Regular Session - March 9, 2026
1168
1 NEW YORK STATE SENATE
2
3
4 THE STENOGRAPHIC RECORD
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9 ALBANY, NEW YORK
10 March 9, 2026
11 3:16 p.m.
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13
14 REGULAR SESSION
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17
18 SENATOR JAMAAL T. BAILEY, Acting President
19 ALEJANDRA N. PAULINO, ESQ., Secretary
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1169
1 P R O C E E D I N G S
2 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: 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 BAILEY: 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 BAILEY: Reading
14 of the Journal.
15 THE SECRETARY: In Senate, Friday,
16 March 6, 2026, the Senate met pursuant to
17 adjournment. The Journal of Thursday, March 5,
18 2026, was read and approved. On motion, the
19 Senate adjourned.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Without
21 objection, the Journal stands approved as read.
22 Presentation of petitions.
23 Messages from the Assembly.
24 The Secretary will read.
25 THE SECRETARY: Senator Gonzalez
1170
1 moves to discharge, from the Committee on
2 Internet and Technology, Assembly Bill
3 Number 3411B and substitute it for the identical
4 Senate Bill 934A, Third Reading Calendar 429.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: So
6 ordered.
7 Messages from the Governor.
8 Reports of standing committees.
9 Reports of select committees.
10 Communications and reports from
11 state officers.
12 Motions and resolutions.
13 Senator Gianaris.
14 SENATOR GIANARIS: Good afternoon,
15 Mr. President.
16 We're going to go right into the
17 reading of the calendar today.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The
19 Secretary will read.
20 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
21 104, Senate Print 4369, by Senator Comrie, an act
22 to amend the Not-for-Profit Corporation Law.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
24 last section.
25 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
1171
1 act shall take effect immediately.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
3 roll.
4 (The Secretary called the roll.)
5 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Announce
6 the results.
7 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
8 Calendar 104, voting in the negative are
9 Senators Martinez and Walczyk.
10 Ayes, 56. Nays, 2.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
12 is passed.
13 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
14 263, Senate Print 4995, by Senator Harckham, an
15 act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
17 last section.
18 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
19 act shall take effect on the 30th day after it
20 shall have become a law.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
22 roll.
23 (The Secretary called the roll.)
24 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Announce
25 the results.
1172
1 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
3 is passed.
4 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
5 335, Senate Print 349, by Senator Skoufis, an act
6 to amend the Public Officers Law.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: 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 BAILEY: Call the
13 roll.
14 (The Secretary called the roll.)
15 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Announce
16 the results.
17 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 58.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
19 is passed.
20 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
21 339, Senate Print 2271, by Senator Krueger, an
22 act to amend the Executive Law.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
24 last section.
25 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
1173
1 act shall take effect on the first of January.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
3 roll.
4 (The Secretary called the roll.)
5 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Announce
6 the results.
7 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
8 Calendar 339, voting in the negative are
9 Senators Ashby, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan,
10 Gallivan, Griffo, Lanza, Martins, Mattera,
11 Murray, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads,
12 Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber and Weik.
13 Ayes, 39. Nays, 19.
14 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
15 is passed.
16 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
17 340, Senate Print 2304, by Senator Krueger, an
18 act to amend the Legislative Law.
19 SENATOR LANZA: Lay it aside.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Lay it
21 aside.
22 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
23 347, Senate Print Number 6283, by
24 Senator Scarcella-Spanton, an act to amend the
25 Cannabis Law.
1174
1 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
2 last section.
3 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
4 act shall take effect immediately.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
6 roll.
7 (The Secretary called the roll.)
8 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Announce
9 the results.
10 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 59.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
12 is passed.
13 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
14 359, Senate Print 2329, by Senator Rivera, an act
15 to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
17 last section.
18 THE SECRETARY: Section 4. This
19 act shall take effect on the 120th day after it
20 shall have become a law.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
22 roll.
23 (The Secretary called the roll.)
24 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Senator
25 Murray to explain his vote.
1175
1 SENATOR MURRAY: Thank you,
2 Mr. President.
3 I respect what the sponsor is trying
4 to do with this. My concern is we're having the
5 New York State Commissioner of the DMV decide on
6 this with public input, but only for New York
7 City.
8 You know, this problem exists
9 elsewhere as well. If we could expand this,
10 maybe, I might consider it. But I'm not going to
11 support something that leaves us out.
12 So for that reason I'll be a no.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Senator
14 Murray to be recorded in the negative.
15 Announce the results. Excuse me,
16 don't announce the results. Sorry.
17 (Pause.)
18 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Announce
19 the results.
20 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
21 Calendar 359, voting in the negative are
22 Senators Ashby, Borrello, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo,
23 Lanza, Martins, Murray, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt,
24 Rhoads, Stec, Tedisco, Weber and Weik.
25 Ayes, 43. Nays, 16.
1176
1 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
2 is passed.
3 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
4 363, Senate Print 205, by Senator Martinez, an
5 act to amend the Penal Law.
6 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
7 last section.
8 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
9 act shall take effect immediately.
10 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
11 roll.
12 (The Secretary called the roll.)
13 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Announce
14 the results.
15 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 59.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
17 is passed.
18 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
19 373, Senate Print 4478, by Senator Ramos, an act
20 to amend the Labor Law.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
22 last section.
23 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
24 act shall take effect on the 60th day after it
25 shall have become a law.
1177
1 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
2 roll.
3 (The Secretary called the roll.)
4 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Announce
5 the results.
6 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
7 Calendar 373, voting in the negative:
8 Senator Borrello.
9 Ayes, 58. Nays, 1.
10 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
11 is passed.
12 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
13 387, Senate Print 1855, by Senator Rivera, an act
14 to amend the Public Health Law.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
16 last section.
17 THE SECRETARY: Section 9. This
18 act shall take effect on the 90th day after it
19 shall have become a law.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
21 roll.
22 (The Secretary called the roll.)
23 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Announce
24 the results.
25 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 59.
1178
1 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
2 is passed.
3 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
4 401, Senate Print 1615, by Senator Brisport, an
5 act to amend the Real Property Actions and
6 Proceedings Law.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
8 last section.
9 THE SECRETARY: Section 4. This
10 act shall take effect immediately.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
12 roll.
13 (The Secretary called the roll.)
14 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Announce
15 the results.
16 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
17 Calendar 401, voting in the negative are
18 Senators Ashby, Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick,
19 Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Martins,
20 Mattera, Murray, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt,
21 Palumbo, Rhoads, Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk,
22 Weber and Weik.
23 Ayes, 37. Nays, 22.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
25 is passed.
1179
1 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
2 414, Senate Print 5257B, by Senator Hinchey, an
3 act to amend the General Business Law.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
5 last section.
6 THE SECRETARY: Section 4. This
7 act shall take effect on the 180th day after it
8 shall have become a law.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
10 roll.
11 (The Secretary called the roll.)
12 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Announce
13 the results.
14 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 59.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
16 is passed.
17 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
18 419, Senate Print 3277, by Senator Skoufis, an
19 act to amend the Agriculture and Markets Law.
20 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
21 last section.
22 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
23 act shall take effect on the first of January.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
25 roll.
1180
1 (The Secretary called the roll.)
2 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Announce
3 the results.
4 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 59.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
6 is passed.
7 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
8 429, Assembly Bill Number 3411B, by
9 Assemblymember Vanel, an act to amend the
10 General Business Law.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
12 last section.
13 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
14 act shall take effect on the 90th day after it
15 shall have become a law.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
17 roll.
18 (The Secretary called the roll.)
19 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Announce
20 the results.
21 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
22 Calendar 429, voting in the negative are
23 Senators Walczyk and Weik.
24 Ayes, 57. Nays, 2.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
1181
1 is passed.
2 Senator Gianaris, that completes the
3 reading of today's calendar.
4 SENATOR GIANARIS: Please go to the
5 reading of the controversial calendar.
6 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The
7 Secretary will ring the bell.
8 The Secretary will read.
9 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
10 340, Senate Print 2304, by Senator Krueger, an
11 act to amend the Legislative Law.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Senator
13 Lanza, why do you rise?
14 SENATOR LANZA: Mr. President, I
15 believe there's an amendment at the desk. I
16 waive the reading of that amendment and ask that
17 Senator Rolison be recognized.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Thank
19 you, Senator Lanza.
20 Upon review of the amendment, in
21 accordance with Rule 6, Section 4B, I rule it
22 nongermane and out of order at this time.
23 SENATOR LANZA: Accordingly,
24 Mr. President, I appeal the ruling of the chair
25 and ask that Senator Rolison be heard on that
1182
1 appeal.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The
3 appeal has been made and recoli -- the appeal has
4 been made and recognized -- new word -- and
5 Senator Rolison may be heard.
6 Senator Rolison.
7 SENATOR ROLISON: Good afternoon,
8 Mr. President.
9 This amendment is germane to the
10 bill-in-chief because the bill-in-chief deals
11 with the legislative process of passing a bill
12 through the State Legislature, and this amendment
13 is a bill that I carry, Senate Bill 8463, that
14 I'm hoping will pass today and, if not, then
15 sometime this session.
16 The amendment, which is the same
17 language from my bill, S8463, provides a one-year
18 utility bill tax and surcharge holiday and a
19 two-year green energy tax holiday. The tax and
20 surcharge holidays would provide much-needed
21 financial relief to residents and small
22 businesses around this state that are dealing
23 with crushing utility bills.
24 The bill does not come without
25 precedent. In 2022, Mr. President, when gas
1183
1 prices were over $5 a gallon, we implemented a
2 gas tax holiday. This bill would provide the
3 same relief.
4 It is estimated that about one-third
5 of utility bills are government taxes,
6 surcharges, and government mandates. Now, I
7 would say, Mr. President, the quickest and most
8 effective way the government can provide
9 immediate and real relief to ratepayers is to
10 suspend some of these taxes and surcharges.
11 Now, this bill would suspend the
12 gross receipts tax, the sales tax, the systems
13 benefit charge, the temporary state
14 assessment/incremental state assessment charge,
15 and the renewable portfolio standard charge for
16 one year.
17 Now, I would daresay, Mr. President,
18 that most people don't even know that these taxes
19 and surcharges are part of their bill. But they
20 are partially what is driving up their bills.
21 It would also suspend any tariff or
22 surcharge on a utility bill associated with the
23 construction of a renewable energy system or
24 EV charging stations for two years.
25 I encourage all of my fellow
1184
1 Senators to support this amendment.
2 Thank you, Mr. President.
3 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Thank you
4 Senator Rolison.
5 I want to remind the house that the
6 vote is on the procedures of the house and the
7 ruling of the chair.
8 Those in favor of overruling the
9 chair please signify by saying aye.
10 (Response of "Aye.")
11 SENATOR LANZA: Show of hands.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: A show of
13 hands has been requested and so ordered.
14 Announce the results.
15 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 22.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The
17 ruling of the chair stands, and the bill-in-chief
18 is before the house.
19 Senator Gianaris.
20 SENATOR GIANARIS: Mr. President,
21 we've agreed to restore this bill to the
22 noncontroversial calendar.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Upon
24 consent, this bill is restored to the
25 noncontroversial calendar.
1185
1 Read the last section.
2 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
3 act shall take effect immediately.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
5 roll.
6 (The Secretary called the roll.)
7 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Senator
8 May to explain her vote.
9 SENATOR MAY: Thank you,
10 Mr. President.
11 I want to thank Senator Krueger for
12 this bill. When I first came into the Senate, I
13 was shocked to discover that we don't already do
14 this.
15 In the Congress, if a bill is -- in
16 the House of Representatives and the Senate are
17 slightly different, there is a simple procedure
18 for them to come to an agreement about them.
19 But here we have to amend the bill,
20 repass it. It's a very cumbersome process even
21 sometimes just to change one word or even a
22 comma.
23 So I think this is just smart
24 policy. I'm pleased that we're passing it. And
25 I vote aye.
1186
1 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Senator
2 May to be recorded in the affirmative.
3 Senator Krueger to explain her vote.
4 SENATOR KRUEGER: Thank you. Good
5 afternoon, Mr. President.
6 So despite our disagreement on the
7 hostile amendment that just did not move as
8 nongermane -- which it wasn't, actually -- I do
9 hope my colleagues will join me in voting for
10 this bill because of what Rachel May just said.
11 Congress does this. They get their
12 bills negotiated far more quickly. You don't end
13 up at the end of a session going, Huh, we passed
14 sometimes not just two bills in the two houses,
15 but four bills in the two houses which, if they
16 had just been talking to each other, would have
17 been one commonsense bill everyone agreed with
18 that could much more likely move forward to the
19 Governor and hopefully be passed.
20 And it's not that complicated to
21 understand. And I think we would all be happier
22 at the end of the day. Maybe not. So I do hope
23 people will vote for the bill.
24 Thank you, Mr. President.
25 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Senator
1187
1 Krueger to be recorded in the affirmative.
2 Announce the results.
3 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
4 Calendar 340, voting in the negative are
5 Senators Ashby, Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick,
6 Chan, Gallivan, Helming, Martins, Mattera,
7 Murray, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Rhoads, Stec,
8 Tedisco, Walczyk and Weik.
9 Ayes, 42. Nays, 17.
10 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
11 is passed.
12 Senator Gianaris, that completes the
13 reading of today's calendar.
14 SENATOR GIANARIS: Is there any
15 further business at the desk?
16 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: There is
17 no further business at the desk.
18 SENATOR GIANARIS: I move to
19 adjourn until tomorrow, Tuesday, March 10th, at
20 3:00 p.m.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: On
22 motion, the Senate stands adjourned until
23 Tuesday, March 10th, at 3:00 p.m.
24 (Whereupon, at 3:30 p.m., the Senate
25 adjourned.)