Regular Session - May 31, 2023
4608
1 NEW YORK STATE SENATE
2
3
4 THE STENOGRAPHIC RECORD
5
6
7
8
9 ALBANY, NEW YORK
10 May 31, 2023
11 3:48 p.m.
12
13
14 REGULAR SESSION
15
16
17
18 SENATOR ROXANNE J. PERSAUD, Acting President
19 ALEJANDRA N. PAULINO, ESQ., Secretary
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21
22
23
24
25
4609
1 P R O C E E D I N G S
2 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The
3 Senate will 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 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Monks
9 Upamok Kha, Fnu Ariyanyana and Ujoti Pala, from
10 the Light of Dhamma Buddhist Association of
11 Elmhurst, New York, will say today's invocation.
12 UNIDENTIFIED MONK: All we are
13 chanting, all of us.
14 {All three chanting.}
15 UNIDENTIFIED MONK: Thank you,
16 Senator Jessica Ramos, for this honor.
17 Whether you are a Democrat or a
18 Republican, we hope you will do right by your
19 communities for the greater good of humanity.
20 We pray for loving kindness and
21 peace for all of you.
22 Thank you.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Reading
24 of the Journal.
25 THE SECRETARY: In Senate, Tuesday,
4610
1 May 30, 2023, the Senate met pursuant to
2 adjournment. The Journal of Monday, May 29,
3 2023, was read and approved. On motion, the
4 Senate adjourned.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Without
6 objection, the Journal stands approved as read.
7 Presentation of petitions.
8 Messages from the Assembly.
9 The Secretary will read.
10 THE SECRETARY: Senator Mannion
11 moves to discharge, from the Committee on
12 Housing, Construction and Community Development,
13 Assembly Bill Number 1686A and substitute it for
14 the identical Senate Bill 3139A, Third Reading
15 Calendar 370.
16 Senator May moves to discharge, from
17 the Committee on Housing, Construction and
18 Community Development, Assembly Bill Number 3110
19 and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill
20 3497, Third Reading Calendar 491.
21 Senator Hoylman-Sigal moves to
22 discharge, from the Committee on Judiciary,
23 Assembly Bill Number 5772 and substitute it for
24 the identical Senate Bill 5162, Third Reading
25 Calendar 504.
4611
1 Senator Jackson moves to discharge,
2 from the Committee on Civil Service and Pensions,
3 Assembly Bill Number 6856 and substitute it for
4 the identical Senate Bill 5487, Third Reading
5 Calendar 607.
6 Senator Liu moves to discharge, from
7 the Committee on Cities 1, Assembly Bill Number
8 4972A and substitute it for the identical Senate
9 Bill 3252A, Third Reading Calendar 845.
10 Senator Rivera moves to discharge,
11 from the Committee on Health, Assembly Bill
12 Number 6017 and substitute it for the identical
13 Senate Bill 3449, Third Reading Calendar 849.
14 Senator Cleare moves to discharge,
15 from the Committee on Transportation,
16 Assembly Bill Number 3720 and substitute it for
17 the identical Senate Bill 5527, Third Reading
18 Calendar 1009.
19 Senator Sanders moves to discharge,
20 from the Committee on Banks, Assembly Bill
21 Number 5516 and substitute it for the identical
22 Senate Bill 6270, Third Reading Calendar 1014.
23 Senator Ramos moves to discharge,
24 from the Committee on Labor, Assembly Bill
25 Number 5609 and substitute it for the identical
4612
1 Senate Bill 6096, Third Reading Calendar 1063.
2 Senator Rolison moves to discharge,
3 from the Committee on Investigations and
4 Government Operations, Assembly Bill Number
5 6751 and substitute it for the identical Senate
6 Bill 6316, Third Reading Calendar 1113.
7 Senator Webb moves to discharge,
8 from the Committee on Codes, Assembly Bill
9 Number 4265 and substitute it for the identical
10 Senate Bill 6214, Third Reading Calendar 1174.
11 Senator Brouk moves to discharge,
12 from the Committee on Disabilities, Assembly Bill
13 Number 5697 and substitute it for the identical
14 Senate Bill 4521, Third Reading Calendar 1202.
15 Senator Helming moves to discharge,
16 from the Committee on Corporations, Authorities
17 and Commissions, Assembly Bill Number 4092 and
18 substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 4037,
19 Third Reading Calendar 1234.
20 Senator Breslin moves to discharge,
21 from the Committee on Judiciary, Assembly Bill
22 Number 1753A and substitute it for the identical
23 Senate Bill 3542A, Third Reading Calendar 1242.
24 Senator Jackson moves to discharge,
25 from the Committee on Finance, Assembly Bill
4613
1 Number 5208 and substitute it for the identical
2 Senate Bill 5027, Third Reading Calendar 1279.
3 Senator Gonzalez moves to discharge,
4 from the Committee on Judiciary, Assembly Bill
5 Number 4721 and substitute it for the identical
6 Senate Bill 5137, Third Reading Calendar 1280.
7 Senator Jackson moves to discharge,
8 from the Committee on Civil Service and Pensions,
9 Assembly Bill Number 7155 and substitute it for
10 the identical Senate Bill 5494, Third Reading
11 Calendar 1314.
12 Senator Jackson moves to discharge,
13 from the Committee on Civil Service and Pensions,
14 Assembly Bill Number 7157 and substitute it for
15 the identical Senate Bill 6477, Third Reading
16 Calendar 1315.
17 Senator Mannion moves to discharge,
18 from the Committee on Civil Service and Pensions,
19 Assembly Bill Number 6480 and substitute it for
20 the identical Senate Bill 6482A, Third Reading
21 Calendar 1316.
22 Senator Scarcella-Spanton moves to
23 discharge, from the Committee on Cultural
24 Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation,
25 Assembly Bill Number 5948 and substitute it for
4614
1 the identical Senate Bill 6124, Third Reading
2 Calendar 1324.
3 Senator Skoufis moves to discharge,
4 from the Committee on Health, Assembly Bill
5 Number 5821A and substitute it for the identical
6 Senate Bill 6467A, Third Reading Calendar 1328.
7 Senator May moves to discharge, from
8 the Committee on Energy and Telecommunications,
9 Assembly Bill Number 3164 and substitute it for
10 the identical Senate Bill 3533, Third Reading
11 Calendar 1348.
12 Senator Hinchey moves to discharge,
13 from the Committee on Agriculture, Assembly Bill
14 Number 2935 and substitute it for the identical
15 Senate Bill 5526, Third Reading Calendar 1353.
16 Senator Hinchey moves to discharge,
17 from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill
18 Number 7430 and substitute it for the identical
19 Senate Bill 7354, Third Reading Calendar 1419.
20 Senator Breslin moves to discharge,
21 from the Committee on Finance, Assembly Bill
22 Number 6164 and substitute it for the identical
23 Senate Bill 3612, Third Reading Calendar 1184.
24 Senator Chu moves to discharge, from
25 the Committee on Libraries, Assembly Bill
4615
1 Number 6807 and substitute it for the identical
2 Senate Bill 5986A, Third Reading Calendar 1212.
3 Senator Sepúlveda moves to
4 discharge, from the Committee on Judiciary,
5 Assembly Bill Number 7112 and substitute it for
6 the identical Senate Bill 5835, Third Reading
7 Calendar 794.
8 Senator Breslin moves to discharge,
9 from the Committee on Insurance, Assembly Bill
10 Number 7291 and substitute it for the identical
11 Senate Bill 7103, Third Reading Calendar 1191.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: So
13 ordered.
14 Messages from the Governor.
15 Reports of standing committees.
16 Reports of select committees.
17 Communications and reports from
18 state officers.
19 Motions and resolutions.
20 Senator Serrano.
21 SENATOR SERRANO: Thank you,
22 Madam President.
23 Amendments are offered on the
24 following Third Reading Calendar bills:
25 By Senator Webb, on page 50,
4616
1 Calendar Number 1188, Senate Print 5959A;
2 Senator Mannion, page 31, Calendar
3 Number 861, Senate Print 6463;
4 Senator Ryan, page 65, Calendar
5 Number 1335, Senate Print 3100.
6 Madam President, I now move that
7 these bills retain their place on the order of
8 third reading.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The
10 amendments are received, and the bills will
11 retain their place on the Third Reading Calendar.
12 Senator Serrano.
13 SENATOR SERRANO: Thank you,
14 Madam President.
15 By unanimous consent, I wish to call
16 up the following bills, which were recalled from
17 the Assembly and are now at the desk:
18 Bill Numbers 4041, 6410, 1535, 1683,
19 and 2330.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The
21 Secretary will read.
22 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
23 406, Senate Print 4041, by Senator Mayer, an act
24 to amend the Education Law.
25 Calendar Number 1064, Senate Print
4617
1 6410, by Senator Ramos, an act to amend the
2 Insurance Law.
3 Calendar Number 633, Senate Print
4 1535, by Senator Hoylman-Sigal, an act to amend
5 the Executive Law.
6 Calendar Number 686, Senate Print
7 1683, by Senator Hinchey, an act to amend the
8 Public Health Law.
9 Calendar Number 346, Senate Print
10 2330, by Senator Mayer, an act to amend the
11 Insurance Law.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
13 roll.
14 (The Secretary called the roll.)
15 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 57.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The
17 bills are restored to their place on the Third
18 Reading Calendar.
19 Senator Serrano.
20 SENATOR SERRANO: Thank you,
21 Madam President. I offer the following
22 amendments to the aforementioned bills.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The
24 amendments are received, and the bills will
25 retain their place on the Third Reading Calendar.
4618
1 SENATOR SERRANO: Thank you.
2 Can you recognize Senator Lanza.
3 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
4 Lanza.
5 SENATOR LANZA: Madam President, on
6 behalf of Senator Rhoads, I wish to call up
7 Bill Print Number 5850, recalled from the
8 Assembly, which is now at the desk.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The
10 Secretary will read.
11 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
12 804, Senate Print 5850, by Senator Rhoads, an act
13 authorizing the Seaford Fire District to receive
14 retroactive real property tax exempt status.
15 SENATOR LANZA: Madam President, I
16 now move to reconsider the vote by which the bill
17 was passed.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
19 roll.
20 (The Secretary called the roll.)
21 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 57.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
23 is restored to its place on the Third Reading
24 Calendar.
25 SENATOR LANZA: Madam President, I
4619
1 now offer the following amendments.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The
3 amendments are received, and the bill will retain
4 its place on the Third Reading Calendar.
5 Senator Lanza.
6 SENATOR LANZA: Yes. Now,
7 Madam President, on behalf of Senator Rhoads, on
8 page 61 I offer the following amendments to
9 Calendar Number 1299, Print Number 6858, and ask
10 that said bill retain its place on Third Reading
11 Calendar.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The
13 amendments are received, and the bill will retain
14 its place on the Third Reading Calendar.
15 Senator Lanza.
16 SENATOR LANZA: Madam President, on
17 behalf of Senator Borrello, I wish to call up
18 Bill Print Number 6205, recalled from the
19 Assembly, which is now at the desk.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The
21 Secretary will read.
22 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
23 938, Senate Print 6205, by Senator Borrello, an
24 act to amend Chapter 405 of the Laws of 2007.
25 SENATOR LANZA: Madam President, I
4620
1 now move to reconsider the vote by which the bill
2 was passed.
3 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
4 roll.
5 (The Secretary called the roll.)
6 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 57.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
8 is restored to its place on the Third Reading
9 Calendar.
10 Senator Lanza.
11 SENATOR LANZA: On behalf of
12 Senator Borrello, Madam President, I move to
13 recommit Senate Print Number 6205,
14 Calendar Number 938 on the order of third
15 reading, to the Committee on Investigations and
16 Government Operations, with instructions to said
17 committee to strike out the enacting clause.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: So
19 ordered.
20 SENATOR LANZA: Thank you,
21 Madam President.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
23 Serrano.
24 SENATOR SERRANO: Could we please
25 call on Senator Sanders for an introduction.
4621
1 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
2 Sanders for an introduction.
3 SENATOR SANDERS: Thank you,
4 Madam President.
5 Madam President, I would like to
6 draw the Senate's attention to five dignitaries
7 who are joining us today, of which I will name
8 but two. The first, of course, is former Member
9 of the Assembly Aravella Simotas, who is here.
10 And she is here with Ms. Jayee Koffey, who is
11 with the Bank of New York Mellon, who is here to
12 celebrate Founders Day.
13 Now, everyone in here of course has
14 a connection to the Bank of New York Mellon. You
15 all have seen the show Hamilton, or have heard of
16 it, Hamilton. Well, I'm here to tell you that on
17 June the 9th, 1784, Alexander Hamilton, the first
18 Secretary of the Treasury, established the firm's
19 predecessor, the Bank of New York.
20 The Bank of New York Mellon is
21 America's oldest bank and the first company
22 listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Ms. Jayee
23 Koffey is the global head of enterprise execution
24 and the chief corporate affairs officer. She is
25 a member of the Bank of New York Mellon's
4622
1 executive committee. She oversees the execution
2 of significant enterprise priorities and provides
3 leadership over the firm's corporate affairs.
4 I want to thank all of them for
5 coming.
6 And I thank you, Madam President,
7 for the introduction, if you would be so kind.
8 Thank you very much.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: To our
10 guests, I welcome you on behalf of the Senate.
11 We extend to you the privileges and courtesies of
12 this house.
13 Please rise and be recognized.
14 (Standing ovation.)
15 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
16 Serrano.
17 SENATOR SERRANO: Thank you.
18 Madam President, I move to adopt the
19 Resolution Calendar, with the exception of
20 Resolution 1123.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: All
22 those in favor of adopting the Resolution
23 Calendar, with the exception of Resolution 1123,
24 please signify by saying aye.
25 (Response of "Aye.")
4623
1 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Opposed,
2 nay.
3 (No response.)
4 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The
5 Resolution Calendar is adopted.
6 Senator Serrano.
7 SENATOR SERRANO: Thank you,
8 Madam President.
9 I now ask that Resolution 1123, by
10 Senator Fernandez, be read title only, and call
11 on Senator Fernandez.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The
13 Secretary will read.
14 THE SECRETARY: Senate Resolution
15 1123, by Senator Fernandez, commemorating the
16 15th Anniversary of Communilife's Life is
17 Precious Program.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
19 Fernandez on the resolution.
20 SENATOR FERNANDEZ: Thank you so
21 much, Madam President.
22 With this resolution we celebrate
23 15 years of Communilife's Life is Precious
24 program. The resolution recognizes the
25 incredible work of an organization that has
4624
1 dedicated its life to improving the lives of our
2 fellow young citizens, particularly our Latina
3 teenagers facing the challenges of mental health
4 and suicide.
5 At the forefront of this remarkable
6 initiative is the visionary leader Dr. Rosa Gil.
7 Dr. Gil, the founder, president and CEO of
8 Communilife, has been a driving force behind the
9 Life is Precious program. Her unwavering
10 commitment and tireless efforts has provided a
11 lifeline to countless young girls in New York
12 City, helping them find hope, support, and a
13 renewed sense of purpose.
14 Dr. Gil's compassion and dedication
15 have truly made a profound difference in the
16 lives of these vulnerable teenagers.
17 Please join me in welcoming her
18 today. She is up in the gallery, Dr. Rosa Gil.
19 Thank you for being here.
20 The Life is Precious program has
21 been instrumental in addressing the alarming
22 rates of suicide among Latina teens, particularly
23 those who are immigrants or first-generation
24 Americans residing in low-income neighborhoods.
25 Through their four program sites in
4625
1 the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Washington
2 Heights -- and now newly opened sites in
3 Poughkeepsie and Yonkers -- Life is Precious has
4 extended its reach far and wide, offering a safe
5 space for these young girls to receive vital
6 support and guidance.
7 One of the key pillars of the Life
8 is Precious program is its philosophy of survive,
9 strive and thrive. This holistic approach
10 encompasses academic support, wellness
11 activities, expressive art therapy, and family
12 services, empowering these teenagers to overcome
13 adversity, develop their unique voices, and
14 achieve their goals.
15 The program has become a beacon of
16 hope, providing a nurturing environment where
17 these young girls can envision a brighter future
18 for themselves.
19 As we reflect on the immense impact
20 of the Life is Precious program, it is crucial to
21 acknowledge the broader scope of Communilife's
22 work. Founded by Dr. Rosa Gil in 1989,
23 Communilife has been a champion for vulnerable
24 communities, providing culturally sensitive
25 services to help individuals lead healthier and
4626
1 more meaningful lives -- from addressing chronic
2 homelessness, HIV and AIDS, and other major
3 medical issues, to tackling serious mental
4 illnesses and substance use disorders.
5 Communilife has consistently gone
6 above and beyond to meet the diverse needs of
7 New Yorkers. In 2022 alone, Communilife served
8 over 3,000 low-income and vulnerable individuals,
9 a significant portion of whom were
10 African-American and Spanish-speaking. Through
11 their comprehensive programs and unwavering
12 support, Communilife has exemplified excellence
13 in community service, enhancing the well-being
14 and vitality of countless New Yorkers.
15 Therefore, today I stand in full
16 support of this resolution and am so happy to
17 know that 15 years later we are continuing to
18 make such an impactful difference and saving
19 lives.
20 The resolution serves as a testament
21 to the remarkable impact Dr. Rosa Gil and her
22 dedicated team have had on our communities. It
23 is a call to action, urging us to recognize their
24 achievements and express our sincere gratitude
25 for the transformative work they continue to do.
4627
1 Let us all join together in
2 commemorating 15 years of Communilife, and also
3 welcoming my good friend Dr. Rosa Gil to the
4 Senate chambers today while we look forward to
5 another 15, 20, 30, 50 years of saving lives.
6 Thank you so much.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
8 Sepúlveda on the resolution.
9 SENATOR SEPÚLVEDA: Thank you,
10 Madam President, for allowing me to speak on this
11 resolution.
12 My colleague Senator Fernandez has
13 spoken about Communilife and the great work that
14 it's done over the years in New York State. For
15 those of you who don't know, one of the
16 number-one causes -- or the number-one cause of
17 death amongst young women 11 to 19 is suicide.
18 Suicide ideation is also very prevalent amongst
19 this age group, and Dr. Rosa Gil is a giant
20 amongst the issue of mental health and suicide.
21 Over the last 15 years and even
22 before that, she has helped thousands of people.
23 She has transformed lives. She has transformed
24 communities with the work that she has done.
25 And I can tell you a personal
4628
1 experience of mine. Many of you know that my
2 mother committed subside when I was 11 years old,
3 and I've spoken about that experience. But for
4 about 40 years, I never spoke about my mother's
5 suicide. And a few years ago I met Dr. Gil, and
6 within 20 minutes she opened up the floodgates
7 for me to talk about the experience that I had
8 and some of the pain that you feel when your
9 mother takes her life at such a young age.
10 So her record, her humanity, speaks
11 for itself. What this world needs is a thousand,
12 a hundred thousand Dr. Gils to make our world
13 better, to help our young women, to help young
14 women who are having difficulties in their lives
15 and think that suicide may be the only option.
16 She has changed so many lives. She has changed
17 the trajectory of so many people, so many young
18 women in our community, that a resolution doesn't
19 really do her the honor that she deserves. She
20 deserves much more.
21 And so I am extremely proud to vote
22 aye on this resolution and recognize a giant
23 amongst all of us, Dr. Rosa Gil.
24 Thank you.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: To our
4629
1 guest, I welcome you on behalf of the Senate. We
2 extend to you the privileges and courtesies of
3 this house.
4 Please rise and be recognized.
5 (Standing ovation.)
6 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The
7 question is on the resolution. All in favor
8 signify by saying aye.
9 (Response of "Aye.")
10 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Opposed,
11 nay.
12 (No response.)
13 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The
14 resolution is adopted.
15 Senator Serrano.
16 SENATOR SERRANO: Thank you,
17 Madam President.
18 Let's -- at this time let's take up
19 previously adopted Resolution 1065, by
20 Senator Myrie, read the resolution title only,
21 and call on Senator Myrie.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The
23 Secretary will read.
24 THE SECRETARY: Senate Resolution
25 1065, by Senator Myrie, memorializing
4630
1 Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim October 9,
2 2023, as Sneakers Day in the State of New York.
3 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
4 Myrie on the resolution.
5 SENATOR MYRIE: Thank you,
6 Madam President.
7 Today is a good day, it's a fun day,
8 because we deal with a lot of heavy things in
9 this Legislature, we have a lot of heavy
10 discussions about very important policy issues.
11 But today is about the heat on your feet.
12 (Laughter.)
13 SENATOR MYRIE: Today is about
14 expressing your personality. Today is about your
15 comfort. Today is about functionality. It's
16 whatever you want it to be. But it's your shoe,
17 your sneaker, and it becomes something different
18 when you step into it, to borrow a phrase.
19 I remember the first time I asked my
20 mom for a pair of Jordans, Madam President, and
21 my mom laughed me out of the room and said, "You
22 can get as many sneakers as you want as soon as
23 you get a job." So my very first job, my very
24 first paycheck, I got a pair of Jordans. And my
25 love for sneakers has continued since I was a
4631
1 teenager at that time.
2 But it's also about representation.
3 I have had people in my community come up to me
4 and say, "I have never in my life seen a
5 politician wear sneakers before." And for the
6 young men in my community that look like me, it
7 has taken on added significance, because they see
8 themselves in us.
9 And that's just my story. But
10 everyone else has a different story. I've talked
11 to staff members in this building today who are
12 so relieved and excited to have permission to
13 wear sneakers to work. Everybody has their own
14 story about it. But what's beautiful about today
15 is that everyone can partake.
16 So I may disagree with Senator Lanza
17 on some pretty important things, but I can
18 recognize that he has some Yeezies on today --
19 (Laughter.)
20 SENATOR MYRIE: -- and that he's
21 top tier when it comes to having sneakers.
22 We have individuals that help us
23 keep this building running every single day who
24 at times feel like they can't talk to us, but in
25 the lead-up to today, I've had people show me the
4632
1 sneakers that they planned to wear on Sneaker
2 Day.
3 That connection, something that we
4 can all share, is something I think we should
5 remember when we do have our disagreements, when
6 we are having passionate conversations about very
7 important things. Let us remember how
8 lighthearted and how universal sneakers can be
9 and what they have been for today.
10 So, Madam President, I will be
11 voting proudly in the affirmative for
12 Sneaker Day, and I encourage my colleagues to do
13 the same.
14 Thank you.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
16 Bailey on the resolution.
17 SENATOR BAILEY: Thank you,
18 Madam President.
19 First I want to give credit to my
20 brother in arms, my brother in sneakers, sneaker
21 exclusives. Exclusives. Senator Myrie, I want
22 to thank you for coming up with the concept.
23 And as a fellow sneakerhead, I'm
24 excited about today, because it's not just about
25 the sneaker. It is about the culture that comes
4633
1 with sneakers. And sometimes in life we bond as
2 people over music, we bond over food, we bond
3 over sports. And today we bond over sneakers.
4 When I was growing up, much like
5 Senator Myrie, I was laughed out of a couple of
6 rooms when I would ask for Jordans, and I was
7 asked did they also pay for the Con Ed bill. The
8 answer was no.
9 But one day my dad came home with a
10 pair of Jordan 3s. And like Common Sense said in
11 his song "I Used to Love H.E.R.": I met this
12 girl when I was 10 years old, and what I love so
13 much about her, she has so much soul. Not just
14 S-O-U-L, S-O-L-E.
15 That's when I fell in love with
16 sneakers. Not just the color, but the
17 composition, the material, the differences
18 between each sneaker.
19 See, we didn't have a car growing
20 up, Madam President, so my sneakers were my
21 Cadillac. Many people that I grew up with, we
22 used the MTA, and that bus was our limousine.
23 But on our feet were our Mercedes Benzes and our
24 BMWs and our Ferraris. And things that we
25 wouldn't be able to see, we saw them on our feet.
4634
1 And it created an ability to bond with each
2 other.
3 Like Nike's famous sneaker, the
4 Air Force 1, they are called Uptowns, folks.
5 Just want to make sure we are very clear. And
6 that we're very clear that the leader is wearing
7 a pair of Uptowns today.
8 (Laughter.)
9 SENATOR BAILEY: And I want to
10 thank her for not just participating in
11 Sneaker Day, but permitting us to be able to have
12 such a day.
13 Like I'm just thinking about, like,
14 growing up and listening to people -- my uncles,
15 with the My Adidas and the K-Swiss and the
16 Clyde PUMAs and the LA Gears with the light-ups.
17 I used to beg my mom for those sneakers too, even
18 like I look back, they're pretty wack, but --
19 (Laughter.)
20 SENATOR BAILEY: But like -- but
21 there was something about just sneaker culture,
22 how ingrained it was with hip-hop.
23 And you've heard me wax poetic, or
24 sometimes not so poetic, about my love for
25 hip-hop. There is a significant cultural
4635
1 intertwining between sneakers and hip-hop
2 culture.
3 Like Patrick Ewing, famous New York
4 Knicks center, had a pair of sneakers that were
5 incredibly popular, the Ewings. Reebok Classics,
6 54.11, size 7 in girl's. They used to be 49.99.
7 And in New York City, with the tax, they used to
8 come out to $54.11.
9 These are things that you remember
10 growing up, right? Shell toe Adidas, the Stan
11 Smiths, the Chuck Taylors, the Converse with the
12 REACT Juice. The Nikes. And I've always been a
13 big fan of Nikes. Maybe -- maybe it's because
14 I'm a sucker for marketing, Madam President, I
15 don't know. But it's a level of comfort that
16 their shoes brought.
17 Right now I'm wearing a pair of
18 Air Max 90s to commemorate Puerto Rican Parade
19 Day. But there are so many different sneakers.
20 I don't have a -- I can't name a favorite of
21 mine. But if you push me a little bit, I can
22 tell you top five. I'm going to go with the
23 Air Max 95s, the green and grays. I'm going to
24 go with the Jordan 1s in any color you want,
25 Madam President. I'm going to go with the
4636
1 Air Max 90s right here. I'm going to go with the
2 Foamposites; I used to be a Foamposite guy. They
3 used to be called space shoes. But they were
4 incredibly comfortable. And the fifth would be
5 the Nike Dunk, a high or a low, your choice.
6 So I just want everybody to think
7 about the significance of what sneakers mean to
8 you. You might remember your first pair; you
9 might not. But there's something that can unite
10 us. And I want us to remember this day, like
11 Senator Myrie said. Remember the comfort,
12 remember the relief from your back pain that you
13 have walking on these marble floors in these
14 wonderful sneakers.
15 And, Madam President, I got
16 99 problems, but my kicks ain't one.
17 (Laughter.)
18 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
19 Rolison on the resolution.
20 SENATOR ROLISON: Thank you,
21 Madam President.
22 And, you know, as I think most of
23 you know, my dad served in this chamber from 1966
24 to 1990. I daresay that during that time there
25 was probably not a pair of sneakers worn in here.
4637
1 And here we've come to having an actual
2 Sneaker Day here in the State Capitol.
3 And I want to thank my colleagues,
4 Senator Bailey and Senator Myrie, who, you know,
5 put a little subtle pressure on me -- because I
6 see them quite often in the hallway -- what was I
7 going to do, how was I going to rise up to try to
8 do the right thing.
9 And I'd said to Senator Bailey, I
10 said, Well, you know, I really -- I love this
11 pair of sneakers that I used to wear in college
12 and when I was first on the job, and they were
13 white and they had a red stripe -- oh, that's
14 Cortez. Right? Boom, he knew it, just like
15 that.
16 So I only had one pair of sneakers,
17 because I only use them when I'm out in the
18 morning with the dog, in the early evening. So
19 this forced me to go to DSW.
20 (Laughter.)
21 SENATOR ROLISON: And I went the
22 other day. And as you -- you're living in that
23 world, and obviously I'm not, but now I am
24 rocking a new pair of Adidas with cloud foam on
25 the bottom.
4638
1 (Laughter.)
2 SENATOR ROLISON: I -- sliding
3 across that concourse today --
4 (Laughter.)
5 SENATOR ROLISON: It felt good. It
6 felt really good.
7 But, you know, going there and
8 getting really like engrossed in all of the
9 sneakers. It was a tough choice. And I settled
10 on these, because I wanted to do blue because I
11 know they would go with other outfits down the
12 road.
13 (Laughter.)
14 SENATOR ROLISON: And while I was
15 there, I bought a pair of Florsheim, kind of the
16 dress sneaker, which I will wear next week.
17 Because I'm one of these guys that always takes a
18 little longer than others to get there. Right?
19 To do the dress-down thing.
20 I'm a big loafer guy. And tomorrow
21 I'll have the loafers back on. I even brought
22 them with me in a shoe bag just in case these
23 didn't work out today. So they're in the car
24 down in the parking garage.
25 But again, to what both of you said,
4639
1 this is a way, you know, to kind of just get
2 together, feel good. Same thing with the staff,
3 you know, wanting to talk about it. Nick
4 Eastman, our session assistant, he's rocking out
5 a pair of sneakers today that I know you were
6 talking to him about as well too.
7 So I just want to thank you. And
8 I -- Madam President, I know I've gone on way too
9 long, but I wanted to just say I proudly vote aye
10 on this resolution today.
11 Thank you.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
13 Lanza on the resolution.
14 SENATOR LANZA: Madam President, I
15 rise to support the resolution.
16 I thank Senator Myrie for bringing
17 it to the floor. I think it's pretty clear here
18 Senator Rolison's hooked. You've converted him.
19 I'm going to check his registration card
20 tomorrow.
21 (Laughter.)
22 SENATOR LANZA: Just to make sure
23 it ends here --
24 (Laughter.)
25 SENATOR LANZA: -- at sneakers.
4640
1 (Laughter.)
2 SENATOR LANZA: You know,
3 Madam President, you know, you wear something
4 long enough, there's a chance it might become
5 fashionable. As some of you know, I've been
6 wearing sneakers around here for, I don't know,
7 about 12 or 13 years. I used to get a lot of
8 funny faces. Sometimes it was about the
9 sneakers.
10 (Laughter.)
11 SENATOR LANZA: But it was not -- I
12 still get a lot of funny faces, and it's
13 definitely not about the sneakers.
14 But it wasn't -- I didn't receive
15 any sort of acceptance until Senators Myrie and
16 Bailey arrived to the New York State Senate. And
17 this is something that we've shared for quite a
18 while now. And as Senator Myrie said, it is
19 about more than sneakers or clothes, it's about
20 the things that truly do unite us.
21 Yes, the politics unites us and
22 sometimes divides us. And that's okay. But it's
23 the human things -- the sneakers, the clothes,
24 the food, the culture, the family, the
25 neighborhoods, the sports teams. All those
4641
1 things. And there are lots of them that unite
2 us, and this is one of them.
3 So certainly Senators Myrie, Bailey
4 and myself may not be birds of the same political
5 feather, but the mighty sneaker means that we
6 certainly flock together. And I really enjoy it.
7 I enjoy the friendship, and I enjoy the fact that
8 you now extend that friendship to everyone here
9 and around the state.
10 You know, Senator Myrie, when you
11 talked about Jordans, I am -- Madam President,
12 you might know -- considerably older than both
13 Senator Myrie and Senator Bailey. And so for me,
14 that question was not about Jordans. When I was
15 I think in the eighth grade, or maybe a freshman
16 in high school, up until then, sneakers were all
17 the same. You had Converse, you had Keds, you
18 had Flyers. They were all canvas. They were
19 white or they were black. I think my sneakers
20 came from a basket in the supermarket, most
21 often.
22 And I'm not complaining or anything;
23 I was very lucky. But I knew I needed new
24 sneakers when, if it was raining outside, I would
25 feel the water come through the hole in the sole
4642
1 of my sneaker and get to my sock.
2 So I remember a kid came into class
3 one day, and he had these things, they looked
4 like they were from Mars. And they weren't
5 canvas, they were actually suede. And they had
6 this stripe that came up. And we were all just
7 marveling at what they were. And they were
8 PUMAs. They were the first sort of -- kind of
9 boutique-type sneaker. And then quickly
10 thereafter, Adidas came out with the Clydes.
11 And I went home, just like
12 Senator Myrie, and I sheepishly said, "Hey, Mom,
13 you think I can get one of these pairs of
14 sneakers? They're called PUMAs." And she said,
15 "Sure, honey, where do you get them?" I said, "I
16 think they're $30." She said: "You better talk
17 to your dad."
18 (Laughter.)
19 SENATOR LANZA: And so I gathered
20 the courage and I asked my father if I could have
21 these $30 sneakers. A long time ago. I will
22 never -- I still have, thank God, my father,
23 88 years old. I will never forget the look on
24 his face.
25 (Laughter.)
4643
1 SENATOR LANZA: I didn't get those
2 sneakers. Until about a year later, somehow my
3 mother figured out a way. And when I did, that
4 started a long love affair with sneakers.
5 And my sneakers may have come out of
6 the basket at the supermarket; now you get them
7 in a boutique on Fifth Avenue. I mean, it's
8 crazy how the sneakers evolved. And it's made it
9 officially to the New York State Senate. I think
10 it's a good thing. It's okay.
11 And to Senator Bailey's point, my
12 youngest, my son, just turned 19, and we were
13 talking about sneakers and Yeezies and all these
14 things. And, you know, both my daughters played
15 sports -- soccer, basketball. My son,
16 basketball, baseball. And it is neat when you
17 show up at the field after an event. You have a
18 suit on, and you've got the sneakers, and the
19 kids surround you. And it's just great. And I
20 love it. I really do love it.
21 So I was telling him that -- he was
22 talking about Jordans, and I told him, "You know,
23 I had one of the first Jordans." I had my first
24 job, I was working in Manhattan, and I picked up
25 these new things called Jordans. And he said,
4644
1 "Come on, Dad. What did you do with them?" I
2 said, "I think they're in Grandpa's house right
3 now." He -- I never saw him move so quickly.
4 (Laughter.)
5 SENATOR LANZA: And he went over
6 there, and he brought them home. And to him, he
7 had discovered gold, and they're sneakers. And
8 that's pretty cool.
9 And I thank Senator Myrie.
10 Madam President, I support this
11 resolution.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
13 Tedisco on the resolution.
14 SENATOR TEDISCO: Well, I can go
15 back, Madam President and my colleagues, a little
16 bit farther back than my colleague Senator Lanza.
17 But I want to thank Senator Myrie
18 and Senator Bailey for releasing us --
19 (Laughter.)
20 SENATOR TEDISCO: -- to allow us to
21 put on these sneakers to be comfortable. I
22 hadn't put them on for a long time, and I hadn't
23 thought about the importance and significance of
24 these sneakers.
25 When you think about it, there would
4645
1 be no LeBron James, there would be no
2 Kobe Bryant, there would be no NBA championship
3 game tomorrow that we could watch and enjoy the
4 excellence of those players, if at some point
5 they didn't have these sneakers to wear.
6 And they're an unbelievable tool,
7 when you think about it. I saw the good
8 Senator Krueger in the back room there. She's so
9 deft on her feet when she's debating and
10 everything. So I said to her, "Where are your
11 sneakers?" I said, "You'd be a great scoring and
12 shooting guard."
13 (Laughter.)
14 SENATOR TEDISCO: So she's going to
15 think about it, and maybe she'll get herself a
16 pair. Because you'd be surprised how good it
17 feels to put your feet in the sneakers.
18 But when you talk about the
19 evolution, I think I go back just about farther
20 than most people in this room. I started off
21 with PF Flyers. And my whole life, sneakers were
22 the most important thing I ever had in my life,
23 most important tool. I wouldn't have got to
24 college without sneakers. I wouldn't have got to
25 college if I went out every single day and played
4646
1 eight or 10 hours on a court to practice what I
2 did, and get a scholarship so I could play and
3 get a degree from Union College and then go on to
4 St. Rose, get a master's degree, then become a
5 person who had, I say tongue-in-cheek, a real
6 job. I was an educator for 10 years, and I
7 coached for 10 years. But it was the most
8 important part of my life to have those sneakers.
9 Basketball was everything to me.
10 Now, you're looking at me and saying, Tedisco's
11 five-foot-seven-and-a-half; how is basketball
12 everything to him? Well, I was 6 foot 10 when I
13 got to the Legislature --
14 (Laughter.)
15 SENATOR TEDISCO: You should have
16 seen me walking down the hall. Tall.
17 And of course I've been in the
18 minority for 40 years. And then I got to the
19 promised land for two years, and then you took it
20 away from me --
21
22
23
24
25
4647
1 (Laughter.)
2 SENATOR TEDISCO: -- like Al Pacino
3 said that. Was it him who said that?
4 (Laughter.)
5 SENATOR TEDISCO: But it was
6 PF Flyers. And just like Senator Lanza, I'd wear
7 those things out. There were big holes. And
8 when I'd go to my dad and say, "I need another
9 pair of PF Flyers," he'd come out with a
10 beautiful piece of cardboard cut like this, and
11 he'd put them in my sneakers. And I could go
12 with them for another couple or two or three
13 months, and finally he'd relent and buy me
14 another pair.
15 Then Keds I bought.
16 And then the last high school
17 All Star game I played -- and I showed it to
18 Senator Bailey; I've got a picture of it right
19 here if anybody wants to see it -- I was playing
20 in an All Star game at the La Salett Seminary
21 down in Altamont here. It was State of New York,
22 Vermont -- I told Senator Breslin today --
23 Connecticut and Massachusetts, all of the
24 All Stars.
25 Who represents Roosevelt High School
4648
1 in here? Roosevelt High School. Somebody's got
2 to be a Senator from Roosevelt High School.
3 SENATOR RHOADS: Kevin Thomas.
4 SENATOR TEDISCO: Who?
5 SENATOR RHOADS: Senator Thomas.
6 SENATOR TEDISCO: Senator Thomas,
7 okay.
8 The most important man in history
9 from that school is the man I played with in 1968
10 in the All Star game. He scored 30,000 votes as
11 an NBA and ABA player. He's only one of three
12 players that did that.
13 And this is the picture of him, with
14 me standing next to him. You probably can't see
15 it. If you want to see it, he's in the corner.
16 His name is Dr. J, Julius Erving. We had the
17 opportunity to play in an All Star game together.
18 Now, I played with some of you guys
19 maybe in this room and early on in the Assembly.
20 But the greatest honor I ever had was to play
21 with Julius Erving in an All Star game -- and
22 probably never passed him the ball when I played
23 with him. And he probably will remember me for
24 that, because I took more shots than he probably
25 did.
4649
1 But in that game we were wearing
2 canvas All Stars. You remember those? And when
3 I asked my dad -- that became the top of the line
4 when I was in high school, and then when I went
5 on to play at Union College. And I think they
6 were $5 when I asked him to buy it. And he
7 worked in the foundry at the General Electric his
8 entire life. And like Senator Lanza's father,
9 when I said $5, smoke started coming out of his
10 head, and he goes: "You want to come down to the
11 foundry and work for me to earn that $5?" No, I
12 don't want to go there.
13 But my entire life, I never really
14 thought about it that way. I thought about the
15 ball I played with, the uniforms -- but sneakers
16 are the key. If you have the sneakers, you can
17 get out there and play. If you have the
18 sneakers, you can build relationships.
19 Built tremendous relationships
20 playing out on courts in the playgrounds, in the
21 college. We have a reunion every five years from
22 my college for my team. We're the best win/loss
23 record in the history of Union College. It's a
24 college that's 300 years old.
25 Any of you remember Mike Doyle? He
4650
1 was a lobbyist here. We used to call him Big Oil
2 Doyle. He was for the oil company. He played
3 with me. He died a couple of years ago.
4 Tremendous rebounder. A great asset to me as
5 being a part of my life.
6 And 11 out of 12 players came back
7 to that last reunion five years ago, over
8 50 years, all of our coaches. And my coach --
9 I'll close by telling you this -- was
10 Gary Walters, who played with Bill Bradley at
11 Princeton. He came from Middlebury to coach us
12 at Union College, and then he became the athletic
13 director at Princeton. And later on Bill
14 Carmody, who played with me at Union, was the
15 coach at Princeton, and he was the Coach of the
16 Year one year.
17 So sneakers are important not only
18 for what we do here, and the relationships we
19 have -- and we don't have enough camaraderie, you
20 know? I'm a pretty tough debater sometimes when
21 I go after some people, I understand that.
22 Because I'm like you: I love the job I do, I
23 love the people I represent. I want to stand up
24 for them. I want this to be the greatest state
25 in the nation.
4651
1 And -- but it's good to have this
2 type of camaraderie. And I thank you for helping
3 to build that. And let us understand. Something
4 that we don't think about that much can bring
5 people together from both sides of the aisle from
6 a lot of different opinions.
7 So I thank you, Madam Speaker, for
8 the opportunity to say a few words.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
10 Borrello on the resolution.
11 SENATOR BORRELLO: Thank you so
12 much, Madam President.
13 First of all, I want to thank the
14 sponsors.
15 And, you know, I think some of you
16 know me well enough to know that I have a shoe
17 problem. Like a shoe problem that would make
18 Imelda Marcos blush. So trying to choose some
19 shoes was difficult today for me, and I actually
20 had to have a conference with both Senator Myrie
21 and Senator Bailey to ask what the parameters
22 were here: "Can you wear those -- like the ones
23 that are like dress shoes on top and sneakers on
24 the bottom?" And they said, "Whatever you want
25 to do, however you want to do it."
4652
1 And it's been great to see all the
2 shoes and -- Senator Comrie, have you seen
3 Senator Comrie's shoes? Those -- I mean, those
4 are fantastic. Classic.
5 So, you know, we've got a big few
6 days ahead of us. We're going to go through a
7 hundred-plus bills a day. It's going to be
8 stressful. I just want to thank both of you for
9 making this a fun day for all of us here. Very
10 much appreciate it.
11 My chosen pair was my Allen Edmonds,
12 which are a great brand -- an American brand, as
13 a matter of fact. And this has been so much fun.
14 And, Madam President, I proudly vote
15 aye. Thank you.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
17 Cleare on the resolution.
18 SENATOR CLEARE: Thank you,
19 Madam President.
20 I just wanted to get up, as one of
21 the women --
22 (Laughter.)
23 SENATOR CLEARE: -- and say how
24 much I appreciate you doing this today. Because
25 sneakers -- you know, for me, the evolution told
4653
1 another story. It told a story, an additional
2 story about a culture: Urban culture and
3 inner-city culture. Kids. Hip-hop.
4 And we made sneakers popular. You
5 know? We made them step up their game, and
6 sneakers became something different. I grew up
7 with Pro Keds and Converse too, but I never
8 really looked at sneakers as something, growing
9 up, that I wanted to wear necessarily. But when
10 they started making all these wonderful sneakers,
11 they started making them for women. You know, at
12 one time there was just one kind of sneakers.
13 And I have to believe that that
14 encouraged some young women to become athletic,
15 to participate in sports, to feel comfortable,
16 because you could be cute and sporty. And, you
17 know, I just look at that and I think it's
18 wonderful.
19 Also look at all the financial
20 opportunities that sneakers brought to people who
21 weren't necessarily getting paid good money to
22 play ball and play other sports. But people like
23 Jordan, LeBron, Patrick, so many people who
24 brought sneakers out and made financial
25 opportunities. And I'm just really proud of that
4654
1 culture. I'm proud of that hip-hop culture that
2 brought that.
3 And of course as you mentioned
4 earlier, Senator Bailey, we got a sneaker called
5 the Uptowns. And there's a reason for that. We
6 made the Uptowns popular, and everybody wanted to
7 be Uptown.
8 So you find sneakers named in so
9 many rap songs, I can't even count all of them.
10 My Adidas that I have on today, and, you know,
11 all the other sneakers, I just think it's really
12 good.
13 And Senator Myrie, you said
14 something very important. Young people relate,
15 people in the community relate to sneakers. And
16 when they see you in sneakers, they see
17 themselves.
18 So I think it's something that
19 brings them into the process and makes them feel
20 comfortable as well. So there's more comfort in
21 sneakers than just what's on your feet. There's
22 comfort from our young people, from our
23 communities. And I'm very proud to know that my
24 community of Harlem and El Barrio and the Bronx
25 helped make sneakers popular.
4655
1 Thank you. And I vote aye.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
3 Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick on the resolution.
4 SENATOR CANZONERI-FITZPATRICK:
5 Thank you, Madam President.
6 Yes, I have to join Senator Cleare
7 as a representative of the women in the chamber.
8 I want to thank both the sponsors.
9 Senator Myrie, you and I have from the very
10 beginning enjoyed a lovely interaction. And just
11 the other day, we talked about my sparkly jacket
12 that you noticed. And this just adds to it, that
13 sneakers are part of who we are.
14 I typically am a very formal person,
15 and I've got my pearls on with my sneakers, like
16 Madam President. And it's a wonderful statement.
17 It's a wonderful sense that you have now extended
18 to everybody.
19 And as Senator Lanza said, it's
20 about the friendship that we enjoy here today.
21 And sneakers, yes, have come so far. Who'd have
22 thought that we would have a movie about
23 Air Jordans, right, and an entire movie about a
24 sneaker.
25 So thank you so much for bringing
4656
1 this today. I proudly vote aye.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The
3 resolution was previously adopted on 5/23.
4 And we're all wearing our sneakers
5 today. I have on my sneakers, just so -- Senator
6 Myrie and Senator Bailey pushed me into getting
7 it. Just letting everyone know.
8 (Laughter.)
9 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
10 Serrano.
11 SENATOR SERRANO: Thank you.
12 Madam President, can we please take
13 up previously adopted Resolution 830, by
14 Senator Krueger. Please read that resolution
15 title only and call on Senator Krueger.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The
17 Secretary will read.
18 THE SECRETARY: Senate Resolution
19 830, by Senator Krueger, commemorating the
20 25th Anniversary of the Postpartum Resource
21 Center of New York.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
23 Krueger on the resolution.
24 SENATOR KRUEGER: Thank you,
25 Madam President.
4657
1 It seems unfair I'm going after
2 sneakers.
3 (Laughter.)
4 SENATOR KRUEGER: But I do want to
5 just add my voice to pointing out I've been here
6 21 years; I've only learned, in the last week and
7 a half, my Republican colleagues are actually
8 funny.
9 (Laughter.)
10 SENATOR KRUEGER: But -- less
11 funny -- I want to stand to honor a woman I have
12 known for multiple years now, Sonia Murdock, who
13 is one of the two founders of the Postpartum
14 Resource Center, which for 25 years has served as
15 a not-for-profit organization, even when they had
16 barely a dime to their name and were operating
17 out of a kitchen table, trying to make sure that
18 the women and men in this state understood that
19 depression during pregnancy and after pregnancy
20 is a very serious, very real medical issue, with
21 real solutions when women are diagnosed and get
22 the treatment they need.
23 And now today, in 2023, more of us
24 know about this. The healthcare field and
25 providers are more knowledgeable. We have passed
4658
1 laws here in the Senate I'm very proud of having
2 been involved in, that ensure that women are
3 reviewed and diagnosed early.
4 But it goes back I believe to what
5 was being said earlier about Dr. Rosa Gil. There
6 are women and men in our communities who take it
7 upon themselves to change the world, to save
8 lives, to save women from suicide and lives of
9 misery, who ensure that young children actually
10 can bond successfully with their mothers in their
11 first year of life, which is crucial to them for
12 the rest of their lives.
13 And like many people,
14 Sonia Murdock's path in this direction grew out
15 of tragedy in her own family, because a family
16 member did not get the care she needed.
17 And so I invited Sonia up today,
18 knowing we would be doing this resolution to
19 honor her and also to honor Emily Sampino, who
20 worked with her to start this organization, and
21 to just recognize that they continue, 25 years
22 later now, to provide a statewide helpline that
23 people from every one of our districts call to
24 learn about what is going on in their own lives
25 or their family members' lives and what can be
4659
1 done about it.
2 And she sincerely and this
3 organization sincerely have been responsible for
4 saving endless, countless lives of women and
5 young children and, I would argue, countless
6 marriages also, when people don't understand
7 what's going on with their loved ones.
8 So I would love for you to recognize
9 Sonia Murdock and for us to thank her and her
10 organization for the amazing work they've been
11 doing for 25 years, and to hope they will
12 continue it for another 25 years.
13 Thank you, Madam President.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: To our
15 guests, I welcome you on behalf of the Senate.
16 We extend to you all the privileges and
17 courtesies of this house.
18 Please rise and be recognized.
19 (Standing ovation.)
20 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The
21 resolution was adopted on May 2nd.
22 Senator Serrano.
23 SENATOR SERRANO: Thank you,
24 Madam President.
25 Let's please take up previously
4660
1 adopted Resolution 991, by Senator Hinchey, read
2 that resolution title only, and call on
3 Senator Hinchey.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The
5 Secretary will read.
6 THE SECRETARY: Senate Resolution
7 991, by Senator Hinchey, memorializing
8 Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2023 as
9 Lyme Disease Awareness Month in the State of
10 New York.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
12 Hinchey on the resolution.
13 SENATOR HINCHEY: Thank you,
14 Madam President.
15 Lyme disease and other tick-borne
16 illnesses have become a public health crisis. If
17 you live in a rural community, a suburban
18 community, in even some of our urban communities,
19 the threat from Lyme disease or another
20 tick-borne illness is grave.
21 I think everyone knows either
22 someone in their family or another person in
23 their community -- at least one -- who's been
24 impacted by Lyme disease.
25 This is a disease that sticks with
4661
1 you for life. It causes severe health impacts,
2 cognitive issues, and other debilitating
3 outcomes. And often this disease is not well
4 understood. The data is not tracked, people
5 don't understand what the repercussions are.
6 They don't even know how to look for it.
7 We're told often that when you get a
8 bull's-eye -- when you're bitten by a tick, you
9 will get a bull's-eye. That only happens in a
10 small percentage of cases. And so it's actually
11 something that's really difficult to diagnose and
12 to understand.
13 For me personally, we believe that
14 my uncle actually passed away from undiagnosed
15 Lyme disease from just working in his backyard on
16 Long Island. Every family has some story similar
17 to that.
18 Here, it's estimated that nearly
19 half a million people are diagnosed with Lyme
20 each year. And for over a decade, New York has
21 been one of 10 states with the most Lyme cases.
22 And the areas that I represent in Dutchess,
23 Ulster and Columbia counties have some of the
24 highest numbers of deer ticks in the entire
25 state.
4662
1 We have to bring more awareness to
2 both Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses,
3 to be able not just to save lives, but to find a
4 treatment and to also understand how vast this
5 issue and this disease is, how prevalent it is
6 across our communities.
7 This resolution proclaiming the
8 month of May as Lyme Disease Awareness Month here
9 in the State of New York is just one step towards
10 making sure more people can stay safe and be
11 protected. And I am proud to vote aye, and I
12 thank the leader and this chamber for bringing it
13 forward.
14 Thank you very much.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
16 Rolison on the resolution.
17 SENATOR ROLISON: Thank you,
18 Madam President.
19 I want to thank Senator Hinchey, the
20 sponsor of this resolution, in bringing awareness
21 to Lyme disease. As Senator Hinchey said, the
22 Hudson Valley has been the epicenter, from the
23 beginning, with Lyme disease.
24 I myself had Lyme disease at least
25 twice. And I live in the City of Poughkeepsie,
4663
1 so you don't have to necessarily be out in the
2 fields or in the woods to have a tick and to get
3 Lyme disease. Many family members also -- one
4 family member actually had Lyme disease in such a
5 way that he was on IV fluids for several weeks to
6 help bring that under control. Which,
7 thankfully, it did.
8 In the early days when Lyme disease
9 wasn't even really a term, and it was going
10 undiagnosed, as Senator Hinchey has said, I had
11 several friends who still to this day suffer the
12 effects of Lyme disease in a very serious way.
13 So this is another great reason to
14 have resolutions like this proclaiming months and
15 days and weeks with certain things, because
16 everybody leads a busy life, and sometimes we
17 forget about taking the simple precautions that
18 we can all take when we're outside to keep ticks
19 off of us, both on ourselves and on our pets.
20 And I proudly vote aye,
21 Madam President.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
23 Mannion on the resolution.
24 SENATOR MANNION: Thank you,
25 Madam President.
4664
1 Thank you to Senator Hinchey for
2 bringing forward this resolution.
3 Lyme disease and tick-borne
4 illnesses are an emerging and exponential
5 disease. It's exponentially growing. We are in
6 a crisis. And this disease is challenging to
7 diagnose. There is currently no vaccine for
8 humans. And the treatment can be challenging as
9 well.
10 This is personal for me. One of my
11 children, entering their senior year of high
12 school, contracted Lyme disease, was unaware that
13 it was Lyme. And the only positive that came
14 from it was that the symptoms were so acute that
15 my child had to be treated. It quickly
16 progressed into what is referred to as Lyme
17 meningitis, and that child had to be hospitalized
18 for five days. Her cerebral spinal fluid
19 pressure is normally under 20, and that was at 55
20 when she was at the hospital. She had blurred
21 vision, loss of vision, crossed eyes. And we're
22 very fortunate that we have the medical care here
23 in New York State and around the country to deal
24 with that.
25 But we must do more. And I was
4665
1 happy to ask our new -- soon to be new, and
2 current interim commissioner of the Department of
3 Health a question on it, because we must pay
4 greater attention to it. It is silently,
5 harshly, impacting the lives of many New Yorkers.
6 I thank the Senator again for this
7 resolution, and I proudly vote aye.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
9 Harckham on the resolution.
10 SENATOR HARCKHAM: Thank you very
11 much, Madam President.
12 I want to thank Senator Hinchey for
13 bringing this resolution to the floor.
14 I want to thank the colleagues who
15 have just spoken on this disease. I share their
16 sentiments.
17 Tick-borne diseases -- Lyme,
18 babesiosis, Bartonella -- you know, we talk in
19 terms of behavioral co-occurring disorders.
20 There are also co-infections of tick-borne
21 illnesses.
22 What is important, I think, in
23 addition to what colleagues have said, is the
24 institutional stigma that exists against
25 Lyme disease still to this day in the medical
4666
1 community and in the insurance industry.
2 And up until only a few years ago,
3 New York State was going after the licenses of
4 doctors who had the temerity to treat long-term
5 Lyme or chronic Lyme, something that some in the
6 medical community still deny exists. Some in the
7 insurance company deny treatments for long-term
8 Lyme and chronic Lyme conditions such as you've
9 heard expressed here today.
10 So it's important that we get the
11 word out about prevention. But certainly we in
12 this chamber need to do more in terms of breaking
13 down the barriers, in terms of medical care, in
14 terms of insurance.
15 And this is also another harbinger
16 of climate change, is that we no longer have the
17 snowpacks that used to kill ticks in the winter.
18 The tick populations are growing and moving to
19 areas where they never did before. They're
20 moving further north, moving into urban areas.
21 So this is a much greater challenge.
22 So I want to thank the sponsor, I
23 want to thank everybody who's spoken on this, and
24 take this as a call to action -- not just in
25 terms of awareness, but in terms of public
4667
1 policy, to break down barriers in medical care
2 and insurance for people living with Lyme.
3 I vote aye. Thank you.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The
5 resolution was previously adopted on May 16th.
6 Senator Serrano.
7 SENATOR SERRANO: Thank you,
8 Madam President.
9 Let's now take up previously adopted
10 Resolution 1096, by Senator May, read that
11 resolution title only, and call on Senator May.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The
13 Secretary will read.
14 THE SECRETARY: Senate Resolution
15 1096, by Senator May, memorializing
16 Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2023 as
17 Bike Month in the State of New York, in
18 conjunction with National Bike Month.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
20 May on the resolution.
21 SENATOR MAY: Thank you,
22 Madam President.
23 I ask everyone to picture a bicycle
24 in your mind. If you're imagining two
25 equal-sized wheels joined by a chain on a frame
4668
1 with a seat and handlebars, that's the iconic
2 bike that was first produced in 1885. And in all
3 the 14 decades since then, no one has come up
4 with a more efficient form of transportation.
5 To go a mile on a bike takes about
6 half the calories it takes to walk a mile, and it
7 gets you there much faster. A small car with one
8 passenger takes 50 to 80 times as much as power
9 to go a mile, and it comes with a lot of
10 environmental, health and safety problems as
11 well.
12 So in that context, I am thrilled to
13 speak in favor of this resolution naming May
14 Bike Month in New York State. Biking is fun,
15 it's healthy, it's green, it's economical. It's
16 more and more accessible, as we see e-bikes,
17 recumbent bikes, bikes with trailers, bike share
18 options. We're also seeing more and more of New
19 York State itself become accessible by bike, now
20 that the Empire State Trail is fully open and
21 many localities are developing their own bike
22 paths and bike trails.
23 This past Saturday I had the
24 pleasure of marking the second anniversary of the
25 Syracuse Bike Party, which meets every last
4669
1 Saturday of the month. This month we had about
2 200 joyous folks of all ages and backgrounds on
3 all kinds of two-wheeled contraptions, seeing
4 neighborhoods of the city most of them had never
5 traversed before, as children waved gleefully
6 from their porches.
7 Last week two of our colleagues
8 biked up to session in Albany from New York City.
9 I looking forward to welcoming some
10 of you to join me on the newly opened stretch of
11 the Empire Trail that runs right through the
12 middle of Syracuse. And I invite all of my
13 colleagues to celebrate Bike Month and enjoy bike
14 riding any time of the year.
15 I vote aye. Thank you.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Thank
17 you.
18 The resolution was previously
19 adopted on May 23rd.
20 Senator Serrano.
21 SENATOR SERRANO: Thank you,
22 Madam President.
23 At the request of the sponsors, the
24 resolutions are all open for cosponsorship.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The
4670
1 resolutions are open for cosponsorship. Should
2 you choose not to be a cosponsor on the
3 resolutions, please notify the desk.
4 Senator Serrano.
5 SENATOR SERRANO: Thank you.
6 At this time let's please take up
7 the reading of the calendar.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The
9 Secretary will read.
10 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
11 126, Senate Print 1201, by Senator Parker, an act
12 to amend the Public Service Law.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
14 last section.
15 THE SECRETARY: Section 5. This
16 act shall take effect immediately.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
18 roll.
19 (The Secretary called the roll.)
20 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
21 the results.
22 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
23 Calendar Number 126, voting in the negative:
24 Senator Walczyk.
25 Ayes, 57. Nays, 1.
4671
1 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
2 is passed.
3 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
4 242, Senate Print 134, by Senator Krueger, an act
5 to amend the Public Health Law and the
6 Civil Rights Law.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
8 last section.
9 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
10 act shall take effect immediately.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
12 roll.
13 (The Secretary called the roll.)
14 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
15 the results.
16 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
18 is passed.
19 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
20 370, Assembly Print Number 1686A, by
21 Assemblymember Hunter, an act to amend the
22 Private Housing Finance Law.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
24 last section.
25 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
4672
1 act shall take effect on the 180th day after it
2 shall have become a law.
3 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
4 roll.
5 (The Secretary called the roll.)
6 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
7 the results.
8 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
10 is passed.
11 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
12 392, Senate Print 4970, by Senator Jackson, an
13 act in relation to directing the Division of
14 Housing and Community Renewal to study nonrental
15 fees charged by landlords.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
17 last section.
18 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
19 act shall take effect immediately.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
21 roll.
22 (The Secretary called the roll.)
23 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
24 the results.
25 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
4673
1 Calendar Number 392, those Senators voting in the
2 negative are Senators Borrello,
3 Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Gallivan, Griffo, Mattera,
4 Murray, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads,
5 Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk and Weber.
6 Ayes, 42. Nays, 16.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
8 is passed.
9 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
10 438, Senate Print 2714, by Senator Kennedy, an
11 act to amend the Highway Law.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
13 last section.
14 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
15 act shall take effect immediately.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
17 roll.
18 (The Secretary called the roll.)
19 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
20 the results.
21 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
22 Calendar 438, those Senators voting in the
23 negative are Senators Borrello,
24 Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming,
25 Lanza, Mattera, Murray, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt,
4674
1 Palumbo, Rhoads, Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk
2 and Weber.
3 Ayes, 40. Nays, 18.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
5 is passed.
6 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
7 458, Senate Print 438, by Senator Skoufis, an act
8 to amend the Election Law.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
10 last section.
11 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
12 act shall take effect immediately.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
14 roll.
15 (The Secretary called the roll.)
16 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
17 the results.
18 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
20 is passed.
21 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
22 491, Assembly Print Number 3110, by
23 Assemblymember Magnarelli, an act to amend the
24 Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
4675
1 last section.
2 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
3 act shall take effect on the 90th day after it
4 shall have become a law.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
6 roll.
7 (The Secretary called the roll.)
8 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
9 the results.
10 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
11 Calendar 491, those Senators voting in the
12 negative are Senators Borrello,
13 Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming,
14 Lanza, Mattera, Murray, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt,
15 Palumbo, Rhoads, Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk
16 and Weber.
17 Ayes, 40. Nays, 18.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
19 is passed.
20 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
21 504, Assembly Bill Number 5772, by
22 Assemblymember Lavine, an act to amend the
23 Civil Practice Law and Rules.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
25 last section.
4676
1 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
2 act shall take effect on the first of January.
3 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
4 roll.
5 (The Secretary called the roll.)
6 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
7 the results.
8 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
9 Calendar 504, those Senators voting in the
10 negative are Senators Borrello,
11 Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Gallivan, Griffo, Mattera,
12 Murray, Oberacker, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads,
13 Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk and Weber.
14 Ayes, 43. Nays, 15.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
16 is passed.
17 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
18 576, Senate Print 5414, by Senator Hoylman-Sigal,
19 Concurrent Resolution of the Senate and Assembly
20 proposing amendments to Article 6 of the
21 Constitution.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
23 roll.
24 (The Secretary called the roll.)
25 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
4677
1 the results.
2 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
3 Calendar 576, those Senators voting in the
4 negative are Senators Borrello,
5 Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Griffo, Lanza, Mattera,
6 Murray, Oberacker, Ortt, Rhoads, Rolison, Stec,
7 Tedisco, Walczyk and Weber.
8 Ayes, 44. Nays, 14.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
10 is passed.
11 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
12 607, Assembly Print Number 6856, by
13 Assemblymember Pheffer Amato, an act to amend the
14 Civil Service Law.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
16 last section.
17 THE SECRETARY: Section 11. This
18 act shall take effect on the 90th day after it
19 shall have become a law.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
21 roll.
22 (The Secretary called the roll.)
23 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
24 the results.
25 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
4678
1 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
2 is passed.
3 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
4 662, Senate Print Number 5444, by
5 Senator Scarcella-Spanton, an act to amend the
6 General Business Law.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
8 last section.
9 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
10 act shall take effect immediately.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
12 roll.
13 (The Secretary called the roll.)
14 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
15 the results.
16 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
17 Calendar Number 662, voting in the negative:
18 Senator Walczyk.
19 Ayes, 57. Nays, 1.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
21 is passed.
22 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
23 665, Senate Print 5597, by Senator Comrie, an act
24 to amend the Banking Law.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
4679
1 last section.
2 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
3 act shall take effect on the 180th day after it
4 shall have become a law.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
6 roll.
7 (The Secretary called the roll.)
8 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
9 the results.
10 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
11 Calendar Number 665, those Senators voting in the
12 negative are Senators Borrello,
13 Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Helming, Oberacker,
14 O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk and
15 Weber.
16 Ayes, 47. Nays, 11.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
18 is passed.
19 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
20 684, Senate Print 6112, by Senator Stavisky, an
21 act to amend the Education Law.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
23 last section.
24 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
25 act shall take effect immediately.
4680
1 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
2 roll.
3 (The Secretary called the roll.)
4 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
5 the results.
6 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
7 Calendar Number 684, voting in the negative:
8 Senator Walczyk.
9 Ayes, 57. Nays, 1.
10 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
11 is passed.
12 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
13 750, Senate Print Number 6525, by
14 Senator Scarcella-Spanton, an act to amend the
15 Private Housing Finance Law.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
17 last section.
18 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
19 act shall take effect on the 90th day after it
20 shall have become a law.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
22 roll.
23 (The Secretary called the roll.)
24 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
25 Scarcella-Spanton to explain her vote.
4681
1 SENATOR SCARCELLA-SPANTON: Thank
2 you, Madam President.
3 And thank you to my colleagues here
4 in the Senate for all your support in helping
5 pass this legislation, which will provide
6 much-needed support and assistance to our
7 veterans.
8 Our veterans, particularly those
9 with service-related disabilities, often face
10 unique challenges when transitioning back to
11 civilian life. Stable and affordable housing is
12 a crucial aspect of this transition, as it
13 provides a solid foundation upon which veterans
14 can rebuild their lives and reintegrate into
15 civilian life.
16 The Affordable Homeownership
17 Development Program is designed to help
18 individuals and families achieve their dream of
19 owning a home by providing financial assistance
20 and support. This program has already had a
21 positive impact on many New Yorkers, helping them
22 secure affordable housing and build a better
23 future for themselves and their families.
24 By giving veterans who have
25 service-related injuries access to affordable
4682
1 homeownership opportunities, we are helping them
2 achieve stability, independence, and a sense of
3 belonging to their communities. This legislation
4 is a crucial step towards providing vital support
5 and opportunities for those who have served our
6 country, and especially those with
7 service-related disabilities.
8 These brave men and women have made
9 immense sacrifices to protect our freedoms, and
10 this bill is just one way that we can support
11 them the way they have always supported us. I
12 proudly vote aye, and I encourage my colleagues
13 to do the same.
14 Thank you.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
16 Scarcella-Spanton to be recorded in the
17 affirmative.
18 Announce the results.
19 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
21 is passed.
22 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
23 753, Senate Print 4738, by Senator Kennedy, an
24 act to amend the General Municipal Law.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
4683
1 last section.
2 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
3 act shall take effect immediately.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
5 roll.
6 (The Secretary called the roll.)
7 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
8 the results.
9 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
10 Calendar 753, those Senators voting in the
11 negative are Senators Krueger, Martinez, May and
12 Ryan. Also Senator Lanza.
13 Ayes, 53. Nays, 5.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
15 is passed.
16 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
17 767, Senate Print 3257, by Senator Hoylman-Sigal,
18 an act to amend the Public Officers Law.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
20 last section.
21 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
22 act shall take effect immediately.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
24 roll.
25 (The Secretary called the roll.)
4684
1 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
2 the results.
3 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
4 Calendar Number 767, those Senators voting in the
5 negative are Senators Borrello,
6 Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Gallivan, Griffo, Mattera,
7 Murray, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads,
8 Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk and Weber.
9 Ayes, 42. Nays, 16.
10 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
11 is passed.
12 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
13 771, Senate Print 6433, by Senator Mannion, an
14 act to amend the Mental Hygiene Law.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
16 last section.
17 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
18 act shall take effect on the 120th day after it
19 shall have become a law.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
21 roll.
22 (The Secretary called the roll.)
23 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
24 the results.
25 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
4685
1 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
2 is passed.
3 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
4 774, Senate Print 6095, by Senator Cleare, an act
5 to amend the Real Property Tax Law.
6 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
7 last section.
8 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
9 act shall take effect immediately.
10 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
11 roll.
12 (The Secretary called the roll.)
13 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
14 the results.
15 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
17 is passed.
18 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
19 782, Senate Print 5984A, by Senator Kavanagh, an
20 act to amend the Election Law.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
22 last section.
23 THE SECRETARY: Section 5. This
24 act shall take effect immediately.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
4686
1 roll.
2 (The Secretary called the roll.)
3 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
4 the results.
5 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
6 Calendar 782, those Senators voting in the
7 negative are Senators Borrello,
8 Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming,
9 Lanza, Mattera, Murray, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt,
10 Palumbo, Rhoads, Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk
11 and Weber.
12 Ayes, 40. Nays, 18.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
14 is passed.
15 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
16 794, Assembly Print Number 7112, by
17 Assemblymember Pheffer Amato, an act to amend the
18 Surrogate's Court Procedure Act.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
20 last section.
21 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
22 act shall take effect immediately.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
24 roll.
25 (The Secretary called the roll.)
4687
1 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
2 the results.
3 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
4 Calendar 794, those Senators voting in the
5 negative are Senators Borrello, Griffo, Helming,
6 Lanza, O'Mara, Ortt, Rhoads, Tedisco and Weber.
7 Also Senator Gallivan.
8 Ayes, 48. Nays, 10.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
10 is passed.
11 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
12 801, Senate Print 3409, by Senator Skoufis, an
13 act to amend the General Municipal Law.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
15 last section.
16 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
17 act shall take effect on the 60th day after it
18 shall have become a law.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
20 roll.
21 (The Secretary called the roll.)
22 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
23 the results.
24 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
25 Calendar Number 801, those Senators voting in the
4688
1 negative are Senators Borrello,
2 Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming,
3 Mattera, Murray, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt,
4 Palumbo, Rhoads, Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk
5 and Weber.
6 Ayes, 41. Nays, 17.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
8 is passed.
9 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
10 806, Senate Print 6312, by Senator Kennedy, an
11 act to amend the General Municipal Law.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
13 last section.
14 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
15 act shall take effect immediately.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
17 roll.
18 (The Secretary called the roll.)
19 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
20 the results.
21 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
23 is passed.
24 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
25 813, Senate Print 6342, by Senator Stavisky, an
4689
1 act to amend the Education Law.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
3 last section.
4 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
5 act shall take effect immediately.
6 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
7 roll.
8 (The Secretary called the roll.)
9 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
10 the results.
11 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
13 is passed.
14 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
15 838, Senate Print Number 2919, by Senator Cleare,
16 an act to amend the Executive Law and the
17 State Finance Law.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
19 last section.
20 THE SECRETARY: Section 6. This
21 act shall take effect immediately.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
23 roll.
24 (The Secretary called the roll.)
25 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
4690
1 Cleare to explain her vote.
2 SENATOR CLEARE: Thank you,
3 Madam President.
4 Sadly, the consequences of redlining
5 are still being felt throughout our communities
6 nearly a hundred years after the abhorrent FHA
7 sanction process locked Black families out of
8 stable affordable housing and opportunities for
9 growth, advancement and the type of generational
10 wealth that others may take for granted. The
11 system that was put in place, with red lines
12 separating those who could get a mortgage from
13 those who could not, is in many ways still in
14 place.
15 This bill is part of a series of
16 efforts to deal with this unfortunate and
17 punitive legacy of housing discrimination. This
18 bill is designed to discourage appraisal
19 discrimination, as study after study have shown
20 that race and the racial composition of
21 homebuyers, sellers and neighborhoods, have a
22 disparate impact that still disadvantages people
23 of color.
24 Consider this New York Times
25 headline from 2022: Home appraised with a Black
4691
1 owner, $472,000; with a white owner, $750,000.
2 This bill will root out those who
3 engage in appraisal discrimination, revoke their
4 licenses, if necessary, and fine them, with those
5 fines being directed back into antidiscrimination
6 efforts in housing.
7 It is the very least we can do to
8 help change a system that has held certain people
9 back for nearly a century, and I proudly vote
10 aye.
11 Thank you.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
13 Cleare to be recorded in the affirmative.
14 Announce the results.
15 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
16 Calendar Number 838, those Senators voting in the
17 negative are Senators Borrello, Griffo, Mattera,
18 Murray, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Stec, Tedisco,
19 Walczyk and Weber.
20 Ayes, 47. Nays, 11.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
22 is passed.
23 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
24 845, Assembly Print Number 4972A, by
25 Assemblymember Braunstein, an act to amend the
4692
1 Real Property Tax Law.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
3 last section.
4 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
5 act shall take effect immediately.
6 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
7 roll.
8 (The Secretary called the roll.)
9 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
10 the results.
11 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
13 is passed.
14 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
15 849, Assembly Bill Number 6017, by
16 Assemblymember Paulin, an act to amend the
17 Public Health Law.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
19 last section.
20 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
21 act shall take effect immediately.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
23 roll.
24 (The Secretary called the roll.)
25 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
4693
1 the results.
2 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
3 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
4 is passed.
5 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
6 850, Senate Print 4787, by Senator Rivera, an act
7 to amend the Social Services Law.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
9 last section.
10 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
11 act shall take effect immediately.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
13 roll.
14 (The Secretary called the roll.)
15 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
16 the results.
17 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
19 is passed.
20 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
21 851, Senate Print 4889, by Senator Rivera, an act
22 to amend the Social Services Law and the
23 Insurance Law.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
25 last section.
4694
1 THE SECRETARY: Section 4. This
2 act shall take effect on the first of January.
3 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
4 roll.
5 (The Secretary called the roll.)
6 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
7 the results.
8 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
9 Calendar 851, those Senators voting in the
10 negative are Senators Ortt, Palumbo and Walczyk.
11 Ayes, 55. Nays, 3.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
13 is passed.
14 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
15 854, Senate Print 5815, by Senator Mannion, an
16 act to amend the Public Health Law.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
18 last section.
19 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
20 act shall take effect June 1, 2024.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
22 roll.
23 (The Secretary called the roll.)
24 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
25 the results.
4695
1 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
3 is passed.
4 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
5 856, Senate Print 6075, by Senator Skoufis, an
6 act to amend the Social Services Law.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
8 last section.
9 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
10 act shall take effect immediately.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
12 roll.
13 (The Secretary called the roll.)
14 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
15 Fernandez to explain her vote.
16 SENATOR FERNANDEZ: Thank you,
17 Madam Speaker.
18 I want to thank everyone for
19 bringing this bill to the floor.
20 At a time that we're seeing attacks
21 on our neighbors for their religion, how they
22 look, how they live, this bill is so important to
23 protect those that practice whatever religion
24 they have, wearing religious garb, and would now
25 create a statute that this is an aggravated
4696
1 assault. It would protect them in getting
2 justice from an attacker that would attack their
3 choice of wardrobe based on their religion,
4 whether it be a turban or a hijab or whatever
5 have you.
6 But this is a protection of your
7 right to practice and to express your religion as
8 you choose. And should you be attacked, there
9 will be consequences.
10 So I thank the conference for
11 supporting this bill, and I proudly vote aye.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
13 Fernandez to be recorded in the affirmative.
14 Announce the results.
15 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
17 is passed.
18 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
19 869, Senate Print 5302, by Senator Fernandez, an
20 act to amend the Penal Law.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
22 last section.
23 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
24 act shall take effect immediately.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
4697
1 roll.
2 (The Secretary called the roll.)
3 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
4 the results.
5 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
6 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
7 is passed.
8 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
9 882, Senate Print 6404, by Senator Hinchey, an
10 act to amend the Executive Law.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
12 last section.
13 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
14 act shall take effect on the 60th day after it
15 shall have become a law.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
17 roll.
18 (The Secretary called the roll.)
19 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
20 Hinchey to explain her vote.
21 SENATOR HINCHEY: Thank you,
22 Madam President.
23 It is incredibly important that we
24 hit our renewable energy goals and the goals set
25 forth in the CLCPA. But it's also incredibly
4698
1 important that we're protecting agricultural land
2 and supporting our communities in more rural
3 areas, which are often sited for these solar
4 energy projects.
5 And I had the opportunity to ask the
6 executive director of ORES numerous times through
7 budget hearings, as well as in our Energy
8 Committee, who was looking at cumulative impacts
9 and who was compiling a full document, a map, a
10 full list, of Article 10s and 94C projects, so
11 that we can get a holistic view of what's being
12 proposed.
13 We also want to make sure that we
14 actually are on track to hit the goals of the
15 CLCPA, and so therefore we should know what's in
16 the pipeline and what's scaling up, and therefore
17 what we also need to do to hit those goals.
18 It was a shock to me to find out we
19 actually didn't have a comprehensive map. And so
20 that's what this bill sets forth to do, to
21 actually create a map that lives publicly, that
22 people can see where projects are being sited,
23 where they're being developed, and that way
24 municipalities and communities can find locations
25 that are suitable for development and we can also
4699
1 make sure that we're hitting our goals
2 understanding what's in the pipeline and what's
3 already green-lit.
4 This is a commonsense bill that I'm
5 really proud to bring forward. I thank the
6 chamber for voting on this today. And for that,
7 Madam President, I vote aye.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
9 Hinchey to be recorded in the affirmative.
10 Announce the results.
11 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
13 is passed.
14 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
15 889, Senate Print 6745, by Senator Skoufis, an
16 act to amend the Executive Law.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
18 last section.
19 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
20 act shall take effect immediately.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
22 roll.
23 (The Secretary called the roll.)
24 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
25 the results.
4700
1 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
3 is passed.
4 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
5 990, Senate Print 3313A, by Senator Skoufis, an
6 act to amend the Legislative Law.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
8 last section.
9 THE SECRETARY: Section 8. This
10 act shall take effect immediately.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
12 roll.
13 (The Secretary called the roll.)
14 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
15 the results.
16 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
18 is passed.
19 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
20 997, Senate Print 682, by Senator Comrie, an act
21 to amend the General Business Law.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
23 last section.
24 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
25 act shall take effect immediately.
4701
1 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
2 roll.
3 (The Secretary called the roll.)
4 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
5 the results.
6 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
7 Calendar Number 997, voting in the negative:
8 Senator Walczyk.
9 Ayes, 57. Nays, 1.
10 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
11 is passed.
12 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
13 1000, Senate Print 4907A, by Senator Rivera, an
14 act to amend the Public Health Law and the
15 General Business Law.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
17 last section.
18 THE SECRETARY: Section 6. This
19 act shall take effect immediately.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
21 roll.
22 (The Secretary called the roll.)
23 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
24 Krueger to explain her vote.
25 SENATOR KRUEGER: Thank you,
4702
1 Madam President. I rise to support the bill.
2 Many of us know that medical debt is
3 in fact the largest debt that American citizens
4 are carrying, and it can literally destroy their
5 lives. And this simple bill will at least
6 protect them from some of the most aggressive
7 behaviors by private entities and ensure that
8 their credit records are not destroyed, so that
9 they can continue the rest of their lives while
10 they struggle to figure out how to pay their
11 medical bills.
12 And frankly, it's very disturbing
13 that considering what a huge percentage of
14 New Yorkers are covered by health insurance, that
15 we still have unbelievably high medical debt,
16 with people's bank accounts being taken from
17 them, liens put on their homes, inability to
18 borrow money or pay for their children's
19 education. We have to get our arms around this
20 in a much broader way.
21 But I certainly support this bill
22 and urge my colleagues to do the same.
23 Thank you, Madam President.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
25 Krueger to be recorded in the affirmative.
4703
1 Announce the results.
2 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
3 Calendar 1000, those Senators voting in the
4 negative are Senators Borrello,
5 Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Gallivan, Griffo,
6 Oberacker, Stec, Walczyk and Weber.
7 Ayes, 50. Nays, 8.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
9 is passed.
10 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
11 1007, Senate Print 2706, by Senator Harckham, an
12 act to establish the East of Hudson watershed
13 road salt reduction task force.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
15 last section.
16 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
17 act shall take effect immediately.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
19 roll.
20 (The Secretary called the roll.)
21 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
22 the results.
23 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
24 Calendar 1007, voting in the negative are
25 Senators Lanza and Oberacker.
4704
1 Ayes, 56. Nays, 2.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
3 is passed.
4 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
5 1009, Assembly Print Number 3720, by
6 Assemblymember Paulin, an act to amend the
7 Public Authorities Law.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
9 last section.
10 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
11 act shall take effect on the 60th day after it
12 shall have become a law.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
14 roll.
15 (The Secretary called the roll.)
16 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
17 the results.
18 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
20 is passed.
21 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
22 1014, Assembly Print Number 5516, by
23 Assemblymember Hunter, an act to amend the
24 Banking Law.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
4705
1 last section.
2 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
3 act shall take effect immediately.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
5 roll.
6 (The Secretary called the roll.)
7 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
8 the results.
9 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
10 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
11 is passed.
12 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
13 1024, Senate Print 2747, by Senator Bailey, an
14 act to amend the Executive Law and the
15 Criminal Procedure Law.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
17 last section.
18 THE SECRETARY: Section 4. This
19 act shall take effect on the 180th day after it
20 shall have become a law.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
22 roll.
23 (The Secretary called the roll.)
24 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
25 the results.
4706
1 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
2 Calendar Number 1024, those Senators voting in
3 the negative are Senators Helming, Oberacker,
4 Ortt, Tedisco and Walczyk.
5 Ayes, 53. Nays, 5.
6 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
7 is passed.
8 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
9 1025, Senate Print 2913A, by Senator May, an act
10 to amend the Education Law.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
12 last section.
13 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
14 act shall take effect immediately.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
16 roll.
17 (The Secretary called the roll.)
18 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
19 May to explain her vote.
20 SENATOR MAY: Thank you,
21 Madam President.
22 A recent study found that about two
23 out of every five college students experience
24 food insecurity. They are balancing paying
25 tuition and paying rent and buying their books
4707
1 and buying food, and many of them are coming up
2 short when it comes to the food piece of that.
3 And so this bill would make grants
4 to SUNY institutions, public colleges, to create
5 a task force to help students navigate the SNAP
6 program and to help establish food pantries on
7 these campuses.
8 I'm pleased that this morning, in
9 his State of the University address,
10 Chancellor King announced an additional
11 million-dollar investment in food pantries at
12 SUNY institutions. I hope that together we can
13 truly create hunger-free campuses, as this bill
14 attempts to do.
15 So I vote aye with great pride.
16 Thank you.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
18 May to be recorded in the affirmative.
19 Senator Murray to explain his vote.
20 SENATOR MURRAY: Thank you,
21 Madam President.
22 While I certainly do support the
23 bill and support the effort -- we don't want
24 hungry students -- I can't help but point out
25 that when we talk about forming these grants, I'm
4708
1 looking for the amount that it would cost, and
2 under the "Fiscal Impact" it says "To be
3 determined and subject to appropriations."
4 Well, the appropriations usually
5 happen in the budget process. And this year we
6 were looking for appropriations to ensure that
7 all of our children, K through 12, were fed, all
8 of those children that are going hungry. You
9 know what? We fell short.
10 So while I do support this effort,
11 my concern is this. Before we forget about that
12 and move on to this, I suggest we revisit and
13 make sure we find every penny needed to ensure
14 that every hungry child in New York State,
15 K through 12, is fed.
16 With that said, I do support this
17 bill. Thank you, Madam President.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
19 Murray to be recorded in the affirmative.
20 Announce the results.
21 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
22 Calendar Number 1025, voting in the negative:
23 Senator Walczyk.
24 Ayes, 57. Nays, 1.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
4709
1 is passed.
2 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
3 1028, Senate Print 3525, by Senator Fernandez, an
4 act to amend the Mental Hygiene Law.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
6 last section.
7 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
8 act shall take effect immediately.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
10 roll.
11 (The Secretary called the roll.)
12 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
13 the results.
14 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
16 is passed.
17 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
18 1033, Senate Print 5422, by Senator Ramos, an act
19 to amend the Labor Law.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
21 last section.
22 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
23 act shall take effect immediately.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
25 roll.
4710
1 (The Secretary called the roll.)
2 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
3 the results.
4 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
5 Calendar 1033, voting in the negative are
6 Senators Gallivan, Griffo and Walczyk.
7 Ayes, 55. Nays, 3.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
9 is passed.
10 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
11 1039, Senate Print 5516, by Senator Brouk, an act
12 to amend the Mental Hygiene Law.
13 SENATOR SERRANO: Lay it aside for
14 the day.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
16 will be laid aside for the day.
17 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
18 1042, Senate Print 5970, by Senator Harckham, an
19 act to amend the Mental Hygiene Law.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
21 last section.
22 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
23 act shall take effect immediately.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
25 roll.
4711
1 (The Secretary called the roll.)
2 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
3 the results.
4 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
6 is passed.
7 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
8 1043, Senate Print 62, by Senator Harckham, an
9 act to amend the Public Health Law.
10 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
11 last section.
12 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
13 act shall take effect on the 90th day after it
14 shall have become a law.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
16 roll.
17 (The Secretary called the roll.)
18 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
19 the results.
20 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
22 is passed.
23 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
24 1050, Senate Print 3472, by Senator Rivera, an
25 act to amend the Public Health Law.
4712
1 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
2 last section.
3 THE SECRETARY: Section 5. This
4 act shall take effect on the 90th day after it
5 shall have become a law.
6 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
7 roll.
8 (The Secretary called the roll.)
9 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
10 the results.
11 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
13 is passed.
14 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
15 1063, Assembly Print Number 5609, by
16 Assemblymember Rozic, an act to amend the
17 Workers' Compensation Law.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
19 last section.
20 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
21 act shall take effect immediately.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
23 roll.
24 (The Secretary called the roll.)
25 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
4713
1 the results.
2 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
3 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
4 is passed.
5 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
6 1067, Senate Print 349A, by Senator Cleare, an
7 act to amend the Criminal Procedure Law.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
9 last section.
10 THE SECRETARY: Section 14. This
11 act shall take effect immediately.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
13 roll.
14 (The Secretary called the roll.)
15 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
16 Cleare to explain her vote.
17 SENATOR CLEARE: Thank you,
18 Madam President.
19 Upon election to the Senate, I made
20 deliberate efforts to fight human trafficking.
21 We have passed meaningful legislation and held
22 community conversations, but there is more to
23 accomplish. Sadly, we know that at present, due
24 to many variables, effective cases of human
25 trafficking prosecution are very challenging to
4714
1 bring in a timely, meaningful and preventative
2 manner.
3 However, there's no time limit to
4 the trauma and the scars suffered, and no one
5 pathway to becoming a survivor. Therefore, we
6 must ensure that justice is not denied due to the
7 simple passage of time.
8 The bill we have now before us will
9 empower district attorneys all over the state to
10 be able to effectively prosecute the most heinous
11 and grievous acts of human trafficking in a way
12 that will not only hold people accountable but
13 also help change the system.
14 Senate Bill 349 will eliminate the
15 criminal statute of limitations for sex
16 trafficking and extend the window for survivors
17 to file lawsuits, to parallel other changes we
18 have recently made in law.
19 I want to thank Manhattan district
20 attorney Alvin Bragg for being such an effective
21 partner on this legislation, and NOW NYC and so
22 many other groups for your powerful and
23 resounding advocacy. Today we stand up for
24 survivors and ensure that they may seek justice.
25 I vote aye with pride and encourage
4715
1 my colleagues to do the same.
2 Thank you.
3 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
4 Cleare to be recorded in the affirmative.
5 Senator Rhoads to explain his vote.
6 SENATOR RHOADS: Thank you,
7 Madam President.
8 I want to thank Senator Cleare for
9 her advocacy, not only on this issue but
10 certainly, importantly, on this issue. It is an
11 incredibly important topic. This bill is
12 incredibly important to extend both the civil and
13 criminal statutes of limitation to make sure that
14 when victims feel comfortable enough to find
15 their voice, they have the opportunity to be able
16 to exercise it.
17 I do think -- while I support the
18 legislation, I do believe that there is an
19 important opportunity that's been missed here,
20 and that important opportunity is to actually
21 offer some protection to victims.
22 One of the reasons that there's
23 reluctance to come forward is not just social
24 stigma, but actual fear about being victimized
25 again by those individuals who victimized them
4716
1 the first time -- whether that is a child who's
2 afraid of an uncle or an aunt who victimized
3 them, whether that's a worker who's afraid of
4 another employee or a boss who victimized them.
5 While we're offering them the
6 ability to come forward, by refusing to allow
7 justices to consider the dangerousness of the
8 criminal accused and whether or not they present
9 a continuing risk to the victim -- or in the
10 case, for example, of a child predator, a
11 continuing risk to a class of individuals -- by
12 refusing to allow judges the opportunity to set
13 bail based upon their threat to both the victim
14 and the community, we are doing a disservice in
15 protecting those victims while providing them the
16 opportunity to be able to come forward.
17 So as important as this bill is, I
18 think we need to recognize that there are
19 common-sense consequences that make victims less
20 safe by refusing to allow judges the discretion
21 to be able to consider the dangerousness of the
22 criminal. And I hope that's something that we
23 can work on together, hopefully to fix in the
24 future.
25 So thank you, and I proudly vote
4717
1 aye.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
3 Rhoads to be recorded in the affirmative.
4 Senator Krueger to explain her vote.
5 SENATOR KRUEGER: Thank you very
6 much, Madam President.
7 I also rise to thank Senator Cleare
8 for her work in this field and for bringing this
9 bill to us today.
10 You know, I remember being here when
11 we finally passed the actual criminalization of
12 human trafficking law. And there were actually
13 still fights to the day we passed that bill that
14 we couldn't do away with criminal penalties for
15 the young women who had been human trafficked
16 into lives of crime -- because, to quote someone
17 on this floor who no longer is here, "Once girls
18 go bad, you can never fix them."
19 So I believe we've come a long way
20 since then, and yet not nearly far enough,
21 because the fact is that women, children, young
22 boys, young girls, are still being literally
23 stolen from our streets, runaways are being
24 picked up by pimps, forced into prostitution and
25 pornography. Then these children become adults
4718
1 and feel they have nothing else they can do, they
2 are not worthy of anything, no one will hear
3 them, no one cared or was willing to do anything
4 for them as they were being brutally raped day
5 in, day out for years.
6 And so the fact that this bill will
7 allow people who are brave enough and willing to
8 come forward to get justice from abusers who have
9 gone completely, completely left out of this
10 storyline I think is so, so important for people
11 of this state.
12 And to remind us all that this is
13 still going on. New York State has one of the
14 highest human trafficking rates in this country,
15 disproportionately into sexual business,
16 disproportionately young women of color in this
17 state.
18 So thank you very much,
19 Senator Cleare. I vote yes.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
21 Krueger to be recorded in the affirmative.
22 Senator Bailey to explain his vote.
23 SENATOR BAILEY: Thank you,
24 Madam President.
25 Senator Cleare, I really want to
4719
1 thank you for introducing this piece of
2 legislation.
3 Every year I do a Human Trafficking
4 Awareness Assembly in my district, and we bring
5 in a host of law enforcement officials and other,
6 like, support services, because the North Bronx
7 and Lower Westchester, the City of Mount Vernon,
8 is one of the highest areas where incidents of
9 human trafficking take place.
10 And to hear some of the stories that
11 some of these law enforcement individuals have
12 had to literally run in and rescue -- and they've
13 done simulations with some of the young men and
14 women in these schools that shows how much of a
15 scourge human trafficking truly is on our
16 society.
17 And with this piece of legislation,
18 you're allowing us to allow, you know, these
19 victims to have a little bit more clarity in
20 their life and to know that something can be
21 done. Because sometimes they say comparison is
22 the thief of joy. You can't get back those years
23 that were taken from you. Right? You can't get
24 back those innocent years. And sometimes these
25 women and young men, young women and young men,
4720
1 are forever changed by their time being
2 trafficked. And it takes years and years and
3 years to even get them to a place that approaches
4 where they were before that.
5 So a really important piece of
6 legislation. I salute you.
7 And I proudly vote aye,
8 Madam President.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
10 Bailey to be recorded in the affirmative.
11 Senator Helming to explain her vote.
12 SENATOR HELMING: Thank you,
13 Madam President.
14 I too rise to thank the sponsor for
15 bringing this legislation to the floor.
16 And I wanted to add on to what
17 Senator Krueger shared. I represent -- you've
18 all heard me say it many times -- a predominantly
19 very rural area. And sometimes I think that our
20 rural areas get forgotten, especially when it
21 comes to human trafficking. But it is out there,
22 and it is terrible. Terrible.
23 I had the opportunity to recently
24 meet with several of the leaders from my counties
25 who work with primarily teenagers, but really
4721
1 these are teenagers who are impacted by
2 trafficking. Most of it, as Senator Krueger
3 said, is sex trafficking. And they're looking
4 for more resources, more help from the state to
5 establish housing, to be able to put these folks
6 into safe housing.
7 It's really -- to listen to the
8 stories and the experiences, it's heartbreaking.
9 Some of these children are being trafficked by
10 their own parents, who have substance abuse
11 issues of their own, who are dealing with
12 homelessness and so much else that's going on.
13 So again, I just wanted to rise and
14 say thank you to the sponsor, Senator Cleare, for
15 bringing this to the floor and keeping this topic
16 alive, but also just to remind everyone here that
17 this is an issue that not only impacts our
18 cities, but also our rural communities.
19 I will be voting yes on this
20 legislation. Thank you.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
22 Helming to be recorded in the affirmative.
23 Announce the results.
24 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
4722
1 is passed.
2 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
3 1085, Senate Print 3315, by Senator Sepúlveda, an
4 act to amend the Surrogate's Court Procedure Act.
5 SENATOR SERRANO: Lay it aside for
6 the day.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
8 will be laid aside for the day.
9 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
10 1097, Senate Print 5007A, by Senator Gonzalez, an
11 act to amend the State Technology Law.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
13 last section.
14 THE SECRETARY: Section 5. This
15 act shall take effect immediately.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
17 roll.
18 (The Secretary called the roll.)
19 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
20 Gonzalez to explain her vote.
21 SENATOR GONZALEZ: Thank you,
22 Madam President.
23 I am proud to speak in favor of the
24 Secure Our Data Act.
25 Since 2017, more than 3600 local,
4723
1 state and tribal governments across the country
2 have been targeted by cyberattacks. New York is
3 not exempt from this. Hundreds of cyberattacks
4 are attempted on government entities each year.
5 Cyberattacks have real-world
6 consequences for New Yorkers. For example, last
7 year an attack on the One Brooklyn hospital group
8 in Senator Myrie's district forced a network of
9 three hospitals in Brooklyn to work off paper
10 charts for weeks following a cyberattack on its
11 computer systems.
12 The hospitals are located in
13 predominantly low-income communities of color,
14 such as Brownsville. And this isn't the first
15 time cyberattacks have targeted low-income
16 communities. In 2020, Wyckoff Hospital had to
17 deal with a cyberattack as well.
18 These attacks also have real-world
19 consequences for our government. A separate
20 attack last year pushed Suffolk County's local
21 government offline for weeks, forcing officials
22 on Long Island to disable email for all 10,000
23 civil service workers.
24 While we can't eradicate these
25 attacks, we can fortify the defenses that protect
4724
1 our information systems and the personal
2 information that they store. The Secure Our Data
3 Act does this by requiring the Office of
4 Information Technology and other state agencies
5 to set up data protection standards,
6 vulnerability assessments, data and information
7 inventories, and recovery procedures.
8 New Yorkers should never have to
9 fear that their personal information is at risk
10 simply because they have interacted with a state
11 agency. And today we're taking a big step in
12 building that trust.
13 Therefore, I proudly vote aye and
14 urge my colleagues to do the same.
15 Thank you.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
17 Gonzalez to be recorded in the affirmative.
18 Announce the results.
19 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
21 is passed.
22 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
23 1111, Senate Print Number 6151, by
24 Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, an act to amend
25 Chapter 676 of the Laws of 1978.
4725
1 SENATOR LANZA: Lay it aside for
2 the day.
3 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
4 will be laid aside for the day.
5 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
6 1113, Assembly Print Number 6751, by
7 Assemblymember Jacobson, an act to amend the
8 Alcoholic Beverage Control Law.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
10 last section.
11 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
12 act shall take effect immediately.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
14 roll.
15 (The Secretary called the roll.)
16 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
17 the results.
18 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
20 is passed.
21 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
22 1114, Senate Print 6528A, by Senator Bailey, an
23 act to amend the General Business Law.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
25 last section.
4726
1 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
2 act shall take effect on the 180th day after it
3 shall have become a law.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
5 roll.
6 (The Secretary called the roll.)
7 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
8 Bailey to explain his vote.
9 SENATOR BAILEY: Thank you,
10 Madam President.
11 On this very floor a couple of years
12 back we enacted -- we passed something called the
13 Crown Act, to protect against racially and
14 hair-based discrimination in the State of
15 New York.
16 We're taking another step today with
17 requiring that cosmetologists are properly
18 trained in culturally competent hair, for curls
19 and wave patterns. I'm especially excited about
20 the word "wave pattern" being in a state statute.
21 You know, they say that our crowns
22 are the way that we wear our hair, and it's very
23 important and unique to each and every one of us.
24 There's no better feeling sometimes than walking
25 out of that barber chair or that beauty salon
4727
1 chair and just that feeling about your appearance
2 and that fresh-cut feeling, as I would say,
3 Madam President.
4 But we want to make sure that the
5 people within the confines of the state, if they
6 say that they were able to do your hair in a
7 certain way, that they're able to do it properly.
8 If I want 360 waves, I'm not asking for finger
9 waves. They need to know the difference
10 between the difference.
11 And there are a number of other
12 things that are really important in this measure,
13 but I'm eternally grateful to be able to pass
14 this bill. And I'm hopeful that we can get it
15 done in the Assembly so that we can continue to
16 protect the crowns that we have.
17 I vote aye, Madam President.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
19 Bailey to be recorded in the affirmative.
20 Announce the results.
21 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
22 Calendar Number 1114, those Senators voting in
23 the negative are Senators Oberacker and Walczyk.
24 Ayes, 56. Nays, 2.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
4728
1 is passed.
2 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
3 1116, Senate Print 6661A, by Senator Weik, an act
4 in relation to authorizing the Chabad of Islip
5 Township Inc. to receive retroactive real
6 property tax exempt status.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
8 last section.
9 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
10 act shall take effect immediately.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
12 roll.
13 (The Secretary called the roll.)
14 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
15 the results.
16 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
17 Calendar Number 1116, voting in the negative:
18 Senator O'Mara.
19 Ayes, 57. Nays, 1.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
21 is passed.
22 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
23 1117, Senate Print 6680, by Senator Murray, an
24 act to amend Chapter 638 of the Laws of 2022.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
4729
1 last section.
2 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
3 act shall take effect immediately.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
5 roll.
6 (The Secretary called the roll.)
7 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
8 the results.
9 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
10 Calendar Number 1117, voting in the negative:
11 Senator O'Mara.
12 Ayes, 57. Nays, 1.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
14 is passed.
15 Senator Lanza, why do you rise?
16 SENATOR LANZA: Madam President,
17 can we pause to congratulate Senator Murray on
18 the passage of his first bill.
19 (Cheers; standing ovation.)
20 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:
21 Congratulations.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Calendar
23 Number 1118, Senate Print Number 6741, by
24 Senator Gianaris, an act to amend the
25 Alcoholic Beverage Control Law.
4730
1 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
2 last section.
3 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
4 act shall take effect immediately.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
6 roll.
7 (The Secretary called the roll.)
8 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
9 the results.
10 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
12 is passed.
13 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
14 1129, Senate Print 7085, by Senator Webb, an act
15 to amend the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
17 last section.
18 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
19 act shall take effect immediately.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
21 roll.
22 (The Secretary called the roll.)
23 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
24 the results.
25 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
4731
1 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
2 is passed.
3 There is a substitution at the desk.
4 The Secretary will read.
5 THE SECRETARY: Senator Weber moves
6 to discharge, from the Committee on Rules,
7 Assembly Bill Number 7398 and substitute it for
8 the identical Senate Bill 7359, Third Reading
9 Calendar 1130.
10 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:
11 Substitution so ordered.
12 The Secretary will read.
13 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
14 1130, Assembly Bill Number 7398, by
15 Assemblymember Zebrowski, an act to amend the
16 Real Property Tax Law.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
18 last section.
19 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
20 act shall take effect immediately.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
22 roll.
23 (The Secretary called the roll.)
24 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
25 the results.
4732
1 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
3 is passed.
4 There is a substitution at the desk.
5 The Secretary will read.
6 THE SECRETARY: Senator Weber moves
7 to discharge, from the Committee on Rules,
8 Assembly Bill Number 7399 and substitute it for
9 the identical Senate Bill 7360, Third Reading
10 Calendar 1131.
11 Calendar Number 1131, Assembly Bill
12 Number 7399, by Assemblymember Zebrowski, an act
13 to amend the Real Property Tax Law.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD:
15 Substitution so ordered.
16 Read the last section.
17 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
18 act shall take effect immediately.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
20 roll.
21 (The Secretary called the roll.)
22 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
23 the results.
24 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
4733
1 is passed.
2 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
3 1132, Senate Print 258, by Senator Serrano, an
4 act to amend the Executive Law.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
6 last section.
7 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
8 act shall take effect immediately.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
10 roll.
11 (The Secretary called the roll.)
12 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
13 the results.
14 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
15 Calendar Number 1132, those Senators voting in
16 the negative are Senators Borrello,
17 Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming,
18 Lanza, Mattera, Murray, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt,
19 Palumbo, Rhoads, Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk
20 and Weber.
21 Ayes, 40. Nays, 18.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
23 is passed.
24 Senator Lanza, why do you rise?
25 SENATOR LANZA: Madam President, I
4734
1 apologize, but I neglected to ask this body to
2 pause on Calendar 1130, which was Senator Weber's
3 first bill.
4 (Cheers; standing ovation.)
5 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
6 1174, Assembly Print Number 4265, by
7 Assemblymember Paulin, an act to amend the
8 Transportation Law.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
10 last section.
11 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
12 act shall take effect on the 60th day after it
13 shall have become a law.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
15 roll.
16 (The Secretary called the roll.)
17 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
18 the results.
19 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
21 is passed.
22 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
23 1184, Assembly Print Number 6164, by
24 Assemblymember Weprin, an act to amend the
25 Insurance Law.
4735
1 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
2 last section.
3 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
4 act shall take effect immediately.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
6 roll.
7 (The Secretary called the roll.)
8 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
9 the results.
10 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
12 is passed.
13 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
14 1191, Assembly Print Number 7291, by
15 Assemblymember Steck, an act to amend the
16 Insurance Law.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
18 last section.
19 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
20 act shall take effect immediately.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
22 roll.
23 (The Secretary called the roll.)
24 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
25 the results.
4736
1 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
2 Calendar Number 1191, voting in the negative:
3 Senator Skoufis.
4 Ayes, 57. Nays, 1.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
6 is passed.
7 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
8 1201, Senate Print 6955, by Senator Hinchey, an
9 act to amend the General Municipal Law.
10 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
11 last section.
12 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
13 act shall take effect immediately.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
15 roll.
16 (The Secretary called the roll.)
17 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
18 the results.
19 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
20 Calendar Number 1201, voting in the negative:
21 Senators Mannion and Walczyk.
22 Ayes, 56. Nays, 2.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
24 is passed.
25 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
4737
1 1202, Assembly Print Number 5697, by
2 Assemblymember Barrett, an act to amend the
3 Social Services Law.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
5 last section.
6 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
7 act shall take effect immediately.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
9 roll.
10 (The Secretary called the roll.)
11 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
12 the results.
13 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
14 Calendar 1202, those Senators voting in the
15 negative are Senators Borrello,
16 Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming,
17 Lanza, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Palumbo,
18 Rhoads, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk and Weber.
19 Ayes, 43. Nays, 15.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
21 is passed.
22 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
23 1209, Senate Print 3594, by Senator Harckham, an
24 act to amend the Education Law.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
4738
1 last section.
2 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
3 act shall take effect immediately.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
5 roll.
6 (The Secretary called the roll.)
7 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
8 the results.
9 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
10 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
11 is passed.
12 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
13 1212, Assembly Print Number 6807, by
14 Assemblymember Woerner, an act to amend the
15 Education Law.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
17 last section.
18 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
19 act shall take effect immediately.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
21 roll.
22 (The Secretary called the roll.)
23 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
24 Chu to explain her vote.
25 SENATOR CHU: Thank you,
4739
1 Madam President, for letting me explain my vote
2 and highlight the importance of this legislation.
3 Under current Education Law, the
4 definition of school library material is limited
5 to the items in printed and in audio/visual form.
6 However, nowadays with our technology
7 advancement, we can no longer ignore the
8 availability and accessibility that digital
9 materials can be used to educate our students.
10 Students now can access documents,
11 literature, and art forms from all over the world
12 in digital form. Many of these items are now
13 accessible to our students who have disabilities
14 such as issues of mobility or low vision, just to
15 name those two.
16 Digital materials can now open
17 gateways to enhance and enrich learning for our
18 students, but only if our school libraries are
19 able to provide the access to it. As state
20 legislators, it is our duty to keep our laws
21 up-to-date. This bill intends to keep up with
22 our education environment.
23 I'm proud to sponsor this bill to
24 support our school systems, or libraries, and our
25 students. I encourage my colleagues to vote yes
4740
1 and show their support as well.
2 Thank you, Madam President. For
3 these reasons, I vote aye.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
5 Chu to be recorded in the affirmative.
6 Announce the results.
7 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
9 is passed.
10 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
11 1213, Senate Print 6669, by Senator Tedisco, an
12 act to amend Chapter 203 of the Laws of 1957.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
14 last section.
15 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
16 act shall take effect immediately.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
18 roll.
19 (The Secretary called the roll.)
20 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
21 the results.
22 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
24 is passed.
25 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
4741
1 1217, Senate Print 7093, by Senator Chu, an act
2 to amend the Education Law.
3 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
4 last section.
5 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
6 act shall take effect immediately.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
8 roll.
9 (The Secretary called the roll.)
10 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
11 the results.
12 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
14 is passed.
15 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
16 1218, Senate Print 1567, by Senator Salazar, an
17 act to amend the Social Services Law.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
19 last section.
20 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
21 act shall take effect immediately.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
23 roll.
24 (The Secretary called the roll.)
25 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
4742
1 the results.
2 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
3 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
4 is passed.
5 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
6 1224, Senate Print 3318, by Senator Sepúlveda, an
7 act to amend the Correction Law.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
9 last section.
10 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
11 act shall take effect on the 120th day after it
12 shall have become a law.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
14 roll.
15 (The Secretary called the roll.)
16 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
17 the results.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: In
19 relation to Calendar 1224, those Senators voting
20 in the negative are Senators Borrello,
21 Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming,
22 Mattera, Murray, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt,
23 Palumbo, Rhoads, Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk
24 and Weber.
25 Ayes, 41. Nays, 17.
4743
1 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
2 is passed.
3 There is a home-rule message at the
4 desk. The Secretary will read.
5 Calendar Number 1234, Assembly Bill
6 Number 4092, by Assemblymember Byrnes, an act to
7 amend the Public Authorities Law.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
9 last section.
10 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
11 act shall take effect immediately.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
13 roll.
14 (The Secretary called the roll.)
15 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
16 the results.
17 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
19 is passed.
20 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
21 1242, Assembly Print Number 1753A, by
22 Assemblymember Dinowitz, an act to amend the
23 General Obligations Law and the State
24 Technology Law.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
4744
1 last section.
2 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
3 act shall take effect immediately.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
5 roll.
6 (The Secretary called the roll.)
7 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
8 the results.
9 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
10 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
11 is passed.
12 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
13 1243, Senate Print 5540, by Senator Harckham,
14 Concurrent Resolution of the Senate and Assembly
15 proposing an amendment to Section 1 of Article 14
16 of the Constitution.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
18 roll.
19 (The Secretary called the roll.)
20 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
21 Stec to explain his vote.
22 SENATOR STEC: Thank you,
23 Madam President.
24 I want to thank Senator Harckham for
25 his work on this legislation. This is a critical
4745
1 constitutional amendment. As most of you all
2 know, almost anything involving the transfer of
3 land or use of Forest Preserve in the
4 Adirondack Park requires a constitutional
5 amendment. It's a lengthy process. But I
6 appreciate Senator Harckham for his work on this.
7 This centers around expanding trails
8 in an event area for biathlon and Nordic ski in
9 North Elba/Lake Placid, the home of the 1932 and
10 1980 Winter Olympic Games and, most recently --
11 following a lot of improvements to the venues,
12 sponsored and supported by the State of
13 New York -- the FISU games last year.
14 So the investment has been made.
15 It's going well. But this constitutional
16 amendment is important for continuing to support
17 the Olympic venues in the Adirondacks and
18 specifically in my district.
19 So I want to thank Senator Harckham
20 again for carrying this bill for us. I vote in
21 the affirmative.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
23 Stec to be recorded in the affirmative.
24 Senator Harckham to explain his
25 vote.
4746
1 SENATOR HARCKHAM: Thank you very
2 much, Madam President.
3 I just want to stand very quickly to
4 thank Senator Stec for all his hard work on this
5 legislation, and for bringing it to us. This was
6 really his bill. I was proud to carry it over
7 the finish line, but I want to thank him for all
8 his great work on this.
9 I'll be voting in the affirmative.
10 Thank you.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
12 Harckham to be recorded in the affirmative.
13 Announce the results.
14 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
16 is passed.
17 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
18 1256, Senate Print 3221, by Senator Cleare, an
19 act to amend State Finance Law.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
21 last section.
22 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
23 act shall take effect immediately.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
25 roll.
4747
1 (The Secretary called the roll.)
2 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
3 the results.
4 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
6 is passed.
7 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
8 1258, Senate Print 3610, by Senator Webb, an act
9 to amend the Public Health Law.
10 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
11 last section.
12 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
13 act shall take effect on the 180th day after it
14 shall have become a law.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
16 roll.
17 (The Secretary called the roll.)
18 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
19 the results.
20 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
22 is passed.
23 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
24 1262, Senate Print 5992A, by Senator Persaud, an
25 act to amend the Public Health Law.
4748
1 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
2 last section.
3 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
4 act shall take effect on the 90th day after it
5 shall have become a law.
6 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
7 roll.
8 (The Secretary called the roll.)
9 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
10 the results.
11 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
13 is passed.
14 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
15 1263, Senate Print 6082A, by Senator Fernandez,
16 an act to amend the Public Health Law.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
18 last section.
19 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
20 act shall take effect immediately.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
22 roll.
23 (The Secretary called the roll.)
24 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
25 Fernandez to explain her vote.
4749
1 SENATOR FERNANDEZ: Thank you so
2 much, Madam President.
3 I'm very grateful to be a New Yorker
4 and honored to have this position, to be in a
5 state, being a part of a state that has always
6 led when it comes to reproductive rights and
7 protection of women.
8 And in this time where we see some
9 states even punishing women for going through
10 traumatic experiences such as miscarriage and
11 infant loss, this bill is so important and so
12 needed right now.
13 It is a compassionate piece of
14 legislation that is necessary to address the
15 unique needs of individuals and families
16 affected by pregnancy and infant loss. It
17 empowers them with information and resources to
18 navigate the healing process, and ensures they
19 receive the support they need and require during
20 this difficult time.
21 It's a bill that we named Ava's Law,
22 in memory of Ava, the daughter that we
23 unfortunately don't have today -- the daughter of
24 someone that I'm very grateful and -- honored and
25 grateful that she shared this story with me. And
4750
1 I thank her for being here today, my friend Kai,
2 for sharing this experience. Because it is an
3 experience that many women go through, sadly, in
4 silence. Unfortunately, in silence.
5 To go through pregnancy loss, your
6 body is not the same. You don't realize the
7 changes that are happening when what you expected
8 to happen doesn't happen. And this bill would
9 create an education and outreach program as basic
10 as pamphlets that the Department of Health would
11 have to give and inform to those that have
12 suffered from pregnancy loss, to prepare them for
13 what may happen.
14 Because milk still produces. Your
15 body goes through postpartum. And we need to
16 make sure that those that are in this difficult
17 time have full support and knowledge of the
18 resources around them, and from the state, so
19 they can get to the healing path and succeed in
20 getting through the healing path.
21 And this bill is going to change so
22 many lives. It's going to help so many women,
23 that in the most difficult time of their life --
24 that they probably didn't expect -- they know
25 where the help is, they know where to get the
4751
1 resources. And New York State, as we have been a
2 leader in this, I'm very proud that today we're
3 making another step in making sure that women and
4 everyone involved is prepared, is informed, and
5 is supported.
6 So thank you, Madam President, for
7 bringing this bill to the floor. Thank you all,
8 everyone, for supporting it. Because it is an
9 experience that is incredibly unfortunate,
10 incredibly unexpected. And at the very least we
11 as a government, as a society, as a state, should
12 be helpful, should be supportive. And this bill
13 will make sure that we know what we can do and
14 what some should do to make sure that they are
15 healed in some of the most traumatic times of
16 their life.
17 So thank you so much for this.
18 Please vote aye. This is going to be, again, a
19 basic bill that will change and protect and save
20 and help families get past the moment and grow
21 and continue to be a prosperous member of this
22 state.
23 So in memory of Ava, thank you for
24 voting for Ava's Law. Please vote aye. And let
25 us continue to make sure that New York State is
4752
1 always going to be protective, supportive and
2 informing of every resource that's out there.
3 Thank you.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
5 Fernandez to be recorded in the affirmative.
6 Announce the results.
7 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
9 is passed.
10 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
11 1265, Senate Print 327, by Senator Rivera, an act
12 in relation to the definition of "safety net
13 providers."
14 SENATOR LANZA: Lay it aside.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Lay it
16 aside.
17 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
18 1271, Senate Print 2519, by Senator Gallivan, an
19 act to deem an application filed with the
20 New York State and Local Police and Fire
21 Retirement System by the widow of Lawrence
22 Lakeman as timely filed.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
24 last section.
25 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
4753
1 act shall take effect immediately.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
3 roll.
4 (The Secretary called the roll.)
5 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
6 the results.
7 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
9 is passed.
10 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
11 1278, Senate Print 4877, by Senator Mayer, an act
12 to amend the State Finance Law.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
14 last section.
15 THE SECRETARY: Section 4. This
16 act shall take effect immediately.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
18 roll.
19 (The Secretary called the roll.)
20 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
21 the results.
22 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
24 is passed.
25 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
4754
1 1279, Assembly Print Number 5208, by
2 Assemblymember Pheffer Amato, an act to amend the
3 Retirement and Social Security Law.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
5 last section.
6 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
7 act shall take effect immediately.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
9 roll.
10 (The Secretary called the roll.)
11 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
12 the results.
13 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
15 is passed.
16 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
17 1280, Assembly Print Number 4721, by
18 Assemblymember Solages, an act to amend the
19 Civil Practice Law and Rules.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
21 last section.
22 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
23 act shall take effect immediately.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
25 roll.
4755
1 (The Secretary called the roll.)
2 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
3 Gonzalez to explain her vote.
4 SENATOR GONZALEZ: Thank you,
5 Madam President.
6 I am proud to stand up to speak on
7 the passage of S5137, to allow greater access to
8 a legal system that all too often is
9 inaccessible. This bill would prevent a court
10 from denying a class-action lawsuit solely on the
11 basis that the suit involves governmental
12 operations.
13 The government operations rule is
14 unique to New York. It does not exist in other
15 states or the federal government, because it
16 limits the ability for class-action lawsuits to
17 be certified when a case involves a state entity.
18 Class actions are a powerful tool
19 for justice. And with the Supreme Court's
20 rightward shift, we can't count on circumventing
21 New York courts by bringing these cases to
22 federal courts. That's why removing the
23 operations rule is important. It's removing one
24 more barrier to wielding the power that
25 class-action lawsuits have to bring relief to the
4756
1 most marginalized populations.
2 And suits brought as class actions
3 have held government agencies in this state
4 accountable in numerous ways over the past
5 decades. They've challenged the failures of
6 New York's foster care system, they've sought to
7 remedy nursing home facilities failing health
8 standards, ensured mentally ill inmates have
9 treatment plans upon discharge, and challenged
10 the NYPD's practices of racial profiling under
11 stop-and-frisk.
12 I am proud to be part of a body that
13 believes in granting New Yorkers greater access
14 to the power of the courts, and I vote aye.
15 Thank you.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
17 Gonzalez to be recorded in the affirmative.
18 Announce the results.
19 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
20 Calendar 1280, those Senators voting in the
21 negative are Senators Borrello,
22 Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Helming, Mattera, Murray,
23 Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Rhoads, Rolison,
24 Skoufis, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk and Weber.
25 Ayes, 43. Nays, 15.
4757
1 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
2 is passed.
3 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
4 1287, Senate Print Number 6523, by
5 Senator Scarcella-Spanton, an act to amend the
6 Veterans' Services Law.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
8 last section.
9 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
10 act shall take effect on the 90th day after it
11 shall have become a law.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
13 roll.
14 (The Secretary called the roll.)
15 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
16 Scarcella-Spanton to explain her vote.
17 SENATOR SCARCELLA-SPANTON: Thank
18 you, Madam President.
19 Thank you to my colleagues in the
20 Senate for all your support in helping pass this
21 legislation, which will require the Department of
22 Veterans Services to collaborate with other state
23 agencies in creating a resource database for
24 veterans and their families.
25 One of the things that I was I think
4758
1 most frustrated by when I started this job was
2 learning of how many wonderful resources there
3 are for veterans and their families while I'm
4 sitting on this side of the desk -- but when my
5 husband and I first moved back from Colorado,
6 from Fort Carson where he was stationed, not
7 being able to find those resources when my family
8 personally really needed them.
9 This could be anything from housing
10 resources to mental health resources, anything
11 that we provide here in New York State. And
12 New York State does a really wonderful job of
13 providing support to our veterans, but it's just
14 not all easy to find.
15 So one of the things that made the
16 most sense to me was to create a registry of the
17 resources, whether that's career opportunities
18 for veterans, housing opportunities, mental
19 health resources -- not just for the veteran, but
20 also for the veteran's family. Because there's a
21 lot that you go through together upon returns
22 from deployments.
23 This was a big priority for me, and
24 I'm really excited to see it pass today on the
25 Senate floor. I know that this is going to be so
4759
1 beneficial to countless veterans and their
2 families across New York State. I proudly vote
3 aye, and I encourage my colleagues to as well.
4 Thank you.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
6 Scarcella-Spanton to be recorded in the
7 affirmative.
8 Announce the results.
9 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
10 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
11 is passed.
12 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
13 1294, Senate Print 5642, by Senator Mannion, an
14 act to amend the Real Property Tax Law.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
16 last section.
17 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
18 act shall take effect immediately.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
20 roll.
21 (The Secretary called the roll.)
22 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
23 the results.
24 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
4760
1 is passed.
2 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
3 1302, Senate Print 4511A, by Senator Ramos, an
4 act to amend the Education Law.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
6 last section.
7 THE SECRETARY: Section 6. This
8 act shall take effect April 1, 2024.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
10 roll.
11 (The Secretary called the roll.)
12 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
13 Ramos to explain her vote.
14 SENATOR RAMOS: Thank you,
15 Madam President. I rise in honor of our public
16 defenders.
17 You know, lawyers work very hard,
18 study for a very long time in order to fulfill
19 their vocation of being a true advocate for each
20 and every one of us.
21 And to me, public defenders, you
22 know, when they could be a fancy defense attorney
23 and, you know, make money on big, big cases, they
24 actually choose to represent the poorest among
25 us, the most vulnerable. And I wanted to show a
4761
1 token of my appreciation for their work with this
2 bill.
3 And though I believe all student
4 debt should be canceled federally, absolutely,
5 this is but a way to recognize their sacrifice
6 and their hard work in ensuring that everyone has
7 a representative before the court.
8 So thank you, Madam President.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
10 Ramos to be recorded in the affirmative.
11 Announce the results.
12 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
13 Calendar Number 1302, voting in the negative:
14 Senator Walczyk.
15 Ayes, 57. Nays, 1.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
17 is passed.
18 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
19 1310, Senate Print 23, by Senator Stec, an act to
20 amend the Civil Practice Law and Rules.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: There is
22 a home-rule message at the desk.
23 Read the last section.
24 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
25 act shall take effect immediately.
4762
1 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
2 roll.
3 (The Secretary called the roll.)
4 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
5 the results.
6 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
7 Calendar Number 1310, voting in the negative:
8 Senator Brisport.
9 Ayes, 57. Nays, 1.
10 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
11 is passed.
12 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
13 1314, Assembly Print Number 7155, by
14 Assemblymember Pheffer Amato, an act to amend the
15 Civil Service Law.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
17 last section.
18 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
19 act shall take effect immediately.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
21 roll.
22 (The Secretary called the roll.)
23 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
24 the results.
25 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
4763
1 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
2 is passed.
3 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
4 1315, Assembly Print Number 7157, by
5 Assemblymember Pheffer Amato, an act to amend the
6 Civil Service Law.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
8 last section.
9 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
10 act shall take effect immediately.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
12 roll.
13 (The Secretary called the roll.)
14 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
15 the results.
16 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
18 is passed.
19 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
20 1316, Assembly Print Number 6480, by
21 Assemblymember Burdick, an act to amend the
22 Civil Service Law.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
24 last section.
25 THE SECRETARY: Section 4. This
4764
1 act shall take effect on the first of January.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
3 roll.
4 (The Secretary called the roll.)
5 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
6 the results.
7 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
9 is passed.
10 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
11 1317, Senate Print 252, by Senator Serrano, an
12 act to amend the Parks, Recreation and Historic
13 Preservation Law.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
15 last section.
16 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
17 act shall take effect on the first of January.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
19 roll.
20 (The Secretary called the roll.)
21 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
22 the results.
23 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
24 Calendar Number 1317, voting in the negative are
25 Senators Helming and Walczyk.
4765
1 Ayes, 56. Nays, 2.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
3 is passed.
4 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
5 1322, Senate Print 5714A, by Senator Cleare, an
6 act to amend the Arts and Cultural Affairs Law.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
8 last section.
9 THE SECRETARY: Section 5. This
10 act shall take effect immediately.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
12 roll.
13 (The Secretary called the roll.)
14 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
15 Cleare to explain her vote.
16 SENATOR CLEARE: Thank you,
17 Madam President.
18 Some of the most important groups
19 within our communities are our arts and cultural
20 organizations. They teach children how to dance,
21 sing, paint. They give lessons on history,
22 culture, and the environment. They serve as
23 communal gathering places for the meetings,
24 advocacy, and celebrations. In short, they
25 enrich us.
4766
1 However, not everyone is the Met,
2 sitting on $5 billion in assets. The small,
3 diverse community-centric arts organizations are
4 the ones who need our support the most. Yet
5 historically, they are the ones that have the
6 most difficulty garnering federal, state and
7 local support.
8 Large museums have lots of space and
9 large audiences but are not always committed to
10 supporting and displaying works that focus on
11 diversity, equity and telling history from
12 different points of view.
13 Therefore, this bill does several
14 things. It amends the Arts and Cultural Affairs
15 Law to incorporate even broader concern for
16 culture, access, diversity, equity, inclusion and
17 social and racial justice, by reforming the
18 composition of NYSCA, the New York State Council
19 on the Arts, by requiring consideration of
20 diversity and equity considerations and cultural
21 preservation and development; updating
22 contracting parameters by requiring consideration
23 of diversity and equitable access to contracting
24 opportunities; and requiring NYSCA to evaluate
25 potential grantees on the basis of how they use
4767
1 arts or culture to address racial and social
2 justice.
3 This bill is sorely needed to make
4 certain that our arts and cultural organizations
5 tell the whole story of our people, our
6 communities and our history. In doing so, we
7 will shape a better future for all.
8 I vote aye. Thank you.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
10 Cleare to be recorded in the affirmative.
11 Senator May to explain her vote.
12 SENATOR MAY: Thank you,
13 Madam President.
14 And I want to thank my colleague
15 Senator Cleare for this bill. This is so
16 important that we diversify the arts and support
17 for the arts across the state.
18 A few weeks ago I had the pleasure
19 to attend Sneaker Day -- not here in the Senate,
20 but at the Everson Museum in Syracuse, where I
21 saw the most diverse group of young people
22 decorating sneakers, designing their own
23 sneakers. And they had vendors there who I'm
24 sure had never been inside the Everson Museum.
25 It was part of a project to
4768
1 diversify not just the exhibits and the artists
2 that they feature, but the board as well of the
3 Everson. And we're seeing this at arts
4 organizations all around the world, I think. But
5 we need to support it, and we need to support the
6 smaller organizations as well that are often the
7 places where kids of color, families of color
8 feel more comfortable, and that really engage and
9 support forms of art that aren't typically
10 supported with these kinds of funds.
11 So I'm excited to see what this
12 program will do and what kinds of new experiences
13 I will get exposed to by being able to take
14 advantage of some of the new opportunities that I
15 think this bill and our support, broadened and
16 more diversified support for the arts, will
17 allow.
18 I vote aye.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
20 May to be recorded in the affirmative.
21 Announce the results.
22 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
23 Calendar 1322, those Senators voting in the
24 negative are Senators Borrello,
25 Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt,
4769
1 Rhoads and Walczyk.
2 Ayes, 51. Nays, 7.
3 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
4 is passed.
5 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
6 1324, Assembly Print Number 5948, by
7 Assemblymember Shimsky, an act to amend the
8 Navigation Law.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
10 last section.
11 THE SECRETARY: Section 4. This
12 act shall take effect January 1, 2024.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
14 roll.
15 (The Secretary called the roll.)
16 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
17 the results.
18 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
19 Calendar 1324, those Senators voting in the
20 negative are Senators Helming and Walczyk.
21 Ayes, 56. Nays, 2.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
23 is passed.
24 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
25 1328, Assembly Print Number 5821A, by
4770
1 Assemblymember Lavine, an act to amend the
2 Public Health Law.
3 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
4 last section.
5 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
6 act shall take effect on the 90th day after it
7 shall have become a law.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
9 roll.
10 (The Secretary called the roll.)
11 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
12 the results.
13 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
14 Calendar 1328, voting in the negative are
15 Senators Brouk and Martinez.
16 Ayes, 56. Nays, 2.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
18 is passed.
19 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
20 1348, Assembly Print Number 3164, by
21 Assemblymember Magnarelli, an act to amend
22 Chapter 62 of the Laws of 2003.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
24 last section.
25 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
4771
1 act shall take effect immediately.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
3 roll.
4 (The Secretary called the roll.)
5 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
6 the results.
7 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
9 is passed.
10 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
11 1353, Assembly Print Number 2935, by
12 Assemblymember Woerner, an act to amend the
13 Agriculture and Markets Law.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
15 last section.
16 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
17 act shall take effect immediately.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
19 roll.
20 (The Secretary called the roll.)
21 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
22 the results.
23 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
25 is passed.
4772
1 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
2 1419, Assembly Print Number 7430, by
3 Assemblymember Peoples-Stokes, an act to amend
4 the Cannabis Law.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
6 last section.
7 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
8 act shall take effect immediately.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
10 roll.
11 (The Secretary called the roll.)
12 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
13 the results.
14 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
15 Calendar Number 1419, those Senators voting in
16 the negative are Senators Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick,
17 Lanza, Martinez, Mattera, Rhoads and Weber.
18 Ayes, 52. Nays, 6.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
20 is passed.
21 Senator Serrano, that completes the
22 reading of today's calendar.
23 SENATOR SERRANO: Thank you,
24 Madam President.
25 Let's please go to the reading of
4773
1 the controversial calendar.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The
3 Secretary will ring the bell.
4 The Secretary will read.
5 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
6 1265, Senate Print 327, by Senator Rivera, an act
7 in relation to the definition of "safety net
8 providers."
9 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
10 Lanza, why do you rise?
11 SENATOR LANZA: Madam President, I
12 believe there's an amendment at the desk. I
13 waive the reading of that amendment and ask that
14 you recognize Senator Weber.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Thank
16 you, Senator Lanza.
17 Upon review of the amendment, in
18 accordance with Rule 6, Section 4B, I rule it
19 nongermane and out of order at this time.
20 SENATOR LANZA: Accordingly,
21 Madam President, I appeal the ruling of the chair
22 and ask that Senator Weber be heard on the
23 appeal.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The
25 appeal has been made and recognized, and
4774
1 Senator Weber may be heard.
2 SENATOR WEBER: Thank you,
3 Madam President.
4 I rise to appeal the ruling of the
5 chair. The proposed amendment is germane to the
6 bill at hand because both the amendment and bill
7 deal with Medicaid funding.
8 The bill before us would expand the
9 definition for the budgeting funding for safety
10 net hospitals. While this is welcome, it is
11 nowhere near close to stemming the rise in
12 inflation that has increased the cost for
13 hospitals, healthcare costs for New Yorkers, and
14 overall costs to our county governments.
15 This amendment would repeal the FMAP
16 intercept that would administratively take
17 pass-through federal funding meant for county
18 governments and divert it to the General Fund to
19 offset other Medicaid spending.
20 The enacted budget eliminates
21 Medicaid enhancement, the federal medical
22 assistance program, the FMAP fund payments
23 intended to go to the county governments. Each
24 county would realize a loss in state funding due
25 to this proposal.
4775
1 What does this mean? Well, Rockland
2 County will lose $8.7 million. Suffolk County,
3 31.9 million. Nassau County, 29.9 million.
4 Westchester, 27.7 million. Erie County,
5 26.6 million. Monroe, 23 million. Onondaga,
6 13.2 million. Orange County, 9.1 million.
7 Putnam, 1.2; Dutchess, 5.4; Sullivan, 2.6 -- it
8 goes on and on.
9 These losses are staggering. Some
10 analyses that I've seen say that county
11 governments will be forced to raise taxes between
12 7 and 14 percent. They've already passed their
13 budget. The Governor just basically took the
14 money away from them.
15 If you think that someone like
16 myself is going to go back to Rockland and tell
17 our county executive and our county legislature,
18 Hey, great job passing the budget; by the way,
19 we're taking this money away from you not only
20 this year but in future years, so you're going to
21 have to raise taxes by 7 to 14 percent -- that's
22 crazy. I'm not doing that. I don't think a lot
23 of people in this chamber are going to be
24 comfortable having to go back to their county
25 governments and tell them that.
4776
1 As part of this federal Affordable
2 Care Act, New York receives funds annually from
3 the federal government to fund Medicaid
4 expansion. Federal law requires the state to
5 share 20 percent of these funds with county
6 governments, known as FMAP reconciliation. The
7 state would stop making those required payments
8 administratively.
9 Congress intended these funds to be
10 shared with counties and New York City. Under
11 Governor Hochul's fiscal year 2024 enacted
12 budget, the government absorbs up to 1 billion in
13 FMAP funds, over a period of three years, into
14 the State General Fund, cutting
15 county-administered Medicaid services.
16 I ask this body to pass this
17 amendment to reverse this bad policy that the
18 Governor did administratively. If you don't pass
19 this amendment, I encourage you to sign on to
20 S6716, which is my bill to require FMAP funds be
21 directly shared with counties and New York City.
22 That's open for cosponsorship.
23 But in the interim, please pass this
24 amendment so that we can prevent future tax
25 increases on our counties.
4777
1 Thank you very much.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Thank
3 you, Senator.
4 I want to remind the house that the
5 vote is on the procedures of the house and the
6 ruling of the chair.
7 Those in favor of overruling the
8 chair, signify by saying aye.
9 (Response of "Aye.")
10 SENATOR LANZA: Request a show of
11 hands.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: A show
13 of hands has been requested and so ordered.
14 Announce the results.
15 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 18.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The
17 ruling of the chair stands, and the bill-in-chief
18 is before the house.
19 Senator Serrano.
20 SENATOR SERRANO: Thank you,
21 Madam President.
22 Upon consent, please restore
23 Calendar 1265 to the noncontroversial calendar.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
25 is restored to the noncontroversial calendar.
4778
1 Read the last section.
2 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
3 act shall take effect on the same date and in the
4 same manner as Chapter 53 of the Laws of 2022.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
6 roll.
7 (The Secretary called the roll.)
8 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
9 the results.
10 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
12 is passed.
13 Senator Serrano, that completes the
14 reading of today's calendar.
15 SENATOR SERRANO: Can we return to
16 motions.
17 Amendments are offered to the
18 following Third Reading Calendar bills:
19 By Senator May, page 19, Calendar
20 608, Senate Print 227A;
21 By Senator Gonzalez, page 51,
22 Calendar 1207, Senate Print 6475;
23 By Senator Hoylman-Sigal, page 32,
24 Calendar 871, Senate Print 6341A;
25 And by Senator Gounardes, page 63,
4779
1 Calendar 1312, Senate Print 5015.
2 I now move that these bills retain
3 their place on order of third reading.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The
5 amendments are received, and the bills will
6 retain their place on the Third Reading Calendar.
7 Senator Serrano.
8 SENATOR SERRANO: Thank you.
9 Is there any further business at the
10 desk?
11 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: There is
12 no further business at the desk.
13 SENATOR SERRANO: I move to adjourn
14 until Thursday, June 1st, at 11:00 a.m.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: On
16 motion, the Senate stands adjourned until
17 Thursday, June 1st, at 11:00 a.m.
18 (Whereupon, at 6:17 p.m., the Senate
19 adjourned.)
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