Regular Session - March 2, 2022
970
1 NEW YORK STATE SENATE
2
3
4 THE STENOGRAPHIC RECORD
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6
7
8
9 ALBANY, NEW YORK
10 March 2, 2022
11 3:11 p.m.
12
13
14 REGULAR SESSION
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16
17
18 LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BRIAN A. BENJAMIN, President
19 ALEJANDRA N. PAULINO, ESQ., Secretary
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25
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1 P R O C E E D I N G S
2 THE PRESIDENT: The Senate will
3 come to order.
4 I ask everyone present to please
5 rise and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
6 (Whereupon, the assemblage recited
7 the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.)
8 THE PRESIDENT: In the absence of
9 clergy, let us bow our heads in a moment of
10 silent reflection or prayer.
11 (Whereupon, the assemblage respected
12 a moment of silence.)
13 THE PRESIDENT: Reading of the
14 Journal.
15 THE SECRETARY: In Senate, Tuesday,
16 March 1, 2022, the Senate met pursuant to
17 adjournment. The Journal of Monday, February 28,
18 2022, was read and approved. On motion, the
19 Senate adjourned.
20 THE PRESIDENT: Without objection,
21 the Journal stands approved as read.
22 Presentation of petitions.
23 Messages from the Assembly.
24 The Secretary will read.
25 THE SECRETARY: Senator Kaplan
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1 moves to discharge, from the Committee on
2 Transportation, Assembly Bill Number 8493A and
3 substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 7563,
4 Third Reading Calendar 242.
5 THE PRESIDENT: So ordered.
6 THE SECRETARY: Senator Rivera
7 moves to discharge, from the Committee on Health,
8 Assembly Bill Number 2440 and substitute it for
9 the identical Senate Bill Number 4935, Third
10 Reading Calendar 406.
11 THE PRESIDENT: So ordered.
12 THE SECRETARY: Senator Breslin
13 moves to discharge, from the Committee on
14 Insurance, Assembly Bill Number 8306 and
15 substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 3572,
16 Third Reading Calendar 488.
17 THE PRESIDENT: So ordered.
18 THE SECRETARY: Senator Liu to
19 discharge, from the Committee on Corporations,
20 Authorities and Commissions, Assembly Bill Number
21 7946A and substitute it for the identical Senate
22 Bill 7089A, Third Reading Calendar 537.
23 THE PRESIDENT: So ordered.
24 Messages from the Governor.
25 Reports of standing committees.
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1 Reports of select committees.
2 Communications and reports from
3 state officers.
4 Motions and resolutions.
5 Senator Gianaris.
6 SENATOR GIANARIS: Mr. President,
7 it's good to have you back in the chamber.
8 On behalf of Senator Rivera, on
9 page 12 I offer the following amendments to
10 Calendar 111, Senate Print 1172B, and ask that
11 said bill retain its place on Third Reading
12 Calendar.
13 THE PRESIDENT: The amendments are
14 received, and the bill will retain its place on
15 the Third Reading Calendar.
16 SENATOR GIANARIS: At this time,
17 Mr. President, can we take up two very important
18 resolutions, Resolution 1796 and Resolution 1797,
19 by Senator Cleare, read those resolutions in
20 their entirety, and recognize Senator Cleare on
21 the resolutions.
22 THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary will
23 read.
24 THE SECRETARY: Senate Resolution
25 1796, by Senator Cleare, mourning the untimely
974
1 death of Jason Rivera, committed NYPD law
2 enforcement officer, family man and devoted
3 member of his community.
4 "WHEREAS, It is the sense of this
5 Legislative Body to convey its grateful
6 appreciation and heartfelt regret in recognition
7 of the loss of a courageous and hardworking
8 police officer who dedicated his purposeful life
9 and career in faithful service to both his family
10 and the residents of the State of New York; and
11 "WHEREAS, It is with profound
12 sadness that this Legislative Body records the
13 passing of 22-year-old Jason Rivera, a
14 Washington Heights native, who gave the ultimate
15 sacrifice while responding to a domestic call in
16 Harlem, on Friday, January 21, 2022; and
17 "WHEREAS, A member of the
18 32nd Precinct proudly serving Harlem,
19 Jason Rivera joined the NYPD 14 months ago, in
20 part to better the community's relationship with
21 law enforcement; and
22 "WHEREAS, Coming from an immigrant
23 family and growing up in New York City, young
24 Jason Rivera knew becoming a police officer was
25 the right career for him; he realized how
975
1 impactful his role as an officer would be in the
2 chaotic city of approximately 10 million people;
3 and
4 "WHEREAS, Officer Rivera was proud
5 to be the first member of his family to join
6 New York's finest, the greatest police force in
7 the world; and
8 "WHEREAS, Jason Rivera was forever
9 dependable, loyal, and kind, three extraordinary
10 attributes that made him an amazing police
11 officer; he will be remembered for his constant
12 smile and positive attitude; and
13 "WHEREAS, To know Jason was to love
14 him; he was a true hero, officer, husband,
15 younger brother, son and friend; and
16 "WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic
17 spirit and imbued with a sense of compassion,
18 Jason Rivera leaves behind a legacy which will
19 long endure the passage of time and will remain
20 as a comforting memory to all he served and
21 befriended; he will be deeply missed and truly
22 merits the grateful tribute of this Legislative
23 Body; now, therefore, be it
24 "RESOLVED, That this
25 Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
976
1 mourn the death of Jason Rivera, and to express
2 its deepest condolences to his family, colleagues
3 and friends; and be it further
4 "RESOLVED, That a copy of this
5 resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to
6 the family of Jason Rivera."
7 Senate Resolution 1797, also by
8 Senator Cleare, mourning the untimely death of
9 Detective Wilbert Mora, committed NYPD law
10 enforcement officer, beloved son and brother, and
11 devoted member of his community.
12 "WHEREAS, It is the sense of this
13 Legislative Body to convey its grateful
14 appreciation and heartfelt regret in recognition
15 of the loss of a courageous and hardworking NYPD
16 detective who dedicated his purposeful life and
17 career in faithful service to both his family and
18 the residents of New York State; and
19 "WHEREAS, It is with profound
20 sadness that this Legislative Body records the
21 passing of 27-year-old Wilbert Mora, an
22 East Harlem native, who gave the ultimate
23 sacrifice four days after responding to a
24 domestic call in Harlem, on Friday, January 21,
25 2022; and
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1 "WHEREAS, Wilbert Mora was put on
2 life support until Tuesday, January 25, 2022,
3 allowing his organs to be harvested for
4 transplant; even after death, he continued to
5 serve others, donating his heart, liver, kidney
6 and pancreas to five individuals who were in
7 desperate need of his lifesaving gift; and
8 "WHEREAS, Wilbert Mora earned his
9 bachelor's degree from CUNY John Jay College in
10 Manhattan in 2018; during this time, he studied
11 the effects of stop-and-frisk tactics and less
12 confrontational strategies like community
13 policing in New York City's predominantly Black
14 and Latino neighborhoods; and
15 "WHEREAS, After graduating,
16 Wilbert Mora joined the NYPD and was assigned to
17 the 32nd Precinct proudly serving the
18 northeastern portion of Harlem; in his short yet
19 exemplary career, he made 35 arrests; and
20 "WHEREAS, To know Wilbert Mora was
21 to love him; and if you did, then you were one of
22 the lucky ones; he was a true hero, detective,
23 son, brother, and friend; and
24 "WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic
25 spirit and imbued with a sense of compassion,
978
1 Wilbert Mora leaves behind a legacy which will
2 long endure the passage of time and will remain
3 as a comforting memory to all he served and
4 befriended; he will be deeply missed and truly
5 merits the grateful tribute of this
6 Legislative Body; now, therefore, be it
7 "RESOLVED, That this
8 Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
9 mourn the death of Wilbert Mora, and to express
10 its deepest condolences to his family, colleagues
11 and friends; and be it further
12 "RESOLVED, That a copy of this
13 resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to
14 the family of Detective Wilbert Mora."
15 THE PRESIDENT: Senator Cleare on
16 the resolutions.
17 SENATOR CLEARE: Thank you.
18 Good afternoon, Lieutenant Governor,
19 colleagues. Our hearts are heavy, but we are
20 here today to celebrate the inspiring lives and
21 courageous actions of NYPD Detectives Jason
22 Rivera and Wilbert Mora, who answered the call of
23 duty and made the ultimate sacrifice in this
24 earthly plain, losing their lives in the service
25 of making our communities safer.
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1 We are honored today by the presence
2 of Dominique Rivera, the wife of Detective
3 Rivera, and her mother, Lilliana Cuenca, as well
4 as the leadership from the 32nd Precinct in
5 Harlem: Inspector Amir Yakatally, Captain Jose
6 Taveras, Captain Janelle Sanders and Detective
7 Oswaldo Collado, and the other fellow officers.
8 Thank you for your courageous
9 presence here today. It is our honor to be with
10 you.
11 What happened to Detectives Jason
12 Rivera and Wilbert Mora and their families,
13 friends, neighbors and community is an
14 incalculable tragedy. Heads hang, tears flow and
15 hearts are broken.
16 Life began for Wilbert Mora only
17 27 years ago -- an East Harlem native who
18 excelled at John Jay College and believed in his
19 studies and in his deeds, words and actions that
20 he was a community ambassador who made the world
21 better, block by block, conversation by
22 conversation.
23 So great was his commitment to
24 helping others that he served us both in life, as
25 was mentioned, and in the very fact of his
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1 passing, through the selfless donation of his
2 organs to others.
3 To his family, his loved ones, his
4 friends, we owe you much more than thanks, much
5 more than tears, much more than memories -- we
6 owe you a prospective generational commitment to
7 make the state better by carrying on in the
8 spirit of Detective Mora, who has made such a
9 profound impact on us.
10 While no thanks are enough, please
11 know that the entire city and state stand with
12 you and this is a commitment that will endure
13 forever.
14 To the family of Detective Jason
15 Rivera, in particular Ms. Dominique Rivera, your
16 inspiring presence here today means everything to
17 us. We share your broken heart and hope that the
18 concern and care of others will help ease the
19 trauma.
20 All who knew Detective Rivera say he
21 was born to serve our community, and driven to
22 make it a better place. He had a calling borne
23 of courage and was unafraid to embody and accept
24 everything that it meant to be a police officer.
25 While he was taken from us too soon,
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1 we may ask ourselves: Did he accomplish the
2 goals he set for himself when he applied to be a
3 police officer?
4 Well, to the extent that he served
5 our community well, to the extent that he
6 improved people's lives, to the extent that he
7 inspired others and continues to inspire, to the
8 extent that he was a hero and loving husband, son
9 and brother, to the extent that he leaves a
10 legacy that will never be forgotten, he was
11 incredibly successful.
12 May God bless his memory, may God
13 bless his family, may God bless his wife.
14 Ms. Rivera, may you find comfort, strength and
15 resilience even in these troubled times. Our
16 hearts continue to go out to you.
17 Thank you.
18 THE PRESIDENT: Senator Jackson on
19 the resolution.
20 SENATOR JACKSON: Thank you,
21 Mr. President.
22 My colleagues, I rise in support of
23 and as a proud cosponsor of this resolution,
24 J1796, honoring Jason Rivera.
25 First I want to offer my prayers and
982
1 condolences to the widow of Detective Jason
2 Rivera, Dominique Rivera, the entire Rivera
3 family, and the entire NYPD family, especially
4 the family of the 32nd Precinct in Harlem, on
5 135th Street, where they served.
6 Today we stand here before this
7 legislative body to convey our grateful
8 appreciation and heartfelt regret in recognizing
9 the loss of a courageous and hardworking police
10 officer. It seems the good die young, before
11 they see the fruits of their principal labor.
12 They do things for others because they believe in
13 serving the world with principle, respect,
14 courage and honor.
15 Jason was just 22 years of age, a
16 young native of Washington Heights who dreamed of
17 changing the department for the better. He
18 dedicated his live and career to purposefully,
19 faithfully serve both his family and the
20 residents of our city.
21 Jason was an unflappable,
22 good-natured person whose attention to morals and
23 values was unique for someone so young. For
24 those not aware, Jason completed his graduation
25 from the Washington Heights Expeditionary
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1 Learning School, which is called WHEELS, at the
2 Eleanor Roosevelt Campus on 182nd Street in
3 Washington Heights. And I recall reading
4 somewhere that one of his high school teachers,
5 Samantha, who spoke highly of him, said that he
6 was an outstanding citizen and student and, more
7 importantly, a person who always tried to help
8 other people.
9 And Jason was one of two officers
10 who made the ultimate sacrifice -- their lives --
11 responding to a domestic dispute where the lives
12 of everyone in that home were in danger.
13 The growing gun violence concerns us
14 all. There is a serious health crisis that
15 requires immediate intervention, resulting in
16 getting guns off the streets and stopping
17 violence. And I raise my voice to that because
18 we all know it. Violence against any one of us
19 cannot be the norm.
20 I, like many, hope that the state's
21 collective grief creates a sense of purpose to
22 gun violence. Besides legislation, we must also
23 focus on efforts and ways that would allow for us
24 to face these challenges in unity and with our
25 communities, and seek input from them on how to
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1 invest resources to prevent gun violence through
2 our art programs, youth initiatives, mental
3 health and violence interrupters.
4 A Dominican-American who grew up on
5 the streets of Northern Manhattan -- those same
6 streets he would later patrol as a police officer
7 in that community. And we have -- excuse me --
8 and we have united to raise awareness surrounding
9 the issue of needless and senseless gun violence.
10 With every other community member
11 that I speak with uptown, they tell me that they
12 will carry on his mission to restore the trust
13 and safety of our community that it rightfully
14 deserves, moving forward together in ways that
15 not only would allow us to save our youth from
16 the senseless violence and invite peace to our
17 communities, but it will be an honor in the
18 memory of Jason. He will be deeply missed.
19 Thank you, Mr. President.
20 I also would like to speak on
21 Resolution 1797 honoring Wilbert Mora. And
22 again, I rise as a cosponsor in support of this
23 resolution.
24 At this moment I also want to offer
25 my prayers and condolences to the family of
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1 Detective Wilbert Mora and his NYPD family,
2 especially the members of the 32nd Precinct.
3 That's his work family, just like all of you,
4 both Republicans and Democrats, are my family
5 here in the New York State Senate.
6 But this legislative body comes
7 together in mourning the untimely death of
8 Wilbert Mora. He was a beloved son, brother and
9 faithful member of his community in Northern
10 Manhattan. He lived in East Harlem. His
11 Assemblymember is here. Detective Jason Rivera,
12 his Assemblymember is here also. Al Taylor,
13 Manny De Los Santos and my brother there.
14 But all of this is very important
15 about who he was, and he was loved by everyone.
16 And a committed NYPD law enforcement officer from
17 the 32nd. A boy who was raised -- who was born
18 in the Dominican Republic, who after he arrived
19 in New York City just 7 years old, had a dream.
20 This boy dreamt of protecting and serving others.
21 He knew he wanted to be a police officer. Twenty
22 years later, the boy grew up into a young adult,
23 earned his badge, and began to fulfill his dream
24 of protecting his community.
25 Wilbert Mora was only 27 years of
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1 age, and an East Harlem native, as I indicated,
2 who gave the ultimate sacrifice -- and let me
3 just say you all know what that means, but other
4 people may not know what that means. That means
5 his life. And not only did he give his life, he
6 gave his organs to help other people live.
7 So today is a very sad day. It's
8 heartbreaking to lose another young man to gun
9 violence. And Wilbert made the ultimate
10 sacrifice to protect and serve. And he will
11 continue to help others and give life through the
12 passing of his organs, as I said.
13 Those who knew him will tell you
14 that he was forever a responsible, loyal,
15 kindhearted soul. A gentle giant with a great
16 big smile that always showed his optimism towards
17 any situation, and gave you warmth and made all
18 embrace positivity. We lost another great young
19 man, an officer whose dreams started at seven
20 years and ended early due to tragedy. And
21 Wilbert will deeply be missed and always
22 remembered for his warmth and compassion.
23 But his legacy, that of a person who
24 had tremendous humanistic spirit and showed
25 bravery when others needed protection, will
987
1 continue to carry on in us and our quest for
2 peace and love in our community.
3 Mr. President, I say aye to both of
4 these resolutions.
5 THE PRESIDENT: Senator Mannion on
6 the resolution.
7 SENATOR MANNION: Thank you,
8 Mr. President.
9 I rise to recognize the bravery and
10 selfless service of Officers Jason Rivera and
11 Wilbert Mora.
12 Police and law enforcement are our
13 protectors. They are the sentinels who stand
14 watch. They deserve our respect, our admiration,
15 and our support. When officers and deputies from
16 the counties I represent, Onondaga and Cayuga,
17 need assistance and support, their brothers of
18 the NYPD are always there for them.
19 I fully endorse the words of our
20 President and his clarion statement that called
21 in his State of the Union address to support our
22 police officers with all the resources and
23 training that they need to protect our
24 communities.
25 I have family in law enforcement,
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1 two uncles. And I have family members, two of
2 them, first cousins, who died of gun violence.
3 And when my family was met with the horror of
4 those two individuals' deaths, who was there to
5 comfort and protect and investigate? Law
6 enforcement was there.
7 I know what it's like to be a family
8 member of law enforcement, and I know what it's
9 like to be a family member of a victim of gun
10 violence. Law enforcement is more than a career,
11 it's a calling, and it's a calling that extends
12 to the families of law enforcement. Every time a
13 law enforcement officer goes out the door, there
14 is uncertainty. And we stand and sit here today
15 faced with the reality of the tragic deaths of
16 these officers and what their families must be
17 going through, and that they had these concerns
18 and worries every time their family member walked
19 out the door to protect us.
20 There are no words that I can say or
21 anyone can say to heal your wounds, but know that
22 this body and this state mourns with you and
23 supports you. On behalf of Syracuse and Greater
24 Central New York, I ask that God bless your
25 family and God guide law enforcement. And may
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1 you find some healing and strength from the
2 bravery of the officers, of Jason and Wilbert.
3 The people of New York are forever in your debt.
4 Thank you, Mr. President.
5 THE PRESIDENT: Senator Savino on
6 the resolution.
7 SENATOR SAVINO: Thank you,
8 Mr. President.
9 You know, for the almost 18 years
10 that I've been a member of this Senate, we have
11 had to pause in recognition of the tragic death
12 of police officers -- whether they be members of
13 the NYPD, State Troopers, local law
14 enforcement -- who have been tragically cut down
15 in the line of duty. Far too many times. We've
16 stood here and we've recognized their
17 contribution, their families' contribution. And
18 it's tragic and it's heartbreaking.
19 And we always wonder how did it
20 happen, how can we make change. And we offer our
21 condolences to the family. We attend the
22 funerals. One of the most heartbreaking funerals
23 I think I've ever been to was Police Officer
24 Rivera. Not that anybody else's was less tragic,
25 but it's perhaps his youth, the joy in his face.
990
1 Just from his pictures, you could see that he was
2 a happy young man, happy in his life choice,
3 happy in his wife choice, happy in his family.
4 We owe him way more than he got in
5 life. We owe you way more than we left you with.
6 And I don't know how we make that up. But we
7 have an obligation to the city, to you, to
8 Wilbert Mora's family, to the NYPD. And every
9 person puts on the uniform every day not knowing
10 if they're going to make it home at night, to
11 their family not knowing if they're going to make
12 it home at night. So my condolences, for what
13 it's worth; our obligation to those who every day
14 are willing to take that risk that they won't
15 make it home at night, for those of us to sit
16 here in this room.
17 God bless you. God bless your
18 family. And God bless the members of law
19 enforcement of this state. Thank you.
20 THE PRESIDENT: Senator Palumbo on
21 the resolution.
22 SENATOR PALUMBO: Thank you,
23 Mr. President, for allowing me the opportunity to
24 speak briefly on this resolution. And I'll be
25 brief, in the interests of sounding repetitive.
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1 But it's important and bears
2 repeating that this is again a reminder of the
3 fact that our men and women of law enforcement
4 are human beings, that their family members,
5 their husbands and wives, their fathers and
6 mothers, sons and daughters, aunts and uncles --
7 as I've mentioned many times in the Legislature,
8 my father was a homicide detective. And there
9 are sacrifices that you make even before tragedy
10 like this strikes.
11 They're missing the Fourth of July
12 barbecues, they're missing family events --
13 because obviously they're on a rotating 24-hour
14 schedule -- to sacrifice their own personal
15 well-being, putting that behind the interests of
16 our communities and our safety, the fact that we
17 can put our heads on the pillow at night knowing
18 that there are people there, well-trained to do
19 what they can to protect us.
20 And then occasionally tragedy
21 strikes, because they're dealing with crime,
22 they're dealing with bad people. And you don't
23 leave the house that day, when you kiss your wife
24 or husband on the cheek, and someone's going to
25 walk around with a sign and say this will be the
992
1 day where you really need to be ready, because
2 tragedy may strike.
3 So I just rise to give my
4 condolences to Dominique and her family, as well
5 as the Mora family. This is just, again, that
6 reminder that these folks every day are doing
7 their best to keep us safe.
8 And so God bless the families of
9 these individuals, God bless all of our men and
10 women in law enforcement, and let's not forget
11 the fact that they are there every day for us,
12 24 hours a day.
13 Thank you, Mr. President.
14 THE PRESIDENT: Senator Bailey on
15 the resolution.
16 SENATOR BAILEY: Thank you,
17 Mr. President.
18 You know, this is one of those
19 occasions where you think you know what you're
20 going to say until you absorb the gravity of the
21 moment. And Senator Savino mentioned it, sorry
22 isn't enough. It is very difficult -- and many
23 of us have been to many funerals or wakes for
24 members of law enforcement and members of other
25 occupations, and you give your condolences and
993
1 you say "Sorry," but it isn't enough. And quite
2 frankly, Mr. President, it couldn't be enough.
3 I just want to say thank you. And I
4 just want to remind us that we have a debt as
5 members of society beyond those that we carry out
6 as duly elected members of the Legislature. It
7 is something simple, it is something that I think
8 that we forget, sometimes, in chambers of
9 different parties and sometimes in areas where we
10 have different affiliations: We have a duty to
11 just be good people to each other. We have a
12 duty to simply be kind to each other. We have a
13 duty to simply remember that we only have one
14 life to live.
15 And in recent years, in recent days
16 and times based upon the pandemic and based upon
17 these unfortunate incidents, I realize that life
18 is in fact far too short. And every single
19 second matters. It's not just about giving your
20 condolences now while it's fresh, it's about
21 making sure that we remember the Rivera and the
22 Mora families six months from now, folks, a year
23 from now.
24 Likely, if our friends in the
25 City Council do right, there will be street signs
994
1 that memorialize your name, the names of your
2 families. It's well beyond the street signs or
3 the resolutions or the proclamations or whatever
4 the case may be. It is a reminder that we have
5 to make sure that we stick with these families
6 going forward.
7 And again, I -- it's difficult to
8 encapsulate the moment. I want to say thank you
9 to members of law enforcement. I want to say
10 thank you to the families of the members of law
11 enforcement who serve along with those members.
12 Quite frankly, I can't imagine a vocation -- or
13 me doing the vocation, because I know I couldn't
14 do your job. But the gravity of your job is one
15 that you don't know what the chances are of you
16 returning home that night. And that's something
17 that is a very heavy weight.
18 So I want to say thank you for doing
19 that. And to -- and thinking about the gravity
20 of what your last words could possibly be on this
21 earth. What is it that you said to your loved
22 ones this morning? What was the last text
23 message you sent to somebody that you love? Dare
24 I say, make it count. Dare I say, make it
25 reflect what you feel for that person in that
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1 time.
2 Dominique, thank you for teaching us
3 that in your solemn words. To the Rivera and
4 Mora families, God bless you forever. To members
5 of law enforcement throughout the state, thank
6 you for taking a vow to keep folks like us safe
7 every day.
8 Thank you, Mr. President.
9 THE PRESIDENT: Senator Sepúlveda
10 on the resolution.
11 SENATOR SEPÚLVEDA: Thank you. I
12 rise to speak in support of these two
13 resolutions.
14 Words cannot express the sadness and
15 sorrow that we all felt when we heard of the news
16 of these two special young men dying the way they
17 did. Jason and Wilbert were examples, role
18 models for many of us in the communities that we
19 represent. These are young men whose families,
20 or they, came from the Dominican Republic. They
21 came here to educate themselves. They did
22 everything right, and ultimately came back to
23 help the communities that they are a part of.
24 Jason and Wilbert will be role
25 models and examples for many children in our
996
1 community, many children in the Latino community,
2 and many children in the Dominican community.
3 And for that, we must always honor them.
4 (In Spanish, translation as
5 follows.) I want to offer condolences to the
6 families of Wilbert and Jason. We know that they
7 gave the ultimate sacrifice in their service for
8 the community. They will always be examples for
9 our youth of how to do things right -- to educate
10 themselves, to protect their community, to be
11 examples for generations of their community,
12 especially the Dominicans.
13 We are here honoring and celebrating
14 these two young men, and for the rest of us, we
15 want to assure you that we will never forget your
16 sacrifice. And we thank you for being here with
17 us. And allow us to let you know that they will
18 always be in our hearts and we will always,
19 always honor them for what they did for our
20 community. Thank you very much.
21 THE PRESIDENT: Senator Kennedy on
22 the resolution.
23 SENATOR KENNEDY: Thank you,
24 Mr. President.
25 First of all, let me start by
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1 sending my deepest condolences to the families of
2 Detective Wilbert Mora and Detective Jason
3 Rivera.
4 To the widow of Detective Rivera,
5 words cannot describe how sorry we feel as a
6 community, as a state, and as a nation for what
7 you have given. To the Rivera family and to the
8 Mora family, our hearts pour out for you.
9 You know, I represent the City of
10 Buffalo, come from Western New York. I've always
11 had a deep affinity for police officers. It was
12 taught to me as a young boy, a young man, as an
13 adult to think about those that -- the men and
14 women in blue, they put on the uniform, they
15 answer the call. No matter who it is, they show
16 up. They don't ask questions, they just show up.
17 My grandfather was a Buffalo police
18 officer. My cousin was a police officer in the
19 City of Lackawanna that I also represent. I have
20 a brother-in-law who's a State Trooper. I have a
21 brother who's in law enforcement as a border
22 patrolman for our country.
23 I continue to have a deep affinity
24 for law enforcement. On the night these two
25 heroes were murdered, I was in the City of
998
1 New York, just blocks away. I was at Rosie
2 O'Grady's for the Irish Echo law enforcement
3 community service celebration honoring the best
4 of the best, those individuals that have given so
5 much and have reflected the values of the Irish
6 heritage. Mayor Adams was there, the NYPD
7 commissioner was there, many leaders from
8 throughout the NYPD and throughout the nation,
9 quite frankly, were there. Celebrating, revelry.
10 At a point during the night, the
11 word went out that there were two cops that were
12 shot. No one knew at that moment what had
13 happened. The mayor left, the commissioner left,
14 many of the leaders left. I went back to
15 Buffalo. By the time I was to JFK, I had heard
16 the sad and tragic news. By the time I got home,
17 I heard further sad and tragic news. I was up
18 till early in the morning watching as the nation
19 paid attention to what was happening on the
20 streets of our great City of New York. These two
21 fine officers, detectives, in the line of duty
22 went in and didn't come out.
23 Words cannot describe how deeply I
24 feel for each and every one of you family
25 members, the NYPD family, the New York City
999
1 family -- and, quite frankly, everyone in
2 law enforcement, every community, because we
3 depend on those in law enforcement to protect us.
4 And when Detective Rivera and Detective Mora were
5 killed that night, they took the best of us, all
6 of us.
7 We have an obligation to remember
8 them, to recognize them and to honor them in
9 everything that we do from here on out. In our
10 own daily lives in this chamber and without this
11 chamber, outside of this chamber, it is
12 imperative that we recognize those that are out
13 there sacrificing on a day-to-day basis, and
14 their families who sacrifice so much while their
15 loved ones are out answering that call.
16 May Detective Rivera and Detective
17 Mora rest in peace. And God bless them, and God
18 bless your families.
19 Thank you, Mr. President.
20 THE PRESIDENT: Senator
21 Reichlin-Melnick on the resolution.
22 SENATOR REICHLIN-MELNICK: Thank
23 you, Mr. President.
24 There has been much that's been said
25 today, most of it much more eloquent than I could
1000
1 possibly be. But I want to rise first of all to
2 express my condolence to the families of
3 Detective Rivera and Detective Mora. As has been
4 said so many times, we owe them a debt of
5 gratitude, and we owe a debt of gratitude to
6 everybody who puts on a uniform and serves.
7 There are not many professions out
8 there where you never know, when you leave your
9 house in the morning, that you're going to come
10 back that evening. The military, the fire
11 services, and our members of law enforcement face
12 that risk when they go out.
13 We are incredibly grateful to them
14 here in the Senate and throughout New York State.
15 I represent a district where there are many
16 members of law enforcement, many men and women
17 who serve in the NYPD and other departments
18 around the tristate area, and any one of those
19 people could have found themselves in the same
20 position that these two brave detectives faced
21 that night.
22 So I hope and I pray and I strive,
23 and I know we all do, for a society where people
24 with mental illness get the treatment they need,
25 where our streets are not awash with guns, and
1001
1 when no more law enforcement members face this
2 type of occasion ever, ever again.
3 I proudly support these resolutions.
4 THE PRESIDENT: Senator Serino on
5 the resolution.
6 SENATOR SERINO: Thank you,
7 Mr. President.
8 To the Rivera and Mora families,
9 words can definitely not express the way we feel.
10 But I have to tell you, as a body here, we have a
11 duty and an obligation to make sure that our law
12 enforcement is provided with the tools that they
13 need to keep not only the public safe, but
14 themselves.
15 Dominique, your words that day will
16 stick with me forever. And please keep your
17 voice going. Thank you, and God bless all of our
18 law enforcement.
19 And when we say thank you, thank you
20 stands for honor, respect and gratitude. And we
21 here have to show that to you.
22 Thank you. God bless you each and
23 every one of you.
24 THE PRESIDENT: Senator Borrello on
25 the resolution.
1002
1 SENATOR BORRELLO: Thank you,
2 Mr. President.
3 My condolences, sincere condolences
4 to the families there. But I want to say to my
5 colleagues on the other side of the aisle, you
6 are in a unique position today. You are in a
7 unique position to physically look into the eyes
8 of these families.
9 And I hope that it motivates you to
10 set aside the politics and the rhetoric. I hope
11 that it motivates you to look at the tragedy that
12 we have seen happen and to fix what this
13 Legislature has broken when it comes to law
14 enforcement and the safety of our law enforcement
15 officials.
16 That's -- everything else we say
17 here, very nice words. Thank you, all heartfelt.
18 But they are just words. Actions are what
19 counts. And if we want to honor these fallen
20 police officers, those actions mean fixing what
21 we broke here in this chamber.
22 Thank you, Mr. President.
23 THE PRESIDENT: Senator Ortt on the
24 resolution.
25 SENATOR ORTT: Thank you,
1003
1 Mr. President.
2 Words aren't enough. Unfortunately,
3 today that's all we have. All we have is words
4 to try and bring some solace, some comfort to the
5 families who are forever changed, who have made
6 one hell of a sacrifice to protect our
7 communities.
8 That we often think -- just like the
9 soldiers, we have to think of the police
10 officers, and we should. But sometimes we forget
11 the families. They bear the cost, they bear that
12 sacrifice just as much as the men and women who
13 put the uniform on.
14 And in fact, today is a reminder
15 that they bear it even after the full price is
16 paid by those who wear the uniform. These
17 families will bear it forever. They're a part of
18 a select group of people that they never wanted
19 to be part of.
20 So to those families, I give you my
21 condolences. You are in my prayers. I am deeply
22 sorry that you are here under these
23 circumstances.
24 I do want to thank the Majority for
25 bringing forward this resolution, because it is
1004
1 important. These resolutions are important, that
2 we recognize the sacrifice of two New Yorkers.
3 But it's -- it is equally important,
4 Mr. President, if we really want to honor these
5 families, and if we really want to honor the
6 legacy of what Officers Rivera and Mora lived for
7 and what they died for, then we need to rethink
8 our priorities and our policies and our rhetoric.
9 Because while Officers Rivera and
10 Mora have paid the ultimate sacrifice and they're
11 gone, there are tens of thousands of other
12 officers right now, their brothers and sisters,
13 who are out in just as dangerous situations as
14 they found themselves in that night.
15 And if we really want to honor their
16 legacy and their memory, they would want us to
17 support their brothers and sisters who had their
18 back on so many nights, to prevent such a future
19 tragedy. I don't want to name a street after
20 another fallen officer. I don't want to do it.
21 You shouldn't want to do it. And we should do
22 everything in our power to prevent that from
23 occurring.
24 It's a dangerous job, there's no
25 question about it. But we need to make sure that
1005
1 we are doing things to make it less dangerous for
2 people like Officers Mora and Rivera, and not
3 more dangerous. We need to be doing things that
4 create -- that do not create more families whose
5 only claim to fame is that they lost a husband, a
6 wife, a son or a daughter, or a brother or a
7 sister in service to the state, to New York City,
8 to this community.
9 Even last night in the State of the
10 Union, President Biden made a point to talk about
11 actions, providing our men and women in uniform
12 with the resources they need to protect us. That
13 would be the best thing we could do to honor the
14 sacrifice of these two brave New Yorkers.
15 Thank you, Mr. President.
16 THE PRESIDENT: Leader Senator
17 Stewart-Cousins on the resolution.
18 SENATOR STEWART-COUSINS: Thank you
19 so much, Mr. President.
20 And I want to thank Senator Cleare
21 for bringing the resolutions and for inviting the
22 families and for the presence of the family, the
23 Rivera family and the members of the
24 32nd Precinct.
25 I want to thank you for gracing this
1006
1 chamber on a very different day for us. It's
2 different because this is actually more people in
3 the chamber than have been here in two years.
4 It's actually the first time that many of us have
5 seen each other's faces because of what we'd all
6 experienced.
7 And for this auspicious occasion to
8 be the one where we are here, present, accounted
9 for, where we are here unmasked and in complete
10 humility because you took the time to come, we
11 say, yes, our deepest condolences. And yes,
12 words are not enough. And what we do here
13 matters. And if what we could do would be to
14 take, you know, an illegal gun out of a crazy
15 person's hand who was hiding in a closet, we
16 would do that. We can't.
17 What we can do is honor the memory
18 of these two great detectives, Detective Mora,
19 Detective Rivera, who put on those uniforms, who
20 understood who they were at very young ages and
21 went out every day with one goal in mind, to
22 serve the community that they were so much a part
23 of.
24 My brother was in law enforcement,
25 and he did the same thing when he was young.
1007
1 When he came back from the Marines, he put on
2 that uniform, went into the community, because he
3 wanted to make a difference. He survived his
4 dream, and we're grateful. But Wilbert and Jason
5 didn't survive their dream.
6 But their dream survives. It
7 survives in the understanding that there is so
8 much to do on the part of every single one of us
9 to honor the dreams of someone who only wants to
10 serve. And to make it easy for them to do that.
11 And to give the supports that they need to do
12 that. This dream survives because we know that
13 none of us can dream if it doesn't.
14 And so we stand here on this very
15 unusual day, all of us present and accounted for,
16 honoring them with resolutions. The resolutions,
17 the words of the resolutions will stay in the
18 history of this chamber for time immemorial. But
19 what will also stay is the memory of you, of all
20 of you. Of you, Dominique, of the Mora family,
21 of the sacrifices of good police officers who are
22 working every day to help us.
23 And we commit to work every day to
24 help keep that dream alive so that we can all
25 dream bigger dreams. God bless you.
1008
1 Mr. President, I certainly support
2 the resolutions.
3 THE PRESIDENT: Thank you,
4 Madam Leader.
5 The resolutions were previously
6 adopted on February 15th.
7 To our guests, Dominique Rivera,
8 wife of Detective Rivera; her mother, Lilliana;
9 the 32nd Precinct in the village of Harlem, I
10 welcome you on behalf of the Senate. We extend
11 to you all of the privileges and courtesies of
12 this house.
13 Please rise and be recognized.
14 (Sustained standing ovation.)
15 THE PRESIDENT: Senator Gianaris.
16 SENATOR GIANARIS: Thank you,
17 Mr. President.
18 And thank you again to the Rivera
19 and Mora families for joining us.
20 At the request of Senator Cleare,
21 these two resolutions are open for cosponsorship.
22 THE PRESIDENT: These
23 resolutions are open for cosponsorship. Should
24 you choose not to be a cosponsor of the
25 resolutions, please notify the desk.
1009
1 Senator Gianaris.
2 SENATOR GIANARIS: At this point,
3 Mr. President, I know there's a report of the
4 Finance Committee at the desk.
5 Can we please take it up and call on
6 Senator Krueger.
7 THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary will
8 read.
9 THE SECRETARY: Senator Krueger,
10 from the Committee on Finance, reports the
11 following nominations:
12 As Commissioner of the Office for
13 People with Developmental Disabilities, Kerri
14 Neifeld.
15 As Secretary of State, Robert
16 Rodriguez.
17 THE PRESIDENT: Senator Krueger.
18 SENATOR KRUEGER: Thank you very
19 much.
20 First I would like to take up the
21 nomination of Kerri Neifeld to the position of
22 the commissioner of the Office for People with
23 Developmental Disabilities to the floor. I'd
24 like to speak briefly and then open it up to any
25 other Senator who would like to speak on Kerri's
1010
1 nomination.
2 Ms. Neifeld is an extraordinary
3 nominee from the Governor, so first I want to
4 thank Governor Hochul for recommending her to
5 this position. She has already been working at
6 the department for quite a while and proved her
7 stuff even before she had an opportunity to come
8 and meet with the Senate committees and the
9 appropriate Senate chairs.
10 She has an extraordinary history and
11 background in this field and in government. I'm
12 not going to read her very long vitae, but I
13 think on a day where we are honoring people who
14 have given their lives for the state -- and my
15 condolences go out to all of you -- that also
16 recognizing the extraordinarily talented people
17 we have in the State of New York who could choose
18 to do many things with their lives but choose
19 public service, Mr. President, and make
20 commitments to the people of New York.
21 And certainly to be the commissioner
22 of the Office for People with Developmental
23 Disabilities is a calling in addition to a
24 career. It is extraordinarily challenging and
25 amazing work, working with the actual clients of
1011
1 OPWDD, working with their extraordinary families,
2 who fight every day to make sure that their
3 family members are getting the services and help
4 that they need.
5 And I'm just delighted that we are
6 going to be confirming Ms. Neifeld today.
7 And now I'd like you to invite any
8 other members who would like to speak.
9 THE PRESIDENT: Senator Mannion on
10 the nomination.
11 SENATOR MANNION: Thank you,
12 Mr. President.
13 Last month the Senate Disabilities
14 Committee had the opportunity to question Acting
15 Commissioner Kerri Neifeld, who is Governor
16 Hochul's nominee for OPWDD commissioner.
17 We asked questions about housing,
18 employment, workforce, self-direction and, most
19 importantly, how we are going to collectively
20 address the issues related to the multiple crises
21 that exist that are due to the fact that we are
22 short on workforce.
23 We asked about complex government
24 programs with federal funding streams
25 administered by the state.
1012
1 These are difficult questions. But
2 one thing is clear. Kerri Neifeld is intelligent
3 and qualified. She knows the agency and the
4 issues. And she's well aware of the gravity of
5 the responsibilities before her.
6 She's an Elmira College and
7 University at Albany graduate and has worked in
8 social services her entire career, including with
9 at-risk youth. She has extensive academic and
10 New York State government experience. And I am
11 confident that her life of service to others,
12 including our most vulnerable populations, will
13 serve her well in her new role.
14 Governor Hochul has made a wise
15 selection in Kerri Neifeld. As a committee
16 chair, as a parent, and as a member of New York
17 State, I'm looking forward to working together to
18 deliver the reforms and results that our loved
19 ones with disabilities need and deserve, and I am
20 pleased and honored to vote in favor of her
21 confirmation.
22 Thank you, Mr. President.
23 THE PRESIDENT: Senator Martucci on
24 the nomination.
25 SENATOR MARTUCCI: Thank you,
1013
1 Mr. President.
2 I proudly rise as the ranking member
3 of the Developmental Disabilities Committee in
4 support of this well-qualified nominee.
5 In preparation for coming here
6 today, I received countless calls, seemingly
7 countless calls from disability advocates,
8 including the president and CEO of The Center for
9 Discovery in my district, one of the state's
10 largest disability providers, Patrick Dollard,
11 who called me in strong support of Ms. Neifeld's
12 confirmation.
13 Prior to today, I had the
14 opportunity to meet with Ms. Neifeld and found
15 that she's laser-focused on the most important
16 issue that faces the I/DD community here in the
17 State of New York right now, which is the
18 staffing crisis. I found Ms. Neifeld to be fully
19 transparent, entirely responsive, and 100 percent
20 committed to improving the lives of I/DD
21 New Yorkers.
22 In other words, she's here to be a
23 partner with all of us in fixing some of the
24 greatest problems that we face in this sector.
25 Mr. President, Kerri Neifeld is a
1014
1 breath of fresh air. I'm proud to support her
2 nomination as commissioner of OPWDD, and I look
3 forward to working with her on these critical
4 staffing issues and other challenges in the
5 months and years to come.
6 Congratulations to Kerri and best of
7 luck to her.
8 Thank you, Mr. President. I proudly
9 vote aye.
10 THE PRESIDENT: The question is on
11 the nomination.
12 Call the roll.
13 (The Secretary called the roll.)
14 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 63.
15 THE PRESIDENT: The nominee is
16 confirmed.
17 Commissioner Neifeld, please rise
18 and be recognized.
19 (Sustained applause.)
20 THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary will
21 continue to read.
22 THE SECRETARY: As Secretary of
23 State, Robert Rodriguez.
24 THE PRESIDENT: Senator Krueger.
25 SENATOR KRUEGER: Thank you,
1015
1 Mr. President.
2 I rise again to move the nomination
3 of Robert Rodriguez to the position of Secretary
4 of State to the floor.
5 I'd like to speak briefly on Robert
6 and then invite any other member of the Senate to
7 speak on his nomination.
8 So Robert Rodriguez was an
9 Assemblymember until just a few months ago, an
10 Assemblymember who actually had got to overlap a
11 Senate district with myself in Manhattan, so I've
12 known him for quite a few years.
13 And he is an intelligent, thoughtful
14 legi -- was a legislator, and he again also
15 represents exactly the kind of people we want to
16 see as our nominees from the Governor. So again,
17 I must thank Governor Hochul for recommending him
18 to us.
19 The Secretary of State's job is
20 fascinating because it's so diverse. People who
21 haven't gone and read through the website don't
22 understand how mixed-bag it is to be the
23 Secretary of State and how many different
24 departments of the State of New York you oversee.
25 But you know what, Robert's training
1016
1 and background in business and in government I
2 think give him a perfect place to be bouncing off
3 into the Secretary of State responsibilities.
4 I'm very confident he will work well with the
5 Legislature, since he already knows so many of us
6 in both houses. And I know that I've already
7 given him a list of things I hope he will be
8 working on as the new Secretary of State. And I
9 wouldn't be surprised if other colleagues haven't
10 already done the same.
11 So in just a little bit of advance,
12 I'm congratulating him on his new position,
13 because I am very sure that we are going to be
14 moving his nomination this afternoon.
15 Thank you, Mr. President.
16 THE PRESIDENT: The question is on
17 the nomination.
18 Call the roll.
19 (The Secretary called the roll.)
20 THE PRESIDENT: Announce the
21 results.
22 THE SECRETARY: Those Senators
23 voting in the negative on the nomination are
24 Senators Akshar, Borrello, Boyle, Griffo,
25 Helming, Jordan, Lanza, Martucci, Mattera,
1017
1 Oberacker, Ortt, Palumbo, Rath, Ritchie, Serino,
2 Stec, Tedisco and Weik. Also Senator O'Mara.
3 THE PRESIDENT: The nominee is
4 confirmed.
5 Senator Gianaris.
6 SENATOR GIANARIS: Thank you,
7 Mr. President.
8 At this time let's take up the
9 reading of the calendar.
10 THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary will
11 read.
12 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
13 110, Senate Print 484A, by Senator Krueger, an
14 act to amend the Public Health Law and the
15 Civil Rights Law.
16 THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
17 section.
18 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
19 act shall take effect immediately.
20 THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
21 (The Secretary called the roll.)
22 THE PRESIDENT: Announce the
23 results.
24 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 63.
25 THE PRESIDENT: The bill is passed.
1018
1 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
2 211, Senate Print 134, by Senator Mayer, an act
3 to amend the Banking Law.
4 THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
5 section.
6 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
7 act shall take effect on the year after it shall
8 have become a law.
9 THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
10 (The Secretary called the roll.)
11 THE PRESIDENT: Announce the
12 results.
13 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
14 Calendar 211, those Senators voting in the
15 negative are Senators Borrello, Boyle, Jordan,
16 Martucci, O'Mara, Palumbo, Rath, Stec and Weik.
17 Sorry, once again, those Senators
18 voting in the negative are Senators Akshar,
19 Borrello, Boyle, Griffo, Jordan, Martucci,
20 Oberacker, O'Mara, Palumbo, Rath, Stec, Tedisco
21 and Weik.
22 Ayes, 50. Nays, 13.
23 THE PRESIDENT: The bill is passed.
24 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
25 219, Senate Print 1202, by Senator Harckham, an
1019
1 act in relation to directing the State Board of
2 Real Property Tax Services to conduct a study on
3 real property tax saturation.
4 THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
5 section.
6 THE SECRETARY: Section 4. This
7 act shall take effect immediately.
8 THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
9 (The Secretary called the roll.)
10 THE PRESIDENT: Announce the
11 results.
12 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
13 Calendar Number 219, voting in the negative:
14 Senator Akshar.
15 Ayes, 62. Nays, 1.
16 THE PRESIDENT: The bill is passed.
17 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
18 220, Senate Print 1317A, by Senator Gaughran, an
19 act to amend the Real Property Tax Law.
20 THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
21 section.
22 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
23 act shall take effect immediately.
24 THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
25 (The Secretary called the roll.)
1020
1 THE PRESIDENT: Announce the
2 results.
3 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 63.
4 THE PRESIDENT: The bill is passed.
5 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
6 237, Senate Print 2925, by Senator Kennedy, an
7 act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
8 THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
9 section.
10 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
11 act shall take effect on the 30th day after it
12 shall have become a law.
13 THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
14 (The Secretary called the roll.)
15 THE PRESIDENT: Announce the
16 results.
17 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 63.
18 THE PRESIDENT: The bill is passed.
19 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
20 238, Senate Print 3150, by Senator Comrie, an act
21 to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
22 THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
23 section.
24 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
25 act shall take effect on the 180th day after it
1021
1 shall have become a law.
2 THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
3 (The Secretary called the roll.)
4 THE PRESIDENT: Announce the
5 results.
6 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 63.
7 THE PRESIDENT: The bill is passed.
8 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
9 240, Senate Print 4450, by Senator Stavisky, an
10 act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
11 THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
12 section.
13 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
14 act shall take effect on the first of April.
15 THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
16 (The Secretary called the roll.)
17 THE PRESIDENT: Announce the
18 results.
19 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
20 Calendar Number 240, those Senators voting in the
21 negative are Senators Borrello, Jordan, Martucci,
22 O'Mara, Palumbo, Rath, Stec and Weik. Also
23 Senators Akshar, Oberacker and Ortt.
24 Ayes, 52. Nays, 11.
25 THE PRESIDENT: The bill is passed.
1022
1 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
2 242, Assembly Print Number 8493A, by
3 Assemblymember Paulin, an act to amend Chapter 3
4 of the Laws of 2020.
5 THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
6 section.
7 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
8 act shall take effect immediately.
9 THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
10 (The Secretary called the roll.)
11 THE PRESIDENT: Announce the
12 results.
13 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 63.
14 THE PRESIDENT: The bill is passed.
15 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
16 245, Senate Print 5035, by Senator Parker, an act
17 to amend the Mental Hygiene Law.
18 THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
19 section.
20 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
21 act shall take effect on the 180th after it shall
22 have become a law.
23 THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
24 (The Secretary called the roll.)
25 THE PRESIDENT: Announce the
1023
1 results.
2 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 63.
3 THE PRESIDENT: The bill is passed.
4 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
5 357, Senate Print 3967A, by Senator
6 Reichlin-Melnick, an act to amend the
7 Real Property Tax Law.
8 THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
9 section.
10 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
11 act shall take effect on the first of January.
12 THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
13 (The Secretary called the roll.)
14 THE PRESIDENT: Announce the
15 results.
16 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
17 Calendar Number 357, voting in the negative:
18 Senator Brisport.
19 Ayes, 62. Nays, 1.
20 THE PRESIDENT: The bill is passed.
21 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
22 406, Assembly Print Number 2440, by
23 Assemblymember Reyes, an act to amend the Public
24 Health Law.
25 THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
1024
1 section.
2 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
3 act shall take effect immediately.
4 THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
5 (The Secretary called the roll.)
6 THE PRESIDENT: Announce the
7 results.
8 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 63.
9 THE PRESIDENT: The bill is passed.
10 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
11 413, Senate Print 1391A, by Senator Brooks, an
12 act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
13 THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
14 section.
15 THE SECRETARY: Section 13. This
16 act shall take effect on the 180th day after it
17 shall have become a law.
18 THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
19 (The Secretary called the roll.)
20 THE PRESIDENT: Announce the
21 results.
22 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 63.
23 THE PRESIDENT: The bill is passed.
24 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
25 424, Senate Print 813, by Senator Biaggi, an act
1025
1 to amend the Executive Law.
2 SENATOR GIANARIS: Lay it aside for
3 the day.
4 THE PRESIDENT: Lay it aside for
5 the day.
6 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
7 458, Senate Print 778A, by Senator Thomas, an act
8 to amend the General Business Law.
9 THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
10 section.
11 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
12 act shall take effect on the first of January.
13 THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
14 (The Secretary called the roll.)
15 THE PRESIDENT: Announce the
16 results.
17 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
18 Calendar 458, those Senators voting in the
19 negative are Senators Borrello, Griffo, Helming,
20 Jordan, O'Mara, Ortt and Rath.
21 Ayes, 56. Nays, 7.
22 THE PRESIDENT: The bill is passed.
23 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
24 460, Senate Print 1735, by Senator Skoufis, an
25 act to amend the General Business Law.
1026
1 THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
2 section.
3 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
4 act shall take effect on the 30th day after it
5 shall have become a law.
6 THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
7 (The Secretary called the roll.)
8 THE PRESIDENT: Announce the
9 results.
10 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 63.
11 THE PRESIDENT: The bill is passed.
12 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
13 488, Assembly Print Number 8306, by
14 Assemblymember Cahill, an act to amend the
15 Insurance Law.
16 THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
17 section.
18 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
19 act shall take effect on the 90th day after it
20 shall have become a law.
21 THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
22 (The Secretary called the roll.)
23 THE PRESIDENT: Announce the
24 results.
25 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 63.
1027
1 THE PRESIDENT: The bill is passed.
2 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
3 497, Senate Print 2143A, by Senator Kavanagh, an
4 act to amend the Banking Law.
5 SENATOR LANZA: Lay it aside.
6 SENATOR GIANARIS: Lay it aside for
7 the day, please.
8 THE PRESIDENT: The bill will be
9 laid aside for the day.
10 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
11 528, Senate Print 3476, by Senator Parker, an act
12 to amend the Mental Hygiene Law.
13 THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
14 section.
15 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
16 act shall take effect on the 90th day after it
17 shall have become a law.
18 THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
19 (The Secretary called the roll.)
20 THE PRESIDENT: Announce the
21 results.
22 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 63.
23 THE PRESIDENT: The bill is passed.
24 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
25 537, Assembly Print Number 7946A, by
1028
1 Assemblymember Weprin, an act to amend
2 Chapter 188 of the Laws of 1978.
3 THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
4 section.
5 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
6 act shall take effect immediately.
7 THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
8 (The Secretary called the roll.)
9 THE PRESIDENT: Announce the
10 results.
11 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 63.
12 THE PRESIDENT: The bill is passed.
13 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
14 539, Senate Print 4469, by Senator Mannion, an
15 act to amend the Mental Hygiene Law and the
16 Social Services Law.
17 THE PRESIDENT: Read the last
18 section.
19 THE SECRETARY: Section 4. This
20 act shall take effect April 1st.
21 THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll.
22 (The Secretary called the roll.)
23 THE PRESIDENT: Announce the
24 results.
25 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 63.
1029
1 THE PRESIDENT: The bill is passed.
2 Senator Gianaris, that completes the
3 reading of today's calendar.
4 SENATOR GIANARIS: Mr. President,
5 if we can return to motions for a second, I want
6 to call up Senator Biaggi's bill, Senate 812A,
7 recalled from the Assembly, which is now at the
8 desk.
9 THE PRESIDENT: The Secretary will
10 read.
11 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
12 381, Senate Print 812A, by Senator Biaggi, an act
13 to amend the Executive Law.
14 SENATOR GIANARIS: Move to
15 reconsider the vote by which the bill was passed.
16 THE PRESIDENT: Call the roll on
17 reconsideration.
18 (The Secretary called the roll.)
19 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 63.
20 THE PRESIDENT: The bill is
21 restored to its place on the Third Reading
22 Calendar.
23 SENATOR GIANARIS: I offer the
24 following amendments.
25 THE PRESIDENT: The amendments are
1030
1 received, and the bill will retain its place on
2 the Third Reading Calendar.
3 SENATOR GIANARIS: Is there any
4 further business at the desk?
5 THE PRESIDENT: There is no further
6 business at the desk.
7 SENATOR GIANARIS: Mr. President,
8 I'd like to announce that there will be a
9 Majority conference, virtually, immediately
10 following session.
11 And with that, I move to adjourn
12 until tomorrow, Thursday, March 3rd, at
13 11:00 a.m.
14 THE PRESIDENT: There will be a
15 Senate Majority virtual conference immediately
16 after session.
17 And on motion, the Senate stands
18 adjourned until Thursday, March 3rd, at
19 11:00 a.m.
20 (Whereupon, at 4:17 p.m., the Senate
21 adjourned.)
22
23
24
25