Regular Session - March 10, 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 10, 2025
11 3:36 p.m.
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14 REGULAR SESSION
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18 SENATOR JEREMY COONEY, 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 COONEY: 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 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: In the
9 absence of clergy, let us bow our heads in a
10 moment of silent reflection or prayer.
11 (Whereupon, the assemblage respected
12 a moment of silence.)
13 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Reading
14 of the Journal.
15 THE SECRETARY: In Senate, Friday,
16 March 7, 2025, the Senate met pursuant to
17 adjournment. The Journal of Thursday, March 6,
18 2025, was read and approved. On motion, the
19 Senate adjourned.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Without
21 objection, the Journal stands approved as read.
22 Presentation of petitions.
23 Messages from the Assembly.
24 Messages from the Governor.
25 Reports of standing committees.
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1 Reports of select committees.
2 Communications and reports from
3 state officers.
4 Motions and resolutions.
5 Senator Gianaris.
6 SENATOR GIANARIS: Good afternoon,
7 Mr. President.
8 I offer amendments to the following
9 Third Reading Calendar bills:
10 By Senator Hinchey, Calendar Number
11 329, Senate Print 3852; and by Senator Martinez,
12 Calendar Number 373, Senate Print 688.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The
14 amendments are received, and the bills will
15 retain their place on the Third Reading Calendar.
16 Senator Gianaris.
17 SENATOR GIANARIS: Please take up
18 the reading of the calendar.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The
20 Secretary will read.
21 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
22 102, Senate Print 1438A, by Senator Krueger, an
23 act to amend the Public Health Law.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Read the
25 last section.
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1 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
2 act shall take effect on the first of April.
3 SENATOR MURRAY: Call the roll.
4 (The Secretary called the roll.)
5 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Announce
6 the results.
7 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
8 Calendar 102, those Senators voting in the
9 negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello, Chan,
10 Felder, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza,
11 Mattera, Murray, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt,
12 Palumbo, Rhoads, Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk,
13 Weber and Weik.
14 Ayes, 39. Nays, 21.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The bill
16 is passed.
17 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
18 118, Senate Print 1187, by Senator Addabbo, an
19 act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Read the
21 last section.
22 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
23 act shall take effect immediately.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Call the
25 roll.
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1 (The Secretary called the roll.)
2 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Announce
3 the results.
4 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
5 Calendar 118, voting in the negative are
6 Senators Brisport, Lanza and Ortt.
7 Ayes, 57. Nays, 3.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The bill
9 is passed.
10 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
11 120, Senate Print 1704, by Senator Harckham, an
12 act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Read the
14 last section.
15 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
16 act shall take effect immediately.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Call the
18 roll.
19 (The Secretary called the roll.)
20 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Announce
21 the results.
22 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 60.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The bill
24 is passed.
25 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
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1 129, Senate Print 1619, by Senator Rivera, an act
2 to amend the Education Law.
3 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Read the
4 last section.
5 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
6 act shall take effect immediately.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Call the
8 roll.
9 (The Secretary called the roll.)
10 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Announce
11 the results.
12 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
13 Calendar 129, voting in the negative:
14 Senator Walczyk.
15 Ayes, 59. Nays, 1.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The bill
17 is passed.
18 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
19 202, Senate Print 123, by Senator Cleare, an act
20 to amend the General Business Law.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Read the
22 last section.
23 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
24 act shall take effect on the 90th day after it
25 shall have become a law.
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1 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Call the
2 roll.
3 (The Secretary called the roll.)
4 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Announce
5 the results.
6 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
7 Calendar 202, voting in the negative are
8 Senators Gallivan and Weik.
9 Ayes, 58. Nay, 2.
10 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The bill
11 is passed.
12 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
13 249, Senate Print 2447, by Senator Mayer, an act
14 to amend the Executive Law.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Read the
16 last section.
17 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
18 act shall take effect immediately.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Call the
20 roll.
21 (The Secretary called the roll.)
22 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Announce
23 the results.
24 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
25 Calendar 249, those Senators voting in the
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1 negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello, Griffo,
2 Helming, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Stec, Walczyk
3 and Weik.
4 Ayes, 50. Nays, 10.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The bill
6 is passed.
7 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
8 257, Senate Print 1048, by Senator Salazar, an
9 act to amend the Correction Law.
10 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Read the
11 last section.
12 THE SECRETARY: Section 4. This
13 act shall take effect immediately.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Call the
15 roll.
16 (The Secretary called the roll.)
17 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Senator
18 Salazar to explain her vote.
19 SENATOR SALAZAR: Thank you,
20 Mr. President.
21 This bill addresses a crucial gap in
22 our state's occupational licensing process by
23 enhancing transparency and fairness for
24 individuals who have records of involvement in
25 the criminal legal system, removing some of the
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1 barriers they face as they seek to rebuild their
2 life and contribute to our state's economy.
3 Under the current system,
4 individuals who have had encounters with the
5 criminal justice system often face an unnecessary
6 obstacle when applying for professional licenses.
7 Many New Yorkers frequently experience
8 uncertainty about whether their criminal record
9 would automatically disqualify them from
10 obtaining a license to pursue a profession they
11 would otherwise qualify for.
12 This problem particularly affects
13 marginalized communities and perpetuates systemic
14 inequality in our state's professional workforce.
15 The PLAN Act, this bill, offers a
16 practical solution to this problem. It
17 establishes a preliminary process for applicants
18 to determine in advance whether their criminal
19 history would disqualify them from obtaining a
20 particular professional license in New York.
21 This includes details on which criminal offenses
22 may impact eligibility and ones that cannot be
23 considered, making the process clearer for all
24 applicants.
25 Furthermore, they would have the
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1 ability to submit a preliminary application
2 through a low-cost procedure that certainty
3 before the applicant commits to a longer, more
4 arduous process of obtaining a license.
5 By providing a clear and accessible
6 pathway to assess eligibility, we would empower
7 individuals to make informed decisions about
8 their professional futures, while also ensuring
9 that public agencies handle these applications
10 with fairness and with accountability.
11 This promotes a fairer, more just
12 system that values hard-earned second chances.
13 It is a step toward breaking the cycle of poverty
14 and incarceration by providing meaningful
15 opportunities for people to move forward
16 confidently and with dignity.
17 Thank you, Mr. President.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Senator
19 Salazar to be recorded in the affirmative.
20 Senator Martins to explain his vote.
21 SENATOR MARTINS: Thank you,
22 Mr. President.
23 I will be voting no on this bill.
24 You know, just one more attempt, Mr. President,
25 that prioritizes criminals over law-abiding
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1 citizens.
2 I don't want to see and my
3 constituents don't want to see somebody with a
4 record or a criminal record of alcohol abuses or
5 driving while impaired or a criminal felony
6 record applying for a liquor license. I don't
7 want to see a criminal who was convicted of some
8 sexual offense applying for a license to run a
9 daycare center.
10 And we should be careful where we
11 draw the line. Time and again, we prioritize the
12 rights of criminals, those who have encountered
13 the criminal justice system and have been
14 convicted, over those of law-abiding citizens.
15 And we should question ourselves as to where we
16 draw that line.
17 For me, it's simple. I draw the
18 line in favor of those law-abiding citizens who
19 have expected that our laws would be complied
20 with. That is, not worked around, not give them
21 the benefit of the doubt. But there are specific
22 licenses and requirements for licensing in our
23 state that have existed for decades. And they
24 make sense. And they make sense to us, and they
25 make sense to our constituents.
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1 The idea that we're going to vote to
2 prioritize doing away with those, or lessening
3 those, is something I won't be part of.
4 I'll be voting no.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Senator
6 Martins to be recorded in the negative.
7 Announce the results.
8 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
9 Calendar 257, voting in the negative are
10 Senators Borrello, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo,
11 Helming, Lanza, Martins, Mattera, Oberacker,
12 O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Stec, Tedisco,
13 Walczyk, Weber and Weik.
14 Ayes, 42. Nays, 18.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The bill
16 is passed.
17 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
18 285, Senate Print 2040, by Senator Gianaris, an
19 act to amend the Banking Law.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Read the
21 last section.
22 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
23 act shall take effect on the 180th day after it
24 shall have become a law.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Call the
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1 roll.
2 (The Secretary called the roll.)
3 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Announce
4 the results.
5 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
6 Calendar 285, those Senators voting in the
7 negative are Senators Borrello, Chan, Gallivan,
8 Griffo, Helming, Martins, Oberacker, O'Mara,
9 Ortt, Palumbo, Stec, Tedisco and Walczyk.
10 Ayes, 47. Nays, 13.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The bill
12 is passed.
13 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
14 292, Senate Print 923, by Senator Skoufis, an act
15 to amend the Election Law.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Read the
17 last section.
18 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
19 act shall take effect immediately.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Call the
21 roll.
22 (The Secretary called the roll.)
23 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Announce
24 the results.
25 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
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1 Calendar 292, those Senators voting in the
2 negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello, Chan,
3 Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Martins,
4 Mattera, Murray, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt,
5 Palumbo, Rhoads, Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk,
6 Weber and Weik.
7 Ayes, 39. Nays, 21.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The bill
9 is passed.
10 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
11 297, Senate Print 934, by Senator Gonzalez, an
12 act to amend the General Business Law.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Read the
14 last section.
15 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
16 act shall take effect on the 90th day after it
17 shall have become a law.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Call the
19 roll.
20 (The Secretary called the roll.)
21 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Announce
22 the results.
23 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
24 Calendar Number 297, voting in the negative:
25 Senator Walczyk.
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1 Ayes, 59. Nays, 1.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The bill
3 is passed.
4 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
5 343, Senate Print 916, by Senator Sean Ryan, an
6 act to amend the Judiciary Law.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Read the
8 last section.
9 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
10 act shall take effect immediately.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Call the
12 roll.
13 (The Secretary called the roll.)
14 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Announce
15 the results.
16 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
17 Calendar 343, voting in the negative:
18 Senator Walczyk.
19 Ayes, 59. Nays, 1.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The bill
21 is passed.
22 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
23 345, Senate Print 1142, by Senator Gounardes, an
24 act to amend the Civil Practice Law and Rules.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Read the
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1 last section.
2 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
3 act shall take effect on the 60th day after it
4 shall have become a law.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Call the
6 roll.
7 (The Secretary called the roll.)
8 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Announce
9 the results.
10 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
11 Calendar 345, those Senators voting in the
12 negative are Senators Borrello, Helming, Lanza,
13 Martins, O'Mara, Ortt, Rhoads, Walczyk and Weik.
14 Ayes, 51. Nays, 9.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The bill
16 is passed.
17 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
18 346, Senate Print 2422, by Senator Hoylman-Sigal,
19 an act to repeal Section 470 of the
20 Judiciary Law.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Read the
22 last section.
23 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
24 act shall take effect immediately.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Call the
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1 roll.
2 (The Secretary called the roll.)
3 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Announce
4 the results.
5 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
6 Calendar 346, voting in the negative:
7 Senator Skoufis.
8 Ayes, 59. Nays, 1.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The bill
10 is passed.
11 There is a substitution at the desk.
12 The Secretary will read.
13 THE SECRETARY: Senator Mayer moves
14 to discharge, from the Committee on Rules,
15 Assembly Bill Number 5285 and substitute it for
16 the identical Senate Bill 4587, Third Reading
17 Calendar 447.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The
19 substitution is so ordered.
20 The Secretary will read.
21 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
22 447, Assembly Bill Number 5285, by
23 Assemblymember Reyes, an act to amend the
24 Education Law.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Read the
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1 last section.
2 THE SECRETARY: Section 4. This
3 act shall take effect on the same date and in the
4 same manner as a chapter of the Laws of 2025.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Call the
6 roll.
7 (The Secretary called the roll.)
8 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: Announce
9 the results.
10 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
11 Calendar 447, those Senators voting in the
12 negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello, Chan,
13 Felder, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza,
14 Mattera, Murray, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt,
15 Palumbo, Rhoads, Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk,
16 Weber and Weik.
17 Ayes, 39. Nays, 21.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: The bill
19 is passed.
20 Senator Gianaris, that completes the
21 reading of today's calendar.
22 SENATOR GIANARIS: Is there any
23 further business at the desk?
24 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: There is
25 no further business at the desk.
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1 SENATOR GIANARIS: I move to
2 adjourn until tomorrow, Tuesday, March 11th, at
3 3:00 p.m.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT COONEY: On
5 motion, the Senate stands adjourned until
6 Tuesday, March 11th, at 3:00 p.m.
7 (Whereupon, at 3:51 p.m., the Senate
8 adjourned.)
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