Regular Session - March 5, 2025
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1 NEW YORK STATE SENATE
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4 THE STENOGRAPHIC RECORD
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9 ALBANY, NEW YORK
10 March 5, 2025
11 12:23 p.m.
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14 REGULAR SESSION
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18 SENATOR ROXANNE J. PERSAUD, Acting President
19 ALEJANDRA N. PAULINO, ESQ., Secretary
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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 to please rise and
5 recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
6 (Whereupon, the assemblage recited
7 the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.)
8 Pastor Eboni Taylor, of Coney Island
9 Cathedral in Brooklyn, New York, will deliver
10 today's invocation.
11 Pastor?
12 PASTOR TAYLOR: Let us bow our
13 heads.
14 Heavenly Father, we thank You for
15 this day.
16 Father, we thank You, first of all,
17 for life, for letting us come together and gather
18 in this assembly.
19 Father, we ask that You would grant
20 us peace, strength and courage.
21 And, Father, we ask that You will
22 bless each and every household that is
23 represented here.
24 And, Father, we thank You for the
25 decisions that are being made for this future.
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1 And, Father, we forever give You
2 praise and glory.
3 In Jesus' name we pray.
4 Everyone say amen. Amen.
5 (Response of "Amen.")
6 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Thank
7 you, Pastor.
8 Reading of the Journal.
9 THE SECRETARY: In Senate, Tuesday,
10 March 4, 2025, the Senate met pursuant to
11 adjournment. The Journal of Monday, March 3,
12 2025, was read and approved. On motion, the
13 Senate adjourned.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Without
15 objection, the Journal stands approved as read.
16 Presentation of petitions.
17 Messages from the Assembly.
18 Messages from the Governor.
19 Reports of standing committees.
20 Reports of select committees.
21 Communications and reports from
22 state officers.
23 Motions and resolutions.
24 Senator Serrano.
25 SENATOR SERRANO: Hi,
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1 Madam President. Thank you very much.
2 I would like for us to take up
3 resolution -- previously adopted Resolution 433,
4 by myself. Read the resolution title only, and
5 recognize me.
6 (Laughter.)
7 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The
8 Secretary will read.
9 THE SECRETARY: Resolution 433, by
10 Senator Serrano, commemorating the 38th Annual
11 SOMOS Spring Conference to be held March 7-9,
12 2025, and paying tribute to its host, SOMOS,
13 Inc., for its contributions and advocacy on
14 behalf of the Puerto Rican and Latino communities
15 in the State of New York.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
17 Serrano on the resolution.
18 SENATOR SERRANO: Thank you.
19 I would like to thank the entire
20 Senate and my colleagues for adopting this
21 resolution today honoring the 38th anniversary of
22 the SOMOS Spring Conference happening here in
23 Albany this weekend.
24 This conference provides the
25 opportunity for elected officials, leaders,
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1 advocates and members of our communities to come
2 together under the theme "Justice in Action."
3 This year's conference will focus on
4 advancing equality, fostering community-driven
5 solutions, and empowering the voices of the
6 underserved. Through workshops, panels and
7 networking opportunities, participants will
8 explore actionable strategies to address pressing
9 issues and create meaningful impact.
10 The SOMOS Spring Conference serves
11 as a key gathering to bring people together to
12 discuss critical issues, and to promote Latino
13 empowerment. This conference encourages young
14 Latinos to get involved and serves as a catalyst
15 for young leadership.
16 I would like to thank
17 Assemblywoman Karines Reyes, the chair of the
18 Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force, for having me
19 collaborate with her on this resolution. I
20 commend her work and the work of SOMOS, Inc., for
21 their contributions as hosts of this conference.
22 Thank you, Madam President, for
23 allowing me to speak on this resolution, and I
24 thank my colleagues for supporting it here today.
25 Thank you.
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1 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Thank
2 you, Senator.
3 The resolution was adopted on
4 March 5th.
5 Senator Serrano.
6 SENATOR SERRANO: Thank you.
7 At the request of the sponsor --
8 myself -- the resolution will be open for
9 cosponsorship.
10 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The
11 resolution is open for cosponsorship. Should you
12 choose not to be a cosponsor, please notify the
13 desk.
14 Senator Serrano.
15 SENATOR SERRANO: Thank you.
16 Please take up the reading of the
17 calendar.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The
19 Secretary will read.
20 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
21 134, Senate Print 1553, by Senator Parker, an act
22 to amend the Public Service Law.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
24 last section.
25 THE SECRETARY: Section 4. This
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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: In relation to
8 Calendar 134, those Senators voting in the
9 negative are Senators Borrello, Griffo and
10 Walczyk.
11 Ayes, 58. Nays, 3.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
13 is passed.
14 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
15 270, Senate Print 317, by Senator Salazar, an act
16 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 on the 180th day after it
21 shall have become a law.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
23 roll.
24 (The Secretary called the roll.)
25 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
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1 the results.
2 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
3 Calendar 270, those Senators voting in the
4 negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello, Chan,
5 Gallivan, Griffo, Lanza, Mattera, Murray,
6 Oberacker, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Stec, Tedisco,
7 Walczyk, Weber and Weik.
8 Ayes, 44. Nays, 17.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
10 is passed.
11 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
12 279, Senate Print 1376, by Senator Serrano, an
13 act to amend the Parks, Recreation and
14 Historic Preservation 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, 61.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
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1 is passed.
2 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
3 299, Senate Print 200, by Senator Martinez, an
4 act to amend the Navigation Law.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
6 last section.
7 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. 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 299, voting in the negative:
16 Senator Walczyk.
17 Ayes, 60. Nays, 1.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
19 is passed.
20 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
21 300, Senate Print 258, by Senator Martinez, an
22 act to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
24 last section.
25 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
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1 act shall take effect on the first of November.
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, 61.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
9 is passed.
10 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
11 304, Senate Print 3272, by Senator Cooney, an act
12 to amend the Vehicle and Traffic 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, 61.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
24 is passed.
25 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
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1 323, Senate Print 122, by Senator Cleare, an act
2 to amend the Environmental Conservation Law.
3 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
4 last section.
5 THE SECRETARY: Section 5. 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: Ayes, 61.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
15 is passed.
16 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
17 367, Senate Print 1261A, by Senator Krueger, an
18 act to amend the Domestic Relations Law.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
20 last section.
21 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
22 act shall take effect on the 60th day after it
23 shall have become a law.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
25 roll.
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1 (The Secretary called the roll.)
2 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Announce
3 the results.
4 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
5 Calendar Number 367, voting in the negative:
6 Senator Walczyk.
7 Ayes, 60. Nays, 1.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
9 is passed.
10 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
11 392, Senate Print 73, by Senator Kavanagh, an act
12 to amend the Environmental Conservation Law.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
14 last section.
15 THE SECRETARY: Section 11. 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, 61.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
24 is passed.
25 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
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1 413, Senate Print 5183, by Senator Jackson, an
2 act to amend the Election Law.
3 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
4 last section.
5 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
6 act shall take effect one year after it shall
7 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 Number 413, voting in the negative:
15 Senator Walczyk.
16 Ayes, 60. Nays, 1.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
18 is passed.
19 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
20 414, Senate Print 489, by Senator Fernandez, an
21 act to amend the Public Health Law.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Read the
23 last section.
24 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
25 act shall take effect on the first of January.
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1 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Call the
2 roll.
3 (The Secretary called the roll.)
4 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
5 Fernandez to explain her vote.
6 SENATOR FERNANDEZ: Thank you so
7 much, Madam President.
8 This bill is very straightforward
9 and very essential because, still, when people
10 that might have gone through an overdose are
11 admitted to an emergency room, they're not
12 directed to the care that could help them get on
13 their path to recovery.
14 So this bill would ensure that any
15 person that does enter an emergency room on
16 account of an overdose or anything related is
17 connected to that care.
18 Thank you so much, and I hope
19 everyone votes aye.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: Senator
21 Fernandez to be recorded in the affirmative.
22 Announce the results.
23 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
25 is passed.
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1 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
2 415, Senate Print 1812, by Senator Fernandez, an
3 act to amend the Mental Hygiene 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, 61.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: The bill
15 is passed.
16 Senator Serrano, this concludes the
17 reading of today's calendar.
18 SENATOR SERRANO: Thank you.
19 Is there any further business at the
20 desk?
21 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: There is
22 no further business at the desk.
23 SENATOR SERRANO: That being so, I
24 move to adjourn until Monday, March 10th, at
25 3:00 p.m., with the intervening days being
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1 legislative days.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT PERSAUD: On
3 motion, the Senate stands adjourned until Monday,
4 March 10th, at 3:00 p.m., with intervening days
5 being legislative days.
6 (Whereupon, at 12:31 p.m., the
7 Senate adjourned.)
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