WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2022 2:00 P.M.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE HOUSE WILL COME

TO ORDER.

IN THE ABSENCE OF CLERGY, LET US PAUSE FOR A MOMENT OF

SILENCE.

(WHEREUPON, A MOMENT OF SILENCE WAS OBSERVED.)

VISITORS ARE INVITED TO JOIN THE MEMBERS IN THE PLEDGE

OF ALLEGIANCE.

(WHEREUPON, ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY LED VISITORS AND

MEMBERS IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.)

A QUORUM BEING PRESENT, THE CLERK WILL READ THE

JOURNAL OF TUESDAY, MAY 24TH.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: MR. SPEAKER, I MOVE TO

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

DISPENSE WITH THE FURTHER READING OF THE JOURNAL OF TUESDAY, MAY THE

24TH AND ASK THAT THE SAME STAND APPROVED.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO

ORDERED.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: THANK YOU, SIR.

COLLEAGUES AND GUESTS THAT ARE IN THE CHAMBERS, I WANT TO SHARE A

QUOTE WITH YOU TODAY. THIS ONE IS FROM TUPAC SHAKUR. SOME OF YOU

ALL YOU MAY KNOW TUPAC. HE'S WIDELY CONSIDERED ONE OF THE MOST

INFLUENTIAL RAPPERS OF ALL TIMES. HE'S A BEST-SELLING MUSIC ARTIST, HAVING

SOLD MORE THAN 75 MILLION RECORDS WORLDWIDE. HE LEFT THIS LIFE TOO

EARLY IN 1996, BUT HIS WORDS FOR US TODAY: REMEMBER ONE THING.

THROUGH EVERY DARK NIGHT THERE'S A BRIGHT DAY AFTER THAT. NO MATTER

HOW HARD YOU GET IT, STICK YOUR CHEST OUT, KEEP YOUR HEAD UP AND

HANDLE IT. TUPAC SHAKUR.

COLLEAGUES, YOU HAVE ON YOUR DESK A MAIN CALENDAR

AS WELL AS A DEBATE LIST. WE'RE GOING TO BEGIN OUR WORK TODAY BY

TAKING UP RESOLUTIONS ON PAGE 3 OF WHICH SOME OF OUR COLLEAGUES MAY

LIKE TO SPEAK. THEN WE'RE GOING TO WORK OFF OF THE DEBATE LIST BY

CONSENTING A FEW BILLS FROM THE DEBATE LIST. THAT'S CALENDAR NO. 72 BY

MR. CAHILL; CALENDAR NO. 107 BY MR. CYMBROWITZ; CALENDAR NO. 240

BY MS. WOERNER; CALENDAR NO. 276 BY MS. WOERNER; CALENDAR NO.

291 BY MS. PAULIN; CALENDAR NO. 499 BY MS. ROSENTHAL; CALENDAR NO.

536 BY MR. GOTTFRIED; AND CALENDAR NO. 581 BY MS. PAULIN. AND THEN

WE'RE GOING TO TAKE UP THE FOLLOWING BILLS THAT WILL ACTUALLY BE ON

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

DEBATE, MR. SPEAKER. THIS IS CALENDAR NO. 423 BY MR. DINOWITZ;

RULES REPORT NO. 227 BY MR. GOTTFRIED; RULES REPORT NO. 256 BY MS.

FERNANDEZ; RULES REPORT NO. 264 BY MR. CUNNINGHAM; RULES REPORT

NO. 266 BY MR. GIBBS; AND CALENDAR NO. 560 BY MS. ROSENTHAL.

THERE MAY BE A NEED FOR SOME ADDITIONAL FLOOR WORK,

MR. SPEAKER. IF SO I WILL PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION AS SOON AS IT'S

AVAILABLE. THAT'S THE GENERAL OUTLINE, THAT'S WHERE WE'RE GOING TODAY.

IF YOU HAVE ANY INTRODUCTIONS OR HOUSEKEEPING, NOW WOULD BE A GREAT

TIME, SIR.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: CERTAINLY, MRS.

PEOPLES-STOKES. WE DO HAVE HOUSEKEEPING.

ON A MOTION BY MS. GALLAGHER, PAGE 49, CALENDAR

NO. 2 -- 628, BILL NO. 9415-B, AMENDMENTS ARE RECEIVED AND ADOPTED.

ON A MOTION BY MRS. BARRETT, PAGE 12, CALENDAR --

RULES REPORT NO. 301, BILL NO. 6755-B, AMENDMENTS ARE RECEIVED AND

ADOPTED.

ON A MOTION BY MS. PHEFFER AMATO, PAGE 9, RULES

REPORT NO. 270, BILL NO. 10188, THE AMENDMENTS ARE RECEIVED AND

ADOPTED.

AND WE DO HAVE INTRODUCTIONS. MS. GONZÁLEZ-ROJAS

FOR THE PURPOSE OF AN INTRODUCTION.

MS. GONZÁLEZ-ROJAS: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

I HAVE A VERY SPECIAL VISITOR TODAY. SO, I WEAR A NECKLACE THAT SAYS

"DAUGHTER AND IMMIGRANT", AND I WEAR THIS NECKLACE TO REMIND ME OF

THE STRUGGLE THAT MY FAMILY ENDURED COMING TO THIS COUNTRY FROM

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

PARAGUAY IN ORDER FOR ME TO BE HERE TODAY. SO I AM THRILLED TO

WELCOME MY FATHER, RAMON GONZÁLEZ, RAMON OSVALDO GONZÁLEZ. HE

WAS BORN IN PARAGUAY AND CAME TO THIS COUNTRY TO THE BEST BOROUGH,

THE WORLD'S BOROUGH, QUEENS, IN 1969 I BELIEVE, AND WENT TO HIGH

SCHOOL WITH MY -- ANOTHER ASSEMBLYWOMAN, DEBORAH GLICK AT MARTIN

VAN BUREN HIGH SCHOOL. HE ACTUALLY DROPPED OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL

BECAUSE HE DIDN'T SPEAK ENGLISH AND THERE WAS NOT ADEQUATE RESOURCES

AT THAT TIME. BUT, HOWEVER, AS SOMEONE WHO HAS CONSISTENTLY TOLD ME

THAT EDUCATION IS THE MOST CRITICAL THING IN LIFE, HE WENT BACK WHEN I

WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL TO GET HIS GED, THEN HIS ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE AND

THEN HIS BACHELOR'S AND THEN HIS MASTER'S, AND NOW HE IS A PROFESSOR OF

AVIATION AT SUNY FARMINGDALE.

(APPLAUSE)

IN FACT, ASSEMBLYMEMBER VANEL WAS ONE OF HIS

STUDENTS AT SUNY FARMINGDALE. SO I HOPE WE CAN EXTEND THE

CORDIALITIES OF THE FLOOR AND WELCOME MY FATHER TO THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: CERTAINLY. ON BEHALF

OF YOUR DAUGHTER, THE SPEAKER AND ALL THE MEMBERS, MR. GONZÁLEZ,

WELCOME TO THE NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY. WE EXTEND TO YOU THE

PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR. WE KNOW HOW PROUD YOU MUST BE OF YOUR

DAUGHTER. YOU APPRECIATE HER BECAUSE OF YOUR LIFELONG RELATIONSHIP.

WE APPRECIATE HER FOR THIS SHORT-TERM THAT SHE'S SHOWN TO BE AN

EXCELLENT LEGISLATOR HERE IN NEW YORK STATE. SO WE THANK YOU SO VERY

MUCH. AND KNOW THAT YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOME HERE. SHE IS PART OF

OUR FAMILY, AS SUCH SO ARE YOU. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

(APPLAUSE)

MR. DINOWITZ FOR THE PURPOSES OF AN INTRODUCTION.

MR. DINOWITZ: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I HAVE

THREE VISITORS FROM MY DISTRICT HERE TODAY. AND THEY ARE THE LUCKY

WINNERS OF AN AUCTION FROM PS24, WHICH IS A GREAT SCHOOL IN MY

DISTRICT. THE AUCTION WAS ACTUALLY BEFORE THE PANDEMIC AND THEIR VISIT

HAD TO BE POSTPONED, AND THE PRIZE WAS A TRIP TO ALBANY. YES, A TRIP TO

ALBANY. AND IT'S ACTUALLY A VERY GOOD TRIP, BY THE WAY. BUT I WOULD

LIKE TO INTRODUCE MY CONSTITUENTS MATT ADAM, HIS DAUGHTER STELLA AND

HER FRIEND KHLOE KISTHART, RESIDENTS OF OUR COMMUNITY. AND I WOULD

ASK THAT YOU WELCOME THEM AND GIVE THEM THE BEST INTRODUCTION THAT

YOU CAN.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: CERTAINLY. ON BEHALF

OF MR. DINOWITZ, THE SPEAKER AND ALL THE MEMBERS, WE WELCOME YOU

HERE TO THE NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY. WELCOME TO ALBANY.

CONGRATULATIONS ON WINNING. WE KNOW THAT IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO

COME HERE AND BE WITH US IN THE CAPITOL. WE EXTEND TO YOU THE

PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR. HOPE THAT YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A GREAT SUMMER

BECAUSE I KNOW SUMMER IS LOOMING AND A GREAT TIME FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.

PLEASE KNOW THAT YOU'RE ALWAYS WELCOME HERE, AND AGAIN, WE SALUTE

YOU FOR WINNING THIS CONTEST. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.

(APPLAUSE)

PAGE 3, RESOLUTIONS, THE CLERK WILL READ.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 997, RULES

AT THE REQUEST OF MS. RAJKUMAR.

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR

KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM MAY 28, 2022 AS NEPALI-AMERICAN HERITAGE

DAY IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: ON THE RESOLUTION, ALL

THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE; OPPOSED, NO. THE RESOLUTION IS

ADOPTED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 998, RULES

AT THE REQUEST OF MS. GIGLIO.

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR

KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM MAY 21, 2022 AS WORLD FISH MIGRATION DAY

IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MS. GIGLIO ON THE

RESOLUTION.

MS. GIGLIO: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I RISE TODAY

TO SPEAK ABOUT AN IMPORTANT ISSUE FOR PEOPLE ACROSS THE PLANET. WORLD

FISH MIGRATION DAY IS CELEBRATED EVERY TWO YEARS BY MILLIONS ACROSS

THE GLOBE WITH THE INTENT OF RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT MIGRATORY FISH AND

THE FREE-FLOWING RIVERS THEY DEPEND ON. MIGRATORY FISH, ALEWIFE,

SPECIFICALLY ON LONG ISLAND, TRAVEL FROM THE OCEAN THROUGH THE BAYS TO

FRESHWATER. FREE-FLOWING RIVERS AND STREAMS ARE THEREFORE VITAL TO THE

LIFECYCLE OF THESE SPECIES AND THEIR ENTIRE ECOSYSTEM. NOT ONLY DOES

WILDLIFE DEPEND ON HEALTHY MIGRATORY FISH POPULATIONS, SO DO WE.

BILLIONS OF PEOPLE ACROSS THE WORLD DEPEND ON HEALTHY ECOSYSTEMS FOR

FOOD, WORK AND RECREATION. UNFORTUNATELY, MANMADE OBSTRUCTIONS

THREATEN THE LIFECYCLE OF THESE FISH AND ULTIMATELY, WE HUMANS PAY THE

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

PRICE. BUT THERE IS HOPE. IN MY DISTRICT, FOR EXAMPLE, THE NEW YORK

STATE DEC AND LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS HAVE IMPLEMENTED INNOVATIVE TOOLS

SUCH AS FISH LADDERS AND ROCK GROUNDS WHICH CROSS OVER DAMS AND

ALLOW THE ALEWIFE AN ECOLOGICALLY-CRUCIAL MIGRATORY FISH TO RETURN FROM

THE PECONIC ESTUARY TO THE STREAMS AND RIVERS WHERE THEY LAY THEIR

EGGS. THIS IS BUT ONE EXAMPLE OF MANY WAYS WE CAN REPAIR DAMAGE

DONE AND RESTORE BALANCE TO THE ECOSYSTEMS ON WHICH WE RELY. WE

WERE MADE IN GOD'S IMAGE TO BE FAITHFUL STEWARDS IN HIS CREATION.

TODAY I ASK MY COLLEAGUES TO JOIN ME IN CELEBRATING

WORLD FISH MIGRATION DAY AND EMBRACE OUR SACRED DUTY OF

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP. THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU.

ON THE RESOLUTION, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING

AYE; OPPOSED, NO. THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 999, RULES

AT THE REQUEST OF MR. SAYEGH.

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR

KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM MAY 25, 2022 AS JORDANIAN-AMERICAN

HERITAGE DAY IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE 76TH

ANNIVERSARY OF THE HASHEMITE KINGDOM OF JORDAN'S INDEPENDENCE.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. SAYEGH ON THE

RESOLUTION.

MR. SAYEGH: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. SPEAKER.

I RISE TODAY, MAY 25TH IS THE ACTUAL INDEPENDENCE DAY IN THE

HASHEMITE KINGDOM OF JORDAN. AND IN 2018 WHEN I WAS ELECTED TO

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

THE NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY, I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT I WAS THE HIGHEST

ELECTED JORDANIAN-AMERICAN IN THE COUNTRY. SO WHILE IT REALLY TOOK ME

TO A ROLE WHERE DEVELOPING UNITED STATES JORDANIAN RELATIONSHIPS WAS

VERY CRUCIAL FOR ME. AND JORDAN IN THE MIDDLE EAST HAS BEEN A

COUNTRY THAT'S BEEN A SAFE HAVEN FOR REFUGEES. WHEN I LOOKED AT THE

POPULATION OF JORDAN NEARLY 25 YEARS AGO, IT WAS AROUND 3 MILLION

PEOPLE. TODAY JORDAN HAS A POPULATION OF 11 MILLION PEOPLE. AND

MOST OF US THAT KNOW AND UNDERSTAND THE -- THE PROBLEMS THAT HAVE

TAKEN PLACE, THE TURMOIL IN THE MIDDLE EAST, KNOW THAT JORDAN HAS

HISTORICALLY BEEN A SAFE HAVEN FOR REFUGEES AND MERELY TOOK IN

INDIVIDUALS TO ALLOW THEM TO HAVE A LIFE AGAIN. AND TODAY IS VERY

IMPORTANT FOR ME BECAUSE RECENTLY I HAD THE PLEASURE OF VISITING WITH

HIS MAJESTY KING ABDULLAH OF JORDAN AND QUEEN RANIA. AND THEY

WERE CELEBRATED FOR THEIR ROLE IN INTERFAITH PROTECTION NOT ONLY IN THE

MIDDLE EAST BUT THEIR ROLE WORLDWIDE. RECENTLY, THE HOLY SEE THAT

COORDINATED THE VERY IMPORTANT CAUSE AND EVENT "THE PATH TO PEACE"

HONORED KING ABDULLAH.

SO TODAY IN RECOGNITION OF HIS WORK AND THE

HASHEMITE KINGDOM OF JORDAN, I STAND TO CELEBRATE JORDANIAN

INDEPENDENCE 76 YEARS, BUT ALSO TO ACKNOWLEDGE A VERY GROWING

JORDANIAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY IN THE U.S.A., ESPECIALLY IN NEW

YORK STATE, IN MY HOMETOWN OF YONKERS, ONE OF THE LARGEST

JORDANIAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITIES OUTSIDE JORDAN. AND

JORDANIAN-AMERICANS, OF COURSE, LIKE ANY OTHER ETHNIC GROUP VALUE

EDUCATION, VALUE HARD WORK, WORK VERY HARD TO REALLY RAISE THEIR

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

FAMILIES, EDUCATE THEIR CHILDREN AND TODAY PLAY AN EXTREMELY VITAL ROLE

IN THE SUCCESS OF THEIR COMMUNITY AT EVERY LEVEL. AND JORDAN, IF YOU

HAVEN'T VISITED JORDAN, REALLY HAS SOME OF THE MOST HISTORICAL SITES IN

THE WORLD, ESPECIALLY PETRA. IT'S ONE OF THE SEVEN WONDERS OF THE

WORLD, ENGRAVED SOME 7,000 YEARS AGO, INHABITED BY NABATAEANS, IS

REALLY A MAJOR SITE TO VISIT. AND TODAY I'M HONORED TO RECOGNIZE HIS

MAJESTY KING ABDULLAH AND QUEEN RANIA; THE JORDANIAN AMBASSADOR

TO THE UNITED STATES, AMBASSADOR DINA KAWAR; HIS EXCELLENCY

CONSULATE GENERAL EMBASSADOR MAHMOUD HMOUD AND TO REALLY

CELEBRATE THE INTERFAITH AND THE PATH TO PEACE EFFORTS AND THE ROLE

JORDAN AND JORDANIAN-AMERICANS HAVE PLAYED.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. SPEAKER.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: CERTAINLY.

ON THE RESOLUTION, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING

AYE; OPPOSED, NO. THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 1000, RULES

AT THE REQUEST OF MS. ROSENTHAL.

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR

KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM MAY 28, 2022 AS MENSTRUAL HYGIENE DAY IN

THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MS. ROSENTHAL ON THE

RESOLUTION.

MS. ROSENTHAL: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER, ON THE

RESOLUTION. TODAY WE ARE ADOPTING A RESOLUTION TO PROCLAIM MAY 28,

2022 AS MENSTRUAL HYGIENE DAY IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK. MENSTRUAL

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

HYGIENE DAY IS A GLOBAL INITIATIVE THAT AIMS TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE

STIGMA AND SHAME THAT STILL SURROUNDS MENSTRUAL CYCLES AROUND THE

WORLD. NEW YORK, WE HAVE TAKEN GROUNDBREAKING STEPS TOWARDS

MENSTRUAL EQUITY THROUGH ACTIONS SUCH AS ELIMINATING THE TAX ON

MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS AND EXPANDING ACCESS TO THESE PRODUCTS IN

CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES, SCHOOLS AND MORE. BUT MUCH WORK REMAINS TO

BE DONE. WHILE MANY ARE LUCKY ENOUGH TO THINK OF THEIR PERIOD AS A

SIMPLE MONTHLY ROUTINE, FOR MILLIONS WORLDWIDE IT MEANS MISSING DAYS

OF WORK OR SCHOOL EACH MONTH DUE TO LACK OF ACCESS TO MENSTRUAL

PRODUCTS AND ISOLATION BECAUSE OF THE STIGMA ASSORTED -- ASSOCIATED

WITH MENSTRUATION. IN MANY PLACES WHERE SAFE AND HYGENIC PRODUCTS

ARE NOT READILY AVAILABLE, MENSTRUATING INDIVIDUALS OFTEN USE MAKESHIFT

ITEMS AND RISK ILLNESS AND INFECTION ON A MONTHLY BASIS. DESPITE THE

PROGRESS WE HAVE MADE IN OUR MISSION OF ACHIEVING MENSTRUAL EQUITY,

THIS BIOLOGICAL PROCESS STILL HOLDS COUNTLESS MENSTRUATORS BACK FROM

ACHIEVING THEIR FULL POTENTIAL AND CARRIES AN IMMENSE AMOUNT OF SHAME

AND STIGMA. THAT IS WHY THE 2022 MENSTRUAL HYGIENE DAY THEME IS

"MAKING MENSTRUATION A NORMAL FACT OF LIFE BY 2030." THE GOAL IS TO

CREATE A WORLD WHERE NO ONE IS HELD BACK BECAUSE THEY MENSTRUATE. BY

DECLARING MAY 28TH AS MENSTRUAL HYGIENE DAY IN THE STATE OF NEW

YORK, WE WILL UPHOLD NEW YORK'S POSITION AS A LEADER OF THIS

MOVEMENT, ENCOURAGE DISCUSSIONS AROUND THE TOPIC OF MENSTRUAL

EQUITY, EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS TO SPEAK OUT AND ENSURE THAT MENSTRUATION

OR A LACK OF ACCESS TO MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS NO LONGER STANDS AS A BARRIER

TO ONE'S SUCCESS.

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU.

ON THE RESOLUTION, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING

AYE; OPPOSED, NO. THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 1001, RULES

AT THE REQUEST OF MR. CUNNINGHAM.

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR

KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM AUGUST 6, 2022 AS JAMAICAN FLAG DAY IN

THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: ON THE RESOLUTION, ALL

THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE; OPPOSED, NO. THE RESOLUTION IS

ADOPTED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 1002, RULES

AT THE REQUEST OF MR. ZEBROWSKI.

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR

KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM AUGUST 14, 2022 AS MODEL AVIATION DAY IN

THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: ON THE RESOLUTION, ALL

THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE; OPPOSED, NO. THE RESOLUTION IS

ADOPTED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 1003, RULES

AT THE REQUEST OF MS. SOLAGES.

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR

KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM AUGUST 2022 AS BREASTFEEDING AWARENESS

MONTH IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: ON THE RESOLUTION, ALL

THOSE IN FAVOR SAYING BY SAYING AYE; OPPOSED, NO. THE RESOLUTION IS

ADOPTED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 1004, RULES

AT THE REQUEST OF MS. JEAN-PIERRE.

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR

KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM OCTOBER 30-NOVEMBER 5, 2022 AS VETERANS

AWARENESS WEEK IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: ON THE RESOLUTION, ALL

THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE; OPPOSED, NO. THE RESOLUTION IS

ADOPTED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 1005, RULES

AT THE REQUEST OF MR. DESTEFANO.

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR

KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM OCTOBER 2022 AS PET RESCUE AWARENESS

MONTH IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. DESTEFANO ON THE

RESOLUTION.

MR. DESTEFANO: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER, FOR THE

OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON THIS RESOLUTION. WE APPRECIATE ALL LIVING

CREATURES HAVE VALUE AND WE RECOGNIZE THE SERVICE AND COMPANIONSHIP,

LOYALTY, UNCONDITIONAL LOVE AND HAPPINESS THAT ANIMALS BRING INTO OUR

LIVES. MILLIONS OF ANIMALS ARE BROUGHT TO SHELTERS EACH YEAR. SOME ARE

REUNITED WITH THEIR OWNERS, AND SOME FIND CARING AND LOVING HOMES.

SADLY, SOME ARE EUTHANIZED BECAUSE THE SHELTERS ARE TOO FULL AND THERE

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

ARE NOT ENOUGH ADOPTIVE HOMES. AS A LONGTIME PET OWNER, I KNOW

HOW CONNECTED WE CAN BECOME TO OUR DOGS AND CATS AND CONSIDER THEM

TO BE PART OF THE FAMILY. IT IS VITAL THAT WE ENCOURAGE EMPATHY AND

COMPASSION FOR OUR COMPANION ANIMALS, THAT WE PROVIDE A VOICE FOR

THOSE WHO CANNOT SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES. FORTUNATELY, THE MONTH OF

OCTOBER, ANIMAL ADVOCATE SUPPORTERS, PET OWNERS AND CITIZENS COME

TOGETHER IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK TO PROTECT AND ACKNOWLEDGE THE

CONTRIBUTION OF ALL ANIMALS TO OUR SOCIETY. THEREFORE, I'M HAPPY TO SEE

THIS LEGISLATION [SIC] BODY PAUSE FOR ITS -- ON ITS DELIBERATIONS TO

RECOGNIZE OCTOBER AS PET AWARENESS -- PET RESCUE AWARENESS MONTH

IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, A PROCLAMATION THAT WILL GO A LONG WAY TO

HELPING CREATURES THAT BRING SUCH JOY TO OUR LIVES.

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU, SIR.

ON THE RESOLUTION, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING

AYE; OPPOSED, NO. THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 1006, RULES

AT THE REQUEST OF MR. BYRNE.

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR

KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM NOVEMBER 2022 AS CRPS/RSD AWARENESS

MONTH IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: ON THE RESOLUTION, ALL

THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE; OPPOSED, NO. THE RESOLUTION IS

ADOPTED.

PAGE 24, CALENDAR NO. 72, THE CLERK WILL READ.

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A01393-B, CALENDAR

NO. 72, CAHILL. AN ACT TO AMEND THE HIGHWAY LAW, IN RELATION TO

DESIGNATING A PORTION OF THE STATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM THE "JOHN "JODY"

ROSSITZ MEMORIAL BRIDGE."

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: ON A MOTION BY MR.

CAHILL, THE SENATE BILL IS BEFORE THE HOUSE. THE SENATE BILL IS

ADVANCED.

READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE CLERK WILL RECORD

THE VOTE ON ASSEMBLY -- SENATE PRINT 7255-A. THIS IS A FAST ROLL CALL.

ANY MEMBER WHO WISHES TO BE RECORDED IN THE NEGATIVE IS REMINDED TO

CONTACT THE MAJORITY OR MINORITY LEADER AT THE NUMBERS PREVIOUSLY

PROVIDED.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

MR. CAHILL TO EXPLAIN HIS VOTE.

MR. CAHILL: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I RISE TO

EXPLAIN MY VOTE AND BRIEFLY DISCUSS THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF JOHN "JODY"

ROSSITZ TO THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, IN PARTICULAR IN THE

CATSKILL MOUNTAIN REGION. JODY WAS A VOLUNTEER IN TWO FIRE -- IN TWO

AMBULANCE COMPANIES, ONE THAT WAS NEAREST HIS HOME AND THEN WHEN

HE WAS AT WORK HE VOLUNTEERED FOR THE ONE IN THAT TOWN. SO THAT'S

PRETTY MUCH 24/7 HE WAS VOLUNTEERING IN AMBULANCE COMPANIES. HE

WAS ALSO THE CHIEF OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AT BIG INDIAN OLIVEREA FIRE

DEPARTMENT, AND I GOT TO THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO THAT COMMUNITY

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

DURING THE MIDDLE OF HURRICANE IRENE WHEN OLIVEREA, HALF OF THE

COMMUNITY I JUST MENTIONED, WAS LITERALLY CUT OFF FROM THE REST OF THE

WORLD BECAUSE BRIDGES WERE LITERALLY WASHING AWAY. WE SAW A BRIDGE

FLOATING DOWN THE RIVER. WE SAW ANOTHER ONE REMOVED FROM ITS

MOORINGS. JODY WAS THERE COMMANDEERING ALL OF THE EFFORTS, BOTH

STATE AND -- AND LOCAL, TAKING CHARGE AND MAKING SURE THAT EVERYBODY

WAS TAKEN CARE OF. GETTING PEOPLE TO PUT BACKPACKS ON AND TRAVEL

ACROSS ON A RAFT TO GET TO THE OTHER SIDE TO TAKE CARE OF THE ELDERLY

PEOPLE IN OLIVEREA WHO WERE STRANDED DURING THIS STORM. WHAT WE ARE

DOING HERE TODAY IS NAMING ONE OF THE OTHER BRIDGES FOR HIM. THIS ONE

DIDN'T GET SWEPT AWAY, IT JUST GOT SERIOUSLY DAMAGED AND WAS REPLACED

AFTER THE STORM. AND IF YOU EVER GO TO BELLEAYRE MOUNTAIN TO SKI, IF

YOU EVER DRINK NEW YORK CITY WATER, YOU MAY HAVE SOME CONNECTION

WITH THIS BRIDGE BECAUSE IT CROSSES OVER THE ESOPUS CREEK ON ROUTE 28

AND INTRODUCES YOU TO THE COMMUNITIES THAT JODY SERVED FOR ALL THOSE

YEARS.

MR. SPEAKER, IT IS A GREAT HONOR TO STAND HERE TODAY TO

CAST MY VOTE IN THE AFFIRMATIVE AND I WITHDRAW MY REQUEST.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. CAHILL IN THE

AFFIRMATIVE.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A02519-A, CALENDAR

NO. 107, CYMBROWITZ, ABBATE, BRONSON, PEOPLES-STOKES, WEPRIN,

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

ABINANTI, SEAWRIGHT, BICHOTTE HERMELYN, HEVESI, RAMOS, REYES,

GOTTFRIED, WALCZYK, WALLACE, CRUZ, JACOBSON, SILLITTI. AN ACT TO

AMEND THE INSURANCE LAW, IN RELATION TO ALLOWING VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC

VIOLENCE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DESIGNATE AN ALTERNATE ADDRESS FOR HEALTH

INSURANCE CLAIMS OR BILLING PURPOSES.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: ON A MOTION BY MR.

CYMBROWITZ, THE SENATE BILL IS BEFORE THE HOUSE. THE SENATE BILL IS

ADVANCED.

READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT JANUARY 1ST.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE CLERK WILL RECORD

THE VOTE ON SENATE PRINT 7263-A. THIS IS A FAST ROLL CALL. ANY MEMBER

WHO WISHES TO BE RECORDED IN THE NEGATIVE IS REMINDED TO CONTACT THE

MAJORITY OR MINORITY LEADER AT THE NUMBERS PREVIOUSLY PROVIDED.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

PAGE 35, CALENDAR NO. 240, THE CLERK WILL READ.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A07356-C, CALENDAR

NO. 240, WOERNER, ABINANTI, WALSH, SAYEGH, OTIS, BUTTENSCHON,

SANTABARBARA. AN ACT TO AMEND THE MENTAL HYGIENE LAW, IN RELATION

TO ESTABLISHING A PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN TO COMBAT THE STIGMA AND

STEREOTYPING OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: ON A MOTION BY MS.

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

WOERNER, THE SENATE BILL IS BEFORE THE HOUSE. THE SENATE BILL IS

ADVANCED.

READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT ON THE 60TH

DAY.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE CLERK WILL RECORD

THE VOTE ON SENATE PRINT 6300-C. THIS IS A FAST ROLL CALL. ANY MEMBER

WHO WISHES TO BE RECORDED IN THE NEGATIVE IS REMINDED TO CONTACT THE

MAJORITY OR MINORITY LEADER AT THE NUMBERS PREVIOUSLY PROVIDED.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

PAGE 37, CALENDAR NO. 276 [SIC], THE CLERK WILL READ.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A00266-A, CALENDAR

NO. 291, PAULIN, MITAYNES. AN ACT TO AMEND THE GENERAL BUSINESS

LAW, IN RELATION TO PROVIDING NOTICE OF CERTAIN SCAMS WHEN SELLING GIFT

CARDS.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: ON A MOTION BY MS.

PAULIN, THE SENATE BILL IS BEFORE THE HOUSE. THE SENATE BILL IS

ADVANCED.

READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE CLERK WILL RECORD

THE VOTE ON SENATE PRINT 145-B.

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

(PAUSE)

PAGE 37, CALENDAR NO. 276, THE CLERK WILL READ.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A07785, CALENDAR NO.

276, WOERNER, STIRPE. AN ACT TO AMEND THE ENVIRONMENTAL

CONSERVATION LAW, IN RELATION TO BIG-GAME HUNTING SEASON.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: ON A MOTION BY MS.

WOERNER, THE SENATE BILL IS BEFORE THE HOUSE. THE SENATE BILL IS

ADVANCED.

READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE CLERK WILL RECORD

THE VOTE ON SENATE PRINT 6510. THIS IS A FAST ROLL CALL. ANY MEMBER

WHO WISHES TO BE RECORDED IN THE NEGATIVE IS REMINDED TO CONTACT THE

MAJORITY OR MINORITY LEADER AT THE NUMBERS PREVIOUSLY PROVIDED.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A00266-A, CALENDAR

NO. 291, PAULIN, MITAYNES. AN ACT TO AMEND THE GENERAL BUSINESS

LAW, IN RELATION TO PROVIDING NOTICE OF CERTAIN SCAMS WHEN SELLING GIFT

CARDS.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT ON THE 180TH

DAY.

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE CLERK WILL RECORD

THE VOTE ON ASSEMBLY PRINT 266-A. THIS IS A FAST ROLL CALL. ANY

MEMBER WHO WISHES TO BE RECORDED IN THE NEGATIVE IS REMINDED TO

CONTACT THE MAJORITY OR MINORITY LEADER AT THE NUMBERS PREVIOUSLY

PROVIDED.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

PAGE 44, CALENDAR NO. 499, THE CLERK WILL READ.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY BILL NO. A05653-B,

CALENDAR NO. 499, L. ROSENTHAL, BARRETT, GOTTFRIED, EPSTEIN, WEPRIN,

GONZÁLEZ-ROJAS, SIMON, JACKSON, STERN, ENGLEBRIGHT, TAPIA, STIRPE,

SEAWRIGHT, DINOWITZ, BRONSON, KELLES, FAHY, SILLITTI, GRIFFIN, DAVILA,

BURKE, LAVINE, SANTABARBARA, J. RIVERA, PAULIN, MAMDANI,

MCDONOUGH, DE LOS SANTOS, COLTON, CUNNINGHAM. AN ACT TO AMEND

THE GENERAL BUSINESS LAW, IN RELATION TO PROHIBITING THE SALE OF

COSMETICS TESTED ON ANIMALS.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: ON A MOTION BY MS.

ROSENTHAL, THE SENATE BILL IS BEFORE THE HOUSE. THE SENATE BILL IS

ADVANCED.

READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT JANUARY 1,

2023.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE CLERK WILL RECORD

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

THE VOTE ON SENATE PRINT 4839-B. THIS IS A FAST ROLL CALL. ANY MEMBER

WHO WISHES TO BE RECORDED IN THE NEGATIVE IS REMINDED TO CONTACT THE

MAJORITY OR MINORITY LEADER AT THE NUMBERS PREVIOUSLY PROVIDED.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

MR. GOODELL.

MR. GOODELL: THANK YOU, SIR. WHEN THIS BILL FIRST

CAME THROUGH COMMITTEE THERE WERE A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS THAT WERE

RAISED. THE OBVIOUS FIRST QUESTION IS IF YOU'RE NOT TESTING THE SAFETY OF

COSMETICS ON ANIMALS, WHO ARE YOU TESTING IT ON? YOU'RE JUST GOING TO

TEST ON PEOPLE AND SEE IF THEY HAVE AN ADVERSE REACTION AND THEN LET THE

TRIAL LAWYERS TAKE CARE OF THE SITUATION? THE BILL ACTUALLY ADDRESSES

SOME OF THOSE OBVIOUS ISSUES BY SAYING THAT NO, THIS IS NOT A COMPLETE

BAN. IT'S A PARTIAL BAN. AND SO THIS BILL WOULD NOT APPLY, FOR EXAMPLE,

IF A COSMETIC IS BEING TESTED ON AN ANIMAL AS A REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL

OR STATE LAW FOR SAFETY REASONS. IF THAT TYPE OF TESTING IS WIDESPREAD

AND THERE'S NO ALTERNATIVE TO ENSURING THAT THE PRODUCT IS SAFE, THERE'S A

SPECIFIC HARM TO HUMAN HEALTH THAT THE TESTING WOULD ADDRESS TO MAKE

SURE THAT OUR RESIDENTS ARE SAFE WHEN THEY USE COSMETICS. THERE'S NO

OTHER ALTERNATIVE METHOD OF TESTING OR IT'S REQUIRED FROM ANY OTHER

FEDERAL OR OTHER NATION AS A CONDITION OF THE MANUFACTURER.

SO WITH THOSE QUALIFICATIONS I WILL BE SUPPORTING IT

BECAUSE I THINK THE QUALIFICATIONS ARE REASONABLE AND MEET THE

APPROPRIATE BALANCE BETWEEN ENSURING THAT OUR RESIDENTS CAN LOOK THEIR

BEST USING COSMETICS, BUT DO SO SAFELY WITHOUT RISK OF ADVERSE

REACTIONS. THANK YOU, SIR.

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. GOODELL IN THE

AFFIRMATIVE.

MS. ROSENTHAL TO EXPLAIN HER VOTE.

MS. ROSENTHAL: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER, TO

EXPLAIN MY VOTE. WITH THE PASSAGE OF THIS LEGISLATION, NEW YORK STATE

WILL BECOME THE NINTH STATE IN THE NATION TO BAN THE SALE OF COSMETICS

TESTED ON ANIMALS. IT'S OFTEN SAID THAT BEAUTY IS PAIN, BUT THAT SHOULD

NOT BE THE CASE FOR INNOCENT ANIMALS. THE TESTS CONDUCTED ON SMALL --

SMALL ANIMALS LIKE MICE, GUINEA PIGS, RABBITS AND OTHERS FOR COSMETIC

PRODUCTS ARE AS UNNECESSARY AS THEY ARE CRUEL. THEY SUBJECT INNOCENT

ANIMALS TO PAINFUL MEDICAL PROCEDURES, OFTEN CAUSE SEVERE PHYSICAL

SUFFERING AND DEATH. IN 2008 WE PASSED A LAW PROHIBITING UNNECESSARY

ANIMAL TESTING WHEN HUMANE ALTERNATIVES EXIST. NOW IN 2022 THERE ARE

SO MANY HUMANE ALTERNATIVES TO ANIMAL TESTING THAT USE ADVANCED

COMPUTER MODELING TECHNIQUES AND TESTING USING HUMAN TISSUES AND

CELLS. THESE TESTS ARE OFTEN CHEAPER AND MORE ACCURATE, LEAVING NO

REASON FOR ANIMALS TO STILL BE UNNECESSARILY SUBJECTED TO PAINFUL TESTS.

CONSUMERS THEMSELVES HAVE BEEN DEMANDING CRUELTY-FREE COSMETICS.

IN FACT, IN 2015 A NIELSEN SURVEY FOUND THAT, QUOTE, NOT TESTED ON

ANIMALS, QUOTE, WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT PACKAGING CLAIM FOR

CONSUMERS. BY PASSING THE NEW YORK CRUELTY-FREE COSMETICS ACT WE

ARE SAVING COUNTLESS ANIMALS FROM PAIN AND SUFFERING, AND USHERING A

MORE HUMAN ERA.

I WANT TO THANK CRUELTY-FREE INTERNATIONAL, THE NEW

YORK STATE ANIMAL PROTECTION FEDERATION, THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

UNITED STATES, THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF NEW YORK, VOTERS FOR ANIMAL

RIGHTS, THE LEAGUE OF HUMANE VOTERS, NYCLASS AND ALL OF THE OTHER

ADVOCATES WHO HAVE HELPED TO BRING ATTENTION TO THIS ISSUE AND PUSHED

THIS BILL FORWARD. AND I'D ALSO LIKE TO THANK SENATOR PHIL BOYLE FOR HIS

ADVOCACY ON THIS BILL AND I VOTE IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: MS. ROSENTHAL IN THE

AFFIRMATIVE.

MR. LAWLER.

MR. LAWLER: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. A FEW

WEEKS AGO I WENT AROUND MY SCHOOL -- MY DISTRICT TO VISIT SEVERAL OF

THE MIDDLE SCHOOLS AND MET WITH THE STUDENTS TO DO "IT SHOULD BE A

LAW" AND MANY OF THE STUDENTS CAME BACK WITH THIS BILL. THEY REALLY

BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD BAN, PROHIBIT COSMETIC TESTING ON ANIMALS AND

THEY FOUND THAT TO BE ONE OF THE MOST CRITICALLY IMPORTANT ISSUES THAT

THEY WERE CONCERNED ABOUT. AND SO I THINK IT IS FITTING TODAY THAT WE

ARE PASSING THIS BILL, AND I'LL BE HAPPY TO BRING BACK THE NEWS TO -- TO

MY SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND LET THEM KNOW THAT SOMETHING THAT WAS OF

CONCERN TO THEM HAS BECOME LAW.

SO I WANT TO THANK THE -- THE SPONSOR FOR PUTTING THIS

BILL FORWARD AND I VOTE IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: MR. LAWLER IN THE

AFFIRMATIVE.

MR. GOODELL.

MR. GOODELL: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. PLEASE

RECORD MY COLLEAGUE MR. DIPIETRO IN THE NEGATIVE. THANK YOU, SIR.

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: ARE THERE ANY OTHER

VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

PAGE 44, CALENDAR NO. 536, THE CLERK WILL READ.

THE CLERK: SENATE NO. S05956-A, CALENDAR NO.

536, SENATOR RIVERA (A06056, GOTTFRIED, SIMON, GALEF, BRONSON,

JACKSON). AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW, IN RELATION TO

ALLOWING PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS TO SERVE AS PRIMARY CARE PRACTITIONERS FOR

PURPOSES OF MEDICAID MANAGED CARE PLANS.

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: THE CLERK WILL

RECORD THE VOTE ON S.5956-A. THIS IS A FAST ROLL CALL. ANY MEMBER

WHO WISHES TO BE RECORDED IN THE NEGATIVE IS REMINDED TO CONTACT THE

MAJORITY OR MINORITY LEADER AT THE NUMBERS PREVIOUSLY PROVIDED.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

MS. WALSH.

MS. WALSH: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. WOULD YOU

PLEASE RECORD MR. MONTESANO IN THE NEGATIVE ON THIS BILL? THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: ARE THERE ANY OTHER

VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

PAGE 45, CALENDAR NO. 581, THE CLERK WILL READ.

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A09883-A, CALENDAR

NO. 581, PAULIN, GRIFFIN, NORRIS. AN ACT TO AMEND THE PUBLIC

AUTHORITIES LAW, IN RELATION TO INFORMATION CONCERNING SERVICES FOR

HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIMS IN SERVICE AREAS MAINTAINED BY THE THRUWAY

AUTHORITY.

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: ON A MOTION BY MS.

PAULIN, THE SENATE BILL IS BEFORE THE HOUSE. THE SENATE BILL IS

ADVANCED.

READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT ON THE 60TH

DAY.

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: THE CLERK WILL

RECORD THE VOTE ON SENATE 8711-A. THIS IS A FAST ROLL CALL. ANY

MEMBER WHO WISHES TO BE RECORDED IN THE NEGATIVE IS REMINDED TO

CONTACT THE MAJORITY OR MINORITY LEADER AT THE NUMBERS PREVIOUSLY

PROVIDED.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

PAGE 40, CALENDAR NO. 423, THE CLERK WILL READ.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A01819-A, CALENDAR

NO. 423, DINOWITZ, GOTTFRIED, GALEF, CARROLL, FERNANDEZ, HEVESI,

JACOBSON, L. ROSENTHAL, GLICK, ABINANTI, KELLES, SAYEGH. AN ACT TO

AMEND THE ELECTION LAW, IN RELATION TO PROHIBITION OF STATE PARTY

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

NAMES; AND TO REPEAL SUBDIVISION 4 OF SECTION 2-124 OF SUCH LAW

RELATING THERETO.

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: ON A MOTION BY MR.

DINOWITZ, THE SENATE BILL IS BEFORE THE HOUSE. THE SENATE BILL IS

ADVANCED.

READ THE -- READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: THE CLERK WILL

RECORD THE VOTE ON SENATE 1851. THIS IS A PARTY VOTE. ANY MEMBER

WHO WISHES TO BE RECORDED AS AN EXCEPTION TO THE CONFERENCE POSITION

IS REMINDED TO CONTACT THE MAJORITY OR MINORITY LEADER'S OFFICE AT THE

NUMBERS PREVIOUSLY PROVIDED.

MR. GOODELL.

MR. GOODELL: THANK YOU, SIR. THE REPUBLICAN

CONFERENCE IS GENERALLY OPPOSED TO THIS LEGISLATION FOR THE REASONS I

HOPE TO EXPLAIN IN A MINUTE. THOSE WHO SUPPORT IT CAN CERTAINLY DO SO

BY VOTING YES ON THE FLOOR OR BY CONTACTING THE MINORITY LEADER'S

OFFICE.

THANK YOU, SIR.

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: MR. SPEAKER, THE

MAJORITY CONFERENCE IS GENERALLY GOING TO BE IN FAVOR OF THIS PIECE OF

LEGISLATION. HOWEVER, THERE MAY BE COLLEAGUES WHO WOULD CHOOSE TO

BE AN EXCEPTION. THEY CAN DO SO BY CONTACTING THE MAJORITY LEADER'S

OFFICE AND WE'LL MAKE SURE THAT THEIR VOTE IS PROPERLY RECORDED.

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

THANK YOU, SIR.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: MR. GOODELL TO

EXPLAIN HIS VOTE.

MR. GOODELL: THANK YOU, SIR. THIS BILL WOULD

MAKE IT ILLEGAL FOR ANY PARTY TO USE THE WORD "INDEPENDENT" OR

"INDEPENDENCE." YOU MAY RECALL FOR MANY, MANY YEARS WE HAD THE

INDEPENDENCE PARTY HERE IN NEW YORK STATE. A COUPLE YEARS AGO

UNDER PRESSURE FROM THE GOVERNOR WE INCREASED THE THRESHOLD ON THE

NUMBER OF VOTES YOU NEED TO HAVE IN A GOVERNOR'S ELECTION IN ORDER TO

CONTINUE SERVING AS OR BEING RECOGNIZED AS A STATEWIDE PARTY. THE

INDEPENDENCE PARTY, EVEN THOUGH IT HAD BEEN AROUND FOR SEVERAL YEARS,

FAILED TO MEET THE NEW STANDARD. THERE WERE SOME SPECULATION THAT THE

GOVERNOR RAISED THOSE STANDARDS TO PUSH FOR THAT RAISE BECAUSE HE

WASN'T GETTING THE SUPPORT HE WANTED FROM SOME OF THOSE PARTIES. BUT

IN ANY EVENT, REGARDLESS OF THE REASON WHY, THE GOVERNOR DID HIS BEST

TO ELIMINATE THIS PARTY AND OTHER MINOR PARTIES. RIGHT NOW AS THERE'S A

POSSIBILITY THAT THIS PARTY MIGHT BE RECONSTITUTED, AND AS YOU KNOW, WE

LOOK EVERY TWO YEARS IN STATEWIDE ELECTIONS FOR THE THRESHOLD. AND IF

THIS PARTY IS SUCCESSFUL IN RECONSTITUTING ITSELF, IN OUR OPINION IT OUGHT

TO BE ABLE TO USE THE NAME THAT IT'S USED FOR MANY, MANY YEARS. AND

FOR THAT REASON WE WANT TO LEAVE OPEN THE POSSIBILITY THAT THIS PARTY IN

A MATTER OF MONTHS WILL REACH THAT VOTING THRESHOLD AND ONCE AGAIN BE

RECOGNIZED AS A STATEWIDE PARTY.

FOR THAT REASON, I'M OPPOSING THIS LEGISLATION AND

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

RECOMMEND AGAINST IT TO MY COLLEAGUES. THANK YOU, SIR.

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: MR. RA.

MR. RA: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. JUST QUICKLY TO

EXPLAIN MY VOTE. AND MY COLLEAGUE JUST MADE SOME OF THE POINTS, BUT,

YOU KNOW, I KNOW THIS BILL WAS AROUND A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. THE

INDEPENDENT PARTY CEASED TO EXIST AFTER THE LAST STATEWIDE ELECTION.

BUT I'M CURIOUS ABOUT THE TIMING OF THIS. WE -- WE KNOW THAT ONE OF

THE CANDIDATES, ONE OF THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR, IS OUT

CIRCULATING PETITIONS TO CREATE THIS BALLOT LINE AND THIS WOULD BE, TO ME,

THE SECOND TIME IN VERY RECENT MEMORY THAT WE'RE TAKING ACTION IN THIS

CHAMBER THAT SEEMS TO DIRECTLY RELATE TO THIS YEAR'S GOVERNOR'S

ELECTION. AND IT'S VERY CLEAR WHICH SIDE WE'RE -- WE'RE FAVORING AS

WE'RE PASSING BILLS LIKE THE ONE WE PASSED A FEW WEEKS AGO TO ALLOW

THE FORMER LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OFF THE BALLOT. AND NOW HERE WE ARE,

TRYING TO PASS A BILL THAT MIGHT IMPACT ANOTHER CANDIDATE. THIS IS NOT

AN APPROPRIATE USE OF THE LEGISLATURE TO TRY TO MOVE THINGS AROUND.

AND JUST A REMINDER, A FEW MONTHS AGO WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT

GERRYMANDERING AND EVERYTHING EVERYBODY SAID, NO, THIS IS ALL -- ALL

GREAT, AND THE COURT OF APPEALS DISAGREED ABOUT WHAT WE DID HERE. SO

WHILE THERE'S BEEN SOME GREAT VOTING AND ELECTION REFORMS AND

MODERNIZATION WE'VE DONE IN RECENT YEARS, WE'VE DONE -- AND I MEAN

THAT COLLECTIVELY, BECAUSE MANY OF US ON THIS SIDE OF THE AISLE HAVE NOT

SUPPORTED THEM -- BUT WE'VE USED OUR POWERS HERE IN A VERY

INAPPROPRIATE WAY WHEN IT -- WHEN IT RELATES TO OUR ELECTIONS, WHEN IT --

WHEN IT BENEFITTED THE PARTY THAT'S CONTROLLING OUR GOVERNMENT.

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

I VOTE IN THE NEGATIVE.

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: MR. JACOBSON

MR. JACOBSON TO EXPLAIN HIS VOTE?

MR. JACOBSON: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I WANT

TO COMMEND THE SPONSOR FOR THIS BILL. MOST OF US IN THIS ROOM HAVE

CIRCULATED PETITIONS FOR THE SO-CALLED "INDEPENDENCE PARTY", AND ALL OF

A SUDDEN THE EXPERIENCE OF GOING TO PEOPLE'S DOORS AND TELLING THEM

THAT, WELL, THIS IS TO GET SOMEONE ON THE BALLOT -- SOMETIMES I'VE BEEN

ENDORSED, SOMETIMES I HAVEN'T BEEN -- AND THEN YOU HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO

THEM, THEY SAY, NO, I'M NOT IN A PARTY. I CHECKED INDEPENDENT. AND

THEN YOU EXPLAIN, NO, IN NEW YORK STATE IF YOU DON'T CHECK ANY PARTY

YOU -- YOU'RE CONSIDERED A BLANK, BUT THAT IF YOU CHECK INDEPENDENCE

YOU'RE NOT. YOU'RE IN A PARTY. AND SO THIS HAS REALLY BEEN A FRAUD ON --

ON THE VOTERS, REALLY SO MANY OF THE VOTERS THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW THEY

WERE IN A PARTY. AND AT LEAST NOW THERE IS A BOX WHEN PEOPLE REGISTER

TO VOTE THAT SAYS, I DO NOT WANT TO BE IN ANY PARTY, WHICH IS FINE. BUT IF

YOU USE THE OLD FORMS -- AS I DO, I DON'T LIKE TO WASTE THEM -- PEOPLE

SEE IT AND THEY WANT TO SAY, HEY, I -- I DON'T WANT TO BE IN ANY PARTY. I

WANT TO CHECK INDEPENDENT. SO I THINK THIS WILL TAKE LESS CONFUSION OR

THIS WILL, SHOULD I SAY, ELIMINATE CONFUSION IN -- IN VOTING SO THAT

PEOPLE COULD AT LEAST KNOW WHEN THEY'RE IN A PARTY, WHEN THEY'RE NOT,

AND SO THAT THE NEXT TIME SOMEONE WANTS TO SAY THEY'RE INDEPENDENT

THEY REALLY ARE.

SO WITH THAT I'M HAPPY TO VOTE IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: MR. JACOBSON IN THE

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

AFFIRMATIVE.

MR. DINOWITZ.

MR. DINOWITZ: WELL SAID. THE BILL ADDS THE

WORDS "INDEPENDENCE" AND "INDEPENDENT" TO THE EXISTING LIST OF WORDS

WHICH THE NAMES OF POLITICAL PARTIES IN NEW YORK STATE MAY NOT

INCLUDE, AND THE EXISTING LIST INCLUDES AMERICAN, UNITED STATES,

NATIONAL, NEW YORK STATE AND EMPIRE STATE. AND IT ALSO WOULD

DISALLOW ANY EMBLEM THAT MAY HAVE BEEN USED BY A PARTY THAT MAY

HAVE USED THE WORDS "INDEPENDENCE" OR "INDEPENDENT." AS WAS JUST

SAID, MOST OF THE PEOPLE WHO WERE REGISTERED IN THE INDEPENDENCE

PARTY HAD NO IDEA THAT THEY WERE REGISTERED IN THE PARTY. THEY THOUGHT

THEY WERE INDEPENDENT. I'M NOT GOING TO USE THE WORD "FRAUD", BUT

PEOPLE WERE MISLED OR MAYBE THEY DIDN'T READ THE FORM CAREFULLY.

WHATEVER THE REASON IS, PEOPLE HAD NO IDEA THEY WERE IN A PARTY, AND

THIS RECTIFIES THAT SITUATION. NOW, ALSO IT WAS MENTIONED THAT THE

NUMBER -- THE THRESHOLD TO STAY A POLITICAL PARTY WAS RAISED. YES, IT

WAS RAISED FROM 50,000 TO 130,000. THE 50,000 THRESHOLD WAS

INSTITUTED IN THE 1930S. SINCE THE 1930S NEW YORK HAS GROWN IN

POPULATION, AND GOING FROM 50- TO 130,000 DOES NOT -- IS NOT

DISPROPORTIONATE TO THE AMOUNT OF POPULATION GROWTH. IT WAS A

REASONABLE NUMBER THAT WAS USED. IF THE VOTERS REJECTED THAT PARTY IN

2018, WELL, THAT'S THE BREAKS. THEY DIDN'T GET ENOUGH VOTES. ALSO, IF

YOU'LL NOTICE ON THE BILL NUMBER THERE'S A "A" NEXT TO THE NUMBER. THAT

MEANS IT'S AN AMENDED VERSION. AND THE BILL DOES NOT TAKE EFFECT THIS

YEAR, SPECIFICALLY SO IT WOULD NOT HAVE AN INFLUENCE OVER THIS YEAR'S

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

ELECTIONS. THAT MEANS IF SOMEBODY'S ON A PETITION AND USED THE WORD

"INDEPENDENCE", THIS YEAR THEY CAN DO THAT, ASSUMING THEY GET ON THE

BALLOT AND SURVIVE CHALLENGES. THIS WILL TAKE EFFECT NEXT YEAR. THIS

WILL ELIMINATE THAT -- THAT CONFUSION THAT VOTERS HAVE HAD, AND IF

SOMEBODY WANTS TO RUN ON AN INDEPENDENT PARTY THEY COULD -- OR

THIRD-PARTY THEY JUST COME UP WITH A DIFFERENT NAME. IT'S REALLY NOT THAT

HARD. BUT THIS WORD WILL NO LONGER BE ELIGIBLE TO BE USED, AND THAT'S A

VERY GOOD THING FOR OUR DEMOCRACY.

SO I VOTE IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: MR. DINOWITZ IN THE

AFFIRMATIVE.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: MR. SPEAKER, WOULD YOU

PLEASE RECORD OUR COLLEAGUE MR. THIELE IN THE NEGATIVE ON THIS ONE?

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: ARE THERE ANY OTHER

VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

PAGE 7, RULES REPORT NO. 227, THE CLERK WILL READ.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A09397-A, RULES

REPORT NO. 227, GOTTFRIED. AN ACT TO AMEND THE CORRECTION LAW AND

THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW, IN RELATION TO THE ENROLLMENT OF INCARCERATED

INDIVIDUALS IN THE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY PERSONS PROGRAM.

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: AN EXPLANATION HAS

BEEN REQUESTED.

MR. GOTTFRIED: YES, MR. SPEAKER. THIS BILL

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

WOULD PROVIDE THAT FOR PRISON INMATES AT THE STATE LEVEL AND LOCAL IN

LOCAL CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS IN THE

CASE OF STATE AND THE LOCAL JAIL AUTHORITIES IN THE CASE OF A LOCAL

CORRECTIONAL FACILITY APPLY FOR MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY FOR INMATES WHO ARE

NOT ALREADY ENROLLED IN MEDICAID. IT MAKES CLEAR THAT THIS ONLY APPLIES

TO PEOPLE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICAID. IT DOESN'T CREATE ANY

ELIGIBILITY FOR -- FOR MEDICAID, AND OF COURSE UNDER EXISTING LAW THEY

WOULD NOT BE -- MEDICAID WOULD NOT BE PAYING FOR THEIR HEALTHCARE

WHILE INCARCERATED. IT -- ALTHOUGH IF THEY ARE HOSPITALIZED OUTSIDE THE

FACILITY, MEDICAID COULD PAY THE HOSPITAL FOR THE HOSPITAL CARE. IT ALSO

PROVIDES FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES TO BE MAKING AN

ANNUAL REPORT ON THIS PROGRAM.

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: MR. BYRNE.

MR. BYRNE: WILL THE SPONSOR YIELD FOR SOME

QUESTIONS?

MR. GOTTFRIED: YES.

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: THE SPONSOR YIELDS.

MR. BYRNE: THANK YOU FOR THAT EXPLANATION, MR.

CHAIRMAN. I JUST WANT TO FOLLOW UP ON SOME OF THE QUESTIONS THAT WE

DISCUSSED I BELIEVE IN COMMITTEE SOME TIME AGO. IS THERE ANY FUNDING

PROVIDED IN THIS LEGISLATION TO SUPPORT COUNTY GOVERNMENTS THAT MAY

HAVE TO USE EXISTING RESOURCES OR ADD RESOURCES FOR WHATEVER

ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS THEY WILL INCUR?

MR. GOTTFRIED: NO, IT DOES NOT PROVIDE FUNDING.

I THINK THE -- I THINK THE COST TO LOCALITIES WOULD BE NOMINAL. NEW

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

YORK HAS GREATLY SIMPLIFIED THE MECHANISM FOR APPLYING FOR MEDICAID.

IT CAN ALL BE DONE ONLINE AT THIS POINT. SO I DON'T THINK THERE WOULD BE

A SIGNIFICANT ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN ON COUNTY CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES.

WHAT IT WOULD DO IS HELP TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN INMATES RETURN TO THE

COMMUNITY THEY -- THEY HAVE A LITTLE MORE STABILITY IN THEIR LIVES, WHICH

I THINK IS IMPORTANT NOT ONLY FOR THEM BUT FOR THE COMMUNITY AS A

WHOLE BECAUSE THEY ARE MUCH LESS LIKELY TO RE-OFFEND IF THEY'RE ABLE TO

GET THE HEALTHCARE THAT THEY NEED, PARTICULARLY IF THEY'RE ABLE TO GET

MENTAL HEALTHCARE THAT THEY NEED. SO I -- I -- AND IF THAT INVOLVES A -- A

-- A NEGLIGIBLE COST AT THE COUNTY LEVEL, I THINK IT'S -- IT'S WELL WORTH IT.

MR. BYRNE: WELL, THANK YOU FOR THE ANSWER. I

THINK THAT'S A CONCERN THAT SOME OF OUR COLLEAGUES CERTAINLY HAVE.

WHILE SOME OF THE LEGISLATION WE PASSED IN THIS CHAMBER HAVE GOOD

INTENTIONS, WHEN WE PUT MORE MANDATES OR REQUIREMENTS ON COUNTY

GOVERNMENT AND WE HAVE PUBLIC STAFF, PUBLIC EMPLOYEES TRYING TO

IMPLEMENT THOSE SERVICES THERE'S OBVIOUSLY A COST THAT GOES INTO THAT

WORK.

NOW, ANOTHER SECTION OF THE BILL THAT I JUST WANTED TO

ASK YOU ABOUT TO KIND OF FURTHER EXPLAIN, AND I'M JUST GOING TO READ A

SECTION OF THE BILL WHERE IT TALKS ABOUT WHERE AN INDIVIDUAL IS FOUND

INELIGIBLE FOR THE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. HERE WE GO. THE

DEPARTMENT SHALL MAKE DILIGENT EFFORTS TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE

INDIVIDUAL IS ELIGIBLE FOR ANY OTHER MEDICAL INSURANCE PROGRAM, AND IF

SO, ASSIST THE INDIVIDUAL IN APPLYING TO THE PROGRAM FOR WHICH THEY ARE

ELIGIBLE IF THEY WISH TO ENROLL IN SUCH PROGRAM. ANY OTHER MEDICAL

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

INSURANCE PROGRAM. SO DOES THIS GO BEYOND MEDICAID BENEFITS FOR

THESE PEOPLE THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY INCARCERATED?

MR. GOTTFRIED: YEAH, IT COULD APPLY -- IN THE

CASE OF A VERY YOUNG INMATE IT COULD -- IT COULD RELATE FOR ELIGIBILITY FOR

CHILD HEALTH PLUS. IT COULD RELATE TO ELIGIBILITY FOR THE ESSENTIAL PLAN

OR FOR THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT COVERAGE.

MR. BYRNE: AND THESE ARE PROGRAMS THAT YOU

BELIEVE FOLKS AT DOCCS AND IN OUR COUNTY JAILS, WHEN PEOPLE ARE

LEAVING THE FACILITY THEY'RE WELL-VERSED IN THESE PROGRAMS AND HAVE THE

ABILITY RIGHT NOW TO -- TO WALK THESE INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS, SOON-TO-

BE-RELEASED INDIVIDUALS, INTO THIS PROGRAM? THEY HAVE THE RESOURCES TO

GO THROUGH NOT JUST MEDICAID BUT THESE OTHER PROGRAMS? IT SEEMS

PRETTY -- YOU KNOW, OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM IN GENERAL IS PRETTY COMPLEX

WITH VARIOUS DIFFERENT PAYORS AND PROGRAMS. DO YOU BELIEVE THEY HAVE

THE KNOWLEDGE AND THE ABILITY TO DO THAT NOW?

MR. GOTTFRIED: WELL, I WOULD SAY WE EXPECT

RANK-AND-FILE NEW YORKERS WHO WANT THAT COVERAGE TO HAVE THAT

ABILITY. IT CAN ALL BE DONE ONLINE TODAY IN A REASONABLY WELL-DESIGNED

ONLINE PORTAL, THE NEW YORK STATE OF HEALTH WEBSITE. THIS LEGISLATURE

HAS FUNDED VARIOUS PROGRAMS OF COMMUNITY-BASED ASSISTANCE FOR

PEOPLE ENROLLING. LOCAL CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES COULD CERTAINLY CONTACT

PEOPLE FROM THOSE PROGRAMS IF THEY NEEDED GUIDANCE, BUT I THINK THAT

WOULD RARELY BE NEEDED BECAUSE OUR -- OUR COMPUTER BASE, OUR ONLINE

SYSTEMS, REALLY GUIDE YOU THROUGH THE SYSTEM. AND OF COURSE THE

CORRECTIONAL OFFICIALS ARE GOING TO BE DOING THIS SOMEWHAT REPETITIVELY

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

AND, YOU KNOW, THE FIRST TIME THEY BUMP INTO A CHILD HEALTH PLUS

APPLICATION THAT MIGHT TAKE SOME FIGURING OUT, BUT BY THE TIME THEY'RE

DOING THEIR SECOND OR THIRD IT WILL BE OLD HAT.

MR. BYRNE: NOW, THIS DOES NOT EXPAND ELIGIBILITY

FOR MEDICAID OR THE OTHER PROGRAMS, BUT YOU HAVE THE EXPECTATION OR

IDEA OF INCREASED PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM WHAT THAT WOULD DO FOR

COST TO THE STATE OR TO COUNTY GOVERNMENTS FROM INCREASED USAGE IN

MEDICAID OR ANY OTHER PROGRAMS?

MR. GOTTFRIED: WELL, FIRST OF ALL, LET ME

REEMPHASIZE YOUR FIRST POINT THAT THIS DOES NOT PROVIDE NEW ELIGIBILITY

FOR ANY PROGRAM TO ANY PERSON. THERE MAY WELL BE PEOPLE WHO WHEN

THEY ARE RELEASED WILL HAVE MEDICAID COVERAGE WHO WITHOUT THIS KIND

OF ASSISTANCE IT MIGHT TAKE THEM QUITE SOME TIME TO GET MEDICAID

COVERAGE. BUT THE ADVANTAGES OF PROVIDING THEM THAT COVERAGE RIGHT

UP FRONT IS THAT IF THEY -- IF THEY GO TO A HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM THE

BILL WILL BE PAID FOR. IF THIS HELPS THEM TO GET MENTAL HEALTH OR DRUG

ABUSE SERVICES THAT THEY ARE ENTITLED TO THAT HELP TO STABILIZE THEIR LIFE

SO THAT THEY DO NOT RE-OFFEND, THAT WILL PROTECT OUR CONSTITUENTS AND WILL

SAVE OUR COUNTIES MONEY BY NOT HAVING TO REINCARCERATE THEM.

MR. BYRNE: THANK YOU, MR. SPONSOR.

ON THE -- THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.

ON THE BILL, MR. SPEAKER.

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: ON THE BILL.

MR. BYRNE: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I APPRECIATE

THE SPONSOR'S LATTER POINTS REGARDING THE DESIRE TO HELP PEOPLE BE

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

REACCLIMATED TO THE COMMUNITY AND SOCIETY, AND IF THERE'S

OPPORTUNITIES TO REDUCE RECIDIVISM BY GETTING THEM THE HELP THEY NEED

I UNDERSTAND AND I APPRECIATE THAT. BUT IT IS WORTH NOTING THAT WHILE WE

TALK ABOUT -- AND THE CHAIR HIMSELF, THE SPONSOR, TALKED ABOUT HOW --

HOW EVERY DAY PEOPLE GO ON ONLINE PORTALS TO ACCESS THIS. WE'RE

TALKING ABOUT INCREASING ANOTHER LAYER OF WORK AT OUR COUNTY

GOVERNMENTS AND OUR COUNTY CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES WHEN PEOPLE THAT

ARE PREVIOUSLY INCARCERATED ARE RELEASED. WE'LL WORK FOR THEM AT A COST

TO OUR LOCAL -- LOCAL PROPERTY TAXPAYERS, TO OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENTS.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PERHAPS NOT INCREASED ELIGIBILITY, BUT CERTAINLY

ENABLING MORE PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS. AND I THINK IT'S

JUST WORTH NOTING THAT WE DO HAVE A VERY LARGE MEDICAID PROGRAM IN

THE STATE OF NEW YORK. THERE'S A LOT OF REALLY IMPORTANT THINGS LIKE

TAKE CARE OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE, OUR DISABLED, BUT I BELIEVE IT'S OUR

SECOND-LARGEST BUDGET ITEM IN THE STATE. IT IS MORE THAN ALMOST EVERY

OTHER STATE IN THE COUNTRY COMBINED. IT IS A VERY COSTLY PROGRAM. IT'S A

VERY GENEROUS MEDICAID PROGRAM WHEN YOU COMPARE IT TO OTHER STATES

IN THE COUNTRY, AND -- AND HERE WE ARE, TRYING TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR

FOLKS WHO ARE INCARCERATED. THANKFULLY THEY'RE -- THEY'RE LEAVING,

HOPEFULLY PAID THEIR FULL DEBT TO SOCIETY, COMING BACK TO OUR

COMMUNITIES. BUT WE'RE GOING TO PUT THIS COST BACK ON COUNTY

GOVERNMENTS WITH WHAT IS AN UNFUNDED MANDATE BECAUSE THERE'S NO

FUNDING ATTACHED TO THIS BILL.

SO I WILL BE VOTING IN THE NEGATIVE AND ENCOURAGE MY

COLLEAGUES TO DO THE SAME. THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: MR. GOODELL.

MR. GOODELL: THANK YOU, SIR.

ON THE BILL.

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: ON THE BILL.

MR. GOODELL: WHEN -- WHEN INMATES ARE RELEASED

FROM PRISON WE OBVIOUSLY HOPE THAT THEY CAN REINTEGRATE INTO SOCIETY

AND BE PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS AND MOVE FORWARD WITH THEIR LIVES. PART

OF THE CHALLENGE WE HAVE WITH THE MEDICAID PROGRAM, AS MY COLLEAGUE

MENTIONED, IS IT'S SO INCREDIBLY EXPENSIVE THAT OUR MEDICAID BILL IS

LARGER THAN TEXAS AND CALIFORNIA COMBINED. EACH ONE OF THOSE STATES

IS LARGER THAN US, AND COMBINED THEY SPEND LESS THAN US ON MEDICAID.

AND THE REASON OUR MEDICAID EXPENSE IS SO HUGE IS BECAUSE THE

BENEFITS WE PROVIDE UNDER MEDICAID EXCEED ALMOST EVERY OTHER STATE.

AND, UNFORTUNATELY, THOSE BENEFITS ALSO EXCEED WHAT'S GENERALLY

AVAILABLE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR. SO WE HAVE A UNIQUE SITUATION WHERE

OUR TAXPAYERS ARE SPENDING BILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO PROVIDE A HEALTHCARE

PACKAGE THAT'S BROADER IN COVERAGE WITH LITTLE OR NO DEDUCTIBLES OR

CO-PAYS THAN THEIR OWN INSURANCE. AND THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE IS

THAT WHEN SOMEBODY GOES OUT OF PRISON AND THEY'RE SIGNED UP FOR

MEDICAID, AS SOON AS THEY GET A PRIVATE SECTOR JOB THAT PUTS THEM ON

PRIVATE INSURANCE THEY LOSE HEALTHCARE COVERAGE. SO RATHER THAN HELP

PEOPLE BECOME INTEGRATED IT'S ACTUALLY A FINANCIAL BARRIER. SO WHILE I

APPRECIATE MY COLLEAGUE'S DESIRE TO ENSURE THAT EVERYONE HAS MEDICAID

COVERAGE AS SOON AS THEY'RE RELEASED FROM PRISON, I THINK WE OUGHT TO

LOOK AT SOME POINT THE BROADER ISSUE OF HOW WE BRING HEALTHCARE COSTS

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

UNDER CONTROL, AND HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THAT THOSE WHO ARE RECEIVING

TAXPAYER-FUNDED HEALTHCARE AREN'T RECEIVING A BENEFIT THAT'S

SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN WHAT THE TAXPAYERS THEMSELVES ARE RECEIVING

WITH PRIVATELY-FUNDED INSURANCE. THE TWO SHOULD MESH SO THAT WE

DON'T USE TAX DOLLARS TO TRAP PEOPLE IN POVERTY BY MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE

FOR THEM TO LEAVE THE WELFARE ROLLS AND MEDICAID ROLLS AND TAKE A

PRIVATE SECTOR JOB WITH PRIVATE SECTOR INSURANCE COVERAGE.

FOR THAT REASON I'LL BE VOTING NO AND RECOMMEND THE

SAME TO MY COLLEAGUES. THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT ON THE 180TH

DAY.

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: THE CLERK WILL

RECORD THE VOTE ON A.97 -- A.9397-A. THIS IS A PARTY VOTE. ANY

MEMBER WHO WISHES TO BE RECORDED AS AN EXCEPTION TO THE CONFERENCE

POSITION IS REMINDED TO CONTACT THE MAJORITY OR MINORITY LEADER AT THE

NUMBERS PREVIOUSLY PROVIDED.

MR. GOODELL.

MR. GOODELL: THANK YOU, SIR. THE REPUBLICAN

CONFERENCE IS GENERALLY OPPOSED TO THIS BILL. THOSE WHO SUPPORT IT CAN

CERTAINLY VOTE YES ON THE FLOOR OR BY CONTACTING THE MINORITY LEADER.

THANK YOU, SIR.

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: MR. SPEAKER, THE

MAJORITY CONFERENCE IS GENERALLY IN FAVOR OF THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

HOWEVER, THERE MAY BE COLLEAGUES WHO WOULD CHOOSE TO BE AN

EXCEPTION. THEY SHOULD FEEL FREE TO CONTACT THE MAJORITY LEADER'S

OFFICE. WE WILL ASSURE THEIR VOTE IS PROPERLY RECORDED.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES

TO EXPLAIN HER VOTE.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: THANK YOU, MR.

SPEAKER, FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLAIN MY VOTE. I WANT TO COMMEND

THE SPONSOR OF THIS LEGISLATION. CLEARLY, IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE WANT

PEOPLE TO GET BACK INTO SOCIETY AND BE CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS AND THEY

BOTH HAVE TO HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE AS WELL AS ACCESS TO

OPPORTUNITIES FOR TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT. AND I DO WANT TO REMIND

COLLEAGUES THAT, YOU KNOW, IT WAS SOME MANY, MANY YEARS AGO WHEN

MEDICAID WAS PUT IN PLACE AND IT WAS PUT THERE TO PROVIDE MEDICAL

SERVICES, HEALTH SERVICES TO PEOPLE WHO COULDN'T AFFORD IT ON THEIR OWN.

BUT AS IT TURNS OUT, NOW MORE THAN JUST INDIVIDUAL SINGLE PEOPLE BEING

ON MEDICAID IT'S MORE OF A SENIOR PROGRAM. AND I DON'T THINK THAT, YOU

KNOW, THERE'S ANY DESIRE FOR ANYONE NOT TO HAVE IT, BUT LET'S BE CLEAR

ABOUT WHERE THE NUMBERS KEEP GROWING AT. THEY DO NOT GROW IN THE

SINGLE INDEPENDENT -- INDIVIDUAL PERSPECTIVE OR NECESSARILY IN

INNER-CITY COMMUNITIES. THEY GROW IN OUR SENIOR POPULATION AND IT

SHOULDN'T MATTER ABOUT THAT BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO MAKE NOTE OF IT.

SO AGAIN, I WANT TO COMMEND THE SPONSOR ON THIS

PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: ARE THERE ANY OTHER

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

PAGE 8, RULES REPORT NO. 256, THE CLERK WILL READ.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A10078, RULES REPORT

NO. 256, FERNANDEZ, GOTTFRIED, SIMON. AN ACT TO AMEND THE WORKERS'

COMPENSATION LAW, IN RELATION TO THE ISSUANCE OF POLICIES BY THE STATE

INSURANCE FUND WHERE A BALANCE IS DUE ON A PRIOR POLICY ISSUED BY

SUCH FUND.

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: ON A MOTION BY MS.

FERNANDEZ, THE SENATE BILL IS BEFORE THE HOUSE. THE SENATE BILL IS

ADVANCED.

AN EXPLANATION HAS BEEN REQUESTED.

MS. FERNANDEZ: THANK YOU. THIS BILL WOULD

PROVIDE AUTHORITIES OF THE NEW YORK STATE INSURANCE FUND TO ISSUE A

POLICY TO A FORMER POLICYHOLDER WITH AN UNPAID BALANCE DUE TO A PRIOR

POLICY IF THERE IS SUFFICIENT SHOWING THAT THE FORMER POLICYHOLDER CAN

MEET CERTAIN CONDITIONS REGARDING THE PAYMENT OF THE BALANCE ON THE

OLD POLICY BY INSTALLMENTS UNDER THE NEW POLICY. GOT THAT?

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: MR. GOODELL.

MR. GOODELL: THANK YOU. WOULD THE SPONSOR

YIELD?

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: WILL THE SPONSOR

YIELD?

MS. FERNANDEZ: YES.

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: THE SPONSOR YIELDS.

MR. GOODELL: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MS.

FERNANDEZ. JUST A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS TO CLARIFY THIS. A CONCERN HAS

BEEN RAISED ABOUT WHETHER IT MAKES GOOD SENSE FOR THE STATE TO ALLOW

SOMEONE WHO HASN'T PAID THE STATE FOR THEIR UNEMPLOYMENT TO SIGN UP

AND GET A NEW POLICY. A LOT OF PRIVATE SECTOR BUSINESSES SAY, YOU

KNOW, BEFORE WE EXTEND YOU NEW CREDIT YOU HAVE TO BRING YOUR OLD

ACCOUNT UP. WOULD YOU ADDRESS THAT ISSUE AND WHY ARE -- ARE YOU

RECOMMENDING THAT WE ALLOW A COMPANY THAT HASN'T PAID IN THE PAST TO

GET A NEW POLICY WHEN THEY HAVEN'T PAID FOR THE OLD ONE YET?

MS. FERNANDEZ: I HEAR YOU THERE, AND LUCKILY FOR

US THIS BILL IS SUPPORTED BY THE NEW YORK STATE INSURANCE FUND. AND

THERE ARE REQUIREMENTS, SO IT'S NOT LIKE WE'RE JUST LETTING PEOPLE START

NEW POLICIES WITHOUT PAYING THE OLD POLICY. BUT THERE IS A LIST AND I

CAN READ IT TO YOU, AS TO WHAT WOULD ALLOW SOMEBODY TO START A NEW

POLICY. WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO READ THAT LIST?

MR. GOODELL: NO, I -- I THINK I'M ACTUALLY AWARE

OF THOSE.

MS. FERNANDEZ: OKAY.

MR. GOODELL: AND SO IS IT YOUR VIEW THAT THIS

ONLY AUTHORIZES, IT DOESN'T MANDATE THEM, TO -- TO GIVE A NEW POLICY

AND IT GIVES THEM THE DISCRETION BASED ON A REVIEW OF THE CREDIT HISTORY

IN THE PAST, THE LIKELIHOOD THEY CAN MAKE THE PAYMENT IN THE FUTURE, THE

LIKELIHOOD THAT THEY CAN MAKE THE EXTRA PAYMENT TO PAY IT OFF, AN

OBLIGATION THAT'S PAID WITHIN 12 MONTHS AND BRINGS THEIR ACCOUNT

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

UP-TO-DATE; IS THAT CORRECT?

MS. FERNANDEZ: THAT IS CORRECT.

MR. GOODELL: AND IS IT YOUR VIEW THAT WITH THOSE

PROVISIONS IN PLACE THE LIKELIHOOD THEY'LL DEFAULT ON THE SECOND POLICY

IS MINIMIZED?

MS. FERNANDEZ: YES, THAT IS CORRECT.

MR. GOODELL: AND IS THIS BILL INTENDED TO HELP

THOSE BUSINESSES THAT MAY HAVE FALLEN BEHIND BECAUSE OF COVID AND

THE RELATED FALLOUT?

MS. FERNANDEZ: YES, IT IS. AS THE WORLD HAS

CHANGED, WE'VE GOT TO CHANGE POLICIES.

MR. GOODELL: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I

APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS AND CLARIFICATION.

ON THE BILL, SIR.

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: ON THE BILL.

MR. GOODELL: THANK YOU. THIS IS AN INTERESTING

BILL BECAUSE NORMALLY IF YOU DON'T PAY A BILL TO A SUPPLIER, FOR EXAMPLE,

OR -- OR ANYONE THAT YOU OWE MONEY TO THEY DON'T EXTEND MORE CREDIT TO

YOU. I MEAN, CAN YOU IMAGINE YOU DEFAULT ON YOUR MORTGAGE AND GO TO

THE BANK AND SAY, HEY, SORRY I HAVEN'T PAID THE FIRST MORTGAGE, CAN I

HAVE A SECOND ONE AND THEY SAY, UH, NO. OR, YOU KNOW, YOU ORDER

SOME PROPANE TO FILL UP YOUR TANK AND SAY, YEAH, I HAVEN'T PAID YOU FOR

THE LAST DELIVERY BUT CAN I HAVE MORE? AND THE NORMAL ANSWER IS NO.

THE TYPICAL RESPONSE IS COD. YOU KNOW, CASH ON DELIVERY. BUT THESE

ARE UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES THAT WE'RE FACING HERE IN NEW YORK STATE

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

WHERE MANY OF OUR BUSINESSES SUFFERED HORRIFICALLY AT THE HANDS OF THE

FORMER GOVERNOR WHO SHUT DOWN OUR BUSINESSES ACROSS THE STATE WITH

ONE FELL SWOOP IN AN EMERGENCY DECLARATION. AND I KNOW ALL THE

BUSINESSES AND MANUFACTURERS AND RETAIL STORES ALL ACROSS, NOT ALL OF

THEM, BUT MANY OF THEM ALL ACROSS NEW YORK STATE WERE SHUT DOWN AT

THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC EVEN THOUGH THERE WERE NO REPORTED

CASES IN MUCH OF UPSTATE. I MEAN, IT WAS AMAZING. THERE WAS A

PROBLEM IN NEW YORK CITY AND 400 MILES AWAY THE GOVERNOR IS

SHUTTING DOWN EVERY BUSINESS. AND THAT HAPPENED TO ME. I MEAN, TO

PUT IT IN PERSPECTIVE, RICHMOND, VIRGINIA IS CLOSER TO ME THAN NEW

YORK CITY. CAN YOU IMAGINE SHUTTING DOWN MY COUNTY AND ALL THE

BUSINESS IN IT BECAUSE THEY HAVE A PROBLEM IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA?

BUT THAT'S WHAT THE GOVERNOR DID. AND SO MANY OF THESE COMPANIES

SIMPLY WERE PUT OUT OF BUSINESS FOR AN EXTENDED TIME PERIOD THROUGH

GOVERNMENT EDICT WHICH, IN MY OPINION, WAS TOO BROAD AND

DEVASTATING ON MUCH OF OUR ECONOMY. SO THIS GIVES THE ABILITY FOR THE

WORKERS' COMP FUND TO RECOGNIZE THAT THESE BUSINESSES THAT WERE HURT

SO MUCH BY THE FORMER GOVERNOR MAY NEED A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME TO

RECOVER AND ALLOWS THEM, BUT DOESN'T MANDATE, ALLOWS THEM TO ISSUE A

NEW POLICY TO KEEP THOSE BUSINESSES IN BUSINESS AND TO GIVE THEM A

LITTLE BIT OF BREATHING ROOM WHILE THEY PAY OFF THEIR OLD BALANCE WHILE

STILL STAY -- WHILE STAYING IN BUSINESS.

AND FOR THAT REASON I WILL SUPPORT IT AND RECOMMEND

IT TO MY COLLEAGUES. AND AGAIN, THANK YOU TO MY COLLEAGUE FOR

CLARIFYING THOSE ISSUES.

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: THE CLERK WILL

RECORD THE VOTE ON SENATE 9096. THIS IS A FAST ROLL CALL. ANY MEMBER

WHO WISHES TO BE RECORDED IN THE NEGATIVE IS REMINDED TO CONTACT THE

MAJORITY OR MINORITY LEADER AT THE NUMBERS PREVIOUSLY PROVIDED.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

MS. FERNANDEZ TO EXPLAIN HER VOTE.

MS. FERNANDEZ: THANK YOU. I WANT TO THANK THIS

BODY FOR UNANIMOUSLY VOTING FOR THIS BILL. I THINK EVERY SINGLE ONE OF

US IN EVERY DISTRICT IN THIS STATE HAVE SUFFERED FROM THE EFFECTS OF

COVID AND OUR BUSINESSES HAVE SUFFERED. AND AS MR. GOODELL SAID,

THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE SURE THAT

BUSINESSES CAN CONTINUE TO RESTART. IF THEY HAD TO CLOSE DOWN DURING

THE PANDEMIC - RIGHT NOW WE'RE STILL IN IT - BUT IF THEY HAD TO CLOSE

DOWN BEFORE, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY CAN GET BACK ON THEIR FEET AND

MAKING SURE THAT THEY HAVE INSURANCE COVERAGE AT ALL TIMES IS HIGHLY

IMPORTANT.

SO THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THIS BILL AND THANK YOU

FOR SUPPORTING OUR SMALL BUSINESSES AND ANYONE THAT WOULD BE

AFFECTED. THANK YOU. AND I VOTE IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: MS. FERNANDEZ IN THE

AFFIRMATIVE.

MR. BROWN TO EXPLAIN HIS VOTE.

MR. A. BROWN: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. ON THE

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

BILL. I WANT TO THANK THE SPONSOR FOR PUTTING THIS BILL TOGETHER. THERE'S

ANOTHER ISSUE AT HAND THAT YOU MAY NOT HAVE REALIZED THAT YOU'VE

COVERED. THESE WORKERS' COMP POLICIES, FOR INSTANCE, IN THE

CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS A CONTRACTOR CAN BE ORDERED IT THREE OR FOUR TIMES

A YEAR AND THAT'S ROUTINE. AND WHAT HAPPENS IS YOU'RE GOING THROUGH

AN AUDIT, THEY COULD BILL YOU FOR -- ARBITRARILY, YOU KNOW, LIKE I JUST TOLD

MR. GOODELL, THEY SHOOT FIRST AND AIM LATER. THEY GIVE YOU A BILL FOR A

COUPLE OF HUNDRED GRAND, YOU'RE FIGHTING IT OUT, YOUR POLICY'S ABOUT TO

EXPIRE. WHAT DO YOU DO? THIS BILL WOULD TAKE CARE OF THAT MAJOR ISSUE

IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, SO I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THIS. IT REALLY IS

A GOOD BILL AND OF COURSE I'M VOTING IN THE AFFIRMATIVE. THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: MR. BROWN IN THE

AFFIRMATIVE.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

PAGE 8, RULES REPORT NO. 264, THE CLERK WILL READ.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A10151, RULES REPORT

NO. 264, COMMITTEE ON RULES, CUNNINGHAM. AN ACT TO AMEND THE

VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC LAW, IN RELATION TO ELIMINATING NOTING AN ADDRESS

CHANGE ON DRIVER LICENSES AND NON-DRIVER IDENTIFICATION CARDS.

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: ON A MOTION BY MR.

CUNNINGHAM, THE SENATE BILL IS BEFORE THE HOUSE. THE SENATE BILL IS

ADVANCED.

AN EXPLANATION HAS BEEN REQUESTED.

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

MR. CUNNINGHAM: THIS BILL WOULD REPEAL THE

PROVISION OF THE LAW WHICH REQUIRES NON-DRIVER'S LICENSE AND DRIVER'S

LICENSE OF ANY RESIDENTS TO CHANGE ON THE BACK OF THEIR LICENSE THEIR

ADDRESS.

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: MR. GOODELL.

MR. GOODELL: THANK YOU. WOULD THE SPONSOR

YIELD?

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: WILL THE SPONSOR

YIELD?

MR. CUNNINGHAM: ABSOLUTELY.

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: THE SPONSOR YIELDS.

MR. GOODELL: SORRY I'M TALKING BEHIND YOUR

BACK, BUT YOU ARE RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME.

MR. CUNNINGHAM: I'LL TURN A LITTLE BIT.

MR. GOODELL: JUST TO BE CLEAR, THIS DOES NOT

REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT THAT IF YOU CHANGE YOUR ADDRESS YOU HAVE TO

NOTIFY DMV RIGHT AWAY, CORRECT?

MR. CUNNINGHAM: CORRECT. YOU WOULD STILL

NOTIFY THE DMV WITHIN TEN DAYS OF THE CHANGE. YOU WOULD NO LONGER

HAVE TO WRITE ON THE BACK OF THE LICENSE. THIS IS PRETTY ARCHAIC IN

TERMS OF YOUR PREVIOUS LICENSE WAS PAPER, THIS IS A PLASTIC LICENSE AND

IT'S HARD TO WRITE ON THOSE LICENSES THOSE CHANGES.

MR. GOODELL: SO IT'S REALLY JUST DESIGNED AS A

CONVENIENCE FOR THE DRIVER?

MR. CUNNINGHAM: IT'S A -- IT'S A CONVENIENCE FOR

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

THE DMV. WHEN YOU ACTUALLY WRITE WITH A PLASTIC IT ELIMINATES IT. SO

AN OFFICER OR ANYONE WHO PRESENTS THAT IDENTIFICATION WOULD NOT BE ABLE

TO SEE ANYTHING BECAUSE IT WOULD SMEAR OFF DUE TO THE LAMINATE ON THE

PLASTIC.

MR. GOODELL: I SEE. THE QUESTION I HAVE IS -- IS A

SIMPLE ONE. IF -- NOW THIS WOULDN'T HAPPEN TO YOU, BUT IT MIGHT HAPPEN

TO ME. IF YOU'RE STOPPED BY AN OFFICER, SAY A ROUTINE STOP, RIGHT, AND

THEY ASK TO SEE YOUR LICENSE, WITHOUT THIS THE ADDRESS ON YOUR LICENSE

WOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM WHAT THEY HAVE IN THE DMV DATABASE,

CORRECT?

MR. CUNNINGHAM: THAT IS -- IN TERMS OF WHAT

THEY SEE ON THE LICENSE, YES. IN TERMS OF THE TECHNOLOGY USED ON

LICENSES NOW WITH SOME OF THE BAR CODING AND SCANNING IT IS MUCH

EASIER TO IDENTIFY WHO A PERSON IS. IN FACT, IF AN OFFICER DOES STOP YOU,

WHICH HAS HAPPENED TO ME WHEN I'VE LEFT MY WALLET AT HOME, WHEN

YOU RUN THE NUMBER OF LICENSE YOU ACTUALLY CAN IDENTIFY ALL THE

INFORMATION ON A PERSON.

MR. GOODELL: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR.

CUNNINGHAM.

ON THE BILL, SIR.

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: ON THE BILL.

MR. GOODELL: I -- I SMILED A LITTLE BIT WHEN I SAW

THIS BILL BECAUSE ABOUT A YEAR AGO I APPLIED TO DMV FOR AN ENHANCED

LICENSE. AND IN ORDER TO GET AN ENHANCED LICENSE YOU HAVE TO BRING ALL

THIS IDENTIFICATION WITH YOU. YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE TO BRING LIKE A

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

PASSPORT, YOU HAVE TO GIVE UTILITY BILLS, A TAX BILL AND YOU'RE BRINGING ALL

THIS IDENTIFICATION TO PROVE THAT, A, YOU ARE ALIVE, YOU WERE BORN AT

SOME POINT IN YOUR LIFE AND THAT YOU LIVE IN A PARTICULAR LOCATION. AND

SO I BROUGHT ALL THIS INFORMATION INTO MY FRIENDLY DMV OFFICE, AND

THEY'RE VERY FRIENDLY AND VERY HELPFUL. THEN ABOUT SIX WEEKS LATER I

RECEIVED THIS ENHANCED DRIVER'S LICENSE. AND WHEN I LOOKED AT IT, IT

HAD AS MY ADDRESS MY WIFE'S FORMER ADDRESS THAT WAS NEVER, EVER MINE.

IT WAS AMAZING. I BRING IN ALL THIS DOCUMENTATION, I PROVE I NEVER EVEN

LIVED THERE, AND FOR WHATEVER ADMINISTRATIVE SNAFU I END UP WITH A

LICENSE WITH THE WRONG ADDRESS. SO I TOOK IT TO THE DMV AND SAID, UH,

WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT THIS? AND THEY SAID, WELL, FOR A MODEST FEE -- I

DON'T REMEMBER WHAT IT WAS, YOU KNOW, $75 TO $100 -- WE CAN ISSUE

YOU A LICENSE OR I CAN FIX IT FOR FREE. I SAID, YOU KNOW, BEING A

REPUBLICAN, FREE IS GOOD. NOT AS GOOD AS A FREE LUNCH OR A FREE

COLLEGE EDUCATION, BUT FREE IS GOOD. SO I SAID, FIX IT FOR FREE, AND SO

THEY TOOK A LITTLE STICKER AND THEY PUT IT ON THE BACK OF MY LICENSE.

AND IN LONGHAND THEY WROTE MY PROPER ADDRESS ON IT. SO WHEN THIS

BILL CAME ALONG I JUST LAUGHED. SOMETIMES IT'S AMAZING WHAT -- WHAT

CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED FOR FREE, AND THAT'S ONE OF THE FREE THINGS.

I WOULD RECOMMEND MY COLLEAGUES GO AHEAD AND

APPROVE THIS, ALTHOUGH I WILL SHARE WITH YOU THAT IN SOME COMMUNITIES

YOU NEED TO KNOW NOT ONLY THE PERSON THAT'S NAMED, BUT THEIR MIDDLE

NAME AND WHERE THEY LIVE IN ORDER TO IDENTIFY THEM. AND SO IN MY

COMMUNITY WHERE WE HAVE A LOT OF SWEDISH PEOPLE, YOU NEED TO KNOW

NOT ONLY THAT THEIR LAST NAME IS NELSON, SWANSON, ANDERSON, CARLSON

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

OR SOME OTHER "SON", BUT YOU HAVE TO KNOW THEIR FIRST NAME, THEIR

MIDDLE INITIAL AND WHERE THEY LIVE OR YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY

THEM AND THEN IT WILL CREATE A LITTLE BIT OF AN IDENTIFICATION ISSUE FOR

SOME OF OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT (INAUDIBLE) TRUST. THAT IS AS LONG AS ALL

MY SWEDISH FRIENDS DRIVE CAREFULLY THEY WON'T HAVE A PROBLEM.

THANK YOU, SIR.

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: THE CLERK WILL

RECORD THE VOTE ON SENATE 6887. THIS IS A FAST ROLL CALL. ANY MEMBER

WHO WISHES TO BE RECORDED IN THE NEGATIVE IS REMINDED TO CONTACT THE

MAJORITY OR MINORITY LEADER AT THE NUMBERS PREVIOUSLY PROVIDED.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

PAGE 8, RULES REPORT NO. 266, THE CLERK WILL READ.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A10154, RULES REPORT

NO. 266, COMMITTEE ON RULES, GIBBS. AN ACT TO AMEND CHAPTER 297

OF THE LAWS OF 2020 RELATING TO REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR TO

PRODUCE A REPORT REGARDING SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS

FUNDED BY STATE, FEDERAL AND LOCAL APPROPRIATIONS, IN RELATION TO

EXPANDING THE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS; AND IN RELATION TO EXTENDING THE

EFFECTIVENESS OF SUCH CHAPTER.

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: AN EXPLANATION HAS

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

BEEN REQUESTED.

MR. GIBBS: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. THIS BILL

WOULD EXTEND THE DATE BY ONE YEAR THAT THE OFFICE OF TEMPORARY AND

DISABILITY ASSISTANCE MUST PRODUCE A REPORT REGARDING NEW YORK STATE

SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM FUNDED BY STATE, FEDERAL AND

LOCAL APPROPRIATIONS.

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: MR. GOODELL.

MR. GOODELL: THANK YOU. WOULD THE SPONSOR

YIELD?

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: WILL THE SPONSOR

YIELD?

MR. GIBBS: I YIELD FOR PEDESTRIANS, I CERTAINLY COULD

YIELD FOR MY COLLEAGUE MR. GOODELL. YES.

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: THE SPONSOR YIELDS.

MR. GOODELL: THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR.

GIBBS. THIS BILL ORIGINALLY CALLED FOR A REPORT TO BE PRODUCED IN SIX

MONTHS, WHICH SEEMED AT THE TIME TO BE REASONABLE BECAUSE WE ALL

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED IT. THEY THEN CAME BACK AND ASKED FOR AN

ADDITIONAL 18 MONTHS, WHICH WOULD MAKE IT -- I'M SORRY, AN ADDITIONAL

YEAR WHICH WOULD MAKE IT A YEAR-AND-A-HALF TO PRODUCE THIS REPORT, AND

NOW THEY'RE COMING BACK AND ASKING FOR AN ADDITIONAL YEAR. SO IT'S A

STUDY THAT WE HOPED TO HAVE DONE IN SIX MONTHS IS NOW HAS A DEADLINE

OF TWO-AND-A-HALF YEARS. WHY SHOULD WE EXTEND THIS DEADLINE RATHER

THAN JUST SAY, HEY, GET US THE REPORT WE WANT?

MR. GIBBS: IT'S A GOOD QUESTION. UNDER THE EXISTING

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

LAW THE REPORT WOULD HAVE BEEN DUE THIS YEAR AND WOULD EXAM --

WOULD EXAMINE THE PROGRAM'S USE, EFFICACY AND FUNDING BETWEEN THE

YEARS 2016 AND 2022. HOWEVER, DUE TO THE ONSET OF THE COVID-19

PANDEMIC AND THE DISRUPTION IT CAUSED, THE DATA WOULD HAVE BEEN

GREATLY SKEWED. SO, YOU KNOW, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN ALL OVER THE PLACE,

THE PROGRAMS WOULD SHUT DOWN. SO EXTENDING THE TIME FOR THE REPORT

TO BE COMPLETED WOULD ALLOW FOR A MORE REPRESENTATIVE DATA THAT BETTER

REFLECTS THE REGRESSION OF THE PROGRAM.

MR. GOODELL: SO YOUR HOPE IS THAT BY EXTENDING

THIS WE'LL GET MORE ACCURATE AND MORE USEFUL DATA THAT WON'T BE

DISTORTED BY THE IMPACT OF COVID; IS THAT CORRECT?

MR. GIBBS: CERTAINLY.

MR. GOODELL: THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT

EXPLANATION.

SIR, ON THE BILL.

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: ON THE BILL.

MR. GOODELL: ALL OF US WHO ARE PARENTS ARE

SOMETIMES FACED WITH THAT QUESTION FROM AN INPATIENT CHILD, I WANT AN

ANSWER RIGHT NOW. AND I KNOW THAT I TOLD MY KIDS, I CAN GIVE YOU A

QUICK ANSWER RIGHT NOW OR IF YOU WANT I'LL THINK ABOUT THIS AND GIVE

YOU A MORE MEASURED RESPONSE, AND THEY UNDERSTOOD THAT THE QUICK

ANSWER WAS LIKELY TO BE A SHORT ANSWER LIKE N-O. AND IT'S A LITTLE BIT

LIKE WHAT WE'RE EXPERIENCING HERE. OUR AGENCY IS SAYING, YOU KNOW,

WE CAN PRODUCE A REPORT BUT THE REPORT WON'T BE HELPFUL BECAUSE ALL

THE DATA WILL BE SKEWED BECAUSE OF COVID. AND I AGREE WITH THE

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

SPONSOR, IT'S BETTER TO HAVE A REPORT THAT'S HELPFUL THAN A REPORT THAT'S

MISLEADING.

AND FOR THAT REASON I'LL SUPPORT IT AND RECOMMEND IT TO

MY COLLEAGUES. THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: MR. GIBBS.

MR. GIBBS: THANK YOU, SIR -- SPEAKER. THE

SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM HAS A VERY REAL IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITIES

SETTING UP THE NEXT GENERATION FOR SUCCESS BY PROVIDING ACADEMICALLY,

SOCIALLY, EMOTIONALLY AND ECONOMICALLY-BENEFICIAL OPPORTUNITIES.

WHEN SCHOOL CURRICULA ARE AT TIMES NOT FOCUSED ON PREPARING STUDENTS

FOR THE 21ST CENTURY ECONOMY, THIS PROGRAM COULD FILL THAT GAP BY

INTRODUCING THEM TO VARIOUS CAREERS IN BOTH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE

SECTOR -- SECTORS. IT KEEPS YOUNG PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS AND

CONTRIBUTING TO OUR NEIGHBORHOODS BY ALLOWING THEM TO ENHANCE THEIR

WORKPLACE SKILLS AND FURTHER THEIR INTERESTS. PROGRAMS LIKE THIS WERE

CRUCIAL IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ALL OF MY THREE KIDS, AS THEY ARE IN THE

DEVELOPMENT OF KIDS ALL ACROSS NEW YORK. WE MUST ENSURE THAT THESE

VITAL PROGRAMS ARE AS EFFECTIVE AS POSSIBLE. THIS BILL WOULD EXTEND THE

TIME THE OFFICE OF TEMPORARY AND DISABILITY ASSISTANCE HAS TO PRODUCE

A REPORT SO IT'S MORE ACCURATE IN EVALUATING THE EFFICACY OF THE PROGRAM

AND THE BARRIERS OF THE PROGRAM AVAILABILITY. IT WOULD ALSO ENSURE THAT

FUNDS ARE BEING UTILIZED RESPONSIBLY AND TO THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. UNDER

THE EXISTING LAW THE REPORT WOULD HAVE BEEN DUE THIS YEAR AND IT WOULD

EXAMINE THE PROGRAM'S USE AND EFFICACY AND FUNDING BETWEEN YEARS

2016 AND 2022. HOWEVER, LIKE I SAID BEFORE, DUE TO THE ONSET OF

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

COVID-19 AND THE DISRUPTION IT CAUSED, THE DATA IS GREATLY SKEWED AND

THE OFFICE CANNOT AT ALL BE RUSHED IN REPORTING THIS PROCESS, ESPECIALLY

WHEN WE ARE LOOKING TO EXPAND THE FUTURE AND AVAILABILITY OF THE

PROGRAM BECAUSE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE OUR FUTURE AND WE NEED TO GET IT

RIGHT WHEN WE INVEST IN THEIR DEVELOPMENT.

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE CLERK WILL RECORD

THE VOTE ON A.10154. THIS IS A FAST ROLL CALL. ANY MEMBER WHO WISHES

TO BE RECORDED IN THE NEGATIVE IS REMINDED TO CONTACT THE MAJORITY OR

MINORITY LEADER AT THE NUMBERS PREVIOUSLY PROVIDED.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES. NO? OKAY.

(PAUSE)

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: MR. SPEAKER, DO WE

HAVE ANY FURTHER HOUSEKEEPING OR RESOLUTIONS?

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: WE HAVE BOTH.

ON A MOTION BY MS. JOYNER, PAGE 41, CALENDAR NO.

430, BILL NO. 6529, THE AMENDMENTS ARE RECEIVED AND ADOPTED.

ON A MOTION BY MS. BICHOTTE HERMELYN, PAGE 29,

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

CALENDAR NO. 160, BILL NO. 4947-A, THE AMENDMENTS ARE RECEIVED AND

ADOPTED.

ON A MOTION BY MS. BUTTENSCHON, PAGE 10, RULES

REPORT NO. 289, BILL NO. 1940-D, THE AMENDMENTS ARE RECEIVED AND

ADOPTED.

ON BEHALF OF MRS. GUNTHER, ASSEMBLY BILL 267-A,

ASSEMBLY BILL RECALLED FROM THE SENATE. THE CLERK WILL RECORD [SIC]

THE TITLE OF THE BILL.

THE CLERK: AN ACT TO AMEND THE ARTS AND CULTURAL

AFFAIRS LAW.

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: MOTION TO RECONSIDER

THE VOTE BY WHICH THE BILL PASSED THE HOUSE. THE CLERK WILL RECORD THE

VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

THE CLERK WILL ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS BEFORE THE HOUSE AND THE AMENDMENTS ARE

RECEIVED AND ADOPTED.

ON BEHALF OF MR. MAGNARELLI, BILL NO. 354-A,

ASSEMBLY BILL RECALLED FROM THE SENATE. THE CLERK WILL RECORD [SIC]

THE TITLE OF THE BILL.

THE CLERK: AN ACT TO AMEND THE REAL PROPERTY

ACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS LAW.

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: MOTION TO RECONSIDER

THE VOTE BY WHICH THE BILL PASSED THE HOUSE. THE CLERK WILL RECORD THE

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

THE CLERK WILL ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS BEFORE THE HOUSE AND THE AMENDMENTS ARE

RECEIVED AND ADOPTED.

ON BEHALF OF MS. LUPARDO, BILL NO. 328-A -- OH,

9328-A, ASSEMBLY BILL RECALLED FROM THE SENATE. THE CLERK WILL READ

THE TITLE OF THE BILL.

THE CLERK: AN ACT TO AMEND THE EXECUTIVE LAW

AND THE STATE FINANCE LAW.

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: MOTION TO RECONSIDER

THE VOTE BY WHICH THE BILL PASSED THE HOUSE. THE CLERK WILL RECORD THE

VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

THE CLERK WILL ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS BEFORE THE HOUSE AND THE AMENDMENTS ARE

RECEIVED AND ADOPTED.

WE HAVE A NUMBER OF FINE RESOLUTIONS THAT WE WILL

TAKE UP WITH ONE VOTE.

ON THE RESOLUTIONS, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING

AYE; ALL THOSE OPPOSED. THE RESOLUTIONS ARE ADOPTED.

(WHEREUPON, ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NOS. 1007-1016

WERE UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED.)

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 25, 2022

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: MR. SPEAKER, I NOW

MOVE THAT THE ASSEMBLY STAND ADJOURNED UNTIL THURSDAY, MAY THE

26TH, TOMORROW BEING A LEGISLATIVE DAY AND THAT WE RECONVENE AT

12:30, MAY THE 31ST, TUESDAY BEING A SESSION DAY.

ACTING SPEAKER CUSICK: THE HOUSE IS

ADJOURNED.

(WHEREUPON, AT 3:43 P.M., THE HOUSE STOOD ADJOURNED

UNTIL THURSDAY, MAY 26TH, THAT BEING A LEGISLATIVE DAY, AND TO

RECONVENE ON TUESDAY, MAY 31ST AT 12:30 P.M., THAT BEING A SESSION

DAY.)