't win an election, you force it into a court that's favorable for you to make a decision on elections. And if that's not working out for you, then you redistrict the courts in the State of New York to stack courts and then do it this way.
The judiciary is not supposed to operate under these circumstances. We have three coequal branches in the State of New York. And I'll be voting no.
Thank you, Madam President.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Thank you, Senator Walczyk.
Are there any other Senators wishing to be heard?
Seeing and hearing none, debate is closed.
The Secretary will ring the bell.
Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator Bailey to explain his vote.
SENATOR BAILEY:Thank you. Thank you, Madam President.
Irony is something that happens in this chamber often. Senator Palumbo mispronounced Steuben County. And it is rich to hear about the shifting and forum shopping of judges when the aforementioned Steuben County was randomly chosen by a Surrogate's Court judge to deal with a redistricting matter.
But that's not necessarily germane, Madam President. I apologize for that statement of clear fact which is what happened.
What I'm going to talk about is attorneys of color and judges of color, because I happen to be an attorney of color. A lot has been spoken about attorneys of color not by attorneys of color. And I can tell you, as an attorney of color, judicial representation matters. When you walk into courtrooms and you don't see judges that look like you that have similar experiences to you, that matters.
I am proud that in the Bronx we have the most diverse bench in the entire state, but it cannot be limited just to the borough of the Bronx. The rest the state deserves that opportunity. Young law students, young lawyers, young people of color who are practicing attorneys deserve the opportunity to have the option for more judges of color to be able to do that.
In the OCA memo that was read, the statement of diversity was the first thing that happened, and that rings true. Senator Gianaris, thank you for introducing this important legislation to the people of Western New York. While I do not reside there, this is a matter of statewide importance.
And I am proud to vote on this matter of statewide importance, and I cast my vote in the affirmative.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator Bailey to be recorded in the affirmative.
Senator May to explain her vote.
SENATOR MAY:Thank you, Madam President.
And I want to thank Senator Bailey for that insight. I was thinking about the residents of my City of Syracuse who might have to appear in court and never have had the opportunity to appear before a Supreme Court justice who looked like them. So I am very grateful to Senator Gianaris and my colleagues for putting this plan together and bringing it to the floor.
I also am interested to hear my colleagues across the aisle talk about these new districts as gerrymandered, when clearly what exists now is something that has created an enormous imbalance in terms of who sits on the bench and, at least in my district, who runs for these offices. Over and over again we have seen judicial races where there was only one candidate on the ballot because people just took themselves out of the running, knowing that they had no chance of getting elected.
So I'm hopeful that we may have more competitive races in the future and more opportunity for the voters to choose the justices rather than the justices choosing themselves.
I vote aye.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator May to be recorded in the affirmative.
Senator Palumbo to explain his vote.
SENATOR PALUMBO:Thank you, Madam President.
And just to make one more point -- and I have a lot of respect for my colleagues -- talking about forum shopping and judge shopping. Well, there's no need to judge-shop now, particularly on Election Law cases, because it was done by legislation.
This is the ultimate judge shopping. The other shoe has dropped. If we had done this in an inverted manner, if we had changed the judicial districts last year, and then today we were passing an Election Law bill where you can only bring your challenges in overwhelmingly Democrat small areas in those different counties, then it might be a different story.
But now we have -- and particularly, I mean, I pointed out the Erie County Democrat and Republican parties. The Republican Party seems to be the only one who are running people of color. But let's talk about New York County as well. Every lever of government is controlled by Democrats. And most of those judges I believe are appointed in New York County. And we have two Latino and one Asian. And even if they're not all of them, it's up to the party chairs to run people and select candidates who fit the demographic of their communities.
So, Madam President, shame on them. I vote no.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator Palumbo to be recorded in the negative.
Senator Gianaris to close.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Thank you, Madam President. Just a couple of closing remarks.
Let me be clear, because I heard a couple of things that struck me as funny from my colleagues.
This matter is quite specifically left to the Legislature to decide. The court system does not get to draw the lines for the judicial districts. The Constitution does not contemplate that. So we are exercising our constitutional duty to decide how the judicial districts are drawn.
I heard one of my colleagues say if you can't win an election, do it some other way. We won the elections. Here we are, some of our members sit on that side of the aisle because we have so many. Which means we get to decide what passes in this chamber.
The Assembly has already passed this, I understand, a little while ago. So this is actually democracy showing itself. If you don't like the outcome, I'm sorry for you. But if you can't win an election, as you said, that's too bad for you.
We're sitting here now because there is a gross misrepresentation of people in a part of this state. It's funny to hear one of my colleagues talk about forum shopping. He's been doing that himself for a couple of years, picking his preferred judges to bring suits against this body.
So I'm sorry if you're not going to get to do that as much, if you can't cheat the system as much as you have been for all these decades that it's been taking place. But this Senate changed hands in the last decade because the people wanted it to. And we're passing laws that we are constitutionally empowered to pass. You just don't like the outcome.
I do want to say one last thing, because one thing that was lost in this conversation that we didn't talk about is the benefit that this will provide to the rural counties upstate, because they are even underrepresented at the hands of the larger population centers.
So if you compare the populations of some of these counties to what their proportional number of judges should be, I'm going to tell you who benefits. Allegany County would gain judges if that was the case. Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Genesee, Livingston, Niagara, Oneida, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne, and Wyoming. All have more percentage of population of these judicial districts than judges they have on the bench. So by creating districts that would focus on those counties, they should also see greater representation.
This is good in so many ways, Madam President. Most importantly, it's good for the people of Western New York, who will have a more accurate judiciary that represents the populations of that part of the state.
Thank you. I vote yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator Gianaris to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1951, those Senators voting in the negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Martins, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber and Weik.
Ayes, 38. Nays, 21.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Next up, Madam President, is Calendar 258.
I'm sorry, that's Calendar 1949.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1949, Senate Print 8415, by Senator Salazar, an act to amend the Correction Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator Stec, why do you rise?
SENATOR STEC:Thank you, Madam President. If the sponsor would yield for a few questions.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR STEC:Thank you.
The first question, does this bill contain any changes at all that would address any of the concerns that we've been hearing about for years from corrections officers and people that work in our prisons regarding the HALT Act?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Through you, Madam President. This bill has nothing to do with the HALT Solitary Confinement Act.
SENATOR STEC:Will the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Do you continue to yield?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR STEC:Why not take this opportunity, on the last day of session, following a historic wildcat strike where almost 10,000 of our employees walked off the job due to safety concerns in their workplace that affects both them and inmates, and the data's there to back it up? Why several months later, here on the last day of session, doesn't this bill, this omnibus bill that I presume has taken a lot of effort to get to the floor here this week -- just a few days ago it just aged -- why not take that opportunity to address what was obviously one of the most concerning things that's happened in corrections in the last three decades?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Through you, Madam President. This is an omnibus bill that consists essentially of language from 10 different pieces of legislation, some of which we have actually passed previously in this chamber, and that have been pending in the Legislature for years.
The focus of this omnibus bill is conditions in correctional facilities. It is bringing accountability and transparency to our prison system that woefully lacks both, and additionally is in part a response to the crisis in our state prisons in which two incarcerated men have been murdered by corrections staff in just the past six months alone.
SENATOR STEC:If the sponsor will continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Will the sponsor continue to yield?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR STEC:I agree that -- and I think we all agree it's important we address violence within our prisons. And the death of the two people that you're referring to is certainly unfortunate, certainly outrageous, and the criminal justice system should do what I think this side of the aisle expects it to do.
But does this bill do anything to target the well-documented inmate-on-inmate violence that's occurring in our prisons?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Through you, Madam President. I would say that the bills contained within this omnibus bill do seek to improve safety for everyone in our state prisons, including staff, incarcerated individuals, visitors, anyone who finds themselves in a state correctional facility.
SENATOR STEC:Will the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Do you continue to yield?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR STEC:So you referred to the deaths of the two inmates previously. However -- and you've heard me talk about this before, last year -- there were four inmates that died due to overdoses in our prisons. Does this bill do anything to address the contraband that is causing these overdoses?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Through you, Madam President. There is a part of this bill that includes expanding fixed cameras and ensuring comprehensive coverage of audio and video footage in state correctional facilities. I would argue that that increases security in facilities and may play a role in reducing contraband.
SENATOR STEC:Will the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Do you continue to yield?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR STEC:Does this bill address in any way the use of body scanners to combat contraband?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Through you, Madam President. Body scanners are not addressed in this legislation.
This body has previously taken action to ensure that body scanners are one of the ways in which security is implemented in our correctional facilities for visitors, for incarcerated individuals, and not necessarily for staff, but certainly for other people who are entering correctional facilities.
SENATOR STEC:Will the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Do you continue to yield?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR STEC:Does this legislation in any way address contraband getting into the prisons through the mail and legal mail that goes into these prisons that is soaked in contraband chemicals and drugs?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Through you, Madam President, that is not addressed in this legislation. Although I do know that DOCCS has relatively recently implemented a stricter policy with regard to screening legal mail.
SENATOR STEC:Will the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Do you continue to yield?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR STEC:Does this legislation in any way address the contraband that's entering through our vendor system and implementing a secure vendor program? Which has been invented and used in several states around the country, so we don't need to invent anything, we just need to use a tool that's available.
Does this address the secured vendor question?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Through you, Madam President, there is already an existing secure vendor program in DOCCS, and that's not addressed in this legislation.
SENATOR STEC:Will the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Do you continue to yield?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR STEC:So there's no question, and DOCCS's own data will show inmate-on-staff and inmate-on-inmate violence has skyrocketed since HALT went into effect.
Wouldn't restoring the disciplinary options that were eliminated through HALT, the HALT Act, help to address the rise in this violence, thus increasing safety for both inmates and staff in our correctional facilities?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Through you, Madam President. What this legislation seeks to address is in part the fact that according to the Correctional Association of New York, 143 incarcerated individuals died while in DOCCS custody last year alone. That's a 34 percent increase in deaths of incarcerated individuals in DOCCS from the previous year.
What this legislation is seeking to address is conditions in our state correctional facilities and failures of accountability, transparency, and oversight in our state corrections system.
SENATOR STEC:Will the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Do you continue to yield?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR STEC:As you know, DOCCS has been facing an unprecedented staffing shortage, impairing the ability of correction officers to maintain safety and security and protect both staff and inmates. The impossible working conditions created by both the staffing shortage and the HALT Act caused the CO strike earlier this year.
What does this bill do to address the issues and concerns raised by 10,000 corrections officers both during and after that strike?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Through you, Madam President. I think that this legislation addresses many concerns that anyone who is incarcerated or works in one of our state prisons might have.
I'll also note that we received a memo of support today from PEF, whose members include 5,000 employees in DOCCS. So I would argue that this legislation does address concerns of some of our state employees who work in our correctional facilities.
SENATOR STEC:Will the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Do you continue to yield?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR STEC:Does your legislation do anything to help recruit and retain corrections staff?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Through you, Madam President. I believe that by improving conditions in our correctional facilities, which I believe that this legislation will do, that it will create a safer work environment for everyone, including correction officers, who work in our state prisons.
SENATOR STEC:Will the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Do you continue to yield?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR STEC:Just last night, when we were in this chamber voting on end-of-session legislation, at Clinton Correctional in Clinton County, in my Senate district, 17 people went to the emergency room for medical emergencies -- and I was told that these were all chemical exposures -- including four staff.
So I'm not sure if it was 13 inmates or 17 inmates plus four staff, but somewhere in the neighborhood of a dozen and a half people, both inmates and staff, had medical emergencies in Clinton Correctional last night.
We've seen a number of incidents where officers and staff are exposed to unknown substances, sometimes causing illness. And I talked about it in a previous debate where over 25 people at another one of my correctional facilities, in Franklin County, went to the emergency room in January of this year.
Does your legislation do anything to address contraband that killed four inmates last year in your bill?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Through you, Madam President. If the question is if this legislation would address deaths in correctional facilities, would address overdoses -- it seems like this is what Senator Stec may be asking -- yes, I absolutely think that this legislation will seek to address those issues.
SENATOR STEC:Will the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Do you continue to yield?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR STEC:Part H. How is Part H changing the makeup of the Commission of Corrections?
SENATOR SALAZAR:(Conferring.) I'm sorry, Madam President.
So right now there are three commissioners on the State Commission of Correction. This bill would increase the membership from those three members to nine individuals.
It also will ensure that the Governor appoints three of those individuals, that the Speaker of the Assembly appoints two, and that the Majority Leader or the Temporary President of the Senate would appoint two individuals as well. Additionally, that the Correctional Association of New York would appoint two of those nine commissioners.
SENATOR STEC:Will the sponsor continue to yield?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR STEC:Just so we're all clear, under current law the Governor appoints three members and the Senate must confirm these members, is that correct?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Through you, Madam President. Yes, that is correct.
It also demonstrates that the State Commission of Correction is really a very small agency relative to their responsibility in statute. They are responsible for conducting oversight and accountability for both state and local correctional facilities in statute, and that is something that I don't believe they are able to adequately do with the number of commissioners and staff size that they currently have.
SENATOR STEC:Will the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Do you continue to yield?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR STEC:So these six additional members, just to be clear again, two would be appointed by the Assembly, two by the Senate, and two would be appointed by the Correctional Association of New York, is that correct?
SENATOR SALAZAR:That's correct.
SENATOR STEC:Thank you.
Would the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Do you continue to yield?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR STEC:Is there any requirement in your bill that the members, those six new members be approved by the Senate?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Through you, Madam President. Of the new members, they would not need to be confirmed by the Senate.
SENATOR STEC:Will the sponsor continue to yield?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR STEC:Thank you.
Article 5, Section 4 of the State Constitution reads "the members of all boards and commissions, excepting temporary commissions for special purposes, shall be appointed by the Governor by and with the advice and consent of the Senate."
The Commission of Corrections is not a temporary commission for special purposes, is it?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Through you, Madam President. There are other exceptions in state law to this. It's not just the State Commission of Correction in this case.
SENATOR STEC:Will the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Do you continue to yield?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR STEC:Thank you.
In fact, the Commission of Corrections is a constitutionally created commission, correct?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Through you, Madam President. The State Commission of Correction is in statute. I don't believe that it's actually in the State Constitution.
SENATOR STEC:On the bill briefly.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator Stec on the bill.
SENATOR STEC:Thank you.
The answer to my question is yes, Article XVII, Section 5 states, quote, There shall be a state commission of correction which shall visit and inspect or cause to be visited and inspected by members of its staff, all institutions used for the detention of sane adults charged with or convicted of a crime, end quote.
Will the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR STEC:Thank you.
How do the provisions of this legislation comply with the constitutional requirement that members of the state commission must be appointed by the Governor -- no one else -- with the advice and consent of the Senate?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Through you, Madam President. We do have the ability to change the statutory language regarding the State Commission of Correction. It does not require changing the Constitution to do so.
SENATOR STEC:Will the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Do you continue to yield?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR STEC:We disagree. The bill requires that one of the members would have to be a former inmate, correct?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Through you, Madam President. The bill requires that one of the nine members would need to be someone who was formerly incarcerated in a state facility.
SENATOR STEC:Will the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Do you continue to yield?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR STEC:Thank you.
According to Section 45 of Correction Law, the commission of Correction is responsible for promulgating rules and regulations establishing minimum standards for the care, custody, correction, treatment, supervision, discipline and other correctional programs for all inmates in correctional facilities.
So this bill, if it became law, would require that a former inmate be involved in establishing minimum standards for correctional facilities, is that correct?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Through you, Madam President, yes, a former incarcerated individual would be required to be one of the members of the SCOC.
SENATOR STEC:Will the sponsor continue to yield?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR STEC:Thank you.
Is there any requirement that a member of the Commission of Correction be a former correction officer or have previous corrections experience?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Through you, Madam President. While that is not required, there is nothing in this legislation or statute that precludes a person who has formerly been a correction officer from serving on the SCOC.
However, if -- you know, current statute does require that commissioners on the SCOC be in that role full-time. So, for example, somebody who is currently a correction officer, of course, or if they had another job, they wouldn't be able to hold that position while simultaneously serving on the SCOC.
SENATOR STEC:Will the sponsor yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Do you continue to yield?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR STEC:Isn't it important to have individuals with expertise in corrections participating in the creation of minimum standards for correctional facilities?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Through you, Madam President, yes, I believe that that is true.
And there is nothing in this legislation that would prevent someone with experience in a correctional facility, including working in a correctional facility, from serving on the State Commission of Correction.
SENATOR STEC:Will the sponsor continue to yield?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR STEC:Thank you. I'll pivot to Part I, just a few questions there.
Part I requires DOCCS to provide a significant amount of information to the Correctional Association of New York on a quarterly basis. Have you spoken with DOCCS regarding their ability to comply with that requirement?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Through you, Madam President, I don't think that this will be an issue, because DOCCS currently complies with this requirement.
SENATOR STEC:Will the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Do you continue to yield?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR STEC:What is the purpose of ensuring that that data is provided to CANY?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Through you, Madam President. The Correctional Association is the only independent entity that has the ability in statute, or rather is tasked in statute with oversight of our correctional facilities. And I think in order for them to adequately perform that responsibility, they need to have access to this data.
SENATOR STEC:Will the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Do you continue to yield?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The Senator yields.
SENATOR STEC:In developing this omnibus -- and I acknowledge that you said that several parts of it came from former pieces of legislation. But in recent months, as you've developed this, have you met with the commissioner of DOCCS or senior members of his staff, consulted with him? Did he have input with you on this?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Through you, Madam President. I frequently speak to Commissioner Martuscello about legislation and have had conversations with him about the State Commission of Correction, as well as the Correctional Association, and DOCCS' relationship with both of these entities that are tasked in different ways with overseeing our correctional facilities.
SENATOR STEC:Will the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Do you yield.
SENATOR SALAZAR:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR STEC:So at the end of this strike this past winter, one of the outcomes of that, one of the promises of that, one of the conditions of that cessation was that some working group -- and I can't recall what it was called, but there was going to be a working group that was going to sit down DOCCS, stakeholders, members of the unions, staff, presumably legislative people, to come up with a list of recommendations.
That was a big selling point to the 10,000 officers that left the job because they're afraid for their lives.
How often has that group met?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Through you, Madam President. I will note that the creation of that group by DOCCS was actually subject to an agreement that was not honored by the other party.
So in other words, it was only to be enforceable if a critical mass of officers returned to work, which they did not do. That was not met.
However, it is my understanding that despite that, DOCCS convened this working group. I couldn't tell you how many times they have met. It wasn't, you know, created by statute. It didn't include members of the Legislature. So I have no way of knowing how often they've met.
SENATOR STEC:Do you yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Do you continue to yield?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR STEC:Do you honestly believe that the participants in that working group would endorse as complete or substantially addressing their safety concerns in your legislation? Do you think that your legislation would match up well with what was going to be the work product of that group that may or may not have been meeting?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Through you, Madam President, I know for a fact that they would because some of them have.
As I mentioned earlier, the Public Employees Federation, PEF, who again represents 5,000 workers in DOCCS, they were part of that committee or working group that DOCCS formed, and they have submitted a memo of support for this omnibus bill.
SENATOR STEC:Will the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Do you continue to yield?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR STEC:Do you have a memo of support from NYSCOPBA?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Through you, Madam President, I do not have any memo from NYSCOPBA regarding this legislation.
SENATOR STEC:Thank you.
If the sponsor would continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Do you continue to yield?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR STEC:Do you have a memo of support from Council 82?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Through you, Madam President. At the moment I don't think I have any memo from Council 82 on this legislation. Although I did speak to a representative of Council 82 --
SENATOR STEC:If the --
SENATOR SALAZAR:-- about this legislation.
SENATOR STEC:-- sponsor would continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Yes. But respectfully, can you let her finish the question.
SENATOR STEC:I thought she had.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Okay.
Will the sponsor continue to yield?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Yes.
SENATOR STEC:Do you have a memo of support from CSEA?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Through you, Madam President, I don't have a memo of support nor a memo of opposition from CSEA.
SENATOR STEC:If the sponsor would continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Do you continue to yield?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR STEC:In the 13 years that I've been in the Legislature, in the months leading up to the strike, many, many times during the strike, and many times since the strike, I visited all seven of my corrections facilities -- I used to have 10 -- and I've talked to a lot of corrections officers in the last six months.
I know what their concerns are, and I talked about them in the first part of the debate when I asked about contraband and HALT and staffing. And I can tell you that this legislation, you -- by your own admission this legislation doesn't address any of those things.
The employees that I talked to -- the nurses, the members of PEF, the instructors, the civilian staff and most especially the corrections officers -- have grave safety concerns regarding HALT and contraband and staffing levels in the facilities. And your legislation I don't think meets it. And I'm pretty sure they don't think it does either.
My question is, you stated earlier -- and I want to make sure -- you believe that those people that would be at that roundtable talking about this in the group that was going to meet post-strike, they would endorse this as yes, thank you, Senator Salazar, you hit the nail on the head, this is what we went on strike for, thank you, put a bow on it?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Through you, Madam President. I believe that the previously mentioned memo of support from PEF demonstrates yes, that is true.
SENATOR STEC:On the bill.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator Stec on the bill.
SENATOR STEC:I thank Senator Salazar for her time here.
Again, monumental lost opportunity to address serious, bona fide safety concerns of more than 10,000 of our employees and tens of thousands of incarcerated individuals.
In my travels I've talked to inmates in the facilities that have told me the guys that are in special housing, that are in solitary confinement, have a better deal than the guys on the honor block.
And I have often -- you know, it took me a while before it clicked, and it finally clicked. It's because with the limited resources, when we say we've got to do this because HALT says we must do X, Y and Z, those resources, those staff come out of the general population, they come out of the honor blocks, because they're going to hold hands in special housing.
And so I hear from inmates that the guys in special housing have more privileges, more services -- yes, their movements are more regulated. Some of them prefer that. Yes, they spend a little more time in their cells. However, comma, as one of the signs I saw outside the Capitol here earlier this year at one of the protests said, "New York State solitary confinement has wifi."
The inmates have said, We're left alone, we have our wifi, our tablet, we are free to -- it's a better deal for many of them. A lot of them say they feel safer in there. A lot of them feel they felt safer before HALT went into effect. And again, because the resources are pulled from the general population to try to meet the statutory requirements of HALT.
Now, with that said, if I had a nickel for every corrections officer or member of one of those four unions that I mentioned that I've talked to in the North Country in the last several months that said we want it to be safer, then this is not what they're looking for, I can assure you of that.
We had an opportunity -- you know, those guys, they went on strike, they took the hit in the tail a lot. Two days pay for every day they were out. And then on top of that, at the end, after saying we're going to fire you, we're going to fire you, we're going to fire you, just kidding, just kidding, just kidding -- and then the fourth time they fire you -- we've still got untrained, unqualified young people in our National Guard running around these facilities carrying cellphones -- not supposed to have cellphones in these facilities, some of them. They're carrying cellphones. Why that's happening, you'd have to ask Commissioner Martuscello.
We've done nothing to address the safety concerns. We have a staffing shortage, and the solution to that was to fire 2,000 and not hire many of them back. We're going to close a couple of facilities, perhaps, it sounds like. That was a priority in the budget.
But here at the end of session, an omnibus bill on corrections that doesn't do anything to address contraband or staffing levels or the shortcomings of HALT that have led to a hockey-stick-shaped curve when it comes to assaults on fellow inmates and on staff -- it would be laughable if it wasn't tragic.
So we're going to leave here maybe this weekend, depending on how the rest of the day goes, I guess, and the work of corrections is going to go on. And the 10,000 people that left that are still back there, they're going to have to live with the fact that we've done nothing. And we're going to continue to read the stories in the news. And I hope that we don't see any more overdose deaths in our facilities like we've seen.
I hope that the phone calls that I got last night about 17 people went to the emergency room in the North Country that work in one of our facilities, because they were exposed to chemicals, or 25 people that went to the North Country hospital in January -- I don't want any more of those calls. Because one of these days it's not going to be 25 went to the emergency room, it's going to be 24 went to the emergency room and one went to the morgue. And maybe it's a staff member or maybe it's an inmate. But it's avoidable. And I don't want to be standing here next year telling all of you, I told you so.
We have a responsibility to those inmates and our staff. And whether you fall on one side or the other of who you prefer, they're all people. And we as the leaders of this state have an obligation to protect them. And you have failed them.
I'll be voting no on this. I'm looking for some meaningful work in the area of corrections to make it safer for inmates and staff.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator Helming, why do you rise?
SENATOR HELMING:Thank you, Madam President. On the bill real quick.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator Helming on the bill.
SENATOR HELMING:Thank you.
So I want to thank Senator Stec for asking so many detailed questions, and I'd like to go on the record as having many of the same concerns that this bill doesn't really address the safety issues or the crisis within our prisons.
There are so many issues -- I would have preferred to see something done to HALT. I've heard that from inmates as well as COs and others, that we need to make some changes to HALT.
But if the sponsor would yield to a question or two, I do have a couple of questions.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator Salazar, do you yield?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The Senator yields.
SENATOR HELMING:Thank you. Through you, Madam President.
Senator Salazar, as you know, this crisis in our prisons, it's really resulted in a backup in our local jails as well. Our local sheriffs are holding people who are ready to be moved into DOCCS facilities. Fifty-seven out of 58 sheriffs have expressed concern that they've not been compensated for holding state-ready incarcerated individuals. They are expending a lot of money on medications, that MAT programming, and so much more.
Does this bill do anything to address that situation?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Through you, Madam President. I would say that some of the provisions of this bill, including the data reporting, the expanded oversight, the expansion of the SCOC, which is tasked with monitoring local correctional facilities and state correctional facilities -- I would say that all of those things can potentially help with staffing issues and challenges faced both by state and local correctional facilities.
SENATOR HELMING:Through you, Madam President, if the sponsor will continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Do you continue to yield?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR HELMING:Just to drill down with you a little more specifically, is there anything in this bill that directs resources to our local sheriffs to compensate them for the state's problems?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Through you, Madam President, no, that's not the purpose of this legislation.
SENATOR HELMING:Through you, Madam President, if the sponsor will continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Do you yield?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR HELMING:Does this bill by any chance address the earnings cap for part-time corrections officers both in our local jails and also in state facilities?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Through you, Madam President, no, that's not the purpose of this legislation.
SENATOR HELMING:Through you, Madam President, if the sponsor will continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Do you continue to yield?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR HELMING:Senator Salazar, I would argue that that is a concern that's being driven by the legislation that is being passed or the actions taken by this body.
If these issues are not addressed in this bill, do you have any plans to address this situation before we have the same sort of issues in our local jails that we've had at the prisons, where people say enough is enough and just walk? It creates unsafe conditions, as you mentioned.
SENATOR SALAZAR:Through you, Madam President, there is a lot in this omnibus bill that can be used to improve conditions in our state correctional facilities.
And I think that there is still more to be done just beyond just passing this omnibus bill, which focuses on accountability and transparency. And I certainly think that we can continue to take action to address the concerns that Senator Helming is raising.
SENATOR HELMING:Thank you.
On the bill real quick, Madam President.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator Helming on the bill.
SENATOR HELMING:So, Senator Salazar, I appreciate you answering those questions. I mean, I know what's in the bill, basically, and what isn't in the bill. But I want to raise the issue of what's happening in our local jails.
Like I said, 57 out of 58 sheriffs have sent letters asking for help, asking for reimbursement, asking to raise the cap for part-time corrections officers. They've sent that to the leaders of this body, they've sent it to the Governor, and they deserve a response and they deserve some action.
Also, this body -- I hear a lot about accountability, and there shall be accountability. Prisoners should not be treated like the two who were murdered inside. But accountability starts at the top. And I haven't heard a lot of discussion about that.
And we also need to have accountability for incarcerated individuals who commit crimes while they're within the state facilities, and I haven't heard a lot about that as well.
Madam President, I think there are so many shortcomings with this bill, I will be voting no.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Thank you, Senator Helming.
Senator Walczyk, why do you rise?
SENATOR WALCZYK:On the bill, Madam President.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator Walczyk on the bill.
SENATOR WALCZYK:This bill is aimed at providing some transparency in our state correctional facilities. Allow me to provide some transparency. The Governor has ignored staff and inmate concerns for safety. Thousands of corrections officers protested unsafe working conditions. Thousands of them were fired. Thousands more walked off the job permanently.
3,600-plus National Guard members are still in our facilities today. And nothing has been done to address the staff shortage and corrections officers' and staff concerns about safety in our facilities.
Instead, this bill stacks the Commission on Correction with partisan appointments, violating the Constitution. It extends the statute of limitations for prisoners to be able to sue corrections officers and the taxpayers for three additional years after they get out of prison.
And by the way, to the sponsor, the PEF memo also states "We need to do more on safety." I hope you read that line.
What should this bill do? It should create a secure vendor program. It should require visitors be screened for drug mules. It should get drugs out of our facilities. It should repeal HALT. It should listen to the law-abiding, hardworking corrections officers and staff that do a dangerous job every single day to keep you and your families safe.
It doesn't, and I'll be voting no.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Are there any other Senators wishing to be heard?
Seeing and hearing none, debate is closed. The Secretary will ring the bell.
Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator Cooney to explain his vote.
SENATOR COONEY:Thank you, Madam President.
Robert Brooks's father, Robert Ricks, lives in Rochester and is my constituent. I've met with him and heard the pain that emanates from him when he talks about the loss of his son and the heartbreak of watching his son be brutally murdered on camera by the guards that were sworn to protect him.
This package that we are advancing today is focused on oversight, and that is an important first step. But it is only the beginning.
To truly honor Robert Brooks, we must do more than monitor the system. We must offer a fair pathway home for incarcerated people who have transformed while they are inside. We must acknowledge and incentivize transformation and rehabilitation.
The Earned Time Act is a bill that advances both safety and justice. It reduces violence for everyone inside, lowers recidivism, and makes our communities safer, now and in the future.
It is a bill that's supported by many of us in this room, and labor unions, and by our communities.
My yes vote today on this bill is for accountability, but it is also a vote for the future and for our ongoing commitment to change the culture within the four prison walls, to reorient towards rehabilitation rather than perpetual punishment.
I want to thank Senator Salazar, the bill's sponsor, and of course our Majority Leader for bringing this important package to the floor.
I vote aye.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator Cooney to be recorded in the affirmative.
Senator Salazar to explain her vote.
SENATOR SALAZAR:Thank you, Madam President.
This omnibus bill is the minimum action we must take in seeking justice for the murders of Robert Brooks, Messiah Nantwi, and others such as Terry Cooper who have been killed while in state custody, including others whose names we may never even know.
I want to thank the father of Robert Brooks, Robert Ricks, for his advocacy, which played a critical role in this legislation and ensuring
That we actually pass this bill today, and I'm sure will continue to advocate for more change to our state correction system.
I mentioned Terry Cooper. Clinton Correctional Facility was mentioned on the floor, and so I want to talk briefly about Terry Cooper. In May of 2016 Terry Cooper, who had just turned 25 years old, was brutally assaulted by DOCCS correction officers at Clinton Correctional Facility. He died that day. Mr. Cooper weighed about 115 pounds and was about five-foot-five. He was about my size. But he was assaulted by several correctional officers. They ultimately killed him.
His official cause of death was determined to be from asthma. However, it was clear from photographs that were later discovered during the course of a civil lawsuit brought by Mr. Cooper's family that he had been beaten by batons, and in fact that the cause of death clearly was the beating that he suffered from correction officers.
Ultimately in that case the jury awarded a total of $9.25 million to Mr. Cooper's family because of the constitutional violations that resulted in his death. The jury also decided that two of the COs would have to pay punitive discharge damages. That civil settlement was the largest civil rights verdict in the Northern District's history. That is what it cost our state, in addition to costing Mr. Cooper his life.
We address this problem in this legislation by including the language of a bill that I sponsor known as the Terry Cooper Autopsy Accountability Act.
There is a lot in this bill. I won't go through all of it; I don't have time. But there is much in this bill to address the woefully inadequate oversight in our state correctional facilities. But there is more work to do, including expanding pathways for release through sentencing reform, bringing fairness to our state's parole system, and much more.
But each part of today's legislation will directly contribute to improving conditions in our state's very violent prisons, from ensuring that oversight agencies have the staff that they need to fulfill their purpose, requiring a swift timeline for reporting deaths, ensuring the Attorney General's office actually has prompt access to video footage when murders have occurred inside of our state prisons.
The passage of this legislation is a very important step forward, and I am proud to veto aye. Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Salazar to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1949, voting in the negative are Senators Addabbo, Ashby, Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Martinez, Martins, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber and Weik.
Ayes, 36. Nays, 23.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Let's move on to Calendar 1948, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1948, Senate Print 8413, by Senator Gounardes, an act in relation to authorizing a loan from the state to the City of Dunkirk.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Borrello, why do you rise?
SENATOR BORRELLO:Madam President, let me start off by going on the bill, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Borrello on the bill.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Thank you, Madam President.
So this is actually a loan to the City of Dunkirk, which is in my district in Western New York. Now, Dunkirk is not just a city in my district, it is a place that I really have called home. I grew up in the Dunkirk-Fredonia area. In fact, I live just 10 miles down the road. My friends own businesses there. In fact in our businesses we employ right now, currently, today, eight people that live in the City of Dunkirk.
So this is a very personal issue for me to watch the City of Dunkirk which has gone into a horrible financial crisis. After years and years and years of neglect and, quite frankly, I would say malfeasance, the City of Dunkirk is in dire financial straits. Now, myself and former Assemblymember Andy Goodell passed a fiscal rescue act, but unfortunately the City of Dunkirk wasn't able to complete any of the steps.
So now we have this bill before us. So with that, will the sponsor yield for a question?
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:Yes, Madam President.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Through you, Madam President. Senator Gounardes, have you spent any time in the City of Dunkirk?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:No, but I look forward to accepting your invitation to visit in the future.
(Laughter.)
SENATOR BORRELLO:Madam President, will the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Does the sponsor yield?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:I do.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR BORRELLO:So you haven't been to the City of Dunkirk. Have you spoken to any citizens of the City of Dunkirk about this loan?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:Through you, Madam President, no, I have not had any direct conversations with residents of Dunkirk, although they have been calling my office at Senator Borrello's urging for the last couple of days. So my staff has spoken to residents of the City of Dunkirk.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Madam President, will the sponsor continue to yield?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:I do.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR BORRELLO:So you haven't spoken to anyone there. You haven't spoken to any elected officials in the City of Dunkirk?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:Through you, Madam President, I have not had any direct conversations with elected officials from the City of Dunkirk.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Madam President, will the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Does the sponsor yield?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:I do indeed.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR BORRELLO:So you haven't been there, you haven't spoken to any elected officials there. So I'm just -- why are you carrying this bill?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:Through you, Madam President, this bill is meant to avoid the potential catastrophic default of the City of Dunkirk, which I do know is the westernmost city in the State of New York, so I did a little bit of homework --
SENATOR BORRELLO:We're on the way.
SENATOR GOUNARDES:-- to prevent the first municipal default of any municipality in the State of New York's history, which will happen in about three weeks' time because the City of Dunkirk does not have the $12 million and change that it needs to pay off an existing debt that it owes.
And so it has asked and the Governor, at her -- and this bill is being introduced at the Governor's request -- has asked for assistance to make sure they can meet their obligations so that we don't have the City of Dunkirk -- and the first city in New York's history -- go into default.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Will the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Does the sponsor yield?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:I do.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Are you familiar with the tax levy in the City of Dunkirk?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:Through you, Madam President, I would ask a clarifying question. Do you mean the dollar amount of the tax levy, Senator Borrello?
SENATOR BORRELLO:Madam President, yes.
SENATOR GOUNARDES:Through you, Madam President, I'm not sure what the existing tax levy for the City of Dunkirk is. I know they've -- they're currently in a deficit. They just recently, six months ago, raised their property taxes quite significantly to pay for some of the debt that they owe because of their financial troubles. But I don't know the dollars amount of the tax levy.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Madam President, will the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Through you, Madam President, do you know how much they raised the taxes this year?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:I'm sorry, say that again?
SENATOR BORRELLO:Do you know how much they raised the taxes in the City of Dunkirk this year?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:Through you, Madam President, just to clarify, the property taxes?
SENATOR BORRELLO:Yeah, property taxes.
SENATOR GOUNARDES:Yes. It's my understanding that in December the City Council approved an 84 percent property tax increase for the residents of Dunkirk, again to cover their debt and to keep the lights on in the city while they're going through this financial crisis.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Madam President, will the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Does the sponsor yield?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:Yes, I do.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR BORRELLO:So an 84 percent tax increase, that's pretty stiff. A lot of people are really struggling to pay their taxes now in the City of Dunkirk.
Do you happen to know, has there been any investigation by the Attorney General's office into what's happened in the City of Dunkirk that caused this financial crisis?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:Through you, Madam President, I am not of the understanding that the Attorney General has conducted an investigation, or the Attorney General's office.
It's my understanding that there is a -- there was a grand jury subpoena issued to the treasurer's office in Dunkirk to preserve records, receive records based -- financial records from the City of Dunkirk.
I also know that there have been, through legislation that I think my colleague referenced, the Recovery Act, there have been efforts from the Comptroller's office to get records from the City of Dunkirk.
It's also my understanding that many of these records are not digitized, there are paper receipts, paper records. Not all of them are properly maintained, and so there's been some difficulty in being able to do any type of review, let alone an investigation by the AG's office.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Madam President, on the bill briefly.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Borrello on the bill.
SENATOR BORRELLO:So I know my colleagues on the other side of the aisle might think of my district and they think of a bunch of people that look like me driving around on ATVs.
But let me tell you about the City of Dunkirk. The City of Dunkirk is actually a majority-minority city. More than 50 percent of the population are racial and ethnic minorities -- a lot of Hispanics, as a matter of fact. There's a very large Puerto Rican population. Twenty percent are senior citizens on fixed incomes. The average household income in the City of Dunkirk, the family income, is $49,000 a year. And that means everybody in this room makes about -- at least double if not triple what an entire family lives off of in the City of Dunkirk.
Twenty percent of the population do not speak English as a first language at home. This is a very diverse and very poor city, people living on fixed incomes.
Now, as you just heard, we had an 84 percent property tax increase in the City of Dunkirk. And yet nothing has actually been done to fix the problems. And in fact the State Comptroller has been beside themselves. Here's a letter dated on May 30th of this year from the comptroller's office to the mayor talking about that documentation that was asked for.
The Fiscal Recovery Act that we passed last year required something pretty simple: Please certify the debt that you have. Please ensure that if we're going to issue bonds, that you actually can issue bonds.
And according to this letter from May 30th of this year, it says: "Unfortunately, to date, the city has been unable to provide the documentation needed by our office to certify the deficits and adequately monitor the city's financial condition:
"On multiple occasions, including a letter dated September 5, 2024, October 5, 2024, we conveyed to the mayor, treasurer, fiscal affairs officer, members of the city council our concern over the accuracy and reliability of the city's financial records, and we requested that the city officials keep us apprised of their progress in correcting these deficiencies.
"However, we have not been informed of what progress has been made and have not been asked for additional guidance."
They have not asked the comptroller's office for any guidance on how they can get themselves through this.
So that's the problem. They cannot actually issue the bonds they need, which they agreed to do a year ago. We passed that bill a year ago, and they have not -- they haven't even answered the phone calls, quite frankly, and spoken with the comptroller's office to ensure they can actually do this.
So the solution that we're given now is, well, we're just going to go ahead and turn this into a payday loan scheme for the City of Dunkirk, for the poor folks that live in the City of Dunkirk.
Madam President, with that, will the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:I do, Madam President.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR BORRELLO:So this loan, this rescue plan that you have, can you tell me what the terms of this loan are?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:Through you, Madam President. This loan would authorize -- we extended about $13.8 million, I believe -- 13.7, excuse me -- $13.7 million which would cover the principal and interest on a loan that is due to be paid on July 24th -- July 24th, just a couple of weeks away. That loan -- the interest rate on that loan is 7.5 percent. (Pause.) Yes.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Anything else? Oh.
Madam President, will the sponsor continue to yield.
SENATOR GOUNARDES:I'll also say, Madam President, that it's my -- under the terms of this legislation that that interest rate can be lowered by the {inaudible} and the budget director so that, as the city's able to make its payments, there's flexibility and discretion to make that -- bring that interest rate lower.
It's my understanding that the state is not trying to profit off of the backs of the residents of Dunkirk in any way. They're just trying to make sure that they do not experience the first municipal bankruptcy in the state's history, which would have catastrophic impacts not just to Dunkirk, not just to the county, but to the entire region and perhaps the state.
It will make borrowing more expensive for other municipalities. Right now it's my understanding that the City of Dunkirk does not even have a bond rating, so they can't even go and get their own -- issue their own bonds even if they had met all of the paperwork requirements from the comptroller's office, which I agree with my colleague is concerning.
So right now we're in a situation where the City of Dunkirk is on fire, and I don't believe that they are in a position to be haggling over the price of the water when the fire department's showing up.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Will the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:Yes, I do.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Well, you are right about one thing: They're not in a position to haggle on anything, which is why the Governor has assigned a 7.5 percent interest rate. You think 7.5 percent maybe is a little excessive for the City of Dunkirk?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:Through you, Madam President. Right now if the City of Dunkirk had a bond rating -- which they don't, because their finances are in such disarray -- they would not be able to get a 7.5 percent rate, they would get one much higher. Because no private lender would give the City of Dunkirk money to cover their deficits, to allow deficit financing, given the state of their finances.
And so 7.5 percent is actually a competitive rate for the market. It is a good offer for the residents to take in order to meet their obligations, which are due on July 24th.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Madam President, will the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Does the sponsor yield?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:I do.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Are you familiar with my bill to institute a control board for the City of Dunkirk?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:Through you, Madam President, yes, I am.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Madam President, will the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:I do.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR BORRELLO:You know that if a control board had been put in place that they actually would have been able to bond at a much lower rate.
Why would we not support a control board? Because there's actually been no accountability. Currently, under the terms of the Fiscal Recovery Act that we passed last year or a year ago and signed, there was supposed to be reporting that was done, and they failed to do so. So why wouldn't we have a control board in place to restore accountability and transparency in the City of Dunkirk -- and also, by the way, be able to bond at a much lower rate than 7.5 percent?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:Through you, Madam President. It's my understanding that with the recovery act that we passed last year, we did create a structure in place for financial oversight, for fiscal oversight.
I would agree with my colleague that it's been a challenge to have that oversight be -- the demands of that oversight be met by the city. I think there's a lot that we can talk about there. I am not opposed -- you know, if my colleague is able to pass legislation again to create a control board, I certainly would support it if these efforts fail.
However, right now the City of Dunkirk needs financial assistance to pay their debt. Otherwise, they will go bankrupt in three to four weeks. That would be a catastrophe much worse than any that we could possibly contemplate right now.
And I also want to call my colleague's attention to a press release from March 24th of this year. You might recognize the author. It says: "Over the past several months I've had many conversations with the mayor, city council members, county and state leaders, including New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, as well as constituents who are very concerned about the future of the city.
"To that end, I have tried my best to be supportive and allow the process to continue under local control. However, the problems have proven to be too large and complex. With an 84 percent property tax increase already in place and essentially services at risk, it's time for the state to step in and provide the necessary resources and oversight to restore fiscal stability and ensure long-term accountability."
Of course those words are of my colleague from three months ago.
We're trying to provide the necessary resources from the state that you have asked for and that you publicly called for three months ago.
There is a fire happening right now in the City of Dunkirk. The state is willing to come in and put the fire out so that you can get the city back on track. That is the assistance that is being provided here.
And again, I agree with my colleague there seems to be a lot more that needs to be done on the long-term structural changes to the city's finances, whether it be under the Fiscal Recovery Act or under a control board or any other type of system that we put in place. That's the long-term fix. We have to keep the city's lights on in three weeks. That's what this bill does.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Madam President, will the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:I do.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Yes, you did quote something that I had written, and you kind of really just kind of sped through the last part about transparency and accountability.
What transparency and what accountability is in this loan document? What kind of accountability to the City of Dunkirk will be built into this loan?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:(Conferring.) Through you, Madam President. The legislation that is currently before us does require annual attestations by the mayor that they are trying to raise the funds through the bond markets. In the future that they currently have those, that they are still currently in debt, it does also require that the city maintain compliance and reporting requirements that are in place from the Fiscal Recovery Act that was previously referenced and response to the comptroller's recommendations each year.
So there are requirements that reference the Fiscal Recovery Act requirements and the system of fiscal oversight that was put in place by last year's legislation.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Will the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Does the sponsor yield?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:Gladly.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR BORRELLO:I just read you a letter from less than two weeks ago where the comptroller said the city hasn't met any of the requirements that they've been asked for. What is going to make this situation different?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:(Conferring.) Through you, Madam President. It's my understanding that there were some recommendations issued by the comptroller's office that the city has responded to, in terms of going -- making some changes to its budget and others. Though I also acknowledge that they have not been fully compliant, as my colleague laid out.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Madam President, will the sponsor continue to yield.
SENATOR GOUNARDES:I do.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Can you explain to me what the state is requiring in this in order to secure this loan? Obviously, you know, the City of Dunkirk is being given a high-interest loan, it's going to cost them about a million dollars a year just in interest alone.
So what is the state going to require of the city in order to ensure that this loan is paid back?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:Through you, Madam President. There's nothing additional, no additional requirements being imposed on the city. If the city is unable to repay the terms of the loan, the state reserves the right to withhold aid payments to Dunkirk in the future to cover the cost of the loan that was given to them. Again, so that they can prevent default in three weeks -- four weeks.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Will the sponsor continue to yield.
SENATOR GOUNARDES:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Actually, yeah, they're going to -- the terms of this, of your legislation says they're going to withhold $1.5 million a year in AIM payments. Now, by New York City standards that's not a lot of money. But the entire tax levy, even after the 84 percent property tax increase, is 9.7 million. So they're going to withhold almost 15 -- more than 15 percent of the total tax levy in aid to the city.
So we're going to pay about a million dollars a year in interest, a million and a half dollars a year in interest and principal, and they're going to lose a million and a half dollars a year in revenue. You don't think that's going to create a bigger financial crisis in the City of Dunkirk?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:Through you, Madam President. First I'll just remind my colleague that New York City does not get AIM payments, though I know many in this chamber from the city would like to see New York City receive an increase in municipal assistance.
This is meant to help avert a crisis right now. This is meant to keep the lights on past July. There is a long-term structural problem facing the City of Dunkirk that needs remediation.
Under the terms of the Recovery Act, it's my understanding that there is requirements for three-year planning -- a three-year -- a financial plan. There is requirements to have budgets approved by the Comptroller's office. There's requirements for quarterly updates of required records. All of those things are good accounting practices designed to help move a municipality from fiscal distress towards fiscal health.
We know, because we have other cases in New York history where other jurisdictions have gone through similar types of oversight and financial -- or fiscal restructuring and fiscal oversight.
But the key here is none of that will matter if the lights close in July. If the City of Dunkirk defaults in July, it would be a catastrophe much worse than having to pay back a loan to the state that the state has flexibility on making more affordable for them in the future. It will completely eliminate the ability of the city to go do any type of deficit financing in the future. It will result in the cutting of essential services, the closing of firehouses and hospitals and police precincts and stations and all of that, closing of schools.
We don't want that worst-case scenario to happen. So again, the City of Dunkirk is on fire. The state is offering to come in with a fire hose to put the fire out. And then, once we put the fire out, we can continue to work on the long-term fiscal health of the city.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Madam President, will the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Does the sponsor yield?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:I do, Madam President.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR BORRELLO:I so appreciate your concern for the City of Dunkirk.
Do you have a home-rule message for this bill?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:Through you, Madam President, I do not. This bill was introduced at the request of the Governor.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Madam President, will the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Does the sponsor yield?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:I do.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Are you aware that a majority of the city council has sent a letter to the Governor stating that they do not want this loan and would rather have a control board put in place?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:Madam President, I was not aware of that.
But that's really immaterial, because even with the control board, if they default on their debt, the show's over, go home.
So we still need to solve the immediate problem in front of us right now, which is keeping the lights on in the City of Dunkirk.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Madam President, on the bill.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Borrello on the bill.
SENATOR BORRELLO:I know that the sponsor was asked to carry this bill. And I appreciate the fact that he's just doing as the Governor has asked.
You know, today on this floor we approved a bill to give the Rochester school system $125 million not on budget. We've given away countless millions of dollars. But when it comes to the City of Dunkirk, we're going to have the Kathy Hochul Loan Shark Bill passed here today. Because that's what this is.
Kathy Hochul is going to lend the City of Dunkirk, at usury rates -- for a municipality, at least -- $13 million over 15 years that's going to create an obligation of $1.5 million a year for a city that only takes in less than 10 million in taxes.
And who are these people in the City of Dunkirk? As I mentioned before, it is a majority-minority community where one in five households don't speak English as their first language, where the average income is $49,000 a year. Where they just suffered an 84 percent property tax increase. Where they have totally ignored the requests of the Fiscal Recovery Act that we passed a year ago. And where the comptroller himself is beside himself because they can't even get basic accounting answers from Dunkirk.
So what is the solution? Well, the solution that I provided and that my colleague Assemblyman Molitor provided, was to create a control board which could actually bond at a reasonable rate. A bridge loan could have been given to the City of Dunkirk, I would expect at zero percent until the control board was up and running -- because God knows we can give away $100 million to the Rochester School District, but we can't give $13 million to the City of Dunkirk to stop that municipal bankruptcy that you're very concerned about.
So what's this about? This is about the fact that just like any other situation, where you have someone come to you that has fallen on hard times and needs to borrow some money, and you lend them some money. And then they don't actually -- you know, they don't pay you back, they don't tell you what's going on, they haven't changed what they have done, and they come back to you for some more money.
Most people want to know, what have you done to make sure this doesn't happen again? But that question is not being asked in Dunkirk. No. What's being said is: We'll give it to you, but at a much higher rate. Because they can't get a traditional kind of loan.
The Kathy Hochul payday loan store is open, and that's what we got, a payday loan from Governor Kathy Hochul to the City of Dunkirk at a high rate that's going to reduce their annual revenues by $1.5 million and increase the chances that they're actually probably going to default, with no changes whatsoever. They can't even get an answer to the question of "Can you certify the debt that you have?"
Do I want to see the City of Dunkirk go bankrupt? Absolutely not. But I do want to see some accountability and some transparency, and that's currently not happening.
And who is it hurting? The 12,000 residents, a quarter of which live in poverty, that just saw their taxes double. That's who this is hurting. And what's Kathy Hochul's solution? Here's a high-rate loan that's guaranteed by money that you can't afford to lose, your AIM funding. That's what this is going to do.
If this was a good deal for Dunkirk, I would have carried it. If this was a good deal for Dunkirk, the city council would have supported it. If this was a good deal for Dunkirk, hundreds of people would have not called the sponsor's office to tell him, Don't do it.
And by the way, no other members of the Western New York delegation within a hundred miles of the City of Dunkirk would carry this bill. That should tell you something as well.
The Governor has a lot of resources at her disposal. She's used none of them for the City of Dunkirk. And if you want to see a payday loan scheme on the majority-minority community of the City of Dunkirk that they can't afford, then you vote yes on this bill.
If you want to do something good for the City of Dunkirk, we should have passed my bill to provide some accountability with a control board and to stop the madness in the City of Dunkirk. I'll be voting no, and I would certainly appreciate and encourage all of my colleagues to do the same.
Thank you, Madam President.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Thank you.
Senator Martins. Senator Martins?
(Senator Martins shaking head.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Are there any other Senators wishing to be heard?
Seeing and hearing none, debate is closed. The Secretary will ring the bell.
Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1948, voting in the negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Martins, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber and Weik.
Ayes, 38. Nays, 21.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Next we're going to take up Calendar 953, please, by Senator Krueger.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1953, Senate Print 8421, by Senator Krueger, an act to amend the Public Service Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Mattera, why do you rise?
SENATOR MATTERA:Madam President, it's great to see you up there.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Great to see you.
SENATOR MATTERA:And Senator Krueger, I guess we're going to have another round doing this again. I thought I was going to hear some really good news that we weren't going to see this this year.
Can you do me a favor, can you explain why we -- excuse me. Would Senator Krueger please yield for a couple of questions, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Krueger, do you yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:I certainly yield, yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The Senator yields.
SENATOR MATTERA:Yes. And thank you so much again, Senator Krueger.
Give me a heads up, like why did we change the name, the New York HEAT Act we had, now it's called the Customer Savings and Reliability Act. Is there a reason for this change?
SENATOR KRUEGER:There is, Madam President. First off, we've actually changed quite a few things in the bill. But one of the things that was confusing to people was they didn't quite understand what the New York HEAT Act was under that name. So we decided we would make it clear that this bill will offer customer savings and reliability for energy going forward.
But that's obviously not the only change in this bill. There's quite a few changes in the bill, and I'm assuming you're going to ask me questions about it. And I look forward to answering.
SENATOR MATTERA:Through you, Madam President, would the sponsor continue to yield, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Does the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:I do.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR MATTERA:Exactly how is this bill going to protect all New York ratepayers, many of who rely on clean natural gas for their homes and businesses? You know, we talked about this a lot. You said in the bill that the customers affected by the neighborhood gas transition projects have continued access to safe and reliable energy services for heating, cooling, cooking and water heating.
Senator Krueger, what are those reliable energy services? What -- what are we looking at that changes and that our customers have to change their lives because of bills that are unfunded-mandate bills like this?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Through you, Madam President. Right now, customers don't have choice. Most of them are forced to be on gas as the costs of gas and oil continue to grow and are usually out of the control of them as customers, us as a state, or even the United States of America.
I just want to point out from memory, two years ago at the very end of session we were also debating very important bills on the environment and alternative directions in energy. And that was the day that when you looked outside your window, the sky was yellow and terrifying. I know my colleague remembers.
Well, today the skies aren't as yellow, but the data shows the fire impacts in Canada, as we speak sending their fumes across New York State, are actually more dangerous although less colorful than two years ago. The crisis grows. Literally, we're on fire.
I know that was just used as a reference for Dunkirk, but it's beyond Dunkirk.
And so we need to move forward with the process that has been held up of providing for options to transition from gas/oil to other kinds of more reliable, far less costly energy. And that's what this bill does.
It lays out a complete plan for the state to transition, with participation at the community and neighborhood level, at the guarantee that nobody will be taken off of oil and gas until there's an alternative available to them and people have signed off on that, of ensuring that we're decreasing the amount of money we're spending building more pipes into areas where we know already through other laws we've passed, like the All-Electric Buildings Law, we aren't going to need the pipes.
So it does save money. It does increase opportunities and choices for consumers throughout the state. It does require their participation. And it also requires the participation of their utility companies, who even in this version of the bill have the choice of opting out.
Through you, Madam President, I believe I've answered.
SENATOR MATTERA:Thank you.
Madam President, would the sponsor continue to yield, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Does the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes, I do.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR MATTERA:Senator Krueger, you keep on saying that it's going to save money. We have residents of New York State leaving here because of this. Our rates are going up right now in all of our districts.
How do you -- where are you getting this data from that it's saving New Yorkers money when we have over 2 million residents have left New York State because of unfunded mandates just like this? The utility bills are going up. They are not happy. I am not happy when I have to listen to my constituents.
This -- where are you coming up with this data? Please, everybody needs to know. New York State residents need to know how is this saving money. Because it's costing trillions of dollars -- wind, solar and especially battery storage, which is nothing but an experiment. And it's just really gouging us, that we're leaving, there's a reason why we're leaving.
And if you could tell me that, in other words, we have residents that are staying because they're saving money, we would all love to hear this.
SENATOR KRUEGER:Through you, Madam President. New Yorkers are paying some of the highest utility bills in the country, we don't disagree. But it's not because we are trying to transition off of oil and gas, it's because we aren't doing enough.
The costs that are being referenced are being charged by the utility companies to us, the ratepayers, to do upgrading of gas and oil pipes at an incredible cost per year, billions and billions of dollars required to upgrade oil and gas pipes that in fact we shouldn't even be planning to use for the future.
Because of solar, wind, thermal, there are some up-front costs for infrastructure. But the research shows that we are already saving money in a very rapid time when we transition. And the truth is the kilowatt hour cost of energy, particularly from solar and geothermal, quickly reduces to almost zero.
So people who have already transitioned are actually saving significant amounts of money on their monthly utility bills. And the truth is the utilities keep asking us for more money, and that will be paid for by ratepayers unless we can shift the dynamic and move further towards alternative energy.
And you know what, it's working and it's saving money. Just ask someone who's shifted already, who's transitioned into solar or geothermal or actually wind. They are saving a lot of money per month on their utilities.
And yet the estimate is that because we haven't changed even just the one section of this bill, the 100-foot rule, every new mile of gas pipeline is costing an average of $3 million to $6 million, 60,000 per customer on that line, all being subsidized by existing ratepayers.
In this bill the transition cost of infrastructure will have to be picked up by the utilities, not the ratepayers. So this is a solution to the problem.
But I don't disagree, we have a problem.
SENATOR MATTERA:Madam President, would the sponsor still continue to yield, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR MATTERA:And you still -- again, Senator Krueger, you didn't answer the question where are you getting your data from and your reports from.
How can we pass this now with NYISO raising warnings about capacity and calling for the repowering of fossil fuel generation statewide?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Madam President, through you. I think the question is how are we going to do it if we don't have the capacity on the grid.
And the answer is then we won't. Because this whole plan is based on step-by-step integration between the communities, the utilities, and our state regulators. This is not an overnight plan. This is literally a multiyear process.
So no one's going to be forced into a situation where we don't have the transmission grid that's necessary and the reliability built in.
SENATOR MATTERA:Through you, Madam President, will the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Does the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR MATTERA:So then, Senator Krueger, are you talking about that we're going to do a pause after 2030, the year 2030? Because we have a mandate right now to do away with natural gas. So are you saying right now that we're going to be having a pause in any way?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Through you, Madam President. I just want a clarification. I believe Senator Mattera is referencing the All-Electric Building requirements by 2030.
This is not that bill. It does not actually affect that law. So I just want a clarification.
SENATOR MATTERA:Through you, Madam President, will the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Does the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR MATTERA:The CLCPA mandates obviously after 2030 to eliminate pretty much all natural gas. That is in the mandate with the CLCPA.
So right now with the CLCPA it shows right here -- with the PSC, excuse me, that in other words since the inception of the CLCPA that -- through 2023 that the bills have increased, residential customers' bills have increased close to 10 percent more since the CLCPA's inception. Because of the CLCPA.
SENATOR KRUEGER:Through you, Madam President. The CLCPA is a law that then had a scoping plan and a plan and target dates. Implementation, we are at the very beginning.
So there's nothing in CLCPA that is actually causing rates to go up. In fact, it's the opposite. The rates are going up because we're not taking the actions to get off of oil and gas as quickly as possible. And I don't believe the CLCPA mandates no gas by 2030. I don't think that is correct. In fact, the CLCPA is very explicit that there's a requirement for reliability before there's any step-by-step transition off of oil and gas. Although that is our target goal.
And the good news is our agencies don't even need to come back to us, the Legislature, if we're running behind. It's within their purview and authority to say our target dates have to be extended. But that is not, again, that particularly relevant to the legislation before us.
SENATOR MATTERA:Madam President, would the sponsor continue to yield, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Does the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR MATTERA:So, Senator, do you feel that the PSC report from 2003 is wrong, it's not correct?
MINORITY COUNSEL:2023.
SENATOR KRUEGER:Did he say 2003?
SENATOR MATTERA:'23.
SENATOR KRUEGER:You said '23, I'm so sorry.
And which report are you referencing?
SENATOR MATTERA:To the PSC, the PSC report that was --
SENATOR KRUEGER:Well, they put out a lot of reports, so give me a little more.
Sorry, through you, Madam President. Which PSC report are we talking about, and what is it saying?
SENATOR MATTERA:This is the first annual report that -- from the PSC. On the implementation of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
And it shows that, in other words, since the CLCPA's inception that, in other words, rates have gone up 10 percent because of this.
So do you feel again that -- you're saying they're saving money. But how is it saving money when our rates are going up? Because of -- just because of things just like your bill. And now we're going to be talking about the hundred-foot rule next, because we're going to have a debate on that one next. And I just don't -- really, New Yorkers need to understand that it's costing them more because of these unfunded mandates.
SENATOR KRUEGER:Through you, Madam President. The plan within the CLCPA does not have any new mandates that have gone into increasing the utility costs for customers.
We are on a system that we've been on for, I don't know, a hundred years where the costs keep going up because the costs of oil and gas keep going up. The system of pipes which are quite old are requiring massive rebuilding at an incredible cost. And so those costs are real.
That is why we need to make these changes so that we can actually finally start to reverse the pattern of increasing utility costs. And there's nothing that the PSC has put out that says the reason our utility costs are going up is because of the CLCPA or transition to alternative energy.
In fact, the research -- PSC, NYSERDA, national organizations, international organizations -- is that as you move off of old systems of oil and gas, you move into cheaper, more reliable, and far, far less toxic options. So it's our failure to move that's increasing our utility costs.
And let's not forget a huge amount of the oil and gas costs are driven by international policies that have driven up, on an international level, the costs of oil and gas. It's not a law that we passed in New York State saying we should be moving forward.
We need laws like that so that this -- so that we can move forward. This is a bill to provide a transitional plan in a rational way to move off of oil and gas into alternative forms of energy. It will need to be coordinated on a regional level with utilities, at the community level, even down to the neighborhood level. No one will have their gas shut down unless there's in fact an alternative plan that is reliable and cheaper.
And the infrastructure costs to get from this to where we need to go will be picked up by utilities, not the ratepayers.
SENATOR MATTERA:Through you, Madam President, would the sponsor continue to yield, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Does the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR MATTERA:So do you feel, Senator Krueger, that the infrastructure costs to electrify compared to retooling our existing power plants, do you feel that the infrastructure costs are less or more to retrofit?
SENATOR KRUEGER:So this bill, Madam President, actually requires cost efficiencies. So in order to transition in any specific area, that would actually have to be proved, that it is more cost-efficient.
What we do know right now is that the utilities keep coming to us for rate increases at very disturbing numbers because of their claim that they need to retrofit and upgrade the existing system, which -- again, at mind-bogglingly expensive costs.
This bill requires that as we transition there will have to be a basis to show that the costs of the transition are cost-efficient and justified based on the demand in the area, the other alternatives in the area, and the participation at the community level, with the cooperation of the utilities.
SENATOR MATTERA:Through you, Madam President, would the sponsor continue to yield, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Does the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR MATTERA:You know -- and I will get you that, by the way, that PSC -- if you would like to see that, that report. Because it is a true report. I am not just making that up, by the way.
I do have a bill that's out. I was just wondering if you, as a climate action cost council, that would be aboard, that will show all of our residents the cost that it would cost them to transition from natural gas to electric. Is that something that you'd be interested in looking at?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Through you, Madam President. I'm always happy to look at any bill that any member submits. I suspect we're not going to get to that this year, given the hour and the day.
But the fact is, and I just want to clarify, you're referencing PSC reports. Anything that happens when this bill passes has to meet PSC approval. So we're not taking PSC or their knowledge base or their research out of the formula. They are front and center of having to agree to any steps that are taken within this law.
SENATOR MATTERA:Through you, Madam President, would the sponsor still continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Does the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR MATTERA:You know what was upsetting to me that wasn't in this bill -- and we had this discussion also too, me being with a background with plumbing. You know, we have plumbers, pipefitters, utility workers that are very, very concerned about this. We have over 50,000, with the contractors, of these workers that in other words are there for us every day.
And next thing you know there is nothing that -- I mean, I thought I was going to see something about there was going to be something there for educating these workers. Because now their careers are in jeopardy, and they really want to know.
And I got actually a text message from a union delegate at a Local 1 saying that, please, ask Senator Krueger, what are we doing about these jobs? We thought that you were going to maybe put something in this bill that was going to educate all these workers and their families that are going to be losing their jobs.
SENATOR KRUEGER:Through you, Madam President. We have discussed this before. We discussed it in the earlier version of New York HEAT. But I will just repeat and clarify again. Most people working on the gas system today will still be working on it until they retire. This is a transitional process. It's not overnight.
(Reading.) CSRA opens the door to new jobs for gas utility workers building thermal energy networks and working on the other neighborhood-scale transitions, including specific language to ensure those jobs have good labor standards.
CSRA is critical to building a unionized decarbonized workforce of the future. And there has been much research about the increased number of jobs that will be available in building a green infrastructure and working it into the future.
So unions may have workers with different job descriptions, but they will have workers. And we are working to make sure they will have good unionized jobs in the green economy that we have no choice but to move into.
SENATOR MATTERA:Through you, Madam President, would the sponsor continue to yield, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
SENATOR MATTERA:So how do you feel like the --
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR MATTERA:Oh, I'm sorry.
How do you feel that the IBEW is opposed to this bill? I mean, and to go and look at all different, you know, contractors and other unions -- and non-union -- that are opposed to this bill. I mean, have you had any discussions with any of these organizations -- union, nonunion -- at all?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Absolutely.
SENATOR MATTERA:Really.
SENATOR KRUEGER:Through you, Madam President. There are many unions who do support transition to the green economy and recognize that as long as we build into our laws protections, that we continue to have union labor, they understand that the job descriptions for people they represent will be changing and transitioning over decades, but there will be no reduction in union workers.
And there are some unions who oppose and I do think it is because -- I don't want to speak for them, and they're not in the room to share with us -- they get concerned that they don't see the storyline where the workers have the new jobs, and they're very comfortable with the model they have.
I get it. If you're a gas-pipe layer or repair person, you think that's your job. And we're assuring people, and it will be, because the life -- how do I put it. The number of years that the average worker in these unions works is such that there will still be work for them through the end of their careers.
But if their son or their daughter or their niece or nephew or their neighbor decides to go into this kind of energy work in the future, they'll probably have a different job description. Maybe with the exact same union.
SENATOR MATTERA:Through you, Madam President, would the sponsor continue to yield, please?
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Does the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR MATTERA:So you are guaranteeing all these workers that are going to be losing their jobs, you're going to be guaranteeing them a position to have a different career change and you will be working with every single one of these hardworking men and women of labor?
SENATOR KRUEGER:So through you, Madam President, just to give an example -- no, before I give the example. Again, nobody's coming and taking your jobs away now. We're talking about transitioning over an extensive number of years. So you will, I believe, remain in the job you have now and may likely be of retirement age before you even want to explore retraining for some variation on that job.
But New York's planning for that because in this budget that we passed in -- was it July? June. We're still in June. Sorry, was -- it was May? The one that was 40 days late? So I'm losing track of the date. We actually put funds in for the New York State pipe trades industry to establish solar/thermal technology training, 344,000 reappropriated for exactly that purpose.
So New York State not only is aware that we're going to need to help invest in making sure that some people will need retraining and that they can get it. We're already ahead of this legislation by putting money in the budget to do that.
SENATOR MATTERA:Just one more question. Through you, Madam President, would the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Does the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes, I do.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR MATTERA:Senator Krueger, do you have any kind of a number to -- that -- to retro -- the grid, to the infrastructure, the grid is antiquated on Long Island and all of New York State. There was a number that was out there. And who would that cost actually go to?
I was told at a committee meeting, because I had to finally get it out of the Energy Committee meeting that the cost is finally going to go to the ratepayer. The ratepayer will be paying for this.
And to retro -- to -- how can I put this -- the grid, to expand on the grid, to do electrification, what kind of number do you think you would put on something like that for New York State? Because I remember with the CLCPA they actually had a number of $270 billion. That wouldn't even cover the City of New York.
So do you have like any kind of a number?
And again, who would be paying for that? Because now if we're going to go all-electric, especially on Long Island, the grid is antiquated, that it needs to -- it needs to be revamped before we can move forward.
And this is something that -- is this going to hurt everything that we are trying to do here?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Through you, Madam President. New York utility payers are already paying for all the infrastructure costs of our system, whether it's electric grid -- grid or oil and gas pipes. And in fact, with oil and gas pipes, they are costing, as I referenced before, every ratepayer an enormous amount of money. That's already the storyline.
Now, are we talking about expanding the electric grid instead of oil and gas? We are. Well, here's the good news. One, we have to anyway. There's constant repair and upgrading done for the electric grid. And so, yes, we're paying for it now even if we never had conversations like this. There's electric grid repairs and upgrading that are needed. More and more of the business world is using more and more energy, hence requiring an expanded grid, which we are all paying for.
And the good news is upgrading the energy grid for electricity is actually cheaper than upgrading and redoing and expanding oil and gas infrastructure. So it's a little bit of a savings just if we did nothing as we need more energy. But again, with electric, electricity, once you've shifted to a more sustainable model, the kilowatt hour costs are radically lower. And there is no documentation that the cost of oil and gas is going to go down anytime in the future. In fact, just the opposite. It keeps going up all the time.
SENATOR MATTERA:And on the bill.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Mattera on the bill.
SENATOR MATTERA:And I thank you, Senator Krueger.
Again, I just want to let all New Yorkers understand what is going on over here to eliminate natural gas. There's a reason why we have over 2 million residents of New York State that are exiting out of our great state because of mandates, unfunded mandates just like this. And we're going to be having another discussion, because the hundred-foot rule was taken out of this, so now we have another bill because we aren't happy that that was taken out of the HEAT Act. Now we have a new name. And you know what? We're just continuing, continuing to hurt all of our residents in New York State.
You know what, dare we sit there and say that it's not going to cost anything to retrofit our grid. That's going to be on the backs of all New Yorkers, because we're telling all New Yorkers, guess what, you can't have natural gas in your lives anymore. That's what we're doing. We did that with the all-electric bill that this came out, that people are losing jobs with that. We could sit there and say, Oh, guess what, they're going to age out and we're going to make sure now that everybody's going to be becoming an electrician.
And again, New Yorkers want better. New Yorkers want to have their natural gas. Very important. We need to go -- and, yes, care about renewable energies for the future. We need to make sure that we retool our existing power plants. That's the most efficient way and most economical way to retool our existing power plants for carbon capture. That's what we need to do to protect our atmosphere.
But right now everybody has to understand something. By not bringing in the Constitution Pipeline and not bringing in the NESE pipeline, which is very, very important for the future of New York State, but it's okay that we have frozen natural gas on our roadways -- and I had to go to the Governor and had to explain that to her, to say do you realize that we have natural gas, frozen natural gas up and down our roadways -- guess what, we're on our roadways, guess what, carbon going far up into the atmosphere, using energy to liquify it so we have to pump it into the system.
Because we are trying to do whatever we have to do to eliminate natural gas, which 70 percent of New Yorkers want. And I hope Senator Krueger talked to those 70 percent of people, because they want natural gas in our lives. All-electric is going to cost everybody so much money with their utility bills that are going up, way -- 10 times? It's going to be a lot more than 10 times.
And you know what? That means how many more people are going to be exiting out of New York State like it is right now. Again, Tennessee, Florida, Texas, even South Dakota, the Carolinas -- that's where everybody is moving to. Our great New York taxpayer is leaving because of bills just like this.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Thank you, Senator. Senator, just to let you know, you've exceeded your time.
SENATOR MATTERA:And I vote no.
Thank you. Thank you, Madam President.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Thank you, Senator.
Senator Walczyk, why do you rise?
SENATOR WALCZYK:Madam President, I was hoping the sponsor would yield for some more questions.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:I shall.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR WALCZYK:So under this legislation the PSC will be forced to create a gas decommissioning plan. In this bill, that's within two years. And your bill calls, on page -- is that correct?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Through -- oh, hello, Mr. President. We had a gender change suddenly. Hello.
So no, it's not within two years, it's in any specific community there's at least two years of a planning process.
And in fact this bill doesn't require PSC to end use of gas/oil. Various sections of other bills we have passed -- CLCPA, All-Electric, move us towards less usage of gas/oil. But this bill not only doesn't do that, just to clarify from my -- your previous colleague, it's not a mandate, because you can opt out. A mandate is you got to do it. Nothing in this bill says you got to do it.
So I just wanted to clarify that also.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Through you, Mr. President, if the sponsor would continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Does the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR WALCZYK:I think we'll probably circle around to the mandate and the opt-out in a minute. But first I want to focus on the decommissioning plan. On page 1, line 10, your bill says it will be -- has to remain orderly, affordable, and equitable when we're right-sizing our gas utilities.
What is the definition of "affordable" for purposes of this section?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Through you, Madam -- oh, I'm so sorry. I was so used to the "Madam President."
Through you, Mr. President, "affordable" is always an interesting question. But PSC, in existing regulation, clarifies that no household should have to be paying more than 6 percent of their income towards utilities. So that is the PSC target.
When you're asking the question can we meet that target through reforms and transition of the CSRA, I believe that the PSC will probably use that as the measurement. But we don't require them to define for us what the measurement is. That is up to them.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Through you, Mr. President, would the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR WALCZYK:So that definition won't be in statute, there's not a definition of "affordable" in this bill?
SENATOR KRUEGER:No. We decided that we should leave that up to PSC and that there was already language in PSC regulation.
SENATOR WALCZYK:And through you, Mr. President, would the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR WALCZYK:What do you mean by the word "equitable" in this section? Page 1, line 10.
SENATOR KRUEGER:So that section of the bill references regional equity and fairness in the delivery of services in transition. So we want to make sure that low-income communities have their needs addressed as well as higher-income communities.
There are communities that are made up of many more new construction, which have more options to them than some communities that might have -- I think I was just talking to one legislator about if the average house was built in the 1890s we'd have a very different set of situations than if you're talking about large, new, multi-family-dwelling buildings.
So that's the meaning of equity in that section.
SENATOR WALCZYK:And through you, Mr. President, would the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Indeed.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR WALCZYK:So you say in this bill that utilities have to generate savings and redirect resources to help consumers electrify. Where do they get the money?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Through you, Mr. President, there's a combination of options.
So we don't say they have to. The utility actually has the option to opt out in this legislation. I think most utilities won't, but we don't know yet.
But -- so if utilities don't opt out and choose to participate, I think actually it's because they think it's advantageous to modernize and move off of oil and gas, that they understand when they are agreeing to participate that they have to pick up the new infrastructure costs for a transition. But they're calculating that into what they won't have to do anymore, which is continue to build a gas/oil pipe system or upgrade and spend a fortune on the modernization of old gas/oil pipes.
So it is really left up to negotiation between the utility and Public Service Commission to figure out what model would work best for them, because it will be different in different, literally, neighborhoods of the state.
And that's why this bill focuses heavily on regional participation and planning. Which is why the two-year question is not some two-year-and-drop-dead timeline, but rather when a utility and an area say, We want to go down this road together with the PSC, that starts a two-year planning process.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Through you, Mr. President, would the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Yet when you talk about generating savings and redirecting resources, though, you're talking about the utility actually working to insulate and buy equipment for someone to electrify their home. Right? Isn't that what the purpose of that section is?
SENATOR KRUEGER:(Conferring.) Through you, Mr. President. So when the utility decides they're going to go down this path and they're going to participate in a shifting and a transition, let's say of a group of homes in a community from being on oil/gas to alternatives, yes, they have to work to make sure that they are covering the costs of bringing that energy into the home and then, with coordination with PSC, NYSERDA, other state programs, making sure that the homeowner or building owner, if it's a multi-family dwelling, have the resources to potentially upgrade the internal system in the building, upgrade appliances, transition from gas appliances to non-gas appliances, et cetera.
SENATOR WALCZYK:And through you, Mr. President, will the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR WALCZYK:So same question, where do they get the money for that?
SENATOR KRUEGER:The utilities get the money primarily from the same way they get it now, us as ratepayers. But they are making the decision to shift, not paying for the old system and paying for the new system instead.
And again, if it's not cost-efficient for them to do this, they probably won't be agreeing to do this in that specific area.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Thank you.
Through you, Mr. President, would the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Indeed.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Yup, ratepayers was the answer that I was looking for there.
On neighborhoods or areas, you mentioned that they're going to actually vote on whether they would transition as a neighborhood or as an area. How would that election run?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Through you, Mr. President. Yes, in order for a utility to move forward with the PSC for a transition plan for a specific area, they have to get agreement from at least 50 percent of the people living there currently.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Through you, Mr. President, would the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Okay, 50 percent of the gas customers living there currently. There might be people off of gas already.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Does the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes, of course.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Who runs that election, that vote?
SENATOR KRUEGER:The utility and Public Service Commission will go together to make sure that they have confirmation. I don't know that there's anything laying out a specific voting process here.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Through you, Mr. President, would the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR WALCZYK:But it would just be a simple majority, so 50 percent plus one?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Of those on gas, correct.
SENATOR WALCZYK:And through you, Mr. President, will the sponsor continue to yield.
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR WALCZYK:So what if a community decides that they want to keep gas service? Do they keep gas service?
SENATOR KRUEGER:(Conferring.) Through you, Mr. President. So before 2030, absolutely, everyone can keep their gas if they wish to.
After 2030, if the neighborhood and the community is going through this process and they agree to transition, even then nobody's coming to take away your gas. But the utility very likely wouldn't agree to do new gas into that community.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Through you, Mr. President, would the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR WALCZYK:What if a community decides that they want to discontinue gas service by 50 percent plus one, but there's no electric capacity in order to do so? What would happen in those instances?
SENATOR KRUEGER:This only works if there is reliability in alternatives.
So if there isn't adequate electric or alternatives to gas, then PSC and the utility won't go forward.
Now, again, it really varies on the part of the state you live in, because some parts of the state very few people are actually on oil and gas right now. So we're not talking about transitioning them because they're not even in the system.
Some people, some communities, there has been much more active participation in moving into, for example, geothermal. Therefore, they are not on gas already.
And while I'm not sure I could say that anybody is doing 100 percent solar for private homes for both their heating and their electricity, that could be moving forward as well. And they might end up that they use very, very little oil and gas.
So this bill is designed to support a transition that is very focused on ensuring community participation, utility participation, and the recognition that one size does not fit all.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Through you, Mr. President, would the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR WALCZYK:You keep saying oil. How this does bill affect oil?
SENATOR KRUEGER:So I don't know in upstate New York; maybe I should only be saying gas. But in New York City we use a lot of oil-based heaters, heating systems. And so you're talking oil and gas.
SENATOR WALCZYK:And through you, Mr. President, will the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR KRUEGER:And for some reason I forgot the word "boiler," which is what I wanted to say in the previous sentence. We use oil-driven boilers for heating in our buildings.
SENATOR WALCZYK:And I assume, with over 700,000 oil and propane users in New York City, that's what you're referring to. Are those delivered by pipeline and by utilities? Is that why you keep saying "oil"?
SENATOR KRUEGER:It really varies. We're a lot like the rest of the state, and almost every building is a different story. Different neighborhoods are different stories. We actually in Manhattan, that I represent, we have a large steam-heat system through pipes underground, so it's neither oil or gas but rather steam.
So I would never say that there was one answer even for my own community.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Through you, Mr. President, would the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:I do.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR WALCZYK:As we speak -- and it's nice that you can get these live updates -- 514 New York customers are experiencing a power outage.
During blackouts we know that mortality rates increase by 28 percent. And at peak outage last year, over 600,000 New Yorkers lost electric service.
Do you know how many New Yorkers died because they lost gas service last year?
SENATOR KRUEGER:I'm looking, but I don't think we do.
We do know that whenever there's power outages, even under our current system, everything shuts down for people because most of the heating systems, even if they are gas-driven, require electricity to actually function.
So I don't even know if you can separate those questions into separate numbers.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Through you, Mr. President, will the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Of course.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR WALCZYK:I can separate them into separate numbers. The number is zero.
Did you know that 60 percent of New York households are fueled by natural gas?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Through you, Mr. President, was the word "metro" gas?
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Natural.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Natural.
SENATOR KRUEGER:Natural gas, I'm so sorry. I want to make sure I heard what you said.
I believe I do know that number, yes, sir.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Through you, Mr. President, would the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Given the mortality rates for blackouts, how many people do you think will die as a result of this transition?
SENATOR KRUEGER:I'm hoping no one. I hope no one ever dies from energy problems.
But actually huge numbers of people are dying because we haven't transitioned off of toxic forms of energy. Earlier in the day, on a different bill I was referencing, that the scientific research is that 93 percent of cancers that we are getting are environmentally caused. Gas and oil inhalation actually is a cause of serious medical illnesses and deaths, unfortunately. Things that blow up from gas and oil also cause deaths.
So can we highlight that some number of people may die in any situation? Yes. But I don't accept the argument that there is greater risk to people's lives if they are using electricity, thermal energy, wind power or solar to provide for themselves and their families than they remain on oil and gas.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Through you, Mr. President, would the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:I'm sorry. Yes, of course.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Yeah, it's really an issue of reliability when you're talking about natural gas service versus electric service.
The point is that electric service often causes mass blackouts, not as reliable as gas service, which does not black out. There can be small incidents. There's also times where you might be without service for scheduled repairs. But a much more reliable system with pipes that are buried in the ground, and consistent.
But I want to move along. Who decides what part of the gas system can receive maintenance or upgrade under this bill? Would that be the utility or would that be the PSC once this is in full effect?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Through you, Mr. President. I had another answer to the previous question, so I'll answer that first and then follow up.
So while I still don't know exactly how many people might ever die from a blackout, we do have data that 2,000 New Yorkers per year die prematurely because of oil and gas incidents. That's a lot of deaths. I'm not sure we would see that much from blackouts.
And the answer to the question of who was responsible for -- did you say continuation or repair on an oil/gas --
SENATOR WALCZYK:Yeah, for maintenance or upgrades to the existing natural gas service once this is in effect.
SENATOR KRUEGER:The utility of that region, whoever is the utility provider, continues to be responsible.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Through you, Mr. President, would the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor --
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR WALCZYK:So the PSC wouldn't be able to decide whether a utility could then upgrade its service or do any maintenance along any of its existing once this is in full effect?
SENATOR KRUEGER:So PSC basically works with the utility and the community to set up the program and the model, and it is then the utility's responsibility to make sure that whatever deal has been set up for that area, it's maintained and kept in good functioning order.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Through you, Mr. President, if the sponsor will continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Largely the PSC was the answer that I was looking for there.
Part of identifying an affected region involves looking at the age and health of the gas infrastructure and prioritizing areas where it is in most need of replacement. If the community in the affected region votes not to cut off gas service, could those gas lines still be replaced under this bill?
SENATOR KRUEGER:(Conferring.) Through you, Mr. President. This bill doesn't change the current model where, again, before 2030 all of this is very much a community-by- community decision about transition.
But after 2030, the PSC and utilities continue their existing arrangements, agreements, commitments for major gas lines. So that would be between them and the Public Service Commission.
But this law doesn't actually address that question.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Through you, Mr. President, would the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Well, a little concerned about the timing. Because the New York State Independent Systems Operator has recently raised warnings about capacity and has actually called for the repowering of fossil fuel generating statewide in order to meet the need so that we don't have blackouts in this year, 2025.
How can we bring this bill forward, given that recommendation and the fact that the State Energy Plan is being completely redone right now?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Through you, Mr. President. NYISO is actually a partner in the decisions that will be made through PSC in coordination with determining do we have adequate energy by area, by need, by source. So we're not overlooking ISO, we are actually saying yes, we are factoring in and making sure.
Now, states who have actually moved forward faster than us have also learned the advantages of having multiple options. I know Texas was referenced in an earlier question and answer. Texas, let's face it, it's an oil state. Right? Texas actually is on record as saying the reason we are not having brownouts and blackouts, the reason we are controlling our utility costs better than some other states is because we have such an effective combination of alternative electricity, better electric transmission systems, and we strongly support the moving forward with geothermal, solar and wind.
So the great oil state of Texas -- and I'm very rarely complimenting Texas, by the way, recently. But the great oil state of Texas is actually saying you all should be doing what we're doing, it's working.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Through you, Mr. President, would the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR WALCZYK:You know, I'll just go back to mortality for a brief second. Not a fun topic. But since you brought up Texas, didn't almost 500 people die when they had a blackout in Texas because their electricity went out because of frozen windmills and such?
SENATOR KRUEGER:So it turns out that the blackouts in Texas were caused by a cold front freezing the gas and oil lines, causing the blackout. So I think again it also highlights the dangers of gas and oil.
SENATOR WALCZYK:And through you, Mr. President, would the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Whatever the cause, it was an electrical blackout and there were close to 500 people dead at the end of that blackout in Texas. Would you agree?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes. And apparently it was caused by gas and oil lines freezing. Hence, if their system hadn't been dependent on the gas/oil lines, I don't know what actually would have happened instead.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Through you, Mr. President, would the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR KRUEGER:I do.
SENATOR WALCZYK:The Public Service Commission is supposed to be the expert regulatory authority overseeing this program. They are very familiar with the operation of the utilities they regulate. If a utility wants to opt out, as you were talking about earlier, and the PSC says no -- which I think is probably likely -- if they're issuing the initial order, why is there not a third party to appeal the order to provided in this bill?
SENATOR KRUEGER:In this bill PSC does not have the power to tell a utility: You can't opt out. So I don't know what the appeal would be needed for.
Oh, excuse me. The utility has to prove they have a reasonable basis. And then PSC can actually say, no, you haven't proved your legitimate basis.
So then if I understand your question right, is there a third party that deals with the dispute? I don't actually know what happens now when utilities and the PSC have disputes. I think they probably happen every day.
(Conferring.) So the staff make the original decision within PSC, but then the actual Public Service Commission -- which are commissioners, bipartisan, oil/gas involvement, utility involvement -- then would make that final decision if there was a dispute.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Through you, Mr. President, would the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Yeah, briefly the point was that if the PSC is running the program and you're putting the onus on them to push this entire program, then having them adjudicate whether someone should be able to opt out or not doesn't seem fair.
But I do -- I want to turn to another portion of the bill. So in -- I'm looking at page 4, and it's Section 10, so that would be Section 10 under 66-y.
SENATOR KRUEGER:I need to get my glasses out. Give me a minute.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Sure.
SENATOR KRUEGER:Thanks.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Earlier you said that the cost would be paid by the utility. But Section 10 here, starting on line 23 says "Programs approved pursuant to this section shall not compromise the ability of the gas corporation to seek to recover prudent, commission-approved investments in infrastructure that was used and useful." What does that mean?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Through you, Mr. President. That section of the bill was put in at the request of the utility companies to make sure that they were -- that this law was in line with existing PSC regulations and agreements that have been made.
And it's standard in all these deals that they are allowed to recover reasonable and standard amounts for investments.
SENATOR WALCZYK:And through you, Mr. President, would the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR WALCZYK:So, in short, when the utility is recovering their cost, that means the ratepayer will be the one that pays?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Through you, Mr. President. As we discussed I think several times, pretty much the ratepayer pays for infrastructure for utilities now, under the existing system, and ultimately in the big picture, no matter what system we're using, will also have a share of the cost.
And whether we modernize, whether we shift to electric, whether we maximize uses of geothermal and solar and wind, or whether we just stick with oil and gas, that will be reality.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Senator Walczyk, you've got about 30 seconds left for your 30-minute period.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Thank you, Mr. President. I'll try and make it snappy.
Does your building in Manhattan have natural gas ranges currently?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Through you, Mr. President. Yes, my building has natural gas hookups for stoves and perhaps dryers, but we don't heat with natural gas in the building.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Through you, Mr. President, would the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Will you be the first to convert in New York State, or are you going to expect others to go forward?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Through you, Mr. President. There's a New York City law that actually goes into effect earlier than for the rest of the state requiring the buildings in New York City to transition to -- off of oil and gas into electric. So my building, which is a 1929 building, is already exploring how we meet the requirements of that city law.
Again, we don't have gas heat, so that's one less concern for my specific building. Again, I live in an area of the city that has a steam system through Con Edison. But we are absolutely talking about other ways we can become more energy-efficient and meet our standards and avoid penalties -- because under the city law, you actually get hit with penalties if you aren't meeting those standards.
Is it likely that people won't continue to buy new gas stoves when their old one breaks? Probably. Is there any requirement being placed on my building? And there won't be one in this bill either that says I have to get rid of my gas stove. I have one, because when I moved into the building it had one.
I so rarely cook, it never gets turned on, so they might as well take it away anyway. But I think that answers your question.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Thank you, Senator Walczyk.
Senator O'Mara, why do you rise?
SENATOR O'MARA:Yes, thank you, Mr. President. A lot's been covered here. I have a few questions for the sponsor if she's willing to yield.
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?
The sponsor yields.
SENATOR O'MARA:Senator Krueger, it's kind of like déjà vu from a year ago, that we're in the final day or -- that we did the HEAT Act last year. I don't remember if it was the last day or it was the final couple of days, I believe.
SENATOR KRUEGER:Last year around this time, yes, sir.
SENATOR O'MARA:And this bill was introduced on March 9th, and we're at March 12th today --
SENATOR KRUEGER:No, we're not.
SENATOR O'MARA:I'm sorry. June.
SENATOR KRUEGER:You're trying to test me, aren't you?
(Laughter.)
SENATOR O'MARA:No. No. I don't know where I got March from.
SENATOR KRUEGER:How about June?
SENATOR O'MARA:I'm wishing we went back to March --
SENATOR KRUEGER:Okay, fine.
SENATOR O'MARA:-- because of all the time we spend here, particularly on the budget.
Through you, Mr. President, if the sponsor will yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Indeed.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR O'MARA:So the HEAT Act was around for quite a while, and we rammed it through last minute last year. The Assembly did not do it. And now apparently the Assembly's not going to do the HEAT Act again this year, so you've dropped this new bill just three days ago, on June 9th. What time of day was that dropped on the LRS?
SENATOR KRUEGER:I have no idea, since I don't work that part of the system. I guess there's a code number that would tell us? Maybe you know the answer?
SENATOR O'MARA:Do I know the answer for sure? No.
SENATOR KRUEGER:Okay.
SENATOR O'MARA:And I'm sure there is a code that says something. But around here clocks sometimes stop around deadlines. And to get it under the three-day window, I'm somewhat surmising that this might have missed that midnight deadline on the 9th.
SENATOR KRUEGER:Oh. No, I'm quite sure it did not miss the deadline. And the Assembly and the Senate were in continuing discussions about this revamped NY HEAT Act because we were meeting with all kinds of stakeholders, members of the Legislature who had voiced concern, more in the Assembly than the Senate.
And to be quite honest, we were hoping that the Assembly would introduce it before us for some reasons. So that's why there were drafts being worked on for quite a while. But it did get introduced fairly late in session, you're correct.
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:Can you -- we've been here a long time on this already, and I'm sorry to ask this.
SENATOR KRUEGER:Sure.
SENATOR O'MARA:But can you -- what's the difference between your HEAT Act that for many years has been pending until -- to this one that just dropped three days ago?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Thank you for asking. I was hoping somebody would.
Okay. So through you, Mr. President. This -- the changes are there's a regional affordable gas transition plan from the Public Service Commission which must recognize the unique needs of every region in the state.
A regional savings and reliability program must include a process for utilities to opt out.
Guardrails for regional savings and reliability programs are updated to explicitly clarify that customers will bear no cost for being transitioned off of gas.
And difficult-to-electrify industrial or commercial uses, energy-intensive and trade-exposed industries and critical infrastructure will not have service discontinued through these programs.
Neighborhood gas transition projects will not proceed unless approved by at least 50 percent of affected gas customers after 2030. Prior to 2030, the threshold is 100 percent for affected customers.
Language is cut that would have required the PSC to develop a plan for achieving its existing goals to protect customers from bearing an energy burden greater than 6 percent of their income. And we cut that out because that already exists in PSC regulations, and it seemed to be confusing to people to be repeating it in a different section of law.
Language that is cut would have required gas utilities to review capital construction plans and examine feasible alternatives and require the participation of overlapping electric utilities. And that was because that was asked to make it easier for them.
Language was cut that would have repealed Section 66-b of the Public Service Law which requires the continuation of gas service following demolition.
Language was cut that would have limited the expansion of gas service into new service territories -- also a concern we heard.
Language was cut that would have repealed Section 66-g of the Public Service Law which requires the purchase of Indigenous natural gas by electric utilities.
That's my list.
SENATOR O'MARA:Thank you, Senator.
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 it seems like one of the major differences here is that a utility can opt out of pursuing this. Is that correct?
SENATOR KRUEGER:That is a major change. But it also builds in more flexibility for them in working with communities and the PSC.
SENATOR O'MARA:Through you, Mr. President, if the Senator will continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Does the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR O'MARA:My understanding was that that change was really -- for a utility to drop out was driven by the Assembly, where they had many reluctant majority members from the National Fuel territory in Western New York. Rather than take a vote on the old version, you do this, basically bought off their votes to get them to support this version of it, because National Fuel can opt out.
SENATOR KRUEGER:Through you, Mr. President. Both Senator O'Mara and I have been here a long time, and we know that complicated bills go through many amendments to try to address the concerns we hear as we're working on our bills.
So is it true that there was more concern from certain members of the Assembly from certain parts of the state in the majority? That is factual. Did we try to address those concerns -- which personally I believe also addressed the concerns of the areas of the state represented by many of my colleagues here in the Senate from the other party? I think they addressed the same concerns in both houses. But of course we amended the bill to try to get people to go, "This actually makes sense now. This gives us some options we can work with now. We're not opposed anymore." So yes.
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:Senator, you mentioned before about the New York ISO. And I believe that the only reference to that is on page 2, line 11, where it talks about the ability of the grid to safely, adequately and reliably support this new load. It shall include participation by the relevant electric corporations and the federally designated bulk system operator -- which would be NYISO, I believe, is that correct?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
SENATOR O'MARA:So that talks about their participation. It doesn't say that NYISO has any vote to stop this. Is that correct?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Through you, Mr. President. I don't know exactly what powers NYISO has currently for anything that happens with utilities in this state. But I know that we aren't changing any of those powers. Oh, sorry.
(Conferring.) Thank you. On page 4, line 20 to line 22, No. 9: "The commission shall ensure that any program approved pursuant to this section will not compromise the safety and reliability of the electric distribution grid or gas distribution grid."
SENATOR O'MARA:Through you, Mr. President, if the Senator will continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Does the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Indeed. Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR O'MARA:Yes. But that language talks about the commission. It doesn't talk about NYISO and NYISO's ability to say no, this isn't going to work.
SENATOR KRUEGER:Through you, Mr. President, my understanding is that NYISO exists so that it can work in coordination with PSC and utilities to make sure we are functioning as a state safely and reliably.
So again, this bill doesn't change NYISO's authority now. So however the system works now, whenever there's a concern that's raised between NYISO and PSC, that system would continue to operate the same way.
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:We've heard for several years now, since the passage of the CLCPA, in NYISO's annual reports about future reliability. And they're raising the alarm and concerns in the last several years at least -- and their most recent one just came out a few weeks ago, and they're very concerned about the adequacy of electricity to meet the rising demands.
And we're creating even more demand with a program like this. What concerns do you have about going forward, about the adequacy of our electric grid?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Thank you for the question. Mr. President, I also am concerned about the adequacy of our electric grid.
We are having massive new models of construction in upstate New York for various kinds of manufacturing with chips and other forms of technology that we know are going to be enormous drains on our electric grid.
We are using more electricity in every part of our lives. It's a concern for my region. It's a concern for upstate New York. So that is a reality, and we need to deal with that.
This bill doesn't do anything to hurt that reality and I believe actually offers some ways to help. Because this bill ensures transition options for communities to move into modern green technology, which is frankly more likely to be local grid realities -- gas -- excuse me, solar, geothermal, wind, and therefore change demands on our grid. Not necessarily decrease electricity usage and probably increase electricity usage, but in very different ways.
All of that can work together as we move to do what I think we agree on. We need to modernize our transition system. We need to make sure that we can produce more electricity here at home for endless needs.
SENATOR O'MARA:Thank you, Senator.
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:Looking at page 2 of the bill, line 14, Paragraph 4 talks about prioritizing the voluntary disconnections from gas service to minimize the cost of transition.
Now, if we're prioritizing voluntary disconnections, that implies that at some point there's going to be involuntary disconnections from natural gas. Is that correct?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Only if it's after 2030, if the neighborhood has actually decided that they want to move forward, and the PSC has approved that there is adequate alternatives.
So it's voluntary, it's spelled out right there. But involuntary is a multi-step storyline into the future.
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 is this program set up here on these plans, this is going to remain in effect after 2030? Or after 2030 is the Public Service Commission just going to come in and say, Okay, that neighborhood, you didn't comply, you didn't want to do it, but now you have to?
SENATOR KRUEGER:No. 2030 is when these programs technically begin as any kind of moving forward other than some neighborhoods who actually might be very excited to jump in sooner.
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:Again, on page 2, line 27, subparagraph (i), it says the capacity of the relevant electric plant to provide safe and adequate service. What is meant by "the relevant electric plant"? Because we have a grid, and that's why we have NYISO, and they manage the flow from all kinds of different sources to make sure it's there.
So what do you mean by "the relevant electric plant"?
SENATOR KRUEGER:So it's written that way because that's consistent with the definitions of how electricity is talked about in other sections of law. So that includes the plant that they may be connected to, the overall grid, the regional availability of electricity.
So it's not -- I would agree it's confusing because you think I'm talking about some box somewhere that's producing --
(Overtalk.)
SENATOR O'MARA:-- plants set up in our neighborhoods.
SENATOR KRUEGER:No, but apparently the reason we wrote it this way is that -- because it's consistent with how they talk about this in other sections of Energy Law.
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:And I just said we don't have like neighborhood -- your neighborhood plant, although down in New York City we've got these peaker plants. They're kind of in neighborhoods. And they're problematic.
SENATOR KRUEGER:Agreed.
SENATOR O'MARA:And really our lack of an energy plan in this state was exacerbated by the premature closure of Indian Point, which has resulted in an over 40 percent increase of emissions in that metropolitan New York area that was served by Indian Point, requiring the increased use of peaker plants.
I just -- I don't believe that we have a thought-out plan here when such a glaring mistake like that was made.
SENATOR KRUEGER:Going back one second, not forgetting that question -- through you, Mr. President. So the reason that we use this language on page 2 is because it matches the definition: "The term 'electric plant' when used in this chapter of Energy Law includes all real estate fixtures, personal property, operated, owned, used or to be used for or in connection with or to facilitate the generation, transmission, distribution, sale or furnishing or electricity for light, heat or power," and it goes on and on and on. We could get you that.
But to answer the question you got to, you were talking about closing nuclear plants and the issue of peakers. None of that is actually part of this piece of legislation.
I personally feel very good about the decision to close the nuclear power plant in Westchester County. It was leaking dangerous radioactive chemicals into the ground, into the groundwater, into the Hudson River. And I know the people of those communities are feeling much better about that not continuing at the rate it was happening before. That was a power plant that was way beyond its intended life span.
And, I suppose most disturbingly, since I live downwater from that plant, it was built on a fault in the earth. Under today's laws you would never be allowed to build a nuclear power plant on top of a fault line, because you are increasing the risk from any kind of earthquake or shifting experience to completely blow the place up.
So did we have other alternatives to produce more energy sooner once we made the decision to close that nuclear plant? I actually think this Legislature and my conference has been urging the state to move more rapidly, to expand options, to improve our grid, increase the sources of energy.
So I don't disagree with my colleague. The peakers are not a great option for New York City. We were supposed to close them years ago also. I don't think we should be reopening old nuclear power plants. But I think we should be moving forward with exactly the kind of legislation we're talking about tonight.
Through you, Mr. President.
SENATOR O'MARA:Through you, Mr. President, if the Senator will continue to yield.
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?
The sponsor yields.
SENATOR O'MARA:With regards to those peaker plants, you know, they could certainly be replaced with more efficient, lower-emitting peaker plants, albeit still using fossil fuel, but much more efficiently and lower output now, because I think the residents in those neighborhoods where they're operating don't really agree that it's been a great idea to close Indian Point, and all those extra emissions coming from these.
So -- and there isn't any account that I've heard of going forward, based on all renewables, that we're not going to need backup power. And we're going to need fossil-fuel-powered plants, natural gas preferably, cleaner burning, for quite a period of time.
But during this whole transition doesn't it make sense to maybe make those plants more efficient, lower emitting?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Through you, Mr. President. I don't -- one, I'm not aware of people in New York City saying they wish we didn't close that nuclear power plant. I actually have never had anybody come to me to say that.
Two, we had the peaker plants while we had the nuclear plant, so we didn't trade a closed nuclear power plant for the 10 peakers in New York City. They were there, they were a problem. They're still there. They're still a problem. We just also don't have Indian Point open.
And if the question is shouldn't we also be doing something to either expand or modernize existing natural gas facilities, there's nothing in this bill that stops that. I personally don't think that's a great idea, and I suppose I'd be happy to debate a bill like that if it was before us. But I just want to make clear there's nothing in this bill that changes that question for New York State.
SENATOR O'MARA:Well, through you, Mr. President, if the Senator will continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:I will.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR O'MARA:I have another section to move on to, but before that, I think that the closure of Indian Point was not well timed out because it has caused a significant increase in emissions by the extra use of these peaker plants that have had to be ramped up from that.
SENATOR KRUEGER:Oh, I'm sorry, just for reference --
SENATOR O'MARA:Sure.
SENATOR KRUEGER:-- just a fact.
Indian Point was agreed to be closed in 2017 when my colleagues on the Republican side of the aisle were the majority. So they agreed to close Indian Point. Just a historical fact.
Sorry, please keep going.
SENATOR O'MARA:Thank you, Senator.
Mr. President, if the Senator will continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Indeed.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR O'MARA:Can you clarify for me -- because I really don't see any definitions in here. We talk about nice things like regional plan, community plan, neighborhood plan. What is a region, what is a community, and what is a neighborhood?
(Pause.)
SENATOR KRUEGER:So it's actually right there in the first paragraph on page 1, starting at line 5, 66-x, Regional affordable gas transition plans." (Reading): The commission shall divide the state into gas transition planning regions, giving consideration to utility service territories, and, in consultation with local governments and gas corporations, publish -- and it goes on and on about -- we're saying we're even letting the utilities and the communities decide the definitions of how these territories will be divvied up, so to speak.
SENATOR O'MARA:Through you, Mr. President, if the Senator will continue to yield.
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR O'MARA:So how is this decision -- and who are the decision-makers going to be, and who's going to have the ultimate final say on what a region is, what a community is, and what the neighborhood is?
SENATOR KRUEGER:So the Public Service Commission currently makes those decisions about utility territory, regions and communities, so they would continue to do that.
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:Moving on to upgrades that may be needed to convert homes from natural gas to fully electric. It says in here in a couple of different places that there will be no cost to that property owner for this.
How is that cost going to be borne?
SENATOR KRUEGER:So the CSRA requires utilities to ensure that any transitioning customer has access to safe, reliable energy services for heating, cooling, cooking, water heating prior to any cessation of gas service, with funding and technical support, including for the purchase and installation of customer-owned equipment at no cost.
Some utilities are already doing this, providing customers with non-gas appliances as part of gas transitions. For example, New York SEG and RG&E non-pipe alternative projects offer customers a basic package of free heat pumps and other electric appliances, with options for customers to upgrade.
National Grid is offering customers more than 10,000 to $20,000 to electrify in areas where electrification would help avoid costly gas-line replacements. Con Ed is developing a package for customers with old service lines to electrify that will provide customers free non-gas appliances that complement the company's existing heat pump incentives.
So interestingly, while we're here debating tonight, this is actually already happening without our setting up a statewide plan. Which is why I know the vast majority of utilities are going to participate and aren't going to opt out, because they already know this saves money and is the right way to go. Because that's what they're doing already.
Through you, Mr. President.
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:Thank you. But that doesn't really answer my question. Who's ultimately paying for those upgrades, the equipment, what have you?
SENATOR KRUEGER:As we said, this bill requires it's the utilities' responsibility.
SENATOR O'MARA:Through you, Mr. President, if the Senator will yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR O'MARA:Does the utility get to build that cost into their rate case?
SENATOR KRUEGER:(Conferring.) So through you, Mr. President. If a utility goes for a rate increase for costs, first they have to show that we are maximizing the use of all these assorted state programs to support this, and they have to show that the savings they have from no longer having to invest so much in oil and gas continuation still leaves them with additional need.
And then and only then would they be approved for a utility rate increase for this purpose.
SENATOR O'MARA:Through you, Mr. President, if 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, I myself, I would fully expect that they're going to have a greater need than what all the other programs might be out there.
And if and when they do go back to the rate case and say, We've spent this many hundreds of millions of dollars on heat pumps or whatever to convert these homes from gas to electric, and the Public Service Commission agrees and says, Yeah, you can recover those, then the rates are going to increase. And the rates are going to increase for every ratepayer, correct, in that utility region?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Through you, Mr. President. When there are utility rate increases, yes, all ratepayers pay.
Now, what is also I think important to remember, as we transition -- and we are transitioning. As I said, this is happening already. People are shifting voluntarily to cheaper options for themselves. As fewer and fewer people are using gas/oil, even if we didn't pass this law, the cost for the remaining people in gas and oil continues to go up. Because they are the last ones, so there's a smaller number of people having to absorb the cost of an entire system of oil and gas.
That's actually happening already even without this law. So yes, if you -- the longer you stay on oil and gas, probably the reality is the more you're going to pay and the bigger share of the cost you will have, because there will be fewer ratepayers to share that cost with you. That's if we do nothing.
If we do this, we are at least setting up options of how people can be transitioned with planning, with their participation, with community input, and with the utilities and the state helping to pick up some of those changed infrastructure costs to shift us off of oil and gas.
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:Senator, if and when those costs ultimately get spread across all the ratepayers, will there be any relief for that homeowner or business that has voluntarily undertaken these changes on their own, on their own dime? Or are they going to be sharing in the higher rate with everybody else that hasn't?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Through you, Mr. President. If you've already shifted off of oil and gas, voluntarily before tonight or after tonight, your costs from utilities are going to be lower.
So if there's some increase for ratepayers, it's not like an even distribution because there are 12 people here, it's a percentage increase in what your bill is.
So if your bill is very low -- for example, I don't use my gas stove very much, so my gas bill every month I think is about $14. So even if they increase my gas prices, it's only a percentage on $14. Versus someone who's paying $500 a month for their gas because they're dependent on it for everything, so they would see a far more significant increase in their cost.
So you absolutely are a winner in this storyline if you are using less and less oil and gas.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Thank you, Senator O'Mara --
SENATOR O'MARA:Through you, Mr. President, if the Senator will continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Your time has elapsed. Your 30 minutes has elapsed, sir.
SENATOR O'MARA:Thirty minutes?
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Thirty minutes.
SENATOR KRUEGER:I thought it felt like hours, personally, but --
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Time flies when you're having fun.
SENATOR O'MARA:Thank you, Senator Krueger.
SENATOR KRUEGER:Thank you, Senator.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Are there any other Senators wishing to be heard?
Seek and hearing none, debate is closed. The Secretary will ring the bell.
Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 11. This act shall take effect December 31, 2025.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Senator Harckham to explain his vote.
SENATOR HARCKHAM:Thank you very much, Mr. President. The hour is late; I'll be brief.
I want to thank Senator Krueger for this revised legislation and for her work on this over the years.
I rise just to reinforce a few facts and correct a few other facts from this debate.
We talk about health and people dying. To Senator Krueger's point, over 2,000 New Yorkers die prematurely of heart and lung disease because of our consumption of fossil fuels.
We talk about the Texas blackout. It was not because windmills froze, it was their gas infrastructure froze. That is very clear. It was their gas infrastructure that froze.
And what have they done since then? They have added renewables. Wind, solar and battery storage at a relentless pace, a nation-leading pace. And now they have added to their resiliency, and their rates have come down. Because as we know, the economics say a kilowatt of clean energy is cheaper than a kilowatt of fossil fuel energy.
A couple more quick points. We would -- if we didn't have a CLCPA or add a single solar panel, we would have to do the grid upgrades we're doing now because our grid is antiquated.
And we talk about jobs. If we stop blocking the CLCPA, we can be creating 200,000 good, union-paying jobs. Look at the 200 million that we allocated for thermal networks. That is just the beginning of what we could do.
I thank Senator Krueger.
I vote aye.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Senator Harckham to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1953, voting in the negative are Senators Ashby, Baskin, Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Martins, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Rolison, C. Ryan, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber and Weik.
Ayes, 36. Nays, 23.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The bill is passed.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Mr. President, let's go to Calendar 1950.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1950, Senate Print 8417, by Senator Krueger, an act to amend the Public Service Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Senator Borrello, why do you rise?
SENATOR BORRELLO:Mr. President, would the sponsor yield for a question.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:I will as soon as I text "Bring cough drops from my desk."
(Laughter.)
SENATOR BORRELLO:You want to get yourself a Gatorade or something?
SENATOR KRUEGER:No, I've got liquid, but thank you so much.
Okay, pressing send.
Yes, please. Of course I will happily answer questions.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR BORRELLO:All right.
Through you, Mr. President. Do you happen to know where the first natural gas well in the entire world was actually dug?
SENATOR KRUEGER:No, I do not, Mr. President. I suspect my colleague does.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Mr. President, yes, I do. Will the sponsor yield for a question.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:It's Dunkirk?
(Laughter.)
SENATOR BORRELLO:Close. It's actually Dunkirk's next-door neighbor Fredonia --
(Laughter.)
SENATOR BORRELLO:-- is where the first natural gas well in America was drilled.
So, Mr. President, will the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Yes. So we'll just call it the greater Dunkirk-Fredonia area, which I am from, which is where the first natural gas well was dug.
And I bring it up because do you know that Western New York relies very heavily on natural gas for heating? That's just a yes-or-no question.
SENATOR KRUEGER:Through you, Mr. President, I will accept that New York uses quite a bit of natural gas.
I will also point out that once upon a time people used arsenic on their face, except that we learned it was poisonous so then we didn't anymore.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Mr. President, will the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Don't knock the whole arsenic-on-the-face thing. It's making my face nice and smooth, so --
(Laughter.)
SENATOR BORRELLO:So in December of 2022 there was a massive snowstorm in the City of Buffalo. It really -- unfortunately, 40 lives were lost in that snowstorm.
Do you happen to know how many electrical outages there were during that massive snowstorm Christmas week of December 2022?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Through you, Mr. President, I don't. My colleague does.
But again, to repeat myself from an earlier discussion, when there are electric blackouts, the natural gas systems don't work either. So it's not a solution or an alternative, because it's still using electricity. Which is why it is so important that we have a functioning transmission grid for the state.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Mr. President, will the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:I will.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR BORRELLO:I didn't hear an answer to my question. I just wanted to know if you happen to know how many electrical outages there were in Buffalo in December 2022.
SENATOR KRUEGER:I said no, I did not know the number. I was simply pointing out that an electric blackout means the gas heating system doesn't work either.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Mr. President, will the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Did you say you have a natural gas stove? Are you familiar with a natural gas stove? Do you know like how it works? Natural gas stove.
SENATOR KRUEGER:No. Beyond knowing that they -- a small amount of gas comes into the stove with a pilot light, you turn the gas on or you turn it into flame. Beyond that, probably not.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Okay.
Mr. President, on the bill briefly.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Senator Borrello on the bill.
SENATOR BORRELLO:You are correct. In fact, where I live in Western New York, you do, you have natural gas that's either a continuous pilot light, which doesn't require electrical ignition, so if the power goes out you can still turn your gas stove on, you can still turn your gas fireplace on, you can still -- and even in cases where you do have electric ignition, if it fails, you can simply light it with one of those little handy-dandy butane lighters.
So people in Buffalo survived for multiple days without electricity because they were able to turn their gas stoves on and keep themselves warm.
So -- and the number of electrical outages in Buffalo, just in Buffalo, during that storm over the course of three days was 150,000.
And I know you know that I already have the answer to this question, but do you know how many natural gas outages there were in that same period of time?
SENATOR KRUEGER:I'm sorry, Mr. President, I didn't hear the end of the question.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Yes, sorry for that word salad. Do you know how many natural gas outages there were during that same period of time?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Through you, Mr. President, I don't have the same research as my colleague, so I don't know about natural gas outages in that same area that same time.
I do know that people are strongly, strongly recommended not to use their gas stoves to heat themselves or their homes because there is enormous health risk and likelihood of things blowing up and failed ventilation.
So I understand in an emergency situation like a blackout, people might have to, but I certainly hope that none of us are urging our families and friends and constituents to started heating their home through their gas stoves.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Okay. Mr. President, will the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR BORRELLO:During an emergency it's often incredibly important, particularly for places like hospitals and nursing homes and fire stations to have backup generators. Do you know how a backup generator typically is powered?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Through you, Mr. President. There are various forms of backup generators. Some are gas, some are propane, some are battery, some are geothermal.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Mr. President, will the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR BORRELLO:You know, you kind of dovetailed into something I want to talk about anyway. I've heard you talk about geothermal in the past. Could you explain to me how a geothermal system works?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Through you, Mr. President. You dig down into the ground and you connect to naturally occurring heat and steam from underneath the ground, and you connect it to your home or your building.
In New York City we have a number of pilots that are being -- actually have come onto -- are working, where they're digging down into Manhattan Island, which has some of the toughest rock formations in the world, and we are doing geothermal energy and heat in my own district.
In fact, some of us are hoping to be at St. Patrick's Cathedral tomorrow morning for a funeral. St. Patrick's Cathedral is heated by geothermal energy. Rockefeller Center, directly across the street, is in the process of moving to geothermal.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Mr. President, on the bill.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Senator Borrello on the bill.
But before you begin, Senator, can we have some order in the chamber. Thank you.
SENATOR BORRELLO:I would appreciate that also, thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Senator Borrello, the floor is yours.
SENATOR BORRELLO:So I've heard a lot about geothermal from my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, and I think that you have this misconception that we're digging down to the center of the earth and bringing hot magma up to heat our homes with. That's actually not how geothermal works.
Here's how geothermal works. You dig down a couple of hundred feet to access a consistent 50-degree temperature, and then you have to then bring that air up and you have to either heat it to the 60, 70 degrees that you want to keep your home, or you have to cool it. Either way, you need a source of energy.
Geothermal heat is nothing but a consistent temperature that comes up from digging down a couple hundred feet. So when you get that 50-degree air up to your -- up to your furnace, you still need natural gas or electric to actually heat it.
So I want to dispel that rumor because I had this feeling that when everybody talks about geothermal, they think there's some kind of magical process where we're bringing heat up from the center of the earth. We're not. You still need natural gas or electricity to operate a geothermal system. That's how it works.
So with that, will the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:I'm sorry, we're back. I was hoping we'd get to the 100-foot-rule question. Yes, please.
SENATOR BORRELLO:So this bill would essentially tell natural gas companies they are no longer allowed to provide a free connection to their system to someone that's building a home. When have we ever told any company that they can no longer provide something complimentary to their customers?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Through you, Mr. President. It's not free. All of us are paying for it. All of the utility ratepayers are paying for that last hundred foot cost into the building.
We have, as a state, passed a law saying we are going to all-electric new buildings. There isn't a reason that we should still have on our books a law that says utilities must put in gas pipes for the last hundred feet and have utility ratepayers pay it. We, the people, are paying a minimum of $200 million a year for this law that isn't even justified under existing rules that the state has put into effect.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Mr. President, will the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR BORRELLO:I've heard you throwing around this number before. Is there some kind of a line item on our gas bills that we should be looking for that shows what it's costing us for that hundred-foot rule?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Through you, Mr. President, I don't think that we line-item many of the costs for our utilities from -- on our individual electric bills.
But there have been multiple research projects -- yes? (Conferring.)
The utilities actually do identify these costs in the utility filings they do with PSC. So somebody has actually gone through and added those up. And it is a minimum of $200 million a year that the utilities are charging us ratepayers to do the last-hundred-foot rules.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Mr. President, will the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR BORRELLO:I think you know that I'm a business owner, and I've certainly filed a lot of, you know, P&Ls and so forth. So you're saying because they have a line item that talks about the cost of the hundred-foot rule that you are assuming that's being passed along to the customer.
So if they list the fact that they have to buy utility trucks and bucket trucks, should we tell them that they should no longer buy utility trucks and bucket trucks because they're passing the cost of that bucket truck along to their ratepayers?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Through you, Mr. President. If we get to a point in history where you don't need those things anymore, yes, I would say you shouldn't do that.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Mr. President, will the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Let's talk about property taxes. Because the interesting about thing about all of these green energy projects is that they're not paying -- they're paying very little in property taxes, in most cases pennies on the dollar for the true assessed value of the wind and solar installations that are going up.
Yet natural gas lines are taxed pretty much fully. So what are we going to do about the hundreds of millions if not billions of dollars in lost property tax revenues from the decommissioning of all these gas lines?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Through you, Mr. President. This bill does not address that. The hundred-foot rule is specific to the building last hundred foot of pipe into buildings, pretty much new buildings because the others already have gas. Although I suppose you could have an old building that you want to run a gas pipeline in.
So as to the question of how property taxes are scheduled by any specific locality and what percentage come from what kind of business, I think that's up to the property tax reform crowd, not specific to this legislation.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Mr. President, will the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Indeed.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Well, it may not be specific to this legislation, but it is going to be a side effect. Essentially, you're making no bones about it, you want to eliminate natural gas in New York State, right? We want to no longer use natural gas, and natural gas companies pay probably over a billion dollars in property taxes a year, if not more.
So what are we going to do to make that up when the wind and solar project that you've commissioned is paying pennies -- in some cases, zero -- in property taxes? How are we going to make up that loss of revenue for every municipality, particularly in upstate New York, that is hosting a green energy project that's paying nothing, versus the gas lines that are paying a pretty substantial percentage of the property taxes?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Through you, Mr. President. This bill doesn't say that gas pipes can't be built in the last hundred feet. It says if you want one, you should pay it instead of all of us having to pay it.
If my colleague's broader question is we should stay with a system that is destroying our environment, causing serious illness, putting us at risk and increasing our costs -- that are beyond comprehension to some of us -- so that somebody will still pay a property tax, I don't think that's a very good argument.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Mr. President, will the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR BORRELLO:So you're saying that the problem is that the emissions from natural gas are having a negative impact on climate change.
So my question to you is, if that's the case, then why are we importing power for New York from coal and natural-gas-fired power plants outside of New York? If it's global climate change, why aren't we shutting that stuff off right now because New York is having such a high demand because we've shut down things like Indian Point nuclear power plant and we've not expanded things like hydroelectric power?
Why are we still firing up dirty coal plants and natural gas plants in states like in Ohio and Pennsylvania to power New York if this is such an emergency that we need to shut down our natural gas system?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Through you, Mr. President, we in New York don't have the authority to shut down other states' dirty coal plants. But the faster we don't need the dirty, polluting forms of energy, the less that will be a problem for us.
And to answer the earlier question about what about the property taxes not being paid by the utilities if they have less gas lines -- who pays the cost now? Consumers. Our utility ratepayers.
So the imagination that it's the companies paying property taxes, not the people who pay rates paying the property taxes -- guess what? We're paying them now. So it's not somebody else or us, it's already us.
Through you, Mr. President.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Mr. President, will the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield? Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Of course. I'm sorry.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Okay. So we're not worried about who's going to pay the property taxes. Let's talk about the jobs. Do you have any idea what the average salary of a gas utility worker is in New York State?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Through you, Mr. President, I do not. Again, we are not going to be laying off existing workers. They are going to continue the work they do, probably until retirement age, and then there will be other workers coming along to work in alternative forms of energy. Some of them may still be in gas. And we are requiring the same labor standards and practices for the new kinds of jobs.
So I suspect probably approximately the same, adjusted for inflation.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Mr. President, will the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Well, I don't know if that's going to be the case. It's hard to take a guy that's making $120,000 a year working on the natural gas infrastructure in New York State and tell him he should go to China to make solar panels and make the same amount of money. That's probably not going to happen.
But with that being said, we're talking about affordable housing, we need more affordable housing. Do you know what it costs if we're going to burden a new house -- someone's building a new house, with having to pay for their own hookup? Any idea what it would cost for them to have to now pick up that cost with the hundred-foot rule being eliminated?
SENATOR KRUEGER:According to my data, the National Grid Metro New York Gas Company reports the average new connection cost for residential customers currently covered by the hundred-foot rule would be about $14,000 a year. For National Grid Long Island natural gas in that period, the average new connection cost for residential customers was about $9200 and about $5300 for residential underground development customers.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Will the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes, I do.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR BORRELLO:(Sound effect.) You're right! That's right, it's about $17,000 to put a natural gas hookup --
(Laughter.)
SENATOR KRUEGER:You're a little excited.
(Laughter.)
SENATOR KRUEGER:No props. No props.
(Laughter.)
SENATOR KRUEGER:Yes.
SENATOR BORRELLO:It's a bottle of water.
But my point is that perhaps on Long Island or, you know, downstate, $17,000 to the cost of a million-dollar home isn't much. But as you heard earlier in my debate on Dunkirk, you know, the houses in upstate New York and certainly the average salary is much lower.
So to add a $17,000 burden onto someone who's building a house that's probably going too cost them $200,000 for the structure itself is a significant amount of money.
So how can we be talking about making more affordable housing in New York State when we're talking about adding costs to those who in our area will likely want to still choose to have natural gas?
SENATOR KRUEGER:Through you, Mr. President. Just for the record, nobody has to pay for the cost of a new gas hookup because nobody building a new house needs to have a new gas hookup. They can actually start out with alternatives. Therefore, they would never have to pay that cost or the high cost of heating with natural gas once they get into their new house.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Oh, other Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Still Mr. President, sir.
SENATOR BORRELLO:That's right. That's right. Mr. President, on the bill.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator Borrello on the bill.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Thank you again, Senator Krueger. You've once again shown amazing stamina here with all these questions.
So New York State is a state that is rich in natural gas. As I said, the first natural gas well in the world was dug in my hometown of Fredonia. Natural gas is affordable. It's cleaner, much cleaner than other forms of fossil fuels. But it's also consistent. It's reliable. It's something that we can actually continue to use while we figure out what the next steps are.
But one thing we know for sure is we do not have the electrical grid capacity in New York State, not even close, to meet the needs of a fully electrified New York State.
Then you add into it all of the businesses that rely on natural gas to keep those jobs here. We just opened up a state-of-the-art cheesemaking plant in Farmersville, New York, that is heavily reliant on natural gas.
Natural gas is used by most homeowners where I live in Western New York because it's a cheaper alternative. And, like I mentioned, in a horrible, deadly snowstorm in Buffalo, thank God that we had natural gas. If everybody was on electric heat instead of 40 people, add another zero onto that as far as the number of casualties that would have been in the City of Buffalo were it not for natural gas.
The list goes on and on.
Now, I understand that everyone thinks we need to do this so quickly that we don't even have to have a plan as to how we're going to execute this, because that's what this is about. But in this case we are telling companies that are providing that that last-hundred feet at no charge to those customers, that they can no longer do that. When have we ever told a company you can't provide something for free?
In fact, you know what most of our bills do here? Most of the bills we pass here say you must provide something for free. You can't charge that copay. You can't charge that fee. That's what most of the bills we pass in this chamber do. We tell companies, we don't care what it costs you, you're going to provide this for free because we, the New York State Legislature, says you should.
But in this case we're going in the opposite direction. I understand the philosophy behind it. But at the end of the day, it's based on a false premise that somehow getting away from natural gas and continuing to import more and more power from out of state -- mostly on coal, I might add -- that that's the better solution, so we can pretend that we're doing something about climate change. Because that's what this is really about in New York. We are pretending we're having an impact on climate change. We're not. Not at all.
So this is about affordability, which is a big talking point here, but we're actually not dong anything to make New York more affordable. It's about keeping those jobs, all those good-paying union jobs that the energy industry provides. And it's about ensuring that going forward the people of New York State have the choice that they have for safe, affordable, reliable energy.
So I'll be voting no. Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Are there any other Senators wishing to be heard?
Seeing and hearing none, debate is closed. The Secretary will ring the bell.
SENATOR MATTERA:(Inaudible.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator Mattera, you'll be able to explain when we get to the explanation of votes. We'll get to you in a second.
The Secretary will ring the bell.
Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator Mattera to explain his vote.
SENATOR MATTERA:Thank you, Mr. President.
And this had been very interesting, and over the years. But what this bill and the previous bill are really about is choice. The environmentalists and my friends across the aisle in Albany don't think New Yorkers should have the freedom to choose their sources of energy that they pay for.
Once again, New York State is putting the cart before the horse as it works to cut off homes and businesses from natural gas, which is the cleanest and most reliable fuel.
Instead, we should be supporting the NESE and the Constitution pipelines, support the expanded capacity of the Iroquois Pipeline, and to get liquefied natural gas, LNG, trucks off of our roadways where they continue to be utilized to supply homes and businesses with the fuel they need.
My friends across the aisle don't bring that up. It is time for New York State to accept the reality and let 59 percent of New Yorkers who oppose banning of these pipelines, and the overwhelming 71 percent who oppose banning natural gas, know that they are being heard. And yes, we are making sure they're being heard every day.
These are the numbers directly from the recent Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future poll. These are real facts. The reality is that the recent joint report from Northwood University McNair Center for the Advancement of Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship and the Mackinac Center for Public Policy found, unsurprisingly, that natural gas is the best source of energy now.
And again, I always say this: We need to retool our existing power plants -- and you know what, that will create good-paying jobs also -- that that is the most efficient and economical way to go. That is based on factors like reliability and environmental impact costs.
We need to get the LNG trucks off our roadways, like I said, and we need to ensure New Yorkers have access to affordable, reliable and clean energy. And we need to keep our rates from increasing even more than they have been.
It is time that Albany Democrats realize that they are hurting all of our homeowners and our businesses with little benefit to our environment. New York State residents have to pay for all of this. Goals are fine, but mandates are wrong. Albany must let common sense and reality guide our state's energy policies. We urge all and agree that we support moving to a cleaner fuel, and it is to be accomplished by protecting our residents, our hardworking men and women of labor, and small businesses.
I urge Governor Kathy Hochul and Albany Democrats to listen to all New Yorkers and work with us to find realistic solutions to protect those who we jointly serve together. We need to study sources of energy like green hydrogen, geothermal networks, sewage heat recovery expansion, which we're doing that up in Jamestown, in Senator Borrello's district. Retooling, again, our existing power plants for carbon capture. Nuclear small modular units.
This effort, combining clean energy with natural gas, is supported by over 66 percent of the voters, including 74 percent of our state Democratic voters, and will allow us to move forward into a better energy future without harming our residents who are speaking loud enough with their feet. We urge NYSERDA and the PSC, the Democrats in the Legislature and Governor Hochul, to listen to them and to protect our ratepayers. That is what we all are here to do.
We need a realistic plan and not unrealistic, costly bans. Mr. President, I vote no.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator Mattera to be recorded in the negative.
Senator Rhoads to explain his vote.
SENATOR RHOADS:Thank you, Mr. President.
Clean, safe, affordable, dependable energy -- that should be your right as a New Yorker. And what we're seeing by the bill we just considered and what we're seeing by this latest hundred-foot ban on your being able to connect to gas service, is the steady erosion of those rights by this Legislature.
They're telling you you'll be able to keep your electric stove. You won't. You'll be able to keep gas service to your house -- you won't. Nothing's preventing utilities from providing the hundred feet to your house for free. Well, this bill is. Because what will happen over time is not that they will ban gas -- though they might -- but they will make it so unaffordable for you to choose that option or make it so impossible for the utility that provides that service to your house to stay in business, that gas will no longer be an option for you. That's the path that we're going down.
And what are we getting in its place? We're getting hope. We're getting talk. But hope and talk is not a plan. We're getting promises with no hope of there being actual solutions.
The simple fact of the matter is, and we were talking about statistics a little earlier, that according to the National Fire Protection Association, despite the fact that 60 percent of U.S. households are heated by natural gas, there are over three times as many electrical fires caused in homes than there are fires that have to do with gases to heat your home.
You are being fed a line of nonsense, and today is the latest step in that. Protect your own right to be able to --
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator Rhoads, how do you vote?
SENATOR RHOADS:-- get clean, safe and dependable natural gas.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator Rhoads, how do you vote?
SENATOR RHOADS:I will vote no on this bill --
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator Rhoads to be recorded in the negative.
Announce the results.
SENATOR RHOADS:Thank you, Mr. President.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1950, voting in the negative are Senators Ashby, Baskin, Borrello, Bynoe, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Martinez, Martins, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Rolison, C. Ryan, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber and Weik.
Ayes, 34. Nays, 25.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Next up is Calendar 1509.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The Secretary will ring the bell.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1509, Senate Print 6954A, by Senator Gounardes, an act to amend the General Business Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator Walczyk, why do you rise?
SENATOR WALCZYK:I'm hoping the sponsor will yield, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:Yes, Mr. President. Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR WALCZYK:So artificial intelligence, an emerging technology, we've ventured to become a hub for AI development here in New York State. How does this bill compare to other states we're competing with to become that AI hub?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:Through you, Mr. President, what I think would be helpful is for us to state what this bill does, and I can answer my colleague's questions.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Sure.
SENATOR GOUNARDES:This bill is the Stop Deep Fakes Act, and it's very simple. It just requires that in this age of AI, in this age of having applications where artificial intelligence can conjure up images or audio or video, that there be metadata attached to these -- the creation of these files that say this was generated by AI, this was created by this AI platform, this was made on this date by this user, potentially.
Just like right now, if you click on a digital photo, there is metadata saying the size of the photo, who owns the photo, when it was created, et cetera.
And so by adopting this standard we are joining California, which also passed a nearly identical standard. And the standard that we are adopting here is one that is -- I believe I can say used across the globe and is quickly becoming the industry standard internationally.
So I don't think that this has any impact on still making New York a competitive place where companies want to come and invest and develop future AI capabilities.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Thank you.
Through you, Mr. President, would the sponsor yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Thank you.
And that answered a few of the questions off the list, so I'm glad you gave a thorough explanation.
On page 3 -- so this is under Section 1511, subsection 4 of your bill. Subsection 4 says: "The provisions of this section shall only apply to synthetic content creations systems that were created or modified after the effective date of this article."
Won't that discourage new AI from -- businesses from locating New York State if it only applies to them and not preexisting AI?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:(Conferring.) Through you, Mr. President, no.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Through you, Mr. President, would the sponsor continue to yield.
SENATOR GOUNARDES:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Will the sponsor yield?
The sponsor yields.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Would this apply to both 2D and 3D media, videos?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:To just clarify, you said 2D?
SENATOR WALCZYK:Yeah, two-dimensional and three-dimensional, to include videos.
SENATOR GOUNARDES:Through you, Mr. President, yes. As long as the content is either a fully synthetic creation or substantially or materially synthetically modified, yes.
SENATOR WALCZYK:And through you, Mr. President, will the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:I yield, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR WALCZYK:So this is called the Stop Deep Fakes Act, which I think is a laudable goal and title. Will this apply to 3D media which isn't a deep fake?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:Through you, Mr. President. The intent of this is to make sure that there is transparency in the creation of digital media through the use of AI platforms like Dolly or Facebook or Instagram or Midjourney and others.
We know that we are living in a moment where imaging can be created or videos can be created or audio clips can be created that are deep fake, that are not real. There can be a video created using this technology right now of Senator Borrello thanking me for sponsoring the Save Dunkirk Act. And it would be a fraudulent video, but no one would know. And I could post that video to my Facebook page and say that Senator Borrello is thankful for what I did.
And so the intent here is to make sure that with all of the creation of this data and all of these images and all of these media, that there is a way to track and trace who created it, how it was created, when it was created, and what platform was used to create it.
By shining a light on those features, that is how we are able to stop deep fakes like the video that I -- I know Senator Borrello wants me to make but I won't.
(Laughter.)
SENATOR WALCZYK:Through you, Mr. President, would the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Does the sponsor yield?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:I will, yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR WALCZYK:But this bill wouldn't just apply to deep fakes, it would be anything that's created by AI in the State of New York, is that correct?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:Through you, Mr. President, yes.
But the whole intention here is that that deep fake is a type of digital media that is being used in a, you know, malicious or fraudulent way that is not what that picture is meant to convey or does not represent a fact or a reality.
So this applies to all digital media that's created. And the reason why we call it the Stop Deep Fakes Act is because you might create a photo or an image or a video or an audio clip that is not malevolent or with malicious intent or misleading or has, you know, disinformation. Those types of files are deep fakes. We call those deep fakes because they're not real. And not that they're artificial in that they are not purporting to be what is based in reality.
So this applies to all digital media that's created using these tools.
SENATOR WALCZYK:And through you, Mr. President, would the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Does the sponsor yield?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR WALCZYK:What about filters in social media apps? So, you know, a filter on Snapchat or on Instagram which they use within those applications, would they be included in this legislation?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:So through you, Mr. President, a Snapchat filter is not a wholly synthetic content creation system. So the filter itself would not count.
However, in the case of Snapchat if a user uploads a photo to Snapchat to make a snap that has otherwise been substantially modified, synthetically modified with one of these AI platforms, Snapchat would have to keep that metadata that we're requiring here, this provenance data attached to that photo because it was otherwise synthetically modified.
SENATOR WALCZYK:And through you, Mr. President, will the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:Yes, I do.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR WALCZYK:How will this apply to livestreams, if that kind of technology is utilized in a livestream? Because you can't really attach metadata while you're streaming live.
SENATOR GOUNARDES:So through you, Mr. President, it's our understanding that there is no technology that applies to livestreams in realtime.
However, if content is otherwise synthetically modified or created, the requirements of this act would apply.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Through you, Mr. President, will the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:I do.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR WALCZYK:So you could create, in a sense, a deep fake as long as it's livestreaming and the content creation is happening live, there wouldn't be anything attached to it.
Am I understanding that correctly?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:Through you, Mr. President. That would be correct.
I'll also say that the -- as technology, as AI is changing, as the standards are constantly changing, this is meant to be a flexible and evolving standard. Right now, in this moment in time, the international tech community has coalesced around these core principles. Using this level of provenance transparency, that will continue to evolve.
It's our expectation that, based on how we have structured this bill, that as those standards change, as those newer ways of ensuring transparency come online, that there will be options to -- opportunities to include that data in the future.
SENATOR WALCZYK:And through you, Mr. President, would the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:I do.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR WALCZYK:What about the application for small businesses? Have you heard from that small business community? I mean, many times they're using AI to create either 2D -- mostly 2D images. Have you heard back from the business community about what the impacts will be on them?
SENATOR GOUNARDES:Through you, Mr. President, we have not. But we don't expect this to be any burden on small businesses or individual creators.
Really, this responsibility attaches to the software or to the tool itself. And so as it creates the image, you know, I can go in and I say, to the app, create a video of George Borrello saying Andrew Gounardes is great. Right? And then the app, as it makes that video, will have to attach that metadata explaining how it was made, which software was used, the date, et cetera. That's on the content creation side. So it's not on the individual user who's inputting the request to generate the image, the audio clip or the video.
So we don't anticipate this being any burden on either a small business trying to use AI to create images for their business or individuals.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Through you, Mr. President, would the sponsor continue to yield.
SENATOR GOUNARDES:I do.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Will the sponsor yield?
The sponsor yields.
SENATOR WALCZYK:What do the penalties for noncompliance look like? If a social media platform doesn't have the data that's required under this legislation -- I see that you've given some permissions to the Attorney General here. What's the biggest penalty that somebody could face?
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Through you, Mr. President. The penalties that we empower the Attorney General to enforce are civil penalties of no more than $25,000 for each violation.
SENATOR WALCZYK:Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Are there any other Senators wishing to be heard?
Seeing and hearing none, debate is closed. The Secretary will ring the bell.
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 BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1509, voting in the negative: Senator Walczyk.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Let's move on to Calendar 1635, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The Secretary will ring the bell.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1635, Senate Print 6693B, by Senator Jackson, an act to amend the Education Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator Helming, why do you rise?
SENATOR HELMING:Thank you, Mr. President. If the bill's sponsor will yield for a couple of questions.
SENATOR GIANARIS:It's Senator Stavisky that will be answering.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator Stavisky will answer in place of the sponsor.
Senator Stavisky, will you yield?
SENATOR STAVISKY:Yes, of course.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The Senator yields.
SENATOR HELMING:Thank you, Mr. President. Through you.
Senator Stavisky, it's my understanding the bill before us is a scope of practice expansion for a podiatrist. Does this bill allow podiatrists to undertake or to complete total ankle replacements?
SENATOR STAVISKY:Yes.
SENATOR HELMING:Through you, Mr. President, if the sponsor will continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Will the Senator yield?
SENATOR STAVISKY:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The Senator yields.
SENATOR HELMING:Senator Stavisky, are podiatrists considered physicians under New York State law?
SENATOR STAVISKY:There's a separate licensure for podiatry. And let me expand on that very quickly.
Podiatrists go to college for four years, four years of podiatry school, three years of a hospital residency, and many continue to do -- with a fellowship of one, two or three years.
However, there are only 11 podiatry schools in the entire country, one in New York State. And the one in New York State, in Harlem, graduates approximately 90 podiatrists a year. And of the 90 podiatrists, 85 percent, they buy a one-way ticket for their residency, they leave New York, they don't come back.
The reason they do this is because they are trained to do various procedures including ankle replacements and ankle implants, and New York State does not allow them to do that. So as a result, we are losing our podiatrists who are well trained, well educated, and leave New York for other places where, in 40-some-odd states they are allowed to do ankle replacements and more.
And of the residency slots available in New York, about half are unfilled.
SENATOR HELMING:Through you, Mr. President, if the sponsor will continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Will the Senator yield?
SENATOR STAVISKY:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The Senator yields.
SENATOR HELMING:Thank you, Senator.
I have received a number of pieces of correspondence from a long list of organizations who are opposed to this, citing concerns about patient safety. These organizations include the Medical Society of the State of New York, the New York chapter of the American College of Surgeons, the New York State Academy of Family Physicians, the New York State Society of Dermatology and Dermatological Surgery, New York Neurologic Society, New York State Society of Anesthesiologists, the New York State Society of Orthopedic Surgeons, the New York State Society of Plastic Surgeons, the New York State Ophthalmological Society, the New York State Society of Otolaryngology, and the New York State Radiological Society.
And again, they're all concerned, it seems, primarily about the public safety associated with and the lack of training that podiatrists have in order to do the ankle surgeries.
It's my understanding that there were several meetings held where you had like the orthopedics, the podiatrists, SED and other interested parties meeting together to discuss the bill and what should and shouldn't be included.
Were the considerations of the orthopedics and the organizations I just read considered in this B print?
SENATOR STAVISKY:Let me -- that's a two-part question.
The first part, you're reading a list of organizations that say that they don't support the bill. But they're not permitted to do this, so how can they know it's dangerous when they're not permitted to do it in New York State at all, even though they're trained?
Secondly, the second part of the question was -- what was it?
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator Helming, could you restate the second part of the question?
SENATOR HELMING:Yes, Mr. President, through you.
SENATOR STAVISKY:Oh, I'm sorry. That was a meeting -- I was not there, so I cannot testify what took place. It took place at the end of April in Westchester County.
SENATOR HELMING:Through you, Mr. President. Senator Stavisky --
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:First of all, Senator Stavisky --
SENATOR HELMING:Through you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Will the Senator yield?
SENATOR STAVISKY:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The Senator yields.
SENATOR HELMING:Thank you, Mr. President.
Senator, are you aware that there is another bill, I believe it's a Senator Cooney bill, that calls for a study to determine the need for podiatrists to have an expanded scope? And the study would then make recommendations.
Wouldn't it be more reasonable to wait until we have those results before passing this legislation?
SENATOR STAVISKY:No, I'm not familiar with the bill. But this has been under discussion since 2012 when my predecessor, Senator LaValle, from the other side of the aisle, held a series of meetings, et cetera, and worked out --
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator Stavisky, one second.
SENATOR STAVISKY:-- a very similar bill, so --
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Excuse me. The hour's late. If we can please have some order in the house. Thank you.
Senator Stavisky, continue.
SENATOR STAVISKY:So the bottom line is that this bill has been around really in various forms since 2012, since the original chapter was signed, Senator LaValle's chapter. And they are well-trained, and I think they are fully capable of doing -- of increasing the -- really, we're defining and modernizing Senator LaValle's bill.
SENATOR HELMING:Thank you.
Mr. President, on the bill.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator Helming on the bill.
SENATOR HELMING:Senator Stavisky, thank you very much for your responses. I appreciate it.
I would just ask that we continue to look at whether or not it is in the best interest of the patients, prioritize the safety of the patients over the loss of podiatrists on allowing for the total ankle replacement by podiatrists.
Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Thank you, Senator Helming.
Are there any other Senators wishing to be heard?
Seeing and hearing none, debate is closed. The Secretary will ring the bell.
Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect 18 months after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator Stavisky to explain her vote.
SENATOR STAVISKY:Thank you, Mr. President.
We've been studying this bill since 2013. It's time to act. We are short of podiatrists. They are trained to do this, and they do it outside New York State. We can't afford to continue losing our population to other states because it is more attractive. I've heard this from the other side of the aisle: We can't compete because it's more attractive elsewhere.
Let's start bringing our folks back to New York where they were trained. I vote aye.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator Stavisky to be recorded in the affirmative.
Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick to explain her vote.
SENATOR CANZONERI-FITZPATRICK:Thank you, Mr. President.
While I understand the concept that we need to make -- we need more professionals to -- providers of medical care, my concern is that we are expanding our scope of practice when people are not properly trained and we are putting people at risk that they are not going to get the proper care.
For those reasons, I'm voting no. Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick to be recorded in the negative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1635, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Cooney, Helming, Krueger, Martins, O'Mara, Rhoads, Scarcella-Spanton, Tedisco and Walczyk. Also Senator Rolison.
Ayes, 47. Nays, 12.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Next up, Mr. President, is Calendar Number 1618.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The Secretary will ring the bell.
Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1618, Assembly Bill Number 584C, by Assemblymember Steck, an act to amend the Labor Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator Borrello, why do you rise?
SENATOR BORRELLO:Mr. President, would the sponsor yield for a question.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR MAY:I would.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator May yields.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Through you, Mr. President. So your bill talks about if an employer decides that they want to pay for the training for an employee, that they are not allowed to essentially have an agreement that you can't -- you have to pay it back before you leave employment, is that correct?
SENATOR MAY:Through you, Mr. President. This is about what are known as training reimbursement agreement provisions. And typically they are -- they don't specify an amount that the person would need to pay back, they're much more vague than that.
And this is saying you can't just stick somebody with a charge for leaving your employment in that way.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Okay.
Mr. President, will the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR MAY:I would.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR BORRELLO:So I understand what you're saying. Like if they've come up with this charge of what it costs them to train somebody, and then they're sticking -- I can understand that.
But let's just say -- let's take a real example. Let's say I need people to drive trucks, and we're going to pay for the CDL license, which is an expensive training. It takes a few months, 2500 to $5,000, and I want -- and once they have it, that's for them. They now have that training and they can take that anywhere.
Can I not have an agreement that says I'll pay the money you don't have for you to become a licensed CDL driver, which you can use somewhere down the road, but I really need you to work for me for at least a year? Would that be a violation of this law?
SENATOR MAY:So technically, yes, this would disallow that. But it's really about them clawing back a certain amount of money if the employee wishes to leave.
And the way this is playing out most of the time is more -- much more vague than that. It's future profits or it's administrative costs plus some previously undisclosed amount that the employer decides after the fact to charge the people in order for them to leave their employment.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Mr. President, will the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR MAY:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR BORRELLO:The business that we are in, we employ lifeguards and security guards. Both have to be trained and certified. Most of the folks in our area, you know, they can't afford the $250 to become a licensed security guard, so we will pay for that. In exchange, we want them to work for us and not -- because, again, that's a certification they can take anywhere. And they would need it to be a security guard anywhere that requires you to have a license to be a security guard.
So if we pay that money and say, Look, unless you work for us X amount of hours, you're going to have to pay us that money back -- you know, because we could pay for certification and they could work one hour for us and we'd be out that money.
How would this law impact that agreement?
SENATOR MAY:So this doesn't interfere with agreements to repay advanced -- like if you have paid for that in advance of their coming to work for you, you can have an agreement like that. And you -- or you could just require that they have got the CDL or the -- or, you know, lifesaving before you would employ them at all.
But if you brought them on and were training them at the same time and then charged them for that after the fact, that's what this would stop.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Mr. President, will the sponsor continue to yield?
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR MAY:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR BORRELLO:So I just want to be clear, because I think this has a potential impact on a lot of folks that employ particularly young people.
If we're going to pay for your lifeguard certification, you have to be certified before you can go one day as a lifeguard, you know, at a swimming beach like we have. So if we pay for that lifeguard certification and they never actually work for us, can we -- we never ask them for the money back. We don't ask them to repay the money. We just say please work for us for an extended period of time in order, you know, to justify the investment that we made in that training.
Is that disallowed by this?
SENATOR MAY:(Conferring.) What this is trying to forestall -- through you, Mr. President -- is people going into debt because they need to leave. Either they have to leave the employment for some reason, or the conditions of employment turn out to be really onerous in some way and they -- or it's just a horrible fit for them.
But if you're a good employer and you have done these things, part of it is you're only going to train these people because there's competition for workers out there. And part of the competition is that you create the conditions where people want to stay in your employment.
If you are bringing them on, even if you're offering the training but then you are abusing them, mistreating them, creating conditions where they just cannot stay, then I think, you know, that's a risk that the employer takes on.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Mr. President, on the bill.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator Borrello on the bill.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Thank you, Senator May.
I understand what you're trying to accomplish with this bill. My concern is this. There are people out there that just simply can't afford to pay for the training.
You know, we have 16-year-old kids that are lifeguards and we pay for them to become lifeguards because they can't afford the $250 for the training. Same thing with the security licenses. On a higher scale, a CDL license. Anybody that has some kind of a truck-driving company needs truck drivers, and they're willing to pay $2500 or more to train that person.
So the problem I see with this bill is we're basically saying you aren't really allowed to give -- set a condition for you to pay for that. And that's my concern with this bill.
So I think the -- I understand what you're saying. If someone's being abused at work, we have laws for that. If someone is in a situation where their employer is taking advantage of them, we have labor laws for that.
What this bill could possibly do is just eliminate the opportunity for people to get the training that they otherwise could not get because an employer is willing to front that money -- not because they're training them in-house and charging them -- which I understand was probably what this bill is supposed to do, stop somebody from, you know, setting up some kind of a scheme where they're training people and profiting off of it. I get that.
But I think the wording of this bill is vague enough that it will have a negative impact on those of us that genuinely are willing to invest in people, give them something that they'll have, in some cases for life that they can take to their future employment, and all we're asking in return is that, you know, please at least give us a return on our investment in you by working for us.
So for that reason, I'll be voting no, and I'm hoping that there's a way to clarify this perhaps in the bill. Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Thank you, Senator Borrello.
Are there any other Senators wishing to be heard?
Senator Rhoads, why do you rise?
SENATOR RHOADS:Thanks so much, Mr. President. I just want to speak on the bill. I'm not going to ask Senator May any additional questions.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator Rhoads on the bill.
SENATOR RHOADS:Thank you so much.
Even worse -- and Senator Borrello made some terrific points -- this extends far beyond employers. Because with experience in the volunteer fire service, when you want to train somebody as an EMT or an AMT -- because this bill very clearly states that it applies to volunteers as well -- when you want to train somebody as an EMT or an AMT, the fire department will pay for that training.
That training can cost three, four, five thousand dollars, depending on how far you go. Generally the department will pay for that in exchange for a written agreement that you will actually stay as a volunteer for some period of time -- a year, two years, three years. That's not uncommon. In fact, that's I would say the rule more than the exception.
And even though Senator May had indicated that there is some wiggle room in her interpretation of what the statute means, the statute says what the statute says. There is no wiggle room in the statute.
Those which she terms as employment promising notes, or promissory notes, she's talking about a contract. She's talking about a contract just like the employer who's willing to pay for the CDL class which has a defined cost, which you can quantify in an agreement, and you're agreeing to stay with that company for six months, for a year, whatever it is, in exchange for being provided that free training that you can now take with you anywhere that you go.
Same thing with the volunteer fire service. Same thing with the SAFER Grant program, right, where we're paying for -- in Nassau County we have this -- we're paying for your college tuition if you agree to be a member of the volunteer fire department, your equivalent of Nassau Community College. That type of agreement, under the wording of this bill as it is written, would be illegal.
Our Excelsior Grant program, a New York State program, theoretically, where we're agreeing to provide you tuition to be able to go to college in exchange for your requirement to stay and work in the State of New York -- under the wording of this bill, that might very well be illegal.
So while I understand the concept and the principle that you don't want someone taking advantage of an employee in a difficult situation with an expense that was never quantified in advance, this bill specifically deals with the contracts that would spell that out in advance. That's the language of the bill.
And so I would strongly encourage my colleagues, even if you agree with the concept, the way this bill is worded is so vague and is so easily misinterpreted to prohibit so many things that are essential to our emergency services, to our volunteer fire departments, to employers who rely upon qualified individuals and are willing to provide the training to get them the qualifications that they need, that would impact so many of them that it would really cause a tremendous hindrance to those organizations and, quite frankly, to the employees who cannot afford that training and want to receive it in exchange for employment.
We're talking about agreements between employers and employees. You're talking about arm's-length transactions where all of the facts and information are out there in the open, those would be prohibited by this agreement.
So I would strongly urge my colleagues to vote against this bill. Let's come back next year with something that's a little better drafted that truly accomplishes the objectives that Senator May attempted to explain, and let's do this the right way.
But for now, this is a bad bill that's going to cause more harm than good.
Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Thank you, Senator Rhoads.
Are there any other Senators wishing to be heard?
Seeing and hearing none, debate is closed. The Secretary will ring the bell.
Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator May to explain her vote.
SENATOR MAY:Thank you, Mr. President.
And thank you to my colleagues for your questions.
This bill is designed to deal with some really serious entrapment situations for employees who find themselves -- for example, nurses who are qualified, they receive a job and then they are required to go through a training program and if they leave that job, they are then charged for the costs of the training program plus interest plus administrative costs, and they leave the job with a -- seriously in debt.
And it works out sort of like the old company store where, if you lived in the town where your coal mine was and you had to shop at the store that was owned by the company, you could end up further and further and further in debt to the company.
This is a real problem. I definitely hear my colleagues, and I know if it is a good employer who makes it clear at the beginning that this is -- that this training is being provided and there's an expectation the person will stay, if you're a good employer, generally they will stay. But there are lots of situations where people find themselves truly trapped by these training reimbursement agreement provisions, or traps, that they are stuck at work and the only way they can leave is going to send them deeply into debt.
So I hear my colleagues' concerns, but I still think this is something where we need to protect a lot of people from this.
So I vote aye. Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator May to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1618, voting in the negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Martins, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber and Weik.
Ayes, 38. Nays, 21.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Calendar Number 258 is next, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The Secretary will ring the bell.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 258, Senate Print 1050, by Senator Salazar, an act to amend the Correction Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator Stec, why do you rise?
SENATOR STEC:If the sponsor would please yield for some questions.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator Salazar, do you yield?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR STEC:Hello again, Senator. This is, I guess, Round 2 of corrections-related bills on the last day of session here.
The first question I have is this bill's really regarding phone calls from inmates upon their transfer from one facility to another facility, is that correct?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Through you, Mr. President. This bill is about notifying the next of kin or a personal representative designated by an incarcerated individual before the incarcerated individual's transfer.
It also would allow, within 24 hours before the transfer, the opportunity for that incarcerated individual to make a phone call, at no cost to themself, to a family member in order to inform them of the transfer, as long as that call would not pose an unacceptable risk to the safety or security of the facility.
SENATOR STEC:If the sponsor would yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Yes.
SENATOR STEC:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR STEC:So is it correct that current law is that a phone call is allowed within 24 hours after a transfer, but this bill would require an attempt at notification and offer that free phone call to the inmate immediately before transfer? Is that basically the change from current law to future law in this bill?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Through you, Mr. President, that is partly true, with the important caveat that the phone call would not happen if it were deemed to create an unacceptable risk to the safety of incarcerated individuals or department staff.
SENATOR STEC:If the sponsor would yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR STEC:Did you discuss this legislation with DOCCS?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Through you, Mr. President, yes, previously. Although I've had this legislation for quite a while at this point. It has previously passed the Senate.
SENATOR STEC:If the sponsor would yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR STEC:Let me rephrase.
In discussing this with DOCCS, did DOCCS express support that this was a good idea, that they wanted to see the change from current law to what this bill has? Were they in favor?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Through you, Mr. President. I didn't receive support nor opposition from DOCCS.
SENATOR STEC:I'm sorry, I didn't hear that part.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator Salazar, could you rephrase? I'm sorry. No, could you repeat your answer? Senator Stec could not hear you.
SENATOR SALAZAR:Sorry. So I said, through you, Mr. President, I didn't receive support nor opposition to this bill from DOCCS.
SENATOR STEC:If the sponsor would continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR STEC:Thank you.
NYSCOPBA, Council 82, PEF, CSEA -- letters of support?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Through you, Mr. President, neither letters of support nor opposition to this bill from any of them.
SENATOR STEC:Will the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR STEC:I recall you and I debated this bill or one very much like it last -- a year ago. Did the Governor veto the bill last year? And if so, what did her veto message say?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Through you, Mr. President. The Governor vetoed a version of this bill carried by another Senator or former Senator in 2022.
SENATOR STEC:Will the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR STEC:In our previous debate you stated that family members had -- you had expressed stories anecdotally that family members had traveled to visit an inmate at one facility only to get there and find out that they had missed him and he had been transferred to another.
And again, current law is that within 24 hours of transfer that kind of phone call is supposed to happen. So we're talking about a window of a day or two at most.
I'm wondering, since that debate, do you have any -- instead of anecdotal information, do you have any like hard data of how often that happens, where somebody shows up to say, "I'm here to see Joe Schmoe" -- "Sorry, you just missed him, he was on the bus last night"?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Through you, Mr. President, I couldn't possibly know how often exactly it happens.
I have heard on multiple occasions from loved ones of incarcerated individuals that they spend a lot of time traveling to see their loved one or, alternatively, they seek to contact their loved one at the facility that they were last supposed to be housed at; the family and loved ones were not notified of -- there even was going to be a transfer, let alone where their loved one is in the state.
And as a result, they were either unable to visit their loved one after traveling to the facility where their loved one had previously been housed, or they were unable to reach their loved one, causing them a lot of unnecessary distress.
SENATOR STEC:Will the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR STEC:So if DOCCS didn't ask for this legislation and you don't have memos of support, and I'm sure that CSEA, PEF, NYSCOPBA and Council 82 do not ask for this, I'm wondering, who is asking for this legislation?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Through you, Mr. President, I know that this legislation is really important to many of the loved ones of incarcerated individuals.
And I think it's important for us to consider that, especially because what we do know is that -- and what there's abundant evidence of is that when incarcerated individuals maintain close ties and relationships to their family, to their support system while they're incarcerated and throughout the period of incarceration, they are less likely to recidivise after they have completed their prison sentence.
So I think it's important for those relationships to be maintained, and this legislation would contribute positively to that.
SENATOR STEC:Will the sponsor continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR STEC:Thank you.
Do you understand the very real concerns that DOCCS has with this proposal? I've talked to people at DOCCS, I've talked to people that work in facilities, and they all -- when this subject comes up, that requiring advanced notice of inmate movement from one facility to another promotes an escape attempt where there's help from the outside.
Now, we've talked a lot in this chamber in the past about solitary confinement. And again, everyone's conception of what solitary confinement is comes from the movies. Well, we've all seen movies where, hey, you know, they're moving this prisoner and they hit the bus. We've all seen those movies.
That is a very real concern that DOCCS has, and that can happen. Are you aware of that concern? Do you share that concern?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Through you, Mr. President. I've visited more than half of the state prisons. I take great care in conducting official visits in my capacity as chair of the committee. My ideas about the reality in state prisons do not come from films. They come from these experiences and taking my role as the chair of the committee very seriously.
I have not, once again, heard from anyone in DOCCS -- from Central Office, from DOCCS staff, from anyone -- concerns about this legislation.
And I will mention again that there is a caveat in this bill that if it were to create an unacceptable risk to the safety of staff or incarcerated individuals, that an incarcerated individual would not be permitted to make a call prior to their transfer.
It also does not require DOCCS to, in their notification to a designated person or family member of the to-be-transferred incarcerated individual, does not require them to name a facility that the person is going to be transferred to.
So there really is no reason to suspect that this would in any way pose a risk of safety. It really is just going to serve the purpose of ensuring that incarcerated individuals are able to stay in contact with their loved ones.
SENATOR STEC:If the sponsor would yield for one more question before I go on the bill.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:I'm not going to say "one question" or people will be changing their minds.
SENATOR STEC:It's going to be one question, if it gets answered.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Will the sponsor yield?
SENATOR SALAZAR:For one question or multiple questions, yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The sponsor yields.
SENATOR STEC:What year were you elected to the Legislature?
SENATOR SALAZAR:Through you, Mr. President. I was elected in 2018.
SENATOR STEC:Thank you.
Mr. President, on the bill.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator Stec on the bill.
SENATOR STEC:First, for starters, I said one question, I got a good answer, and it was one question.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Thank you, Senator Stec.
SENATOR STEC:Thank you, Mr. President.
Ten years ago this month, I believe, 2015, two convicted murderers escaped from Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, in Clinton County, in my district. In a previous debate I talked about, last night, several inmates and staff members were exposed to some sort of contraband substance that required medical -- emergency medical treatment.
So, same facility, Sweat and Matt escaped. Three weeks on the lam, three weeks in my district. It wasn't my Senate district then, it was Senator Little's Senate district. For three weeks, everyone in the North Country was on pins and needles. Everyone in the North Country had their guns not locked up in their closets. They were scared.
There were roadblocks everywhere. I believe it was a million dollars a day that that cost the taxpayers. But more importantly, you had tens of thousands of New Yorkers terrified because of the escape. Oh, by the way, that escape was facilitated by contraband. Thank God we're not aware that they had any help on the outside besides the employee that helped them with the contraband.
But escape is a very real phenomenon and a very real concern. And alerting a loved one, Hey, I'm getting moved in two hours and I'll be on a bus -- it may be a loved one, it may be an associate, it may be a gang member. It may be somebody you owe money to. It may be somebody that you do business with.
But dangerous things can happen, which is why they don't allow cellphones in prisons, which is why they control movements in and out of prisons and they don't want -- they don't want people knowing when people are leaving. And that's my experience from the people at DOCCS and what the people in the facilities that I visit have expressed to me about this bill over the years.
This is unnecessary. If you're going to have a phone call within 24 hours from when you get to where you get -- you know what, those are the breaks. You're in prison. Public safety comes first.
If the inmate and their family is inconvenienced by that 24-hour window that, jeez, I happened to drive three hours from New York City up to the Adirondacks and I missed my loved one because he moved -- if I had a nickel for every time I heard a legislator say "if this bill saves one life." Well, if not passing this bill avoids one more escape, that will be fine.
This is unnecessary, bad -- and again, I didn't ask the question, but this bill doesn't do anything about contraband, this bill doesn't do anything about staffing, this bill doesn't do anything about HALT, this bill doesn't do a thing about safety in these facilities.
All it does is it coddles people that were convicted by a jury of their peers and are behind bars because they deserve it and they need to be there for the public's safety. Public safety has got to come first.
This bill is almost as ridiculous as the omnibus bill. I'll be a firm no.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Thank you, Senator Stec.
Are there any other Senators wishing to be heard?
Seeing and hearing none, debate is closed. The Secretary will ring the bell.
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 BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator Salazar to explain her vote.
SENATOR SALAZAR:Thank you, Mr. President.
We all know that this bill does not pose any threat to public safety. It does not pose a threat to the safety of incarcerated individuals or anyone inside correctional facilities. Quite the contrary.
We know that when incarcerated individuals are able to stay in touch with their support system, when they are able to stay in touch with their loved ones, when they have access to visitation, it reduces recidivism, it has been demonstrated to improve morale and behavior while incarcerated.
I'm really glad that the Senate has chosen to pass this bill multiple times and is passing this bill once again today. I cannot imagine the pain of traveling a great distance, especially perhaps from my district or downstate to one of the dozens of correctional facilities in our state, only to find that the person that you have traveled there to visit is not only no longer at the facility, but you don't even know where they are.
I cannot imagine that pain, and it is unnecessary. It is avoidable. And we will help prevent that from happening by passing this bill.
Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator Salazar to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 258, voting in the negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Martins, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber and Weik.
Ayes, 38. Nays, 21.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Let's take up Calendar 1914, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator Lanza, why do you rise?
The Secretary will read, excuse me. Sorry.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1914, Senate Print 8077, by Senator May, an act to amend Part B of Chapter 56 of the Laws of 2020.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Now, Senator Lanza, why do you rise?
SENATOR LANZA:I repeat, why do I rise. Mr. President, I believe that there's an amendment at the desk. I waive the reading of that amendment and ask that you recognize Senator Oberacker.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Thank you, Senator Lanza.
Upon review of the amendment, in accordance with Rule 6, Section 4B, I rule it nongermane and -- Tito, Michael, Jackie, Janet, and any other Jackson -- out of order at this time.
SENATOR LANZA:Accordingly, Mr. President, I appeal the ruling of all those folks and you, the chair, and ask that you recognize Senator Oberacker to be heard on that appeal.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The appeal has been made and recognized, and in addition to the Jackson 5, Senator Oberacker may be heard.
SENATOR OBERACKER:Thank you, Mr. President.
Due to the lateness of the hour, I won't try to sing any of my Jackson 5 tunes.
Mr. President, I rise to appeal the ruling of the chair. The proposed amendment is germane to the bill, as both deal with the eligibility of certain students to participate in athletic activities.
So I rise today to offer a hostile amendment to this bill because we have a glaring inconsistency in New York State, one that discriminates against a group of children simply because of how they are educated.
Right now in New York, if you're home-schooled, you can participate in the chess club, you can audition for the school play, you can join the math team or the band. But if you want to try out for a sports team, forget it. You're locked out, you're denied. Not because you're unqualified, not because you're a danger, but because of an outdated policy that treats home-schoolers like second-class citizens.
Now, let me be clear. These are not unvaccinated children. To participate in extracurricular activity through the local public schools, home-schooled students must meet the same vaccination requirements as their public school peers. And here's the kicker. Sports, kicker? Got it.
These same home-schooled kids are playing alongside public school students right now on travel teams across the state. They're on the field together, the court together, the ice together. They are teammates on Saturday, but come Monday the home-schoolers can't try out for the school team.
Mr. President, we are denying these students the opportunity to compete, to grow and to represent their communities. Athletics teaches us discipline, teamwork, resilience. So what are we really saying to those values? Should they only be available to certain children?
At a time when we talk so much about equity, inclusion and opportunity, why are we actively choosing to exclude kids who want to be part of something bigger than themselves?
This is not just a bad policy, it's shameful. So let's stop punishing families for choosing different educational path. Let's support all children, all children. Let's pass this amendment, Mr. President, and give home-schooled students the chance to play.
So for these reasons, Mr. President, I strongly urge you to reconsider your ruling.
Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Thank you, Senator Oberacker.
I want to remind the house that this vote is on the procedures of the house and the ruling of the chair.
Those in favor of overruling the chair please signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
SENATOR LANZA:Show of hands.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:A show of hands has been requested and so ordered.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 21.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The ruling of the chair stands, and the bill-in-chief is before the house.
Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Did we pass the bill?
(Laughter.)
SENATOR GIANARIS:Okay. Just want to make sure.
Okay, Mr. President, we're going to lay aside for the day Calendar 255 and Calendar 892.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Those bills will be laid aside for the day.
SENATOR GIANARIS:I move to adopt the Resolution Calendar.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:All those in favor of adopting the Resolution Calendar please signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Opposed, nay.
(No response.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The Resolution Calendar is adopted.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:At this time we're going to break for respective party conferences.
Please call on Senator Lanza.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator Lanza.
SENATOR LANZA:Mr. President, there will be an immediate meeting of the Republican Conference in Room 315 of the Capitol.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Immediate meeting of the Republican Conference in Room 315 of the Capitol.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:And an immediate meeting of the Democratic Conference in Room 332.
And the Senate will stand at ease until 10:30.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Immediate meeting of the Democratic Conference in Room 332.
The Senate stands at ease until 10:30 p.m.
(Whereupon, the Senate stood at ease at 9:25 p.m.)
(Whereupon, the Senate reconvened at 11:10 p.m.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The Senate will return to order.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Madam President, I believe we had a temporary lay-aside on Supplemental Calendar 67A earlier, Calendar Number 1955.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:May we have some order, please.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Can we remove that lay-aside and take up the budget bill, please. Calendar Number 1955, off of Supplemental Calendar 67A, it was earlier temporarily laid aside. Remove the lay-aside and take up the bill, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:There's a substitution at the desk.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Senator Krueger moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 8896 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 8438, Third Reading Calendar 1955.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Is there a message of necessity at the desk?
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:There is a message of necessity at the desk.
SENATOR GIANARIS:I move to accept the message of necessity.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:All those in favor of accepting the message please signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Opposed, nay.
(Response of "Nay.")
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The message is accepted, and the bill is before the house.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1955, Assembly Bill Number 8896, Budget Bill, an act to amend Chapter 53 of the Laws of 2025.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
(Pause.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1955, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Helming, Lanza, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk and Weik.
Ayes, 45. Nays, 14.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
Senator Gianaris, that completes the reading of the calendar.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Madam President, there's a supplemental active list floating around. Pay no attention to the "Wednesday" on the top of the page; it should say "Thursday, June 12."
We're going to simultaneously take up Supplemental Active List 1 and call an immediate meeting of the Rules Committee in Room 332.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:There will be an immediate meeting of the Rules Committee in Room 332.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 392, Senate Print 73A, by Senator Kavanagh, an act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 11. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 392, voting in the negative: Senator Scarcella-Spanton.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 401, Senate Print 98A, by Senator Comrie, an act to amend the Public Service Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 401, voting in the negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Helming, Lanza, Martins, Mattera, Oberacker, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber and Weik. Also Senator C. Ryan.
Ayes, 40. Nays, 19.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 409, Senate Print 3734A, by Senator Mayer, an act to amend the Public Service Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: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 PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 409, voting in the negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Helming, Ortt, Stec, Walczyk, Weber and Weik. Also Senator Tedisco.
Ayes, 48. Nays, 11.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 539, Senate Print 3413, by Senator Jackson, an act to amend the Civil Practice Law and Rules.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 630, Senate Print 409A, by Senator Skoufis, an act to amend the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect on the 90th day after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Borrello to explain his vote.
SENATOR BORRELLO:Thank you, Madam President.
First of all, I want to thank the sponsor for this bill.
You know, this is a pretty simple bill. Imagine it's a Friday night and you own a restaurant or a bar and you have run out of something that people like -- it could be a bottle of Bacardi or Jameson or whatever. By law, in New York State you can't do what most people think you could do: Go to a local liquor store, buy a bottle so you can serve your patrons and give them the product they want.
That's what this bill does. It's pretty simple. You can buy six bottles, six -- not six cases, six bottles to get you through the weekend.
And yet there are still big corporations that are opposed to this, that are actually accusing people like myself and other restaurant owners of potentially trying to evade taxes. It's ridiculous.
This is a pro-small business bill. The folks that are against this are against it because they make a lot of money off of New York State's unfair wholesale retail laws. And on a Friday night or a St. Patrick's Day or whatever it might be, those sales -- which New York State will make sales tax revenue on -- are never coming back if that bottle can't be purchased from that local retailer.
But the wholesale industry has taken advantage of New York State's pro-monopoly laws, and they won't even give us six bottles a week. They still don't like it. This is outrageous that we actually have to fight this battle.
So I would encourage all of my colleagues to vote yes, and I hope that they pass this in the Assembly. And I hope that they don't bow to the big, you know, multinational corporations that want to keep their neck on the boot of small businesses {sic}.
I proudly vote aye.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Borrello to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
SENATOR PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 655, Senate Print 3363, by Senator Rivera, an act to amend the Public Health Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 655, voting in the negative: Senator Walczyk.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
There's a substitution at the desk.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Senator Bailey moves to discharge, from the Committee on Insurance, Assembly Bill Number 7038A and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 6897A, Third Reading Calendar 926.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 926, Assembly Bill Number 7038A, by Assemblymember Weprin, an act to amend the Insurance Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1000, Senate Print 7160, by Senator Cleare, an act to amend the Elder Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
There's a substitution at the desk.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Senator Cleare moves to discharge, from the Committee on Aging, Assembly Bill Number 8090 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 7671, Third Reading Calendar 1001.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1001, Assembly Bill Number 8090, by Assemblymember Seawright, an act to amend the Elder Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1049, Senate Print 6702, by Senator Jackson, an act to amend the Retirement and Social Security Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:There's a home-rule message at the desk.
Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1073, Senate Print 6815, by Senator Comrie, an act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:There's a substitution at the desk.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Senator Parker moves to discharge, from the Committee on Energy and Telecommunications, Assembly Bill Number 6768 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 5509, Third Reading Calendar 1098.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Substitution so ordered.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1098, Assembly Bill Number 6768, by Assemblymember Bronson, an act to amend the Public Service Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 7. This act shall take effect on the 180th day after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1137, Senate Print 1335B, by Senator Parker, an act to amend the General Municipal Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 5. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1137, voting in the negative are Senators Lanza, Mattera, Oberacker, Ortt, Stec and Walczyk. Also Senator Chan. Also Senator Weik. Also Senator Helming.
Ayes, 50. Nays, 9.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1152, Senate Print 5932, by Senator Mattera, an act in relation to too.
SENATOR SERRANO:Lay it aside for the day, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill will be laid aside for the day.
There's a substitution at the desk.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Senator Parker moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 4502B and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 4257A, Third Reading Calendar 1169.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Substitution so ordered.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1169, Assembly Bill Number 4502B, by Assemblymember Cunningham, an act to amend the Social Services Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect on the 120th day after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1169, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Chan, Helming, Lanza, Oberacker, Ortt, Stec, Walczyk and Weik. Also Senator Tedisco.
Ayes, 49. Nays, 10.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
There's a substitution at the desk.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Senator Cleare moves to discharge, from the Committee on Higher Education, Assembly Bill Number 7053A and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 7580A, Third Reading Calendar 1180.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The substitution is so ordered.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1180, Assembly Bill Number 7053A, by Assemblymember Bichotte Hermelyn, an act to amend the Education Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1193, Senate Print 4468A, by Senator Mayer, an act to amend the Workers' Compensation Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: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 PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Mayer to explain her vote.
SENATOR MAYER:Thank you, Madam President.
Unfortunately, one in four families knows the pain of child loss. In New York State, 3,000 families experience a stillbirth each year, 3,000. But these parents facing devastating loss are ineligible for New York's Family Leave Program. Many have to go back to work the next day or just a few days later.
I've spoken with many of these mothers who have chosen to share their stories of stillbirth and their disappointment and frustration about the lack of support New York provides during the toughest moments of their family's lives. These women felt ignored at every level in state policymaking, and the time has come to change that.
Any parent who has experienced the loss of a child understands we must bring these stories out of the shadows and into chambers like this. We have an obligation to do better by them, and that begins with changing the law so that parents can take time to grieve and heal.
Parents who have paid into the system for family leave should be entitled upon a stillbirth. This bill does that. I vote aye.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Mayer to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1215, Senate Print 1457A, by Senator Kavanagh, an act to amend the Real Property Tax Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 7. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1304, Senate Print Number 1325C, by Senator Hoylman-Sigal, an act to amend the Education Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1304, voting in the negative: Senator Ortt.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1349, Senate Print 3364, by Senator Rivera, an act to amend the Public Service Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: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 PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Rivera to explain his vote.
SENATOR RIVERA:Thank you, Madam President.
Back in 2011, the State of New York created the Medical Indemnity Fund. The purpose of it is to make sure that -- it was a promise that the state made to parents of children who had birth-related neurological injuries. And over the last 14 years at this point, there have been many issues that the parents have brought to us, concerns that we've been trying to fix.
This bill would establish the ombudsman, the ombudsperson for the Medical Indemnity Fund, as well as the Medical Indemnity Fund Advisory Panel. The goal here is to make sure that, as I said, that we keep the commitment that we made to these families. If their child was born with a birth-related neurological injury, we want to make sure that they can take care of these children for the rest of their lives.
We have a responsibility and an obligation to these parents. This bill, if signed into law, would make it easier for those parents to make sure that that commitment can be kept by the state.
So I vote in the affirmative, Madam President. Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator Rivera to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1349, voting in the negative: Senator Walczyk.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1351, Senate Print 4033B, by Senator Harckham, an act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 83. This act shall take effect on the 90th day after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1361, Senate Print 6437, by Senator Jackson, an act to amend the Retirement and Social Security Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:There is a home-rule message at the desk.
Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1364, Senate Print 7843, by Senator Kavanagh, an act to amend the Retirement and Social Security Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:There is a home-rule message at the desk.
Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 13. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1389, Senate Print 6698A, by Senator Jackson, an act to amend the Public Health Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
There's a substitution at the desk.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Senator Rivera moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 7011A, and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill Number 7331A, Third Reading Calendar 1391.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Substitution so ordered.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1391, Assembly Bill Number 7011A, by Assemblymember Tapia, an act to amend the Public Health Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 5. This act shall take effect on the 180th day after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1397, Senate Print 4155, by Senator Sanders, an act to amend the Executive Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1397, voting in the negative: Senator Walczyk.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1398, Senate Print 5784, by Senator Fahy, an act to direct the commissioner of the Office of General Services to erect a monument to be known as the New York State Holocaust Memorial.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator Fahy to explain her vote.
SENATOR FAHY:Thank you, Madam Speaker. I appreciate the opportunity to speak on this bill, which is to erect a monument for the New York State Holocaust Memorial.
This legislation represents a long-term effort which began with an original site as the Capital Region Holocaust Memorial, supposed to be in the Town of Niskayuna. We are now moving it here to the Empire State Plaza.
The Holocaust, as many know, was a systemic state-sponsored persecution taken out by the Nazi regime, its allies and collaborators, which led to the deaths of millions of Jews and other people.
It is to honor those victims and pay tribute to those who survived the atrocities as well. And it is dedicated -- this will be a dedicated state-level Holocaust memorial to memorialize those as well as educate regarding Nazism, fascism, and the banality of evil.
It is really intended to be an educational memorial here at the Empire State Plaza, not only to memorialize the victims but to teach all New Yorkers about the history of the Holocaust, the dangers of antisemitism, racism and all forms of intolerance. One in five Americans are estimated -- between the ages of 18 and 29 are estimated to be either Holocaust deniers or simply just do not know what happened.
So this troubling and growing indifference and ignorance is something that the memorial will help to address. I want to thank the founder, Dr. Michael Lozman, as well as the president, Dan Dembling, and the entire board of the Capital Region Jewish Holocaust Memorial, who have spent years on this.
As well as, of course, many thanks to the leader for helping to bring this legislation forward.
And with that I vote in the affirmative. Thank you, Madam President.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator Fahy to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
There is a substitution at the desk.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Senator Hoylman-Sigal moves to discharge, from the Committee on Judiciary, Assembly Bill Number 56B and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 3845B, Third Reading Calendar 1420.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Substitution so ordered.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1420, Assembly Bill Number 56B, by Assemblymember Epstein, an act to amend the Real Property Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1420, voting in the negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Martins, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber and Weik. Also Senator Skoufis.
Ayes, 38. Nays, 21.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
There's a substitution at the desk.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Senator Comrie moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 5600A and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 5347A, Third Reading Calendar 1449.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Substitution so ordered.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1449, Assembly Bill Number 5600A, by Assemblymember Hunter, an act to amend the Insurance Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1449, voting in the negative: Senator Krueger.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1507, Senate Print 4505, by Senator Gounardes, an act to amend the General Municipal Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 5. This act shall take effect on the 180th day after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1532, Senate Print 4830A, by Senator C. Ryan, an act to amend the Public Authorities Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: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 MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1532, voting in the negative are Senators Rhoads, Walczyk and Weik.
Ayes, 56. Nays, 3.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1556, Senate Print 7822, by Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, an act to amend Chapter 821 of the Laws of 1970.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:There is a home-rule message at the desk.
Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1556, voting in the negative: Senator Skoufis.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1559, Senate Print 7885, by Senator Mattera, an act to amend Chapter 431 of the Laws of 2018.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:There is a home-rule message at the desk.
Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1572, Senate Print 8180, by Senator Sepúlveda, an act to amend Chapter 548 of the Laws of 2010.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:There is a home-rule message at the desk.
Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1643, Senate Print 7148, by Senator Jackson, an act to amend the Retirement and Social Security Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:There's a home-rule message at the desk.
Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1796, Senate Print 1012A, by Senator Brouk, an act to amend the Public Service Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect on the 90th day after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1797, Senate Print 1162A, by Senator Krueger, an act to amend the General Business Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect on the 180th day after it shall have become a law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 1797, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk and Weber.
Ayes, 45. Nays, 14.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Senator Gianaris, that completes the reading of the supplemental active list.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Madam President, we're going to stand at ease briefly while we await the bill jackets for the Rules meeting that just finished.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The Senate will stand at ease briefly.
(Whereupon, the Senate stood at ease at 11:34 p.m.)
(Whereupon, the Senate reconvened at 11:52 p.m.)
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The Senate will come to session.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Mr. President, there are several privileged resolutions at the desk. Can we take those up, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:There are several privileged resolutions at the desk. The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Resolution 1231, by Senator Stewart-Cousins, establishing a plan setting forth an itemized list of grantees for certain appropriations for the 2019-2020 state fiscal year.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The question is on the resolution.
Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to the resolution, voting in the negative are Senators Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk and Weik.
Ayes, 45. Nays, 14.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The resolution is adopted.
THE SECRETARY:Resolution 1232, by Senator Stewart-Cousins, amending Senate Resolution R2861 of 2022 establishing a plan setting forth an itemized list of grantees for a certain appropriation for the 2022-2023 state fiscal year.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The question is on the resolution.
Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to the resolution, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk and Weik.
Ayes, 44. Nays, 15.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The resolution is adopted.
THE SECRETARY:Resolution 1233, by Senator Stewart-Cousins, amending Senate Resolution R2860 of 2022 establishing a plan setting forth an itemized list of grantees for a certain appropriation for the 2022-23 state fiscal year.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The question is on the resolution.
Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to the resolution, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk and Weik.
Ayes, 44. Nays, 15.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The resolution is adopted.
THE SECRETARY:Resolution 1234, by Senator Stewart-Cousins, amending Senate Resolution R1397 of 2023, establishing a plan setting forth an itemized list of grantees for a certain appropriation for the 2023-24 state fiscal year.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The question is on the resolution.
Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to the resolution, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk and Weik.
Ayes, 44. Nays, 15.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The resolution is adopted.
THE SECRETARY:Resolution 1235, by Senator Stewart-Cousins, amending Senate Resolution R1408 of 2023 establishing a plan setting forth an itemized list of grantees for a certain appropriation for the 2023-24 state fiscal year.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The question is on the resolution.
Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to the resolution, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk and Weik.
Ayes, 44. Nays, 15.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The resolution is adopted.
THE SECRETARY:Resolution 1236, by Senator Stewart-Cousins, amending Senate Resolution R2697 of 2024, a plan setting forth an itemized list of grantees for a certain appropriation for the 2024-25 state fiscal year.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The question is on the resolution.
Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to the resolution, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk and Weik.
Ayes, 44. Nays, 15.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The resolution is adopted.
THE SECRETARY:Resolution 1237, by Senator Stewart-Cousins, amending Senate Resolution R2698 of 2024, establishing a plan setting forth an itemized list of grantees for a certain appropriation for the 2024-25 state fiscal year.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The question is on the resolution.
Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to the resolution, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk and Weik.
Ayes, 44. Nays, 15.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The resolution is adopted.
THE SECRETARY:Resolution 1238, by Senator Stewart-Cousins, amending Senate Resolution R2699 of 2024, establishing a plan setting forth an itemized list of grantees for a certain appropriation for the 2024-25 state fiscal year.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The question is on the resolution.
Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to the resolution, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk and Weik.
Ayes, 44. Nays, 15.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The resolution is adopted.
THE SECRETARY:Resolution 1239, by Senator Stewart-Cousins, amending Senate Resolution R2701 of 2024, establishing a plan setting forth an itemized list of grantees for a certain appropriation for the 2024-25 state fiscal year.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The question is on the resolution.
Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to the resolution, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk and Weik.
Ayes, 44. Nays, 15.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The resolution is adopted.
THE SECRETARY:Resolution 1240, by Senator Stewart-Cousins, establishing a plan setting forth an itemized list of grantees for a certain appropriation for the 2024-25 state fiscal year.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The question is on the resolution.
Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:In relation to the resolution, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk and Weik.
Ayes, 44. Nays, 15.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The resolution is adopted.
THE SECRETARY:Resolution 1241, by Senator Stewart-Cousins, establishing a plan setting forth an itemized list of grantees for a certain appropriation for the 2024-25 state fiscal year.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The question is on the resolution.
Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:In relation to the resolution, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk and Weik.
Ayes, 44. Nays, 15.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The resolution is adopted.
THE SECRETARY:Resolution 1242, by Senator Stewart-Cousins, amending Senate Resolution R3725 of 2010, establishing a plan setting forth an itemized list of grantees for the New York State Economic Development Assistance Program.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The question is on the resolution.
Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to the resolution, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk and Weik.
Ayes, 44. Nays, 15.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The resolution is adopted.
THE SECRETARY:Resolution 1243, by Senator Stewart-Cousins, establishing a plan setting forth an itemized list of grantees for a certain appropriation for the 2025-26 state fiscal year.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The question is on the resolution.
Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to the resolution, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk and Weik.
Ayes, 44. Nays, 15.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The resolution is adopted.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Mr. President, pursuant to Rule 5, I move without objection that we stay in session past the hour of midnight.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Without objection, so ordered.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Resolution 1244, by Senator Stewart-Cousins, establishing a plan setting forth an itemized list of grantees for a certain appropriation for the 2025-26 state fiscal year.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The question is on the resolution.
Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to the resolution, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk and Weik.
Ayes, 44. Nays, 15.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The resolution is adopted.
THE SECRETARY:Resolution 1245, by Senator Stewart-Cousins, establishing a plan setting forth an itemized list of grantees for a certain appropriation for the 2025-26 state fiscal year.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The question is on the resolution.
Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to the resolution, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk and Weik.
Ayes, 44. Nays, 15.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The resolution is adopted.
THE SECRETARY:Resolution 1246, by Senator Stewart-Cousins, establishing a plan setting forth an itemized list of grantees for a certain appropriation for the 2025-26 state fiscal year.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The question is on the resolution.
Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to the resolution, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk and Weik.
Ayes, 44. Nays, 15.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The resolution is adopted.
THE SECRETARY:Resolution 1247, by Senator Stewart-Cousins, establishing a plan setting forth an itemized list of grantees for a certain appropriation for the 2025-26 state fiscal year.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The question is on the resolution.
Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to the resolution, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk and Weik.
Ayes, 44. Nays, 15.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The resolution is adopted.
THE SECRETARY:Resolution 1248, by Senator Stewart-Cousins, establishing a plan setting forth an itemized list of grantees for a certain appropriation for the 2025-26 state fiscal year.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The question is on the resolution.
Call the roll.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to the resolution, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk and Weik.
Ayes, 44. Nays, 15.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The resolution is adopted.
THE SECRETARY:Resolution 1249, by Senator Stewart-Cousins, establishing a plan setting forth an itemized list of grantees for a certain appropriation for the 2025-26 state fiscal year.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The question is on the resolution.
Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to resolution, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara Ortt Stec Tedisco Walczyk and Weik.
Ayes, 44. Nays, 15.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The resolution is adopted.
THE SECRETARY:Resolution 1250, by Senator Stewart-Cousins, establishing a plan setting forth an itemized list of grantees for certain appropriations for the 2025-26 state fiscal year.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The question is on the resolution.
Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to the resolution, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk and Weik.
Ayes, 44. Nays, 15.
SENATOR GIANARIS:The resolution is adopted.
THE SECRETARY:Resolution 1251, by Senator Stewart-Cousins, establishing a plan setting forth an itemized list of grantees for certain appropriations and reappropriation for the 2025-26 state fiscal year.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The question is on the resolution.
Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:In relation to the resolution, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk and Weik.
Ayes, 44. Nays, 15.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The resolution is adopted.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:That's all the finance resos. That's very exciting.
Can we now take up Resolution 1252, by Senator Hoylman-Sigal, read its title, but recognize Senator Brisport on the resolution.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Resolution 1252, by Senator Hoylman-Sigal, memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 2025 as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in the State of New York.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Senator Brisport on the resolution.
SENATOR BRISPORT:Thank you, Mr. President. Happy Pride Month.
I'd like to start by honoring some icons whose shoulders I stand on: Sylvia Rivera, Marsha P. Johnson, Harvey Milk, and always the incredible Cecilia Gentili. Their fight lives on in every queer activist who works to carry the torch forward.
However, this moment we now face is an echo of the past. In 1930s Germany the government actively worked to erase queer Germans, targeting the Institute for Sexual Research, burning books, destroying artistic works before eventually escalating to imprisoning and purging queer people along with Jewish people and other targeted groups.
In 2020s America, we are watching multiple attacks on queer Americans, with dozens of states passing bans on gender-affirming care and a federal government bent on removing any mention of gender or gender identity from America, and defunding research into queer health.
This should worry everyone. If you believe you are safe because you are cisgender or straight or because you're an American citizen or because you're white or male, know this. If they eradicate us, they will turn their weapons on you next. Because the hate that they stoke is not ideological, it's functional. It serves the purpose of convincing you to transfer your power over to them.
If you believe you are safe because you follow the law, hear this. They will not care that you are following the law. They do not care to follow the law themselves.
If you believe you are safe because you are armed, remember this: The most powerful military in human history is under their control.
In this moment your path to liberation is the same as ours. It is solidarity. By standing with and for each other, no matter who is in the crosshairs, we will come through this whole and free. This is why the Trump machine is working so hard to alienate us from one another.
Within the LGBTQ+ community, our differences are real, they are complex, but we do not aim to sweep them under the rug or divide up into factions. Instead, we strive to work through them together, and we fight to hold onto each other. There is no power greater than what we build together when we choose to value and fight for each other.
This Pride, I invite you to join us in that choice and to step into a brave and radical solidarity.
Thank you, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Thank you, Senator Brisport.
The resolution was adopted on June 12th.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Mr. President, I believe there's a report of the Rules Committee at the desk. Let's take that up, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Senator Stewart-Cousins, from the Committee on Rules, reports the following bills:
Senate Print 287, by Senator Rhoads, an act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law;
Senate Print 601C, by Senator Gallivan, an act to amend the Highway Law;
Senate Print 1004A, by Senator Brouk, an act to amend the Criminal Procedure Law;
Senate Print 1047, by Senator Salazar, an act to amend the Public Authorities Law;
Senate Print 1163, by Senator Krueger, an act to amend the Real Property Law;
Senate Print 1672B, by Senator Martinez, an act to amend the Education Law;
Senate Print 2485, by Senator Parker, an act to amend the Public Service Law;
Senate Print 2516A, by Senator Gounardes, an act to amend the Social Services Law;
Senate Print 2536A, by Senator Jackson, an act to amend the Labor Law;
Senate Print 2681B, by Senator Cooney, an act to amend the Executive Law;
Senate Print 3266, by Senator Palumbo, an act in relation to the Southampton Village Ocean Rescue;
Senate Print 3285B, by Senator Gonzalez, an act to amend the Public Health Law;
Senate Print 3815B, by Senator Rivera, an act to amend the General Municipal Law;
Senate Print 3879A, by Senator Hoylman-Sigal, an act to amend the Civil Practice Law and Rules;
Senate Print 4091, by Senator Parker, an act to amend the Public Authorities Law;
Senate Print 4263, by Senator Kavanagh, an act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law;
Senate Print 4351A, by Senator Cleare, an act to amend the Elder Law;
Senate Print 4417, by Senator May, an act to amend the Social Services Law;
Senate Print 4527A, by Senator Comrie, an act to amend the Tax Law;
Senate Print 4554A, by Senator Scarcella-Spanton, an act to amend the Administrative Code of the City of New York;
Senate Print 4598, by Senator Jackson, an act to amend the Retirement and Social Security Law;
Senate Print 4727, by Senator Jackson, an act to amend the Retirement and Social Security Law;
Senate Print 4824A, by Senator Jackson, an act to amend the General Municipal Law;
Senate Print 4894, by Senator Jackson, an act to repeal paragraph (g) of subdivision 4 of Section 209 of the Civil Service Law;
Senate Print 4966, by Senator Bailey, an act to amend the New York City Charter;
Senate Print 5056A, by Senator Rivera, an act to amend the Public Health Law;
Senate Print 5257A, by Senator Hinchey, an act to amend the General Business Law;
Senate Print 5742A, by Senator Cleare, an act to amend the Public Health Law;
Senate Print 5883, by Senator Lanza, an act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law;
Senate Print 5939B, by Senator Skoufis, an act to amend the Public Health Law;
Senate Print 5998B, by Senator Skoufis, an act to amend the Domestic Relations Law;
Senate Print 6247A, by Senator Skoufis, an act to ratify and confirm the creation of Water District No. 14 of the Town of Monroe;
Senate Print 6277, by Senator Scarcella-Spanton, an act to amend the Public Service Law;
Senate Print 6338, by Senator Weber, an act to amend the Town Law;
Senate Print 6351B, by Senator Addabbo, an act to amend the General Municipal Law;
Senate Print 6421A, by Senator Borrello, an act authorizing the City of Batavia to alienate certain parklands for use as a municipal parking lot;
Senate Print 6439, by Senator Fahy, an act in relation to issuing the Village of Nelliston incorporation documents;
Senate Print 6661, by Senator Griffo, an act to amend the Veterans' Services Law;
Senate Print 6929A, by Senator Webb, an act to amend the Education Law;
Senate Print 7028C, by Senator Walczyk, an act in relation to authorizing the City of Little Falls, in the County of Herkimer, to finance certain deficits by the issuance of bonds;
Senate Print 7049A, by Senator Fernandez, an act authorizing the City of New York to discontinue certain parkland in Ferry Point Park;
Senate Print 7053, by Senator Webb, an act to amend the County Law;
Senate Print 7072, by Senator Webb, an act to amend the General Municipal Law;
Senate Print 7201, by Senator Harckham, an act to amend the Village Law;
Senate Print 7223, by Senator Persaud, an act in relation to authorizing the conveyance of certain property by the City of New York to the Bedford-Stuyvesant Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Inc.;
Senate Print 7314C, by Senator Jackson, an act to amend the Retirement and Social Security Law;
Senate Print 7364B, by Senator Rolison, an act to amend the Public Authorities Law;
Senate Print 7667, by Senator Murray, an act in relation to authorizing the assessor of the Town of Brookhaven to accept an application for a real property tax exemption;
Senate Print 7675A, by Senator Ortt, an act to amend Chapter 220 of the Laws of 1976;
Senate Print 7748, by Senator Jackson, an act to amend the General Municipal Law;
Senate Print 7749, by Senator Jackson, an act to amend the General Municipal Law;
Senate Print 7756A, by Senator May, an act to amend Chapter 198 of the Laws of 2021;
Senate Print 7868A, by Senator Martins, an act authorizing the Village of Kings Point, Town of North Hempstead, County of Nassau, to alienate and discontinue certain parklands for the purpose of providing additional parking for the community center;
Senate Print 7950A, by Senator Bailey, an act to amend the Workers' Compensation Law;
Senate Print 8024B, by Senator Martinez, an act relating to disability retirement benefits for Deputy Sheriff Richard Stueber;
Senate Print 8071A, by Senator Addabbo, an act to amend the Civil Practice Law and Rules;
Senate Print 8087, by Senator Gounardes, an act to amend the Retirement and Social Security Law;
Senate Print 8121A, by Senator Jackson, an act to amend the Retirement and Social Security Law;
Senate Print 8183, by Senator Martins, an act to amend the Village Law;
Senate Print 8233, by Senator Sanders, an act to amend the New York City Charter;
Senate Print 8247, by Senator Harckham, an act to amend the Elder Law;
Senate Print 8263, by Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, an act authorizing the Congregation Khal Mevakshei Hashem, Inc., to receive retroactive real property tax exempt status;
Senate Print 8265A, by Senator Sutton, an act to amend the Insurance Law;
Senate Print 8306A, by Senator Ortt, an act to amend Chapter 978 of the Laws of 1966;
Senate Print 8313, by Senator Harckham, an act authorizing the Commissioner of General Services to transfer and convey certain unappropriated state land to The Arc Westchester New York;
Senate Print 8341A, by Senator Stavisky, an act to amend the Education Law;
Senate Print 8344, by Senator Gounardes, an act to amend Chapter 189 of the Laws of 2013;
Senate Print 8349A, by Senator Palumbo, an act in relation to directing the Department of Transportation to grant a permanent access and construction easement to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority;
Senate Print 8358, by Senator Addabbo, an act to amend the Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law;
Senate Print 8391, by Senator Gianaris, an act to amend the Civil Rights Law;
Senate Print 8393, by Senator Webb, an act to amend the Executive Law;
Senate Print 8400, by Senator Serrano, an act in relation to a feasibility study and report on the potential reestablishment of the Empire State Summer Games;
Senate Print 8420A, by Senator Gianaris, an act to amend the General Business Law;
Senate Print 8428, by Senator Rhoads, an act to amend the Highway Law;
Senate Print 8432, by Senator Hoylman-Sigal, an act to amend the Limited Liability Company Law.
All bills reported direct to third reading.
(Pause.)
THE SECRETARY:Senate Print 6243, by Senator Rolison, an act to amend the Tax Law;
Senate Print 6618A, by Senator Rolison, an act to amend the Tax Law.
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 recognize Senator Lanza for a motion.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:Senator Lanza.
SENATOR LANZA:Thank you, Senator Gianaris.
Mr. President, I wish to call up Senator Mattera's bill, Print Number 1171, recalled from the Assembly, which is now at the desk.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 1467, Senate Print 1171, by Senator Mattera, an act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law.
SENATOR LANZA:Mr. President, I now move to reconsider the vote by which this bill was passed.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The Secretary will call the roll on reconsideration.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The bill is restored to its place on the Third Reading Calendar.
SENATOR LANZA:I now offer the following amendments.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The amendments are received.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Please continue to recognize Senator Lanza for an announcement.
SENATOR LANZA:I'm back.
Thank you, Senator Gianaris.
Mr. President, there will be an immediate meeting of the Republican Conference in Room 315 of the Capitol.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:There will be an immediate meeting of the Republican Conference in Room 315 of the Capitol.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Mr. President, I move that we adjourn until -- well, I guess I should ask if there's any further business at the desk.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:There is no further business at the desk.
SENATOR GIANARIS:I move that we adjourn until Friday the 13th, June 13th, in a half an hour, at 12:45 a.m.
ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY:The Senate will stand adjourned until Friday, June 13th, at 12:45 a.m.
(Whereupon, the Senate adjourned at 12:19 a.m.)
Highest impact first.
Ban Worker Repayment Contracts
Ban Worker Repayment Contracts
Ban Hidden Fees
Create Online Insurance Check
Ban Toxic Chemicals in Cosmetics
Limit Defaulted Loan Collections
Add Reckless Driving Training
Ban Flavored Vape Storage Near Sales