Gaveled in 11:01 AM · Albany, New York · 2025–26 session
NEW YORK STATE SENATE
THE STENOGRAPHIC RECORD
ALBANY, NEW YORK
January 13, 2026
11:01 a.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:The Senate will come to order.
I ask everyone to please rise and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
(Whereupon, the assemblage recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.)
ACTING PRESIDENT 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:The reading of the Journal.
THE SECRETARY:In Senate, Monday, January 12, 2024 {sic}, the Senate met pursuant to adjournment. The Journal of Sunday, January 11, 2025 {sic}, was read and approved. On motion, the Senate adjourned.
Excuse me. 2026.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:'26.
Without objection, the Journal stands approved as read.
Presentation of petitions.
Messages from the Assembly.
Messages from the Governor.
Reports of standing committees.
Reports of select committees.
Communications and reports from state officers.
Motions and resolutions.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Good morning, Madam President.
I move to adopt the Resolution Calendar at this time.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:All those in favor of adopting the Resolution Calendar please signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Opposed, nay.
(No response.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The Resolution Calendar is adapted.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Let's take up the reading of the calendar.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 10, Senate Print 8754, by Senator Kavanagh, an act to amend a chapter of the Laws of 2025.
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 10, voting in the negative: Senator Walczyk.
Ayes, 44. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 13, Senate Print 8757, by Senator Fernandez, an act to amend the Public Health Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 4. This act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as a chapter of the Laws of 2025.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 48.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 15, Senate Print 8762, by Senator Hinchey, an act to amend the Criminal Procedure 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 a chapter of the Laws of 2025.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 48.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 22, Senate Print 8781, by Senator Weber, an act to amend a chapter of the Laws of 2025.
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 a chapter of the Laws of 2025.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 22, voting in the negative are Senators Fahy and O'Mara.
Ayes, 46. Nays, 2.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 23, Senate Print 8782, by Senator Martinez, 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 on the same date and in the same manner as a chapter of the Laws of 2025.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 53.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 24, Senate Print 8783, by Senator Harckham, an act to amend a chapter of the Laws of 2025.
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 a chapter of the Laws of 2025.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 24, voting in the negative: Senator Skoufis.
Ayes, 52. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Also Senator O'Mara.
Ayes, 51. Nays, 2.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 28, Senate Print 8798, by Senator Krueger, an act to amend the Domestic Relations 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 a chapter of the Laws of 2025.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar Number 28, voting in the negative: Senator Walczyk.
Ayes, 52. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 31, Senate Print 8803, by Senator Addabbo, an act to amend the Real Property Tax 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, 53.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 35, Senate Print 8810, by Senator Comrie, 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 same date and in the same manner as a chapter of the Laws of 2025.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 54.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 40, Senate Print 8821, by Senator Sutton, an act to amend the Administrative Code of the City of New York.
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 a chapter of the Laws of 2025.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 56.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 42, Senate Print 8823, 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 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 have no problem with regulating horseshoe crabs, and we've had extensive debates on the floor with regard to this, I do believe that there should have been some exception carved out for biomedical research.
I think you're inhibiting New York State being an innovator with respect to biomedical research by restricting horseshoe crabs from being used for that purpose.
I certainly agree with the restrictions for other purposes, but for that reason I have to cast my vote in opposition.
Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:Senator Rhoads to be recorded in the negative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 42, voting in the negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Skoufis, Stec, Tedisco and Walczyk.
Ayes, 44. Nays, 14.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 43, Senate Print 8824, 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:Ayes, 58.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:The bill is passed.
Senator Gianaris, that completes the reading of the calendar.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Is there any further business at the desk?
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:There is no further business at the desk.
SENATOR GIANARIS:I move to adjourn until Tuesday, January 20th, at 3:00 p.m., with the intervening days being legislative days.
ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:On motion, the Senate stands adjourned until Tuesday, January 20th, at 3:00 p.m., with intervening days being legislative days.
(Whereupon, at 11:09 a.m., the Senate adjourned.)
Highest impact first.
Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans
Limit Horseshoe Crab Harvest
Set Rules for Car Glass Repair
Allow Court Transfers Nearby
Help for Fallen Officers’ Spouses
Clarify Economic Issues in Divorce
Stop Sanitation Tickets for Residents
No Fees for Stillbirth Certificates
Fix Fire District Tax Law