Gaveled in 11:29 AM · Albany, New York · 2025–26 session
NEW YORK STATE SENATE
THE STENOGRAPHIC RECORD
ALBANY, NEW YORK
April 16, 2026
11:29 a.m.
REGULAR SESSION
SENATOR SHELLEY B. MAYER, 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:Reading of the Journal.
THE SECRETARY:In Senate, Wednesday, April 15, 2026, the Senate met pursuant to adjournment. The Journal of Tuesday, April 14, 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:Good morning, Mr. President.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:Good morning.
We will begin with 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.
SENATOR GIANARIS:The Senate stands at ease.
ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY:The Senate will stand at ease.
(Whereupon, the Senate stood at ease at 11:30 a.m.)
(Whereupon, the Senate reconvened at 11:37 a.m.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The Senate will return to order.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Madam President, there's a report of the Rules Committee at the desk. Can we take that up, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Senator Stewart-Cousins, from the Committee on Rules, reports the following bill:
Senate Print 9918, by Senator Gianaris, an act making appropriations for the support of government.
The bill reports 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.
(No response.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The report of the Rules Committee is accepted.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Let's move to the supplemental calendar, please.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The Secretary will read.
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 11000 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 9918, Third Reading Calendar 696.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The substitution is so ordered.
The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 696, Assembly Bill Number 11000, by Assemblymember Pretlow, an act making appropriations for the support of government.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Is there a message of necessity and appropriation at the desk?
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:There is a message of necessity and appropriation at the desk.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Move to accept the message.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:All those in favor of accepting the message please signify by saying aye.
(Response of "Aye.")
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Opposed, nay.
(Response of "Nay.")
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The message is accepted, and the bill is before the house.
SENATOR LANZA:Lay it aside.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is laid aside.
Senator Gianaris, that completes the reading of the supplemental calendar.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Can we just temporarily stand at ease while we await the debate on the one bill.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The Senate will stand at ease.
(Whereupon, the Senate stood at ease at 11:38 a.m.)
(Whereupon, the Senate reconvened at 11:39 a.m.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The Senate will return to order.
The Secretary will ring the bell.
The Secretary will read.
SENATOR GIANARIS:We're on the controversial calendar, I believe, right?
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Yes.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Thank you.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 696, Assembly Bill Number 11000, by Assemblymember Pretlow, an act making appropriations for the support of government.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator O'Mara, why do you rise?
SENATOR O'MARA:Yes, thank you, Madam President. I wonder if the sponsor would yield for a few questions.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator Gianaris, will you yield?
SENATOR GIANARIS:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The Senator yields.
SENATOR O'MARA:Good morning, Senator.
We're on our fourth extender on this late budget at this point. And my understanding is that this extender takes us through Monday, and it's adding an additional $79 million in additional spending, bringing our total extenders' amount of these four to $7.2 billion.
Is that correct?
SENATOR GIANARIS:No, because the extender takes us to Monday, not through Monday. But otherwise, yes, you're correct.
SENATOR O'MARA:Okay.
Through you, Madam President, if the Senator will continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Do you continue to yield?
SENATOR GIANARIS:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The Senator will yield.
SENATOR O'MARA:So then with that we will need to do -- if the nine budget bills aren't done by Monday, and passed, we'll need to do another extender in Monday.
SENATOR GIANARIS:I would expect that to happen, Senator O'Mara.
SENATOR O'MARA:Through you, Madam President, if the Senator will continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Do you continue to yield?
SENATOR GIANARIS:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The Senator yields.
SENATOR O'MARA:Can you explain to us what is being covered with this $79 million in additional spending to get us to Monday?
SENATOR GIANARIS:Well, as you pointed out, it's a very nominal amount in the scheme of the over 7 billion we've appropriated so far. So these are just routine additional appropriations that the state needs to make payments.
SENATOR O'MARA:Through you, Madam President, if the Senator will continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Do you continue to yield?
SENATOR GIANARIS:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The Senator will yield.
SENATOR O'MARA:Well, $79 million may not be a huge percentage of the overall budget that's going to be about 270 billion. Seventy-nine million dollars still is not a nominal amount, in my opinion, and I'm sure neither in any opinion of any constituent that I represent.
So can you give us some detail on what the $79 million is actually going to go to?
SENATOR GIANARIS:Sure.
I'll give you the whole list, since you asked, and since you like longer answers, from what I remember.
(Laughter.)
SENATOR GIANARIS:Twenty-five thousand for personal service; $23.5 million for Social Security, 675,000 for the metropolitan commuter transportation mobility tax, 350,000 for SUNY pensions, 178,000 for auto accidents, 4.28 for the Department of Health Center for Community Health. What else do we have here? 196,000 for the Community Support Program at the Justice Center. Thirty million for unemployment benefits -- I'm sure you want those to go out. Thirteen-point-1 million for the MTA support; 3.9 million for OPWDD non-Medicaid residential services; 960,000 for non-Medicaid day services; 1.08 million for non-Medicaid family support and services; 624,000 for non-Medicaid employment services; 24,000 for homeless veterans housing; and 160,000 for other non-Medicaid payments.
SENATOR O'MARA:Thank you.
Through you, Madam President, if the Senator will continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Do you continue to yield?
SENATOR GIANARIS:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The Senator yields.
SENATOR O'MARA:Are there any table targets yet for our various budget conference committees?
SENATOR GIANARIS:No.
SENATOR O'MARA:Through you, Madam President, if the Senator will continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Do you continue to yield?
SENATOR GIANARIS:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The Senator yields.
SENATOR O'MARA:Do you expect that we will have table targets on Monday for --
SENATOR GIANARIS:No.
SENATOR O'MARA:-- the joint conference committees to start to work?
SENATOR GIANARIS:No.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Through you, Madam President, if the Senator will continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Do you continue to yield?
SENATOR GIANARIS:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The Senator yields.
SENATOR O'MARA:Can you outline for us why not? What are the sticking points to getting to table targets?
SENATOR GIANARIS:The sticking points are the same they've been since we've been having these conversations. We continue to negotiate with the Executive over CLCPA rollbacks, SEQRA reform, auto insurance issues, immigration, aid to New York City, and various others.
I will say this week has been somewhat more promising, as discussions seem to be making slow and steady progress.
SENATOR O'MARA:Through you, Madam President, if the Senator will continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Do you continue to yield?
SENATOR GIANARIS:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The Senator yields.
SENATOR O'MARA:At least I've read in the news in recent days there's been a new proposal thrown out there on policy, and that's the pied-a-terre tax on second homes in New York City. That's something new that's been thrown out. Is that thrown out by the Governor or is that thrown out by Mayor Mamdani through the Governor?
SENATOR GIANARIS:Senator O'Mara has been here long enough to know that it was originally a Senate Democrat proposal by then Senator Hoylman-Sigal, now borough president of Manhattan.
And so the idea has been in existence for several years. It's something that the Governor has thrown her support behind in the last couple of days.
SENATOR O'MARA:Thank you, Senator.
Madam President, if the Senator will continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Do you continue to yield?
SENATOR GIANARIS:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The Senator yields.
SENATOR O'MARA:With regards to the CLCPA issues that are a stumbling point at this point, can you describe for us what proposals the Governor has put forth in regards to extending some of these deadlines on the CLCPA?
SENATOR GIANARIS:No.
SENATOR O'MARA:Through you, Madam President, if the Senator will continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Do you continue to yield?
SENATOR GIANARIS:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The Senator yields.
SENATOR O'MARA:Has the Governor put forth specific issues with regards to changes to the CLCPA?
SENATOR GIANARIS:Yeah, there have been conversations back and forth around elements of the CLCPA.
SENATOR O'MARA:Through you, Madam President, if the Senator will continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Do you continue to yield?
SENATOR GIANARIS:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The Senator yields.
SENATOR O'MARA:Another one of the major stumbling blocks seems to be auto insurance reform. Can you tell us where the proposals on that stand in the discussions?
SENATOR GIANARIS:The Governor's is what's publicly known through her proposals and statements. And we are going back and forth to try and find the right balance for what is in the best interests of New Yorkers.
SENATOR O'MARA:Through you, Madam President, if the Senator will continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Do you continue to yield?
SENATOR GIANARIS:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The Senator yields.
SENATOR O'MARA:And another major issue is Tier 6 reform that could be all-encompassing or it could be certain aspects of it.
Where do those proposals stand up at this point on reforms to Tier 6?
SENATOR GIANARIS:Well, I think there's a genuine interest in making significant reforms.
Senator O'Mara was also here, I believe, when that was first enacted and the then-members of our Democratic Conference walked out in protest rather than supporting that.
So we recognize there's a need to make changes, and we're trying to figure out what's feasible while minimizing the burdens on our local governments.
SENATOR O'MARA:Through you, Madam President, if the Senator will continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Do you continue to yield?
SENATOR GIANARIS:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The Senator yields.
SENATOR O'MARA:Where do we stand on the various SEQRA changes, proposals that are out there on -- with regards to housing?
SENATOR GIANARIS:I think that's something that all sides want to get to yes on. And so I think, of all the issues we've talked about, that may be the one that's furthest along in terms of reaching agreement in line with what the Governor is seeking.
SENATOR O'MARA:Through you, Madam President, if the Senator will continue to yield.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Do you continue to yield?
SENATOR GIANARIS:Yes.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The Senator yields.
SENATOR O'MARA:Can you give us a general outline of where you think that is, where everybody seems to be comfortable with?
SENATOR GIANARIS:No.
SENATOR O'MARA:Thank you.
Madam President, on the bill.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator O'Mara on the bill.
SENATOR O'MARA:Not a lot of helpful information for us, as usual on these extenders, which is concerning.
And more importantly, no information for the citizens of New York State on what is really being discussed behind closed doors with three people in a room on what will be somewhere between a $263 billion and $270 billion budget.
As I've said before, New Yorkers deserve to know what's being talked about behind those closed doors and what progress is being made so that they can actually weigh in to us and tell us what they think about them, rather than just coming out in the middle of the night -- which is par the course around here -- and voting on them within a few hours.
We need the time to review these things. The public needs the time to review these things and provide us their input on those.
Where this extender takes us: Three more days, gets us through Friday, Saturday and Sunday into Monday. You know, I'll continue to support this -- extenders at this point, but it's growing increasingly concerning, the lack of progress and, more importantly, the lack of details on what is actually being discussed so New Yorkers can know exactly what we're talking about here behind closed doors in Albany.
Thank you.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Thank you, Senator O'Mara.
Are there any other Senators wishing to be heard?
Seeing and hearing none, debate is closed.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Madam President, we've agreed to restore this to the noncontroversial supplemental calendar.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is restored to the noncontroversial supplemental calendar.
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 Weik to explain her vote.
SENATOR WEIK:Thank you, Madam President.
It's April 16th. That's 15 days past due, with no table targets, which is really a terrible thing.
We have one-party rule in the State of New York, and we can't seem to agree on enough to get a budget on time, let alone 15 days late.
I'll be voting in the negative.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Senator Weik to be recorded in the negative.
Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:In relation to Calendar 696, voting in the negative: Senator Weik.
Ayes, 52. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
Senator Gianaris, that completes the reading of the supplemental calendar.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Let's now take up the calendar.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 382, Senate Print 354, by Senator Rivera, an act to amend the Public Health Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: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 MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 53.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 388, Senate Print 1912A, by Senator Rivera, an act to amend the Social Services 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:In relation to Calendar 388, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Rhoads, Stec and Walczyk.
Ayes, 46. Nays, 7.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 454, Senate Print 2708A, by Senator May, an act to amend the Public Service Law.
SENATOR LANZA:Lay it aside.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Lay the bill aside for the day.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is laid aside for the day.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 580, Senate Print 3352, by Senator Sanders, an act to amend the Insurance 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, 53.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 638, Senate Print 3575A, by Senator Cleare, an act to amend the Public Health Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Read the last section.
THE SECRETARY:Section 2. This act shall take effect April 1, 2027.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 53.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 645, Senate Print 1984, by Senator Harckham, an act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER: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 MAYER:Call the roll.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:Announce the results.
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 53.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 653, Senate Print 1673, by Senator Gounardes, an act to amend the Labor 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:In relation to Calendar 653, voting in the negative are Senators Borrello, Chan, Helming, Murray, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Rhoads, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk and Weik.
Ayes, 41. Nays, 12.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 662, Senate Print 3190, by Senator Kavanagh, 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 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, 53.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 665, Senate Print 6817, by Senator Bynoe, an act authorizing the assessor of Nassau County 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 665, voting in the negative: Senator O'Mara.
Ayes, 52. Nays, 1.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is passed.
Senator Gianaris, that completes the reading of the calendar.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Thank you, Madam President.
Returning to motions for a moment, on behalf of Senator Bailey, I wish to call up Senate Print 5265, recalled from the Assembly, which is now at the desk.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The amendments are received, and the bill will retain its place on the Third Reading Calendar.
Excuse me. The Secretary will read.
THE SECRETARY:Calendar Number 423, Senate Print 5265, by Senator Bailey, an act to amend the Correction Law.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Move to reconsider the vote by which the bill was passed.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The Secretary will call the roll on reconsideration.
(The Secretary called the roll.)
THE SECRETARY:Ayes, 53.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The bill is restored to its place on the Third Reading Calendar.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Now I offer the following amendments.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The amendments are received.
SENATOR GIANARIS:And on behalf of Senator Fahy, on page 26 I offer the following amendments to Calendar 650, Senate Print 9268, and ask that said bill retain its place on the Third Reading Calendar.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:The amendments are received, and the bill will retain its place on the Third Reading Calendar.
Senator Gianaris.
SENATOR GIANARIS:Is there any further business at the desk?
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:There is no further business at the desk.
SENATOR GIANARIS:An early start Monday because of the need to do the next extender by noon.
I move to adjourn until Monday, April 20th, at 11:00 a.m., with the intervening days being legislative days.
ACTING PRESIDENT MAYER:On motion, the Senate stands adjourned until Monday, April 20th, at 11:00 a.m., with the intervening days being legislative days.
(Whereupon, at 11:54 a.m., the Senate adjourned.)
Highest impact first.
Extend State Funding Temporarily
Study Advanced Power Grid Tech
Expand Telehealth Services
Add Healthy Meals to Medicaid
Expand Mortgage Help for Graduates
Temporary State Funding Extension
Screen Inmates for Benefits
Ban PFAS in Anti-Fog Sprays