MONDAY, MAY 15, 2023 1:24 P.M.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE HOUSE WILL COME

TO ORDER.

THE REVEREND ELIA WILL OFFER A PRAYER.

REVEREND DONNA ELIA: LET US PRAY. GOOD AND

GRACIOUS GOD, WE PAUSE TO GIVE THANKS FOR THE BEAUTY OF THIS DAY, FOR

SIGNS OF SPRING, FOR FAMILY GATHERINGS AND MOMENTS OF REST. AS THIS

ASSEMBLY PREPARES FOR THE WORK AT HAND, ENLIGHTEN THEIR ENERGY AND

WISDOM. EMPOWER EACH MEMBER TO LISTEN AND TO SPEAK WITH CLARITY,

CONVICTION AND COMPASSION. HELP THEM WORK FOR THE GOOD OF OUR

COMMUNITIES, STATE, NATION AND THE WORLD. AND THANK YOU FOR ALL STAFF

WHOSE DEDICATION AND TIRELESS EFFORT UNDERGIRDS THE ASSEMBLY. TO THE

WEARY, GRANT STRENGTH. TO THE GRIEVING, GIVE COMFORT. TO ALL WHO ARE

ILL, POUR OUT HEALING MERCY. TODAY AND ALWAYS, WE REMEMBER AND GIVE

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

THANKS FOR THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT. THANK YOU FOR THOSE

WHO FOUGHT AND PERSEVERED FOR THE RIGHT TO ACCESS FOR ALL PERSONS, AND

HELP US TO CONTINUE TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO INCLUSION AND TO CREATE A

TABLE OF EQUITY. WE PRAY ALSO ESPECIALLY FOR OUR MAJORITY LEADER AS

SHE CARES FOR CONSTITUENTS WHO OBSERVE A TRAGIC ANNIVERSARY. WE

REMEMBER AND GRIEVE THE SENSELESS AND RACIST SHOOTING IN BUFFALO A

YEAR AGO YESTERDAY. GIVE ALL OF US THE WILL TO ERADICATE RACISM AND

DEFINE CONSTRUCTIVE AND LASTING WAYS TO ADDRESS GUN VIOLENCE.

O, HOLY ONE WHO MAKES PEACE IN HIGH PLACES, GIVE US

PEACE WITH JUSTICE IN OUR TIME. AMEN.

MEMBERS: AMEN.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: 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, MAY 14TH.

MS. SOLAGES.

MS. SOLAGES: MR. SPEAKER, I MOVE TO DISPENSE

WITH THE FURTHER READING OF THE JOURNAL OF SUNDAY, MAY 14TH AND THAT

THE SAME STAND APPROVED.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: WITHOUT OBJECTION, SO

ORDERED.

MS. SOLAGES.

MS. SOLAGES: WELL, GOOD MORNING -- OR GOOD

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

AFTERNOON, COLLEAGUES, GUESTS AND VIEWERS. WE HAVE A BEAUTIFUL DAY OF

WORK AHEAD OF US. BUT BEFORE WE COMMENCE I WILL GIVE A QUOTE, AND

TODAY'S QUOTE IS FROM ALBERT EINSTEIN, ONE OF THE GREATEST AND MOST

INFLUENTIAL PHYSICISTS OF ALL TIME. THE QUOTE IS, "WISDOM IS NOT A

PRODUCT OF SCHOOLING, BUT OF THE LIFELONG ATTEMPT TO ACQUIRE IT."

SO WITH THAT, MR. SPEAKER, MAY I HAVE THE MEMBERS'

ATTENTION SO THAT WE CAN ANNOUNCE THE SCHEDULE FOR THE DAY? MEMBERS

HAVE ON THEIR DESKS A MAIN CALENDAR. WE ALSO HAVE A DEBATE LIST.

AFTER ANY HOUSEKEEPING AND INTRODUCTIONS, WE MAY BEGIN WORK BY

TAKING UP RESOLUTIONS ON PAGE 3, INCLUDING ONE BY MS. SEAWRIGHT

COMMEMORATING NEW YORK ASSEMBLY'S LEGISLATIVE DISABILITIES

AWARENESS DAY. OUR PRINCIPAL WORK ON THE DAY WILL BE TO TAKE UP A

FIVE BILL LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE REVOLVING AROUND THE DISABLED [SIC]

AWARENESS DAY PACKAGE, AND THESE BILLS INCLUDE CALENDAR NO. 152 BY

MR. BURDICK, CALENDAR NO. 192 BY MR. EPSTEIN, CALENDAR NO. 212 BY

MR. ZEBROWSKI, CALENDAR NO. 215 BY MS. KELLES, AND FINALLY, CALENDAR

NO. 216 BY MS. SEAWRIGHT. WE WILL THEN BEGIN CONSENT, STARTING WITH

CALENDAR NO. 187 ON PAGE 5, AND I WILL ANNOUNCE ANY FURTHER FLOOR

ACTIVITY AS WE PROCEED. THERE WILL BE A NEED FOR MAJORITY CONFERENCE

IN HEARING ROOM B AT THE END OF THE CONCLUSION OF OUR WORK ON THE

FLOOR TODAY, AND AS ALWAYS I WILL CONSULT WITH THE MINORITY REGARDING

THEIR CONFERENCE NEEDS.

SO WITH THAT AS A GENERAL OUTLINE, MR. SPEAKER, IF

THERE ARE ANY HOUSEKEEPING OR INTRODUCTIONS, NOW WOULD BE THE

APPROPRIATE TIME.

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: NO HOUSEKEEPING,

MS. SOLAGES, BUT WE DO HAVE INTRODUCTIONS.

MR. GRAY FOR THE PURPOSES OF A INTRODUCTION.

MR. GRAY: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. IT GIVES ME

GREAT PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE THE HAMMOND GIRLS -- HAMMOND CENTRAL

SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM ON THE -- THE GREAT YEAR THAT THEY'VE HAD.

THEY FINISHED 2023 AS THE CHAMPIONSHIP IN THE CLASS D DIVISION WITH

A RECORD OF 21 AND 1. THE RED DEVILS COMPLETED HARD-FOUGHT VICTORIES

WITH ATHLETICISM, INTENSITY AND THE MINDSET OF A CHAMPIONSHIP CALIBER

TEAM. HAVING CAPTURED THE CLASS D STATE REGIONALS BY DEFEATING

POLAND 63 TO 33, THEY CONTINUED THEIR WINNING WAYS TAKING OUT PANAMA

BY A SCORE OF 78 TO 56 FOR THE NEW YORK STATE SEMI-FINALS, ADVANCING

ON TO CLAIM THE 2023 NEW YORK STATE CLASS D CHAMPIONSHIP CROWN

BY DISMANTLING -- WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO MY COLLEAGUE MR. ANGELINO --

BY DISMANTLING OXFORD ACADEMY 61 TO 37. UNDER THE DIRECTION OF

COACH ALYSSA -- ALYSSA CROSBY AND ASSISTANT COACHES JOHN ARQUIT,

KATINA DILLON AND CHET TRUSKOWSKI, YOUR PERFORMANCE THIS SEASON IS

TESTIMONIAL TO YOUR HARD WORK AND YOUR DEDICATION. WE'RE VERY PROUD

OF THE TEAM EFFORT AND THE SUCCESS OF THE STUDENT ATHLETES AND THEREBY

BRINGING HONOR AND CREDIT TO THEIR SCHOOL, THEIR VILLAGE AND THEIR TOWN.

IT IS WITH GREAT PRIDE THAT I RECOGNIZE THE OUTSTAND --

OUTSTANDING ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE HAMMOND RED DEVILS GIRLS

VARSITY BASKETBALL TEAM ON AN IMPRESSIVE AND SUCCESSFUL SEASON, AND

I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE THE MEMBERS, IF I CAN: ZOEY CUNNINGHAM; WE

HAVE RAELEE DOWNS; WE HAVE AVA HOWIE; WE HAVE THE CLASS D PLAYER

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

OF THE YEAR, LANDREE KENYON; AND WE HAVE HAILEE MANNING; MIKAYLA

JONES, SADEY SPRABARY, MIA TULLEY, LAURALL VINCH, AND ISABELLE

WOODCOCK. GOT THAT RIGHT. AND THEN WE HAVE HEAD COACH ALYSSA

CROSBY, ASSISTANT COACHES JOHN ARQUITT, KATINA DILLON, CHET

TRUSKOWSKI AND THEIR SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT, DOUGLAS MCQUEER.

PLEASE.

THANK YOU. WOULD YOU OFFER THEM THE CORDIALITY OF

THE FLOOR?

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: CERTAINLY. ON BEHALF

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

TO THE NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY, EXTEND TO YOU THE PRIVILEGES OF THE

FLOOR. OUR CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS THIS YEAR. OUR HOPE

THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE TO BUILD ON THAT SUCCESS IN YOUR LIFE, WHETHER IT

BE IN SPORTS OR EDUCATION OR IN CAREERS LATER ON. ENJOY THIS TIME WITH

US. PLEASE KNOW THAT YOU'RE ALWAYS WELCOME, AND CONGRATULATIONS TO

YOUR COACHES ALSO, FOR SUPPORTING THESE EXTRAORDINARY YOUNG WOMEN.

THANK YOU.

(APPLAUSE)

MS. SEAWRIGHT FOR THE PURPOSES OF A INTRODUCTION.

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

TWO VERY SPECIAL GUESTS TODAY IN THE CHAMBER. THEY'RE IN TOWN FOR

LEGISLATIVE DISABILITY [SIC] AWARENESS DAY. OUR FIRST GUEST IS COACH

RYAN MARTIN. RYAN IS THE DIRECTOR FOR THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW

YORK CUNY MEN'S AND WOMEN'S WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL TEAMS, AS

WELL AS AN EMERGING WHEELCHAIR TENNIS AND TRACK PROGRAM. RYAN WAS

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

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 ADAPTIVE SPORTS PROGRAM ON

THE EAST COAST. HE IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE INTERNATIONAL NPO,

THE RYAN MARTIN FOUNDATION, WHOSE MISSION IS TO HELP YOUTH AND ADULT

ATHLETES WITH DISABILITIES LIVE INDEPENDENT, IMPASSIONED, PRODUCTIVE

AND FULL LIVES THROUGH SPORTS TRAINING, MENTORING AND EDUCATION. RMF

RUNS YOUTH-BASED WHEELCHAIR PROGRAMS IN CONNECTICUT AND MADRID,

SPAIN SINCE 2007. HE IS ALSO SERVING AS THE 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 HE MANAGES KEY

RELATIONSHIPS WITH NWBEA [SIC] CORPORATE STAKEHOLDERS SUCH AS NIKE

AND TOYOTA. HE CURRENTLY PLAYS FOR THE NWBE -- BA BACK-TO-BACK

REIGNING NATIONAL CHAMPIONS, THE NEW YORK ROLLING KNICKS.

PREVIOUSLY, HE PLAYED PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL IN MADRID, SPAIN AND

PARIS, FRANCE FOR TEN SEASONS.

WE WELCOME COACH RYAN MARTIN TO THE CHAMBER

TODAY.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: CERTAINLY. ON BEHALF

OF MS. SEAWRIGHT, THE SPEAKER AND ALL THE MEMBERS, WE WELCOME YOU

HERE TO THE NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY, EXTEND TO YOU THE PRIVILEGES OF

THE FLOOR. CONGRATULATIONS ON THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING, AND KEEP UP

THAT GOOD WORK. IT REMINDS ME, SOME 30 YEARS AGO WE HAD A

WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL GAME IN THE WELL OF THE LEGISLATIVE BUILDING

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

WHERE WE TRIED TO, AS -- AS THOSE WHO ARE ABLE FOR A MINUTE, TO PLAY IN

THE WHEELCHAIRS. BELIEVE ME, I UNDERSTAND HOW POSITIVELY

EXTRAORDINARY IT IS TO PLAY IN THAT CAPACITY. I HAVEN'T HAD MY SHOT

BLOCKED SO MANY TIMES IN ALL OF MY CAREER. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH

FOR BEING WITH US. WELCOME.

(APPLAUSE)

MS. SEAWRIGHT.

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

ALSO HAVE A VERY SPECIAL GUEST, MICHAEL SCHWEINSBURG, WHO IS AN

ACTIVIST FOR DISABILITY RIGHTS FROM NEW YORK CITY. HE'S FOCUSED ON

COORDINATING CITY AND STATE GOVERNMENT SERVICES, PROMOTING ACCESS,

INCLUSION AND EQUALITY FOR THE PEOPLE OF NEW YORK STATE. IF YOU'LL

PLEASE EXTEND HIM THE CORDIALITIES OF THE HOUSE. THANK YOU, MR.

SPEAKER.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: ALSO FOR YOU, SIR,

WELCOME TO THE NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY, EXTEND TO YOU THE

PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR. OUR THANKS FROM MS. SEAWRIGHT, THE SPEAKER

AND ALL THE MEMBERS. CONTINUE THAT ADVOCACY, IT IS OBVIOUSLY

SOMETHING THAT IS MUCH NEEDED AND VERY NECESSARY. CONTINUE THAT

GREAT WORK. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

(APPLAUSE)

MR. BEEPHAN FOR THE PURPOSES OF A INTRODUCTION.

MR. BEEPHAN: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. SO,

JOINED WITH ME HERE TODAY ARE TWO DISTINGUISHED GUESTS FROM MY

DISTRICT, MRS. KRISTIN D'ALISO, JOINED BY HER DAUGHTER, MISS TAYLOR

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

D'ALISO. BOTH OF THESE INDIVIDUALS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO OUR COMMUNITY

IN A NUMBER OF WAYS, BUT I'D LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT TWO THINGS: ONE, MS.

KRISTIN D'ALISO IS THE FOUNDER OF HUDSON CANDLE. SHE, HERSELF, WAS

DIAGNOSED WITH MULTIPLE IMMUNE DISORDERS AND CONDITIONS OVER THE

YEARS, AND SHE FOUND HERSELF UPSET BY THE NUMBER OF COMPONENTS AND

INGREDIENTS IN THESE CANDLES THAT SHE COULDN'T USE. SO SHE ACTUALLY

WENT ON TO START HER OWN BUSINESS, WHICH IS NOW FEATURED IN A NUMBER

OF NATIONAL STORES, CREATING HER OWN CANDLES RIGHT OUT OF HER FACILITIES

IN -- IN FISHKILL, NEW YORK. WITH HER IS HER DAUGHTER, TAYLOR, WHO --

SHE DID NOT GET A CHANCE TO BE RECOGNIZED FOR BEING A CONGRESSIONAL

AWARD RECIPIENT BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC, BUT ON THE FLOOR HERE TODAY

I'D LIKE TO CONGRATULATE HER ON HER AWARD AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR

SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY.

I ASK THAT YOU EXTEND THE CORDIALITIES OF THE FLOOR.

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: CERTAINLY. ON BEHALF

OF MR. BEEPHAN, THE SPEAKER AND ALL THE MEMBERS, WE WELCOME BOTH

OF THESE EXTRAORDINARY LADIES HERE TO THE NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY,

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

THAT YOU'RE DOING AT YOUR ENTREPRENEURSHIP, AS WELL AS THE SUPPORT THAT

YOU'VE GIVEN YOUR COMMUNITIES. CONTINUE THAT GREAT WORK. THANK YOU

SO VERY MUCH.

(APPLAUSE)

PAGE 3, ASSEMBLY NO. 445, RESOLUTIONS, THE CLERK WILL

READ.

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 445, MS.

SEAWRIGHT.

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR

KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM MAY 15, 2023 AS NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY

LEGISLATIVE DISABILITIES AWARENESS DAY.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MS. SEAWRIGHT ON THE

RESOLUTION.

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

TO SPEAK ON OUR RESOLUTION TO DESIGNATE MAY 15, 2023 AS LEGISLATIVE

DISABILITY [SIC] AWARENESS DAY. IT HAS BEEN AN ASSEMBLY TRADITION FOR

43 YEARS TO RECOGNIZE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, THEIR FAMILIES AND

ADVOCATES AS THEY REALIZE THE GOALS OF INTEGRATION, INDEPENDENCE,

EMPOWERMENT AND EQUALITY IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND SOCIETY AT-LARGE.

EARLIER THIS YEAR A PROLIFIC DISABILITY RIGHTS ACTIVIST AND BROOKLYN NATIVE

JUDY HEUMANN PASSED AWAY. ONE OF THE PIONEERS OF THE DISABILITY

RIGHTS MOVEMENT, USED A WHEELCHAIR SINCE HER CHILDHOOD AS A RESULT OF

POLIO. SHE DIED ON SATURDAY, MARCH 4, 2023. HER STRUGGLE TO ADVANCE

THE RIGHTS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WAS PIVOTAL IN SECURING CIVIL

RIGHTS PROTECTIONS FOR ALL PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. AS AN ADULT SHE WAS

DENIED HER TEACHING LICENSE AFTER PASSING BOTH HER ORAL WRITTEN EXAMS,

LEADING HER TO SUE THE NEW YORK STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND

BECOME THE FIRST WHEELCHAIR USER TO TEACH IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

OUR LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE HONORS ALSO JUDY'S LEGACY BY ALLOWING PEOPLE

WITH DISABILITIES TO FULLY PARTICIPATE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND TO ENSURE

EQUAL ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITIES THAT HELP ALL NEW YORKERS THRIVE.

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

WE HAVE OVER 25 ADVOCACY GROUPS JOINING US TODAY

FROM ALL ACROSS THIS GREAT STATE. TODAY IS DEDICATED TO THE PEOPLE WHO

ARE ADVOCATING FOR MORE ACCESS, MORE OPPORTUNITY, MORE DIGNITY, MORE

RESPECT, AND SOLUTIONS TO THE BARRIERS STANDING IN THE WAY OF THESE

THINGS WE TAKE FOR GRANTED.

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU.

MS. DARLING ON THE RESOLUTION.

MS. DARLING: THE TRUE MEASURE OF A COMMUNITY IS

HOW IT CARES FOR ITS MOST VULNERABLE; OUR CHILDREN, SENIORS AND PEOPLE

WITH DISABILITIES, AND I AM HAPPY TO BE PART OF THIS MOVEMENT HERE IN

NEW YORK STATE. AS A MEMBER OF THE FIRST-EVER PEOPLE WITH

DISABILITIES COMMITTEE IN THE NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY, I'M ELATED TO

ADVOCATE FOR NEW YORKERS WITH DISABILITIES AND DISABILITY SERVICE

PROVIDERS. THIS COMMITTEE PROVIDES A MUCH-NEEDED SPACE AND

PLATFORM FOR THEM TO RESERVE THE SUPPORT THEY TRULY NEED. PEOPLE WITH

DISABILITIES NEED A STRONGER PRESENCE IN NEW YORK STATE'S WORKFORCE,

AS WELL AS EFFECTIVE HOUSING PROGRAMS, AND WE MUST ALSO WORK TO

SUPPORT PROGRAMS OF PEOPLE -- FOR PEOPLE WITH COMPLICATED MEDICAL

NEEDS. MY COLLEAGUES AND I WANT TO ENSURE THAT NEW YORKERS WITH

DISABILITIES HAVE EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE THEIR ABSOLUTE BEST LIVES, AND

WE ARE COMMITTED TO DOING THE WORK TO MAKE THAT POSSIBLE.

THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MS. GIGLIO ON THE

RESOLUTION.

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

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

TO THANK THE SPONSOR, THE CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE ON PEOPLE WITH

DISABILITIES. I AM PRIVILEGED TO SERVE AS THE RANKING MEMBER ON THE

ASSEMBLY STANDING COMMITTEE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. ONE

PARTICULAR PRECIOUS AND VULNERABLE POPULATION THAT I AM A TIRELESS

ADVOCATE FOR IS THE DISABILITIES COMMUNITY. OR AS I SAY, OUR PRECIOUS

INDIVIDUALS WITH UNIQUE ABILITIES. WHEN I SAY NEW YORKERS WITH

UNIQUE ABILITIES MUST COMES FIRST, I MEAN IT FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY

HEART. THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL, VIBRANT, BRILLIANT AND HOPEFUL COMMUNITY.

THIS IS A COMMUNITY THAT IS UNIQUELY-ABLED TO TAKE OUR STATE TO NEW

HEIGHTS, AND THEY DO THAT JUST BY THEIR PRESENCE. WE OWE IT TO THEM TO

PUT THEM FIRST.

I MET WITH COUNTLESS PARENTS, STAKEHOLDERS, PUBLIC AND

NOT-FOR-PROFIT PROFESSIONALS, ADMINISTRATORS, DIRECT SUPPORT

PROFESSIONALS, MEDICAL STAFF AND UNSUNG HEROES ALIKE. I WENT ON A

STATEWIDE OPWDD LEGISLATIVE LISTENING TOUR WHERE I VISITED EVERY

CORNER OF THIS STATE TO MEET WITH ADVOCATES, STAKEHOLDERS, EMPLOYEES

AND, MOST IMPORTANT, MY FELLOW NEW YORKERS WITH UNIQUE ABILITIES. I

HAVE SEEN AND HEARD A COMMON THEME: MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE TO

EMPOWER PEOPLE WITH UNIQUE ABILITIES IN OUR STATE. TODAY'S

LEGISLATIVE DISABILITIES AWARENESS DAY AND THE CORRESPONDING

LEGISLATIVE PACKET TAKES US A STEP CLOSER TO ACHIEVE THIS END.

AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK THE SPONSOR OF THE RESOLUTION

AND LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE COMMITTEE AND BRINGING GREAT

THINGS TO PEOPLE IN NEW YORK STATE WITH UNIQUE ABILITIES. THANK YOU,

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

MR. SPEAKER.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU.

MR. BURDICK ON THE RESOLUTION.

MR. BURDICK: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I WANT TO

THANK THE CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE FOR HER TIRELESS WORK AND FOR HELPING

TO PUT TOGETHER THE STRONG PACKAGE OF BILLS THAT WE'LL BE TAKING UP A

LITTLE LATER. I ALSO WANT TO THANK OUR FRIENDS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE

AISLE FOR THEIR SUPPORT FOR THIS VULNERABLE POPULATION. AND I REALLY DO

THINK THAT WE'RE BEGINNING TO CHANGE THE ATTITUDES. THAT THINGS ARE

TURNING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. THAT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WHO TOO

OFTEN ARE SHUNNED AND SHUNTED ASIDE AND TREATED AS THOUGH THEY'RE

INVISIBLE NOW ARE BECOMING MORE VISIBLE. AND NOW SOCIETY IS DOING

WHAT IT NEEDS TO DO, WHICH IS TO RECOGNIZE THE DIGNITY AND THE RESPECT

THAT THESE INDIVIDUALS DESERVE.

AS CHAIR OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT

OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, I'M REALLY THRILLED THAT WE'RE

DOING FAR MORE IN THAT AREA, NOT JUST AMONGST THE STATE AGENCIES, BUT IN

THE PRIVATE SECTOR AS WELL. AND AGAIN, I THANK THE SPEAKER FOR HIS

LEADERSHIP IN BRINGING US TOGETHER, THE ADVOCATES WHO WERE IN THE

WELL TODAY, AND ALL OF THOSE WHO ARE SUPPORTING THESE CHANGES.

THANKS VERY MUCH, 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. 446, MS.

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

LUNSFORD.

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR

KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM MAY 9, 2023 AS FENTANYL AWARENESS DAY IN

THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MS. LUNSFORD ON THE

RESOLUTION.

MS. LUNSFORD: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER, FOR

GIVING ME A MOMENT TO TALK ABOUT THIS NATIONAL HEALTH CRISIS. DRUG

OVERDOSE TOUCHES EVERYBODY. I'M SURE EVERYBODY IN THIS ROOM AND

EVERYBODY WATCHING HAS HAD SOMEONE IN THEIR LIVES EITHER OD

THEMSELVES OR THEY KNOW SOMEONE WHO LOST A LOVED ONE. DRUG

OVERDOSE KNOWS NO COMMUNITY, NO CLASS, NO INCOME LEVEL, NO RACE.

AND FENTANYL IS THE SINGLE-LARGEST DRUG THREAT OUR COUNTRY HAS EVER

FACED. I COULD STAND HERE AND I COULD GIVE YOU THE STATS THAT FENTANYL

OVERDOSE IS NOW THE NUMBER ONE KILLER OF AMERICANS UNDER 50. NOT

JUST DRUG OVERDOSES, BUT FENTANYL SPECIFICALLY. I COULD TELL YOU THAT IN

2022 A DEA ANALYSIS OF FENTANYL-LACED PRESCRIPTION DRUGS FOUND THAT

SIX OUT OF TEN PILLS CONTAINED A DEADLY DOSE OF FENTANYL. OR I COULD TELL

YOU THE STORY OF PAIGE GIBBONS. PAIGE WAS A 19-YEAR-OLD WOMAN FROM

PITTSFORD, NEW YORK, WHICH IS IN MY DISTRICT. IT'S AN AFFLUENT SUBURB OF

ROCHESTER. SHE WAS A COLLEGE FRESHMAN, SHE HAD PLAYED SPORTS AND

DONE VOLUNTEER WORK. HER MOTHER IS A KINDERGARTEN TEACHER, HER DAD'S

A BANKER, HER SISTER PLAYS CHEERLEADING. SHE'S THE PICTURE OF THE

SUBURBAN IDEAL. AND FOUR DAYS AFTER HER 19TH BIRTHDAY, JUST A FEW DAYS

BEFORE THANKSGIVING, PAIGE TOOK WHAT SHE THOUGHT WAS HALF A

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

PERCOCET. IT TURNED OUT IT WAS 100% FENTANYL. PAIGE WAS NARCAN

TRAINED. SHE KNEW THE RISKS, SHE UNDERSTOOD THE THREAT, AND PAIGE

PASSED AWAY. PAIGE'S STORY IS UNFORTUNATELY NOT UNIQUE. IT IS TRAGICALLY

COMMON. AND I THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR GIVING ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO

BRING AWARENESS TO THIS PARTICULAR THREAT, BECAUSE WE NEED TO DO MORE

TO GET FENTANYL TEST STRIPS INTO OUR COMMUNITIES, TO BRING NARCAN

TRAININGS, TO HAVE NARCAN KITS AVAILABLE, AND TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T

HAVE ANYMORE PAIGES. BUT I CAN TELL YOU, THERE'S GOING TO BE A BUNCH

MORE TODAY, THERE'S GOING TO BE A BUNCH MORE TOMORROW, SO WE HAVE TO

DO WHAT WE CAN TODAY.

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU.

MR. BROWN ON THE RESOLUTION.

MR. K. BROWN: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I WOULD

LIKE TO THANK THE SPONSOR FOR THIS RESOLUTION MARKING MAY 9TH AS

FENTANYL AWARENESS DAY IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK. IN THE MIDST OF AN

ONGOING OPIOID AND FENTANYL CRISES RAVAGED NOT ONLY MY COUNTY AND

MY STATE, BUT THE REST OF THE COUNTRY, A DAY LIKE TODAY SHOULD BE A

TURNING POINT. THIS FENTANYL -- NATIONAL FENTANYL AWARENESS DAY, WE

MUST ASK OURSELVES, GIVEN THIS MONUMENTAL PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS, WHERE

IS THE STATE OF EMERGENCY? WHERE IS THE OUTRAGE? ARE WE DOING

ENOUGH? ARE WE WILLING TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO STOP IT?

EVERYONE IN THIS CHAMBER KNOWS SOMEONE WHOSE FAMILY HAS LOST A

YOUNG ADULT TO OVERDOSE. MY FAMILY WAS ONE OF THEM. WE LOST MY

NEPHEW JESSE ROMANASKY, CUT DOWN IN THE PRIME OF HIS LIFE JUST THREE

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

WEEKS SHY OF HIS 20TH BIRTHDAY. ACCORDING TO THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE

CONTROL AND PREVENTION, OVER 150 PEOPLE DIE FROM OVERDOSES RELATED TO

SYNTHETIC OPIOIDS LIKE FENTANYL EVERY DAY. FENTANYL IS INVOLVED IN

MORE DEATHS OF AMERICANS UNDER 50 THAN ANY OTHER CAUSE OF DEATH

INCLUDING HEART DISEASE, CANCER, HOMICIDE, SUICIDE OR OTHER ACCIDENTS.

WELL, IN THE ASSEMBLY WE HAD OUR FIRST ALCOHOLISM AND SUBSTANCE

ABUSE COMMITTEE MEETING ON APRIL 25TH, ALMOST FIVE MONTHS INTO THE

LEGISLATIVE SESSION. WE NEED TO DO MORE. SO THAT'S WHY TODAY I'M

ASKING THE ASSEMBLY AND SENATE LEADERSHIP, THE GOVERNOR AND

EVERYONE IN THIS CHAMBER TO TAKE MEANINGFUL ACTION, TO WORK IN A

BIPARTISAN MANNER SO WE CAN PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS BY OFFERING HELP

AND SUPPORT TO CURRENT SUBSTANCE ABUSERS BY HOLDING DEALERS

ACCOUNTABLE AND CUTTING OFF THE SUPPLY OF FENTANYL AND OTHER ILLEGAL

OPIOIDS BEFORE OTHER FAMILIES LIKE MINE AND PEOPLE LIKE MY BEAUTIFUL

NEPHEW SUFFER. BEFORE WE HEAR OF ANOTHER DEATH OF A YOUNG PERSON

BEING CUT DOWN IN THE PRIME OF THEIR LIVES DUE TO FENTANYL. WE'VE BEEN

AWARE OF THIS CRISIS FOR FAR TOO LONG NOW. THIS FENTANYL AWARENESS

DAY, IT'S TIME FOR ACTION.

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. 447, MR.

RA.

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM MAY 14, 2023 AS IGA NEPHROPATHY

AWARENESS DAY IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. RA ON THE

RESOLUTION.

MR. RA: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. THIS RESOLUTION

RECOGNIZES MAY 14, 2023 AS IGA NEPHROPATHY AWARENESS DAY IN NEW

YORK STATE. OUR HOUSE WILL JOIN THE U.S. CONGRESS, AS WELL AS SEVEN

OTHER STATES WHO HAVE PROCLAIMED THIS DAY OF AWARENESS. AND

APPROPRIATELY, YESTERDAY, MAY 14TH, WAS MOTHER'S DAY AND IT WAS A

MOTHER NAMED BONNIE SCHNEIDER WHO FOUNDED THE IGA NEPHROPATHY

FOUNDATION 20 YEARS AGO AFTER HER SON'S DIAGNOSIS WITH -- WITH THIS

DISEASE, AND SHE DID SO TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR OTHERS LIVING WITH IT.

JUST A LITTLE BIT OF INFORMATION. IGA NEPHROPATHY IS AN AUTOIMMUNE

DISEASE THAT ATTACKS THE KIDNEYS, WHICH AFFECTS HOW BLOOD IS FILTERED IN

THE SMALL BLOOD VESSELS OF THE KIDNEYS. AND IT'S ESTIMATED THAT 20 TO

40 PERCENT OF THOSE WITH THIS DISEASE WILL DEVELOP END-STAGE KIDNEY

DISEASE, MEANING THAT THEY'RE GOING TO REQUIRE EITHER DIALYSIS OR A

KIDNEY TRANSPLANT.

SO I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES WHO HAVE JOINED

ME IN COSPONSORING THIS -- THIS RESOLUTION, AND ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES FOR

VOTING FOR IT. THIS ENTIRE WEEK IS IGA NEPHROPATHY AWARE WEEK, AND

I HOPE WE CAN SPREAD AWARENESS ABOUT THIS AILMENT AND HELP SUPPORT

THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING FROM IT. THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU, SIR.

ON THE RESOLUTION, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

AYE; OPPOSED, NO. THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 448, MS.

PHEFFER AMATO.

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR

KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM MAY 14-20, 2023 AS POLICE WEEK IN THE

STATE OF NEW YORK.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MS. PHEFFER AMATO

ON THE RESOLUTION.

MS. PHEFFER AMATO: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

I RISE TODAY TO PAY HOMAGE AND TRIBUTE TO OUR POLICE, BUT ALSO THE BRAVE

MEN AND WOMEN WHO MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE TO PROTECT OUR GREAT

STATE AND COMMUNITIES. OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ARE HEROES. LET

ME SAY THAT AGAIN, HEROES. THESE ARE THE INDIVIDUALS WHO RUN TOWARDS

DANGER, WHO PROTECT US IN DANGEROUS TIMES. WHO WERE THERE WHEN WE

NEED THEM. THEY ARE OUR PROTECTORS AND WE THANK THEM. BUT WE MUST

RECOGNIZE THOSE WE LOST, THOSE WHO DIED PROTECTING US, SERVING OUR

COMMUNITIES, TAKING THE RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE OUR CITIES, TOWNS AND

STATE SAFE. TO KEEP US ALL SAFE. WE MUST PRAISE THEM AS THEY CHOSE A

PROFESSION THAT HELPS PEOPLE. TO BE DEDICATED TO SOLVING PROBLEMS.

THE POLICE OFFICERS WHO WE LOST TOOK AN OATH TO SERVE AND PROTECT THE

PEOPLE, TOTAL STRANGERS, IN ANY SITUATION. TO ME, THAT IS AN

EXTRAORDINARY ACT OF TRUE SELFLESSNESS AND UNWAVERING LOVE FOR THEIR

COMMUNITY. THEY ARE ROLE MODELS AND ARE HEROES.

THIS WEEK OF MAY 14TH THROUGH THE 20TH IS

RECOGNIZED AS POLICE WEEK. LAST WEEK, ALONGSIDE MY COLLEAGUES

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

ATTENDED THE FALLEN POLICE OFFICER MEMORIAL RIGHT OUTSIDE THIS

BUILDING, WHERE WE COMMEMORATED THOSE WHO MADE THE ULTIMATE

SACRIFICE. WE ADDED 55 NAMES THIS YEAR, TO BRING IT TO OVER 1,700.

TODAY WE NOT ONLY SAY THANK YOU TO OUR POLICE OFFICERS FOR THE WORK

THEY DO EVERY DAY, BUT ALSO REMEMBER THE BRAVE OFFICERS WE LOST. MAY

THEIR MEMORIES BE A BLESSING, MAY POLICE OFFICERS AND THEIR FAMILIES

THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF NEW YORK KNOW THAT THIS LEGISLATIVE BODY

THANKS YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT AND DEDICATION TO OUR STATE AND

COMMUNITY, AND WE MUST ALSO REMEMBER THEIR FAMILIES.

GOD BLESS OUR POLICE. THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU.

MR. ANGELINO ON THE RESOLUTION.

MR. ANGELINO: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. AS I

STAND IN THIS CHAMBER AND WHILE THIS CHAMBER AND ITS BODY IS

DELIBERATING THE DAY'S BUSINESS, THERE ARE THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF

POLICE OFFICERS GATHERED IN WASHINGTON, D.C. FOR NATIONAL POLICE

WEEK, AND I'LL ADD THERE'S EVEN SOME FROM AROUND THE WORLD. EACH

YEAR MORE AND MORE NAMES ARE ADDED TO THE GRANITE WALL IN

WASHINGTON, AND ALSO RIGHT OUTSIDE AT THE NEW YORK STATE LAW

ENFORCEMENT MEMORIAL. AND LAST WEEK MY GOOD CHILDHOOD FRIEND, F.

BRENT CHOMYSZAK, A SERGEANT WITH THE NEW YORK STATE POLICE, WAS

ADDED; A WORLD TRADE CENTER SICKNESS DEATH IN THE LINE OF DUTY. THESE

PERMANENT CARVINGS IN THE GRANITE ENSURE THAT IF SOMEBODY PASSES BY,

GLANCES AT THE NAME AND PERHAPS READS IT, THAT THESE MEN AND WOMEN

WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. SO IT IS RIGHT, GOOD AND JUST THAT THE SPONSOR

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

BROUGHT THIS FORWARD SO THAT EVERYBODY COULD BE AWARE THAT TODAY IS

POLICE MEMORIAL DAY IN THE UNITED STATES. THIS ONE DAY A YEAR IS -- IS

A -- IS A HALLOWED MEMORY FOR MANY. BUT THIS ONE DAY A YEAR THAT WE

RECOGNIZE POLICE MEMORIAL DAY, WE SHOULD REMEMBER TO THE FAMILY

MEMBERS OF THE FALLEN OFFICER EVERY DAY IS POLICE MEMORIAL DAY. SO

MANY PEOPLE LOOK AT A POLICE OFFICER AND NEVER SEE PAST THE UNIFORM.

THEY NEVER SEE THAT IT'S ACTUALLY A MOM OR A DAD OR A NEIGHBOR OR AN

UNCLE, A PET OWNER, A GOOD NEIGHBOR, A FRIEND. THESE EVERY DAY

COMMON PEOPLE DO AN UNCOMMON JOB FOR THEIR COMMUNITY. THEY DO

EVERYTHING THAT SOCIETY WANTS DONE, BUT THAT SOCIETY WOULD NEVER DARE

DO THEMSELVES. THESE MEN AND WOMEN RUN TOWARDS DANGER WHILE

OTHERS ARE RUNNING AWAY, AND SOMETIMES THEY DON'T ALWAYS GET TO COME

BACK.

SO IN CLOSING, LET'S NOT DWELL UPON HOW THESE MEN AND

-- MEN AND WOMEN DIED, LET US REMEMBER INSTEAD HOW THEY LIVED THEIR

LIVES BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT MADE THEM HEROES. THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU, SIR.

MR. REILLY ON THE RESOLUTION.

MR. REILLY: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. SO, AS IT

WAS MENTIONED EARLIER, LAST WEEK WE STOOD RIGHT OUT HERE OUTSIDE THE

LOB, HONORING THOSE LAW ENFORCEMENT POLICE OFFICERS WHO DIED IN

NEW YORK STATE. NO GREATER LOVE THAN TO LAY DOWN ONE'S LIFE FOR

ANOTHER; SOMEONE YOU DON'T KNOW. AND EACH YEAR WE CONTINUE TO ADD

NAMES TO THAT WALL AND, UNFORTUNATELY, NEXT YEAR WE WILL BE HERE AGAIN,

ADDING ADDITIONAL NAMES. THE NUMBER IS UNKNOWN. AND LET'S

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

REMEMBER, A MAJORITY OF THOSE NAMES ARE FROM THE 9/11 TERRORIST

ATTACK. MANY OF THOSE NAMES ON THAT WALL ARE NEW YORK CITY POLICE

OFFICERS. SOME I DID NOT KNOW, BUT WE SHARED A BROTHERHOOD AND A

SISTERHOOD. BUT THERE ARE SOME WHO I KNEW PERSONALLY. THERE ARE

FIREMEN ON THAT -- ON -- THAT DIED ON 9/11 THAT I KNOW AS WELL. BUT

WHEN WE THINK ABOUT POLICE MEMORIAL DAY, WE THINK ABOUT LAST WEEK,

LINING UP OUT THERE, OLD GLORY AT HALF-MAST, THE NEW YORK STATE FLAG AT

HALF-MAST, THE SUN BEATING DOWN. THAT IS THEIR MEMORY LOOKING AT US,

AND IT'S OUR JOB TO CARRY THAT ON. THOSE BAGPIPES, THE RAT-A-TAT OF THOSE

DRUMS, THEY TOUCH YOU. THEY PULL AT YOUR HEARTSTRINGS. BUT REMEMBER,

WE WILL BE HERE AGAIN NEXT YEAR AS THOSE NUMBERS KEEP RISING.

SO I CLOSE WITH THIS: FIDELIS AD MORTEM. FAITHFUL

UNTIL DEATH. THANK YOU.

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. 449, MR.

GANDOLFO.

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR

KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM MAY 15, 2023 AS POLICE DOG 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. 450, MS.

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

JOYNER.

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR

KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM MAY 2023 AS MATERNAL DEPRESSION

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.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 451, MR.

DESTEFANO.

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR

KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM MAY 2023 AS WILDFIRE SAFETY AWARENESS

MONTH IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: ON THE RESOLUTION,

MR. DE -- DESTEFANO.

MR. DESTEFANO: I CAN'T WIN. I JUST CAN'T WIN.

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER, FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON THIS ISSUE. IT

AFFECTS MANY OF OUR COMMUNITIES HERE IN NEW YORK AND NATIONALLY; IT'S

WILDFIRE AWARENESS. WILDFIRES CAN BE DEVASTATING, DESTROYING HOMES,

BUSINESSES AND EVEN TAKING LIVES. THEY CAN ALSO HARM THE

ENVIRONMENT. WILDLIFE CONTRIBUTE TO CLIMATE CHANGE. THIS IS WHY IT'S

ESSENTIAL TO CREATE AWARENESS AND TO EDUCATE COMMUNITIES ABOUT THE

DANGERS OF WILDFIRES. WILDFIRES ARE UNEX -- UNPLANNED, UNEXPLAINED

SOMETIMES, UNWANTED. FOREST, GRASSLANDS AND OTHER NATURAL AREAS.

THEY CAN START NATURALLY FROM LIGHTENING STRIKES OR HUMAN ACTIVITY SUCH

AS CAMPFIRES, FIREWORKS, CIGARETTES AND OTHER ACTIVITIES THAT INVOLVE

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

FLAMES OR SPARKS. WILDFIRES CAN SPREAD QUICKLY AND UNPREDICTABLY,

COVERING VAST AREAS OF LAND AND CAUSING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE AND LOSS.

THE FIRST STEP TOWARD WILDFIRE AWARENESS IS UNDERSTANDING WHAT CAUSES

THEM. WILDFIRES ARE MOST PREVALENT IN HOT AND DRY AREAS, ESPECIALLY

THOSE WITH A LONG AND DRY PERIOD. THIS IS WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO TAKE

CAUTION WHEN LIGHTING A FIRE OUTSIDE, LIKE CAMPFIRES, ESPECIALLY DURING

THESE TIMES. ONE OF THE SIGNIFICANT CAUSES OF WILDFIRES IS HUMAN

ACTIVITY. PEOPLE MUST BE CAUTIOUS WHEN USING FIRE OUTDOORS AND ENSURE

THAT IT IS COMPLETELY OUT BEFORE LEAVING THE AREA. EDUCATING

COMMUNITIES ON FIRE SAFETY THROUGH WORKSHOPS, CAMPAIGNS AND OTHER

PROGRAMS TO ENCOURAGE PROPER FIRE MANAGEMENT REDUCING THE RISK OF

WILDFIRES. ANOTHER APPROACH TOWARDS WILDFIRE AWARENESS IS ENSURING

THE ENVIRONMENT IS KEPT CLEAN AND FREE FROM LITTER. LITTERED AREAS

INCROSS -- INCREASE WILDFIRE RISK, WHILE DRY LEAVES, PAPERS AND PLASTICS

CAN CATCH FIRE QUICKLY. COMMUNITIES AND INDIVIDUALS MUST DISPOSE OF

WASTE APPROPRIATELY AND ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO DO THE SAME. IN THE CASE

OF WILDFIRE SIGHTINGS, IT IS ESSENTIAL TO REPORT THESE EVENTS IMMEDIATELY

TO THE PROPER AUTHORITIES. THIS CAN HELP CONTAIN THE FIRE EARLY AND

PREVENT IT FROM SPREADING. QUICKER REPORTING SAVES LIVES AND PROPERTY

THAT WOULD OTHERWISE BE AT RISK. CREATING A FIRE-RESISTANT LANDSCAPE IS

ALSO ESSENTIAL TO WILDFIRE AWARENESS. THIS INVOLVES LANDSCAPING OF

PROPERTY WITH MATERIALS THAT RESIST FIRE, SUCH AS NON-FLAMMABLE PLANTS,

TREES AND SHRUBS. FIRE-RESISTANT LANDSCAPING ALSO INVOLVE -- INVOLVES

PRUNING OF TREES AND ELIMINATING DRY AND INVASIVE PLANTS ON THE

PROPERTY. PREPAREDNESS IS CRUCIAL DURING THE WILDFIRE SEASON. AN

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

EMERGENCY KIT SHOULD BE READILY AVAILABLE, SUCH AS A FIRE EXTINGUISHER,

FLASHLIGHTS, WATER AND OTHER NECESSARY ITEMS IN CASE OF AN EVACUATION.

COMMUNITIES SHOULD ALSO HAVE WILDFIRE RESPONSE PLANS TO PLAN -- IN

PLACE TO ENSURE THAT THE PROPERTY KNOWN WOULD BE IN CASE OF A WILDFIRE

OUTBREAK. THE IMPACT OF WILDFIRES ON THE ENVIRONMENT IS SIGNIFICANT.

THEY DESTROY WILDLIFE HABITANTS AND LEAD TO SOIL EROSION WHICH AFFECTS

NOT ONLY THE ECOSYSTEM, BUT ALSO OUR WATER SUPPLY. WILDFIRES ALSO

CONTRIBUTE TO AIR POLLUTION, WHICH OBVIOUSLY IS A HEALTH HAZARD.

HOWEVER, IT IS NOT JUST THE ENVIRONMENT THAT SUFFERS. WILDFIRES ALSO

TAKE A TOLL ON COMMUNITIES SINCE THEY CAN LEAD TO DISPLACEMENT OF

PEOPLE, LOSS OF PROPERTY AND IN SOME CASES, DEATH. THEREFORE, IT IS

ESSENTIAL TO HAVE THIS COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO WILDFIRE -- WILDFIRE

MANAGEMENT. ONE OF THE FOCUSES ON PREVENTION, DETECTION, RESPONSE

AND RECOVERY THAT WOULD INVOLVE COORDINATION BETWEEN GOVERNMENTAL

AGENCIES, FIREFIGHTERS, ORGANIZATIONS AND THE PUBLIC.

IN CONCLUSION, MR. SPEAKER, WILDFIRES ARE A SIGNIFICANT

CONCERN THAT AFFECTS MANY COMMUNITIES IN NEW YORK STATE AND OUR

COUNTRY. IT IS IMPORTANT TO CREATE AWARENESS AND EDUCATE COMMUNITIES

ABOUT THE RISK OF WILDFIRE AND WAYS TO PREVENT THEM. PREVENTIVE --

PREVENTION INVOLVES UNDERSTANDING THE CAUSES OF WILDFIRES AND CREATING

A FIRE-RESISTANT ENVIRONMENT. PREPAREDNESS IS ALSO IMPORTANT, SUCH AS

EMERGENCY KITS AND WILDFIRE RESPONSE PLANS.

REMEMBER THE WORDS OF SMOKEY THE BEAR: ONLY YOU

CAN PREVENT FOREST FIRES. THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU.

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

ON THE RESOLUTION, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING

AYE, OPPOSED, NO. THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 452, MS.

LUPARDO.

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR

KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM JUNE 2023 AS DAIRY MONTH IN THE STATE OF

NEW YORK.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MS. WOERNER ON THE

RESOLUTION.

MS. WOERNER: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I AM

FILLING IN TODAY FOR OUR COLLEAGUE WHO IS AT A BILL SIGNING, SHE SENDS HER

REGARDS AND SHE SENDS ME TO SPEAK TO YOU ON THIS RESOLUTION.

MILK, COTTAGE CHEESE, SOUR CREAM, YOGURT, CHEESE AND,

OF COURSE, ICE CREAM. RIGHT? WHO DOESN'T LIKE DAIRY? WELL, SOME

PEOPLE DON'T LIKE DAIRY, BUT LET ME JUST SAY TO YOU THAT IN NEW YORK WE

ARE A DAIRY STATE. WE ARE NUMBER FIVE IN THE NATION IN DAIRY

PRODUCTION, AND THERE ARE 3,500 DAIRY FARMS IN NEW YORK WITH -- WITH

625,000 COWS PRODUCING 15 BILLION POUNDS OF MILK A YEAR, AND YET IN

20 -- BETWEEN 2019 AND 2020 WE LOST 300 DAIRY FARMS. DAIRY FARMS

WHICH ARE -- HAVE BEEN STANDOUTS IN LAND CONSERVATION AND IN GOOD

PRESERVATION OF SOIL MANAGEMENT ARE LOSING GROUND TO DEVELOPMENTAL

PRESSURES ACROSS THIS STATE.

SO THIS RESOLUTION, WHICH MEMORIALIZES NATIONAL --

THE DAIRY MONTH STATE IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK IS -- IS REALLY MEANT TO

DRAW ATTENTION TO THE NEEDS OF OUR DAIRY INDUSTRY, TO HOW IMPORTANT IT

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

IS IN OUR AGRICULTURAL SPECTRUM. MORE THAN 50 PERCENT OF OUR AG

INCOME COMES FROM DAIRY. AND TO -- TO INVITE YOU TO DAIRY DAY ON

MAY 23RD DOWN IN THE WELL, WHERE YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SAMPLE YOGURT,

SOUR CREAM, COTTAGE CHEESE, CHOCOLATE MILK AND, OF COURSE, ICE CREAM.

SO IN -- IN HONOR OF OUR DAIRY FARMS TODAY, I THANK YOU

FOR SUPPORTING THIS RESOLUTION ABOUT DAIRY MONTH AND I LOOK FORWARD TO

HAVING AN ICE CREAM WITH YOU SOON. THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU, MS.

WOERNER.

MR. TAGUE ON THE RESOLUTION.

MR. TAGUE: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I WANT TO

THANK THE SPONSOR OF THIS RESOLUTION. AS A FORMER DAIRY FARMER MYSELF,

I APPRECIATE THIS RESOLUTION FOR ALL OUR HARDWORKING DAIRY FARMERS. I

WOULD HOPE THAT IN THE FUTURE -- THERE WAS A LITTLE BILL THAT CAME UP NOT

TOO LONG AGO THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO PUT WHOLE MILK, CHOCOLATE AND

REGULAR MILK BACK IN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEMS AND, UNFORTUNATELY, IT DIDN'T

GET ENOUGH VOTES TO PASS. BUT I WOULD HOPE THAT IN THE FUTURE THAT IT

DOES.

BUT AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK CHAIRWOMAN LUPARDO AND

ALL THE OTHER SPONSORS OF THIS BILL. WE VERY, VERY MUCH APPRECIATE OUR

DAIRY FARMERS HERE IN NEW YORK STATE. THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU, SIR.

MR. ANGELINA -- ANGELINO ON THE RESOLUTION.

MR. ANGELINO: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I

SCREAM, YOU SCREAM, WE ALL SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM.

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

(LAUGHTER)

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. 453, MR.

BRABENEC.

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR

KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM AUGUST 2023 AS SWISS-AMERICAN HERITAGE

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.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 454, MR.

MCDONALD.

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR

KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM OCTOBER 2023 AS RETT SYNDROME 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 21, CALENDAR NO. 152, THE CLERK WILL READ.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A06480, CALENDAR NO.

152, BURDICK, SANTABARBARA FALL, COLTON, SIMON, EPSTEIN, EACHUS,

RIVERA, LUNSFORD, LEVENBERG, J.A. GIGLIO, BENDETT, WALSH, DICKENS,

DE LOS SANTOS. AN ACT TO AMEND THE CIVIL SERVICE LAW, IN RELATION TO

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

ALLOWING AN INDIVIDUAL WITH DISABILITIES OR A DISABLED VETERAN TO HOLD

FULL-TIME OR PART-TIME POSITIONS FOR PURPOSES OF ELIGIBILITY FOR

RECRUITMENT FOR STATE EMPLOYMENT.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: READ THE LAST SECTION.

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

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE CLERK WILL RECORD

THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

MR. BURDICK TO EXPLAIN HIS VOTE.

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

OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLAIN MY VOTE. AND WHILE THE VOTE IS BEING TALLIED,

I'D TAKE A MINUTE JUST TO THANK THE SPEAKER AND FOR STAFF FOR WORKING

WITH ME IN DEVELOPING THIS BILL. AND I'M SO PLEASED THAT THIS IS GOING

TO EXPAND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

BECAUSE THIS WILL CLARIFY TO AGENCIES AND DEPARTMENTS THAT THEY DO HAVE

THE AUTHORITY WHERE THESE POSITIONS EXIST THAT THEY CAN BE FILLED, IF THEY

SO CHOOSE, ON A PART-TIME BASIS. TOO OFTEN WE HEAR THAT THERE ARE

PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WHO WOULD LIKE TO WORK, BUT UNFORTUNATELY, ARE

NOT REALLY IN A POSITION THAT THEY CAN WORK FULL-TIME.

SO AGAIN, MY THANKS TO THE SPEAKER AND TO STAFF FOR

MAKING THIS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. BURDICK IN THE

AFFIRMATIVE.

MS. GIGLIO.

MS. GIGLIO: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. AND I

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

WOULD LIKE TO RISE TODAY TO SUPPORT THIS BILL AND TO COMMEND THE

SPONSOR ON INTRODUCING THIS IMPORTANT PIECE OF LEGISLATION. THIS BILL

WOULD ALLOW THOUSANDS OF CIVIL SERVICE POSITIONS FOR PEOPLE WITH

UNIQUE ABILITIES TO BE FILLED ON A FULL-TIME OR PART-TIME BASIS,

EFFECTIVELY GENERATING NEW EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH

UNIQUE ABILITIES. CREATING MORE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE

WITH UNIQUE ABILITIES IN OUR STATE MUST ALWAYS BE AT THE TOP OF OUR

PRIORITY LIST, AND AS SUCH, THAT'S WHY I ENCOURAGE ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES

TO SUPPORT THIS GREAT PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

THANK YOU TO MY FRIEND ON THE OTHER SIDE.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MS. GIGLIO IN THE

AFFIRMATIVE.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

PAGE 5, CALENDAR NO. 192, THE CLERK WILL READ.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A01200, CALENDAR NO.

192, EPSTEIN, BURDICK, GALLAGHER, SEAWRIGHT, CRUZ, HEVESI, GIBBS,

COOK, OTIS, SANTABARBARA, DESTEFANO, COLTON, MCMAHON, REYES,

TAYLOR, SHIMSKY, SIMON, RAGA, KELLES. AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE PEOPLE

WITH DISABILITIES ACCESS TO PROGRAMS COMMISSION.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE CLERK WILL RECORD

THE VOTE.

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

MS. GIGLIO TO EXPLAIN HER VOTE.

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

TO SUPPORT THIS TERRIFIC BILL AND TO COMMEND THE SPONSOR ON INTRODUCING

THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION WHICH SEEKS TO PROVIDE A MECHANISM FOR

FOSTERING COLLABORATION BETWEEN EXPERTS AND STAKEHOLDERS IN ORDER TO

MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW TO BETTER FACILITATE ACCESS TO PROGRAMS

AND SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH UNIQUE ABILITIES IN OUR STATE. LEARNING

ABOUT WHAT IS NEEDED TO STREAMLINE THE PROCESS FOR PEOPLE WITH UNIQUE

ABILITIES TO ACCESS THESE VITAL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES WILL INEVITABLY

RESULT IN GREATER ACCESSIBILITY TO SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH UNIQUE

ABILITIES.

I ENCOURAGE ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS GREAT

PIECE OF LEGISLATION. THANK YOU TO THE SPONSOR, AND THANK YOU, MR.

SPEAKER.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MS. GIGLIO IN THE

AFFIRMATIVE.

MR. EPSTEIN TO EXPLAIN HIS VOTE.

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

TO EXPLAIN MY VOTE. AND REALLY TODAY ON DISABILITY [SIC] AWARENESS

DAY IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE THINK ABOUT ALL THE PROGRAMS AND

SERVICES THAT MIGHT BE AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, AND ENSURE

THAT WE HAVE REAL COORDINATION BETWEEN OUR STATE AGENCIES. TIME AND

TIME AGAIN, WE HEAR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES BEING SHUNTED FROM ONE

AGENCY TO ANOTHER, REALLY FILLING OUT APPLICATIONS AFTER APPLICATIONS,

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

REALLY HAVING A CONFUSING, OVERWHELMING SYSTEM, AND THE REALITY IS IT

DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THAT WAY. IF YOU'RE GOING TO SERVICES FOR OPWDD

MAYBE YOU CAN GET SERVICES THROUGH ALL THE CITY AND STATE AGENCIES.

OUR JOB HERE IS TO MAKE SURE THAT GOVERNMENT DOES A BETTER JOB

COORDINATING, AND HOPEFULLY THIS BILL DOES JUST THAT.

THANK YOU. I ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF

THIS BILL.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. EPSTEIN IN THE

AFFIRMATIVE.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

PAGE 9, CALENDAR NO. 212, THE CLERK WILL READ.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A05683, CALENDAR NO.

212, ZEBROWSKI, RAGA, EACHUS, SANTABARBARA. AN ACT TO AMEND THE

EXECUTIVE LAW, IN RELATION TO ESTABLISHING THE COMMISSION OF THE

DEAF, DEAFBLIND AND HARD OF HEARING; TO AMEND THE SOCIAL SERVICES

LAW, IN RELATION TO REQUIRING THE COMMISSION OF THE DEAF, DEAFBLIND

AND HARD OF HEARING TO TRANSMIT COMPLAINTS IN MATTERS AFFECTING THE

DEAF, DEAFBLIND AND HARD OF HEARING COMMUNITIES TO THE VULNERABLE

PERSONS' CENTRAL REGISTER; AND TO REPEAL SECTION 559 OF THE EXECUTIVE

LAW RELATING TO THE NEW YORK STATE INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COUNCIL

FOR SERVICES TO PERSONS WHO ARE DEAF, DEAFBLIND OR HARD OF HEARING.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: READ THE LAST SECTION.

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

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

DAY.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE CLERK WILL RECORD

THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

MS. GIGLIO TO EXPLAIN HER VOTE.

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

TO SUPPORT THIS BILL AND TO COMMEND THE SPONSOR ON INTRODUCING THIS

IMPORTANT PIECE OF LEGISLATION. HAVING A SEAT AT THE TABLE MATTERS. THIS

BILL'S PROPOSED NEW COMMISSION WOULD FILL A GAP THAT CURRENTLY EXISTS

AND ENSURE THAT MEMBERS OF THE DEAF, DEAFBLIND AND HARD OF HEARING

COMMUNITY ARE HEARD. THE NEEDS OF THIS PRECIOUS COMMUNITY MUST BE

AMPLIFIED, AND WE MUST DO EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER AS LEGISLATORS TO

ERADICATE ANY INEQUITIES IN THE PROVISION OF SERVICES TO PEOPLE WITH

UNIQUE ABILITIES, ESPECIALLY THE DEAF, DEAFBLIND AND HARD OF HEARING

COMMUNITY.

I ENCOURAGE ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS

IMPORTANT PIECE OF LEGISLATION. THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THANK YOU, MS.

GIGLIO. MS. GIGLIO IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

PAGE 10, CALENDAR NO. 215, THE CLERK WILL READ.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A06541, CALENDAR NO.

215, KELLES, LUPARDO, JACOBSON, SANTABARBARA, MEEKS, OTIS, EPSTEIN.

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CIVIL RIGHTS LAW, IN RELATION TO WAIVING THE

STATE'S SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY TO CLAIMS UNDER THE AMERICANS WITH

DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990, THE FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT OF 1938, THE

AGE DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT ACT OF 1967 AND THE FAMILY AND

MEDICAL LEAVE ACT.

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.)

MS. KELLES TO EXPLAIN HER VOTE.

MS. KELLES: SO, THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION HAS BEEN

IN -- IN THE STATE ASSEMBLY SINCE 2001, WE HAVE PASSED IT EVERY SINGLE

YEAR. IT LOOKS LIKE THIS IS THE YEAR THAT WE WILL GET IT THROUGH BOTH

HOUSES FROM WHAT IT SEEMS SO FAR, SO VERY EXCITING. AND I DID WANT TO

JUST MAKE SURE EVERYBODY REALIZES THE SCOPE OF THIS BILL. THIS BILL IS TO

OPT OUT -- SO THE STATE WILL BE OPTING OUT OF -- OF OUR -- OUR ABILITY TO

NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE TO THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITY [SIC] ACT AND

-- AS WELL AS THE FAIR LABOR -- LABOR STANDARDS ACT, AGE

DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT ACT, AND FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE

ACT. SO FROM THIS POINT FORWARD WE WOULD BE SAYING THAT WE, LIKE ANY

OTHER EMPLOYER IN THE STATE, SHOULD BE HOLDING OURSELVES ACCOUNTABLE

TO OUR TREATMENT OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. AS SOMEONE WHO SPENT

MY ENTIRE CHILDHOOD WITH A PHYSICAL DISABILITY THAT WAS INVISIBLE -- I'M

LEGALLY -- LEGALLY BLIND, I SPENT MY WHOLE LIFE THAT WAY -- IT IS DIFFICULT

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

ENOUGH TO GO THROUGH EVERY SINGLE DAY WITH A DISABILITY, NOT WANTING TO

SHARE, NOT WANTING TO COMMUNICATE IT. TO GO ON TOP OF THAT TO BE

DISCRIMINATED AGAINST AND THEN HAVE TO STAND UP AGAINST YOUR OWN

EMPLOYER, WHERE YOU HAVE THE FEAR OF RETRIBUTION OR RETALIATION IS TOO

MUCH TO ASK OF ANY POPULATION. WE SHOULD BE SUPPORTING THEM. WE

SHOULD BE HOLDING OURSELVES ACCOUNTABLE. AND I LOOK FORWARD TO

SEEING THIS PASS THE SENATE AND WILL GET SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR SO WE

CAN ALL STAND TOGETHER, HOLD OURSELVES ACCOUNTABLE AND TREAT OUR

EMPLOYEES AS EVERY OTHER EMPLOYER IN NEW YORK STATE IS REQUIRED TO.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. I STAND IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MS. KELLES IN THE

STAFF.

MR. RA TO EXPLAIN HIS VOTE.

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

WANT TO THANK THE SPONSOR. WE ARE WELL PAST 30 YEARS SINCE THE

ADOPTION OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, YET WE STILL SEE THINGS

LIKE TRAIN AND SUBWAY STATIONS THAT AREN'T ACCESSIBLE TO THE DISABLED,

AND -- AND OTHER FACILITIES THAT -- THAT CAN'T BE ACCESSED. SO THAT'S NOT

ACCEPTABLE. I THINK IT'S UP TO THE STATE NOW TO MAKE SURE THAT WE MAKE

THOSE PROPER ACCOMMODATIONS SO THAT EVERYBODY CAN ACCESS PLACES OF

PUBLIC ACCOMMODATION, OUR -- OUR, YOU KNOW, TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS

AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS.

SO I'LL BE CASTING MY VOTE IN THE AFFIRMATIVE. THANK

YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. RA IN THE

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

AFFIRMATIVE.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

PAGE 10, CALENDAR NO. 216, THE CLERK WILL READ.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A06543, CALENDAR NO.

216, SEAWRIGHT, MCDONALD, ALVAREZ, MCMAHON, LUNSFORD, DARLING.

AN ACT TO AMEND THE EXECUTIVE LAW, IN RELATION TO RENAMING THE

DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES PLANNING COUNCIL AND PROVIDING FOR THE

APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS.

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.)

MS. SEAWRIGHT TO EXPLAIN HER VOTE.

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

CHAIR OF THE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES COMMITTEE, I RISE TO EXPLAIN MY

VOTE TO RENAME THE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES PLANNING COUNCIL TO

THE STATE COUNCIL ON DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE

APPOINTMENT OF ITS MEMBERS. THIS IMPORTANT LEGISLATION COMPLIES WITH

FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS AND UPDATES LANGUAGE FOR THE USE OF FIRST --

PERSON-FIRST LANGUAGE. PERSON-FIRST LANGUAGE IS CRITICAL, PUTTING THE

PERSON BEFORE THE DISABILITY. REPRESENTATION ON THIS COUNCIL WILL

IMPLEMENT A LIMIT OF TWO CONSECUTIVE THREE-YEAR TERMS. ADDITIONALLY,

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

THE LEGISLATION SPECIFIES STATE AGENCIES WHO WILL SERVE, INCLUDING THE

COMMISSIONERS OF THE OFFICE OF THE AGING, STATE EDUCATION, OPWDD

AND HEALTH, ALONG WITH THE HEADS OF UNIVERSITY CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE

AND STATE'S PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY SYSTEM. THE COUNCIL WILL INCLUDE

REPRESENTATIVES FROM LOCAL AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES AND

PROVIDER NOT-FOR-PROFIT AGENCIES, AND 60 PERCENT OF COUNCIL MEMBERS

SHALL CONSIST OF PERSONS WITH A DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY OR THEIR

PARENTS OR GUARDIANS. AT LEAST ONE-THIRD OF THE MEMBERS WILL BE

INDIVIDUALS WITH A DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY OR A RELATIVE OF AN IDD

INDIVIDUAL. REPRESENTATION BY THESE NEW YORKERS WILL ENSURE THAT

PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ARE THE FOCUS IN CONVERSATIONS SURROUNDING

EFFORTS TOWARD ADVOCACY, INNOVATION AND INCLUSION.

I PROUDLY CAST MY VOTE IN THE AFFIRMATIVE. THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MS. SEAWRIGHT IN THE

AFFIRMATIVE.

MS. GIGLIO.

MS. GIGLIO: WHAT A GREAT DAY IT IS FOR PEOPLE WITH

UNIQUE ABILITIES HERE IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK. I WANT TO THANK THE

CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE FOR PEOPLE WITH DEVELOP -- WITH DISABILITIES

AND ALSO MY COLLEAGUES IN THE COMMITTEE. I'M PLEASED TO SUPPORT THIS

IMPORTANT PIECE OF LEGISLATION, AS LANGUAGE MATTERS AND RESPECT

MATTERS. PERSON-FIRST LANGUAGE PUTS THE PERSON BEFORE THEIR UNIQUE

ABILITIES AND DESCRIBES A PERSON'S UNIQUE ABILITIES, NOT WHO A PERSON IS.

IN ADDITION TO THE IMPORTANCE OF USING PERSON-FIRST LANGUAGE, THIS BILL

WOULD ENSURE THAT THE COUNCIL'S NAME CONFORMS TO FEDERAL

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

REQUIREMENTS. IT IS INCUMBENT UPON US TO USE PERSON-FIRST LANGUAGE, AS

IT PUTS THE PERSON BEFORE THEIR UNIQUE ABILITY.

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MS. GIGLIO IN THE

AFFIRMATIVE.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

PAGE 5, CALENDAR NO. 187 ON CONSENT, THE CLERK WILL

READ.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A00043-B, CALENDAR

NO. 187, L. ROSENTHAL, LEE, SEAWRIGHT. AN ACT TO AMEND THE GENERAL

BUSINESS LAW, IN RELATION TO LABELING OF INGREDIENTS OR DIAPERS.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE BILL IS LAID ASIDE.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A00045, CALENDAR NO.

188, WEPRIN, BURDICK, SIMON, AUBRY, SEAWRIGHT. AN ACT TO AMEND THE

EXECUTIVE LAW, IN RELATION TO PROHIBITING THE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL

JUSTICE SERVICES FROM DISCLOSING PENDING ORDERS OF ADJOURNMENT IN

CONTEMPLATION OF DISMISSAL OF CIVIL RECORDS OF ARRESTS AND

PROSECUTIONS.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE BILL IS LAID ASIDE.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A00118, CALENDAR NO.

189, PAULIN, L. ROSENTHAL, COLTON, SEAWRIGHT. AN ACT TO AMEND THE

CIVIL PRACTICE LAW AND RULES, IN RELATION TO LIMITED LIABILITY OR PERSONS

JOINTLY LIABLE.

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE BILL IS LAID ASIDE.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A00133, CALENDAR NO.

190, CARROLL, COLTON, SEAWRIGHT, SIMON, DINOWITZ, LUPARDO, WILLIAMS,

DICKENS, EPSTEIN, SAYEGH, JONES, RA, TAYLOR, DAVILA, MCMAHON,

REYES, JEAN-PIERRE, FALL, ANDERSON, JACKSON, OTIS, WALSH,

L. ROSENTHAL, SHIMSKY, GONZ�LEZ-ROJAS, MCDONALD, GALLAGHER,

THIELE, CUNNINGHAM, WOERNER. AN ACT IN RELATION TO ESTABLISHING A

DYSLEXIA AND DYSGRAPHIA TASK FORCE; AND PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF

SUCH PROVISIONS UPON EXPIRATION THEREOF.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: ON A MOTION BY MR.

CARROLL, 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,

2024.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE CLERK WILL RECORD

THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

MR. CARROLL TO EXPLAIN HIS VOTE.

MR. CARROLL: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I RISE

TODAY TO EXPLAIN MY VOTE FOR US TO ESTABLISH A TASK FORCE ON DYSLEXIA

AND DYSGRAPHIA, AND MORE GENERALLY, TALK ABOUT THE LITERACY CRISIS THAT

IS FACING OUR STATE AND NATION. OVER ONE-HALF OF FOURTH GRADERS IN OUR

STATE READ AT BELOW A PROFICIENT LEVEL, AND OVER 38 PERCENT OF THEM CAN

BARELY READ AT ALL. WE DESPERATELY NEED TO REACH OUT TO FAMILIES,

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

CHILDREN, TEACHERS AND TALK ABOUT THE SCIENCE OF READING. TALK ABOUT

THE PEDAGOGY THAT WORKS, TALK ABOUT THE FIVE PILLARS OF LITERACY THAT

NEED TO BE INSTILLED IN OUR YOUNG PEOPLE SO THAT THEY CAN BECOME FLUENT

AND FLUENT READERS. AND OF COURSE THE CHILDREN WHO ARE MOST IN NEED

OF THIS ARE CHILDREN WHO ARE CLASSICALLY STRUGGLING WITH ISSUES AROUND

DYSLEXIA AND DYSGRAPHIA. I WAS ONE OF THOSE CHILDREN. I WAS SO LUCKY

TO BE ABLE TO BE EARLY IDENTIFIED IN THE FIRST GRADE, AND THEN BE ABLE TO

RECEIVE THE EVIDENCE-BASED SUPPORTS THAT I SO DESPERATELY NEEDED. IT IS

A REAL TRAGEDY THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN IN OUR

STATE BEING LEFT BEHIND AND NOT BE -- NOT BEING GIVEN A PROPER

EDUCATION WHEN WE KNOW WHAT TO DO. THIS TASK FORCE WILL MAKE SURE

THAT WE START THE LONG JOURNEY OF REFORMING OUR LITERACY CURRICULUM IN

THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

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

AFFIRMATIVE.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. CARROLL IN THE

AFFIRMATIVE. THANK YOU, SIR.

MR. BLUMENCRANZ.

MR. BLUMENCRANZ: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I

RISE TODAY TO THANK THE SPONSOR SO MUCH FOR INTRODUCING THIS PIECE OF

LEGISLATION. I, TOO, WAS A STUDENT WHO HAD TO EXPERIENCE BOTH DYSLEXIA

AND DYSGRAPHIA. LUCKILY, I WENT TO A FANTASTIC PUBLIC SCHOOL, JERICHO.

THE JERICHO SCHOOL SYSTEM HAS ALWAYS BEEN AT THE CUTTING EDGE OF

USING NEW EVIDENCE-BASED TECHNOLOGY, AND I FELT SO BLESSED TO BE ABLE

TO BOTH OVERCOME THE ISSUES I HAD WITH MY LEARNING DIFFERENCE AND

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

EMBRACE WHAT MADE MY LEARNING EXPERIENCE UNIQUE. AND I HOPE THAT

STUDENTS ALL ACROSS THE STATE OF NEW YORK, DUE TO THE RESULTS OF THIS

TASK FORCE, WILL HAVE THAT SAME OPPORTUNITY TO OVERCOME THOSE

DIFFERENCES AND EMBRACE THEIR NEURODIVERGENCES AND DO WHATEVER IT IS

THAT MAKES THEM HAPPY WITH THEIR LIVES WITHOUT FEELING THE HINDRANCE

OF THE DIFFERENCES THEY MAY FACE.

ON THE BILL I'LL BE IN THE AFFIRMATIVE. THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. BLUMENCRANZ IN

THE AFFIRMATIVE.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A00848, CALENDAR NO.

191, MCDONALD, ZINERMAN, HUNTER, STIRPE, BENDETT, K. BROWN,

MCDONOUGH, NOVAKHOV, JACKSON, BUTTENSCHON, KELLES. AN ACT TO

AMEND THE PUBLIC HEALTH LAW AND THE INSURANCE LAW, IN RELATION TO

REQUIRING PROVIDERS TO SHARE ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS WITH PLANS.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE BILL IS LAID ASIDE.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A01250, CALENDAR NO.

193, PEOPLES-STOKES. AN ACT TO AMEND THE LOCAL FINANCE LAW, IN

RELATION TO THE SALE OF MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS BY THE COUNTY OF ERIE.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: ON A MOTION BY MRS.

PEOPLES-STOKES, THE SENATE BILL IS BEFORE THE HOUSE. THE SENATE BILL IS

ADVANCED. HOME RULE MESSAGE IS AT THE DESK.

READ THE LAST SECTION.

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE CLERK WILL RECORD

THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

MR. GOODELL TO EXPLAIN HIS VOTE.

MR. GOODELL: THANK YOU, SIR. I WILL BE VOTING

AGAINST THIS BILL, AS I HAVE IN THE PAST. I NOTE THAT LAST YEAR WE HAD 38

NO VOTES, AND THE REASON WE WERE VOTING AGAINST IT IS BECAUSE ALMOST

ALL OF OUR MUNICIPALITIES ACROSS NEW YORK STATE WHEN THEY GO TO

BORROW MONEY, THEY DO IT IN AN OPEN, TRANSPARENT MANNER. AND THEY

PUT OUT WHAT THEY'RE SEEKING, THEY SOLICIT BIDS, THEY SELECT THE BID THAT

HAS THE LOWEST INTEREST RATE AND THE BEST TERMS AND CONDITIONS. WE'VE

STRAYED FROM THAT POLICY WHICH IS ALL DESIGNED TO PROVIDE OPEN,

TRANSPARENT TRANSACTIONS TO ENSURE EVERYONE CAN FAIRLY BID AND

EVERYONE HAS A CHANCE, TO ALLOWING CERTAIN MUNICIPALITIES TO DO IT

PRIVATELY. CLOSED DOORS, PRIVATE NEGOTIATIONS, NOT OPEN FOR EVERYONE,

WHICH IS A RECIPE FOR AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CORRUPTION. AND IT PREVENTS A

MUNICIPALITY FROM GETTING THE BEST COMPETITIVE PRICE WHEN THEY GO OUT

TO THE BOND MARKET. NOW, WE DID IT FIRST IN 1972 WHEN NEW YORK CITY

WAS ON THE VERGE OF BANKRUPTCY, AND THEY COULDN'T GET ANYONE TO BID,

AND WE'VE CONTINUED IT FOR 50 YEARS SINCE. AND WE DID IT FOR THE

COUNTY OF ERIE WHEN THEY WERE IN SUCH FINANCIAL STRAITS THEY HAD A

FINANCIAL CONTROL BOARD APPOINTED. BUT NEITHER THE COUNTY OF ERIE NOR

NEW YORK CITY, FOR THAT MATTER, HAVE A FINANCIAL CONTROL BOARD IN

PLACE. THERE IS NO LONGER ANY RATIONAL JUSTIFICATION FOR ALLOWING THE

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

PRIVATE SALE OF BONDS, WHICH IS DONE WITHOUT THE OPENNESS AND

TRANSPARENCY THAT ALL PUBLIC TRANSACTIONS SHOULD INVOLVE. IT INVOLVES

MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WITHOUT THE OPPORTUNITY FOR FAIR AND

OPEN COMPETITIVE BIDDING, AND FOR THAT REASON I'M OPPOSED TO IT AND I'D

RECOMMEND AGAINST IT TO MY COLLEAGUES.

THANK YOU, SIR.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: ARE THERE ANY OTHER

VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A01371-A, CALENDAR

NO. 194, L. ROSENTHAL, JACKSON, BICHOTTE HERMELYN, SAYEGH, SIMON.

AN ACT TO AMEND THE STATE -- STATE TECHNOLOGY LAW, IN RELATION TO

REQUIRING STATE WEBSITES TO USE GENDER-NEUTRAL TERMINOLOGY.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: READ THE LAST

SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THE CLERK WILL

RECORD THE VOTES.

(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. A01476, CALENDAR NO.

195, WEPRIN, SIMON. AN ACT TO AMEND THE BANKING LAW, IN RELATION TO

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

REQUIRING LICENSED CASHERS OF CHECKS TO FILE SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY REPORTS.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: READ THE LAST

SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: 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 -- ASSEMBLY NO. A01707,

CALENDAR NO. 196, D. ROSENTHAL, DICKENS, COLTON, WILLIAMS,

SEAWRIGHT, COOK, SIMON, JACOBSON, HUNTER, DINOWITZ, ZINERMAN,

WEPRIN, MEEKS, SHIMSKY, L. ROSENTHAL. AN ACT TO AMEND THE

INSURANCE LAW, IN RELATION TO REQUIRING CERTAIN MANUFACTURERS OF

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS TO NOTIFY THE SUPERINTENDENT OF ANY PROPOSED

INCREASE OF THE WHOLESALE ACQUISITION COST OF SUCH PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: ON A MOTION BY MR.

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

ADVANCED, THE BILL IS LAID ASIDE.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A01838-A, CALENDAR

197, KIM, EACHUS, SIMON, BENDETT, DESTEFANO, SEAWRIGHT. AN ACT TO

AMEND THE VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC LAW, IN RELATION TO THE DISPLAYING OF

CHARTER BUS DRIVER QUALIFICATIONS WHILE THEY ARE ON DUTY AND THE REVIEW

OF CHARTER BUS DRIVER FILES.

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: READ THE LAST

SECTION.

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

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: 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. A01931, CALENDAR NO.

198, BICHOTTE HERMELYN, HYNDMAN, SEAWRIGHT, JEAN-PIERRE, ROZIC,

WALKER, MCDONALD, WILLIAMS, GIBBS. AN ACT TO AMEND THE EXECUTIVE

LAW, IN RELATION TO REQUIREMENTS OF THE ANNUAL REPORT FROM THE

DIVISION OF MINORITY AND WOMEN'S BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: ON A MOTION BY MS.

BICHOTTE HERMELYN, 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 HUNTER: 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.

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A02078, CALENDAR NO.

199, STERN, OTIS, SANTABARBARA, PHEFFER AMATO, WEPRIN. AN ACT TO

AMEND THE INSURANCE LAW, IN RELATION TO STANDARDS FOR PROMPT

INVESTIGATION AND SETTLEMENT OF CLAIMS ARISING FROM STATES OF

EMERGENCY.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THE BILL IS LAID

ASIDE.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A02147, CALENDAR NO.

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

THE PROVISION OF END-STAGE RENAL DISEASE SERVICES.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: READ THE LAST

SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: 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. A02364, CALENDAR NO.

201, STIRPE, OTIS, DARLING, DE LOS SANTOS. AN ACT TO AMEND THE STATE

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE ACT AND THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LAW,

IN RELATION TO REQUIRING THE DIVISION FOR SMALL BUSINESS TO PUBLIC A

SMALL BUSINESS COMPLIANCE GUIDE.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THE CLERK WILL

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

RECORD THE VOTE -- OH, READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: 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. A03075-A, CALENDAR

NO. 202, MAGNARELLI. AN ACT TO AMEND THE TAX LAW, IN RELATION TO

EXTENDING THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE COUNTY OF ONONDAGA TO IMPOSE AN

ADDITIONAL RATE OF SALES AND COMPENSATING USE TAXES.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: HOME RULE

MESSAGE IS AT THE DESK.

READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: 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.

MS. WALSH.

MS. WALSH: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MADAM

SPEAKER, FOR ALLOWING ME TO INTERRUPT THESE PROCEEDINGS FOR AN

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

INTRODUCTION. MY GUEST STANDING TO MY LEFT SERVED IN THE ASSEMBLY FOR

17 YEARS, FROM 2003 TO 2020, BEFORE BECOMING THE TOWN CLERK OF

HUNTINGTON, FOLLOWING HIS MOTHER WHO SERVED AS THE TOWN CLERK FOR

40 YEARS, THE LONGEST-SERVING TOWN CLERK IN NEW YORK STATE HISTORY.

SO HE WAITED A LONG TIME.

(LAUGHTER)

HE IS A FRIEND TO MANY HERE. HE IS THE KING OF

KARAOKE, AND ESPECIALLY NEIL DIAMOND'S "SWEET CAROLINE"; THE FORMER

RANKER ON THE HEALTH COMMITTEE AND FORMER RESIDENT OF THE BACK ROW.

PLEASE WELCOME MY DEAR FRIEND, TOWN CLERK ANDREW

RAIA AND EXTEND TO HIM THE FULL PRIVILEGES OF THE HOUSE AND

CORDIALITIES OF THE HOUSE. THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: ON BEHALF -- ON

BEHALF OF MEMBER WALSH, THE SPEAKER AND ALL THE MEMBERS, WE

WELCOME MR. RAIA BACK TO THE CHAMBER AND EXTEND TO YOU ALL THE

PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR AND HOPE YOU ENJOY THE PROCEEDINGS. THANK

YOU AGAIN FOR JOINING US.

(APPLAUSE)

MS. SOLAGES.

MS. SOLAGES: THANK YOU, MR. -- MRS. SPEAKER --

MADAM SPEAKER. I'D ALSO LIKE TO INTRODUCE A FORMER COLLEAGUE, THE

HONORABLE SANDY GALEF, WHO SERVED IN THIS WONDERFUL HOUSE FOR 30

YEARS. AND WE DO MISS HER ON HER RETIREMENT, BUT IF YOU COULD EXTEND

THE CORDIALITIES OF THE HOUSE TO HER WE WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THANK YOU. WE SEE

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

SANDY OVER THERE. ON BEHALF OF MEMBER SOLAGES, THE SPEAKER AND ALL

OF THE MEMBERS, WE WELCOME YOU, SANDY GALEF, BACK TO THE CHAMBER

AND EXTEND TO YOU THE PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR AND HOPE YOU ENJOY THE

PROCEEDINGS. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

(APPLAUSE)

PAGE 7, CALENDAR NO. 203, THE CLERK WILL READ.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A03152, CALENDAR NO.

203, ANGELINO. AN ACT TO AMEND THE TAX LAW, IN RELATION TO EXTENDING

THE ADDITIONAL 1 PERCENT SALES AND USE TAX FOR CHENANGO COUNTY.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: HOME RULE

MESSAGE IS AT THE DESK.

THE CLERK WILL -- OH, READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: 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.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A03645-A, CALENDAR

NO. 204, MANKTELOW, MILLER. AN ACT TO AMEND THE TAX LAW, IN

RELATION TO EXTENDING THE ADDITIONAL 1 PERCENT SALES TAX FOR WAYNE

COUNTY.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: READ THE LAST SECTION.

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

HOME RULE MESSAGE IS AT THE DESK.

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.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A04212, CALENDAR NO.

205, MCDONOUGH. AN ACT TO AMEND THE HIGHWAY LAW, IN RELATION TO

DESIGNATING A PORTION OF THE STATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM AS THE "TROOPER

JAMES R. GOHERY MEMORIAL BRIDGE."

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.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A04793, CALENDAR NO.

206, MCGOWAN. AN ACT TO AMEND THE HIGHWAY LAW, IN RELATION TO

DESIGNATING A PORTION OF THE STATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM AS THE "DOC SCHELIN

MEMORIAL HIGHWAY."

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

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.)

MR. MCGOWAN TO EXPLAIN HIS VOTE.

MR. MCGOWAN: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I RISE

TO ASK MY COLLEAGUES' SUPPORT FOR THIS BILL TO DESIGNATE A PORTION OF

ROUTE 303 IN THE TOWN OF ORANGETOWN IN MEMORY OF DOC SCHELIN. DR.

ROBERT C. "DOC" SCHELIN WAS A LONGTIME MEMBER OF ROCKLAND COUNTY

-- A LONGTIME RESIDENT OF ROCKLAND COUNTY AND REALLY A PILLAR OF OUR

COMMUNITY. HIS STORIED CAREER INCLUDES LEADERSHIP IN EDUCATION, LOCAL

GOVERNMENT, PUBLIC SAFETY, AND SERVING AS TAPPAN'S OWN SANTA CLAUS.

HE WAS KNOWN BY PRETTY MUCH EVERYONE AS "DOC." A 50-YEAR LIFE

MEMBER OF THE VOLUNTEER FIRE ASSOCIATION OF TAPPAN, INCLUDING

SERVING AS ITS PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY OF COMMISSIONERS FOR THE TAPPAN

FIRE DISTRICT. IN ADDITION, HE EDUCATED FUTURE GENERATIONS AT ST.

THOMAS AQUINAS COLLEGE, MY ALMA MATER, WHERE HE SERVED AS A

REPRESENTATIVE FOR BOTH THE MEN'S AND WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAMS, DEAN

OF STUDENT AFFAIRS, AND ON THE ROCKLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD OF

TRUSTEES. I CREDIT DOC SCHELIN WITH A LOT OF MY EDUCATION IN COLLEGE.

HE WAS MY FACULTY ADVISOR FOR ALL FOUR YEARS. HE WAS AN EXCELLENT

HISTORY PROFESSOR, MY MAJOR UNDERGRAD, AND HE TAUGHT A COURSE IN THE

AMERICAN PRESIDENCY WHICH WAS ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL TO BE A PART OF

HIS CLASS. I TOOK EVERY CLASS THAT I COULD THAT WAS OFFERED BY DOC

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

SCHELIN. AND IT REALLY IS AN HONOR AND A PRIVILEGE TO BE HERE AS A

MEMBER OF THE STATE ASSEMBLY, SEEKING TO HAVE A PORTION OF A LOCAL

ROADWAY IN ORANGETOWN DEDICATED IN HIS MEMORY. ANYONE THAT KNEW

HIM REMEMBERS HIM FONDLY, AS DO I, AND I WOULD ASK MY COLLEAGUES TO

SUPPORT THIS BILL TODAY.

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. MCGOWAN IN THE

AFFIRMATIVE. THANK YOU, SIR.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

AND MR. MCGOWAN, DOC WOULD BE PROUD OF YOU

BECAUSE THAT'S THE FIRST BILL THAT YOU'VE PASSED, AND WITH HIS NAME ON IT.

CONGRATULATIONS.

(APPLAUSE)

THE CLERK WILL READ.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A04899, CALENDAR NO.

207, DINOWITZ, BURDICK, SHIMSKY, GONZ�LEZ-ROJAS, EPSTEIN, KELLES,

DARLING, AUBRY, COLTON, HYNDMAN, GLICK, JACOBSON, SOLAGES, BORES,

SIMON, SIMONE, L. ROSENTHAL, SEAWRIGHT. AN ACT TO AMEND THE

CRIMINAL PROCEDURE LAW, IN RELATION TO AUTHORIZING THE CHIEF

ADMINISTRATOR OF THE COURTS TO REQUIRE AND PROVIDE AT LEAST THREE HOURS

OF ANNUAL TRAINING REGARDING BAIL, RECOGNIZANCE AND COMMITMENT

PROCEDURES AND STANDARDS.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: READ THE LAST SECTION.

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

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

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE CLERK WILL RECORD

THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

MS. WALSH TO EXPLAIN HER VOTE.

MS. WALSH: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. SO, THIS BILL

WOULD REQUIRE THAT -- AT LEAST THREE HOURS OF ANNUAL TRAINING REGARDING

BAIL, RECOGNIZANCE AND COMMITMENT PROCEDURES AND STANDARDS FOR ALL

JUDGES EXERCISING PRELIMINARY JURISDICTION OVER ANY OFFENSE, AND I'LL BE

VOTING IN FAVOR OF IT. BUT I WOULD JUST SAY THAT SOMETIMES THE PROBLEM

IS NOT THAT THE JUDGES NEED TO BE TRAINED BETTER, SOMETIMES THE PROBLEM

IS THE BILLS THAT WE DRAFT. AND VERY OFTEN THE BILLS THAT ARE DRAFTED AND

ARE PASSED BY BOTH HOUSES AND SIGNED INTO LAW BY THE GOVERNOR LACK

CLARITY AND SPECIFICITY, AND THAT'S THE SOURCE OF THE CONFUSION THAT WE'VE

GOT.

SO, I'LL SUPPORT GREATER TRAINING FOR JUDGES. JUDGES

ALREADY GO THROUGH A LOT OF TRAINING AND A LOT OF CONTINUING TRAINING.

BUT I'LL SUPPORT THIS BILL, BUT I THINK IT'S -- IT'S WISE THAT WE KEEP THAT IN

MIND AS WELL. THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MS. WALSH IN THE

AFFIRMATIVE.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

MS. SOLAGES.

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

MS. SOLAGES: CAN YOU PLEASE RECOGNIZE MR.

JACOBSON FOR AN ANNOUNCEMENT?

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MR. JACOBSON.

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

MAJORITY CONFERENCE IS SO LUCKY TODAY, BECAUSE WE'RE HAVING ANOTHER

CONFERENCE MEETING IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THIS SESSION IN HEARING

ROOM B.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MAJORITY CONFERENCE,

HEARING ROOM B IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING SESSION.

MS. SOLAGES.

MS. SOLAGES: MR. SPEAKER, DO YOU HAVE ANY

FURTHER HOUSEKEEPING OR RESOLUTIONS?

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: WE HAVE

HOUSEKEEPING AND RESOLUTIONS, MS. SOLAGES.

ON A MOTION BY MS. ROSENTHAL, PAGE 18, CALENDAR

NO. 117, BILL NO. A.5693, AMENDMENTS ARE RECEIVED AND ADOPTED.

ON A MOTION BY MS. ROSENTHAL, PAGE 25, CALENDAR

NO. 182, BILL NO. A.6276, AMENDMENTS ARE RECEIVED AND ADOPTED.

AND WE HAVE A RESOLUTION BY MS. SIMON, RESOLUTION

455, THE CLERK WILL READ.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 455, MS.

SIMON.

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MOURNING THE DEATH OF JUDITH

HEUMANN, TIRELESS LEADER AND ADVOCATE FOR THE DISABILITY RIGHTS

MOVEMENT.

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: MS. SIMON ON THE

RESOLUTION.

MS. SIMON: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. TODAY WE'VE

BEEN TALKING ABOUT OUR DISABILITIES LEGISLATION DAY [SIC], AND NO

DISABILITIES LEGISLATIVE DAY [SIC] WOULD HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT

THE FORCE OF NATURE THAT WAS JUDY HEUMANN. FORTY-THREE YEARS AGO

WHEN WE STARTED THIS, SHE WAS ALREADY A NATIONAL LEADER AND AN ICONIC

LEADER IN THE DISABILITY RIGHTS MOVEMENT. WHEN HONORING HER LIFE IT'S

HARD TO KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN; FROM CONTRACTING POLIO AT 18 MONTHS TO

BEING DENIED ENTRY TO HER LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOL, TO SUING FOR THE RIGHT FOR

A TEACHER'S LICENSE WHEN SHE WAS ACCUSED OF BEING A FIRE HAZARD. SHE

REALLY BROUGHT THE FIRST DISABILITY RIGHTS CASE IN AMERICA. SHE WOULD

JUST NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER. BUT AS COMMITTED AS SHE WAS TO

DISABILITY RIGHTS, JUDY WAS ALSO DEEPLY COMMITTED TO JUDAISM. SHE WAS

BORN TO PARENTS WHO HAD FLED NAZI GERMANY AS CHILDREN, ALL OF HER

GRANDPARENTS AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS WERE LOST. AND SHE ALSO SAID

THAT SHE BELIEVED IT WAS HER PARENTS' EXPERIENCE THAT LED THEM TO REJECT

DOCTORS' RECOMMENDATION THAT THEY INSTITUTIONALIZE HER BECAUSE SHE LOST

THE USE OF HER LEGS. AS SHE LATER WROTE IN HER MEMOIR, BEING

HEUMANN, THEY CAME FROM A COUNTRY WHERE FAMILIES WERE SEPARATED.

SOME CHILDREN WERE TAKEN AWAY, OTHER WERE SENT AWAY BY THE

AUTHORITIES AND NEVER RETURNED. IT WAS ALL PART OF A CAMPAIGN OF

SYSTEMATIC DEHUMANIZATION AND MURDER. THEIR DAUGHTER, DISABLED OR

NOT, WASN'T GOING ANYWHERE. AND JUDY NEVER WENT ANYWHERE OTHER

THAN WHERE SHE WANTED TO GO. THIS IS PROBABLY HER SOURCE OF HER

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

STEADFAST OPPOSITION TO SEPARATE BUT EQUAL POLICIES. AS A DISABILITY

RIGHTS ADVOCATE LONG BEFORE I BECAME AN ATTORNEY, I KNEW JUDY FROM

HER NATIONAL ADVOCACY WORK. JUST AS THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT HAD

ITS ICONIC MOMENTS LEADING TO LEGISLATION SUCH AS THE 1963 MARCH ON

WASHINGTON FOR THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT AND THE MARCH FROM SELMA TO

ALABAMA FOR VOTING RIGHTS ACT, BOTH LED BY THE REVEREND DR. MARTIN

KING, JUDY HEUMANN WAS THE ICONIC LEADER OF THE DISABILITY RIGHTS

MOVEMENT AND ITS ICONIC MOMENT, THE 28-DAY SIT-IN AT THE HEW

BUILDING IN SAN FRANCISCO IN 1977 WHICH CULMINATED IN THE APPROVAL

OF REGULATIONS IMPLEMENTING SECTION 504 OF THE REHABILITATION ACT OF

1973, FULLY IMPLEMENTING THEM FIVE YEARS AFTER THE LEGISLATION WAS

PASSED. EVEN THOUGH I DIDN'T KNOW HER WELL, I MET JUDY NUMEROUS

TIMES OVER MY CAREER OF DISABILITY ADVOCISM [SIC]. HER INTERSECTIONAL

TO HER CORE, JUDY BELIEVED IN INCLUDING EVERYONE AND LEARNING FROM

EVERYONE. SHE VALUED DIVERSITY BY BUILDING ALLIANCES WITH ALL TYPES OF

CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENTS, BECAUSE THE STORY OF CHANGING THE WORLD IS

ALWAYS THE STORY OF MANY. AND IT WAS NO SURPRISE ONE OF THE KEY

ORGANIZERS OF THE SIT-IN WAS BRAD LOMAX, WHO WAS THE FOUNDER OF THE

BLACK PANTHER PARTY IN D.C. WHO HAD MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS.

JUDY ONCE SAID WHEN ASKED TO SERVE ON A BOARD OF AN

ORGANIZATION ADVOCATING FOR PEOPLE WITH COMMUNICATION DISABILITIES

THAT SHE BELIEVED COMMUNICATION WAS ESSENTIAL TO EVERY INDIVIDUAL

THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. AND SHE REMEMBERED WHEN SHE HAD FIRST

ENTERED A SEGREGATED CLASSROOM HOW THE TEACHERS REALLY DIDN'T PAY

ATTENTION TO THOSE KIDS WHO WERE PERCEIVED AS NOT BEING SMART ENOUGH

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

BECAUSE THEY HAD DIFFICULTY ARTICLING WHAT THEY WANTED TO SAY. AND SO

SHE REALLY COMMITTED THEN AND THERE, WHICH WAS NINE YEARS OLD, TO

MAKE SURE THAT ALL VOICES MATTERED.

YOU MAY HAVE SEEN JUDY'S LEADERSHIP IN THE MOVIE

CRIP CAMP, WHICH WAS NOMINATED FOR AN ACADEMY AWARD, OR YOU

MAY HAVE READ HER BOOK, BEING HEUMANN, AN UNREPENTANT MEMOIR OF A

DISABILITY RIGHTS ADVOCATE. SHE WOULD GO ON TO SERVE TWO PRESIDENTIAL

ADMINISTRATIONS, AS WELL AS FOUNDED THE WORLD INSTITUTE ON DISABILITY

AND THE WORK AT THE WORLD BANK AND THE -- AND THE FORD FOUNDATION.

I RECENTLY ASKED A NUMBER OF MY COLLEAGUES FOR SOME

REMEMBRANCES. ONE OF THEM SAID SHE WORKED CONSTANTLY TO SECURE THE

RIGHTS AND ABILITIES OF ALL PEOPLE TO EXPRESS OURSELVES, BE HEARD AND

SEIZE CONTROL OF OUR OWN LIVES AND ACTIVITIES. ONE PERSON SAID, DON'T

FORGET TO REMEMBER THAT BESIDES BEING A FRIEND TO ALL, HER INFECTIOUS

SMILE AND HER COMMITMENT TO HER FAITH. ANOTHER SAID THAT SHE WAS SO

IMPRESSIVE IN HER PERSONAL KINDNESS THAT WHEN HE INVITED HER TO SPEAK

TO ONE OF HIS DISABILITY LAW COURSES, THERE WERE FOREIGN STUDENTS THERE

GETTING AN LLM. AND IT WAS NOVEMBER AND SHE INVITED THEM TO

THANKSGIVING AT HER HOME. THAT WAS THE WAY SHE -- SHE OPERATED.

AND SO WE CAN BEST HONOR HER TO KEEP THE FIRES OF ADVOCACY AND

PERSONAL KINDNESS BURNING. ANOTHER FRIEND OF MINE SAID HE HAD KNOWN

ABOUT HER FOR YEARS AND HE HAD ONLY MET HER IN MARCH OF 2022 WHEN HE

ASKED HER TO SERVE AS AN EXPERT WITNESS IN A MAJOR DISABILITY RIGHTS CASE

IN CHICAGO. AND SHE, WHO WAS AN EXPERT IN SO MUCH, HAD NEVER SERVED

AS AN EXPERT WITNESS. BUT -- AND THIS WAS UNFAMILIAR TERRAIN FOR HER.

NYS ASSEMBLY MAY 15, 2023

SHE DIDN'T FLINCH. SHE WROTE A KICK-ASS EXPERT REPORT AND WAS

DELIVERED IN JANUARY OF 2023 AND SHE WAS REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO

DEFENDING THAT IN A DEPOSITION, BUT SHE NEVER GOT THE CHANCE. SO THE

POINT IS, SHE SHRANK FROM NO BATTLE FOR JUSTICE, AND WHEN THE GROUND --

EVEN WHEN THE GROUND WAS UNFAMILIAR TO HER AND THAT HER BRAVE -- HER

BRAVERY IS REALLY A LEGACY TO US ALL.

SO, 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.

MS. SOLAGES, WE HAVE A FEW OTHER FINE RESOLUTIONS.

WE WILL TAKE THEM 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. 456-468

WERE UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED.)

MS. SOLAGES.

MS. SOLAGES: I NOW MOVE THAT THE ASSEMBLY

STAND ADJOURNED AND THAT WE RECONVENE 2:00 P.M., MAY 16TH,

TOMORROW BEING A SESSION DAY.

ACTING SPEAKER AUBRY: THE ASSEMBLY STANDS

ADJOURNED.

(WHEREUPON, THE HOUSE STOOD ADJOURNED UNTIL MAY

16TH AT 2:00 P.M., THAT BEING A SESSION DAY.)