WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 2025 12:47 P.M.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: THE HOUSE WILL
COME TO ORDER.
IN THE ABSENCE OF CLERGY, LET US PAUSE FOR A MOMENT OF
SILENCE.
(WHEREUPON, A MOMENT OF SILENCE WAS OBSERVED.)
VISITORS ARE INVITED TO JOIN MEMBERS IN THE PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE.
(WHEREUPON, ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR LED VISITORS AND
MEMBERS IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.)
A QUORUM BEING PRESENT -- A QUORUM BEING PRESENT,
THE CLERK WILL READ THE JOURNAL OF TUESDAY, JUNE 3RD.
MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.
MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: MR. SPEAKER, I MOVE TO
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NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
DISPENSE WITH THE FURTHER READING OF THE JOURNAL OF TUESDAY, JUNE THE
3RD AND THAT THE SAME STAND APPROVED.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: WITHOUT OBJECTION,
SO ORDERED.
MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER
AND COLLEAGUES THAT ARE IN THE CHAMBER, AS WELL AS OUR MANY GUESTS.
IT'S HAPPY TO SEE YOU ALL TODAY.
I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE A QUOTE WITH YOU TODAY. THIS
ONE COMES FROM AHMEN [SIC] BABA TUBEKI [SIC]. HE'S A 17TH CENTURY
SCHOLAR AND PHILOSOPHER. HE'S WRITTEN 40 BOOKS, EVEN IN THE 17TH
CENTURY, AND HE DOES SOME AMAZING WORK. HIS WORDS FOR US TODAY:
KNOWLEDGE HAS NO COLOR. WISDOM HAS NO CONTINENT. TRUTH BELONGS TO
ALL HUMANITY. AGAIN, THESE WORDS FROM AHMEN [SIC] HUBAKA [SIC] TIM
-- TIMBUKI [SIC]. AND I HOPE THEY RESONATE IN OUR SPIRITS TODAY.
MR. SPEAKER, MEMBERS HAVE ON THEIR DESK A MAIN
CALENDAR AND A DEBATE LIST. BEFORE THERE'S ANY HOUSEKEEPING AND/OR
INTRODUCTIONS, WE'RE GONNA BE CALLING FOR THE RULES COMMITTEE TO
MEET. THAT COMMITTEE IS GOING TO PRODUCE AN A-CALENDAR OF WHICH
WE WILL DEFINITELY TAKE UP TODAY. WE'LL ALSO BE CALLING FOR THE
FOLLOWING COMMITTEES: WAYS AND MEANS, FOLLOWED BY BANKS,
FOLLOWED BY JUDICIARY, FOLLOWED BY TRANSPORTATION. MR. SPEAKER, THERE
MAY BE A NEED FOR ADDITIONAL FLOOR ACTIVITY TODAY. IF SO, I WILL BE HAPPY
TO ADVISE AT THAT MOMENT.
RIGHT NOW, THAT'S THE GENERAL OUTLINE OF WHERE WE'RE
GOING. IF YOU COULD START BY CALLING THE RULES COMMITTEE TO THE
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NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
SPEAKER'S CONFERENCE ROOM.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: RULES COMMITTEE TO
THE SPEAKER'S CONFERENCE ROOM. RULES COMMITTEE TO THE SPEAKER'S
CONFERENCE ROOM.
WE DO HAVE HOUSEKEEPING AND INTRODUCTIONS.
ON A MOTION BY MS. GONZÁLEZ-ROJAS, PAGE 7,
CALENDAR NO. -- EXCUSE ME, RULES REFERENCE [SIC] 206-A [SIC],
A02581-A, THE AMENDMENTS ARE RECEIVED AND ADOPTED.
ON A MOTION BY MEMBER KELLES, PAGE 22, CALENDAR
NO. 123, BILL A01029-A, THE AMENDMENTS ARE RECEIVED AND ADOPTED.
MS. HUNTER FOR AN ANNOUNCEMENT.
MS. HUNTER: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.
LATER TODAY, WE WILL BE INTRODUCING A RESOLUTION
MEMORIALIZING TODAY AND HAVING THE GOVERNOR PROCLAIM JUNE 12TH AS
WOMEN VETERANS RECOGNITION DAY IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK. BUT
RIGHT NOW, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO INTRODUCE WOMEN
VETERANS TO THIS ASSEMBLY CHAMBER. JUNE 12TH, '25 MARKS THE 77TH
ANNIVERSARY OF THE WOMEN'S ARMED SERVICES INTEGRATION ACT OF 1948,
SIGNED BY PRESIDENT HARRY TRUMAN. AND WOMEN HAVE ALWAYS
ANSWERED THE CALL TO DUTY, SERVING THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WITH
INTEGRITY AND RESPECT.
IN 1973, WOMEN MADE UP JUST TWO PERCENT OF THE
ENLISTED FORCE AND EIGHT PERCENT OF OFFICERS TODAY. THESE NUMBERS
HAVE GROWN TO 16 AND 19 PERCENT, RESPECTIVELY. IT IS IMPORTANT TO
RECOGNIZE THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF MY FELLOW WOMEN VETERANS AND TO
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NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
EDUCATE THE PEOPLE OF NEW YORK CONCERNING THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN OUR
MILITARY.
IN 1998, NEW YORK DEDICATED THE WOMEN VETERANS
MEMORIAL IN ALBANY TO HONOR OVER 1.2 MILLION WOMEN WHO SERVED
OVER 200 YEARS. WOMEN CONTINUE TO SERVE WITH DEDICATION ACROSS
MULTIPLE MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM
AND OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE, OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM, OPERATION
NEW DAWN AND THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM.
WOMEN VETERANS RECOGNITION DAY IS A LIVING
TESTAMENT TO THE COURAGE OF SO MANY FROM ITS BROAD BASE OF SHARED
CONCERN AND RESPONSIVE ENDEAVOR. (INDISCERNIBLE) EMANATES THE
CURRENT AND VALIANT TRADITION AND THE IRREPRESSIBLE TIDE OF FREEDOM.
MR. SPEAKER, IF YOU WOULD KINDLY EXTEND WELCOME
INVITATION AND THE PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR TO ALL MY FELLOW WOMEN
VETERANS WHO ARE HERE TODAY.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: THANK YOU.
ON BEHALF OF ASSEMBLYMEMBER HUNTER, I AM
EXTREMELY EXCITED -- AND THE SPEAKER OF THIS HOUSE AND ALL THE
MEMBERS, WE WELCOME YOU, AND FIRST AND FOREMOST, THANK YOU FOR YOUR
SERVICES. BUT WE WELCOME YOU TO THESE CHAMBERS AND WE EXTEND THE
PRIVILEGES OF THIS FLOOR, AND HOPE YOU ENJOY THE PROCEEDINGS OF TODAY,
AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US. YOU ALL ARE ROCK STARS. THANK YOU.
(APPLAUSE)
MS. WOERNER FOR AN INTRODUCTION.
MS. WOERNER: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER, FOR
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NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
ALLOWING ME TO INTERRUPT OUR PROCEEDINGS FOR PURPOSES OF MAKING AN
INTRODUCTION.
THIS IS A HOUSE THAT REGULARLY HONORS SMALL
BUSINESSES, AND SO IT IS MY PLEASURE TODAY TO INTRODUCE YOU TO MARY
ANN FORTUNE'S DANCE STUDIO UPON THEIR 50TH ANNIVERSARY. MARY ANN
FORTUNE IS A SMALL BUSINESSWOMAN, SHE IS AN ARTIST AND SHE IS A TEACHER.
SHE HAS BEEN STUDYING DANCE SINCE SHE WAS THREE YEARS OLD. SHE BEGAN
HER -- HER DANCE STUDIO AT AGE 17, AND THEN SHE WENT OFF TO COLLEGE AT
UNION COLLEGE. SHE IS IN MECHANICVILLE, NEW YORK. SHE HAS -- SHE
CONTINUED TO TEACH WHILE ADVANCING HER OWN DANCE SKILLS. SHE HAS A
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN PSYCHOLOGY, AND THEN SHE WAS ABLE TO DEVOTE
HERSELF FULL-TIME TO DANCING AND TEACHING AT HER STUDIO. SHE CONTINUES
TO STUDY DANCE TODAY, NOW WITH MASTER TEACHERS, THAT HELP HER BRING
NEW AND INNOVATIVE IDEAS TO HER STUDENTS, THREE OF WHICH ARE HERE
TODAY; LAYLA STENGREVICS IS 12 YEARS OLD AND HAS BEEN -- HAS BEEN A
DANCER FOR TEN YEARS; MAYA AND BRYNN STENGREVICS, WHO ARE BOTH EIGHT
YEARS OLD AND HAVE BEEN DANCING FOR FIVE YEARS, AND THEY WILL BE
DANCING THIS WEEKEND IN THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY SHOWCASE.
MARY ANN FORTUNE'S DANCE STUDIO HAS BEEN A
CORNERSTONE OF THE MECHANICVILLE COMMUNITY SINCE ITS FOUNDING IN
1974 IN THE BASEMENT OF HER PARENTS, ROSE AND TONY FORTUNE'S HOUSE.
LOCATED IN MECHANICVILLE'S SOUTH CENTRAL AVENUE SINCE 1982, HER
DANCE STUDIO PARTICIPATES IN COMPETITIVE STATEWIDE COMPETITIONS AT THE
NEW YORK STATE FAIR IN SYRACUSE AND AT REGIONAL EVENTS IN NEW YORK
CITY AND BOSTON.
5
NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
PLEASE JOIN ME IN CONGRATULATING MARY ANN FORTUNE
ON HER COMMITMENT TO THE ART OF DANCE AND DANCE INSTRUCTION AND
TEACHING STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE CAPITAL DISTRICT FOR FIVE DECADES.
MR. SPEAKER, IF YOU WILL OFFER THEM THE CORDIALITIES OF
THE HOUSE. THANK YOU.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: ABSOLUTELY. I'D BE
HONORED.
ON BEHALF OF MS. WOERNER, THE SPEAKER AND ALL THE
MEMBERS, WE WELCOME YOU TO THE CHAMBERS AND EXTEND THE PRIVILEGES
OF THIS FLOOR AND SUPER CELEBRATE YOUR 50TH ANNIVERSARY. YOU DON'T
CERTAINLY LOOK LIKE YOU'VE BEEN IN THE GAME THAT LONG, BUT THANK YOU SO
MUCH. AND WE HOPE YOU ENJOY THE PROCEEDINGS AND THE PRIVILEGES OF
THIS HOUSE. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, KEEP DANCING.
(APPLAUSE)
MR. CARROLL, PATRICK CARROLL FOR AN ANNOUNCEMENT
[SIC].
MR. P. CARROLL: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.
COLLEAGUES, AS WE ALL KNOW, A LOT OF THE WORK WE DO
HERE IN ALBANY, WE HAVE TO LEAVE OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY AT HOME IN
OUR HOME DISTRICTS. TODAY I'M SO HAPPY TO HAVE TWO OF MY DAUGHTERS
HERE WITH ME. I LEFT MY OLDER DAUGHTER, MADELYN, AT HOME. SHE'S
FINISHING UP WITH FIFTH GRADE AND SHE COULDN'T GET OUT OF SCHOOL. I LEFT
THE THREE-YEAR-OLD, HAILEY, AT HOME BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW IF OUR
CAPACITY HERE IN THE -- IN THE CHAMBER COULD HANDLE HER. OBVIOUSLY,
I'M THANKFUL TO MY WIFE, NATALIE, WHO IS AT HOME WORKING AND KEEPING
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NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
TRACK OF ALL THE KIDS AND ALL THEIR ACTIVITIES. BUT WITH ME TODAY, I HAVE
MY SEVEN-YEAR-OLDS, ALMOST EIGHT-YEAR-OLDS, MY DAUGHTER LILY AND MY
DAUGHTER PAIGE. THEY'RE BOTH SECOND GRADERS AT BARDONIA ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL. THEY CAME AND SAW CIVICS IN ACTION TODAY AND HAD -- TOOK THE
DAY OUT OF SCHOOL. THEY'RE BOTH HEAVILY INVOLVED IN SOCCER, LACROSSE,
BIKE RIDING, AS A RECENT INJURY TOLD US, AND THEY'RE BOTH VERY GOOD
STUDENTS.
I APPRECIATE MY COLLEAGUES FOR WELCOMING MY FAMILY.
I KNOW WE ALL HOLD OUR FAMILIES NEAR AND DEAR IN OUR HEARTS. I THANK
YOU ALL FOR WELCOMING THEM AND WISH YOU'D OFFER THEM THE CONTINUED
CORDIALITIES OF THE HOUSE AS THEIR STAY CONTINUES.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: ON BEHALF OF YOUR
DAD, ASSEMBLYMEMBER PATRICK CARROLL, AND THE SPEAKER OF THIS GREAT
HOUSE AND ALL THE MEMBERS, WE WELCOME YOU, PAIGE AND LILY, HERE TO
THE CHAMBERS AND WE EXTEND THE PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR AND HOPE YOU
ENJOY THE PROCEEDINGS.
MR. P. CARROLL: I FORGOT TO MENTION THEIR
BIRTHDAY. LILY'S BIRTHDAY'S ON SUNDAY AND PAIGE'S BIRTHDAY ON MONDAY.
SO, I DIDN'T MISSPEAK, THEY ARE TWINS WITH TWO DIFFERENT BIRTHDAYS. SO,
SORRY, MR. SPEAKER.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: ABSOLUTELY. DAD IS
ALWAYS RIGHT. AND WE WANT TO EXTEND HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRIVILEGES AND
WELCOME YOU TO THE HOUSE. HAVE FUN, HAVE FUN, HAVE FUN. I'VE SEEN
THE CANDY, GET SOME MORE, THERE'S PLENTY LEFT. HAVE FUN, AND WELCOME,
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
7
NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
(APPLAUSE)
MS. REYES -- MS. REYES FOR AN INTRODUCTION.
MS. REYES: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.
IT'S GOOD TO FOLLOW AFTER MY COLLEAGUE WHO'S
INTRODUCING HIS -- WHO INTRODUCED HIS DAUGHTERS. I WOULD LIKE TO
INTRODUCE MY SON, ALEX, TO THE FLOOR. ALEX IS 18. HE JUST COMPLETED
HIS FIRST YEAR AT AMERICAN UNIVERSITY. I'M SO PROUD OF HIM. HE'S THE
FIRST -- ACTUALLY, THE FIRST PERSON IN OUR FAMILY TO GO AWAY TO SCHOOL, SO
I'M REALLY HAPPY TO HAVE HIM BACK HOME. AND, YOU KNOW, JUST PLEASE
EXTEND THE PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR TO HIM. HE'S STUDYING PUBLIC
RELATIONS, SO I THINK IT'S PERTINENT FOR HIM TO KIND OF BE HERE AND WATCH
THE WORK THAT WE DO AND LEARN FROM EVERYTHING THAT GOES ON HERE.
AND, YOU KNOW, THE LAST TIME HE WAS HERE HE WAS ABLE TO SHARE THE SEAT
WITH ME; NOW HE CAN'T ANYMORE BECAUSE HE'S MUCH BIGGER, SO...
MR. SPEAKER, WOULD YOU PLEASE EXTEND THE PRIVILEGES
OF THE FLOOR TO MY SON, ALEX.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: ABSOLUTELY,
ABSOLUTELY.
ON BEHALF OF YOUR MOM, MEMBER REYES, AND ON
BEHALF OF THE SPEAKER AND ALL THE MEMBERS, ALEX, WE WELCOME YOU TO
THE CHAMBERS. WE EXTEND THE PRIVILEGE OF THIS FLOOR AND HOPE YOU
ENJOY THE PROCEEDINGS. AND I'M GONNA SAY THE SAME THING TO YOU THAT I
SAID ABOUT THEM. HAVE FUN, HAVE FUN, HAVE FUN, AND WELCOME TO THE
PEOPLE'S HOUSE.
(APPLAUSE)
8
NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
MEMBER SOLAGES.
MS. SOLAGES: MR. SPEAKER, CAN THE HOUSE STAND
AT EASE?
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: ON BEHALF OF THE --
ON MS. SOLAGES' RECOMMENDATION, THE HOUSE STANDS AT EASE.
(WHEREUPON, AT 12:59 P.M., THE HOUSE STOOD AT EASE.)
*****************************
(WHEREUPON, AT 1:14 P.M., THE HOUSE WAS CALLED BACK
TO ORDER.)
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: THE HOUSE WILL
COME TO ORDER.
MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: THANK YOU, SIR.
MEMBERS HAVE ON THEIR DESK AN A-CALENDAR. I'D LIKE TO MOVE TO
ADVANCE THAT A-CALENDAR.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: ON A MOTION BY
MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES, THE A-CALENDAR IS ADVANCED.
MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: THANK YOU, SIR. IF WE
CAN TAKE IT UP RIGHT IMMEDIATELY.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: ON CONSENT, PAGE 3,
RULES REPORT NO. 372, THE CLERK WILL READ.
THE CLERK: RULES REPORT NO. 372 -- OH, EXCUSE
ME. ASSEMBLY NO. A00128-A, RULES REPORT NO. 372,
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NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
GONZÁLEZ-ROJAS, PAULIN, SAYEGH, EPSTEIN, HEVESI, SHRESTHA, SIMON,
JACKSON, ZACCARO, LUNSFORD, DAVILA, DE LOS SANTOS, MAMDANI, RAGA,
SHIMSKY, LASHER, TORRES, SIMONE,SOLAGES, LEVENBERG, BICHOTTE
HERMELYN, STECK, CLARK, ROZIC, KAY, P. CARROLL, CUNNINGHAM,
GALLAGHER, DINOWITZ, BURROUGHS, DAIS, REYES, HOOKS, FORREST, RAMOS,
KASSAY. AN ACT TO AMEND THE INSURANCE LAW, IN RELATION TO REQUIRING
COVERAGE OF CERTAIN ASTHMA INHALERS AT NO COST.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: THE BILL IS LAID
ASIDE.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A00617-A, RULES
REPORT NO. 373, SHIMSKY, REYES, SCHIAVONI, LEVENBERG, GLICK. AN
ACT TO AMEND THE LEGISLATIVE LAW, IN RELATION TO THE TERM "REPORTABLE
BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP" AS IT RELATES TO CERTAIN EMPLOYEES OF THE STATE
UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AND THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: THE CLERK WILL --
READ THE LAST SECTION.
THE CLERK: THIS BILL [SIC] SHALL TAKE EFFECT
IMMEDIATELY.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: 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. A00622-B, RULES
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NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
REPORT NO. 374 WAS PREVIOUSLY AMENDED ON THIRD READ -- PREVIOUSLY
AMENDED ON -- AMENDED AND IS HIGH.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A00691, RULES REPORT
NO. 375, HEVESI, GONZÁLEZ-ROJAS, DE LOS SANTOS. AN ACT TO AMEND
THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW, IN RELATION TO ANY UNEARNED INCOME OF A CHILD
IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: THE BILL IS LAID
ASIDE.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A02043, RULES REPORT
NO. 376, BAILEY. AN ACT TO AMEND THE TAX LAW, IN RELATION TO
AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY OF LIVINGSTON TO IMPOSE AN ADDITIONAL 1
PERCENT SALES TAX.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: ON A MOTION BY MS.
BAILEY, THE SENATE BILL IS BEFORE THE HOUSE. THE SENATE BILL IS
ADVANCED. HOME RULE MESSAGE IS AT THE DESK.
READ THE LAST SECTION.
THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: 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. A02237, RULES REPORT
NO. 377, RAJKUMAR. AN ACT TO AMEND THE --
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NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: HOLD ONE SECOND.
WE WANT TO ALSO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ACKNOWLEDGE
ASSEMBLYMEMBER BAILEY IN PASSING HER FIRST BILL.
(APPLAUSE)
THE CLERK WILL READ.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A02237, RULES REPORT
NO. 377, RAJKUMAR, ALVAREZ, LEMONDES, K. BROWN, STERN. AN ACT TO
AMEND THE STATE FINANCE LAW AND THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL LAW, IN
RELATION TO PROHIBITING PROCUREMENTS OF CERTAIN TECHNOLOGY THAT POSES
SECURITY THREATS.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: THE BILL IS LAID
ASIDE.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A02497, RULES REPORT
NO. 378, DAVILA, MAHER, TAYLOR, SIMPSON, LUPARDO, PEOPLES-STOKES,
DILAN, WALSH, REYES, TAPIA, CRUZ. AN ACT ESTABLISHING A FISCAL CLIFF
TASK FORCE TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON FISCAL CLIFFS IN THE STATE'S PUBLIC
ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS AND TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS RELATED THERETO;
AND PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF SUCH PROVISION UPON EXPIRATION THEREOF.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: READ THE LAST
SECTION.
THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: THE CLERK WILL
RECORD THE VOTE.
(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)
MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES TO EXPLAIN HER VOTE.
12
NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
I'D LIKE TO COMPLIMENT THE SPONSOR ON THIS PIECE OF
LEGISLATION. I MEAN, I KNOW THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL ENTITIES ACROSS
THE STATE, INCLUDING THE WESTERN NEW YORK WOMEN'S FOUNDATION AND
THE BUFFALO PARTNERSHIP, AS WELL AS THE NEW YORK STATE BUSINESS
COUNCIL, THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT THIS AS AN ISSUE BECAUSE SOMETIMES WE
DON'T REALIZE THAT WE CREATE INITIATIVES TO -- IN AN ATTEMPT TO HELP
PEOPLE, BUT IN A WAY WE JUST KIND OF HINDER THEM BECAUSE THOSE
BENEFITS KEEP THEM IN A PLACE THAT THEY CAN'T GROW FROM. AND SO THE
FACT THAT WE'RE WILLING TO TAKE A LOOK AT THIS ON A STUDY BASIS AND COME
UP WITH SOME REAL RECOMMENDATIONS, I THINK IT'S IMPRESSIVE AND I HOPE
THE WORK GETS DONE SWIFTLY.
THANK YOU.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: MRS. PEOPLES-
STOKES IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.
(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)
THE BILL IS PASSED.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A02698, RULES REPORT
NO. 379, FORREST, GONZÁLEZ-ROJAS. AN ACT TO AMEND THE PUBLIC HEALTH
LAW, IN RELATION TO ESTABLISHING AN AWARENESS CAMPAIGN ON THE USE OF
HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY IN TREATING THE SYMPTOMS OF
PERIMENOPAUSE AND MENOPAUSE.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: ON A MOTION BY MS.
13
NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
FORREST, THE SENATE BILL IS BEFORE THE HOUSE. THE SENATE BILL IS
ADVANCED.
READ THE LAST SECTION.
THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT ON THE 60TH
DAY.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: THE CLERK WILL
RECORD THE VOTE.
(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)
MS. FORREST TO EXPLAIN HER VOTE.
MS. FORREST: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.
I RISE TO SUPPORT THIS BILL, OF COURSE AS THE SPONSOR, BUT
ALSO AS A WOMAN WHO HAS SERVICED WOMEN ACROSS NEW YORK CITY,
ACROSS BROOKLYN, AS THEY COME TO A BIG CHANGE IN THEIR LIVES, WHICH IS
MENOPAUSE. NOW, WHETHER YOU'RE SECRETIVE OR OPEN ABOUT YOUR
LIFESTYLE, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT AFFECTS EVERYONE, INCLUDING THE
SPOUSES, THE FAMILY MEMBERS. AND SO TO HAVE AN AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
THAT TEACHES WOMEN THE IMPORTANCE OF HOW TO TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES,
HOW CAN FAMILY MEMBERS SUPPORT EACH OTHER, BUT ALSO IMPORTANT
MEDICATION AND THERAPIES AROUND THAT SPECIAL TIME. I WANTED TO CALL IT
SPECIAL TIME; THE TIME THAT WE ALL EXPERIENCE OPEN WINDOWS IN THE
MIDDLE OF THE WINTER AND CHANGES IN OUR BODIES. BUT THIS IS A VERY
IMPORTANT TIME IN EVERY WOMAN'S LIFE. AND SO TO HAVE NOT ONLY A
MEDICAL COMMUNITY THAT'S AWARE, THAT'S PROMOTING MEDICATIONS TO HELP
WOMEN OUT, BUT ALSO TO MAKE SURE THAT IN THE WHOLE GRAND SCHEME OF
WOMEN'S HEALTH WE'RE IMPLEMENTING IMPORTANT CHANGES TO SUPPORT
14
NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
WOMEN ACROSS THE STATE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: MS. FORREST IN THE
AFFIRMATIVE.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.
(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)
THE BILL IS PASSED.
MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES FOR AN ANNOUNCEMENT.
MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: MR. SPEAKER, WOULD YOU
PLEASE CALL THE BANKS COMMITTEE TO THE SPEAKER'S CONFERENCE ROOM
IMMEDIATELY?
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: BANKS COMMITTEE
TO THE SPEAKER'S CONFERENCE ROOM. BANKS COMMITTEE TO THE
SPEAKER'S CONFERENCE ROOM.
THE CLERK WILL READ THE REPORT [SIC].
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A03101, RULES REPORT
NO. 380, SIMPSON. AN ACT TO AMEND THE TAX LAW, IN RELATION TO
EXTENDING THE AUTHORIZATION GRANTED TO THE COUNTY OF ESSEX TO IMPOSE
AN ADDITIONAL 1 PERCENT OF SALES AND COMPENSATING USE TAXES.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: THE CLERK WILL
RECORD -- OH, EXCUSE ME.
ON A MOTION BY MS. [SIC] SIMPSON, THE SENATE BILL IS
BEFORE THE HOUSE. THE SENATE BILL IS ADVANCED. HOME RULE MESSAGE
IS AT THE DESK.
READ THE LAST SECTION.
15
NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: THE COURT -- EXCUSE
ME, 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. A03141, RULES REPORT
NO. 381, LUNSFORD, JENSEN. AN ACT TO AMEND THE TAX LAW, IN RELATION
TO TAXPAYERS AND COMBINED GROUPS INCLUDING MEMBERS ENGAGED IN
PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYER ORGANIZATION SERVICES.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: READ THE LAST
SECTION.
THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: 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. A03549, RULES REPORT
NO. 382, SANTABARBARA, COLTON. AN ACT TO AMEND THE CIVIL SERVICE
LAW, IN RELATION TO ACCESS TO CERTAIN MENTAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES FOR
EMERGENCY DISPATCHERS AND CORRECTION OFFICERS.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: READ THE LAST
16
NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
SECTION.
THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: THE CLERK WILL
RECORD THE VOTE.
(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)
MS. WALSH TO EXPLAIN HER VOTE.
MS. WALSH: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. SPEAKER.
I AM SO HAPPY THAT THIS BILL HAS BEEN BROUGHT FORWARD
AND I'M VERY HAPPY TO SUPPORT IT. RECENTLY -- I -- I CARRY A RESOLUTION
EVERY YEAR ABOUT TELECOMMUNICATOR'S DAY, AND I HAD BEEN SPEAKING
WITH SOME DISPATCHERS, SOME 911 DISPATCHERS IN -- IN ONE OF THE
COUNTIES THAT I REPRESENT, AND THEY WERE TALKING TO ME ABOUT THIS
PRECISE ISSUE THAT, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE THINK ABOUT FIRST RESPONDERS WE
THINK ABOUT FIRE OR POLICE RESPONDING TO THE SCENE OF SOME HORRIFIC
ACCIDENT AND WE THINK ABOUT THE POSSIBLE MENTAL HEALTH CONSEQUENCES
TO THEM. SOMETIMES WHAT WE DON'T THINK ABOUT IS THAT WHEN THAT 911
OPERATOR ENDS THAT CALL, HAS DISPATCHED SERVICES TO -- TO THAT FIRE OR THAT
TRAGEDY THAT THEY'RE RESPONDING TO, THEY HAVE TO THEN IMMEDIATELY PICK
UP THE NEXT PHONE CALL. AND THE CUMULATIVE IMPACT OF DOING THAT CAN
REALLY CREATE A LOT OF ISSUES WITH PTSD AND MENTAL HEALTH.
SO I'M SO GLAD THAT THIS BILL HAS BEEN BROUGHT FORWARD
TO TRY TO ADDRESS THAT, AND I WILL BE IN THE AFFIRMATIVE. THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: THANK YOU.
MS. WALSH IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.
17
NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
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 JUDICIARY COMMITTEE TO THE SPEAKER'S CONFERENCE
ROOM.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: JUDICIARY
COMMITTEE TO THE CONFERENCE ROOM. JUDICIARY COMMITTEE TO THE
SPEAKER'S CONFERENCE ROOM.
MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER, FOR ALLOWING ME TO INTERRUPT OUR PROCEEDINGS BRIEFLY TO MAKE
AN INTRODUCTION ON BEHALF OF OUR COLLEAGUE, MS. CLARK. TODAY WE HAVE
WITH US JOE PETITO, GABBY PETITO'S FATHER. IN 2021, GABBY WENT
MISSING WHILE ON A CROSS-COUNTRY SKI TRIP -- CROSS-COUNTRY TRIP, I'M
SORRY -- AND ULTIMATELY, HER LIFE WAS TRAGICALLY CUT SHORT. HER STORY
MADE NATIONAL NEWS. TODAY, JOSEPH -- JOE TRAVELS THE COUNTRY ON
BEHALF OF GABBY'S FOUNDATION, WORKING WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS,
ADVOCATES WHO ARE DEDICATED TO ENDING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SITUATIONS
THROUGH EDUCATION, AWARENESS AND PREVENTION STRATEGIES.
MR. SPEAKER, IF YOU WOULD PLEASE WELCOME THIS YOUNG
MAN TO OUR CHAMBERS AND GIVE HIM THE CORDIALITIES OF THE FLOOR AND
CONGRATULATE HIM ON THE WONDERFUL LEGACY HE'S LEAVING AS HE CARRIES ON
FOR HIS DAUGHTER'S LIFE.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: ABSOLUTELY.
18
NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
ON BEHALF OF MEMBER PEOPLES-STOKES -- OH YEAH,
ABSOLUTELY, AND MS. CLARK AND THE SPEAKER, WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR
YOUR SERVICE, CONTINUE THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING. BUT ALSO, I WANT TO
EXTEND THE CORDIALITIES OF THIS HOUSE AND WELCOME YOU TO THE
CHAMBERS AND EXTEND THE PRIVILEGES TO THE FLOOR AND HOPE THAT YOU
ENJOY THE PRIVILEGES. AND AGAIN, THANK YOU IMMENSELY FOR THE WORK
THAT YOU ARE DOING, AND CONTINUED SUCCESS. GOD BLESS YOU, AND
WELCOME TO THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE.
(APPLAUSE)
THE CLERK WILL READ.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A04040-A, RULES
REPORT NO. 383, LASHER, WRIGHT, P. CARROLL, EPSTEIN, GLICK,
GONZÁLEZ-ROJAS, HEVESI, HOOKS, KELLES, LEVENBERG, O'PHARROW,
REYES, SHIMSKY, TAPIA, TORRES, ZACCARO, ZINERMAN, GALLAGHER,
SCHIAVONI, LEE, RAMOS, BURROUGHS, BORES, ROSENTHAL. AN ACT TO
AMEND THE EXECUTIVE LAW, IN RELATION TO CODIFYING THE DISPARATE
IMPACT STANDARD IN THE HUMAN RIGHTS LAW.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: THE BILL IS LAID
ASIDE.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A04391, RULES REPORT
NO. 384, P. CARROLL. AN ACT TO AMEND THE REAL PROPERTY TAX LAW, IN
RELATION TO EXTENDING LIMITATIONS ON THE SHIFT BETWEEN CLASSES OF
TAXABLE PROPERTY IN THE TOWN OF CLARKSTOWN, COUNTY OF ROCKLAND.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: READ THE LAST
SECTION.
19
NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: 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.
RECOGNIZE MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.
MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: THANK YOU, MR.
SPEAKER. I AM AGAIN INTERRUPTING OUR PROCEEDINGS FOR THE PURPOSE OF
INTRODUCING GUESTS THAT ARE IN OUR CHAMBERS. THEY ARE FROM THE
ROSALYN YALOW CHARTER SCHOOL, AND THEY ARE CHESS CHAMPIONS,
STATEWIDE CHESS CHAMPIONS. THESE YOUNG SCHOLARS IN GRADES K
THROUGH 5, THEY COMPETE WITH SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE, AND THEY HAVE
WON MANY CATEGORIES IN THE STATEWIDE CHESS COMPETITION.
COULD YOU PLEASE CONGRATULATE THEM, MR. SPEAKER,
AND WELCOME THEM HERE ON BEHALF OF OUR COLLEAGUE MS. SEPTIMO?
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: WOW!
ON BEHALF OF MEMBER PEOPLES-STOKES AND MEMBER
SEPTIMO, I WANT TO WELCOME YOU SMART, YOUNG, YOUNG, YOUNG, YOUNG
PEOPLE, CHESS PLAYERS, CHESS CHAMPIONS INTO THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE. AND
ON BEHALF OF THE SPEAKER, WE WANT TO EXTEND THE CHAMBER OF THE
PRIVILEGES OF THIS FLOOR AND HOPE YOU'RE ENJOYING YOURSELF. HAVE FUN,
FUN, AND CONGRATULATIONS ON ALL THE GREAT WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING.
CHAMPIONS YOU ARE.
20
NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
FOLKS, WELCOME THEM TO THE HOUSE.
(APPLAUSE)
THE CLERK WILL READ.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A04762-A, RULES
REPORT NO. 385, CHANDLER-WATERMAN, SIMON, LUCAS, ANDERSON,
HOOKS, BURROUGHS, O'PHARROW, JACKSON. AN ACT TO AMEND THE
EXECUTIVE LAW, IN RELATION TO REQUIRING DOCUMENTS UTILIZED BY STATE
AGENCIES, PUBLIC AUTHORITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES TO REPLACE THE TERM
"EMOTIONALLY DISTURBED PERSON" WITH THE TERM "PERSON EXPERIENCING AN
EMOTIONAL CRISIS".
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: THE BILL IS LAID
ASIDE.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A04777, RULES REPORT
NO. 386, MANKTELOW. AN ACT TO AMEND THE TAX LAW, IN RELATION TO
EXTENDING THE ADDITIONAL 1 PERCENT SALES TAX FOR WAYNE COUNTY.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: ON A MOTION BY MR.
MANKTELOW, THE SENATE BILL IS BEFORE THE HOUSE. THE SENATE BILL IS
ADVANCED. HOME RULE MESSAGE IS AT THE DESK.
THE CLERK WILL READ THE LAST SECTION.
THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: THE CLERK WILL
RECORD THE VOTE.
(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)
ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.
(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)
21
NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
THE BILL IS PASSED.
MR. GANDOLFO FOR AN ANNOUNCEMENT -- FOR THE
PURPOSES OF AN INTRODUCTION.
MR. GANDOLFO: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.
ON BEHALF OF OUR COLLEAGUE MR. BRIAN MANKTELOW, I
HAVE THE DISTINCT HONOR OF INTRODUCING THE GANANDA HIGH SCHOOL
CHEERLEADING SQUAD. THEY ARE THE 2025 CLASS D NEW YORK STATE
CHAMPIONS.
WE ARE VERY PRIVILEGED TO HAVE THESE CHAMPIONS IN
HERE IN THE CHAMBER WITH US TODAY, SO I ASK THAT YOU PLEASE WELCOME
THEM TO THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE AND EXTEND TO THEM ALL THE CORDIALITIES.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: ABSOLUTELY.
ON BEHALF OF MEMBER GAN -- GANDOLFO, I'M SORRY, AND
MR. MANKTELOW, I WANT TO WELCOME YOU CHEERLEADERS INTO THE PEOPLE'S
HOUSE. I WANT YOU TO HAVE FUN. ENJOY THE PRIVILEGES OF THE HOUSE,
AND ON BEHALF OF THE SPEAKER AS WELL. ENJOY YOURSELVES. AND I CAN'T
SAY YOU DO IT HERE, BUT CONTINUE TO MAKE NOISE AND BE HEARD AND DO
WHAT YOU DO AND DO IT WELL. AND THANK YOU AGAIN FOR VISITING US TODAY.
(APPLAUSE)
RECOGNIZE MEMBER HYNDMAN.
MS. HYNDMAN: MR. SPEAKER, WILL YOU PLEASE CALL
THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE TO THE SPEAKER'S CONFERENCE ROOM?
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: TRANSPORTATION
COMMITTEE TO THE SPEAKER'S CONFERENCE ROOM. TRANSPORTATION
COMMITTEE TO THE SPEAKER'S CONFERENCE ROOM.
22
NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
THE CLERK WILL READ.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A04910, RULES REPORT
NO. 387, SIMONE. AN ACT TO AMEND THE AGRICULTURE AND MARKETS LAW,
IN RELATION TO VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS IN SUPPORT OF MUNICIPAL ANIMAL
POUNDS OR SHELTERS.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: READ THE LAST
SECTION.
EXCUSE ME.
ON A -- ON A MOTION BY MR. SIMONE, 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 30TH
DAY.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: 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. A05442-B, RULES
REPORT NO. 388, MAMDANI, FORREST, LEVENBERG, SHRESTHA, K. BROWN,
VALDEZ, MCDONOUGH, SANTABARBARA. ACT TO AMEND THE PUBLIC SERVICE
LAW, IN RELATION TO ENACTING THE "RATE HIKE NOTICE ACT".
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: THE BILL IS LAID
ASIDE.
23
NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A05852-A, RULES
REPORT NO. 389, STECK, WALSH, GLICK, BUTTENSCHON, K. BROWN, GRIFFIN.
AN ACT TO AMEND THE GENERAL BUSINESS LAW, RELATING TO REGULATING THE
SALE OF KRATOM PRODUCTS.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: READ THE LAST
SECTION.
THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT ON THE 365TH
DAY.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: THE CLERK WILL
RECORD THE VOTE.
(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)
MS. WALSH TO EXPLAIN HER VOTE.
MS. WALSH: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. SPEAKER.
I REALLY WANTED TO EXPLAIN MY VOTE AND GIVE A LITTLE BIT
OF CONTEXT FOR PEOPLE WHO, IF YOU'RE LIKE ME, HAD NEVER HEARD WHAT
KRATOM WAS BEFORE. SO, I HAD NOT HEARD ABOUT IT UNTIL THE SON OF A
FORMER NEIGHBOR OF MINE, NICKOLAS SCRIBNER, PASSED AWAY IN
NOVEMBER OF 2024 AT THE AGE OF 27 FROM ASPIRATING ON HIS OWN VOMIT,
WHICH IS A KRATOM-RELATED SIDE EFFECT. SINCE THEN I'VE LEARNED OF
NUMEROUS OTHER FAMILIES, SOME IN MY DISTRICT, WHO HAVE SUFFERED
NEARLY IDENTICAL LOSSES, INCLUDING -- I'M THINKING OF ONE PARTICULAR
YOUNG MAN FROM THE TOWN OF GLENVILLE. INDIVIDUALS WHO USE KRATOM
OFTEN BELIEVE THAT IT IS SAFE AS IT HAS BEEN MARKETED TO THEM AS ALL
NATURAL. BUT THAT IS NOT OFTEN THE CASE. KRATOM DERIVES FROM A PLANT
NATIVE TO SOUTHEAST ASIA. THE CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS THAT EXISTS WITHIN
24
NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
THIS PLANT ARE KNOWN TO AFFECT THE BODY, BUT MUCH IS STILL UNKNOWN
ABOUT THE LONG-TERM HEALTH AND SAFETY IMPACTS OF ITS USE.
KRATOM HAS EARNED THE NAME "GAS STATION HEROIN",
MIMICKING THE DANGERS OF AN OPIOID WHILE BEING READILY AVAILABLE. IF
YOU GO TO A LOCAL GAS STATION WITH A STORE, YOU MIGHT BE SURPRISED TO SEE
ALONG THE -- BEHIND THE COUNTER A WHOLE BUNCH OF DIFFERENT ITEMS THAT
HAVE KRATOM IN THEM; SOME ARE DRINKS, SOME ARE -- IT'S CONSUMED IN
MANY DIFFERENT WAYS.
I'D LIKE TO THANK, SPECIFICALLY, THE SPONSOR,
ASSEMBLYMEMBER STECK, FOR HIS QUICK ACTION AND FOR WORKING WITH ME
ON THIS BILL AND PUSHING FOR ITS PASSAGE. AND I'D LIKE TO THANK ALL OF THE
ADVOCATES PUSHING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, INCLUDING NICKOLAS' MOM,
CARI SCRIBNER.
I HOPE THAT THIS WILL ENSURE THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF
PEOPLE OF ALL AGES WHO DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE DANGERS THAT KRATOM
PRESENTS. SO I'M VERY PLEASED TO BE ABLE TO CAST MY VOTE IN THE
AFFIRMATIVE. THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THANK YOU.
MS. WALSH IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.
(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)
THE BILL IS PASSED.
MR. GRANDOLFO -- GANDOLFO FOR AN ANNOUNCEMENT --
INTRODUCTION.
MR. GANDOLFO: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.
25
NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
ON BEHALF OF LEADER BARCLAY AND THE LONG ISLAND
DELEGATION, WE HAVE THE PRIVILEGE TO BE JOINED BY A NUMBER OF
HISPANIC LEADERS FROM LONG ISLAND TODAY FOR A MEET AND GREET ALONG
WITH MEMBERS OF THEIR RESPECTIVE ORGANIZATIONS. I WILL JUST ANNOUNCE
WHO IS HERE WITH US TODAY. WE HAVE THE PERUVIAN AMERICAN CHAMBER
OF COMMERCE OF LONG ISLAND, HOWCHO (PHONETIC) TRADITION AND
FLAVOR NEW YORK; REVIVE [SIC] TODAY TRANSFORMATION, HOUSE OF
CHANGE CHURCH, YOUR BEST VERSION AND INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY FAITH IN
ACTION. THEY VISITED ALBANY TODAY TO MEET WITH SOME MEMBERS OF OUR
CONFERENCE AND ADVOCATE FOR THE NEEDS OF THEIR COMMUNITY. EACH OF
THESE ORGANIZATIONS DO SO MUCH TO SERVE THEIR COMMUNITIES AND THE
PEOPLE THAT THEY REPRESENT ON LONG ISLAND.
SO I ASK THAT YOU PLEASE WELCOME THEM TO THE PEOPLE'S
HOUSE TODAY AND OFFER THEM ALL -- ALL OF THE CORDIALITIES OF THE FLOOR.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: CERTAINLY. ON
BEHALF OF MR. GANDOLFO, MR. BARCLAY, I WISH TO WELCOME YOU INTO THE
CHAMBERS, AND ON BEHALF OF THE SPEAKER. WE THANK YOU FOR VISITING US
TODAY, AND WE OPEN UP THE CORDIALITIES OF THIS HOUSE, THE PEOPLE'S
HOUSE, FOR YOU TO ENJOY, AND ENJOY THE PRIVILEGES OF THE HOUSE AND
GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR
JOINING US.
(APPLAUSE)
THE CLERK WILL READ.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A05970, RULES REPORT
NO. 390, BEEPHAN. AN ACT TO AMEND THE TAX LAW, IN RELATION TO SALES
26
NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
AND COMPENSATING USE TAX IN DUTCHESS COUNTY.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: ON A MOTION BY MR.
-- MY APOLOGIES -- ON BEHALF OF MR. BEEPHAN, ON A MOTION [SIC] THE
SENATE BILL IS BEFORE THE HOUSE. THE SENATE BILL IS ADVANCED. HOME
RULE MESSAGE IS AT THE DESK.
READ THE LAST SECTION.
THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: 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. A06047, RULES REPORT
NO. 391, SCHIAVONI, O'PHARROW, MAGNARELLI, GONZÁLEZ-ROJAS,
MCDONALD, BUTTENSCHON, LUNSFORD, SHIMSKY, COLTON, REYES, VALDEZ,
SANTABARBARA, GRIFFIN, ROSENTHAL, SAYEGH, KELLES, LEVENBERG, KASSAY.
AN ACT TO AMEND THE PUBLIC HEALTH LAW, IN RELATION TO REQUIRING ANNUAL
REPORTS ON TICK-BORNE ILLNESSES; AND TO REQUIRE THE SUPERINTENDENT OF
FINANCIAL SERVICES TO REVIEW THE STATUS OF HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE
FOR THE TREATMENT OF LYME DISEASE AND OTHER TICK-BORNE RELATED
DISEASES.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: ON A MOTION BY MR.
SCHIAVONI, SENATE BILL IS BEFORE THE HOUSE. THE SENATE BILL IS
ADVANCED.
27
NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
THE CLERK WILL READ THE LAST SECTION.
THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: THE CLERK WILL
RECORD THE VOTE.
(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)
ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES?
(PAUSE)
MR. SCHIAVONI TO EXPLAIN HIS VOTE.
MR. SCHIAVONI: GOOD AFTERNOON, MR. SPEAKER.
TICK-BORNE ILLNESSES ARE -- ARE A SCOURGE THAT AFFECTS
EVERY SINGLE PART OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. I COME FROM A FAMILY THAT
HAS HAD NUMEROUS INFECTIONS OF TICK-BORNE ILLNESS. MY MOTHER HAD
BABESIOSIS, MY -- MY BROTHER HAS ALPHA-GAL CURRENTLY. AS A CHILD I HAD
ROCKY MOUNTAIN SPOTTED FEVER. IN FACT, MOST OF THE FAMILIES THAT I
KNOW ON EASTERN LONG ISLAND HAVE HAD SOME VERSION OF TICK-BORNE
ILLNESSES.
SO I APPLAUD THE ASSEMBLY FOR PASSING THIS BILL TODAY.
THIS WILL BRING GREATER CLARITY AND TRANSPARENCY TOWARDS THE SCOURGE OF
TICK-BORNE ILLNESSES BY THE STATE OF NEW YORK BY HAVING THESE
DIAGNOSES BROKEN DOWN BY COUNTY AND PUBLISHED FOR EVERYONE TO USE.
THIS WILL HELP OUR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS BETTER DIAGNOSE, TREAT AND
ADDRESS TICK-BORNE ILLNESSES THROUGHOUT THE STATE. ADDITIONALLY, IT WILL
HELP OUR MUNICIPALITIES EMPLOY TECHNIQUES TO HELP LOWER THE INFECTIONS
OF TICK-BORNE ILLNESSES.
AND WHILE I AM UP HERE I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE SOME
28
NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
OF THE GREAT WORK FROM PEOPLE ON ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT. FROM THE
VILLAGE OF NORTH HAVEN I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE CLAAS ABRAHAMS [SIC]
FOR -- FOR WHAT HE HAS DONE. THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLK, I WANT TO
ACKNOWLEDGE LEGISLATOR ANN WELKLER, AS WELL AS DR. SCOTT CAMPBELL.
AND FROM THE REGIONAL TICKBORNE ILLNESS CENTER FROM STONY BROOK
SOUTHAMPTON, KAREN WULFFRAAT, FOR ALL OF HER WORK.
I WILL BE VOTING IN THE AFFIRMATIVE. THANK YOU.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: THANK YOU.
MR. SCHIAVONI IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.
(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)
THE BILL IS PASSED.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A06298, RULES REPORT
NO. 392, BRONSON. AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY OF MONROE TO OFFER
AN OPTIONAL 20-YEAR RETIREMENT PLAN TO CHRISTOPHER R. FAY, A CAPTAIN
EMPLOYED BY SUCH COUNTY.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: HOME RULE
MESSAGE IS AT THE DESK.
READ THE LAST SECTION.
THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: THE CLERK WILL
RECORD THE VOTE.
(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)
ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.
(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)
29
NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
THE BILL IS PASSED.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A06408, RULES REPORT
NO. 393, GALLAHAN. AN ACT TO AMEND THE TAX LAW, IN RELATION TO
EXTENDING THE AUTHORIZATION FOR ONTARIO COUNTY TO IMPOSE ADDITIONAL
RATES OF SALES AND COMPENSATING USE TAXES.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: ON A MOTION BY MR.
GALLAHAN, THE SENATE BILL IS BEFORE THE HOUSE. THE SENATE BILL IS
ADVANCED. HOME RULE MESSAGE IS AT THE DESK.
THE CLERK WILL READ THE -- READ THE LAST SECTION.
THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: 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. A06466, RULES REPORT
NO. 394, SEPTIMO, COLTON, BURDICK. AN ACT TO AMEND THE
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION LAW, IN RELATION TO REDUCTION OF AIR
POLLUTION FROM PETROLEUM BULK STORAGE FACILITIES.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: ON A MOTION BY THE
SENATE -- ON A MOTION BY MS. SEPTIMO, THE BILL [SIC] IS BEFORE THE
HOUSE. THE SENATE BILL IS ADVANCED. THE BILL IS LAID ASIDE.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A06485, RULES REPORT
NO. 395, FRIEND, PALMESANO. AN ACT TO AMEND THE TAX LAW, IN
30
NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
RELATION TO EXTENDING THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE COUNTY OF CHEMUNG TO
IMPOSE AN ADDITIONAL 1 PERCENT OF SALES AND COMPENSATING USE TAXES.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: ON A MOTION BY MR.
FRIEND, THE SENATE BILL IS BEFORE THE HOUSE. THE SENATE BILL IS
ADVANCED. HOME RULE MESSAGE IS AT THE DESK.
THE CLERK WILL READ THE LAST SECTION.
THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: 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 A06783, RULES REPORT
NO. 396, WEPRIN, BRAUNSTEIN, R. CARROLL, CRUZ, DURSO, COOK,
HYNDMAN, MCDONOUGH, ROZIC, SIMON, STECK, PHEFFER AMATO, RA,
VANEL, MAMDANI. AN ACT IN RELATION TO ORDERING A STUDY AND REPORT ON
A PROPOSED EXTENSION OF THE LONG ISLAND MOTOR PARKWAY TRAIL, A PART OF
THE BROOKLYN QUEENS GREENWAY, EAST FROM WINCHESTER BOULEVARD TO
LITTLE NECK PARKWAY IN THE COUNTY OF QUEENS TO THE TRAILHEAD OF THE
PLANNED MOTOR PARKWAY TRAIL IN THE COUNTY OF NASSAU; AND PROVIDING
FOR THE REPEAL OF SUCH PROVISIONS UPON EXPIRATION THEREOF.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: READ THE LAST
SECTION.
THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.
31
NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: 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. A07007, RULES REPORT
NO. 397, OTIS. AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE VILLAGE OF PORT CHESTER TO OFFER
AN OPTIONAL 20-YEAR RETIREMENT PLAN TO A CERTAIN POLICE OFFICER
EMPLOYED BY SUCH VILLAGE.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: HOME RULE
MESSAGE IS AT THE DESK.
READ THE LAST SECTION.
THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.
ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: THE CLERK WILL
RECORD THE VOTE.
(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: ARE THERE ANY OTHER
VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.
(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)
THE BILL IS PASSED.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A07011-A, RULES
REPORT NO. 398, TAPIA, SHIMSKY, EPSTEIN, SAYEGH, BUTTENSCHON,
SCHIAVONI, SIMONE ROSENTHAL, LEVENBERG, DINOWITZ, HEVESI, LUPARDO,
GRIFFIN, RAJKUMAR, BRABENEC, MCDONOUGH, SMULLEN, SLATER,
32
NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
LEMONDES, DESTEFANO, K. BROWN, PALMESANO, SEAWRIGHT, REYES,
MAHER, KASSAY, LUNSFORD, SEMPOLINSKI, MCDONALD, SANTABARBARA,
WEPRIN, GIGLIO. AN ACT TO AMEND THE PUBLIC HEALTH LAW, IN RELATION TO
ALLOWING INDIVIDUALS TO REGISTER IN THE "DONATE LIFE REGISTRY" THROUGH
MANDATORY ELECTRONIC PERSONAL INCOME TAX FILINGS.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: READ THE LAST
SECTION.
THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT ON THE 180TH
DAY.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THE CLERK WILL
RECORD THE VOTE.
(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)
MR. SMULLEN TO EXPLAIN HIS VOTE.
MR. SMULLEN: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. I RISE
TODAY TO EXPLAIN MY VOTE ON THIS IMPORTANT LEGISLATION WHICH IS GOING
TO SUPERCHARGE THE DONATE LIFE PROGRAM IN NEW YORK.
I WANT TO SPECIFICALLY COMMEND THE SPONSOR FOR
PASSING THIS LEGISLATION THAT WILL CAPTURE THE GREATEST NUMBER OF NEW
YORKERS WHO COULD POSSIBLY NOW ENROLL IN THE DONATE LIFE REGISTRY,
AND THAT'S THE -- THE TAXPAYING CITIZENS. THIS WILL GO A TREMENDOUS
WAY, ALONG WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND THE
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION, BUT THIS WILL MAKE THE
BIGGEST DIFFERENCE ACROSS THE WIDEST SWATH OF NEW YORKERS FOR A VERY
IMPORTANT PROGRAM WHICH IS GONNA SAVE NEW YORKERS' LIVES.
SO I SAY TO -- TO ALL OF US, I -- I RISE IN SUPPORT OF THIS
33
NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
LEGISLATION, THANK THE SPONSOR, AND URGE ALL MY COLLEAGUES IN BOTH THE
ASSEMBLY, THE SENATE AND THE GOVERNOR TO SIGN THIS LEGISLATION. THANK
YOU VERY MUCH.
(APPLAUSE)
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THANK YOU.
MR. SMULLEN IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.
MR. PALMESANO TO EXPLAIN HIS VOTE.
MR. PALMESANO: YES, MADAM SPEAKER, AND MY
COLLEAGUES. I JOIN MY COLLEAGUE IN RISING TO SUPPORT THIS LEGISLATION
AND THANK THE SPONSOR.
THE SIMPLE FACT OF THE -- THE SIMPLE FACT IS, THE MORE
WE ASK THE QUESTION, DO YOU WANT TO BE AN ORGAN DONOR, THE MORE
PEOPLE ARE GONNA SAY YES. AND PUTTING THEM ON THE TAX FORMS JUST
MAKES SENSE IN EVERY WAY. WE'RE GONNA GET A LOT OF PEOPLE ASK THE
QUESTIONS. WE'RE GONNA HAVE MORE PEOPLE REGISTER. AND WE NEED TO
REMEMBER, RIGHT NOW IN NEW YORK OUR DONATION RATE IS 50 PERCENT; THE
NATIONAL AVERAGE IS 64 PERCENT. RIGHT NOW IN NEW YORK, WE HAVE
8,000 NEW YORKERS ON THE WAIT LIST; 1,000 HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR MORE
THAN FIVE YEARS. THERE ARE 52 REGISTRIES ACROSS OUR STATES AND
TERRITORIES; NEW YORK IS 47 OUT OF 52. WE HAVE THE THIRD-HIGHEST NEED
FOR ORGANS, BUT THE SIXTH WORST DONOR REGISTRY RATE.
SADLY, LAST YEAR WE LOST NEARLY 400 MEN, WOMEN AND
CHILDREN WAITING FOR A LIVE-SAVING ORGAN TRANSPLANT. BUT THE MOST
IMPORTANT STATISTIC WE NEED TO REMEMBER, WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT AND
SHARE WITH PEOPLE, ONE PERSON, JUST ONE PERSON WHO DONATES AT THE TIME
34
NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
OF THEIR DEATH, CAN SAVE UP TO EIGHT LIVES AND IMPACT THE LIVES OF 75
OTHERS.
SO LET'S CONTINUE TO DO OUR JOB. LET'S CONTINUE TO
WORK TOGETHER. PASS IMPORTANT LEGISLATION LIKE THIS. CONTINUE TO ASK
THAT QUESTION TO THE PUBLIC, DO YOU WANT TO REGISTER TO BE AN ORGAN
DONOR AND HELP SAVE LIVES?
SO THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. I VOTE YES.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: MR. PALMESANO IN
THE AFFIRMATIVE.
MS. TAPIA TO EXPLAIN HER VOTE.
MS. TAPIA: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER, TO EXPLAIN
MY VOTE.
EVERY ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES KNOW -- KNOW MY STORY,
MY FAMILY, AND KNOW HOW DIFFICULT IT HAS BEEN. BUT THIS LEGISLATION
THAT WE ARE PUTTING IN IS A GAME-CHANGER BECAUSE, I MEAN, EVERYONE IN
OUR COMMUNITIES HAVE TO -- TO DO THEIR TAXES. AND IT'S GONNA BE SO
EASIER [SIC] FOR MANY OF OUR NEIGHBORS AND EVERYONE JUST TO DONATE LIFE
TO THE ONES THAT ACTUALLY ARE MOST IN NEED.
MY SON GOT A TRANSPLANT IN 2021 FROM AN ANONYMOUS
PERSON THAT I -- WE DON'T KNOW WHO IT WAS THAT HAS THAT GRATITUDE. AND
FOR ME, THIS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE, I MEAN, KNOWING THAT MANY -- MANY
OTHER PEOPLE AND WE'RE GONNA HAVE LESS PEOPLE, LESS OF OUR PEOPLE
DYING FROM SOMETHING THAT CAN BE SOLVED WITH -- WITH -- WITH A LOVE OF
OUR -- OF OUR COMMUNITIES AND ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE THAT LIVE JUST
BESIDES [SIC] US AND THEY DON'T KNOW. MANY OF THEM DON'T KNOW THAT
35
NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
THEY CAN DONATE AN ORGAN TO SAVE A LIFE.
SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU TO ALL THE COSPONSORS, THE
ONES THAT SPONSORED THIS BILL THAT HELPED ME IN THIS FIGHT THAT WE HAVE
BEEN DOING FOR MANY YEARS. I VOTE IN THE -- IN THE POSITIVE.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THANK YOU.
MS. TAPIA IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.
(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)
THE BILL IS PASSED.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A07334, RULES REPORT
NO. 399, BUTTENSCHON. AN ACT TO AMEND THE TAX LAW, IN RELATION TO
AUTHORIZING ONEIDA COUNTY TO IMPOSE ADDITIONAL RATES OF SALES AND
COMPENSATING USE TAXES AND PROVIDING FOR ALLOCATION AND DISTRIBUTION
OF A PORTION OF NET COLLECTIONS FROM SUCH ADDITIONAL RATES.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: ON A MOTION BY MS.
BUTTENSCHON, THE SENATE BILL IS BEFORE THE HOUSE. THE SENATE BILL IS
ADVANCED. 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.
36
NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A07385-A, RULES
REPORT NO. 400, BRONSON, CLARK, MEEKS, LUNSFORD, TAYLOR. AN ACT TO
AMEND CHAPTER 416 OF THE LAWS OF 2007, ESTABLISHING THE CITY OF
ROCHESTER AND THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT OF
THE CITY OF ROCHESTER SCHOOL FACILITIES MODERNIZATION PROGRAM ACT, IN
RELATION TO GRANTING FURTHER AUTHORITY TO THE RJSCB TO MODERNIZE
EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES IN THE CITY OF ROCHESTER.
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.)
MR. SEMPOLINSKI TO EXPLAIN HIS VOTE.
MR. SEMPOLINSKI: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.
SO AS I WAS PREPARING WHEN THIS WENT THROUGH
COMMITTEE, THE BILL SORT OF CAUGHT MY EYE FOR ONE REASON. ONE, IT'S
INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF EXPENDITURE FOR THIS PARTICULAR SCHOOL PROJECT
BY $125 MILLION, WHICH IS A NUMBER THAT WOULD CATCH MY EYE. AND
THEN AS I WAS READING THE BILL MEMO BECAUSE OF THAT, IT SAYS THE TOTAL
COST TO THE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT IS TO BE DETERMINED. THAT'S THE
SPONSOR'S WORDS. AND THEN WHEN I LOOKED AT THE BILL TEXT, IT SORT OF
INDICATES THAT A BONDING WOULD BE THE PREFERRED METHOD OF FINANCING,
WHICH, OF COURSE, WOULD NOT HAVE A COST TO THE STATE. BUT IT DOESN'T
AUTHORIZE BONDING, IT AUTHORIZES AN EXTENSION OF THE SCALE OF THE
37
NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
PROJECT AND SAYS IF THE SUPERINTENDENT -- THE SUPERINTENDENT SHALL
SUBMIT TO THE SCHOOL BOARD A COMPREHENSIVE DRAFT PLAN RECOMMENDING
OUTLYING HOW IT WILL BE FUNDED, AND HAVE TO EXPLAIN HOW IT WOULD BE
FUNDED IF IT IS NOT BONDED. SO BONDED IS INDICATED AS A PREFERRED WAY
OF FUNDING IT, BUT NOT A DETERMINATIVE WAY OF FUNDING IT. SO I'M GONNA
TAKE THE SPONSOR AT HIS WORD AND SAY THAT THE TOTAL COST TO THE STATE AND
LOCAL GOVERNMENT IS TO BE DETERMINED, AND I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE
WITH VOTING FOR SOMETHING WITH $125 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL FUNDS WHERE
WE DON'T KNOW WHO MIGHT EVENTUALLY BE ON THE HOOK FOR IT.
SO I VOTE IN THE NEGATIVE.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: MR. SEMPOLINSKI IN
THE NEGATIVE.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.
(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THE BILL IS PASSED.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A07428, RULES REPORT
NO. 401, PHEFFER AMATO. AN ACT TO AMEND THE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE OF
THE CITY OF NEW YORK, IN RELATION TO THE RATE OF INTEREST USED IN THE
ACTUARIAL VALUATION OF LIABILITIES FOR THE PURPOSE OF CALCULATING
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE NEW YORK CITY EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM,
THE NEW YORK CITY TEACHERS' RETIREMENT SYSTEM, THE POLICE PENSION
FUND, SUBCHAPTER TWO, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PENSION FUND, SUBCHAPTER
TWO, AND THE BOARD OF EDUCATION RETIREMENT SYSTEM OF SUCH CITY BY
PUBLIC EMPLOYERS AND OTHER OBLIGORS REQUIRED TO MAKE EMPLOYER
CONTRIBUTIONS TO SUCH RETIREMENT SYSTEMS, THE CREDITING OF SPECIAL
38
NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
INTEREST AND ADDITIONAL INTEREST TO MEMBERS OF SUCH RETIREMENT SYSTEMS,
AND THE ALLOWANCE OF SUPPLEMENTARY INTEREST ON THE FUNDS OF SUCH
RETIREMENT SYSTEMS.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: READ THE LAST
SECTION.
THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT
JULY 1, 2025.
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. A07560-A, RULES
REPORT NO. 402, SANTABARBARA, SHIMSKY, BURDICK, ZINERMAN,
DESTEFANO. AN ACT TO AMEND THE MENTAL HYGIENE LAW, IN RELATION TO
REQUIRING THE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ADVISORY COUNCIL TO SUBMIT AN
ANNUAL REPORT ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE COUNCIL.
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.
39
NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)
THE BILL IS PASSED.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A07563, RULES REPORT
NO. 403, MCDONALD, JACOBSON, LEVENBERG, MANKTELOW, REYES,
SHIMSKY, K. BROWN. AN ACT TO AMEND THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE LAW, IN
RELATION TO THE REMOVAL OF ACTIONS TO CERTAIN COURTS IN AN ADJOINING
COUNTY.
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.)
MS. WALSH TO EXPLAIN HER VOTE.
MS. WALSH: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.
SO, I -- I REALLY LIKE THIS BILL AND I'M HAPPY TO SUPPORT
THIS BILL. WHAT THIS DOES -- ESPECIALLY UPSTATE WE'RE SEEING NOW, I
DON'T KNOW SO MUCH WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE DOWNSTATE COURTS, BUT
WE'RE STARTING TO HAVE SEPARATE -- DIFFERENT PARTS TO HANDLE SPECIFIC
TYPES OF -- OF ISSUES LIKE THE INTEGRATED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COURT, THE
MENTAL HEALTH COURT. WHAT THIS DOES IS IT SAYS THAT IF YOU'VE GOT A
COUNTY THAT HAS A MENTAL HEALTH COURT AND AN ADJOINING COUNTY DOES
NOT, BUT THEY HAVE A CRIMINAL CASE THAT THEY COULD SEND OVER TO THE
COURT THAT HAS -- TO THE -- TO THE COUNTY THAT HAS ONE, AS LONG AS BOTH
DAS AGREE TO DO IT, THEN WE WOULD BE ALLOWED TO -- TO SEND IT OVER. I
40
NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
THINK THAT THAT'S A GREAT IDEA, BECAUSE I THINK THAT YOU'RE GONNA HAVE A
SPECIALIZED COURT THAT COULD REALLY GIVE THAT KIND OF INDIVIDUAL
ATTENTION TO -- TO THE DEFENDANT THAT'S COMING BEFORE THEM. AND -- AND
IT'S THAT -- IT'S THAT KIND OF REPARATIVE JUSTICE THAT I THINK WE'RE ALL REALLY
LOOKING FOR.
SO, I'M VERY HAPPY TO SUPPORT IT. I LIKE THE FACT THAT
IT'S AT THE DISCRETION OF THE -- OF BOTH THE DAS. IT'S NOT A MANDATE THAT
WE'RE PUTTING DOWN ON ANYBODY. IT'S ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE AND IT'S AN
OPTION. SO, I'M HAPPY TO VOTE YES. THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THANK YOU.
MS. WALSH IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.
(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)
THE BILL IS PASSED.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A07745, RULES REPORT
NO. 404, STERN, FITZPATRICK, GIGLIO, SMITH, DURSO, GANDOLFO, K.
BROWN, DESTEFANO, SCHIAVONI. AN ACT TO AMEND THE TAX LAW, IN
RELATION TO EXTENDING THE AUTHORITY OF THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLK TO IMPOSE
AN ADDITIONAL ONE PERCENT OF SALES AND COMPENSATING USE TAX.
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.
41
NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
(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. A08193, RULES REPORT
NO. 405, DESTEFANO. AN ACT IN RELATION TO AUTHORIZING THE ASSESSOR OF
THE TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN TO ACCEPT AN APPLICATION FOR A REAL PROPERTY
TAX EXEMPTION FROM CALVARY FULL GOSPEL ASSEMBLY OF GOD CHURCH.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: READ -- 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. A08295-B,
RULES REPORT NO. 406, OTIS, MCDONALD, SIMON. AN ACT TO AMEND THE
STATE TECHNOLOGY LAW, THE EDUCATION LAW AND THE CIVIL SERVICE LAW,
IN RELATION TO AUTOMATED DECISION-MAKING BY GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: ON A MOTION BY
MR. OTIS, RULES REPORT NO. 406, BILL NO. A08295-B, THE AMENDMENTS
ARE RECEIVED AND ADOPTED.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A08299, RULES REPORT
42
NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
NO. 407, LAVINE, HEVESI. AN ACT TO AMEND THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS
LAW, IN RELATION TO AUTOMATIC ORDERS IN MATRIMONIAL ACTIONS.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: READ THE LAST
SECTION.
THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT ON THE 60TH
DAY.
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. A08589, RULES REPORT
NO. 408, HOOKS. AN ACT TO AMEND THE PRIVATE HOUSING FINANCE LAW,
IN RELATION TO THE AMOUNT OF FUNDS THAT MAY BE USED PER DWELLING UNIT
TO MODERNIZE CERTAIN AUTHORITIES USED BY THE HOUSING TRUST FUND
CORPORATION.
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.)
43
NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
THE BILL IS PASSED.
MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.
MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: MADAM SPEAKER, IF WE
COULD PLEASE JUST GO BACK TO PAGE 7 AND TAKE UP -- IT'S -- IT'S ON THE
A-CALENDAR AS WELL, AND TAKE UP RULES REPORT NO. 394.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THE CLERK WILL READ.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A06466 -- I'M SORRY,
SENATE NO. S01704, HARCKHAM (SEPTIMO, COLTON, BURDICK). AN ACT TO
AMEND THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION LAW, IN RELATION TO REDUCTION
OF AIR POLLUTION FROM PETROLEUM BULK STORAGE FACILITIES.
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.
MS. WALSH FOR THE PURPOSES OF AN ANNOUNCEMENT.
MS. WALSH: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MADAM
SPEAKER. THERE WILL BE A NEED FOR AN IMMEDIATE, MEMBERS-ONLY
CONFERENCE AT THE MINORITY IN THE PARLOR AT THIS TIME. THANK YOU VERY
MUCH.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: IMMEDIATE MINORITY
44
NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
CONFERENCE, MEMBERS-ONLY, IN THE ASSEMBLY PARLOR. MINORITY
CONFERENCE IN THE ASSEMBLY PARLOR.
MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.
MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: MADAM SPEAKER, WOULD
YOU PLEASE HAVE THE HOUSE STAND AT EASE?
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: ON
MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES' MOTION, THE HOUSE STANDS AT EASE.
(WHEREUPON, AT 3:51 P.M., THE HOUSE STOOD AT EASE.)
****************************
(WHEREUPON, AT 4:09 P.M., THE HOUSE WAS CALLED BACK
TO ORDER.)
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THE HOUSE WILL
COME TO ORDER.
MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.
MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: THANK YOU SO MUCH.
NOW, IF WE CAN GO TO OUR DEBATE CALENDAR. AND WE'RE
GONNA TAKE UP RULES REPORT NO. 244, IT'S ON PAGE 7, BY MS. LUNSFORD.
AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO GO TO CALENDAR NO. 100, IT'S ON PAGE 21, BY
MR. BURDICK. IN THAT ORDER, PLEASE.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THANK YOU.
PAGE 7, RULES REPORT NO. 244, CLERK WILL READ.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A08303, RULES REPORT
NO. 244, LUNSFORD. AN ACT TO AMEND THE CIVIL PRACTICE LAW AND
RULES, THE BUSINESS CORPORATION LAW, THE GENERAL ASSOCIATIONS LAW,
45
NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY LAW, THE NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION
LAW AND THE PARTNERSHIP LAW, IN RELATION TO CONSENT TO JURISDICTION BY
FOREIGN BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS AUTHORIZED TO DO BUSINESS IN NEW YORK.
MR. RA: EXPLANATION, PLEASE.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: AN EXPLANATION HAS
BEEN REQUESTED.
MS. LUNSFORD.
MS. LUNSFORD: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.
THIS BILL IS ACTUALLY RELATIVELY SIMPLE. IT SIMPLY SAYS THAT IF YOU ARE A
FOREIGN CORPORATION, WHICH MEANS YOU ARE A CORPORATION THAT IS NOT
DOMICILE HERE IN NEW YORK, WHEN YOU REGISTER WITH OUR SECRETARY OF
STATE TO DO SO BUSINESS IN NEW YORK STATE, THAT YOU ARE CONSENTING TO
WHAT'S CALLED "GENERAL JURISDICTION".
NOW, THIS BILL HAS BEEN VETOED IN THE PAST, BUT IT HAS
BEEN CHANGED SINCE THEN. AND I THINK MOST NOTABLY SINCE THE LAST TIME
IT WAS ARGUED THE SUPREME COURT DECIDED THE CASE OF MALLORY V.
NORFOLK -- I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE WORD "NORFOLK" -- NORFOLK
SOUTHERN RAILWAY, WHICH EXPLICITLY UPHELD A VERY SIMILAR STATUTE IN
PENNSYLVANIA. AND WITHIN THAT CASE, THERE WAS A DISSENT BY JUSTICE
ALITO THAT SAID THAT HE HAS SOME CONCERNS THAT THE BILL WOULD NOT
WITHSTAND A CHALLENGE UNDER DAIMLER, WHICH IS THE -- THE CASE THAT
ACTUALLY PROMPTED THE AUTHORING OF THIS BILL. BUT THE BILL-IN-CHIEF HERE
ADDRESSES THAT ISSUE BY SAYING THAT THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO CAN BRING A
CASE OF GENERAL JURISDICTION IN NEW YORK ARE THOSE WITH A NEXUS TO THE
STATE. SO, A RESIDENT OF THE STATE, A LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP, OR
46
NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
OTHER BUSINESS THAT IS DOMICILE TO NEW YORK, OR ANOTHER FOREIGN
BUSINESS THAT'S REGISTERED IN OUR STATE.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: MR. RA.
MR. RA: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. WILL THE
SPONSOR YIELD?
MS. LUNSFORD: OF COURSE.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: WILL THE SPONSOR
YIELD?
SPONSOR YIELDS.
MR. RA: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. SO, READING
THROUGH THIS WAS -- WAS DEFINITELY A -- A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE TO --
MS. LUNSFORD: INTERNATIONAL SHOE?
MR. RA: YUP. INTERNATIONAL SHOE AND CIVIL
PROCEDURES. SO, MY APOLOGIES TO -- TO THE NON -- TO THE NON-ATTORNEYS
IN -- IN THE ROOM. BUT IT'S -- IT'S AN INTERESTING QUESTION OF -- OF -- OF
LAW AND PRECEDENT AND ALL -- ALL OF THOSE TYPES OF THINGS. SO, YOU WENT
INTO THAT FIRST. SO, IN TERMS OF THE PRIOR VETO, SOME OF THE CASE LAW THAT
HAS COME ABOUT SINCE THEN, AS WELL AS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THIS BILL
AND THAT BILL. SO, LET'S START THERE.
THIS BILL, MY UNDERSTANDING AND -- AND I THINK THIS IS
STATED IN THE SPONSOR'S MEMO, THAT YOU'RE LIMITING THE CLASS OF POTENTIAL
PLAINTIFFS WHO COULD SUE THESE FOREIGN BUSINESSES FROM PRIOR VERSIONS
OF THE BILL, CORRECT?
MS. LUNSFORD: CORRECT. YES. SO, ANY POTENTIAL
PLAINTIFF WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A NEXUS WITH NEW YORK STATE.
47
NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
MR. RA: OKAY. AND IT -- THAT WOULD BE ANY FOREIGN
CORPORATION, LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OR LIMITED
LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP THAT IS AUTHORIZED TO DO BUSINESS IN NEW YORK
STATE? I'M TALKING ABOUT -- THAT COULD BRING AN ACTION.
MS. LUNSFORD: CORRECT. OR RESIDENT OF THE STATE;
AN INDIVIDUAL.
MR. RA: SO, NOW, DOES THAT MEAN THAT A BUSINESS,
EVEN THOSE THAT AREN'T ORGANIZED UNDER THE LAWS OF NEW YORK AND DON'T
HAVE ANY SIGNIFICANT PRESENCE IN NEW YORK, COULD STILL BRING CASES IN
NEW YORK COURTS FOR ACTIONS UNRELATED TO NEW YORK IF THEY HAVE
SIMPLY REGISTERED TO DO BUSINESS HERE?
MS. LUNSFORD: YES.
MR. RA: SO, THAT IS THE INTENTION OF -- OF THE BILL?
MS. LUNSFORD: YES.
MR. RA: OKAY. AND IS THAT WHAT YOU MEAN BY
"LICENSED IN NEW YORK"? THAT THEY HAVE REGISTERED TO DO BUSINESSES
HERE --
MS. LUNSFORD: YES --
MR. RA: -- BUSINESS.
MS. LUNSFORD: -- I BELIEVE THAT THE -- REGISTRATION
WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE. AND JUST AS A REMINDER, ALL THIS REALLY DOES
IS BRING US BACK TO THE STATE OF OUR LAW. PRIOR TO THE DAIMLER DECISION,
THIS WAS HOW OUR LAW WORKED FOR OVER 100 YEARS IN NEW YORK STATE.
MR. RA: OKAY. NOW, THIS BILL EXPANDS REQUIREMENT
TO -- TO -- FOR PLAINTIFFS TO HAVE AT LEAST SOME CONNECTION TO NEW YORK
48
NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
STATE, BUT THIS STILL WOULD BRING INTO THE NEW YORK COURT CASES OF
WHOSE ACTIONS AND FACTS HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH NEW YORK STATE; IS
THAT CORRECT?
MS. LUNSFORD: WELL, INSOMUCH AS THE PLAINTIFFS
WOULD NEED TO HAVE SOME SORT OF NEXUS TO THE STATE, THAT WOULD
HAVE TO DO WITH NEW YORK STATE. AND THE BUSINESSES THAT WOULD BE
SUBJECT TO THE LAWSUIT, THE -- THE POTENTIAL DEFENDANTS WOULD BE
REGISTERED TO DO BUSINESS HERE. SO, THAT WOULD BE RELATED TO OUR STATE.
MR. RA: OKAY. BUT THERE DOES NOT NEED TO BE A
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE DEFENDANT'S CONTACT WITH NEW YORK STATE AND
THE CLAIM THAT IS BEING BROUGHT INTO COURT?
MS. LUNSFORD: CORRECT. THE SITUS OF THE HARM
DOES NOT NEED TO BE IN NEW YORK STATE.
MR. RA: OKAY.
MS. LUNSFORD: I APOLOGIZE FOR MR. RA AND JEN
LUNSFORD'S LAW SCHOOL. THAT'S GONNA HAPPEN TODAY.
MR. RA: YUP.
SO THIS PROPOSAL, AS STATED BY YOUR SPONSOR'S MEMO,
WOULD REESTABLISH THE JURISDICTION OF NEW YORK COURTS OVER FOREIGN
COMPANIES DOING BUSINESS IN THE STATE. SO, CURRENTLY -- I KNOW YOU'RE
TALKING ABOUT KIND OF REESTABLISHING THAT TO WHERE THE LAW WAS
PREVIOUSLY. BUT RIGHT NOW, IF WE WERE NOT TO ENACT THIS BILL INTO LAW,
DOESN'T NEW YORK STATE STILL HAVE JURISDICTION OVER FOREIGN BUSINESSES;
BEING THOSE THAT AREN'T FORMED UNDER THE LAWS OF NEW YORK STATE FOR
ACTIONS AND CLAIMS OCCURRING IN NEW YORK STATE? SO, SPECIFIC
49
NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
JURISDICTION?
MS. LUNSFORD: YES.
MR. RA: BUT THEY DO NOT HAVE GENERAL JURISDICTION IN
A SITUATION WHERE THE FACTS OF THE -- OF THE CASES DO NOT RELATE TO NEW
YORK STATE?
MS. LUNSFORD: I -- THERE'S ACTUALLY NEVER BEEN A
DECISION THAT SAYS WE DO NOT. FOLLOWING DAIMLER, WHICH IS -- IS A VERY
DIFFERENT SITUATION, NOT TO GET TOO INTO THE WEEDS, BUT THE FACT PATTERN IN
DAIMLER WAS AN EXTREMELY TENUOUS CONNECTION TO THE STATE OF
CALIFORNIA. THAT WAS A CASE INVOLVING COMPANIES THAT ARE NOT
REGISTERED OR WHO DO BUSINESS IN CALIFORNIA. IN FACT, WE'RE DOING
BUSINESS IN ARGENTINA, FOR THINGS THAT OCCURRED IN ARGENTINA, INVOLVING
A GERMAN COMPANY AND ARGENTINIAN RESIDENTS. SO, I MEAN, IT WAS A
REAL, UNRELATED SITUATION. SO, IN THIS SITUATION, THE COURTS HAVE NEVER
ACTUALLY DECIDED IF DAIMLER AFFIRMATIVELY PREVENTS US FROM EXERCISING
GENERAL JURISDICTION. SO, WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE IS JUST ENSURING THAT
SHOULD THE QUESTION EVER ARISE WE HAVE SAID LEGISLATIVELY THAT THAT IS
OUR INTENT.
MR. RA: OKAY. SO, AS -- AS I'M SURE YOU'RE AWARE,
YOU KNOW, OFTENTIMES ENTITIES MAY FORUM SHOP; MAY LOOK FOR A PLACE
THAT IS -- THAT IS, YOU KNOW, A BETTER PLACE FOR THEM TO BRING AN ACTION
WHERE THEY FEEL LIKE THEY MIGHT HAVE MORE SUCCESS. AND I KNOW THAT
THERE WERE OTHER STATES WHOSE LEGAL SYSTEMS ARE THOUGHT TO MAYBE BE
LESS ADVANTAGEOUS PLACES TO BRING THESE TYPES OF CASES. DO YOU HAVE
ANY CONCERNS THAT WE MAY BE SETTING A PRECEDENT HERE WHERE NEW
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NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
YORK BUSINESSES COULD BE SUBJECT TO LITIGATION BASED ON FACTORS THAT
AREN'T CONNECTED TO ACTIONS IN -- IN OTHER STATES AND THAT WE MIGHT
ENCOURAGE FORUM SHOPPING BECAUSE THEY'LL BE ABLE TO SUE IN NEW YORK
FOR -- FOR CLAIMS THAT REALLY DO NOT RELATE TO THE ACTIVITIES HERE IN NEW
YORK?
MS. LUNSFORD: I'M NOT CONCERNED BECAUSE THAT
WASN'T A PROBLEM WE SAW IN THE 100-PLUS YEARS PRIOR TO THE DAIMLER
DECISION WHEN THOSE SORTS OF CASES COULD HAVE BEEN BROUGHT HERE. YOU
KNOW, FURTHER, THAT SORT OF FORUM SHOPPING HAPPENS ON THE CORPORATE
END ALL THE TIME WHEN CHOOSING WHICH STATES TO REGISTER IN. SO, I THINK
THAT THIS SORT OF EVENS THE PLAYING FIELD IN THAT REGARD, WHERE IF PEOPLE
WANT TO FIND A VENUE THAT IS MORE ADVANTAGEOUS TO THEM. I MEAN, THAT'S
KIND OF HOW -- WHAT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME IN LEGAL MATTERS. BUT GIVEN
THAT THAT WASN'T A RAMPANT PROBLEM FOR A CENTURY HERE, I DON'T THINK THIS
IS GONNA OPEN ANY NEW DOORS.
MR. RA: OKAY. AND I -- I KNOW THAT THIS IS
SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN BROUGHT FORWARD BY THE OFFICE OF COURT
ADMINISTRATION AS A PROGRAM BILL, BUT I WOULD NOTE THAT THEY HAVE
REPEATEDLY INDICATED TO THIS LEGISLATURE, AS WE GO THROUGH OUR BUDGET
PROCESS EVERY YEAR, THAT THEY HAVE SIGNIFICANT CONSTRAINTS WITH REGARD
TO RESOURCES AND NEEDS. YOU KNOW, WE'VE -- WE'VE ADDED, OBVIOUSLY,
JUDGES AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE TO TRY TO KEEP THE CASELOAD MOVING,
BUT THEY DO HAVE A BACKLOG THAT THEY ARE NOT SHY ABOUT TELLING US ABOUT
WHEN IT COMES TO OUR BUDGET PROCESS. SO, IS THIS GOING TO ADD
ADDITIONAL CASELOAD BURNS ON NEW YORK'S COURT SYSTEM?
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NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
MS. LUNSFORD: INSOMUCH AS WE DIDN'T SEE AN
ADDITIONAL BURDEN WHEN THIS WAS THE STATE OF THE LAW, I DON'T BELIEVE SO.
MR. RA: OKAY. THANK YOU. I THINK THAT'S ALL I HAVE
FOR YOU FOR NOW.
MADAM SPEAKER, ON THE BILL.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: ON THE BILL.
MR. RA: SO, I -- I -- I JUST WANT TO NOTE WITH REGARD
TO SOME OF THOSE CONCERNS I JUST STATED. WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, DECADES
AND DECADES OF PRECEDENT WITH REGARD TO WHEN A ENTITY IS SUBJECT TO THE
JURISDICTION IN A PARTICULAR STATE FOR CERTAIN ACTIONS. YOU KNOW, THERE'S
A TEST IN TERMS OF WHAT THEIR CONNECTION IS TO A PARTICULAR STATE. WHAT
THIS DOES, AND REGARDLESS OF WHETHER IT PREVIOUSLY WAS ALLOWED OR NOT,
AND OBVIOUSLY, THE CONSTITUTIONAL, YOU KNOW, BOUNDS OF THIS MAY BE
UNCLEAR AT THIS TIME. THERE HAVE BEEN SOME COURT DECISIONS, AS THE
SPONSOR STATED, IN THE RECENT PAST. BUT WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT HERE IS
PUTTING INTO LAW THAT A DEFENDANT WHO HAS SOME CONNECTION TO NEW
YORK STATE COULD THEN SUE AN ENTITY THAT HAS SOME CONNECTION TO NEW
YORK STATE BECAUSE THEY'VE -- THEY'VE REGISTERED TO -- TO DO BUSINESS
HERE FOR SOMETHING THAT HAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH NEW YORK
STATE. FOR SOMETHING THAT DIDN'T OCCUR IN NEW YORK STATE, THAT DOESN'T
HAVE TO HAVE ANY RELATIONSHIP TO ACTIVITIES OR THAT CORPORATION'S
CONNECTIONS TO NEW YORK STATE. AND THERE'S A COUPLE OF REASONS WHY I
THINK THAT ISN'T REALLY A GOOD THING.
NUMBER ONE, AS I MENTIONED, I THINK IT ENCOURAGES
FORUM SHOPPING. IT ENCOURAGES AN INDIVIDUAL TO SAY, HEY, THIS ACT
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NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
REALLY AROSE IN SOME OTHER STATE, BUT BECAUSE I CAN GET JURISDICTION IN
NEW YORK STATE, THOSE LAWS MIGHT BE MORE HOSPITABLE TO MY CLAIM.
THOSE JURORS MIGHT BE MORE GENEROUS TO MY CLAIM IN NEW YORK STATE.
IT ALSO, BECAUSE OF THAT, MAYBE CREATES A DISINCENTIVE, WHICH THE LAST
THING WE NEED IS ANOTHER ONE, FOR BUSINESSES TO WANT TO INCORPORATE IN
NEW YORK STATE BECAUSE, BY DOING SO, THEY ARE SUBJECTING THEMSELVES
TO THE GENERAL JURISDICTION OF NEW YORK STATE EVEN FOR ACTS THAT HAVE
NOTHING TO DO WITH THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO NEW YORK STATE. SO, THAT IS A
TREMENDOUS CONCERN FOR OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY AS WE LOOK TO,
HOPEFULLY, MAKE THIS STATE A LITTLE MORE HOSPITABLE AND, YOU KNOW,
MAYBE EVEN, DARE I SAY, WELCOMING TO BUSINESSES THAT CAN COME TO
NEW YORK, HELP GROW OUR TAX BASE, GROW OUR ECONOMY.
THIS BILL IS GOING TO -- EVEN THOUGH IT'S BEEN CHANGED
FROM PRIOR VERSIONS, IT'S NOT AS WIDESPREAD IN TERMS OF WHO CAN BRING
CLAIMS, BUT IT STILL ALLOWS FOR -- AND -- AND I'LL REPEAT WHAT I SAID EARLIER,
THE CLASS OF PLAINTIFFS WHO COULD SUE FOREIGN BUSINESSES ARE NEW YORK
RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES WHO ARE LICENSED IN NEW YORK STATE, WHO
COULD THEN COMMENCE AN ACTION AGAINST A COMPANY THAT CONDUCTS
BUSINESSES IN NEW YORK. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHETHER THOSE ACTIONS THAT
CREATED THE CLAIM, THE CAUSE OF ACTION, HAPPENED IN NEW YORK OR IN
ANY WAY RELATE TO THE CORPORATION'S PRESENCE AND CONNECTIONS TO NEW
YORK.
SO, FOR THOSE REASONS, I -- I'M URGING A NO VOTE. I -- I
THINK THAT THIS HAS A POTENTIAL, LIKE I SAID, TO ENCOURAGE FORUM
SHOPPING, TO INCREASE THE BACKLOG ON OUR -- ON OUR COURTS WHO ARE
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NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
ALWAYS ASKING FOR MORE RESOURCES AND MORE JUDGES TO MAKE SURE THAT
THE COURTHOUSES ARE OPEN TO ANY NEW YORK RESIDENT WHO NEEDS TO SEEK
JUSTICE IN THEM, AND ALSO ANOTHER FACTOR FOR CORPORATIONS TO THINK ABOUT
WHEN THEY'RE TRYING TO DETERMINE WHETHER THEY WANT TO CONTINUE DOING
BUSINESS IN NEW YORK STATE. THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THANK YOU.
MR. MOLITOR.
MR. MOLITOR: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. WILL
THE SPONSOR YIELD?
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: WILL THE SPONSOR
YIELD?
MS. LUNSFORD: ABSOLUTELY.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THE SPONSOR YIELDS.
MR. MOLITOR: THANK YOU. YOU CAN HEAR ME OKAY
OVER THERE?
MS. LUNSFORD: I CAN.
MR. MOLITOR: OKAY. I KNOW HOW EXCITED YOU
WERE TO DEBATE THIS BILL.
MS. LUNSFORD: IT'S BEEN IN MY NOGGIN SINCE
TUESDAY. I ALSO DON'T WANT TO REMEMBER INTENTIONAL SHOE. SO, HERE
WE GO.
MR. MOLITOR: SO, JURISDICTION IS A NECESSARY LEGAL
REQUIREMENT BEFORE A LAWSUIT CAN BE BROUGHT; IS THAT RIGHT?
MS. LUNSFORD: OF COURSE.
MR. MOLITOR: AND RIGHT NOW, NEW YORK HAS
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NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
JURISDICTION OVER BUSINESSES THAT ARE INCORPORATED IN NEW YORK, RIGHT?
MS. LUNSFORD: YUP.
MR. MOLITOR: AND BUSINESSES THAT HAVE THEIR
PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS IN NEW YORK, RIGHT?
MS. LUNSFORD: YUP.
MR. MOLITOR: WHICH IS ALL -- ALL OF OUR SMALL
BUSINESSES, RIGHT?
MS. LUNSFORD: ANY BUSINESS THAT IS INCORPORATED
IN OUR STATE.
MR. MOLITOR: AND THAT INCLUDES ALL OF OUR SMALL
BUSINESSES, RIGHT?
MS. LUNSFORD: YES.
MR. MOLITOR: AND IN THOSE INSTANCES WHERE A
BUSINESS'S AFFILIATION ARE -- IS SO CONTINUOUS AND SYSTEMIC AS TO RENDER
IT ESSENTIALLY AT HOME IN NEW YORK. NEW YORK WOULD HAVE
JURISDICTION OVER THAT BUSINESS, CORRECT?
MS. LUNSFORD: YES. WHAT YOU'RE REFERRING TO IS
THE STANDARD IN THE DAIMLER DECISION.
MR. MOLITOR: AND THIS BILL WOULD EXTEND
JURISDICTION OVER ALL BUSINESSES THAT REGISTER WITH NEW YORK STATE TO DO
BUSINESS, RIGHT?
MS. LUNSFORD: I HESITATE TO SAY IT EXTENDS
BECAUSE I WOULD ARGUE, ACTUALLY, THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE GENERAL
JURISDICTION OVER BUSINESSES THAT REGISTER IN OUR STATE, AS THAT, AGAIN,
HAS NOT BEEN AFFIRMATIVELY DECIDED. I WANT TO MAKE SURE WITH THIS BILL
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NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
THAT WE'RE LETTING THE COURTS KNOW THAT THAT IS OUR INTENT. BUT, YES, THAT
IF YOUR READING OF DAIMLER IS THAT IT PRECLUDES US FROM EXERCISING
GENERAL JURISDICTION OVER BUSINESSES THAT ARE NOT DOMICILED HERE, THEN
THAT WOULD BE AN EXTENSION.
MR. MOLITOR: BUT THIS BILL WOULD ESSENTIALLY --
ONCE A BUSINESS REGISTERS WITH NEW YORK STATE, UNDER THIS BILL IT SAYS
THAT THAT BUSINESS CONSENTS TO JURISDICTION.
MS. LUNSFORD: CORRECT. GENERAL JURISDICTION.
MR. MOLITOR: SO, THERE'S NO MORE DISCUSSION AS TO
WHETHER JURISDICTION IS AN ISSUE. THEY WAIVED THAT RIGHT ONCE THEY
CONSENT TO DO BUSINESS -- OR ONCE THEY'VE REGISTERED TO DO BUSINESS IN
NEW YORK, RIGHT?
MS. LUNSFORD: CORRECT.
MR. MOLITOR: AND REGISTRATION DOES NOT MEAN
THAT THE BUSINESS IS OPERATIONAL, CORRECT?
MS. LUNSFORD: NO, BUT IT GIVES THEM OPTION TO
ACCESS OUR STATE.
MR. MOLITOR: RIGHT. SO, FOR EXAMPLE, AS YOU --
AS YOU MIGHT KNOW, SOMEONE MIGHT REGISTER A BUSINESS IN NEW YORK
JUST FOR TRADEMARK PROTECTIONS WITH NO INTENTION OF EVER DOING ACTUAL
BUSINESS IN NEW YORK. THEY MIGHT DO IT TO PROTECT A TRADEMARK.
MS. LUNSFORD: I MIGHT ARGUE THAT TRADEMARK
PROTECTION IS A KIND OF BUSINESS.
MR. MOLITOR: BUT, IF THEY WERE JUST REGISTERING A
TRADEMARK, THIS WOULD OPEN UP THAT BUSINESS TO A LAWSUIT FOR ANY
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NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
REASON UNDER ANY -- ANY ONE, ANY NUMBER OF NEW YORK STATUTES; WOULD
IT NOT?
MS. LUNSFORD: POTENTIALLY.
MR. MOLITOR: BOTH CIVIL AND POTENTIAL CRIMINAL
CASES?
MS. LUNSFORD: I SUPPOSE TO THE EXTENT THAT THERE
ARE CRIMINAL PROVISIONS THAT COULD INVOLVE A CORPORATION.
MR. MOLITOR: AND THIS BILL PERMITS ANY RESIDENT
TO BRING A LAWSUIT AGAINST ANY BUSINESS REGISTERED IN NEW YORK. IT
ESTABLISHES JURISDICTION BUT IT PERMITS ANY RESIDENT TO BRING THAT
LAWSUIT; IS THAT RIGHT?
MS. LUNSFORD: IT WOULD ALLOW ANY RESIDENT, IN
ADDITION TO ANY DOMICILE BUSINESS, THE OPTION TO EXERCISE GENERAL
JURISDICTION OVER ANY BUSINESS REGISTERED IN NEW YORK STATE JUST AS ANY
RESIDENT OF NEW YORK STATE COULD HAVE FOR A 100-PLUS YEARS PRIOR TO
THE DAIMLER DECISION.
MR. MOLITOR: OKAY. WHEN YOU'RE REFERENCING THE
100-PLUS YEARS, AREN'T YOU ESSENTIALLY REFERENCING WHAT DAIMLER HAS
CONFIRMED? WHICH IS THE UNDERSTANDING OF JURISDICTION THAT WE --
WE'VE HAD FOR 100 YEARS, IS WHAT THE DAIMLER DECISION CONFIRMED; IS IT
NOT?
MS. LUNSFORD: OH, NO. IT ISN'T. THE DAIMLER
DECISION WAS A DEPARTURE FROM THE WAY WE APPROACH GENERAL
JURISDICTION. I REALLY DON'T WANNA HAVE TO DO INTERNATIONAL SHOE, BUT
WHEN -- IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE DAIMLER DECISION DIDN'T OVERTURN
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NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
INTERNATIONAL SHOE AND IT SOMEWHAT LEFT THIS DECISION OPEN. BUT IF YOU
LOOK AT THE CASE IN MALLORY, MALLORY REFERENCES ANOTHER CASE CALLED
PENNSYLVANIA FIRE. PENNSYLVANIA FIRE WAS ANOTHER CASE IN
PENNSYLVANIA THAT WAS DECIDED OVER 100 YEARS AGO. AND WHAT'S
INTERESTING ABOUT THE SUPREME COURT'S DECISION IN MALLORY IS THEY SAY
THIS IS ACTUALLY NOT A NEW QUESTION, IT IS A VERY OLD QUESTION AND WE
HAVE ALREADY DECIDED THIS. BECAUSE THEY RECOGNIZE THAT THIS WAS THE
STATE OF THE LAW.
MR. MOLITOR: SO, NOT ONLY WOULD THIS GIVE ANY
RESIDENT TO SUE ANY BUSINESS, BUT ANY BUSINESS COULD SUE ANY OTHER
BUSINESS, OR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE IN THE STATE COULD BRING A
CLAIM AGAINST ANY BUSINESS THAT'S REGISTERED IN NEW YORK; IS THAT
CORRECT?
MS. LUNSFORD: AS THEY CAN NOW, YES.
MR. MOLITOR: AND SO THIS MIGHT MAKE IT MUCH
EASIER FOR NEW YORK TO BRING LAWSUITS AGAINST BUSINESSES THAT DRILL,
REFINE, TRANSPORT AND SELL FOSSIL FUELS ON AN INTERNATIONAL STAGE; IS THAT
CORRECT?
MS. LUNSFORD: I MEAN INSOMUCH AS THOSE
BUSINESSES ARE REGISTERED IN NEW YORK, I WOULD ARGUE THE AG COULD DO
THAT RIGHT NOW.
MR. MOLITOR: ISN'T IT POSSIBLE THAT THIS BILL COULD
ESSENTIALLY SET NEW YORK UP TO BE LIKE THE CENTRAL HUB FOR, YOU KNOW,
MAJOR WORLDWIDE INTERNATIONAL LAWSUITS?
MS. LUNSFORD: I MEAN, WE ARE ALREADY THE HUB
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NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
FOR MAJOR WORLDWIDE INTERNATIONAL LAWSUITS BECAUSE OUR COURTS ARE VERY
FAMOUSLY EXPERTS IN MANY CASES AND GIVEN THAT SO MANY FOREIGN
BUSINESSES OPERATE IN NEW YORK STATE, THE TENTH LARGEST ECONOMY IN
THE WORLD, THIS HAPPENS TO US ALL THE TIME. BUT I DON'T THINK THIS OPENS
US UP TO SOME NEW FLOOD OF LEGISLATION, AGAIN PARTICULARLY BECAUSE
DAIMLER WAS DECIDED, WHAT, IN 2014? WE'RE TALKING ABOUT 11 YEARS
AGO. THE STATE OF THE LAW HAS ONLY BEEN IN QUESTION FOR 11 YEARS. WE
HAVEN'T SEEN A MAJOR CHANGE SINCE THEN IN THE AMOUNT OF LAWSUITS
COMING IN UNDER SOME NEW RUBRIC THAT ARE BEING PREVENTED. IF THERE
WASN'T A FLOOD OF LITIGATION IN 1987, I DON'T SEE WHY THERE'D BE A FLOOD
OF LITIGATION TODAY.
MR. MOLITOR: WELL, THIS BILL MAKES JURISDICTION
MORE EXPANSIVE, WHICH WOULD THEORETICALLY BRING MORE LAWSUITS.
MS. LUNSFORD: NOT MORE EXPANSIVE THAN IT WAS IN
2013. IT BRINGS IT BACK TO HOW EXPANSIVE IT WAS IN 2013, AND I THINK
WE HAVE A LONG LEGISLATIVE HISTORY THAT POINTS TO HOW MANY LAWSUITS WE
COULD EXPECT.
MR. MOLITOR: SO THIS BILL IS CODIFYING A LAW THAT
WAS IN EXISTENCE IN 2013?
MS. LUNSFORD: IT IS CLARIFYING OUR POSITION AS A
STATE TO ENSURE THAT THERE'S NO MORE QUESTION UNDER DAIMLER.
MR. MOLITOR: SO THIS BILL, THE LANGUAGE OF THIS BILL
WAS NOT THE LAW IN 2013?
MS. LUNSFORD: NO, BUT THIS WAS THE POLICY OF THE
STATE.
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NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
MR. MOLITOR: OH.
MS. LUNSFORD: THERE WASN'T SPECIFIC LEGISLATION
THAT STATED THIS, BUT IT WAS THE POLICY -- IT WAS OUR INTERPRETATION OF
GENERAL JURISDICTION IN NEW YORK STATE. AND FRANKLY, ALL OTHER STATES,
AS FAR AS I'M AWARE, UNLESS THERE WAS SOME EXPRESS PROHIBITION TO
GENERAL JURISDICTION IN ANOTHER STATE, ALL STATES OPERATED THAT WAY.
MR. MOLITOR: DOESN'T THIS BILL, YOU BROUGHT UP
MALLORY. DOESN'T THIS BILL VIOLATE SECTION -- ARTICLE 1, SECTION 8,
CLAUSE 3 OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION --
MS. LUNSFORD: NO.
MR. MOLITOR: -- WHICH WE'VE ALL SWORN TO
UPHOLD?
MS. LUNSFORD: NO.
MR. MOLITOR: IT DOES NOT VIOLATE THE COMMERCE
CLAUSE?
MS. LUNSFORD: NO.
MR. MOLITOR: YOU DON'T FORESEE ANY CIRCUMSTANCE
IN WHICH IT WOULD VIOLATE THE COMMERCE CLAUSE?
MS. LUNSFORD: NO.
MR. MOLITOR: OKAY. NOW, IN ORDER FOR
BUSINESSES TO AVOID THIS EXPANDED JURISDICTIONAL ATTACHMENT, LET'S SAY,
THEY CAN JUST NOT REGISTER TO DO BUSINESS IN NEW YORK; ISN'T THAT
CORRECT?
MS. LUNSFORD: CORRECT.
MR. MOLITOR: AND FOR THOSE BUSINESSES THAT ARE
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NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
CURRENTLY REGISTERED, IF THEY CEASE TO REGISTER, THEN JURISDICTION WOULD
NO LONGER ATTACH TO THEM; IS THAT CORRECT?
MS. LUNSFORD: CORRECT. THIS LAW ACTUALLY
EXPRESSLY STATES THAT IF YOU WERE TO CHOOSE TO UNREGISTER, THAT THAT
CONSENT IS ALSO WITHDRAWN.
MR. MOLITOR: OKAY. ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, MS.
LUNSFORD.
MS. LUNSFORD: THANK YOU.
MR. MOLITOR: ON THE BILL.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: ON THE BILL.
MR. MOLITOR: SO, THIS BILL WILL LIKELY DISCOURAGE
FOREIGN, OUT-OF-STATE COMPANIES FROM REGISTERING TO DO BUSINESS IN NEW
YORK DUE TO FEAR OF BEING SUED HERE FOR CONDUCT UNRELATED TO THEIR NEW
YORK OPERATIONS. THIS IS ESPECIALLY DAMAGING TO START-UPS AND
MID-SIZE BUSINESSES, TECH FIRMS AND OUT-OF-STATE MANUFACTURERS AND
LOGISTIC COMPANIES. AT A TIME WHEN WE ARE TRYING TO ATTRACT NEW JOBS
AND INVESTMENT, THIS BILL COULD DRIVE THOSE OPPORTUNITIES TO
NEIGHBORING STATES WITH MORE PREDICTABLE JURISDICTIONAL RULES. DESPITE
WHAT THE SPONSOR ARGUES, THERE IS NO STATE THAT HAS -- THAT HAS
LEGISLATION LIKE THIS ONE. THIS BILL WOULD EXPOSE BUSINESSES TO
NATIONWIDE LITIGATION IN NEW YORK COURTS SIMPLY BY REGISTERING HERE.
THIS COULD RAISE LEGAL INSURANCE PREMIUMS, INCREASE OPERATING COST,
UNDERMINE -- AND UNDERMINE BUSINESS CERTAINTY. NO OTHER MAJOR STATE
SUBJECTS BUSINESS TO UNLIMITED JURISDICTION JUST BECAUSE THEY FOLLOW
REGISTRATION RULES. THIS IS A TRAPDOOR DISGUISED AS A FORUM. WE RISK
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NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
YEARS OF LITIGATION AND THE EVENTUAL NULLIFICATION OF THIS LAW, WHILE
DAMAGING OUR BUSINESS CLIMATE IN THE MEANTIME. AS I POINTED OUT,
THERE ARE -- THIS BILL, I BELIEVE, IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL UNDER THE COMMERCE
CLAUSE. THERE ARE SMARTER CONSTITUTIONAL WAYS TO PROTECT NEW YORKERS
WITHOUT SCARING OFF JOB CREATORS. THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHOULD BE A
MODEL FOR FAIR, COMPETITIVE AND CONSTITUTIONALLY-SOUND BUSINESS
REGULATION. WHILE THIS BILL IS WELL-INTENTIONED, IT COULD SEND A
DAMAGING MESSAGES [SIC] TO COMPANIES NATIONWIDE. IF YOU COME TO
NEW YORK, YOU CAN BE SUED HERE FOR ANYTHING, BY ANYONE, FROM
ANYWHERE. AND THAT'S NOT THE MESSAGE WE WANT TO SEND. I'D ENCOURAGE
ALL MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE NO ON THIS BILL.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: READ THE LAST
SECTION.
THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT JANUARY 1ST.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: A PARTY VOTE HAS
BEEN REQUESTED.
MS. WALSH.
MS. WALSH: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. DUE TO
TWO PRIOR VOTES IN 2021 AND 2013, WITH SIGNIFICANT OPPOSITION AND TWO
PRIOR GOVERNORS' VETOES, THIS WILL BE A PARTY VOTE IN THE NEGATIVE FOR
OUR CONFERENCE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THANK YOU.
MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.
MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: THANK YOU, MADAM
SPEAKER. THE DEMOCRATIC CONFERENCE IS GOING TO BE IN FAVOR OF THIS
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NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
PIECE OF LEGISLATION. SO, WE'LL BE VOTING IN THE AFFIRMATIVE; HOWEVER,
THERE MAY BE A FEW THAT WOULD DESIRE TO BE AN EXCEPTION. THEY SHOULD
FEEL FREE TO DO SO AT THEIR SEATS.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THANK YOU.
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: MADAM SPEAKER, IF WE
COULD NOW GO TO PAGE 3 AND TAKE UP OUR RESOLUTIONS.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: PAGE 3,
RESOLUTIONS, THE CLERK WILL READ.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 628, MS.
SOLAGES.
LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR
KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM MAY 19, 2025, AS HUMAN MILK DAY IN THE
STATE OF NEW YORK.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: ON THE RESOLUTION,
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE; OPPOSED, NO.
THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 629, MR.
JENSEN.
LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR
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NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM JUNE 2025, AS SCLERODERMA AWARENESS
MONTH IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: ON THE RESOLUTION,
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE; OPPOSED, NO.
THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 630, MS.
WILLIAMS.
LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR
KATHY HOCHUL TO DECLARE JUNE 2025, AS NORTH AMERICAN HURRICANE
AWARENESS MONTH IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AT THE START OF THE ATLANTIC
HURRICANE SEASON.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: ON THE RESOLUTION,
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE; OPPOSED, NO.
THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 631, MS.
BARRETT.
LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR
KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM JUNE 2025, AS FARMER'S MARKET
APPRECIATION MONTH IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: ON THE RESOLUTION,
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE; OPPOSED, NO.
THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 632, MS.
GLICK.
LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR
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NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM JUNE 2025, AS GAY PRIDE MONTH IN THE STATE
OF NEW YORK.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: MS. GLICK ON THE
RESOLUTION.
MS. GLICK: THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR GIVING ME AN
OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON THE RESOLUTION. THIS PRIDE MONTH REALLY DATES
BACK TO THE STONEWALL UPRISING IN 1969, WHEN FOLKS WHO HAD BEEN
REGULARLY FACING RAIDS -- POLICE RAIDS, IN THE FEW PLACES WHERE THEY
WERE ABLE TO CONGREGATE AND FEEL A SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND FEEL SAFETY.
BUT, THOSE RAIDS WOULD RESULT IN PEOPLE BEING OUTED AND LOSING THEIR
JOBS AND MAYBE THEIR FAMILIES. AND SO, THAT UPRISING WAS THE
BEGINNING OF WHAT IS THE MODERN GAY PRIDE MOVEMENT AND IN MY
DISTRICT, WE HAVE THE STONEWALL VISITOR CENTER, THE NATIONAL
MONUMENT, WHICH HAS NOT YET BEEN STRIPPED. ALTHOUGH, THEY HAVE
ELIMINATED TRANSGENDER FROM IT. IT IS PAINFUL TODAY TO THINK THAT HARVEY
MILK, WHO WAS A KOREAN WAR VETERAN, WHO WAS A COUNCIL MEMBER IN
SAN FRANCISCO AND WAS ASSASSINATED ALONG WITH THE MAYOR OF SAN
FRANCISCO BECAUSE HARVEY MILK WAS GAY AND ANOTHER COUNCIL MEMBER
TOOK EXCEPTION TO THAT REALITY. IT IS -- IT IS A PAINFUL SET OF
CIRCUMSTANCES AND RIGHT NOW, MORE THAN EVER, IT IS IMPORTANT.
AUTHORITARIAN ORG -- GOVERNMENTS LIKE HUNGARY, HAVE BANNED PRIDE
CELEBRATIONS. YOU'RE NOT GONNA ELIMINATE GAY PEOPLE, WE'RE HERE. JUST
LIKE THE NAZIS DIDN'T ELIMINATE JEWS, THOUGH THEY TRIED. THIS
ADMINISTRATION AND OTHERS ARE NOT GOING TO ELIMINATE GAY PEOPLE.
WE'RE IN YOUR FAMILIES, WE'RE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOODS, WE'RE WORKING
65
NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
WITH YOU, WE WORK FOR YOU. AND THIS IS AN IMPORTANT MARKER FOR
PEOPLE WHO ARE FACING DISCRIMINATION -- A REVIVAL OF DISCRIMINATION IN
A WAY THAT IS SHOCKING TO ME TODAY.
I WILL JUST REMIND YOU THAT WE PASSED A CIVIL RIGHTS BILL
IN THIS STATE PROTECTING BASIC RIGHTS OF EMPLOYMENT, PUBLIC
ACCOMMODATION AND HOUSING AND IT WAS SIGNED INTO LAW IN 2002. I
HAVE BEEN A MEMBER OF THIS HOUSE IN SINCE 1991 AND MY BASIC CIVIL
RIGHTS, REGARDING PUBLIC ACCOMMODATION, WERE NOT PROTECTED UNTIL
2002. THIS ATTEMPT TO GASLIGHT AMERICA, TO ERASE A PEOPLES FROM
AMERICA, IS NOT GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
AND SO, I'M PLEASED THAT WE HAVE THIS AND I KNOW THAT
THE GOVERNOR WILL BE HAPPY TO DECLARE JUNE PRIDE MONTH AND THAT WE
HAVE SUPPORT IN THIS -- IN THIS STATE, BUT NOT IN EVERY CORNER OF THE
STATE. AND THE PUSHBACK AGAINST PEOPLE WHO ARE JUST TRYING TO LIVE
THEIR LIVES, BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THEIR LIVES ARE
ABOUT, IS NO REASON FOR PEOPLE TO LOSE THEIR BASIC CIVIL RIGHTS.
AND SO, I APPRECIATE THE PATIENCE OF MY COLLEAGUES.
I'M SORRY, I'M AS IRRITATED TODAY AS I AM ABOUT THIS BUT, THE ATTEMPT TO
ERASE HARVEY MILK FROM A NAVY SHIP IS THE SAME THING THAT WAS ABOUT
TRYING TO ERASE HARRIET TUBMAN FROM THE WEBSITE OF AND THE ATTEMPT TO
ERASE SOME OF THE HISTORY AT THE SMITHSONIAN. THOSE THINGS ARE WRONG.
WE HAVE TO SAY THEY'RE WRONG, WE HAVE TO BE UNITED AND NOT ALLOW THE
FORCES OF DIVISION THAT HAVE NO INTEREST IN US BEING UNITED ON THE BASIC
INTEREST THAT ALL OF US CARE ABOUT: DELIVERING FOR THE PEOPLE IN OUR
COMMUNITIES. SEEING THAT KIDS GET A GOOD EDUCATION, SEEING THAT
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NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
PEOPLE GET GOOD JOBS, ALL OF THAT IS THE SAME THING. AND SO, I'M PLEASED
TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE, BUT THIS
PRIDE MONTH THIS YEAR IS ALL THE MORE IMPORTANT. THANK YOU.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THANK YOU, MS.
GLICK.
(APPLAUSE)
ON THE RESOLUTION, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING
AYE; OPPOSED, NO.
THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 633, MS.
WALSH.
LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR
KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM JUNE 2025, AS REUNIFICATION MONTH IN THE
STATE OF NEW YORK.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: MS. WALSH ON THE
RESOLUTION.
MS. WALSH: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER, MY
COLLEAGUES. SO, JUNE IS CELEBRATED NATIONALLY AS REUNIFICATION MONTH
WHICH CELEBRATES THE POWER OF FAMILY REUNIFICATION AND ITS POSITIVE
IMPACT ON THOSE WITHIN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM. IT RECOGNIZES THE
PEOPLE AND ONGOING EFFORTS TO HELP FAMILIES STAY TOGETHER. IT IS ALSO A
TIME TO RECOMMIT TO STRENGTHENING AND IMPROVING THOSE EFFORTS
THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. IT WAS AN INITIATIVE STARTED BY THE AMERICAN BAR
ASSOCIATION CENTER ON CHILDREN AND THE LAW IN 2010. SO, SOME
IMPORTANT THINGS TO THINK ABOUT IN REUNIFICATION MONTH, IS THAT WHEN --
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NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
WHEN IT'S NOT SAFE OR APPROPRIATE FOR A CHILD TO REMAIN WITH THEIR BIRTH
FAMILY, THERE IS SOMETIMES A NEED FOR A FOSTER CARE PLACEMENT. AND
DURING THAT TIME PERIOD, THE LOCAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES AND
THEIR TEAM OF CASEWORKERS AND VARIOUS PROVIDERS ARE REALLY TRYING HARD
TO TRY TO REPAIR ANY INFIRMITIES WITHIN THE FAMILY UNIT SO THAT THAT CHILD
IN FOSTER CARE CAN RETURN HOME. THAT IS THE GOLD STANDARD, THAT IS WHAT
WE HOPE TO DO AND ACCOMPLISH. WE DON'T WANT ANY CHILDREN TO HAVE TO
BE IN FOSTER CARE. BUT WE ALSO, AT THE SAME TIME, NEED TO GIVE GREAT
CREDIT TO THOSE FOSTER PARENTS AND FOSTER FAMILIES THAT ARE WILLING TO STEP
UP AND PROVIDE A LOVING HOME AND OFFER SUPPORT FOR REUNIFICATION, BUT
AT THE SAME TIME BE THERE TO TRY TO PROVIDE ALL THE SUPPORT THAT THEY CAN
TO THAT CHILD UNTIL, IF, THAT FAMILY UNIT CAN BE REPAIRED AGAIN.
SO, THIS CHILDREN'S BUREAU HIGHLIGHTED THIS MONTH AS
QUOTE, "AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM TO
COMMIT TO RESOURCE FAMILIES AND CHILDREN’S PARENTS WORKING TOGETHER
TO PROVIDE CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH THE CRITICAL LOVE AND SUPPORT THEY
NEED. IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO USE THE COMPASSION AND SKILLS OF RESOURCE
FAMILIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO ENCOURAGE AND PROMOTE SAFE
REUNIFICATION, WHERE POSSIBLE, AND TO REMAIN ENGAGED WITH CHILDREN
AND PARENTS POST REUNIFICATION AS ONGOING SUPPORT FOR REUNIFIED
FAMILIES." AS I SAID, THE GOAL OF FOSTER CARE IS REUNIFICATION WITH THE
HOPES THAT ALL CHILDREN CAN BE REUNITED WITH THEIR PARENTS WHEN IT IS
SAFE AND WHEN IT'S APPROPRIATE. AND THE MOST EFFECTIVE FOSTER CARE
GIVERS ENCOURAGE REUNIFICATION, EXTENDING THEIR ROLE IN TO SUPPORTING AN
ENTIRE FAMILY, NOT JUST THE CHILDREN IN THEIR CARE. THAT'S WHY I THINK
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NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
THAT THIS IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT RESOLUTION AND ONE THAT I'M VERY PROUD TO
PRESENT TO MY COLLEAGUES TODAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THANK YOU. ON THE
RESOLUTION, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE; OPPOSED, NO.
THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 634, MR.
LAVINE.
LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR
KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM JUNE 2025, AS POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS INJURY
AWARENESS MONTH, AND JUNE 27, 2025, AS POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS INJURY
AWARENESS DAY IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: ON THE RESOLUTION,
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE; OPPOSED, NO.
THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 635, MS.
JACKSON.
LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR
KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM AUGUST 11, 2025, AS HIP-HOP CELEBRATION
DAY IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: ON THE RESOLUTION,
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE; OPPOSED, NO.
THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 636, MR.
DESTEFANO.
LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR
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NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM AUGUST 2025, AS CHILDREN'S EYE HEALTH AND
SAFETY AWARENESS MONTH IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: ON THE RESOLUTION,
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE; OPPOSED, NO.
THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 637, MR.
EACHUS.
LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR
KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM SEPTEMBER 7, 2025, AS GRANDPARENTS DAY IN
THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: MR. EACHUS ON THE
RESOLUTION.
MR. EACHUS: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER, FOR
ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK ON THIS RESOLUTION. AS A GRANDFATHER FIVE TIMES
OVER, WITH MY OLDEST GRANDSON BEING 25 YEARS OLD, I REALLY ENJOY THIS
ROLE. AND I ALSO HAVE COME TO A VERY DEEP APPRECIATION ON WHY
GENERATIONS MUCH YOUNGER THAN MYSELF ARE THE ONES THAT GIVE BIRTH AND
RAISE THESE CHILDREN. SO, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THANK YOU. ON THE
RESOLUTION, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE; OPPOSED, NO.
THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 638, MR.
BRABENEC.
LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR
KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM SEPTEMBER 17-23, 2025, AS CONSTITUTION
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NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
WEEK IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: ON THE RESOLUTION,
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE; OPPOSED, NO.
THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 639, MS.
BUTTENSCHON.
LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR
KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM OCTOBER 2025, AS DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT
AWARENESS MONTH IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: ON THE RESOLUTION,
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE; OPPOSED, NO.
THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 641, MR.
RAGA.
LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR
KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM DECEMBER 10, 2025, AS HUMAN RIGHTS DAY
IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: ON THE RESOLUTION,
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE; OPPOSED, NO.
THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED.
THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 642, MS.
HUNTER.
LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR
KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM JUNE 12, 2025, AS WOMEN VETERANS
RECOGNITION DAY IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
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NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: MR. STERN ON THE
RESOLUTION.
MR. STERN: MADAM SPEAKER, AND RISING TODAY IN
MY CAPACITY AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE IN THE
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY. FIRST OF ALL, MADAM SPEAKER,
CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU AND TO YOUR OUTSTANDING TEAM ON SUCH A SPECIAL
DAY FOR SO MANY SPECIAL WOMEN FROM ALL ACROSS THE STATE OF NEW
YORK, THOSE WOMEN THAT HAVE SERVED AND CONTINUE TO SERVE OUR GREAT
NATION.
WOMEN HAVE FORMALLY BEEN PART OF THE UNITED STATES
ARMED FORCES SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THE ARMY NURSE CORPS IN 1901,
WELL BEFORE THEY ACTUALLY EVEN HAD THE RIGHT TO VOTE. BUT WOMEN HAVE
INFORMALLY SERVED SINCE THE INCEPTION OF OUR NATION'S MILITARY,
SOMETIMES DRESSED AND DISGUISED AS MEN. PRESIDENT HARRY TRUMAN
SIGNED THE WOMEN'S ARMED FORCES SERVICES ACT [SIC] IN 1948 -- IN
JUNE OF 1948, WHICH GRANTED WOMEN A PERMANENT PLACE IN OUR ARMED
FORCES. THAT PROUD TRADITION OF WOMEN IN THE MILITARY SERVICE
CONTINUES TO THIS DAY. AS I'M SPEAKING, I -- I THINK FONDLY OF MARCELLE
LEIS, MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES FROM SUFFOLK COUNTY KNOW MARCELLE LEIS
AS THE RELATIVELY NEW DIRECTOR OF OUR VETERAN SERVICES AGENCY, A
VETERAN SERVICES AGENCY THAT SERVES OUR VETERANS POPULATION, WHICH IS
THE LARGEST IN NEW YORK STATE. I SPEAK OF HER BECAUSE NOT ONLY DOES
SHE PROVIDE OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO OUR VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES
TODAY, NOT ONLY DOES SHE HAVE A VERY DISTINGUISHED RECORD SERVING IN
THE ARMED FORCES, BUT WE ALL KNOW HER, WHETHER WE KNOW IT OR NOT,
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NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
BECAUSE SHE WAS ONE OF THE PROFESSIONALS THAT HELPED ESTABLISH THE
JOSEPH P. DWYER PTSD -- PEER TO PEER PROGRAM THAT ALL OF US ADVOCATE
SO -- SO WELL FOR IN ALL OF OUR DISTRICTS THROUGHOUT NEW YORK STATE.
MARCELLE LEIS IS A TREMENDOUS EXAMPLE OF SOMEONE WHO HAVE SERVED
IN THE MILITARY AND CONTINUES TO SERVE OUR VETERANS POPULATION TODAY.
THESE WOMEN WHO ARE HERE TODAY, LIKE MARCELLE LEIS,
AND ALL ACROSS THE STATE, ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY, ARE SUCH A VITAL
COMPONENT OF THE UNITED STATES MILITARY SERVICES. ALL OF US OWE THEM
A TREMENDOUS DEBT OF GRATITUDE AND ALL OF US -- I KNOW ALL MY
COLLEAGUES FEEL THE VERY SAME EVERY TIME WE SEE ALL OF OUR COLLEAGUES,
ALL OF OUR VETERANS, PARTICULARLY WOMEN IN THE ARMED FORCES, THAT WE
TAKE A MOMENT TO SAY THANK YOU.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THANK YOU.
MR. CHANG ON THE RESOLUTION.
MR. CHANG: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER, AND
THANK YOU FOR INTRODUCING THIS RESOLUTION AS WE'RE VETERANS AND FOR AS A
NAVAL VETERAN FOR OVER TWO DECADES, I SERVED WITH WOMEN VETERANS
SIDE BY SIDE, EVEN IN AFGHANISTAN. AND THEY SERVED WELL AND THEY
SERVED WITH LOYALTY AND DISTINCTION AND -- AND IT'S GREAT THAT WE
RECOGNIZE THEM, BUT UNFORTUNATELY, IT'S NOT ENOUGH FOR THEM TO BE
JOINING THIS SERVICES AND I HOPE THAT THIS WILL ENABLE YOUNG WOMEN TO
JOIN MILITARY SERVICE AS A -- ANOTHER CAREER FIELD. THANK YOU, MADAM,
FOR THIS RESOLUTION. THANK YOU.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THANK YOU.
MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES ON THE RESOLUTION.
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NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: THANK YOU, MADAM
SPEAKER. I RISE TO SPEAK ON THIS RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE YOU FOR
PUTTING IT IN AND FOR ENTERTAINING THE STELLAR VETERANS THAT WERE IN OUR
PRESENCE TODAY, BOTH IN THE CHAMBERS AND IN THE CAPITOL. I DO WANT TO
JUST RECALL TO FOLKS ATTENTION THAT ON THIS SAME DAY, THE 19TH
AMENDMENT WAS PASSED IN 1920 ALLOWING WOMEN THE RIGHT TO VOTE.
AND BY THE WAY, THEY WERE ALREADY SERVING IN THE MILITARY. AND TO BE
CLEAR, IT WAS 50 YEARS LATER BEFORE THAT VOTE INCLUDED BLACK WOMEN,
AND THEY WERE ALREADY IN THE MILITARY AS WELL. YOU MIGHT REMEMBER
THE HISTORY OF SIX TRIPLE EIGHT. AND SO, I'M SAYING ALL OF THIS TO SAY
THAT, YOU KNOW, WOMEN HAVE ALWAYS STOOD UP FOR THIS COUNTRY, EVEN
WHEN THE COUNTRY DIDN'T STAND UP FOR THEM. SO, THANK YOU FOR PUTTING
FORWARD THIS RESOLUTION.
(APPLAUSE)
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THANK YOU.
ON THE RESOLUTION, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING
AYE; OPPOSED, NO.
THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED.
MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.
MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: MADAM SPEAKER, DO YOU
HAVE ANY FURTHER HOUSEKEEPING OR RESOLUTIONS?
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: WE HAVE SEVERAL
PIECES OF HOUSEKEEPING.
ON BEHALF OF MR. WEPRIN, BILL NO. A06652-A,
ASSEMBLY BILL RECALLED FROM SENATE. THE CLERK WILL READ THE TITLE OF
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NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
THE BILL.
THE CLERK: AN ACT TO AMEND THE INSURANCE LAW.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: MOTION TO
RECONSIDER THE BILL -- 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, THE AMENDMENTS ARE
RECEIVED AND ADOPTED.
ON BEHALF OF MR. ZACCARO, BILL NO. A07033-B,
ASSEMBLY BILL RECALLED FROM SENATE. THE CLERK WILL READ THE TITLE OF
THE BILL.
THE CLERK: AN ACT TO AMEND THE ARTS AND CULTURAL
AFFAIRS LAW.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: 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 RESULT.)
THE BILL IS BEFORE THE HOUSE, THE AMENDMENTS ARE
RECEIVED AND ADOPTED.
ON BEHALF OF MR. BRAUNSTEIN, BILL NO. A08069,
ASSEMBLY BILL RECALLED FROM SENATE. THE CLERK WILL READ THE TITLE OF
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NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
THE BILL.
THE CLERK: AN ACT TO AMEND PART P OF CHAPTER 39
OF THE LAWS OF 2019.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THE MOTION TO
RECONSIDER THE VOTE BY WHICH THE BILL PASSED THE HOUSE. THE CLERK
WILL RECORD THE VOTE.
(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)
THE CLERK WILL ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.
(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)
THE BILL IS BEFORE THE HOUSE AND THE AMENDMENTS ARE
RECEIVED AND ADOPTED.
ON BEHALF OF MS. LEE, BILL NO. A07618-A, ASSEMBLY
BILL RECALLED FROM THE SENATE. THE CLERK WILL READ THE TITLE OF THE BILL.
THE CLERK: AN ACT TO AMEND THE ELECTION LAW.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: A MOTION TO
RECONSIDER THE VOTE BY WHICH THE BILL PASSED THE HOUSE. THE CLERK
WILL RECORD THE VOTE.
(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)
THE CLERK WILL ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.
(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)
THE BILL IS BEFORE THE HOUSE AND THE AMENDMENTS ARE
RECEIVED AND ADOPTED.
WE HAVE A NUMBER OF RESOLUTIONS BEFORE THE HOUSE.
WITHOUT OBJECTION, THESE RESOLUTIONS WILL BE TAKEN UP TOGETHER.
ON THE RESOLUTIONS, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING
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NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 4, 2025
AYE; OPPOSED, NO. THE RESOLUTIONS ARE ADOPTED.
(WHEREUPON, ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NOS. 643-663
WERE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.)
MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.
MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: I NOW MOVE THAT THE
ASSEMBLY STAND ADJOURNED AND THAT WE RECONVENE AT 10:00 A.M.,
TUESDAY [SIC], JUNE 5TH, TOMORROW BEING A SESSION DAY.
ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: ON MRS.
PEOPLES-STOKES' MOTION, THE HOUSE STANDS ADJOURNED.
(WHEREUPON, AT 5:06 P.M., THE HOUSE STOOD ADJOURNED
UNTIL THURSDAY, JUNE 5TH AT 10:00 A.M., THAT BEING A SESSION DAY.)
77