Gaveled in 3:39 PM · Albany, New York · 2025–26 session
NEW YORK STATE SENATE
THE STENOGRAPHIC RECORD
ALBANY, NEW YORK
February 9, 2026
3:39 p.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:Before the reading of the Journal, since Senator Gianaris would be the usual one to do this, I'm going to take a personal point of privilege.
There was an announcement made today, and we will have plenty of time to speak about the great career that Senator Michael Gianaris has had and continues to have.
But if we can continue to rise and give him a round of applause for the work that he has done in the New York State Senate.
(Extended standing ovation; cheers.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:We will have plenty more time.
But Senator Gianaris, I knew you would not do that for yourself as the floor leader. As the presiding officer I decided to take a moment of personal privilege. And I do apologize for the lack of decorum --
(Laughter.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:-- but I felt it was worthy.
Reading of the Journal.
THE SECRETARY:In Senate, Sunday, February 8, 2026, the Senate met pursuant to adjournment. The Journal of Saturday, February 7, 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.
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:Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you for those kind words.
I'm going to make you all do that again in June, just to be clear.
(Laughter.)
SENATOR GIANARIS:On behalf of Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, I hand up the following committee assignments of the Majority Conference and ask that they be filed in the Journal.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The hand-up is received and shall be filed in the Journal.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:There will be an immediate meeting of the Rules Committee in Room 332.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:There will be an immediate meeting of the Rules Committee in Room 332.
The Senate will stand at ease.
(Whereupon, the Senate stood at ease at 3:41 p.m.)
(Whereupon, the Senate reconvened at 3:49 p.m.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The Senate will return to order.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Mr. President, there's a report of the Rules Committee at the desk. Please take that up.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Senator Stewart-Cousins, from the Committee on Rules, reports the following bills:
Senate Print 672B, by Senator Hinchey, an act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law;
Senate Print 1180B, by Senator Gianaris, an act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law;
Senate Print 1618, by Senator Rivera, an act to amend the Public Health Law;
Senate Print 9072A, by Senator Harckham, an act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law.
All bills reported direct to third reading.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Move to accept the report of the Rules Committee.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:All those in favor of accepting the report of the Rules Committee please signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Opposed, nay.
(No response.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The report of the Rules Committee is accepted.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Please take up the calendar.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 119, Senate Print 1336, by Senator Parker, an act to amend the New York State Urban Development Corporation Act.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 4. 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 120, Senate Print 2324, by Senator Comrie, an act to amend the Public Authorities Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 4. 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 163, Senate Print 4252, by Senator Parker, an act to amend the Administrative Code of the City of New York.
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:And the bill is passed?
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 173, Senate Print 4434, by Senator Skoufis, 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 173, voting in the negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Mattera, Murray, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber and Weik.
Ayes, 40. Nays, 19.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 175, Senate Print 600A, by Senator Hinchey, an act to amend the General Municipal Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 8. This act shall take effect on the first of January.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 175, voting in the negative are Senators Helming, Murray, O'Mara, Ortt and Walczyk.
Ayes, 54. Nays, 5.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 181, Senate Print 194B, by Senator Martinez, an act to amend the General Business Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 4. This act shall take effect August 1, 2027.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator Helming to explain her vote.
SENATOR HELMING:Thank you, Mr. President.
We hear a lot of talk about affordability, including from our schools and taxpayers who are facing extreme cost increases. A lot of these cost increases are driven by state mandates from skyrocketing utilities, healthcare and insurance costs, to the multi-billion-dollar all-electric school bus mandate.
Adding more mandates without providing dedicated state funding will only increase the burden on our schools and on our constituents' tax bills.
Under the current budget proposal, many districts are slated to receive just a 1 percent increase in Foundation Aid. At the same time, they're facing double-digit cost increases outside of their control.
We should be supporting increased school safety and the mandates should come with dedicated resources.
I support several bills that would make school safety and security improvements eligible for additional state funding streams. Because if we expect schools to make significant investments while maintaining critical programs, the state must be a partner in that effort.
I encourage this body to take a look at our Republican Conference school safety plans and to bring these bills to the floor for a vote.
Just this past Saturday I participated in the Monroe County School Board Association legislative meeting. There, there were several students who spoke very powerfully about the impact of unfunded mandates. One young man summed it up perfectly: "If the state is going to mandate it, the state should pay for it."
Right now, schools and taxpayers need relief. We have better bills that achieve the intended goal of the bill before us that won't squeeze the taxpayers. For that reason, Mr. President, I vote no.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Senator Helming to be recorded in the negative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 181, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk and Weik.
Ayes, 48. Nays, 11.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 182, Senate Print 5597, by Senator May, an act to amend the General Business Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 25. 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 182, voting in the negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Mattera, Murray, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber and Weik.
Ayes, 40. Nays, 19.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 201, Senate Print 524, by Senator Mayer, an act to amend the Penal 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 201, voting in the negative: Senator Brisport.
Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 202, Senate Print 660, by Senator Gianaris, an act to amend the Criminal Procedure Law.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Lay it aside for the day.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill will be laid aside for the day.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 204, Senate Print Number 4322, by Senator Scarcella-Spanton, an act to amend the Civil Rights 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:In relation to Calendar 204, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Gallivan, Lanza, Ortt and Tedisco.
Senator Tedisco in the affirmative.
Senator Griffo in the negative.
Ayes, 54. Nays, 5.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 216, Senate Print 2436, by Senator Krueger, an act to amend the Administrative Code of the City of New York.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 3. This act shall take effect on the first of January.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 216, voting in the negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Mattera, Murray, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rolison, Scarcella-Spanton, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk and Weik.
Ayes, 41. Nays, 18.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 220, Senate Print 5052, by Senator Bailey, an act to amend the Insurance Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 9. 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 221, Senate Print 896A, by Senator Martinez, 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 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 222, Senate Print 1188, by Senator Addabbo, an act to amend the General Business Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: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 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 223, Senate Print 1788, by Senator Hinchey, an act to amend the Real Property 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:Ayes, 59.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The bill is passed.
Senator Gianaris, that completes the reading of today's calendar.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Is there any further business at the desk?
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:There is no further business at the desk.
SENATOR GIANARIS:I move to adjourn until tomorrow, Tuesday, February 10th, at 3:00 p.m.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:On motion, the Senate stands adjourned until Tuesday, February 10th, at 3:00 p.m.
(Whereupon, at 3:59 p.m., the Senate adjourned.)
Highest impact first.
Review Warehouse Air Pollution
Make Generic Drugs Affordable
Require Corporate Climate Emissions Disclosures
Expand Internet Access for All
Limit Jail Holds to 24 Hours
Update Pollution Cleanup Rules
Add Oversight to State Land Sales
Strengthen Car Buyer Protections