Gaveled in 11:48 AM · Albany, New York · 2025–26 session
NEW YORK STATE SENATE
THE STENOGRAPHIC RECORD
ALBANY, NEW YORK
January 21, 2026
11:48 a.m.
REGULAR SESSION
SENATOR JAMAAL T. BAILEY, Acting President
ALEJANDRA N. PAULINO, ESQ., Secretary
P R O C E E D I N G SACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: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 BAILEY: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 BAILEY:The reading of the Journal.
THE SECRETARY:In Senate, Tuesday, January 20, 2026, the Senate met pursuant to adjournment. The Journal of Sunday, January 18, 2026, was read and approved. On motion, the Senate adjourned.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Without objection, the Journal stands approved as read.
Presentation of petitions.
Messages from the Assembly.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Senator Harckham moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill Number 9436 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 8773, Third Reading Calendar 68.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:So ordered.
Messages from the Governor.
Reports of standing committees.
Reports of select committees.
Communications and reports from state officers.
Motions and resolutions.
Senator Serrano.
SENATOR SERRANO: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 Serrano.
SENATOR SERRANO:Thank you, Mr. President.
Please take up previously adopted Resolution 1324, by Senator Stec, read the resolution title only and recognize Senator Stec.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Resolution 1324, by Senator Stec, memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim January 25-31, 2026, as Medicolegal Death Investigation Professionals Week in the State of New York.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator Stec on the resolution.
SENATOR STEC:Thank you, Mr. President.
And good morning, all my colleagues. Thank you for bringing this resolution before us today.
The role of the medicolegal death investigator is to investigate any death that falls under the jurisdiction of the medical examiner or coroner, including all suspicious, violent, unexplained and unexpected deaths.
The medicolegal death investigator is responsible for the deceased person, whereas the local law enforcement jurisdiction is responsible for the scene. The medicolegal death investigator performs scene investigations emphasizing information developed from the decedent and determines the extent to which further investigation is necessary.
Medicolegal death investigators should have a combination of education and skills encompassing areas of medicine and law.
And I'm thrilled today that we have a significant group of medicolegal death investigators from my district and from Senator Ashby's district and Senator Helming's district here with us today to memorialize this week, along with the Governor.
That would be Dr. Michael Sikirica, who is an M.D. and board-certified forensic pathologist; Dr. Kia Newman; Jay Heald; Chad Deans; Connie Goedert; Rob Lemieux; Sarah Coyne; Doug Pinzer; J. Eric Cullum; Sarah Holliday; and Robert Waltman.
So again, if you wouldn't mind, please extend the cordialities of the house to this group and thank them and all their colleagues around the state for doing the important work that they do for the people that pass away that are in their care.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Thank you, Senator Stec.
To our guests, I welcome you on behalf of the Senate. We extend to you all of the privileges and courtesies of this house.
Please rise and be recognized.
(Standing ovation.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator Serrano.
SENATOR SERRANO:At the request of the sponsor, the resolution is open for cosponsorship.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The resolution is open for cosponsorship. Should you choose not to be a cosponsor on the resolution, please notify the desk.
Senator Serrano.
SENATOR SERRANO:Thank you.
Let's please take up the reading of the calendar.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 19, Senate Print 8772, by Senator Bailey, an act to amend the Insurance 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:Ayes, 56.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 20, Senate Print 8774, by Senator Ramos, an act to amend the Labor 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:In relation to Calendar 20, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello and Walczyk.
Ayes, 54. Nays, 2.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 27, Senate Print 8795, by Senator Comrie, an act to amend the Workers' Compensation Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 5. This act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as a chapter of the Laws of 2025.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 27, voting in the negative: Senator Walczyk.
Ayes, 55. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 29, Senate Print 8800, by Senator Bailey, an act to amend the Insurance Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 8. 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, 56.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 32, Senate Print 8804, by Senator Rivera, an act to amend the Public Health 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, 56.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
Apologies. Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 32, voting in the negative: Senator Walczyk.
Ayes, 55. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 34, Senate Print 8807, by Senator Krueger, an act to amend the Insurance Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: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 BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 34, voting in the negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Martins, Mattera, Murray, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber and Weik.
Ayes, 35. Nays, 21.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 37, Senate Print 8814, by Senator Fahy, an act to amend the Public Health Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: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 37, voting in the negative: Senator Ashby.
Ayes, 55. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 38, Senate Print 8818, by Senator May, an act to amend the State Finance 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 38, voting in the negative: Senator Walczyk.
Ayes, 55. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 46, Senate Print 8831, by Senator Gonzalez, an act to amend the State Technology Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 18. 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 Number 46, voting in the negative: Senator Walczyk.
Ayes, 55. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 47, Senate Print 8832, by Senator Kavanagh, an act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 6. This act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as a chapter of the Laws of 2025.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results. (Sneezing.)
UNIDENTIFIED VOICES:Bless you.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Thank you for your blessings.
Announce the results.
(Laughter.)
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 47, voting in the negative are Senators Griffo, Martinez, Oberacker, Scarcella-Spanton and Walczyk.
Ayes, 51. Nays, 5.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 61, Senate Print 8758, by Senator Fernandez, 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 same date and in the same manner as a chapter of the Laws of 2025.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 61, voting in the negative are Senators Chan, Lanza and Walczyk.
Ayes, 53. Nays, 3.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 62, Senate Print 8763, by Senator Brouk, an act to amend the Criminal Procedure Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: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 BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator Murray to explain his vote.
SENATOR MURRAY:Thank you.
I want to just thank the sponsor for the bill. Any bill that we pass that keeps crime victims informed of the process is a good thing.
But I do have a suggestion that perhaps could make it a little bit better. If we're going to expand the notification process to include emails and things of that nature, might we add a provision in there that requires confirmation that the victims actually did receive the notification? Just a suggestion.
With that said, I proudly support the bill.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator Murray to be recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 56.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 65, Senate Print 8769, by Senator Skoufis, an act to amend the Executive Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: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 BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 56.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 68, Assembly Bill 9436, by Assemblymember Simon, an act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: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 BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 56.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 74, Senate Print 8785, by Senator Martinez, an act to amend the Veterans' Services Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: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 BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 74, voting in the negative: Senator Walczyk.
Ayes, 55. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
Senator Serrano, that completes the reading of today's calendar.
SENATOR SERRANO:On behalf of Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, I hand up the following committee assignments of the Majority Conference and I ask that it please be filed in the Journal.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The handup is received and shall be filed in the Journal.
Senator Serrano.
SENATOR SERRANO:Is there any further business at the desk?
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:There is no further business at the desk.
SENATOR SERRANO:I move to adjourn until Monday, January 26th, at 3:00 p.m., with the intervening days being legislative days.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:On motion, the Senate stands adjourned until Monday, January 26th, at 3:00 p.m., with intervening days being legislative.
(Whereupon, at 11:59 a.m., the Senate adjourned.)
Highest impact first.
Protect Health Providers' Liability
Expand Paid Leave for Construction
Standardize Medicaid Treatment Rates
Disclose AI Hiring Tools
Strengthen Battery Recycling Rules
Update Health Plan Deductibles
Temporary Elevator Licenses Allowed
Limit Nursing Home Asset Withdrawals