MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2024 3:22 P.M.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE HOUSE WILL COME

TO ORDER.

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

SILENCE, AND IN THIS MOMENT, LET US GIVE THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS TO AJ

SMULLEN AND THE FAMILY.

(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 SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25TH.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

NYS ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 26, 2024

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

DISPENSE WITH THE FURTHER READING OF THE JOURNAL OF SUNDAY, FEBRUARY

THE 25TH AND THAT THE SAME STAND APPROVED.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO

ORDERED.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: THANK YOU, MR.

SPEAKER. COLLEAGUES AND MULTIPLE GUESTS THAT ARE IN THE CHAMBERS, I

WANT TO START OUR SESSION TODAY WITH A QUOTE. THIS ONE IS FROM NIPSEY

HUSSLE, NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH NIPSEY RUSSELL. NIPSEY HUSSLE WAS

AN AMERICAN RAPPER, AN ENTREPRENEUR AND AN ACTIVIST. HIS WORDS FOR US

TODAY, IF YOU LOOK AT THE PEOPLE IN YOUR CIRCLE AND YOU DO NOT GET

INSPIRED, YOU DO NOT HAVE A CIRCLE, YOU HAVE A CAGE. AGAIN, THESE

WORDS FROM NIPSEY HUSSLE.

MR. SPEAKER, COLLEAGUES HAVE ON THEIR DESK A MAIN

CALENDAR. IT HAS 18 NEW BILLS ON IT. AFTER YOU HAVE DONE ANY

INTRODUCTIONS OR HOUSEKEEPING, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE UP RESOLUTIONS --

CALENDAR RESOLUTIONS ON PAGE 3. WE WILL BE CALLING FOR THE FOLLOWING

COMMITTEES TO MEET OFF THE FLOOR: GOVERNMENT [SIC] OPERATIONS AND

RULES. THESE COMMITTEES ARE GONNA PRODUCE AN A-CALENDAR, WHICH

WE ARE GOING TO TAKE UP TODAY. WHILE THESE COMMITTEES ARE MEETING,

WE WILL BEGIN TO CONSENT THE NEW BILLS, BEGINNING WITH CALENDAR NO.

305, IT'S ON PAGE 4. BUT FIRST, IT WOULD BE MY HONOR TO FORMALLY

INTRODUCE TO OUR CHAMBER OUR NEWEST MEMBER, LANDON DAIS OF THE

77TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT. I, OF COURSE, WILL LET YOU KNOW OR ANNOUNCE IF

NYS ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 26, 2024

THERE'S ANY FURTHER ACTIVITY THAT WE NEED TO DO ON THE FLOOR; HOWEVER,

MAJORITY MEMBERS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THERE WILL DEFINITELY BE A NEED

FOR A CONFERENCE ONCE WE HAVE COMPLETED OUR WORK HERE ON THE FLOOR

TODAY. AND, AS ALWAYS, MR. SPEAKER, WE WILL CONFER WITH OUR

COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE TO DETERMINE WHAT THEIR NEEDS

MAY BE.

SO THAT'S A GENERAL OUTLINE OF WHERE WE ARE, SIR. IF YOU

HAVE ANY INTRODUCTIONS OR HOUSEKEEPING, NOW WOULD BE A GREAT TIME.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: AND WE WILL START

WITH YOU, MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES, FOR THE PURPOSES OF AN INTRODUCTION.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: THANK YOU, SIR. IT WOULD

BE MY PLEASURE. ASSEMBLYMEMBER LANDON DAIS WAS ELECTED TO

REPRESENT THE 77TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT, WHICH INCLUDES THE COMMUNITIES

OF CLAREMONT, CONCOURSE, HIGHBRIDGE, MOUNT EDEN, MORRIS HEIGHTS --

AND MORRIS HEIGHTS IN THE BRONX. BORN AND RAISED IN NEW YORK,

ASSEMBLYMEMBER DAIS BEGAN HIS EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY AT FORDHAM

PREP. HE RECEIVED A BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE IN BUSINESS

MANAGEMENT FROM MOREHOUSE COLLEGE, A MASTER'S DEGREE IN REAL

ESTATE DEVELOPMENT FROM COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, AND A LAW DEGREE

FROM HOFSTRA LAW SCHOOL. LANDON PREVIOUSLY SERVED AS A DEPUTY

DIRECTOR AT THE POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE, AND WORKED AT A CONSTRUCTION

COMPANY CONTRIBUTING TO THE PROJECTS -- MANY PROJECTS, SUCH AS THE NEW

YANKEE STADIUM.

ASSEMBLYMEMBER DAIS IS A DEDICATED COMMUNITY

LEADER, LEGAL EXPERT, AND AN ADVOCATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE. HE IS A

NYS ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 26, 2024

MEMBER OF THE ABYSSINIAN BAPTIST CHURCH, LEADS THE HIGHBRIDGE

HEIGHTS HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, AND HIS CONTRIBUTES HIS EX --

EXPERTISE TO THE MID-BOX -- BRONX DESPERADOES BOARD, FOCUSING ON

BUILDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE BRONX. LANDON RESIDES IN

HIGHBRIDGE WITH HIS WIFE ROSIE AND THEIR TWO SONS, LENOX AND

LEXINGTON.

PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING ASSEMBLYMEMBER

LANDON DAIS TO OUR CHAMBERS.

(APPLAUSE)

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: FOR THE PURPOSES OF A

INTRODUCTION, MS. FORREST.

MS. FORREST: THANK YOU SO MUCH, MR. SPEAKER.

PLEASE ALLOW ME TO INTRODUCE AN INCREDIBLE GROUP OF ALUMNI FROM THE

TIMBUKTU SUMMER CLIMATE AND CAREERS INSTITUTE. THIS INCREDIBLE

GROUP OF YOUNG PEOPLE ARE LED BY PAUL HAI OF THE SUNY SCHOOL OF

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND FORESTRY, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MEDGAR

EVERS COLLEGE IN BROOKLYN IN ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 57. THE TIMBUKTU

INSTITUTE [SIC] SEEKS TO INTRODUCE HIGH SCHOOL-AGED STUDENTS LIVING ON

THE FRONT LINES OF CLIMATE CHANGE TO CAREERS FIGHTING CLIMATE CHANGE.

STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES IN ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY,

PROTECTION, SCIENCE, ART, JOURNALISM AND MORE. LAST SUMMER, THE

PROGRAM HOSTED MORE THAN 40 STUDENTS IN THREE COHORTS THAT EACH BEGAN

THEIR TWO-WEEK EXPERIENCE IN CROWN HEIGHTS AND CULMINATED WITH

NEARLY A WEEK IN THE ANDIRONDACK [SIC] PARK. THESE TALENTED STUDENTS

ARE HERE TO TAKE PART IN ANDIRONDACK [SIC] PARK LOBBY DAY, WHERE THEY

NYS ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 26, 2024

WILL LEARN ABOUT PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNMENT, ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES

AND FUNDING, AND CAREERS FIGHTING CLIMATE CHANGE.

THEY'RE ALSO HERE TO ADVOCATE FOR THE PERMANENT

AFRICAN AMERICAN EXHIBIT FUNDING. THEY ARE WEARING THESE RED

SCARVES THAT YOU WILL SEE AROUND THE CAPITOL TODAY. THEY ARE

ADVOCATING FOR CLEAN WATER, WILDERNESS, AND GREEN JOB CREATION FOR OUR

BEAUTIFUL ANDIRONDACK [SIC] PARK, A NATIONAL TREASURE THAT THEY WILL

INHERIT FROM ALL OF US.

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: CERTAINLY. ON BEHALF

OF MS. FORREST, THE SPEAKER AND ALL THE MEMBERS, WE WELCOME THIS

EXTRAORDINARY GROUP OF YOUNG PEOPLE HERE TO THE NEW YORK STATE

ASSEMBLY. WE GIVE YOU THE PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR, COMMEND YOU ON

THE PATIENCE THAT YOU'VE DISPLAYED WHILE WE WAITED SO LONG TO START.

YOU WERE WELL-BEHAVED AND ENTERTAINED BY SOME OF OUR MEMBERS. WE

ARE HAPPY THAT YOU HAVE COME TODAY, HOPE THAT YOU WILL ENJOY YOUR FULL

EXPERIENCE HERE IN ALBANY, AND KNOW THAT WE WILL ALWAYS WELCOME

YOU HERE IN THE NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH

FOR BEING WITH US.

(APPLAUSE)

MR. GIBBS FOR THE PURPOSES OF A INTRODUCTION.

MR. GIBBS: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. SORRY FOR THE

CONFUSION. IN ADDITION TO WHAT MEMBER PHARA WAS JUST INTRODUCING,

WE HAVE SOME ADDITIONAL TROOPS AS WELL. IT'S MY HONOR TO STAND HERE

AND INTRODUCE THE BOY SCOUT TROOPS 144B - COME ON, STAND 144B -

NYS ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 26, 2024

WE'VE GOT BOY SCOUTS 144G, WE HAVE THE PACK 3144. WE ALSO HAVE

SOME WONDERFUL, AMAZING YOUNG LADIES IN THE GIRL SCOUTS 4704, ALONG

WITH THE TIMBUKTU CLASS OF 2023. AND WE ALSO REPRESENT QUEENS,

BROOKLYN, BRONX, AND HARLEM.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IT'S MY PLEASURE, MR. SPEAKER,

TO INTRODUCE YOU TO OUR GIRL SCOUTS AND BOY SCOUTS FROM ALL ADDITIONAL

BOROUGHS.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: CERTAINLY. ON BEHALF

OF MR. GIBBS, THE SPEAKER AND ALL THE MEMBERS, WE WELCOME THESE

BOY SCOUTS AND GIRL SCOUTS HERE TO THE NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY,

EXTEND TO YOU THE PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR. OUR SAME CONGRATULATIONS FOR

THE PATIENCE THAT YOU'VE SHOWN WHILE WE GATHERED TO DO BUSINESS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING WITH US. WE HOPE YOU'VE HAD A GREAT

TIME AND WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE A GREAT TIME HERE IN ALBANY. THANK

YOU.

(APPLAUSE)

MR. RAMOS FOR THE PURPOSES OF A INTRODUCTION.

MR. RAMOS: MR. SPEAKER, I RISE FOR THE PURPOSE OF

AN INTRODUCTION. TODAY, I HAVE A DISTINGUISHED GROUP OF YOUNG

STUDENTS -- PLEASE RISE. THEY ARE FROM THE BRENTWOOD AND CENTRAL ISLIP

SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AND THEY BELONG TO SEVERAL DIFFERENT CLUBS. ONE, WE

HAVE THE -- THE PRESIDENT OF THE STUDENT COUNCIL IN CENTRAL ISLIP,

ALEJANDRO HEREDIA, AND HE'S FROM THE STUDENT COUNCIL. WE HAVE

XIMENA MEDRANO, WHO IS THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE MULTICULTURAL CLUB.

WE HAVE ANDRES RODRIGUEZ, WHO IS FROM THE BRENTWOOD STUDENT

NYS ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 26, 2024

ADVOCATES. FROM THE LATINO TEACHER'S ASSOCIATION, DAFNY IRIZARRY

AND MARISOL PAGAN, AND SEVERAL OTHER TEACHERS THAT WE HAVE HERE WHO

REPRESENT THESE YOUNG STUDENTS.

THESE STUDENTS IN MY DISTRICT HAVE GOTTEN INVOLVED IN

EVERY ISSUE YOU COULD THINK OF. THEY HAVE MARCHED THE STREETS IN THE

DEFENSE OF IMMIGRANT RIGHTS. THEY HAVE DONE COMMUNITY CLEANUPS,

THEY HAVE DONE MURALS ON THE WALLS TO BEAUTIFY OUR COMMUNITY. IT'S

INSPIRING, MR. SPEAKER, THAT THIS YOUNG -- THESE YOUNG PEOPLE TAKE IT

UPON THEMSELVES TO REACH OUTSIDE OF THEIR -- THEIR SOCIAL LIFE AND TO

ACTUALLY DO THINGS TO HELP THEIR COMMUNITY, AND THEY'VE COME UP HERE

TO LEARN ABOUT GOVERNMENT. THEY'RE DOING THAT AT ALL DIFFERENT LEVELS OF

GOVERNMENT, BUT THEY WANT TO KNOW HOW TO ENGAGE IT WHEN THEY

GRADUATE NEXT YEAR.

SO, MR. SPEAKER, I ASK THAT YOU PLEASE JUST GIVE THIS

GROUP A WARM WELCOME AND PLEASE EXTEND THEM ALL THE COURTESIES OF

THE HOUSE.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: CERTAINLY. ON BEHALF

OF MR. RAMOS, THE SPEAKER AND ALL THE MEMBERS, WE WELCOME THESE

STUDENTS AND TEACHERS HERE TO THE NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY. WE

EXTEND TO YOU THE PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR. OUR CONGRATULATIONS ON THE

KIND OF WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING TO PRESERVE AND MAKE YOUR

COMMUNITIES BETTER. WE BELIEVE IN THE PRINCIPLE THAT WE LEARN SO THAT

WE MAY SERVE. YOU OBVIOUSLY EXEMPLARY [SIC] BESTOW US WITH THE

PLEASURE OF WATCHING YOU AS YOUNG PEOPLE GROW AND MAKE THIS WORLD A

BETTER PLACE. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE. YOU'RE ALWAYS

NYS ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 26, 2024

WELCOME.

(APPLAUSE)

MS. SEAWRIGHT FOR THE PURPOSES OF A INTRODUCTION.

MS. SEAWRIGHT: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. TODAY

I RISE TO RECOGNIZE A DEAR FRIEND AND SPECIAL GUEST, COACH RYAN MARTIN.

HE IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE ADAPTIVE SPORTS PROGRAM AT THE CITY

UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK. HIS PORTFOLIO INCLUDES A MEN'S AND WOMEN'S

WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL TEAM, AS WELL AS AN EMERGING WHEELCHAIR TENNIS

AND TRACK TEAM, AND WE HOPE PICKLEBALL, TOO, SOME DAY. RYAN WAS

RECOGNIZED AS THE 2022 COLLEGE COACH OF THE YEAR BY THE UNITED

STATES OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC COMMITTEE.

THE CUNY ADAPTIVE SPORTS PROGRAM IS THE ONLY

INTERCOLLEGIATE SPORTS PROGRAM ON THE EAST COAST. HE'S EXECUTIVE

DIRECTOR OF THE INTERNATIONAL NPO, THE RYAN MARTIN FOUNDATION. ITS

MISSION IS TO HELP YOUTH AND ADULT ATHLETES WITH DISABILITIES LIVE

INDEPENDENT, IMPASSIONED, PRODUCTIVE AND FULL LIFE THROUGH SPORTS,

TRAINING, MENTORING, AND EDUCATION. RMF FOUNDATION RUNS

YOUTH-BASED WHEELCHAIR PROGRAMS IN CONNECTICUT AND MADRID, SPAIN.

HE ALSO SERVES AS PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL

ASSOCIATION, AND HELPS OVERSEE THE USA HIGH PERFORMANCE PROGRAM,

WHICH INCLUDES THE MEN'S AND WOMEN'S WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL

PARALYMPIC TEAMS. IN THAT ROLE, RYAN MANAGES KEY RELATIONSHIPS WITH

NWBA'S STAKEHOLDERS SUCH AS NIKE AND TOYOTA. HE CURRENTLY PLAYS

FOR THE NWBE [SIC] BACK-TO-BACK REIGNING NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS,

THE NEW YORK ROLLING KNICKS. PREVIOUSLY, RYAN PLAYED PROFESSIONAL

NYS ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 26, 2024

BASKETBALL IN MADRID, SPAIN AND PARIS, FRANCE FOR TEN SESSIONS. HE

EARNED A BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN SECONDARY EDUCATION, WITH AN EMPHASIS

IN SOCIAL SCIENCE. HE'S CURRENTLY FINISHING A MASTER'S DEGREE IN

DISABILITY STUDIES AT THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK SCHOOL OF

PROFESSIONAL STUDIES.

WE WELCOME COACH RYAN MARTIN TO THE ASSEMBLY

CHAMBER. PLEASE EXTEND TO HIM THE CORDIALITIES OF THE HOUSE.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: CERTAINLY. ON BEHALF

OF MS. SEAWRIGHT, THE SPEAKER AND ALL THE MEMBERS, COACH RYAN, WE

APPRECIATE THAT YOU HAVE COME AND SHARED WITH US. WE EXTEND TO YOU

THE PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR. AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THE GREAT WORK YOU'RE

DOING HELPING THOSE WHO ARE DISADVANTAGED AND NEED THE KIND OF

ASSISTANCE THAT YOUR PROGRAMS PROVIDE. YOU REMIND ME THAT SOME 32

YEARS AGO, WE PLAYED AS AN ASSEMBLY AGAINST A WHEELCHAIR TEAM THAT

CAME HERE TO ALBANY, WE PLAYED IN THE WELL AND YOU GUYS BEAT US SO

BADLY. I DON'T THINK WE EVER INVITED YOU GUYS BACK.

(LAUGHTER)

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH, WE APPRECIATE YOU BEING

HERE.

(APPLAUSE)

MR. THIELE FOR THE PURPOSES OF A INTRODUCTION.

MR. THIELE: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. AND I'M

MORE EXCITED THIS MONDAY THAN I USUALLY AM TO GET UP AT 6 O'CLOCK IN

THE MORNING AND DRIVE FIVE HOURS TO ALBANY TO BE HERE FOR SESSION,

BECAUSE TODAY I'M JOINED BY MY FAMILY. I'M -- MY -- MY SON MICHAEL

NYS ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 26, 2024

AND HIS WIFE JILL, AND MY -- MY -- MY GRANDSON, LENNON ARE ALL HERE

JOINING ME TODAY SO THAT LENNON FOR THE FIRST TIME CAN SEE HIS -- HIS

GRANDFATHER AT WORK BEFORE HE LEAVES THE NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY.

I WANT TO THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER, FOR YOUR COURTESIES

EARLIER UP ON THE PODIUM AND ASK THAT YOU FURTHER EXTEND THE COURTESIES

OF THE HOUSE. THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: CERTAINLY. ON BEHALF

OF YOUR DAD AND YOUR GRANDFATHER, WE WELCOME YOU ALL HERE, MICHAEL,

JILL, AND LEN [SIC] TO THE NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY. YOU'RE FAMILY, SO

YOU ARE ALWAYS EXTENDED THE PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR. I HOPE THAT YOU'VE

ENJOYED THIS TRIP HERE, I HOPE YOU GLORY IN THE WORK THAT YOUR

GRANDFATHER AND FATHER HAS DONE OVER THE YEARS. HE HAS BEEN A TRUE

PLEASURE TO WORK AND A TRUE TREASURE IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK. THANK

YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

(APPLAUSE)

MR. WEPRIN FOR THE PURPOSES OF A INTRODUCTION.

MR. WEPRIN: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. IT'S A GREAT

PLEASURE FOR ME TO INTRODUCE SOMEONE WHO'S NEVER BEEN TO ALBANY

BEFORE, BUT THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE QUEENS COUNTY BAR

ASSOCIATION, WHO'S BEEN THERE A COUPLE OF YEARS, BUT YOU MAY RECALL

THE PRIOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE QUEENS BAR WAS THERE FOR ABOUT 30

YEARS. SO HE'S RELATIVELY NEW AND HE'S IN THE BACK OF THE CHAMBER,

JONATHAN RIEGEL.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: CERTAINLY. ON BEHALF

OF MR. WEPRIN, THE QUEENS DELEGATION, THE SPEAKER AND ALL THE

NYS ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 26, 2024

MEMBERS, JONATHAN, WE WELCOME YOU HERE FOR THE FIRST TIME TO ALBANY,

NOT THE LAST I'M SURE. WE EXTEND TO YOU THE PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR.

CONGRATULATIONS ON THE POSITION THAT YOU HOLD, HOPE YOU WILL CONTINUE

ON AS LONG AS YOUR PREDECESSOR IF YOU SO CHOOSE. KNOW THAT YOU ARE

ALWAYS WELCOME HERE, WE WILL ALWAYS WANT TO LISTEN TO YOU AND YOUR

ADVICE. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.

(APPLAUSE)

WE WILL GO TO RESOLUTIONS ON PAGE 3. ASSEMBLY NO.

876, THE CLERK WILL READ.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 876, MS.

ROSENTHAL.

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR

KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM FEBRUARY 26-MARCH 3, 2024, AS EATING

DISORDERS 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. 877, MR.

EPSTEIN.

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR

KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM FEBRUARY 26TH, 2024, AS STUDENTS WITH

DISABILITIES ADVOCACY DAY IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. EPSTEIN ON THE

RESOLUTION.

MR. EPSTEIN: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I RISE IN

NYS ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 26, 2024

FAVOR OF THIS RESOLUTION. TODAY, THERE ARE OVER 85,000 STUDENTS IN THE

STATE OF NEW YORK WHO ARE IN COLLEGE WHO ARE STUDENTS WITH

DISABILITIES, 85,000 NEW YORKERS WHO NEED OUR SUPPORT EVERY SINGLE

DAY, BECAUSE WE WANT THEM TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THEIR PROFESSIONAL

CAREERS. WE WANT THEM TO ADVANCE, FINISH COLLEGE, GET A JOB, MOVE ON

WITH THEIR LIVES AND CONTRIBUTE BACK TO THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

TODAY MARKS AN IMPORTANT DAY FOR THE STUDENTS WITH

DISABILITIES ADVOCACY DAY. WE STARTED THIS WHEN I GOT HERE IN THE

ASSEMBLY A LITTLE OVER SIX YEARS AGO, AND STUDENTS, HUNDREDS OF

STUDENTS TODAY CAME TO ALBANY TO TALK AND RAISE THEIR VOICES ABOUT THE

NEEDS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES. HOW THEY NEED MORE SUPPORT TO

GET THROUGH COLLEGE, HOW THEY NEED SUPPORT WHILE THEY'RE IN COLLEGE,

AND THEY NEED MENTORING SUPPORT POST-COLLEGE. AND THAT'S WHAT THIS

ADVOCACY DAY IS ABOUT.

I ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO THE 85,000 COLLEGE STUDENTS IN NEW YORK STATE WITH

DISABILITIES. I HOPE THAT WE CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR THOSE STUDENTS IN

NEED. THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU.

MR. BURDICK ON THE RESOLUTION.

MR. BURDICK: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. AND I

WANT TO THANK THE SPONSOR FOR BRINGING FORWARD THIS RESOLUTION, AND FOR

ALWAYS BEING SUCH A STRONG ADVOCATE OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES. WE,

AS A STATE, AND WE, AS A NATION, CANNOT REALLY CONSIDER OURSELVES FULLY

COMMITTED TO INCLUSIVITY UNLESS WE MAKE SURE THAT EVERY ONE OF OUR

NYS ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 26, 2024

CITIZENS HAVE ALL OF THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT THEY POSSIBLY CAN. AND I

WANT TO MENTION THAT THE SPONSOR OF THIS RESOLUTION HAS BEEN ONE OF THE

TRAILBLAZERS IN DOING THAT HERE IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

I VOTE IN THE AFFIRMATIVE. THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU, SIR.

MS. SEAWRIGHT ON THE RESOLUTION.

MS. SEAWRIGHT: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I WANT

TO COMMEND THE -- THE SPONSOR FOR THIS VERY IMPORTANT RESOLUTION AND

ALL OF THE DEDICATION TO -- TO ALL PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AROUND THE

STATE THAT ARE PURSUING THEIR HIGHER EDUCATION DEGREE, AND THANK MY

COLLEAGUES FOR SUPPORTING THIS RESOLUTION.

I VOTE IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU.

MR. SAYEGH ON THE RESOLUTION.

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

ON THE RESOLUTION. AGAIN, I'D LIKE TO THANK THE SPONSOR. AND AS AN

EDUCATOR FOR MANY YEARS, I'VE NOTICED HOW WE PUT A LOT OF EMPHASIS ON

EDUCATING SPECIAL ED AND STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES FROM PRE-K TO HIGH

SCHOOL. BUT THE SAD ORDEAL IN OUR STATE AND NATION IS WHAT HAPPENS

POST-HIGH SCHOOL. AND TOO OFTEN, YOU KNOW, WE DROP THE BALL THAT

THESE INDIVIDUALS, PREDOMINANTLY YOUNG PEOPLE LOOKING TO GET THEIR

LIVES IN ORDER, HAVE A LACK OF EXPERIENCE MOVING FORWARD WHEN IT

COMES TO JOB DEVELOPMENT AND OTHER SERVICES THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE

AVAILABLE. SO TODAY WHEN WE WITNESSED THE ADVOCACY AND WE SAW THE

ROLE MANY STUDENTS PLAY AT CITY AND STATE UNIVERSITY, SUNY AND

NYS ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 26, 2024

CUNY, WE REALIZE FURTHER HOW URGENT IT IS FOR US, AS LEGISLATORS, TO BE

VERY CAREFUL AND SENSITIVE TO MAKING SURE THAT THE PATH FROM THE

NORMAL PRE-K TO HIGH SCHOOL CONTINUES LIFELONG SO THESE INDIVIDUALS

CAN ENJOY QUALITY OF LIFE.

THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU.

MS. GIGLIO ON THE RESOLUTION.

MS. GIGLIO: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER, AND I'D LIKE

TO THANK THE SPONSOR FOR BRINGING FORWARD THIS VERY IMPORTANT

RESOLUTION. AND EDUCATION FOR OUR CHILDREN AND OUR ADULTS THROUGHOUT

THE STATE, ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH DISABILITIES, IS VERY IMPORTANT. AND THE

STRUGGLE IS REAL NOT ONLY FOR STUDENTS THAT DON'T HAVE DISABILITIES, BUT IT'S

ESPECIALLY REAL FOR PEOPLE THAT DO. AND AS THE STATE MOVES FORWARD TO

TRY AND SUPPORT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN SELF-DIRECTION, EDUCATION SO

THEY CAN BE A BIG PART OF THE WORKFORCE LATER ON IN LIFE IS VERY

IMPORTANT.

SO AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK THE SPONSOR FOR BRINGING THE

RESOLUTION FORWARD, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU ALL TO

MAKE LIFE EVERYBODY'S LIFE IN NEW YORK STATE BETTER. THANK YOU, MR.

SPEAKER.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU VERY

MUCH.

MR. SANTABARBARA ON THE RESOLUTION.

MR. SANTABARBARA: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK THE SPONSOR FOR BRINGING THIS RESOLUTION

NYS ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 26, 2024

FORWARD. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT RESOLUTION TO MANY FAMILIES, MANY

INDIVIDUALS IN NEW YORK STATE THAT HAVE A DISABILITY, STUDENTS WITH

DISABILITIES. MY SON HAS -- IS ONE OF THOSE STUDENTS. MY SON WAS BORN

WITH AUTISM, HE'S BEEN A STUDENT WITH -- WITH DISABILITIES HIS ENTIRE LIFE,

SO I KNOW HOW CHALLENGING IT CAN BE. BUT A LOT OF THE WORK WE DO IN

THIS CHAMBER, IT MAKES LIFE EASIER FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, AND

ESPECIALLY STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES. SO I'M VERY PROUD OF THE WORK

WE'VE DONE. THIS RESOLUTION SENDS A STRONG MESSAGE THAT WE WANT TO

BE A MORE INCLUSIVE, WELCOMING STATE, AND THAT INCLUDES OUR EDUCATION.

SO I WANT TO THANK -- AGAIN, THANK THE SPONSOR FOR THIS

VERY IMPORTANT RESOLUTION AND I'M VERY PROUD TO SUPPORT IT HERE TODAY.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU, SIR.

MS. LEVENBERG.

MS. LEVENBERG: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER, AND

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO THE SPONSOR FOR ALL OF YOUR ADVOCACY AND FOR

BRINGING FORTH THIS RESOLUTION. I ALSO HAVE A VERY CLOSE RELATIVE WHO

WENT THROUGH COLLEGE AND MANAGED TO FIND A COLLEGE WHERE THEY

SUPPORTED HIS DISABILITY AND RECEIVED ACCOMMODATIONS. AND THAT'S --

IT'S SO HEARTENING JUST TO SEE SO MANY STUDENTS UP HERE WITH SO MANY

DIFFERENT FORMS OF WHY THEY CAME UP HERE TODAY, KNOWING THAT THEY

CAN ALSO PARTICIPATE IN -- IN OTHER ACTIVITIES BEYOND THE CLASSROOM, BUT

MAKING SURE THAT THEY GET THE SUPPORTS THAT THEY NEED IN THE CLASSROOM.

AND OF COURSE WE ALSO NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT ONCE THEY GRADUATE WITH

THOSE VERY IMPRESSIVE DEGREES THAT THEY CAN ALSO GET SUPPORTS THAT THEY

NEED IN THE WORKFORCE.

NYS ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 26, 2024

SO I'M PROUD TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF THIS RESOLUTION, AND

THANK YOU AGAIN TO THE SPONSOR.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU.

MS. DARLING ON THE RESOLUTION.

MS. DARLING: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I'D LIKE TO

THANK THE SPONSOR FOR HIS ADVOCACY EVERY SINGLE DAY AS I SIT WITH HIM

ON THE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES COMMITTEE. AND I JUST WANT TO SAY, THE

WAY WE TREAT OUR MOST VULNERABLE IN THIS STATE IS REALLY TELLING. AND I

THINK OF ALL GROUPS, WE SHOULD MAKE ADVOCACY AND SHOULD MAKE

ACQUIRING RESOURCES EASY FOR OUR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. AND TO

SEE ALL OF THEM UP HERE SESSION AFTER SESSION FIGHTING FOR THE RESOURCES

THAT THEY NEED, I WANT THEM TO KNOW THAT THEY DO HAVE PEOPLE HERE

WHO ARE CHAMPIONING FOR THEM, AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY

ARE ABLE TO OBTAIN THE INDEPENDENCE THEY NEED BECAUSE THAT MAKES

SENSE FOR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, IT MAKES SENSE FOR OUR STATE, AND IT

JUST MAKES SENSE AS HUMANS.

SO I WANT TO CONTINUE TO CHAMPION THIS AND, AGAIN, I

WANT TO THANK THE SPONSOR. THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU.

MS. SIMON ON THE RESOLUTION.

MS. SIMON: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I RISE IN

SUPPORT OF THIS RESOLUTION. I WANT TO FIRST THANK MY COLLEAGUE FOR

PROPOSING IT AND ORGANIZING OUR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES ADVOCACY

DAY TODAY. IT IS NOT OFTEN THAT WE HAVE SO MANY STUDENTS IN HIGHER

EDUCATION HERE ADVOCATING FOR THEIR NEEDS. AND OBVIOUSLY, ONE OF THE

NYS ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 26, 2024

BIG ISSUES WE HAVE IS MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE ABLE TO PROVIDE THEM WITH

THE SUPPORT THAT THEY NEED SO THAT THEY CAN HAVE A TRULY FULLY ACCESSIBLE

EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE AND GO OUT AND TAKE ON THE WORLD AND PAY TAXES

LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE, WHICH IS WHAT WE WANT.

SO, I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO MY COLLEAGUES FOR

ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT, AND THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE -- THE COLLEGE STUDENTS

WHO CAME TODAY TO ADVOCATE AND TO ENLIGHTEN EVERYBODY ABOUT THEIR

NEEDS, BUT ALSO ABOUT THEIR SKILLS AND ABILITIES AND WHAT THEY CAN DO TO

HELP IMPROVE OUR WORLD GOING FORWARD. THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU.

MS. ZINERMAN.

MS. ZINERMAN: GOOD AFTERNOON, MR. SPEAKER. I

RISE IN SUPPORT OF THIS RESOLUTION, AND ALSO WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUE

ON THE DISABILITIES COMMITTEE [SIC] FOR BRINGING IT FORTH. AND WHAT A

WONDERFUL SIGHT TODAY TO SEE SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE COMING TO

ADVOCATE FOR THEMSELVES. THIS WEEKEND I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO HOST A

TWO -- THREE-CITY ZOOM WITH OTHER STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES HERE IN

NEW YORK AND MARYLAND AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, AND ONE OF THE

THINGS THAT WE LEARNED WHEN WE TALKED TO YOUNG PEOPLE IS THAT WE'RE

NOT DOING AS MUCH AS WE CAN. BUT WHAT WE DO KNOW, WHEN THEY HAVE

THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO COLLEGE AND LEARN HOW TO ADVOCATE FOR

THEMSELVES AND CHART THEIR OWN FUTURE FORWARD, WE'RE THE BETTER FOR IT.

AND SO WE NEED TO DO ALL THAT WE CAN TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE

OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM, BUT ALSO DO WHAT WE CAN HERE TO MAKE THE

ASSEMBLY AND THE SENATE MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR THEM TO INTERACT WITH US.

NYS ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 26, 2024

SO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE RESOLUTION.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU.

MR. GIBBS ON THE RESOLUTION.

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

THANK THE SPONSOR OF THIS IMPORTANT RESOLUTION. EVERY YEAR, WE COME

TOGETHER TO RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE THE REMARKABLE CONTRIBUTION OF

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES AT NEW YORK'S HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS.

THE DEDICATION OF THESE STUDENTS AND THEIR RESILIENCE IN OVERCOMING

CHALLENGES IS NOTHING SHORT OF INSPIRING. I WANT TO ECHO THE ACTIONS OF

MY COLLEAGUES WHO YEAR AFTER YEAR INTRODUCE THIS CRITICAL RESOLUTION

AND TAKES A STAND FOR INCLUSIVITY. TODAY, AS WE GATHER FOR STUDENTS

WITH DISABILITIES ADVOCACY DAY, WE RENEW OUR COMMITMENT TO

ENSURING THAT EVERY STUDENT, REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITIES, HAS THE

OPPORTUNITY TO THRIVE IN EDUCATION. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE NOT ONLY

RECOGNIZE THE CHALLENGES FACED BY STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES, BUT

ACTIVELY WORK TOWARDS IMPACTFUL SOLUTIONS. FIRSTLY, LET US ADVOCATE FOR

INCREASED ACCESSIBILITY TOWARDS HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS. THIS

INCLUDES NOT ONLY PHYSICAL ACCESSIBILITY, BUT ALSO ENSURING THAT

EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS, EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES, TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES

AND COMMUNICATION METHODS ARE TAILORED TO ACCOMMODATE DIVERSE

NEEDS. AND SECONDLY, LET US CHAMPION THE EXPANSION OF SUPPORT

SERVICES -- EXPANSION OF SUPPORT SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES.

FROM ACADEMIC ACCOMMODATIONS TO MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES, THESE

SERVICES ARE ESSENTIAL FOR RECREATING AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE EVERY

STUDENT CAN FLOURISH. BY SECURING ADDITIONAL FUNDING AND RESOURCES FOR

NYS ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 26, 2024

THESE PROGRAMS, WE CAN MAKE HIGHER EDUCATION TRULY ACCESSIBLE TO ALL.

AND ONCE AGAIN, I'D LIKE TO THANK THE SPONSOR FOR THIS

RESOLUTION.

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. 878, MR.

MCDONALD.

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR

KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM MAY 5-11, 2024, AS TARDIVE DYSKINESIA

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.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

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

WOULD PLEASE CALL THE GOVERNMENT [SIC] OPERATIONS COMMITTEE TO THE

SPEAKER'S CONFERENCE ROOM.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: GOVERNMENT [SIC]

OPERATIONS COMMITTEE TO THE SPEAKER'S CONFERENCE ROOM

IMMEDIATELY, PLEASE. THANK YOU.

WE WILL GO TO PAGE 4, CALENDAR NO. 305, THE CLERK

WILL READ.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A01300, CALENDAR NO.

305, AUBRY, BURDICK, WEPRIN, EPSTEIN, GIBBS, MEEKS. AN ACT TO

NYS ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 26, 2024

AMEND THE CORRECTION LAW, IN RELATION TO INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS WITH

A SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE BILL IS LAID ASIDE.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A03502, CALENDAR NO.

306, VANEL, CRUZ. AN ACT TO AMEND THE EXECUTIVE LAW AND THE

CRIMINAL PROCEDURE LAW, IN RELATION TO DIRECTING THE SUPERINTENDENT OF

STATE POLICE TO DEVELOP AND INSTITUTE CHILD-SENSITIVE ARREST POLICIES AND

PROCEDURES FOR INSTANCES WHERE POLICE ARE ARRESTING AN INDIVIDUAL WHO

IS A PARENT, GUARDIAN OR OTHER PERSON LEGALLY CHARGED WITH THE CARE OR

CUSTODY OF A CHILD.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE BILL IS LAID ASIDE.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A04003, CALENDAR NO.

307, GLICK, BURDICK. AN ACT TO AMEND THE ENVIRONMENTAL

CONSERVATION LAW, IN RELATION TO PROHIBITING THE LEASE OF STATE FORESTS,

REFORESTATION AREAS, WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS AND UNIQUE AREAS FOR

GAS PRODUCTION.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE BILL IS LAID ASIDE.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A04285, CALENDAR NO.

308, O'DONNELL. AN ACT TO AMEND THE PARKS, RECREATION AND HISTORIC

PRESERVATION LAW, IN RELATION TO REQUIRING THE STATE COMMISSIONER OF

PARKS, RECREATION AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION TO CONSULT WITH THE STATE

BOARD FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION PRIOR TO ENTERING INTO A RESIDENT

CURATOR LEASE FOR ANY AT RISK STRUCTURE, INCLUDING THOSE ELIGIBLE FOR

LISTING ON THE STATE AND NATIONAL REGISTERS OF HISTORIC PLACES, AND TO

ADOPT A PLAN FOR IDENTIFYING AT-RISK STRUCTURES WITHIN STATE PARKS AND

NYS ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 26, 2024

HISTORIC SITES.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE CLERK WILL RECORD

THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES FOR THE PURPOSES OF A

INTRODUCTION.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: THANK YOU, MR.

SPEAKER, FOR ALLOWING ME TO INTERRUPT OUR PROCEEDINGS --

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: WE NEED A LITTLE QUIET

IN THE CHAMBER, PLEASE.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: -- FOR THE PURPOSES OF AN

INTRODUCTION. ON BEHALF OF OUR COLLEAGUE, MS. TAPIA, WE WOULD LIKE TO

INTRODUCE TO YOU AND THE ENTIRE CHAMBERS DR. RAFAEL LANTIGUA. HE IS

AN EMINENT PHYSICIAN AND EDUCATOR. HE HAS BEEN DISTINGUISHED AS THE

MOST CELEBRATED DOMINICAN DOCTOR IN NEW YORK STATE BY THE

DOMINICAN PRESIDENT LUIS ABINADER. THE TESTAMENT TO HIS

EXTRAORDINARY CAREER AND ITS IMPACT ON HIS PEOPLE, HE SERVED AS A

PROFESSOR OF MEDICINE AND ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR THE COMMUNITY

SERVICES AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY. HE'S PLAYED A PIVOTAL ROLE IN

ADVANCING MEDICAL EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND RESEARCH,

NYS ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 26, 2024

PARTICULARLY TO MINORITY POPULATIONS.

MR. SPEAKER, ON BEHALF OF OUR COLLEAGUE WOULD YOU

PLEASE WELCOME THIS VERY DISTINGUISHED DOCTOR TO OUR CHAMBERS?

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: CERTAINLY. ON BEHALF

OF MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES, MS. TAPIA, THE SPEAKER AND ALL THE MEMBERS,

WE WELCOME YOU HERE, SIR, TO THE NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY. WE

EXTEND TO YOU THE PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR. OUR CONGRATULATIONS ON A

TRULY DAZZLING CAREER THAT YOU HAVE HAD AND CONTINUE TO HAVE. PLEASE

KNOW THAT YOU ALWAYS HAVE FRIENDS HERE, YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOME --

WELCOME HERE. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

(APPLAUSE)

THE CLERK WILL READ.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A05873, CALENDAR NO.

309, LAVINE, MCDONALD, COLTON, K. BROWN, BRAUNSTEIN, GLICK, AUBRY,

SIMON, CRUZ. AN ACT TO AMEND THE CIVIL PRACTICE LAW AND RULES AND

THE EXECUTIVE LAW, IN RELATION TO EXTREME RISK PROTECTION ORDERS.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE BILL IS LAID ASIDE.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A06637, CALENDAR NO.

310, SEPTIMO, BICHOTTE HERMELYN, COOK, OTIS, WALKER, WEPRIN, CRUZ,

KELLES, BURDICK, SEAWRIGHT, LEVENBERG, GONZ�LEZ-ROJAS. AN ACT TO

AMEND THE EXECUTIVE LAW AND THE EDUCATION LAW, IN RELATION TO

PROHIBITING MANDATORY DISCLOSURE OF A CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD IN

CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE BILL IS LAID ASIDE.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A07390, CALENDAR NO.

NYS ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 26, 2024

311, GONZ�LEZ-ROJAS, REYES, FORREST, BICHOTTE HERMELYN, SEAWRIGHT,

SHIMSKY. AN ACT TO AMEND THE PUBLIC HEALTH LAW, IN RELATION TO

CERTIFICATION OF FETAL DEATH CERTIFICATES BY A MIDWIFE OR PHYSICIAN

ASSISTANT.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE CLERK WILL RECORD

THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

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, IF YOU

COULD PLEASE CALL THE RULES COMMITTEE TO THE SPEAKER'S CONFERENCE

ROOM IMMEDIATELY. THANK YOU, SIR.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: RULES COMMITTEE,

SPEAKER'S CONFERENCE ROOM IMMEDIATELY.

(PAUSE)

ACTING SPEAKER ZACCARO: THE CLERK WILL

READ.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A07872, CALENDAR NO.

312, PAULIN. AN ACT TO AMEND THE PUBLIC HEALTH LAW, IN RELATION TO

PROVIDING HEALTH CARE PROXY INFORMATION TO PALLIATIVE CARE PATIENTS.

ACTING SPEAKER ZACCARO: READ THE LAST

NYS ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 26, 2024

SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER ZACCARO: THE CLERK WILL

RECORD THE VOTE.

(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. A07961, CALENDAR NO.

313, L. ROSENTHAL, SOLAGES, SILLITTI. AN ACT TO AMEND THE PUBLIC HEALTH

LAW, IN RELATION TO THE EMERGENCY USE OF EPINEPHRINE AUTO-INJECTOR

DEVICES.

ACTING SPEAKER ZACCARO: READ THE LAST

SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER ZACCARO: THE CLERK WILL

RECORD THE VOTE.

(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. A08467-A, CALENDAR

NO. 314, MCDONALD. AN ACT TO AMEND THE PUBLIC HEALTH LAW, IN

RELATION TO THE DISPENSING OF DRUG ADULTERANT TESTING SUPPLIES.

ACTING SPEAKER ZACCARO: READ THE LAST

NYS ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 26, 2024

SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT ON THE 30TH

DAY.

ACTING SPEAKER ZACCARO: THE CLERK WILL

RECORD THE VOTE.

(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. A08487, CALENDAR NO.

315, HEVESI. AN ACT TO AMEND THE FAMILY COURT ACT, IN RELATION TO

EXPUNGEMENT OF RECORDS IN PERSONS IN NEED OF SUPERVISION CASES IN

THE FAMILY COURT.

ACTING SPEAKER ZACCARO: ON A MOTION BY

MR. HEVESI, 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 90TH

DAY.

ACTING SPEAKER ZACCARO: THE CLERK WILL

RECORD THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: ARE THERE ANY OTHER

VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

NYS ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 26, 2024

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A08535, CALENDAR NO.

316, BRONSON. AN ACT TO AMEND THE GENERAL BUSINESS LAW, IN RELATION

TO CONTRACTED COMPENSATION PAYMENTS; AND TO REPEAL SECTION 191-D OF

THE LABOR LAW.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: ON A MOTION BY MR.

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

ADVANCED. READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS BILL [SIC] SHALL TAKE EFFECT ON THE

180TH DAY.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE CLERK WILL RECORD

THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: MEMBERS HAVE ON THEIR

DESKS AN A-CALENDAR. MR. SPEAKER, I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE TO ADVANCE

THAT A-CALENDAR.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: ON MRS. PEOPLES-

STOKES' [SIC], THE A-CALENDAR IS ADVANCED.

PAGE 3, RULES REPORT NO. 14, THE CLERK WILL READ.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A09304, RULES REPORT

NO. 14, REDISTRICTING. AN ACT TO AMEND THE STATE LAW, IN RELATION TO

ESTABLISHING CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS; AND TO REPEAL ARTICLE 7 OF SUCH LAW

NYS ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 26, 2024

RELATING THERETO.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. GOODELL.

MR. GOODELL: THANK YOU, SIR. JUST A POINT OF

ORDER. I NOTE THAT THIS BILL HAS NO LEGISLATIVE SPONSOR, AND I UNDERSTAND

THAT THE STATE CONSTITUTION PROVIDES THAT THE PLAN AND THE MAP

DEVELOPED BY THE INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION SHALL BE

SUBMITTED TO US. AND SO, OF COURSE, SINCE WE'RE ALL CONSTITUTIONAL

SCHOLARS, THAT WOULD TAKE PRIORITY OVER OUR RULES WHICH PROVIDE THAT

ONLY BILLS INTRODUCED BY THE MEMBERS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE BUDGET

BILL, CAN BE CONSIDERED BY THE HOUSE. IS THAT YOUR UNDERSTANDING, AS

WELL, THAT THIS IS --

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: ABSOLUTELY.

MR. GOODELL: AND AM I CORRECT THAT IF THIS DOES

NOT PASS, THAT ANY SUBSEQUENT LEGISLATION THAT DOES NOT EMANATE FROM

THE INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION WOULD REQUIRE A SPONSOR

AND WOULD NEED TO COMPLY WITH THE REMAINING RULES THAT APPLY TO YOUR

OTHER LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL BEFORE THIS LEGISLATURE?

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. GOODELL, WE WILL

TREAT IT THE SAME WAY WE DID THE LAST TIME, WHICH IS ALSO THE SAME AS

THE BUDGET BILLS. BUT THE CONSTITUTION SAYS WE HAVE TO TAKE THEM UP,

SO NO SPONSOR IS NEEDED.

MR. GOODELL: AND THEN AM I CORRECT THAT IF WE

CONSIDER ANY OTHER LEGISLATION THAT DOES NOT COME FROM THE

INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE [SIC], THE REMAINING LEGISLATIVE

REQUIREMENTS WOULD APPLY?

NYS ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 26, 2024

(PAUSE)

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: IN ANY SUBSEQUENT

BILL THAT WILL DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE WILL HAVE TO HAVE A SPONSOR.

MR. GOODELL: THANK YOU, SIR, FOR ANSWERING

THOSE PROCEDURAL QUESTIONS.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. DURSO.

MR. DURSO: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. WOULD THE

SPONSOR YIELD FOR A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS?

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. ZEBROWSKI WILL

YIELD, THOUGH NOT THE SPONSOR AS WE HAVE IDENTIFIED.

(LAUGHTER)

MR. DURSO: AH, TOUCH�.

MR. ZEBROWSKI: I'LL YIELD, MR. DURSO; THANK YOU,

MR. SPEAKER.

MR. DURSO: THANK YOU, MR. ZEBROWSKI. SO WE'RE

HERE AGAIN. COULD YOU JUST GIVE A QUICK, BRIEF OVERVIEW OF HOW WE'VE

GOTTEN TO THIS POINT TO WHERE WE'RE VOTING AGAIN ON THESE MAPS FOR

CONGRESSIONAL LINES?

MR. ZEBROWSKI: YEAH. THE BRIEFEST WAY FOR ME

TO EXPLAIN IT IS THAT THE COURT OF APPEALS RULED IN THE MATTER OF

HOFFMAN V. THE NEW YORK STATE INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING

COMMISSION THAT THE INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION SHALL

SUBMIT A SECOND SET OF MAPS TO THE LEGISLATURE.

MR. DURSO: OKAY. AND THE MAPS THAT WE'LL BE

VOTING ON NOW ARE CONSIDERED THE SECOND SET OF MAPS, CORRECT?

NYS ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 26, 2024

MR. ZEBROWSKI: CORRECT.

MR. DURSO: OKAY. SO THESE MAPS, THESE MAPS THAT

WE'RE VOTING ON TODAY, THEY WERE DRAWN BY THE INDEPENDENT

REDISTRICTING COMMISSION?

MR. ZEBROWSKI: YES.

MR. DURSO: OKAY. AND DID THESE MAPS PASS

THROUGH THE INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION IN A BIPARTISAN

MANNER?

MR. ZEBROWSKI: BY A VOTE OF 9-1 ON FEBRUARY

15TH.

MR. DURSO: OKAY, SO 9-1. AND IF YOU COULD -- YOU

COULD TELL ME WHAT THE VOTE IS, 9-1. SO ACCORDING TO THE STATE

CONSTITUTION THERE ARE CERTAIN RULES THAT THE IRC WOULD HAVE TO FOLLOW

IN REGARDS TO PUTTING THESE MAPS TOGETHER TO BRING TO THE LEGISLATURE TO

VOTE ON THEM. SO I JUST HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS, AND IF YOU COULD

TELL ME IF YOU KNOW IF THE IRC FOLLOWED THESE TO THE LETTER OF THE LAW TO

WHAT BROUGHT US HERE TODAY. ONE WOULD BE, YOU KNOW, THE MAPS HAVE

TO BE CREATED TO THE EXTENT PRACTICAL, THE DISTRICTS SHALL CONTAIN AS

NEARLY AS MANY -- EQUAL NUMBER OF INHABITANTS. DO YOU KNOW IF THAT'S

TRUE TO THIS POINT WITH THESE MAPS?

MR. ZEBROWSKI: YES, I -- I BELIEVE IT DOES --

MR. DURSO: OKAY.

MR. ZEBROWSKI: -- COMPLY WITH THAT

REQUIREMENT.

MR. DURSO: SO ANOTHER PROVISION IN THE

NYS ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 26, 2024

CONSTITUTION, EACH DISTRICT SHALL CONSIST OF CONTIGUOUS TERRITORIES. DO

YOU KNOW IF THE IRC'S MAPS DO THAT ALSO?

MR. ZEBROWSKI: SO YOU'RE ASKING ME NOW

QUESTIONS THAT ARE -- WOULD BE MORE PROPERLY ADDRESSED TO THE

INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION. THEY MET, THEY SUBMITTED

THESE LINES. ALL 150 MEMBERS WILL NOW HAVE TO MAKE A DETERMINATION

AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THESE MAPS ARE APPROPRIATE. ONE OF THOSE FACTORS

MAY BE WHETHER OR NOT THEY BELIEVE THEY APPROPRIATELY COMPLIED WITH

THE CONSTITUTION.

MR. DURSO: OKAY. SO, BUT IN YOUR OPINION, YOU'RE

-- YOU'RE NOT THE SPONSOR OF THE BILL, AS WE FIGURED OUT, YOU KNOW,

UNDERSTANDING THAT, BUT YOU ARE LEADING THE DEBATE ON IT. DO YOU FEEL

THAT THOSE (INAUDIBLE) CONTIGUOUS TERRITORIES?

MR. ZEBROWSKI: IN A FEW MINUTES, JUST LIKE YOU --

WELL MAYBE, WE'LL SEE HOW MANY MINUTES -- BUT JUST LIKE YOU, I'LL HAVE

TO CAST A VOTE AND I WILL DO SO AT THAT POINT. BUT AS YOU SAY, THIS BILL IS

BEFORE THE HOUSE, SUBMITTED BY THE INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING

COMMISSION AS IS REQUIRED BY THE CONSTITUTION.

MR. DURSO: BUT REQUIRED BY THE CONSTITUTION THAT

IT -- IT DOES HAVE TO CONSIST OF A CONTIGUOUS TERRITORY, CORRECT?

MR. ZEBROWSKI: THAT IS ONE OF THE REQUIREMENTS

IN THE CONSTITUTION, YES.

MR. DURSO: OKAY, THANK YOU. EACH DISTRICT ALSO

SHALL BE AS COMPACT IN FORM AS PRACTICAL, CORRECT? THAT WAS ONE OF THE

OTHER -- IN THE CONSTITUTION IT'S SAYING THAT WHEN THE MAPS ARE DRAWN,

NYS ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 26, 2024

THAT THAT HAS TO BE PART OF IT?

MR. ZEBROWSKI: SO JUST TO BE CLEAR, NOW THAT I'M

-- I'M ANSWERING YOUR QUESTION AS TO WHAT THE CONSTITUTION SAYS, YES,

THAT IS ALSO ONE OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE CONSTITUTION. OF COURSE, IT

SAYS "AS PRACTICAL."

MR. DURSO: OKAY. DO WE THINK THAT THEY ARE AS

PRACTICAL AS POSSIBLE?

MR. ZEBROWSKI: ONCE AGAIN, THE INDEPENDENT

REDISTRICTING COMMISSION DREW THESE LINES AND PRESUMABLY, THOSE

INDIVIDUALS, OR THE NINE OF THEM, THINK SO. BUT THIS IS WHAT THEY HAVE

SUBMITTED TO THE HOUSE. I CAN'T ANSWER THESE -- I -- I'M NOT GONNA BE

ABLE TO YOUR QUESTION OR ANY OTHER MEMBER'S QUESTION AS TO WHAT THEY

BELIEVE.

MR. DURSO: OKAY. AND THEN JUST MY LAST QUESTION

IS, IN THE CONSTITUTION IT SAYS DISTRICTS SHALL NOT BE DRAWN TO DISCOURAGE

COMPETITION, AND WE FEEL THAT THE IRC HAS DONE THAT, CORRECT? THEY

HAVE DRAWN MAPS TO NOT DISCOURAGE ANY TYPE OF COMPETITION AT THIS

POINT, THAT THESE MAPS ARE GOOD AND THEY DON'T DISCOURAGE ANY

COMPETITION, CORRECT? THAT'S WHAT THE IRC IS SAYING TO US.

MR. ZEBROWSKI: YOU'RE SAYING "WE," SO YOU ARE

GONNA HAVE TO MAKE A DETERMINATION --

MR. DURSO: OKAY.

MR. ZEBROWSKI: -- ON A VARIETY OF FACTORS; I AM

GONNA HAVE TO MAKE A DETERMINATION ON A VARIETY OF FACTORS.

MR. DURSO: BUT THE IRC HAS SENT US THESE MAPS,

NYS ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 26, 2024

RIGHT, AND WE'RE -- THEY'RE SENDING THEM TO US SAYING THAT WITH THE MAPS

THAT THEY'VE DRAWN, DISTRICTS SHALL NOT BE DRAWN TO DISCOURAGE

COMPETITION, THEY FEEL THAT THEY HAVEN'T BEEN DRAWN THAT WAY, CORRECT?

MR. ZEBROWSKI: AS FAR AS I KNOW, THEY DID NOT

SEND THE MAPS WITH A LETTER OR WITH LENGTHY EXPLANATIONS. SO IT REALLY

WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE FOR ME TO ATTEMPT TO PUT MYSELF IN THE SHOES OF

THE INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION.

MR. DURSO: ONE HUNDRED PERCENT AGREE. BUT MY

QUESTION TO YOU IS THAT SINCE IT'S IN THE -- THE CONSTITUTION THAT THE MAPS

HAVE TO BE DRAWN THAT WAY, WHETHER IT CONSISTS OF CONTIGUOUS

TERRITORIES, BE AS COMPACT IN FORM AS PRACTICAL, AND SHALL NOT BE DRAWN

TO DISCOURAGE COMPETITION, IF THE IRC WAS TO SEND US MAPS THAT REALLY

NEGATED ANY OF THESE THINGS THAT ARE IN THE CONSTITUTION, THEN THE MAPS

COULDN'T BE, YOU KNOW, THEY WOULDN'T BE CORRECT, THEY WOULDN'T HAVE

BEEN DONE CORRECTLY. SO WE FEEL AT THIS -- WELL, AND EVERYBODY'S GONNA

MAKE THEIR OWN DECISION, RIGHT, ON WHAT THEY FEEL IF THEY WANNA VOTE

ON THESE MAPS OR NOT, BUT THAT WAS THE IRC'S JOB, CORRECT?

MR. ZEBROWSKI: THEORETICALLY, MEMBERS CAN

EVALUATE THAT AND THEORETICALLY, AN IRC MAP COULD BE CHALLENGED

CONSTITUTIONALLY, LIKE ANYTHING ELSE COULD BE CHALLENGED

CONSTITUTIONALLY. SO ONCE AGAIN, I DON'T THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE FOR ME TO

PUT MYSELF IN THEIR SHOES OR TO DETERMINE WHAT THEY THOUGHT OR DID NOT

THINK.

MR. DURSO: OKAY. THANK YOU, MR. ZEBROWSKI, I

APPRECIATE IT.

NYS ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 26, 2024

MR. ZEBROWSKI: THANK YOU.

MR. DURSO: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU.

MR. GOODELL.

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

ZEBROWSKI YIELD?

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. ZEBROWSKI, WILL

YOU YIELD?

MR. ZEBROWSKI: I'LL YIELD.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE SPONSOR WHO IS

NOT A SPONSOR YIELDS.

(LAUGHTER)

MR. GOODELL: THANK YOU, I APPRECIATE THAT. AND

JUST TO FOLLOW UP A LITTLE BIT WITH MY COLLEAGUE'S QUESTIONS, ARE YOU

AWARE OF ANY CONSTITUTIONAL INFIRMITY WITH THE PROPOSED MAPS THAT WE

ARE ABOUT TO VOTE ON?

MR. ZEBROWSKI: I -- OBVIOUSLY, A FINAL

CONSTITUTIONAL DETERMINATION WOULD BE MADE BY A COURT OF COMPETENT

JURISDICTION. I WILL BE, LIKE MY OTHER COLLEAGUES, CASTING A VOTE IN THE

FUTURE BASED ON A VARIETY OF FACTORS.

MR. GOODELL: I -- I UNDERSTAND THAT. MY QUESTION

WAS, HAS ANYONE -- ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY CONSTITUTIONAL INFIRMITIES ON

THESE PROPOSED MAPS?

MR. ZEBROWSKI: I BELIEVE THERE'S BEEN PUBLIC

FEEDBACK THAT'S IN -- THAT'S OUT THERE. I BELIEVE THERE'S BEEN CRITICISMS

NYS ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 26, 2024

OF THE MAP, AND I BELIEVE THERE'S BEEN SUPPORT OF THE MAP.

MR. GOODELL: HAS ANY OF THE CRITICISM OF THE

MAPS, THAT YOU'RE AWARE OF, RAISED ANY CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES?

MR. ZEBROWSKI: I DON'T KNOW THAT I'M

COMFORTABLE ATTEMPTING TO RECALL THE CRITICISMS I'VE SEEN OUT IN THE

PUBLIC SPACE, WHETHER IT'S ON SOCIAL MEDIA OR IN PRINT MEDIA RIGHT NOW.

I DON'T THINK THAT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR ME TO ACCURATELY PUT INTO

THE RECORD OF THE HOUSE.

MR. GOODELL: I -- AND I APOLOGIZE FOR ASKING YOU

TO SUMMARIZE ANY CRITICISM. I REALLY PERHAPS WOULD HAVE BETTER BEEN

SAID, ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY CRITICISM CLAIMING A CONSTITUTIONAL

INFIRMITY?

(PAUSE)

MR. ZEBROWSKI: I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE

QUESTION. SO YOU'RE ASKING ME WHETHER OR NOT I CAN RECALL FOLKS THAT

HAVE SPOKEN PUBLICLY IN CRITICISM OF THE PLAN AND THAT CRITICISM,

WHETHER IT'S BASED ON THE CONSTITUTION?

MR. GOODELL: YES.

MR. ZEBROWSKI: SO I THINK MY ANSWER WOULD

REMAIN THE SAME, IS THAT I DON'T -- I THINK IT WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE FOR

ME TO COMMENT ON THE RECORD OF WHAT MY MEMORY IS OF PUBLIC

COMMENTS RELATED TO THIS PLAN BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW THAT I WOULD HAVE

AN ACCURATE RECALL. I CERTAINLY DON'T HAVE ANY NOTES IN FRONT OF ME.

MR. GOODELL: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, I APPRECIATE

IT.

NYS ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 26, 2024

MR. ZEBROWSKI: THANK YOU.

MR. GOODELL: ON THE BILL, SIR.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: ON THE BILL, MR.

GOODELL.

MR. GOODELL: SO, A COUPLE YEARS AGO WE WERE

PRESENTED WITH MAPS FROM THE INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE

[SIC]. YOU MAY RECALL WE HAD COMPETING MAPS. THOSE WERE REJECTED

BY THE LEGISLATORS, AND THE LEGISLATURE, WITHOUT WAITING FOR A SECOND SET

OF MAPS, WENT AHEAD IN VIOLATION OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL PROCEDURE AND

ENACTED THEIR OWN. I MIGHT ADD THAT WAS PRETTY MUCH ON A PARTY LINE

VOTE. THE COURT CONSIDERED THOSE MAPS AND RULED THEY WERE

UNCONSTITUTIONAL, THAT IT WAS IMPERMISSIBLE GERRYMANDERING AND THREW

'EM OUT. AND THE COURT DIRECTED THAT THE INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING

COMMITTEE [SIC] PRODUCED A SECOND SET OF MAPS, AS SET FORTH IN THE

STATE CONSTITUTION. WE NOW HAVE THE SECOND SET OF MAPS. THE SECOND

SET OF MAPS ARE VERY, VERY CLOSE TO THE MAPS THAT WERE USED IN THE

INTERIM THAT WERE DRAWN BY AN INDEPENDENT MASTER AND APPROVED BY

THE COURT. SO WE HAD THE FIRST SET OF MAPS THAT WERE ADOPTED BY THE

LEGISLATURE IN A PARTY LINE VOTE THROWN OUT AS AN UNCONSTITUTIONAL

GERRYMANDERING. WE HAVE A SECOND INTERIM SET OF MAPS CREATED BY A

SPECIAL MASTER, INDEPENDENT, APPROVED BY THE COURT, WE USED THAT FOR

TWO YEARS. WE NOW HAVE THE THIRD SET OF MAPS, THE THIRD SET OF MAPS

ARE VERY, VERY SIMILAR TO THE SECOND SET OF MAPS. AND SO FAR, NO ONE

HAS QUESTIONED THE LEGITIMACY OF THE MAPS WE'RE BEING ASKED TO VOTE

ON. NO ONE HAS SUGGESTED THAT THE MAPS FAIL TO MEET THE CONSTITUTIONAL

NYS ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 26, 2024

REQUIREMENT.

NOW, WHEN THESE MAPS CAME OUT THERE WERE HOWLS OF

ANGUISH THAT WE HEARD ALL THE WAY FROM WASHINGTON, D.C. CLAIMING

THAT THE NEW MAPS WERE NOT PARTISAN ENOUGH. NOW, IF YOU'RE NOT SURE,

YOU CAN LOOK UP THOSE COMMENTS BECAUSE THEY WERE WIDELY REPORTED

BY A CONGRESSMAN FROM OUR OWN STATE WHO SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS

TO COME UP AND FORCE THIS SET OF MAPS. AND WHAT WERE THEIR CONCERNS?

WELL, I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT THEIR PROBLEM WAS THAT THIS MAP DREW THE

DISTRICTS IN A MANNER NOT TO DISCOURAGE COMPETITION. SO THE

CONSTITUTION SAYS THAT DISTRICTS SHALL NOT BE DRAWN TO DISCOURAGE

COMPETITION OR FOR THE PURPOSE OF FAVORING OR DISFAVORING INCUMBENTS

OR OTHER PARTICULAR CANDIDATES OR POLITICAL PARTIES. THAT'S THE

CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENT. THE CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENT IS THE

MAPS BE INDEPENDENT, THAT THEY BE NONPARTISAN, THAT THEY NOT FAVOR ANY

CANDIDATE OR PARTY.

SO HERE WE HAVE INDEPENDENT MAPS APPROVED ON A

BIPARTISAN BASIS THAT ARE VERY SIMILAR TO MAPS THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY

APPROVED BY AN INDEPENDENT COURT MASTER, APPROVED BY THE COURT, AND

I HOPE THAT WHEN WE VOTE ON THIS, WE STAND UP AND SAY WHEN WE HAVE

INDEPENDENT MAPS APPROVED OVERWHELMINGLY ON A BIPARTISAN BASIS THAT

ARE VERY SIMILAR TO THE MAPS APPROVED BY A COURT AND CREATED EARLIER BY

AN INDEPENDENT MASTER, IT DESERVES OUR SUPPORT. AND I HOPE THAT WE

DON'T GO DOWN THE ROAD OF SAYING THE ONLY MAPS THE MAJORITY IS GONNA

APPROVE ARE THOSE THAT BRING INTO QUESTION WHETHER OR NOT THE MAPS

WERE DRAWN TO FAVOR A PARTICULAR PARTY OR A PARTICULAR POLITICIAN, RATHER

NYS ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 26, 2024

THAN BEING INDEPENDENT, NONPARTISAN, AND FAIR.

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. AND, AGAIN, THANK YOU TO

MY COLLEAGUE WHO, WHILE NOT SPONSORING THIS LEGISLATION, WAS KIND

ENOUGH TO TRY TO ANSWER OUR QUESTIONS. THANK YOU, SIR.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: A PARTY VOTE HAS

BEEN REQUESTED.

MR. GOODELL.

MR. GOODELL: THANK YOU, SIR. THE REPUBLICAN

CONFERENCE IS GENERALLY IN FAVOR OF THE MAPS BEING PRESENTED BY THE

INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION. THOSE WHO WISH TO VOTE

AGAINST IT CAN CERTAINLY DO SO ON THE FLOOR. THANK YOU, SIR.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: THANK YOU, MR.

SPEAKER. THE MAJORITY CONFERENCE IS GENERALLY OPPOSING THIS FORM

THAT WAS SENT TO US BY IRC AND, HENCE, WE'RE GOING TO BE VOTING IN THE

NEGATIVE; HOWEVER, THERE MAY BE SOME COLLEAGUES WHO CHOOSE TO BE

DIFFERENT, THEY SHOULD FEEL FREE TO DO SO.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE CLERK WILL RECORD

THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

MR. RA TO EXPLAIN HIS VOTE.

MR. RA: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER, BRIEFLY TO EXPLAIN

NYS ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 26, 2024

MY VOTE. I THINK WE ALL KNOW, RIGHT, AND IT WAS TALKED ABOUT DURING

THIS DEBATE HOW WE GOT TO THIS POINT DATING BACK TEN YEARS AGO TO A

VOTER-APPROVED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO CREATE AN INDEPENDENT

PROCESS. COMING FORWARD TO 2022, LAWSUITS, THE COURT-APPOINTED

SPECIAL MASTERS TO DRAW LINES. MANY PEOPLE MAY NOT BE AWARE, THE

PREVIOUS DECADE'S LINES WERE ALSO DRAWN BY A COURT THAT WE HAD PRIOR TO

2022. AND THEN LAST, OR TWO YEARS AGO, REALLY, THERE WAS A CASE FILED TO

SAY THAT THOSE LINES THAT CAME FROM THE COURT WERE NOT MEANT TO BE FOR

MORE THAN ONE ELECTION CYCLE. AND THERE WERE UNPRECEDENTED THINGS

DONE, INCLUDING REJECTING THE GOVERNOR'S NOMINEE FOR THE COURT OF

APPEALS, I THINK ALL WITH THE INTENDED OUTCOME OF GETTING TO THE POINT

OF HAVING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO HAVE THEIR HANDS BACK

IN THE REDISTRICTING CONVERSATION.

NOW, I READ AMICUS BRIEFS INCLUDING FROM ATTORNEY

GENERAL JAMES, GOVERNOR HOCHUL, AND THE RECORD OF THIS CASE THAT WAS

DECIDED THAT LED US TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY, AND THEY ALL TALKED ABOUT

HOW IMPORTANT IT WAS THAT WE LET THE CONSTITUTIONAL PROCESS THAT THE

VOTERS APPROVED PLAY OUT AND THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION DO THEIR JOB

AS CONTEMPLATED BY THE CONSTITUTION. SEEMS TO BE THAT MAYBE THAT WAS

NOT WHAT THAT CASE WAS ALL ABOUT.

I VOTE YES. THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. RA IN THE

AFFIRMATIVE.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

NYS ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 26, 2024

THE BILL IS LOST.

(PAUSE)

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

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

HAVE ANY FURTHER HOUSEKEEPING OR RESOLUTIONS?

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: WE DO HAVE SOME

HOUSEKEEPING AND RESOLUTIONS. WE WILL START WITH THE HOUSEKEEPING.

ON A MOTION BY MR. WEPRIN, PAGE 33, CALENDAR NO.

184, BILL NO. A06488, AMENDMENTS ARE RECEIVED AND ADOPTED.

ON BEHALF OF MS. WOERNER, ASSEMBLY BILL A01080-A

RECALLED FROM THE SENATE. THE CLERK WILL READ THE TITLE OF THE BILL.

THE CLERK: AN ACT TO AMEND THE EXECUTIVE LAW.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: 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 RESOLUTION, 870 BY MS. BUTTENSCHON.

MS. BUTTENSCHON ON THE RESOLUTION -- THE CLERK WILL

READ.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 870, MS.

BUTTENSCHON.

NYS ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 26, 2024

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING THE 90TH

ANNIVERSARY OF INDIUM CORPORATION ON MARCH 13, 2024.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MS. BUTTENSCHON.

MS. BUTTENSCHON: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

INDIUM CORPORATION WAS STARTED IN A SMALL GARAGE IN UTICA, NEW YORK

IN 1934. IT HAS GROWN OVER THE LAST 90 YEARS AS A MULTI-NATIONAL GLOBAL

-- GLOBAL LEADER IN THE SCIENCE AND ELECTRONICS SOLUTION-PRODUCING

INNOVATIVE PRODUCT-MAKING, AND MANY OTHER HIGHLY TECHNICAL ITEMS.

THIS ORGANIZATION NOT ONLY IS A LEADER WITHIN THE ELECTRONIC FIELD, BUT IS

ONE THAT IS A LEADER WITH STUDENTS THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY, AS IT HAS

NUMEROUS APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS, AS WELL AS CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS

TO OUR COMMUNITY. I JUST WANT TO HONOR THEM FOR 90 YEARS AND HOPE

THAT AS THEY THE CELEBRATE THE QUALITY WITHIN THE MOHAWK VALLEY THAT

THIS CONTINUES FOR 90 MORE.

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU, MA'AM.

ON THE RESOLUTION, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING

AYE; OPPOSED, NO. THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED.

WE DO HAVE NUMEROUS OTHER RESOLUTIONS WHICH WE

WILL TAKE UP WITH ONE VOTE.

ON THE RESOLUTIONS, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING

AYE; OPPOSED, NO. THE RESOLUTIONS ARE ADOPTED.

(WHEREUPON, ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NOS. 871-875

WERE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.)

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

NYS ASSEMBLY FEBRUARY 26, 2024

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

PLEASE CALL ON MR. JACOBSON FOR THE PURPOSES OF AN ANNOUNCEMENT?

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: FOR THE PURPOSES OF A

ANNOUNCEMENT, SIR.

MR. JACOBSON: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. THE

MUST -- THE MUCH ANTICIPATED CONFERENCE FOR THE MAJORITY WILL BE HELD,

BUT NOT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THIS SESSION. IT'S GONNA START AT 8:30 P.M.

EASTERN TIME. SO PLEASE, 8:30 P.M. CONFERENCE, HEARING ROOM C.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MAJORITY CONFERENCE,

8:30 P.M., HEARING ROOM C.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: I NOW MOVE THAT THE

ASSEMBLY STAND ADJOURNED AND THAT WE RECONVENE AT 2 P.M., TUESDAY,

FEBRUARY THE 27TH, TOMORROW BEING A SESSION DAY.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE ASSEMBLY STANDS

ADJOURNED.

(WHEREUPON, AT 5:04 P.M., THE ASSEMBLY STOOD

ADJOURNED UNTIL TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27TH AT 2:00 P.M., TUESDAY BEING A

SESSION DAY.)