FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2025 10:38 A.M.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THE HOUSE WILL

COME TO ORDER.

GOOD MORNING, COLLEAGUES.

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 HUNTER LED VISITORS AND

MEMBERS IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.)

A QUORUM BEING PRESENT, THE CLERK WILL READ THE

JOURNAL OF THURSDAY, JUNE 5TH.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: MADAM SPEAKER, I MOVE

TO DISPENSE WITH THE FURTHER READING OF THE JOURNAL OF JUNE THE 5TH AND

THAT THE SAME STAND APPROVED.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: WITHOUT OBJECTION,

SO ORDERED.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: COLLEAGUES AND GUESTS

THAT ARE IN THE CHAMBERS, I'D LIKE TO SHARE A QUOTE WITH YOU TODAY.

THIS ONE COMES FROM ARISTOTLE. EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT HE'S A

RENOWNED GREEK PHILOSOPHER. HIS WORDS FOR US TODAY: QUALITY IS NOT

AN ACT, IT'S ]SIC]A HABIT. AGAIN, THESE WORDS FROM THE INFAMOUS GREEK

PHILOSOPHER.

MADAM SPEAKER, MEMBERS HAVE ON THEIR DESK A MAIN

CALENDAR AND ALSO A DEBATE LIST. BEFORE ANY HOUSEKEEPING AND/OR

INTRODUCTIONS WE'RE GONNA TO BE CALLING FOR THE RULES COMMITTEE TO

MEET IN THE SPEAKER'S CONFERENCE ROOM. THIS COMMITTEE IS GOING TO

PRODUCE AN A-CALENDAR OF WHICH WE ARE GOING TO TAKE UP TODAY. WE

WILL ALSO BE CALLING FOR A WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE AT SOME POINT AS

WELL.

WE WILL BEGIN OUR FLOOR WORK TODAY, HOWEVER, BY

TAKING UP CALENDAR NO. 160 BY MR. WEPRIN. THEN WE'RE GONNA TAKE

UP THE FOLLOWING BILLS ON DEBATE: RULES REPORT NO. 383 BY MR.

LASHER, CALENDAR NO. 59 BY MS. ROMERO, AND RULES REPORT NO. 262

BY MR. TAYLOR. THERE MAY BE A NEED TO ANNOUNCE FURTHER FLOOR ACTIVITY

AT SOME POINT, MADAM SPEAKER. SHOULD THAT HAPPEN I WILL BE HAPPY TO

APPRISE.

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

THAT'S THE GENERAL OUTLINE OF WHERE WE'RE GOING. SO IF

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

CONFERENCE ROOM. THANK YOU, MA'AM.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THANK YOU.

RULES COMMITTEE TO THE SPEAKER'S CONFERENCE ROOM.

RULES COMMITTEE MEMBERS TO THE SPEAKER'S CONFERENCE ROOM.

WE DO HAVE A PIECE OF HOUSEKEEPING.

ON A MOTION BY MR. RIVERA, PAGE 10, RULES REPORT

NO. 292, BILL NO. A01529, THE AMENDMENTS ARE RECEIVED AND ADOPTED.

WE HAVE SEVERAL INTRODUCTIONS THIS MORNING. WE'LL

START WITH MR. RAGA FOR THE PURPOSES OF AN INTRODUCTION.

MR. RAGA: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. GOOD

MORNING.

I'M PROUD TO HELP INTRODUCE TODAY A DELEGATION FROM

THE PHILIPPINES HERE TO HELP CELEBRATE OUR THIRD ANNUAL PHILIPPINE

INDEPENDENCE DAY AT THE STATE CAPITOL. THEY'RE JOINED BY COMMUNITY

LEADERS AND THE PHILIPPINE CONSUL GENERAL. I'D LIKE TO JUST RECOGNIZE

PHILIPPINE CONSUL GENERAL SENEN MANGALILE, MARIA FAY MANGALILE,

VICE CONSUL AGUILAR, THE HONORABLE MAYOR STRIKE REVILLA, AND -- AND

THE CONSUL MEMBER DELEGATION OF LEVI TELA, ROBERTO OVENCHULA,

AUDRIA LITO GARAWAN, REYNALDO FABIENNE, MIGUEL BATISTA, ALEJANDRO

GUITTIERREZ, NOLI GAVEZ, RICARDO UGDALDE, REYNALDO PELEGRICIA,

SIMPLICO DOMINGUEZ, REGILIO NOLASKO, KAREN AVARISTO, AND EDWIN

GINTO (ALL PHONETIC). ALSO ACCOMPANIED BY COMMUNITY LEADERS DR.

DELI GO, ANGIE CRUZ, DR. AMELIO QUINES, IDA BARTOLAMAY AND NORA

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

GULIEROS (ALL PHONETIC).

MS. [SIC] SPEAKER, IF YOU COULD GIVE THEM ALL THE

CORDIALITIES OF THE FLOOR IN HONOR AND IN COMMEMORATION OF PHILIPPINE

INDEPENDENCE DAY, AND ALSO WITH ALL THE COMMUNITY WORK AND

CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE FILIPINO AMERICAN COMMUNITY HERE IN THE GREAT

STATE OF NEW YORK.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: ON BEHALF OF MR.

RAGA, THE SPEAKER AND ALL MEMBERS, WE WELCOME YOU, OUR

DISTINGUISHED GUESTS, TO THE ASSEMBLY CHAMBER. OUR PHILIPPINE

CONSUL GENERAL, MAYOR. WE EXTEND THE PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR TO YOU.

HOPE YOU ENJOY OUR PROCEEDINGS TODAY. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR

JOINING US.

(APPLAUSE)

MS. ROMERO FOR THE PURPOSES OF AN INTRODUCTION.

MS. ROMERO: THANK YOU, MS. [SIC] SPEAKER.

I'M HERE TO INTRODUCE CONSTITUENTS OF MINE ALSO FROM

THE FILIPINO DELEGATION. THEY'RE MEMBERS OF THE KALAYAAN 1521

COUNCIL. HERE ARE SOL KAPUNAN, MARY ANN KAPUNAN, RAFFY TRAGICO,

CLEO RODGERS, CHERYL HOYER, AND ALBANY'S SINULOG.

(PAUSE)

I'M PROUD TO INTRODUCE THEM, AND -- AND MY -- THEY'RE

HERE TO HONOR THE RICH AND WONDERFUL FILIPINO CULTURE.

KALAYAAN 1521 IS A NON-PROFIT DEVOTED TO PRESERVING

AND PROMOTING FILIPINO CULTURE IN THE UNITED STATES, AND I ASK THAT THEY

RECEIVE THE CORDIALITIES OF THE HOUSE AND THE RICHNESS AND AMAZINGNESS

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

OF THE FLOOR TODAY.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THANK YOU.

ON BEHALF OF MS. ROMERO, THE SPEAKER AND ALL

MEMBERS, WE WELCOME YOU, OUR DISTINGUISHED GUESTS WHO ARE HERE

CELEBRATING PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DAY. WE EXTEND THE PRIVILEGES OF

THE FLOOR TO YOU AND HOPE YOU ENJOY OUR PROCEEDINGS TODAY. THANK

YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR JOINING US.

(APPLAUSE)

MR. MAHER FOR THE PURPOSES OF AN INTRODUCTION.

MR. MAHER: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

I RISE TODAY TO INTRODUCE SEVERAL INDIVIDUALS, NONE

MORE IMPORTANT THAN MY WIFE, BECKY MAHER, WHO JOINS US. A TEACHER

AT MONTICELLO SCHOOL DISTRICT, BECKY TEACHES ENGLISH AS A SECOND

LANGUAGE AND IS VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT HER WORK. SHE ALSO SERVES HER

COMMUNITY IN AN ORGANIZATION THAT'S CALLED MONTICELLO CARES, WHICH

PROVIDES HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS AND FAMILIES RELIEF DURING THE HOLIDAYS.

PRIOR TO THAT, SHE WAS THE CO-FOUNDER OF HUDSON VALLEY HONOR FLIGHT,

AND SHE IS JOINED HERE BY SANDY STRAUSS, HIS WIFE DIANE AND HIS SISTER

CLAUDIA.

NOW, WHAT MAKES THIS VERY SPECIAL IS SANDY WORKED

IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT BECKY AND I BOTH ATTENDED. HE TAUGHT FOR

OVER 30 YEARS IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LEVEL. HE

WAS A COACH. IN 2018 HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE NEW YORK STATE HIGH

SCHOOL SOFTBALL HALL OF FAME. AND IN HIS YEARS OF RETIREMENT HE

UNFORTUNATELY HAD SOME KIDNEY ISSUES AND WAS IN NEED OF A TRANSPLANT.

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

IT WAS BECKY WHO RAISED HER HAND TO DONATE HER KIDNEY AS PART OF A

LIFESAVING TRANSPLANT THAT WAS -- ALLOWED SANDY AND HIS WIFE DIANE TO

NOW ENJOY THEIR YEARS OF RETIREMENT, THEIR GOLDEN YEARS. SANDY HAS

BEEN A TREMENDOUS LEADER IN THE COMMUNITY, BUT THIS ENTIRE PROCESS

HELP BRING US TOGETHER IN A WAY THAT HAS CONNECTED US AS FAMILY. WE

TRULY APPRECIATE HAVING THEM IN OUR LIVES.

AND I WOULD PLEASE ASK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER, TO GIVE

THEM THE CORDIALITIES OF THE FLOOR.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: ON BEHALF OF MR.

MAHER, THE SPEAKER AND ALL MEMBERS, WE ALWAYS LOVE TO HAVE FAMILY

MEMBERS HERE. SO WELCOME, BECKY, TO OUR ASSEMBLY CHAMBER, AND

OUR SPECIAL GUEST MR. STRAUSS AND YOUR FAMILY. WE EXTEND THE

PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR TO YOU. WHAT A SPECIAL CONNECTION, LIFELONG, THAT

YOU'VE HAD TOGETHER AND AN IMPORTANT GIFT THAT YOU WERE ABLE TO GIVE.

SO THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR JOINING US HERE TODAY. WE HOPE YOU

ENJOY THE PROCEEDINGS. THANK YOU.

(APPLAUSE)

MR. BLUMENCRANZ FOR THE PURPOSES OF AN INTRODUCTION.

MR. BLUMENCRANZ: THANK YOU, MADAM

SPEAKER.

IT IS MY DISTINCT HONOR TO RISE TODAY TO WELCOME TO THE

CHAMBER HIS EXCELLENCY AMBASSADOR OFIR AKUNIS, CONSUL GENERAL OF

ISRAEL IN NEW YORK. A STATESMAN OF PRINCIPLE, A DEFENDER OF

DEMOCRACY, AND A LIFELONG ADVOCATE FOR INNOVATION AND INTERNATIONAL

PARTNERSHIPS, AMBASSADOR AKUNIS' DISTINGUISHED CAREER SPANS DECADES

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

OF PUBLIC SERVICE. FROM HIS TIME AS MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND

TECHNOLOGY TO HIS LEADERSHIP IN THE KNESSET, HE HAS CONSISTENTLY

WORKED TO ADVANCE ISRAEL'S ROLE AS A GLOBAL LEADER IN SCIENTIFIC

DISCOVERY, REGIONAL DIPLOMACY, AND HUMAN PROGRESS.

AS THE RANKING MEMBER OF THE ASSEMBLY'S SCIENCE

AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE, I HAVE A DEEP APPRECIATION FOR THE

AMBASSADOR'S EFFORTS TO HARNESS INNOVATION FOR PUBLIC GOOD, WHETHER

IT'S AI, CLEAN ENERGY, CYBER SECURITY OR BIO -- BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH.

THESE ARE THE AREAS WHERE THE STATE OF ISRAEL AND NEW YORK CAN AND

MUST COLLABORATE MORE CLOSELY, AND THIS VISIT LAYS THE GROUNDWORK FOR

THAT SHARED FUTURE.

BUT TODAY IS ABOUT MORE THAN SCIENCE AND DIPLOMACY.

IT'S ABOUT SOLIDARITY. AS A YOUNG JEWISH LEGISLATOR, I CANNOT STAND HERE

WITHOUT ADDRESSING THE RISE OF ANTI-SEMITIC VIOLENCE FROM COLLEGE

CAMPUSES TO NEIGHBORHOODS ACROSS OUR NATION, INCLUDING THE HORRIFIC

RECENT STABBING INCIDENT IN BOULDER. MOMENTS LIKE THIS DEMAND

CLARITY, COURAGE AND UNITY. AND I AM PROUD TO SAY THIS IS NOT A PARTISAN

MOMENT. ACROSS PARTY LINES AND GEOGRAPHY, MEMBERS OF THIS BODY

HAVE COME TOGETHER TO SAY WITH THE AMBASSADOR, HATRED HAS NO HOME

HERE IN NEW YORK. NOT NOW, NOT EVER. WE ARE HERE TO AFFIRM OUR

COMMITMENT TO THE JEWISH NEIGHBORS WHO STRENGTHEN OUR BOND AND OUR

DEMOCRATIC ALLY, AND ENSURE THAT ISRAELIS AND ISRAELI NEW YORKERS HAVE

ACCESS TO CONSULATE SERVICES AND INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT THEY NEED, FROM

PASSPORTS TO PROTECTION TO EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN.

MADAM SPEAKER, I RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT YOU EXTEND

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

THE PRIVILEGES AND CORDIALITIES OF THE FLOOR TO AMBASSADOR OFIR AKUNIS,

AND WE THANK HIM FOR HIS LIFETIME OF PUBLIC SERVICE, AND WE WELCOME

HIM TO THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: ON BEHALF OF MR.

BLUMENCRANZ, THE SPEAKER AND ALL MEMBERS, WE WELCOME YOU,

AMBASSADOR, TO THE CHAMBER, EXTEND THE PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR TO YOU.

WE HOPE YOU ENJOY OUR PROCEEDINGS TODAY. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH

FOR JOINING US.

(APPLAUSE)

ON CONSENT, PAGE 25, CALENDAR NO. 160, THE CLERK

WILL READ.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A07321-A, CALENDAR

NO. 160, WEPRIN, KAY, RAGA, SHIMSKY, BICHOTTE HERMELYN, KASSAY,

BERGER, YEGER, BUTTENSCHON, HEVESI, SANTABARBARA, MCDONALD,

ZACCARO, LUCAS, JACKSON. AN ACT TO AMEND THE INSURANCE LAW, IN

RELATION TO REQUIRING HEALTH INSURERS TO PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR SPEECH

THERAPY FOR STUTTERING.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: READ THE LAST

SECTION.

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

1ST.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THE CLERK WILL

RECORD THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

MR. WEPRIN TO EXPLAIN HIS VOTE.

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

MR. WEPRIN: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

THIS BILL WILL HELP MILLIONS OF AMERICANS OF ALL AGES

WHO HAVE -- HAD SUFFERED WITH STUTTERING AND WERE NOT ABLE TO GET THE

THERAPY TRAINING THAT THEY NEEDED TO PREVENT STUTTERING AND TO IMPROVE

STUTTERING. WE'VE HAD -- WE HAD A SPECIAL GUEST HERE FOR A NUMBER OF

WEEKS, MICHAEL KIDD GILCHRIST, WHO IS A FORMER NBA PLAYER, A HALL OF

FAMER, AND SOMEONE WHO HAS BECOME A NATIONAL SPOKESPERSON FOR

STUTTERING AND PREVENTING STUTTERING.

THIS LEGISLATION HAS BEEN LONG IN THE MAKING. IT'S

SOMETHING THAT IS -- IS VERY NEEDED, AND NO ONE SHOULD NOT GET THE HELP

THEY NEED TO DEAL WITH THEIR STUTTERING ISSUE BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD

CO-PAYMENTS AND THEY CAN'T AFFORD THERAPY FOR THIS.

SO THIS BILL WILL GO A LONG WAY. I JUST URGE EVERYONE

TO -- TO VOTE FOR THIS AND TO SPEAK OUT FOR ISSUES LIKE THIS FOR COVERAGE.

THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THANK YOU.

MR. WEPRIN IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

PAGE 15, RULES REPORT NO. 383, THE CLERK WILL READ.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A04040-A, RULES

REPORT NO. 383, LASHER, WRIGHT, P. CARROLL, EPSTEIN, GLICK, GONZ�LEZ-

ROJAS, HEVESI, HOOKS, KELLES, LEVENBERG, O'PHARROW, REYES,

SHIMSKY, TAPIA, TORRES, ZACCARO, ZINERMAN, GALLAGHER, SCHIAVONI,

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

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 HUNTER: AN EXPLANATION HAS

BEEN REQUESTED.

MR. LASHER.

WE'RE ON DEBATE. QUIET IN THE CHAMBER, PLEASE.

MR. LASHER: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. AND I

WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUE ASSEMBLYMEMBER WRIGHT, WHO HAS BEEN

MY PARTNER IN THIS EFFORT WHICH BEGAN AT THE START OF BOTH OF OUR TERMS

IN OFFICE.

THIS SIMPLE BUT IMPORTANT BILL WOULD ENSURE THAT NEW

YORKERS CONTINUE TO HAVE STRONG LEGAL PROTECTIONS FROM HOUSING

DISCRIMINATION. IT WOULD INCORPORATE THE DISPARATE IMPACT STANDARD,

WHICH HAS LONG BEEN IN EFFECT FOR PURPOSES OF FAIR HOUSING ENFORCEMENT

UNDER FEDERAL LAW, INTO STATE LAW, AND SPECIFICALLY INTO ARTICLE 15 OF

THE STATE'S EXECUTIVE LAW, THE HUMAN RIGHTS LAW.

BOTH THE FEDERAL FAIR HOUSING ACT AND THE STATE

HUMAN RIGHTS LAW PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION IN THE PROVISION OF HOUSING

AND CREDIT TO NEW YORKERS, AND HAVE BEEN CRITICAL TOOLS IN ENSURING

EQUAL ACCESS TO HOUSING IN OUR STATE. THE FEDERAL LAW, HOWEVER, HAS

LONG BEEN A MORE POWERFUL TOOL THAN THE STATE HUMAN RIGHTS LAW

WHEN IT COMES TO HOUSING DISCRIMINATION BECAUSE OF WHAT IS KNOWN AS

THE DISPARATE IMPACT OR DISCRIMINATORY EFFECTS STANDARD. TO MAKE A

FAIR HOUSING CLAIM UNDER FEDERAL LAW, A PLAINTIFF, OR IN MANY CASES THE

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MUST SHOW THAT A POLICY OR PRACTICE HAS THE

EFFECT OR IMPACT OF DISCRIMINATING WITHOUT HAVING TO PROVE INTENT. THIS

HAS BEEN CRITICAL TO FAIR HOUSING ENFORCEMENT BECAUSE INTENT IS HARD TO

PROVE IN MANY CONTEXTS, AND BECAUSE DISCRIMINATORY ACTS ARE OFTEN

DISGUISED THINLY OR OTHERWISE. THE STATE LAW, HOWEVER, DOES NOT COME

WITH THE LONG LINE OF BEDROCK JURISPRUDENCE REINFORCING THE DISPARATE

IMPACT STANDARD, NOR DO WE HAVE SOMETHING EQUIVALENT TO THE FEDERAL

REGULATION FIRST PUT ON THE BOOKS IN 2013, CODIFYING THE DISPARATE

IMPACT STANDARD. BUT THE WEAKNESS OF THE STATE LAW HAS HISTORICALLY

BEEN IRRELEVANT BECAUSE OF THE FEDERAL JURISPRUDENCE AND REGULATION.

THIS LEGISLATION IS STRAIGHTFORWARD. IT INCORPORATES THE

FEDERAL DISPARATE IMPACT STANDARD INTO THE STATE HUMAN RIGHTS LAW

FOR FAIR HOUSING CASES; NOTHING MORE, NOTHING LESS. IT WOULD MEAN THAT

THE STATE LAW IS NO LONGER WEAKER THAN THE FEDERAL LAW, AND CLARIFY ANY

QUESTION NOW OR IN THE FUTURE ABOUT WHETHER CLAIMS BROUGHT UNDER

STATE LAW MUST MEET SOME HIGHER BURDEN THAN THE DISPARATE IMPACT

STANDARD. I SHOULD STRESS, ANYONE WHO HAS FOLLOWED THE LAW AS IT HAS

STOOD FOR THE LAST 50 YEARS WOULD CONTINUE TO BE IN COMPLIANCE UNDER

THIS LEGISLATION.

AND I SHOULD NOTE FINALLY THAT THE BILL TAKES ITS

LANGUAGE ALMOST VERBATIM FROM THE FEDERAL REGULATION ON DISPARATE

IMPACT, AND WOULD MERELY PRESERVE THE LEGAL STATUS QUO OF THE LAST

HALF-CENTURY TO ENSURE THAT NEW YORKERS CONTINUE TO HAVE PROTECTION

AND RECOURSE TO ENSURE FAIR AND EQUAL ACCESS TO HOUSING IN OUR GREAT

STATE.

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: MS. WALSH.

MS. WALSH: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. WILL THE

SPONSOR YIELD FOR QUESTIONS?

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: WILL THE SPONSOR

YIELD?

MR. LASHER: CERTAINLY.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THE SPONSOR YIELDS.

MS. WALSH: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND I DO

APPRECIATE THE -- THE THOROUGH INTRODUCTION TO THIS -- TO THIS ISSUE. IT'S

APPRECIATED, AND IT -- IT ELIMINATED A FEW OF MY OPENING QUESTIONS. SO

LET'S -- LET'S KIND OF GET TO IT.

I -- WHEN SELECTING A FORUM IN A HOUSING COMPLAINT OR

IN A HOUSING MATTER, DOESN'T THE COMPLAINANT OR THE CLAIMANT HAVE AN

ABILITY TO ELECT BETWEEN PROCEEDING IN A FEDERAL DIRECTION OR A STATE

HUMAN RIGHTS DIRECTION?

MR. LASHER: MANY, IF NOT MOST, CLAIMS OF HOUSING

DISCRIMINATION INVOLVE BOTH STATE AND FEDERAL CLAIMS AND SOMETIMES

LOCAL CLAIMS AS WELL.

MS. WALSH: I'M SORRY, I MISSED THAT LAST PART. I

APOLOGIZE.

MR. LASHER: MOST HOUSING DISCRIMINATION CASES, I

-- I DON'T KNOW IF MOST -- MANY, IF NOT MOST, HOUSING DISCRIMINATION

CASES BROUGHT IN NEW YORK --

MS. WALSH: YES.

MR. LASHER: -- MAKE CLAIMS UNDER BOTH FEDERAL

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

AND STATE LAW.

MS. WALSH: OKAY. SO IN THAT WAY, WHAT I'M

FAMILIAR WITH, EARLY IN MY PRACTICE I DID SOME EMPLOYMENT

DISCRIMINATION WORK WHERE YOU HAD THE EEOC AND THEN YOU HAD THE

DIVISION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, AND VERY OFTEN YOU WOULD -- YOU WOULD --

YOU USUALLY DID BETTER AS A -- AS A PLAINTIFF UNDER THE EEOC, AT THAT

TIME ANYWAY -- AND THIS IS MILLIONS OF YEARS AGO; LIKE 30 YEARS AGO --

BECAUSE YOU COULD GET BETTER DAMAGES AND YOU COULD GET SOME

ATTORNEY'S FEES PAID IF YOU WENT UNDER THE EEOC VERSUS THE DIVISION OF

HUMAN RIGHTS. WOULD YOU SAY -- AND I DON'T WANT TO GET TOO FAR AFIELD

FROM THE BILL AND WE'LL CIRCLE BACK TO IT -- BUT WOULD YOU SAY THAT A

COMPARISON IN THE REALM OF HOUSING WOULD BE SIMILAR TO THAT YOU

WOULD -- YOU WOULD PLEAD -- YOU WOULD PLEAD IN BOTH -- IN BOTH

FORUMS?

MR. LASHER: YOU KNOW, I'VE LOOKED AT A LOT OF

THESE COMPLAINTS AND THEY GENERALLY TAKE THE FORM OF MAKING A CLAIM

UNDER FEDERAL LAW, A CLAIM UNDER STATE LAW, AND ASSERTING THE DISPARATE

IMPACT STANDARD, SORT OF GENERALLY SPEAKING.

MS. WALSH: OKAY.

MR. LASHER: SO I -- I'M NOT QUITE SURE THE ANALOGY

IS QUITE THE SAME.

MS. WALSH: OKAY. ARE THE REMEDIES THE SAME IF

YOU GO THROUGH THE FEDERAL -- SO FEDERAL WOULD BE THE U.S.

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, OR HUD, AND THEN

THERE'S THE NEW YORK CITY COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS, AND THEN

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

THERE'S THE NEW YORK STATE DIVISION OF HUMAN RIGHTS. I THINK THAT

THOSE WOULD BE LIKE THE THREE POSSIBLE AREAS THAT YOU COULD PURSUE IF

YOU HAD A HOUSING COMPLAINT, DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU LIVE.

MR. LASHER: YOU KNOW, THE -- THE HUMAN RIGHTS

LAW IS ENFORCEABLE BOTH THROUGH THE DIVISION OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND

THROUGH LITIGATION.

MS. WALSH: OKAY. ALL RIGHT.

SO ONE QUESTION I HAD IS, UNDER NEW YORK'S CURRENT

LAW WITH THE DIVISION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, IF -- IF WE LOOK AT THAT, ISN'T --

ISN'T DISPARATE IMPACT ALREADY AN AVAILABLE THEORY EVEN IF IT'S NOT GOT

THE STANDARD SPELLED OUT AS YOU DO HERE IN THIS BILL?

MR. LASHER: I WANT TO BE CIRCUMSPECT ABOUT WHAT

I'LL SAY ON THAT QUESTION, AND I WOULD SIMPLY SAY THAT THERE IS A 50-YEAR

LINE OF FEDERAL JURISPRUDENCE THAT MAKES IT UNQUESTIONABLE THAT THE

DISPARATE IMPACT STANDARD IS APPLICABLE TO THE FAIR HOUSING ACT OF

1964, AND THERE'S NOT A COMPARABLE LINE OF STATE JURISPRUDENCE.

MS. WALSH: OKAY. SO IT -- IT MAY BE AN AVAIL --

ARE -- WOULD IT BE FAIR TO SAY, THEN, THAT IT -- DISPARATE IMPACT IS ALREADY

AN AVAILABLE THEORY THAT COULD BE BROUGHT BEFORE THE NEW YORK STATE

DIVISION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, BUT BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE CHANGES AT THE

FEDERAL LEVEL THERE WAS A FEELING TO FILE THIS BILL AT THE END OF JANUARY

OF THIS YEAR, SO RIGHT AFTER THE NEW ADMINISTRATION CAME IN, AND JUST TO

-- TO REALLY LOCK IT DOWN AND MAKE SURE THAT THAT DISPARATE IMPACT

STANDARD WAS IN OUR STATE LAW?

MR. LASHER: I THINK I SHOULD NOTE THAT I WAS

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

WORKING ON THIS LEGISLATION PRIOR TO THE INCOMING ADMINISTRATION.

MS. WALSH: LIKE AROUND MID-NOVEMBER, MAYBE,

OF LAST YEAR?

MR. LASHER: NO, LOOK, I THINK -- I THINK -- LOOK, I

-- YOU KNOW, WE LIVE IN A CHANGING WORLD.

MS. WALSH: YES.

MR. LASHER: WE HAD THE LOPER BRIGHT DECISION IN

THE -- AT THE SUPREME COURT LAST YEAR THAT CHANGES THE LANDSCAPE OF

DEFERENCE TO AGENCY REGULATION. THE LAST TIME THE SUPREME COURT TOOK

THIS ISSUE UP WAS A DECADE AGO. SO WE LIVE IN A CHANGING WORLD. THIS

HAS BEEN THE STATUS QUO FOR 50 YEARS. I THINK IT HAS BEEN AN IMPORTANT

TOOL TO PROTECT NEW YORKERS FROM HOUSING DISCRIMINATION, AND THIS

LEGISLATION WOULD ENSURE THAT THAT TOOL CONTINUES TO REMAIN, REGARDLESS

OF WHAT MAY COME.

MS. WALSH: THAT'S -- THAT -- OKAY.

SO, AS I WAS LOOKING AT KIND OF IDEAS OF WHAT A -- A

DISPARATE IMPACT CASE COULD BE, THE -- I GUESS THE FIRST THING THAT

IMMEDIATELY CAME TO MY MIND WAS SOMETHING THAT WE'VE MENTIONED

HERE BEFORE, WHICH IS REDLINING. ALTHOUGH THAT -- THAT MIGHT BE

SOMETHING WHERE THERE IS A DISCRIM -- A DISCRIMIN -- I CAN'T EVEN SAY IT,

SORRY -- DISCRIMINATORY INTENT, BUT -- BUT PERHAPS THAT WOULD BE DIFFICULT

TO PROVE. SO A DISPARATE IMPACT STANDARD COULD BE HELPFUL IN TRYING TO

ESTABLISH ANY KIND OF MODERN-DAY REDLINING. WOULD THAT BE FAIR TO SAY?

MR. LASHER: THAT'S -- THAT IS EXACTLY RIGHT.

MS. WALSH: OKAY.

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

ANOTHER -- ANOTHER THOUGHT THAT GOOGLE HELPED ME

THINK OF WAS THAT LET'S SAY YOU HAVE, FOR EXAMPLE, A -- A LANDLORD THAT

SAYS, YOU KNOW, I'M GONNA CREATE A RULE HERE THAT SAYS THAT I DON'T

WANT TO SEE ANY INDIVIDUAL TENANT CALLING 911 MORE THAN TWICE EVERY

SIX MONTHS OR -- OR THAT'S IT, AND THEN THAT COULD DISPARATELY IMPACT, FOR

EXAMPLE, A SURVIVOR OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR FAMILY MEMBERS IN THAT

FAMILY UNIT WHO MIGHT NEED TO CALL THREE TIMES OR FOUR TIMES. AND IF

THAT RESULTS IN AN EVICTION OF THAT TENANT, THAT COULD BE POSSIBLY A CLAIM

SAYING THAT THAT RULE THAT THE LANDLORD PUT OUT IS -- IS GOING TO HAVE A

DISPARATE IMPACT ON THAT TENANT.

MR. LASHER: WELL, YOU KNOW, I'LL GIVE YOU --

MS. WALSH: THAT CLASS OF TENANT.

MR. LASHER: I'LL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE. YEAH, I'LL

GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE. YOU KNOW, THERE WAS A VERY FASCINATING CASE IN

2014 IN BUFFALO --

MS. WALSH: OKAY.

MR. LASHER: -- THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL BROUGHT

AGAINST EVANS BANK. AND THE CASE EMERGED FROM THE FACT THAT EVANS

BANK WAS INTENTIONALLY EXCLUDING PREDOMINANTLY AFRICAN-AMERICAN

NEIGHBORHOODS FROM ITS LENDING AREA, IT WAS DEVELOPING MORTGAGE

LENDING PRODUCTS THAT IT MADE UNAVAILABLE TO THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS. IT

REFUSED TO SOLICIT CUSTOMERS IN THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS. AND LO AND

BEHOLD, WHEN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE LOOKED AT THE MORTGAGE

APPLICATIONS, JUST FOUR OF 1,114 MORTGAGE APPLICATIONS CAME FROM

APPLICANTS OF ANY RACE FOR THE PROPERTY IN THE EAST SIDE NEIGHBORHOOD

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

OF BUFFALO, AND OF THOSE APPLICATIONS FROM THE EAST SIDE

NEIGHBORHOODS, ONLY ONE CAME FROM A BLACK APPLICANT. AND THAT WAS

A KIND OF A CLASSIC CASE OF A DISPARATE IMPACT PLEADING WHERE THE

ACTIONS OF THE BANK LED TO THIS EXTRAORDINARILY DISPARATE IMPACT RACIALLY

DISCRIMINATORY EFFECT.

MS. WALSH: THAT'S A HELPFUL EXAMPLE. I APPRECIATE

IT.

I THINK THAT REALLY YOU'VE ANSWERED THE -- WELL, YOU

KNOW WHAT? LET'S JUST -- NO, YOU KIND OF COVERED IT, THOUGH, IN YOUR

EXPLANATION AS FAR AS HOW THIS WORKS AND WHAT THE STANDARD IS GOING TO

BE. AND YOU MENTIONED, I JUST WOULD UNDERLINE, THAT THE -- THE ACTUAL

STANDARD IS DRAWN HEAVILY FROM THE FEDERAL DEFINITION OF DISPARATE

IMPACT. ARE YOU -- IT'S LIFTED.

MR. LASHER: IT -- IT IS ALMOST VERBATIM --

MS. WALSH: ALMOST VERBATIM.

MR. LASHER: -- AND WHERE IT IS NOT VERBATIM IT IS

ONLY BECAUSE THE -- YOU KNOW, WE REFER TO A PARAGRAPH AND THEY REFER

TO A SUBDIVISION. YOU KNOW, IT -- IT IS -- IT IS SUBSTANTIVELY VERBATIM

FROM THE FEDERAL REGULATION.

MS. WALSH: OKAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I

APPRECIATE IT, MR. LASHER.

MR. LASHER: THANK YOU.

MS. WALSH: MADAM SPEAKER, ON THE BILL.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: ON THE BILL.

MS. WALSH: SO, THERE ARE REALLY TWO WAYS TO LOOK

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

AT THIS BILL AND THIS KIND OF BILL. WE SPOKE -- SOON AFTER THE NOVEMBER

ELECTION OCCURRED, THERE WAS A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT THE NEED TO -- TO

TRUMP-PROOF OUR LAWS HERE IN REACTION TO WHAT THE CAMPAIGN HAD

INDICATED WAS A PRIORITY. AND WE'VE SEEN THAT THROUGH A FLURRY OF

EXECUTIVE ORDERS THAT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT SINCE TAKING OFFICE IN

JANUARY THAT THE PRESIDENT HAS INDICATED, AND I'LL MENTION IT

SPECIFICALLY, THERE'S AN EXECUTIVE ORDER, 14281 FROM APRIL 23RD OF

2025 THAT STATES THAT IT IS THE POLICY OF THE UNITED STATES TO ELIMINATE

THE USE OF DISPARATE IMPACT LIABILITY IN ALL CONTEXTS TO THE MAXIMUM

DEGREE POSSIBLE TO AVOID VIOLATING THE CONSTITUTION'S FEDERAL CIVIL

RIGHTS LAWS AND BASIC AMERICAN IDEALS. AND IT DOES GO ON. SO, YOU

KNOW, I -- I USED TO HAVE -- I'M NOT A REALLY ANXIOUS PERSON BY NATURE,

BUT I ALWAYS HAD THIS SIGN ON MY DESK AND IT ALWAYS HELPED ME. AND IT

SAID, YOU NEED TO WORRY ABOUT THE THINGS THAT ARE ACTUALLY HAPPENING,

NOT THE THINGS THAT MIGHT POSSIBLY HAPPEN. RIGHT? SO THAT HELPS ME TO

BE LESS ANXIOUS, BECAUSE I TRY NOT TO WORRY ABOUT ALL THE THINGS THAT

MIGHT POSSIBLY HAPPEN DOWN THE LINE. BUT I UNDERSTAND THE POINT OF

VIEW THAT I BELIEVE THAT THE SPONSOR HOLDS, WHICH IS THAT IF YOU HAVE AN

EXECUTIVE ORDER LIKE THIS THAT CAME OUT IN APRIL -- ALTHOUGH I KNOW

THAT HE INDICATED THAT HE HAD BEEN WORKING ON THIS BILL FOR SOME TIME --

BUT WHEN YOU HAVE THAT, EVEN THOUGH THAT EXECUTIVE ORDER DOESN'T

ACTUALLY ROLL BACK ANYTHING, IT DOESN'T REALLY DO ANYTHING EXCEPT FOR

LATER IN THE EXECUTIVE ORDER IT TALKS ABOUT THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE A

REVIEW, THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE A REPORT. THAT'S THERE'S GONNA BE

POSSIBLE FUTURE AGENCY ACTION. ALL OF THAT'S POSSIBLE RIGHT NOW UNDER

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

OUR FEDERAL LAW. THAT DISPARATE IMPACT STATEMENT OR STANDARD IS STILL IN

THERE. BUT I CAN APPRECIATE THAT SOME MEMBERS MAY FEEL LIKE, WELL,

THEN WHAT IS THE HARM, THEN, JUST TO BE -- JUST TO BE ON THE SAFE SIDE TO

TAKE THAT DISPARATE IMPACT STANDARD AND PUT IT INTO OUR OWN STATE

HUMAN RIGHTS LAW SO THAT IF, IF SOMETHING HAPPENS AT THE FEDERAL

LEVEL AND IF THAT IS CHALLENGED AND IT WITHSTANDS LEGAL CHALLENGE, IF, IF,

IF DOWN THE ROAD THAT SOMETHING HAPPENS, THEN WE'RE ALL SET HERE IN

NEW YORK.

SO I WOULD EXPECT THAT THERE -- THERE WILL BE SOME

MEMBERS WHO WILL WANT TO SUPPORT THIS FOR THAT REASON. THERE MAY BE

OTHER PEOPLE WHO SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT? DISPARATE IMPACT AS A THEORY

HAS BEEN RAISED IN STATE HOUSING CASES UNDER THE HUMAN RIGHTS LAW

FOR A VERY LONG TIME AND IT SHOWS NO IMMEDIATE SIGNS OF GOING AWAY

AND IT CAN CONTINUE TO BE BROUGHT. SO WE DON'T NEED TO TAKE THAT

ACTION AT THIS TIME.

SO I THINK THAT THAT KIND OF EXPLAINS THE BILL FOR

EVERYBODY. I THINK THAT THERE WILL BE A DIVERGENCE OF OPINIONS

DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU FALL ON IT.

SO, MADAM SPEAKER, I THANK YOU FOR THE TIME AND I

THANK THE SPONSOR FOR THE -- THE DEBATE. THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: MRS. PEOPLES-

STOKES.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: THANK YOU, MADAM

SPEAKER. WILL THE SPONSOR YIELD FOR ONE -- ONE QUICK QUESTION?

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: WILL THE SPONSOR

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

YIELD?

MR. LASHER: ABSOLUTELY.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THE SPONSOR YIELDS.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: THANK YOU, SIR.

I WONDER IF YOU COULD REVIEW THE DATA THAT YOU

MENTIONED REGARDING THE EAST SIDE OF BUFFALO --

MR. LASHER: CERTAINLY.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: -- AND THE IMPACT OF IT IN

THIS LEGISLATION.

MR. LASHER: SURE. AND I -- I SHOULD NOTE THAT --

THAT EVANS BANK SETTLED WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE ON THIS

CASE. THIS WAS IN A CASE BROUGHT IN 2014, AND THIS WAS FROM THE

ATTORNEY GENERAL'S COMPLAINT IN THE CASE. I'LL JUST READ FROM THE --

FROM THE COMPLAINT. OF 1,114 MORTGAGE APPLICATIONS, ONLY FOUR

APPLICATIONS .36 PERCENT, CAME FROM APPLICANTS REPORTING AS

AFRICAN-AMERICAN, AND ONLY EIGHT APPLICATIONS .72 PERCENT, CAME FROM

APPLICANTS OF ANY RACE WITH A PROPERTY IN THE EAST SIDE NEIGHBORHOODS.

OF THE MORTGAGE APPLICATIONS FROM THE EAST SIDE NEIGHBORHOODS, ONLY

ONE .009 PERCENT, WAS FROM AN APPLICANT REPORTING AS AFRICAN-

AMERICAN.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: THANK YOU. AND -- AND

I WANT TO SUSPECT THAT YOUR LEGISLATION WILL GET US TO THE EQUALITY AND

JUSTICE THAT WE MENTION EVERY TIME WE SAY OUR PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

FOR PEOPLE ACROSS THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

MR. LASHER: IT -- IT AIMS TO BE A STEP TOWARD THAT

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

GOAL.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: THANK YOU, SIR.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: READ THE LAST

SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: A PARTY VOTE HAS

BEEN REQUESTED.

MS. WALSH.

MS. WALSH: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. THE

REPUBLICAN CONFERENCE WILL GENERALLY BE IN THE NEGATIVE ON THIS PIECE

OF LEGISLATION. BUT THERE MAY BE SOME WHO WISH TO VOTE YES, AND THEY

MAY CERTAINLY DO SO NOW AT THEIR SEATS. THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THANK YOU.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: THANK YOU, MADAM

SPEAKER. THE MAJORITY CONFERENCE IS GENERALLY GONNA BE IN FAVOR OF

THIS PIECE OF CONSUMER-FRIENDLY, EQUITABLE LEGISLATION; HOWEVER, THERE

MAY BE A FEW OF US THAT WOULD DESIRE TO BE AN EXCEPTION. IF THEY DO SO

THEY SHOULD DO SO AT THEIR SEATS. THANK YOU, MA'AM.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THANK YOU.

THE CLERK WILL RECORD THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

MR. WRIGHT TO EXPLAIN HIS VOTE.

MR. WRIGHT: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. I JUST

WANT TO OFFER A BIG THANK YOU TO MEMBER LASHER FOR PARTNERING ON THIS

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

LEGISLATION WITH HIM. AND HOUSING IS A HUMAN RIGHT AND I'M EXCITED

THAT THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION IS GONNA GO THROUGH, AND IF WE CONTINUE TO

HAVE THAT IN OUR GREAT STATE OF NEW YORK AND I PROUDLY VOTE IN THE

AFFIRMATIVE.

THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THANK YOU.

MR. WRIGHT IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

MR. LAVINE TO EXPLAIN HIS VOTE.

MR. LAVINE: IN HIS APRIL 23RD EXECUTIVE ORDER,

OUR PRESIDENT SAID THAT 55 YEARS OF SUPREME COURT PRECEDENT AS FIRST

DECLARED IN GRIGGS V. DUKE POWER IN 1970 ARE GOING TO BE OVERTURNED.

DISPARATE IMPACT THEORY HAS TO BE GOTTEN RID OF, QUOTE, "TO THE DEGREE

POSSIBLE", UNQUOTE.

NEW YORK HAS A PROUD HISTORY OF CIVIL RIGHTS, AND I

WANT TO COMMEND THE SPONSOR. AND I'LL COMMEND, AS WELL, EVERYONE

WHO WILL VOTE IN FAVOR OF THIS VERY MEANINGFUL PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

BECAUSE WE NEED TO CONTINUE THAT HISTORY, AND WE REALLY NEED TO

CONTINUE THAT HISTORY WHEN WE HAVE AN EXECUTIVE, A CHIEF EXECUTIVE

IN WASHINGTON WHO DOES NOT BELIEVE IN CIVIL RIGHTS.

AND SO I AM GOING TO BE VERY PROUD AND PLEASED TO

CAST MY VOTE IN THE AFFIRMATIVE. THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: MR. LAVINE IN THE

AFFIRMATIVE.

MS. LEVENBERG TO EXPLAIN HER VOTE.

MS. LEVENBERG: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

I'D LIKE TO ALSO COMMEND THE SPONSOR OF THIS BILL. I GREW UP IN

TEANECK, NEW JERSEY, WHERE -- WHERE OUR COMMUNITY TOOK ON HOUSING

AND REDLINING HEAD-ON, EARLY ON. AND I COULDN'T BE MORE PROUD TO

STAND WITH THE SPONSOR AND MY COLLEAGUES TO MAKE SURE WE CODIFY THIS

INTO LAW. WHATEVER WE CAN DO TO CONTINUE TO PROTECT CIVIL RIGHTS,

WHICH ARE HUMAN RIGHTS, WE NEED TO DO. AND CERTAINLY AT THIS TIME

WHEN OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS DOING ANYTHING BUT THAT, WE NEED TO

STAND STRONG TOGETHER HERE IN NEW YORK AND STAND FOR WHAT WE KNOW IS

RIGHT.

THANK YOU AGAIN. I WILL VOTE IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THANK YOU.

MS. LEVENBERG IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

PAGE 20, CALENDAR NO. 59, THE CLERK WILL READ.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A06332-A, CALENDAR

NO. 59, ROMERO, CUNNINGHAM, GONZ�LEZ-ROJAS, YEGER, WOERNER,

SAYEGH, COLTON, SHIMSKY, MCDONALD, LEVENBERG, SCHIAVONI,

MORINELLO, WRIGHT. AN ACT TO AMEND THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE LAW, IN

RELATION TO NOTIFYING CERTAIN CRIME VICTIMS OF THE DISPOSITION OF

CRIMINAL TRIAL.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: AN EXPLANATION HAS

BEEN REQUESTED.

MS. ROMERO.

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

MS. ROMERO: THANK YOU. I WANT TO FIRST START BY

COMMENDING MY COLLEAGUE ACROSS THE AISLE, THE RANKER OF CODES,

JUDGE MORINELLO, FOR THE INCREDIBLE WORK THAT THEY DID WITH ME ON

CREATING THIS FINAL LEGISLATION.

THERE'S A FUNDAMENTAL NEED FOR CRIME VICTIMS TO BE

KEPT INFORMED CONCERNING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESS IN WHICH THEY

HAVE BECOME INVOLVED, AND IN SOME CASES, CRIME VICTIMS CAN LOSE

TRACK OF THE STATE OF THEIR CASE. SO THIS LEGISLATION WOULD REQUIRE THE

DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE OR THEIR DESIGNEE TO MAIL THE FINAL DISPOSITION

OF THE CASE, IN A FELONY CASE, TO THE CRIME VICTIM AT THE FINAL END OF THE

CASE, WHETHER IT'S AN ACQUITTAL AT TRIAL OR SENTENCING AT THE END OF THE --

THE CRIMINAL CASE.

SO I'M HAPPY TO PUT THIS LEGISLATION FORWARD AND I'LL

TAKE ANY QUESTIONS.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THANK YOU.

MS. WALSH.

MS. WALSH: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. WILL THE

SPONSOR YIELD FOR SOME QUESTIONS?

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: WILL THE SPONSOR

YIELD?

MS. ROMERO: CERTAINLY.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THE SPONSOR YIELDS.

MS. WALSH: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

SO FIRST OF ALL, I GUESS, LET'S -- LET'S START WITH THIS. THE

-- THE BILL WAS AMENDED TO MAKE A CHANGE. COULD YOU JUST DISCUSS

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

WHAT THAT CHANGE WAS AND WHY YOU MADE IT?

MS. ROMERO: SURE. SO IN THE ORIGINAL VERSION OF

THE BILL IT WAS A COURT CLERK NOTIFICATION, AND THE BILL WAS AMENDED,

FRANKLY, WITH MY COLLEAGUE'S SUGGESTION TO HAVE THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY OR

THEIR DESIGNEE PROVIDE THE MAILING TO THE CRIME VICTIM, AND THAT'S

BECAUSE THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY, FRANKLY, WOULD HAVE THE MOST UP-TO-DATE

INFORMATION OF THE CRIME VICTIM AS OPPOSED TO THE COURT CLERK.

MS. WALSH: OKAY. SO JUST QUICKLY ON THAT. SO

WHEN IT SAYS DESIGNEE, WHO IS ENVISIONED BE A DESIGNEE AT THE DISTRICT

ATTORNEY'S OFFICE?

MS. ROMERO: THE DESIGNEE WOULD PROBABLY BE --

WOULD DEFINITELY BE, ACTUALLY, THE CRIME VICTIMS UNIT WITHIN THE

DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

MS. WALSH: OKAY. BECAUSE I KNOW THAT -- AND

AGAIN, MY PRACTICE IS MORE IN FAMILY COURT SO I MIGHT, YOU KNOW, NOT

HAVE THE RIGHT PERSON. BUT I KNOW THAT SOMETIMES, PARTICULARLY IF IT'S A

SURVIVOR -- THE PERSON IS A SURVIVOR OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, FOR EXAMPLE,

SOMETIMES THERE'S A SPECIFIC ADVOCATE THAT WORKS WITH THE COURT TO HELP

THAT INDIVIDUAL. COULD THEY BE A DESIGNEE THAT WOULD BE -- COULD BE

TASKED WITH THE NOTIFICATION?

MS. ROMERO: YES. SO THOSE -- THOSE ADVOCATES

ARE UNDERNEATH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE --

MS. WALSH: (INDISCERNIBLE/CROSSTALK)

MS. ROMERO: EXACTLY. WE'RE -- WE'RE THINKING OF

THE SAME OFFICE. THOSE PEOPLE WOULD HAVE THE MOST UP-TO-DATE

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

INFORMATION OF -- OF THE CRIME VICTIM.

MS. WALSH: THAT'S -- THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT. I -- I

HADN'T -- I HADN'T REMEMBERED THAT. THAT'S HOW THEIR -- THAT'S HOW THEIR

POSITION IS FUNDED. I REMEMBER THAT NOW. OKAY.

SO, NOW, IT SEEMED TO ME FROM READING THIS THAT THE

NOTICE WAS GOING -- THE WRITTEN NOTICE WAS GOING TO NEED TO ISSUE IF --

IF IT'S AT THE PERSON -- THE VICTIM WAS NOT PRESENT AT THE TIME OF

SENTENCING OR ACQUITTED AFTER TRIAL?

MS. ROMERO: CORRECT.

MS. WALSH: OKAY.

MS. ROMERO: SO THOSE ARE THE TWO POTENTIAL

DISPOSITIONS OF A -- OF A FELONY CASE. AN ACQUITTAL AFTER TRIAL OR

SENTENCING, IN WHICH CASE THERE'S MANY OUTCOMES OF SENTENCING;

PROBATION, YOU KNOW, FINED, INCARCERATION OR AN ACQUITTAL WHICH WOULD

BE A TRIAL AND...

MS. WALSH: BUT IT -- THE NEED FOR THE NOTICE IS

JUDGED UPON WHETHER THAT -- THAT PERSON, THAT -- THAT CRIME VICTIM, WAS

PRESENT AT EITHER ONE OF THOSE THINGS?

MS. ROMERO: CORRECT.

MS. WALSH: OKAY. SO, FOR EXAMPLE, THERE -- THERE

MAY BE SOME CRIME VICTIMS WHO JUST, FOR WHATEVER REASON, THEY ARE --

THEY'RE NOT PRESENT, BUT THEY'RE KEEPING IN REALLY CLOSE CONTACT WITH THE

DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND THEY KNOW THE OUTCOME. THEY WOULD STILL

NEED TO GET A WRITTEN NOTICE?

MS. ROMERO: CORRECT.

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

MS. WALSH: OKAY. AND HOW -- I MEAN, DO THEY

HAVE TO TRY -- LIKE, THEY JUST HAVE TO MAIL IT OUT, RIGHT? THEY JUST HAVE

TO MAIL -- MAIL OR E-MAIL OR...

MS. ROMERO: MAIL.

MS. WALSH: MAIL. OKAY, FIRST-CLASS MAIL TO THE LAST

KNOWN ADDRESS. OKAY.

WHAT -- IS THERE -- IS THERE SOMETHING THAT LED TO THE

DEVELOPMENT OF THIS BILL? LIKE, DO YOU THINK THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT

NEEDS TO BE FIXED AND WHY?

MS. ROMERO: SO MY -- IN MY WORK IN THE PUBLIC

DEFENDER'S OFFICE FOR ALMOST A DECADE BEFORE I WAS ELECTED TO THE NEW

YORK STATE ASSEMBLY, I SAW THAT CRIME VICTIMS, THROUGH -- OF NO

REASON -- OF NO REASON THAT I -- I'M AWARE OF, MAYBE BECAUSE THEIR LIVES

ARE BUSY OR -- OR FOR WHATEVER REASON, OCCASIONALLY DON'T SHOW UP TO

COURT. BUT THEY SHOULD STILL HAVE NOTICE OR EXPLICIT INFORMATION OF

WHAT'S GOING ON IN THEIR CASE. AND I BELIEVE THAT THAT OBLIGATION IS IN

THE HANDS OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO LET THEM KNOW EXACTLY

WHAT'S HAPPENING ON EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. SO IF THEY FOR WHATEVER

REASON DO NOT APPEAR FOR THE LAST ACTUAL APPEARANCE IN COURT, THEY

SHOULD STILL KNOW EXACTLY WHAT'S HAPPENING ON THAT LAST POSSIBLE COURT

DATE. THAT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. THERE'S REALLY IMPORTANT THINGS THAT

HAPPEN ON THAT LAST COURT DATE. ORDERS OF PROTECTION ARE ISSUES -- ARE

ISSUED. THERE'S INTENSE LEVELS OF INCARCERATION THAT ARE ISSUED.

SOMETIMES ON THE LAST DAY OF COURT THERE'S OPEN TIMES OF SENTENCING.

SOMETIMES SENTENCES ARE SO OPEN THAT IT COULD BE PROBATION OR

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

INCARCERATION. IF THEY DON'T APPEAR FOR COURT THAT DAY, THEY MIGHT NOT

EVEN KNOW WHAT THE DEFENDANT IS EVEN BEING SENTENCED TO. SO IT'S

IMPORTANT THAT THIS BILL, WHEN -- IF AND WHEN PASSED, WOULD ALLOW FOR

THE CRIME VICTIM TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT'S HAPPENING, IRREGARDLESS OF

WHETHER OR NOT THEY'RE SHOWING UP TO COURT.

MS. WALSH: OKAY.

SO IT SAYS IN THE BILL THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE A WRITTEN

SUMMARY OF THE DISPOSITION OF SUCH FELONY. WHAT DO YOU ENVISION

BEING IN THAT WRITTEN DISPOSITION? IS IT JUST SIMPLY SENTENCED TO X

AMOUNT OF TIME? IS IT ACQUITTED FOLLOWING TRIAL? OR IS IT -- DOES IT HAVE

TO GIVE -- DOES IT HAVE TO GIVE MORE THAN THAT, AND IF SO -- I MEAN, THE

BILL APPEARS TO BE SILENT ON THAT.

MS. ROMERO: A FINAL DISPOSITION OF A CASE WOULD

INCLUDE SENTENCING, MEANING IN THE PLAIN LANGUAGE OF WHAT A SENTENCE

MEANS. A SENTENCE IN A CRIMINAL CASE INCLUDES FINES. IT COULD INCLUDE

-- IT INCLUDES THE ACTUAL SENTENCE, WHICH IS PROBATION, PRISON,

INCARCERATION. IT INCLUDES SURCHARGES. IT IS -- WHEN I SAY FINAL

DISPOSITION I MEAN THE LEGAL DEFINITION THEREOF, WHICH IS THE

AFOREMENTIONED THINGS THAT I JUST --

MS. WALSH: OKAY. THAT'S HELPFUL. YEAH, BECAUSE

I WAS WONDERING IF IT WOULD ALSO INCLUDE THINGS LIKE A SUMMARY OF THE

PROCEEDINGS. YOU'RE -- YOU'RE JUST TALKING ABOUT THE OUTCOME.

MS. ROMERO: CORRECT.

MS. WALSH: THE ACTUALLY OUTCOME; FINES,

SENTENCING, ET CETERA, THAT THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE GONNA BE NOTIFIED OF.

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

MS. ROMERO: IT WOULD ALSO INCLUDE ORDERS OF

PROTECTION.

MS. WALSH: ORDERS OF PROTECTION. ABSOLUTELY.

MS. ROMERO: CORRECT. IT WOULD INCLUDE THE ACTUAL

FINAL DISPOSITION. BUT TO GET DIRECTLY TO YOUR POINT, IT WOULD NOT

INCLUDE A SUMMARY OF THE PROCEEDINGS. IT WOULD INCLUDE THE OUTCOME

OF THE CASE THAT WAS IMPOSED ON THE DEFENDANT AND THE EFFECTS IT WOULD

HAVE ON THE CRIME VICTIM, I.E., THE ORDER OF PROTECTION MOST NOTABLY.

MS. WALSH: WHAT -- WHAT WOULD BE YOUR RESPONSE

TO WHAT I HAVE HEARD A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE BILL WHICH SAYS, LIKE I SAY TO

MY KIDS ALL THE TIME, HEY, THE PHONE WORKS BOTH WAYS. YOU KNOW?

AND I DON'T MEAN TO BE FLIP ABOUT IT. BUT, YOU KNOW, LIKE IF -- IF THERE

IS A CRIME VICTIM THAT WANTS TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE CASE,

THEY HAVE ONLY TO CALL THEIR -- THEIR CONTACT THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE

AND FIND OUT. AND IF THEY'RE NOT AND IF THERE'S NO CONTACT GOING ON

THEN, YOU KNOW, LIKE, WHAT DO YOU -- I MEAN, WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY

TO THAT ARGUMENT?

MS. ROMERO: WHAT I HAVE TO SAY TO THAT IS THAT I --

I WANT TO PROTECT VICTIMS NO MATTER WHAT'S GOING ON IN THEIR LIFE, AND I

BELIEVE THAT TO MY CORE. AND, YOU KNOW, I'VE SEEN PERSONALLY IN MY

INVOLVEMENT IN THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM THAT SOMETIMES THERE'S

SOMETHING GOING ON IN THEIR LIFE. THEY MISS -- THEY MISS THE BUS.

THEY CAN'T GET CHILD CARE THAT DAY. THEY ARE UNABLE TO -- THERE'S

SOMETHING ELSE GOING ON IN THEIR LIFE THAT THEY CAN'T MAKE THAT ONE

SINGLE COURT DATE AT THAT ONE SPECIFIC TIME. AND BECAUSE THAT ONE

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

SPECIFIC COURT DATE AT 9 A.M. IS -- IS VERY, VERY IMPACTFUL FOR THE REST OF

THEIR LIFE, THEY MISS THAT VERY IMPORTANT PIECE OF INFORMATION. AND SO

-- AND THEY WANT TO BE THERE FOR THAT. SO THIS BILL WOULD GIVE THEM ALL

OF THAT INFORMATION IN WRITING DIRECTLY TO THEM IF THEY MISS THAT COURT

DATE. THE -- I -- WHAT I SAY TO YOU IN RESPONSE TO YOUR QUESTION IS I FEEL

LIKE THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HAS AN OBLIGATION TO TELL CRIME VICTIMS

ABOUT THE OUTCOME OF THEIR CASE BECAUSE THEY SHOULD.

MS. WALSH: OKAY. AND JUST -- I APPRECIATE THAT.

AND SO, JUST TO FIGURE OUT AGAIN JUST TO CLARIFY THE SCOPE OF THIS. IT'S --

AT -- AFTER TRIAL -- (INDISCERNIBLE) ACQUITTAL AFTER TRIAL OR THE SENTENCING

OF ANY DEFENDANT FOR A FELONY. SO IF THE SENTENCING ENDS UP BEING FOR

SOMETHING LESS THAN A FELONY, DO THEY STILL NOTIFY OR NOT?

MS. ROMERO: NO, THIS IS JUST FOR FELONY CASES.

MS. WALSH: OKAY. A FELONY DISPOSITION.

MS. ROMERO: YES.

MS. WALSH: OKAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I

APPRECIATE YOUR ANSWERS.

MADAM SPEAKER, ON THE BILL.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: ON THE BILL.

MS. WALSH: I DO THANK THE SPONSOR FOR CLARIFYING A

FEW THINGS ABOUT THE BILL. I THINK -- YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT -- AND,

AGAIN, I -- I BRING AN UPSTATE PERSPECTIVE TO THIS. MAYBE THINGS ARE

DIFFERENT IN OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE AND THAT'S REALLY WHAT'S LED -- WHAT'S

LED TO THE BILL. BUT THE DA'S OFFICES THAT I AM FAMILIAR WITH, THEIR --

THEIR ADAS ARE VERY, VERY MUCH IN -- IN CONTACT WITH THE CRIME

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

VICTIMS. THEIR -- THEIR WHOLE PURPOSE IS TO TRY TO BRING JUSTICE FOR THESE

INDIVIDUALS. AND SO THEY'RE -- THEY'RE IN VERY REGULAR CONTACT WITH

CRIME VICTIMS, EITHER BY PHONE OR -- I CAN ABSOLUTELY APPRECIATE THE

IDEA THAT IF THE -- IF THE CRIME VICTIM CAN'T ACTUALLY BE THERE AT THE TIME

OF ACQUITTAL FOLLOWING TRIAL OR SENTENCING OR CAN'T COME IN AND DO THEIR

VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENT OR, YOU KNOW, JUST LIFE GETS IN THE WAY AND

THEY CAN'T BE THERE. OR THEY CAN'T JUST EMOTIONALLY CAN'T BE THERE. I CAN

REALLY APPRECIATE THAT. BUT WE DO HAVE -- WE DO HAVE OTHER MEANS OF

COMMUNICATION WITH THE DA'S OFFICE THAT I THINK CAN BE AS EFFECTIVE.

I DO THINK THAT THE AMENDMENT THAT WAS MADE BY THE

SPONSOR IS A -- IS A GOOD ONE. I THINK THAT BEFORE, IT WOULD HAVE

REQUIRED THE CLERK OF THE COURT OR THEIR DESIGNEE TO MAIL THE WRITTEN

SUMMARY, AND THEN THE AMENDMENT ON THIRD READING CHANGED THAT TO

THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY OR THEIR DESIGNEE, AND I THINK THAT THAT'S MORE

APPROPRIATELY THE PLACE WHERE A NOTICE SHOULD BE COMING FROM, AND I

DO THINK THAT THAT WAS A GOOD CHANGE.

I THINK THAT MANY OF US WILL SUPPORT THIS LEGISLATION.

BUT I ALSO WOULD SAY THAT IN -- IN MY EXPERIENCE AND I THINK PROBABLY

IN THE VAST MAJORITY OF SITUATIONS, THE DA'S OFFICES ARE VERY MUCH ON

TOP OF THIS AND IT IS REALLY THEIR WHOLE REASON, IS TO TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT

THERE IS JUSTICE BROUGHT TO CRIME VICTIMS AND THEY ARE KEEPING IN TOUCH.

BUT I -- I DO -- YOU KNOW, I WILL PROBABLY SUPPORT THIS LEGISLATION,

ESPECIALLY WITH THE AMENDMENT, BECAUSE I DO THINK THAT A LETTER AND A

STAMP IS PROBABLY NOT TOO MUCH TO ASK FOR -- FOR OUR CRIME VICTIMS.

SO, BUT I THANK THE SPONSOR VERY MUCH FOR HER

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

ANSWERS, AND THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THANK YOU.

MR. MORINELLO.

MR. MORINELLO: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

ON THE BILL.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: ON THE BILL.

MR. MORINELLO: I WOULD LIKE TO COMMEND THE

SPONSOR. THE -- THE COOPERATION BETWEEN BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE ON THIS

PARTICULAR ISSUE EXEMPLIFIES WHAT THIS BODY SHOULD BE HERE FOR. THE

COOPERATION SHOULD BE THERE TO MAKE BILLS BETTER, AND THE WILLINGNESS TO

BE ABLE TO DISCUSS THE ISSUES, TO POINT OUT CERTAIN FLAWS OR

INCONSISTENCIES THAT MIGHT BE THERE.

I WAS THE ASSIGNED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE JUDGE FOR TEN

YEARS, AND IT WAS A SMALLER COURT, UNLIKE THE SPONSOR'S COURT THAT SHE

HAD TO DEAL WITH. AND WHAT HAPPENS IS THE -- THE PRINCIPLE IN DOMESTIC

VIOLENCE IS POWER AND CONTROL, AND THE ABUSER MAINTAINS POWER AND

CONTROL OVER THE VICTIM. THE VICTIM NEEDS TO BE MADE FEEL -- FEEL LIKE

THEY ARE BEING LISTENED TO. THAT THEY HAVE SOME RIGHTS. BECAUSE IN

ORDER FOR AN ABUSER TO ACTUALLY HAVE TO COME TO COURT OR TO BE CHARGED

IS VERY, VERY DIFFICULT EMOTIONALLY FOR THE VICTIM. THE VICTIMS, IT MAY

TAKE FOUR OR FIVE ATTEMPTS FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO GO FORWARD IN THE

COURTS. THEIR FEAR IS STILL THERE, AND MANY TIMES THEY HAVE TO BE

PROTECTED FROM THEIR ABUSER'S JUST STARES, SNEERS. THERE -- THERE ARE JUST

OUTBURSTS THAT MAY HAPPEN IN A COURTROOM. SO MANY TIMES, A -- AN

ABUSED VICTIM MAY CHOOSE NOT TO COME TO COURT IF THERE -- THE DISTRICT

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FEELS THERE'S OTHER EVIDENCE ON A PARTICULAR MATTER.

MANY TIMES IT'S A WITNESS THAT WILL REPORT IT AND NOT THE VICTIM.

UNFORTUNATELY, MANY TIMES IN THE BUDGET IN THIS STATE

FROM WHEN I WAS ON THE BENCH, I'VE SEEN FUNDS CUT FOR DOMESTIC

VIOLENCE ADVOCATES, AND THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS HAVE HAD TO WORK WITH

LESS INDIVIDUALS. THEREFORE, SOMETIMES THEY LOSE CONTACT.

THIS BODY, IN ITS WISDOM, HAS PASSED LAWS TO PROTECT

THE IDENTITY, LOCATION AND PHONE NUMBERS OF VICTIMS. WE HAVE PASSED

LAWS TO ALLOW THEM TO GET OUT OF LEASES SO THEY CAN ESCAPE DANGEROUS

SITUATIONS. IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT AT THE CONCLUSION OF A MATTER THAT THAT

VICTIM FEELS LIKE THEY ARE WORTH SOMETHING. A PIECE OF PAPER IS MORE

IMPORTANT TO THEM THAN WE CAN EVER IMAGINE. AND I FEEL THAT WITH THE

COOPERATION ON THIS BILL THAT IT ACCOMPLISHES THE GOAL THAT WE NEED, AND

THAT IS TO MAKE A VICTIM FEEL WHOLE, FEEL LISTENED TO, AND FEEL PROTECTED.

THANK YOU TO THE SPONSOR, AND THANK YOU AGAIN.

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. ROMERO: CERTAINLY.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THE SPONSOR YIELDS.

MR. MOLITOR: THANK YOU.

IS THE DEFINITION OF VICTIM DEFINED IN THE CRIMINAL

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

PROCEDURE LAW OR THE PENAL LAW?

(CONFERENCING)

MS. ROMERO: I DON'T KNOW.

MR. MOLITOR: DO YOU ANTICI --

MS. ROMERO: BUT I -- BUT I THINK IT TAKES THE

NORMAL AND COMMONSENSE DEFINITION OF CRIME VICTIM IN THE SENSE THAT

THEY ARE THE AGGRIEVED PERSON IN THE CRIMINAL ACTION.

MR. MOLITOR: SO THIS PARTICULAR PIECE OF

LEGISLATION WOULD REQUIRE THE DA'S OFFICE TO PROVIDE NOTICE OF

DISPOSITION TO ANY AGGRIEVED PARTY AS A RESULT OF A CRIMINAL CONVICTION

OR AN ACQUITTAL?

MS. ROMERO: THIS WOULD REQUIRE THE DISTRICT

ATTORNEY TO MAIL THE FINAL DISPOSITION OF THE CASE TO THE NAMED CRIME

VICTIM IN A CRIMINAL ACTION.

MR. MOLITOR: SO THE NAMED VICTIM IN AN

INDICTMENT, FOR EXAMPLE.

MS. ROMERO: YES.

MR. MOLITOR: ALL RIGHT. SO IF -- AND THANK YOU

FOR CLARIFYING THAT. SO IF A VICTIM IS NOT NAMED IN THE INDICTMENT, THE

DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WOULD NOT BE REQUIRED TO MAIL A DISPOSITION TO

THE VICTIM?

(CONFERENCING)

MS. ROMERO: THIS IS A GREAT QUESTION, AND I SEE

WHERE YOU'RE GOING WITH THAT. BECAUSE THERE CAN BE A CRIME VICTIM FOR

AN ORDER OF PROTECTION. THERE CAN BE A CRIME VICTIM FOR AN

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

INDICTMENT. AND I THANK YOU FOR THIS QUESTION BECAUSE I THINK -- AND I

-- I WOULD CLARIFY FOR THE BILL THAT THERE WOULD BE ANY CRIME VICTIM FOR

PURPOSES OF THE -- THE CRIME ITSELF. SO THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION. AND

THE VICTIM ITSELF FOR PURPOSES OF THE CRIME IS ANY CRIME VICTIM FOR

PURPOSES OF THE CRIME ITSELF. AND THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE KNOWS

WHO THE CRIME VICTIMS ARE IN EACH CRIME AND EACH CASE.

MR. MOLITOR: SO WHAT ABOUT THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES

WHERE, LET'S SAY, JUST AS AN EXAMPLE, A TOWN CLERK STEALS HUNDREDS OF

THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FROM A LOCAL MUNICIPALITY. ALL THE VICTIMS IN THAT

CASE WOULD BE THE TAXPAYERS OF THAT PARTICULAR AREA. WOULD THE DISTRICT

ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HAVE TO PROVIDE WRITTEN NOTICE OF A DISPOSITION TO ALL

OF THOSE PEOPLE IN THAT PARTICULAR INSTANCE?

MS. ROMERO: YES.

MR. MOLITOR: THEY WOULD?

MS. ROMERO: ACCORDING TO THE WRITTEN VERSION OF

THE BILL, YEAH.

MR. MOLITOR: OKAY. THAT -- THAT COULD IMPOSE A

PRETTY MASSIVE BURDEN ON DISTRICT -- DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICES THAT DON'T

HAVE THE CAPABILITY TO DO THAT, WOULDN'T IT?

MS. ROMERO: IT CAN BE THEIR DESIGNEES AS WELL. SO

THERE CAN BE A VERSION OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY THAT IS NOT NECESSARILY THE

DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

MR. MOLITOR: WHAT -- WHAT DO YOU MEAN? I DON'T

-- I'M SORRY, I DON'T UNDERSTAND.

(CONFERENCING)

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

MS. ROMERO: IT CAN BE A MASSIVE MAILING. IT

DOESN'T HAVE TO BE ONE PERSON THAT SENDS IT OUT, AND IT CAN BE A MASSIVE

MAILER THAT GOES OUT TO THE CRIME VICTIMS THEMSELVES. I ALSO THINK THAT

MAIL, AS A CONCEPT, CAN ALSO BE ELECTRONIC MAIL.

MR. MOLITOR: IT CAN BE ELECTRONIC MAIL.

MS. ROMERO: IT SAYS MAIL, AND MAIL, AS GENERALLY

DEFINED, CAN BE -- IT DOESN'T HAVE TO NECESSARILY BE FIRST-CLASS MAIL, IT

CAN BE ELECTRONIC MAIL AS WELL.

MR. MOLITOR: OKAY. NOW, WHAT ABOUT THOSE

CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE THERE -- THERE ISN'T YET A FINAL DISPOSITION ON A

CASE? AND -- AND I -- LET ME JUST GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE HERE. LIKE,

WHAT ABOUT WHERE THE -- THE DEFENDANT PLEADS GUILTY AND ENTERS INTO

TREATMENT COURT? LET'S SAY JUDICIAL DIVERSION. THEY MIGHT NOT HAVE A

-- A SENTENCE FOR TWO OR THREE YEARS DOWN THE ROAD. WOULD A DA'S

OFFICE STILL BE REQUIRED TO WAIT UNTIL THE -- THE END OF THAT PROCEDURE TO

PROVIDE NOTICE TO ANY CRIME VICTIM?

MS. ROMERO: NO. WHEN SOMEONE ENTERS

TREATMENT COURT THE SENTENCE IS HELD IN ADVANCE, AND IT'S HELD IN

ADVANCE UNTIL THEY ARE FINISHED WITH THE TREATMENT COURT, AT WHICH TIME

THEY'RE FINALLY SENTENCED WHEN THEY'RE COMPLETED WITH THE TREATMENT

COURT.

MR. MOLITOR: SO THE -- THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S

OFFICE WOULD BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE A NOTICE OF THE DISPOSITION UPON

THE COMPLETION OF TREATMENT COURT?

MS. ROMERO: UPON THE FINAL DISPOSITION. SO THE

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

FINAL DISPOSITION DOESN'T HAPPEN UNTIL THEY'RE SENTENCED AND COMPLETED.

MR. MOLITOR: AND THAT COULD BE TWO OR THREE

YEARS DOWN THE ROAD, RIGHT?

MS. ROMERO: CORRECT.

MR. MOLITOR: WHAT ABOUT THOSE INSTANCES WHERE

SOMEBODY'S SENTENCED TO, LET'S SAY, FELONY PROBATION AND THEN A COUPLE

YEARS GO BY, THERE'S A VIOLATION OF PROBATION AND THEN THEY'RE

RESENTENCED TO MAYBE A PERIOD OF INCARCERATION? WOULD THE DISTRICT

ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HAVE TO PROVIDE A NEW NOTICE OF DISPOSITION UPON

RESENTENCING?

(CONFERENCING)

MS. ROMERO: NOT AS WRITTEN. IT DOESN'T SPEAK TO

THAT IN THE BILL.

MR. MOLITOR: OKAY. THANK YOU FOR ANSWERING

MY QUESTIONS.

ON THE BILL.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: ON THE BILL.

MR. MOLITOR: SO I -- I THINK THE INTENT OF THIS

PARTICULAR LEGISLATION IS GOOD -- IS GOOD INTENT. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT

THAT DA'S OFFICES NOTIFY CRIME VICTIMS. I WILL TELL YOU, IN MY YEARS OF

EXPERIENCE AS A DISTRICT ATTORNEY THAT WE DID -- WE DO THIS ALREADY. WE

ALL -- MOST DA'S OFFICES ACROSS THE STATE, IF NOT ALL OF THEM, HAVE A

ROBUST CRIMINAL VICTIM, I GUESS, GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT REACH OUT TO

CRIMINAL VICTIMS AND HELP THEM AND NOTIFY THEM OF EVERY STEP OF THE --

YOU KNOW, ALONG THE WAY. WE'RE ALREADY REQUIRED BY STATUTE TO NOTIFY

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

VICTIMS OF SENTENCING DATES AND TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO VICTIMS UPON

THE COMPLETION OF SENTENCE. I DON'T KNOW ANY DA, I CAN'T THINK OF

ANYBODY THAT I'VE MET IN MY ENTIRE CAREER, WHO WOULDN'T WANT TO NOTIFY

A CRIME VICTIM OF WHAT HAPPENED IN A CASE.

THE PROBLEM I HAVE WITH THIS PARTICULAR LEGISLATION,

YOU KNOW, I -- I DIDN'T COME FROM A DA'S OFFICE THAT HAD 400 ATTORNEYS.

WE HAD 12 ATTORNEYS. MY CASELOAD WAS BETWEEN 100 AND 150 CASES.

AND, YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES IT'S JUST EASIER TO PICK UP THE PHONE

BECAUSE YOU'VE ALREADY HAD THAT RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CRIME VICTIM AND

SAY, HEY, THIS IS WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE CASE. AND THAT'S ALL, YOU

KNOW, A CRIME VICTIM REALLY WANTS, IS THEY WANT TO BE NOTIFIED WHAT --

WHAT HAS HAPPENED AND THEY WANT TO BE NOTIFIED SOON.

I ALSO THINK THAT THIS LEGISLATION DOES NOT TAKE INTO

CONSIDERATION THE INCREDIBLY MASSIVE BURDEN IT WILL BE FOR DA'S OFFICES

TO HAVE TO NOTIFY EVERY POSSIBLE AGGRIEVED PARTY IN A CRIMINAL CASE.

AND THE EXAMPLE THAT I POINTED OUT IS NOT A FAR-FETCHED ONE. WE'VE

HAD -- IN MY COUNTY WE'VE HAD A COUPLE OF THOSE CASES ALREADY.

FINANCIAL CRIMES, IN PARTICULAR, ARE INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT TO TRACK DOWN

ALL THE VICTIMS.

SO WHILE I AGREE WITH THE INTENT AND THE PURPOSE OF

THIS LEGISLATION, I WOULD JUST ASK EVERYONE TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION

SOME REAL WORLD PRACTICAL ISSUES WITH THIS BILL AND VOTE NO ON THIS BILL.

THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: MRS. PEOPLES-

STOKES.

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: MADAM SPEAKER, WOULD

YOU PLEASE CALL THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE TO THE SPEAKER'S

CONFERENCE ROOM?

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: WAYS AND MEANS

COMMITTEE MEMBERS TO THE SPEAKER'S CONFERENCE ROOM. WAYS AND

MEANS TO THE SPEAKER'S CONFERENCE ROOM.

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. MOLITOR TO EXPLAIN HIS VOTE.

MR. MOLITOR: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

I -- I JUST WANTED TO POINT OUT ONE MORE MAJOR

FUNDAMENTAL FLAW WITH THIS BILL. I'M SORRY, I DON'T MEAN TO DO THIS. BUT

THE -- BUT THIS BILL ALSO DOESN'T CONTEMPLATE OTHER PROSECUTING AGENCIES.

I MEAN, IF THERE'S A CONFLICT, THEN A SPECIAL PROSECUTOR NEEDS TO BE

ASSIGNED. THIS LAW DOESN'T APPLY TO SPECIAL PROSECUTORS. IT DOESN'T

ADDRESS THE PROSECUTING AGENCY IN NEW YORK STATE, THE ATTORNEY

GENERAL'S OFFICE. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE IS PROSECUTING A

CRIME, THEY ALSO DO NOT HAVE TO FOLLOW THIS LAW. THIS IS SPECIFIC TO

LOCAL DA'S OFFICES, AND I JUST WANTED TO POINT THAT OUT. IT'S ANOTHER

PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

THANK YOU. I'LL BE VOTING IN THE NEGATIVE.

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THANK YOU.

MR. MOLITOR IN THE NEGATIVE.

MS. ROMERO TO EXPLAIN HER VOTE.

MS. ROMERO: THANK YOU.

SO JUST A QUICK POINT, WHICH IS THAT THE 18B PANEL OR A

SPECIAL PROSECUTOR WOULD BE THE DESIGNEE OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S

OFFICE, OF COURSE. AN ADDITIONAL POINT IS THE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN A

MUNICIPALITY FOR, YOU KNOW, THE HYPOTHETICAL POSED IN A DEBATE, IT'S

KIND OF A NULL POINT IN THE SENSE THAT, YOU KNOW, IF A MUNICIPALITY WAS

TO BE A CRIME VICTIM IN A FINANCIAL CRIME, THE TREASURER WOULD LIKELY BE

THE PERSON TO BE APPEARING ON BEHALF OF THE MUNICIPALITY, NOT THE

THOUSANDS OF CONSTITUENTS IN THAT TYPE OF HYPOTHETICAL FINANCIAL CRIME.

I'M SO PROUD TO PUT THIS BILL FORWARD. I WORKED SO

INCREDIBLY HARD ON IT, AND I -- I STAND SO STRONG ON BEHALF OF CRIME

VICTIMS ACROSS NEW YORK STATE AND I WILL BE VOTING IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: MS. ROMERO IN THE

AFFIRMATIVE.

MR. JENSEN TO EXPLAIN HIS VOTE.

MR. JENSEN: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER, TO

EXPLAIN MY VOTE.

I JUST WANT TO COMMEND THE SPONSOR AS WELL AS MY

FRIEND FROM NIAGARA FALLS ON THE COLLABORATION TO TAKE A -- A LEGISLATIVE

IDEA, A PUBLIC POLICY IDEA, AND REALLY WORK TOGETHER TO FINE TUNE IT AND

COME TO A -- A FINAL BILL THAT'S BEFORE US THAT I THINK REENFORCES WHAT

MANY DA'S OFFICES ACROSS THE STATE ARE ALREADY DOING. CERTAINLY, I -- I

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

KNOW IN THE MONROE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE THAT THE DISTRICT

ATTORNEY AND HER STAFF WORKS TREMENDOUSLY HARD TO ENSURE THAT VICTIMS

ARE CONTINUALLY INFORMED ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING. AND TO ENSURE THAT

VICTIMS ACROSS NEW YORK STATE WILL ENSURE THAT THEY HAVE UP-TO-DATE

INFORMATION ON THE RESOLUTIONS OF THEIR CASES, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO

ENSURE THAT VICTIMS NOT ONLY HAVE THEIR -- THEIR DAY IN COURT, THEIR

VOICES HEARD, BUT CONTINUE TO HAVE THE RESPECT AND DIGNITY SHOWN TO

THEM BY OUR -- OUR DISTRICT ATTORNEYS' OFFICES IN THE STATE.

WITH THAT I VOTE IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: MR. JENSEN IN THE

AFFIRMATIVE.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES TO EXPLAIN HER VOTE.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: THANK YOU, MADAM

SPEAKER.

I RISE TO, ONE, TO COMPLIMENT THE SPONSOR OF THIS

LEGISLATION, AND UNDERSTANDING THAT WHILE SOME MAY BE ALREADY DOING

WHAT'S RIGHT BY THE VICTIMS IN OUR STATE, SOME ARE NOT. AND SOMETIMES

THOSE WHO AREN'T, NEED TO BE ASKED TO DO THAT AND ARE REQUIRED TO DO IT.

IT'S IMPORTANT THAT VICTIMS ARE PROTECTED THROUGH THE PROCESS AND AFTER

THE PROCESS. INFORMATION ALLOWS THEM TO BE PROTECTED.

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO THE SPONSOR AND I'M

PLEASED TO BE VOTING IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: MRS. PEOPLES-

STOKES IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

MS. SHIMSKY TO EXPLAIN HER VOTE.

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

MS. SHIMSKY: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

FOR -- FOR YEARS NOW WE HAVE SEEN A DROP IN

RESOURCES, BASICALLY FEDERAL RESOURCES, GOING TO THE PROTECTION OF CRIME

VICTIMS, ESPECIALLY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS. GIVING KNOWLEDGE TO

THOSE VICTIMS IS GIVING THEM POWER TO PROTECT THEMSELVES. AND IT'S

SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN COMING IN SHORTER AND SHORTER SUPPLY.

SO I, THEREFORE, AM VERY PROUD TO STAND WITH SO MANY

OF MY COLLEAGUES IN FAVOR OF A BILL THAT WILL REQUIRE THAT OUR VICTIMS GET

THE MOST BASIC RESOURCE THEY NEEDED TO PROTECT THEMSELVES, AND THAT'S

KNOWLEDGE. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: MS. SHIMSKY IN THE

AFFIRMATIVE.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

PAGE 8, RULES REPORT NO. 262, CLERK WILL READ.

THE CLERK: S01356-A, RULES REPORT NO. 262,

SENATOR SKOUFIS (A03649-B, TAYLOR, ALVAREZ, MCDONALD, ROMERO,

MCDONOUGH, K. BROWN, MANKTELOW, SEAWRIGHT, O'PHARROW, TAPIA,

CRUZ, SANTABARBARA, DESTEFANO, GANDOLFO, BICHOTTE HERMELYN,

SHRESTHA, GONZ�LEZ-ROJAS, PAULIN, LEVENBERG, RAMOS, LEMONDES,

KASSAY, GALLAGHER, SIMON, CHANDLER-WATERMAN, JACOBSON, WIEDER,

BURROUGHS, STECK, DINOWITZ). AN ACT TO AMEND THE ELECTION LAW AND

THE VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC LAW, IN RELATION TO JOINING MULTISTATE VOTER LIST

MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS.

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: AN EXPLANATION HAS

BEEN REQUESTED.

MR. TAYLOR.

MR. TAYLOR: GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU, MADAM

SPEAKER.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS BILL IS TO AUTHORIZE THE STATE

BOARD OF ELECTIONS TO JOIN A MULTISTATE VOTER LIST MAINTENANCE

ORGANIZATION SUCH AS ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION INFORMATION CENTER, ALSO

KNOWN AS ERIC.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: MR. SEMPOLINSKI.

MR. SEMPOLINSKI: WOULD THE SPONSOR YIELD FOR A

FEW QUESTIONS?

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: WILL THE SPONSOR

YIELD?

MR. TAYLOR: ABSOLUTELY.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THE SPONSOR YIELDS.

MR. SEMPOLINSKI: I THANK YOU, MR. TAYLOR, FOR

YIELDING. THANK YOU.

SO I HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS, MOSTLY ABOUT SORT OF HOW

OF THIS WOULD OPERATE. FIRST OF ALL, THE BILL CONTEMPLATES THAT THE STATE

COULD JOIN ONE OR MORE ORGANIZATIONS OF THIS TYPE; IS THAT CORRECT?

MR. TAYLOR: COULD YOU REPEAT THAT QUESTION FOR --

MR. SEMPOLINSKI: I'M SORRY. YEAH, WE'RE ALL THE

WAY ACROSS THE CHAMBER.

MR. TAYLOR: OKAY.

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

MR. SEMPOLINSKI: THE BILL SAYS WE COULD -- WE

WOULD JOIN ONE OR MORE ORGANIZATIONS OF THIS TYPE OF MULTISTATE VOTER

LIST MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION. AM -- AM I CORRECT? THAT'S HOW IT'S

PHRASED.

MR. TAYLOR: SLIGHTLY NOT. SO, IT'S 25 -- 24 STATES

AND INCLUDING D.C. WOULD BE 26 THAT ERIC WHICH IS ERIC, WHICH

WOULD BE -- NEW YORK STATE WOULD BE PARTICIPATING IN THAT GROUP. NOT

JUST THE ONE, BUT A TOTAL OF.

MR. SEMPOLINSKI: WELL, YOU KNOW, I UNDERSTAND

THERE WILL BE A LOT OF STATES. BUT I'M ON LINE 13 OF PAGE 2. THE STATE

BOARD OF ELECTIONS SHALL JOIN THE STATE AS A MEMBER IN ONE OR MORE

MULTISTATE VOTER LIST MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING, BUT NOT

LIMITED TO, THE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION INFORMATION CENTER, THAT WOULD

BE ERIC, IS THE PREFERRED VENDOR.

MR. TAYLOR: MY APOLOGIES. YOU ARE CORRECT, SIR.

MR. SEMPOLINSKI: OKAY. ALL RIGHT.

NOW, SO -- SO AM I CORRECT THAT THEN ERIC, THE

ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION INFORMATION CENTER, IS -- IS CONTEMPLATED AS

MENTIONED IN THE BILL, BUT IS SORT OF PRESENTED AS AN EXAMPLE OF

SOMETHING WE COULD JOIN. WE COULD, IN THEORY, JOIN THAT OR SOMETHING

ELSE OR OTHERS.

MR. TAYLOR: WAS THAT A STATEMENT OR A QUESTION?

MR. SEMPOLINSKI: THAT'S A QUESTION.

MR. TAYLOR: OKAY. YES, IT COULD BE OTHERS BUT IT

MUST BE ERIC.

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

MR. SEMPOLINSKI: OKAY.

NOW, AM I CORRECT THAT ERIC IS A BIPARTISAN

ORGANIZATION?

MR. TAYLOR: YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT.

MR. SEMPOLINSKI: OKAY. IS THERE A REQUIREMENT

IN THE BILL THAT ANY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT THE STATE JOINS IN ADDITION

TO ERIC ALSO BE BIPARTISAN?

MR. TAYLOR: NO.

MR. SEMPOLINSKI: OKAY. IT IS YOUR INTENT THAT

ANY ORGANIZATIONS THAT WE JOIN OTHER THAN ERIC BE BIPARTISAN?

MR. TAYLOR: I AM HOPEFUL THAT THAT WILL BE THE

PLACE AND THE SPACE.

MR. SEMPOLINSKI: OKAY.

NOW, WHAT MECHANISMS DOES ERIC OR ANY OF THESE

OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, WHAT DO THEY USE TO MAINTAIN THE LIST? WHAT --

HOW DO THEY ACTUALLY PERFORM THE FUNCTION OF MAINTAINING THE LIST?

(CONFERENCING)

MR. TAYLOR: SO, NEW YORK STATE BOARD OF

ELECTIONS WILL -- WILL PROVIDE THEIR VOTER REGISTRATION INFORMATION TO

ERIC. AND ERIC OPERATES ON OTHER ENTITIES AS WELL, SO THEY WOULD BE

UTILIZING THE SOCIAL SECURITY -- U.S. SOCIAL -- U.S. POST OFFICE AS WELL

AS THE SOCIAL SECURITY, THEIR DEATH-- DEATH DATA.

MR. SEMPOLINSKI: SO AM I CORRECT THAT THEY

WOULD BE OPERATING BASED ON SORT OF OTHER PUBLICLY-AVAILABLE

INFORMATION TO -- TO SORT OF CLEAN THE LIST? IS THAT SORT OF THE FUNCTION

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

THEY WOULD -- THE MECHANISM OF BY WHICH THEY WOULD FUNCTION?

MR. TAYLOR: THAT IS CORRECT.

MR. SEMPOLINSKI: OKAY.

IF SOMEONE IS REMOVED FROM THE LIST IN ERROR, HOW

WOULD THEY GET BACK ON THE LIST?

(CONFERENCING)

MR. TAYLOR: ERIC DOES NOT REMOVE ANYONE FROM

THE LIST. AGAIN, THIS IS NEW YORK STATE SHARING INFORMATION, BUT NEW

YORK STATE, THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION MAINTAINS THEIR

RESPONSIBILITIES OF SHARING WITH THE LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES THEIR

INFORMATION AS THEY RECEIVE IT. SO IF SOMEONE IS NOT REGISTERED AND IT

COMES BACK THAT PERSON IS INELIGIBLE FOR WHATEVER REASON, THEN THEY

WILL RECEIVE NOTIFICATION THAT SAYS, YOU DID NOT QUALIFY OR, YOU ARE

QUALIFIED TO VOTE. AND IF YOU'RE NOT A CITIZEN YOU DO NOT GET AN

OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE.

MR. SEMPOLINSKI: RIGHT. SO -- SO ERIC WOULD

BE PROVIDING INFORMATION TO THE STATE TO SAY JOHN DOE OR JANE DOE, WE

THINK THEY MAY HAVE DIED, WE THINK THEY MAY HAVE MOVED, YOU SHOULD

LOOK INTO THEM. IS THAT (INDISCERNIBLE)?

MR. TAYLOR: ABSOLUTELY. THE STATE DOES NOT

RELINQUISH ANY OF ITS AUTHORITY. IT MAINTAINS, AND NO ONE ELSE OUTSIDE OF

NEW YORK STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS WILL TOUCH OR INTERFERE WITH THEIR

DATA.

MR. SEMPOLINSKI: THANK YOU. OKAY. THANK YOU

VERY MUCH.

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

REGARDING PRIVACY. I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY FOR THE

RECORD THAT -- AND I'M ON, ONCE AGAIN, ON PAGE 2 AND ON LINE 46, AND

AGAIN, JUST CLARIFYING FOR THE RECORD IF I'M CORRECT. THE STATE BOARD OF

ELECTIONS SHALL NOT PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION ON ANY PERSON IN THE

CONFIDENTIAL VOTER PROGRAM. SO WE WOULD BE PROTECTING ANYONE WHO

WAS A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR FOR ANY OTHER REASON IS A

CONFIDENTIAL VOTER?

MR. TAYLOR: YOU ARE CORRECT, SIR.

MR. SEMPOLINSKI: OKAY. FOR THOSE PARTICULAR

FOLKS, WOULD THEN ERIC JUST NOT MAINTAIN THAT PORTION OF THE LIST

BECAUSE THEY WOULDN'T RECEIVE THE INFORMATION? WOULD THAT BE HOW IT

WOULD WORK?

MR. TAYLOR: CORRECT. IF -- IF THE STATE DOES NOT

PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION, THEN ERIC DOES NOT HAVE ACCESS TO IT.

MR. SEMPOLINSKI: OKAY. AND REGARDING OTHER

PRIVACY CONCERNS, AM I CORRECT -- AND IT'S ENUMERATED BETWEEN LINES 31

AND 30 -- 40 ON PAGE 2, THE INFORMATION THAT IS BEING TRANSMITTED TO

ERIC OR ANY OTHER ORGANIZATION SIMILAR, THESE ARE ALL

PUBLICLY-AVAILABLE THINGS THAT YOU COULD GET IF YOU PULLED THE VOTER LIST

AS ANY CITIZEN. WE'RE NOT SUBMITTING TO ERIC OR ANYONE ELSE ANY

INFORMATION THAT IS NOT ALREADY PUBLICLY-AVAILABLE?

MR. TAYLOR: THAT -- THAT'S CORRECT.

MR. SEMPOLINSKI: OKAY. THANK YOU.

THERE IS A REFERENCE IN THE BILL TO FEES, DUES AND

EXPENSES. DO WE HAVE ANY ANTICIPATION HOW MUCH COST THAT WOULD BE

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

TO THE STATE OF NEW YORK?

MR. TAYLOR: THE ESTIMATED COST THE FIRST YEAR TO --

TO PARTICIPATE IS $150,000 AND THEN THERE'S AN ANNUAL DUES OF $25,000

PER YEAR.

MR. SEMPOLINSKI: SO THERE WILL BE A STARTUP FEE

AND THEN 25,000 -- AND THAT'S THE -- FOR THE WHOLE STATE, THAT'S THE TOTAL

COST.

MR. TAYLOR: YES, SIR.

MR. SEMPOLINSKI: AND YOU -- YOU ALLUDED TO IT

EARLIER, BUT AS WE ALL KNOW, NONCITIZENS -- REGARDLESS OF THE LEGALITY OF

THEIR STATUS, NONCITIZENS CANNOT VOTE. SO AM I CORRECT, THERE'S A COUPLE

OF PROTECTIONS FOR THAT IN THE BILL ON PAGE 3, LINE 7. THERE'S A -- A -- A

POINT WHERE IT SAYS THAT ANY SOLICITATIONS THAT GO OUT WOULD MAKE IT

CLEAR THAT NONCITIZENS CAN'T VOTE -- AND I WILL READ THE SECTION -- TO

AVOID INADVERTENT OR ACCIDENTAL REGISTRATION, A PERSON IS INELIGIBLE TO

UNREGISTERED PERSON SHALL STATE THE VOTER REGISTRATION CRITERIA, INCLUDING,

BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY CITIZENSHIP REQUIREMENTS.

MR. TAYLOR: THAT'S CORRECT, SIR.

MR. SEMPOLINSKI: OKAY.

AND FURTHER DOWN ON PAGE 3 IT -- IT BECOMES STATUTE,

THE COMMISSIONER SHALL NOT KNOWINGLY PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION

PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION OF PERSONS WHO ARE NOT CITIZENS.

MR. TAYLOR: THAT'S CORRECT, SIR.

MR. SEMPOLINSKI: OKAY.

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

SO, THOSE ARE THE QUESTIONS I HAD. I APPRECIATE YOU

CLARIFYING SOME OF MY THOUGHTS ON IT.

I'M GONNA GO ON THE BILL.

MR. TAYLOR: THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: ON THE BILL.

MR. SEMPOLINSKI: SO, THE VOTER ROLLS IN THE STATE,

THEY NEED A LOT OF WORK. AND -- AND I WOULD SAY THIS IS SOMEBODY WHO

IN MY PRIVATE LIFE IS VERY POLITICALLY ACTIVE AND -- AND ACTIVE IN MY

POLITICAL PARTY AND SPENT -- I SPEND A LOT OF TIME EVERY MARCH TALKING TO

FOLKS AND GETTING THEM TO SIGN DESIGNATING PETITIONS AND WHAT HAVE

YOU. AND QUITE OFTEN, WE HAVE LISTS WHERE SOMEBODY HAS MOVED,

SADLY SOMEBODY HAS PASSED AWAY. SOMEBODY HAS REGISTERED TO VOTE AT

ONE PARTICULAR ADDRESS AND THEN HAS -- HAS MOVED SOMEWHERE ELSE.

AND I DO HEAR FROM CONSTITUENTS WHERE THERE IS CONCERN IN THE

CONFIDENCE OF ELECTIONS, AND A LOT OF IT HAS TO DO WITH THE VOTER ROLLS.

SO AS -- AS -- I THINK IF THERE ARE ADEQUATE PROTECTIONS, AND IT CERTAINLY

SEEMS TO BE THE SPONSOR'S INTENT TO HAVE THOSE ADEQUATE PROTECTIONS FOR

PRIVACY, FOR BIPARTISANSHIP, TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE WHO HAVE LAWFULLY

REGISTERED TO VOTE ARE STILL REGISTERED, AND THOSE WHO ARE INELIGIBLE TO

VOTE DON'T SLIP IN. WITH THOSE TYPES OF PROTECTIONS I THINK THIS -- THIS

MOVES US IN A DIRECTION THAT'S -- THAT'S POSITIVE.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THANK YOU.

MR. MOLITOR.

MR. MOLITOR: THANK YOU. ACTUALLY, ALL OF MY

QUESTIONS WERE ASKED AND ANSWERED. THANK YOU.

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THANK YOU.

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. JACOBSON TO EXPLAIN HIS VOTE.

MR. JACOBSON: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. I

WANT TO THANK THE SPONSOR FOR THIS BILL.

I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE ROLES THAT WE HAVE NOW WITH

THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS. BUT WHAT HAPPENS IS PEOPLE MOVE OUT-OF-STATE

AND THEN THE BOARDS IN OTHER STATES DON'T ALWAYS FOLLOW UP WITH OUR

STATE. AND THIS -- THIS BILL AND JOINING THE ORGANIZATION THAT WILL HELP

THE BOARD EVEN DO A BETTER JOB AND HELP TO RESTORE CONFIDENCE AND FIGHT

THE CONSPIRACY THEORIES ABOUT DEAD PEOPLE VOTING, ABOUT PEOPLE THAT --

AND ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF.

SO I'M GLAD AND PROUD TO VOTE IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THANK YOU.

MR. JACOBSON IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

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,

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

COLLEAGUES HAVE ON THEIR DESK AN A-CALENDAR. I'D LIKE TO MOVE TO

ADVANCE THAT A-CALENDAR.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: ON A MOTION BY

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES, THE -- ON A MOTION BY MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES, THE

A-CALENDAR IS ADVANCED.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: THANK YOU. SO WE CAN

BEGIN AT PAGE 3. THANK YOU SO MUCH, MA'AM.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THANK YOU.

ON CONSENT, PAGE 3, RULES REPORT NO. 409, THE CLERK

WILL READ.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A00066-A, RULES

REPORT NO. 409, HEVESI, EPSTEIN, SIMON, CLARK, JACKSON, RAGA, GIBBS,

DE LOS SANTOS, TAPIA, MAMDANI, GONZ�LEZ-ROJAS, FORREST, SHRESTHA,

ROMERO, BUTTENSCHON, TAYLOR, MEEKS, GRIFFIN, GALLAGHER, WOERNER,

COLTON, ROSENTHAL. AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOCIAL SERVICES LAW, IN

RELATION TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE STATEWIDE CENTRAL REGISTER OF

CHILD ABUSE AND MALTREATMENT.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THIS BILL IS LAID

ASIDE.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A00173, RULES REPORT

NO. 410, PAULIN, OTIS, JACOBSON, SHIMSKY, ALVAREZ. AN ACT TO AMEND

THE NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION LAW AND THE PUBLIC AUTHORITIES LAW, IN

RELATION TO THE APPLICABILITY OF OPEN MEETINGS AND FREEDOM OF

INFORMATION LAWS TO CERTAIN NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATIONS.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: ON A MOTION BY MS.

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

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

ADVANCED. THIS BILL IS LAID ASIDE.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A00584-C, RULES

REPORT NO. 411, STECK, SANTABARBARA, PAULIN, LEVENBERG, REYES,

SHIMSKY, DAVILA, BORES, JACOBSON, LEE. AN ACT TO AMEND THE LABOR

LAW, IN RELATION TO ENACTING THE "TRAPPED AT WORK ACT."

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THIS BILL IS LAID

ASIDE.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A00654-B, RULES

REPORT NO. 412, ROSENTHAL, DE LOS SANTOS, SEAWRIGHT, RAGA,

CUNNINGHAM. AN ACT TO AMEND THE EMERGENCY TENANT PROTECTION ACT

OF 1974, AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK, IN

RELATION TO INCREASING PENALTIES FOR OWNERS OF RENT-REGULATED PROPERTY

WHO OVERCHARGE TENANTS.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THIS BILL IS LAID

ASIDE.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A00697, RULES REPORT

NO. 413, GONZ�LEZ-ROJAS, MEEKS, EPSTEIN, DAVILA, LUCAS, LUNSFORD,

SIMON, REYES, BORES, CLARK, TAYLOR, ROSENTHAL, GALLAGHER, BURDICK,

SHIMSKY, MAMDANI, CUNNINGHAM, KELLES, SEAWRIGHT, SIMONE. AN ACT

TO AMEND THE PUBLIC HEALTH LAW, THE COUNTY LAW, THE EXECUTIVE LAW

AND THE STATE FINANCE LAW, IN RELATION TO PROHIBITING THE USE OF THE

TERM "EXCITED DELIRIUM" AS A DIAGNOSIS, LABEL, OR CAUSE OF DEATH.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: ON A MOTION BY MS.

GONZ�LEZ-ROJAS, THE SENATE BILL IS BEFORE THE HOUSE. THE SENATE BILL

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

IS ADVANCED. THIS BILL IS LAID ASIDE.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A01067, RULES REPORT

NO. 414, RIVERA, BENEDETTO, BRONSON, CLARK, COLTON, CONRAD, DE LOS

SANTOS, DINOWITZ, GLICK, GONZ�LEZ-ROJAS, HEVESI, JACKSON, JACOBSON,

LUNSFORD, MCDONOUGH, MEEKS, PEOPLES-STOKES, REYES, ROSENTHAL,

SEAWRIGHT, SEPTIMO, SIMON, STECK, TAYLOR, STIRPE, STERN, WALKER,

KELLES, BURDICK, SANTABARBARA, SHIMSKY, CUNNINGHAM, ZINERMAN,

OTIS. AN ACT TO AMEND THE INSURANCE LAW, IN RELATION TO PROHIBITING

THE EXCLUSION OF COVERAGE FOR LOSSES OR DAMAGES CAUSED BY EXPOSURE TO

LEAD-BASED PAINT.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THIS BILL IS LAID

ASIDE.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A01417-B, RULES

REPORT NO. 415, ROSENTHAL, BURDICK, LASHER. AN ACT TO AMEND THE

GENERAL BUSINESS LAW, IN RELATION TO THE USE OF ALGORITHMIC PRICING BY

A LANDLORD FOR THE PURPOSE OF DETERMINING THE AMOUNT OF RENT TO CHARGE

A RESIDENTIAL TENANT.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THIS BILL IS LAID

ASIDE.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A01515, RULES REPORT

416, WEPRIN, SIMON, RAGA, SEAWRIGHT, DE LOS SANTOS, TAYLOR. AN ACT

TO AMEND THE BANKING LAW, IN RELATION TO REQUIRING LICENSED CASHERS OF

CHECKS TO FILE SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY REPORTS.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: READ THE LAST

SECTION.

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

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. A01698, RULES REPORT

NO. 417, WEPRIN, BUTTENSCHON, SCHIAVONI. AN ACT TO AMEND THE

AGRICULTURE AND MARKETS LAW, IN RELATION TO THE RECOVERY OF A DECEASED

DOG OR CAT ON PUBLIC ROADS.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THIS BILL IS LAID

ASIDE.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A01985-C, RULES

REPORT NO. 418, PAULIN, DE LOS SANTOS, BEEPHAN, BORES, EPSTEIN,

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

ESTABLISHING A STATE FRONTOTEMPORAL DEGENERATION REGISTRY.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: ON A MOTION BY MS.

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

ADVANCED.

READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT ON THE 90TH

DAY.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THE CLERK WILL

RECORD THE VOTE.

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 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. A02177-A, RULES

REPORT NO. 419, LUPARDO, ANGELINO, SHIMSKY, LUNSFORD, BARRETT,

BUTTENSCHON, JACOBSON, STECK, DAVILA, SEAWRIGHT, OTIS, MAHER,

BENDETT, GALLAHAN, DESTEFANO, BRABENEC, WOERNER, MCDONALD. AN

ACT TO AMEND THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL LAW, IN RELATION TO REMOVING

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES FROM THE LIMIT ON REAL PROPERTY TAX LEVIES

BY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

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. LUPARDO TO EXPLAIN HER VOTE.

MS. LUPARDO: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MADAM

SPEAKER, FOR ALLOWING ME TO SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT THIS IMPORTANT BILL.

I JUST WANT TO REMIND COLLEAGUES THAT A COUPLE OF YEARS

AGO WE HAD A PACKAGE OF BILLS THAT WE PUT TOGETHER TO SUPPORT OUR

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES. WE USED THE HASHTAG "RESCUEMS FOR OUR

SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN, AND IT WAS INTENDED TO BE IRONIC THAT WE WERE

COMING TOGETHER TO RESCUE EMS WHEN WE'RE SO USED TO THEM, IN FACT,

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

RESCUING US IN -- IN OUR TIMES OF NEED. WE'VE BEEN CHIPPING AWAY AT

THIS, ALLOWING THEM TO GET PAID DIRECTLY FOR CERTAIN SERVICES, ALLOWING

THEM TO BE PAID FOR TREATING IN PLACE OR FOR TRANSPORTING SOMEONE TO

ANOTHER -- ANOTHER LOCATION OTHER THAN A HOSPITAL. WE ARE STILL

STRUGGLING TO FINALIZE LANGUAGE SO THAT THEY WOULD BE RECOGNIZED AS AN

ESSENTIAL SERVICE IN STATE LAW, AND THIS MEASURE RIGHT HERE WHICH WILL

BE A VERY IMPORTANT TOOL IN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT TOOLBOX THAT WILL HELP

US STABILIZE OUR EMS THAT HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING WITH STAFFING ISSUES, THE

ABILITY TO PAY FOR VITAL EQUIPMENT, INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS,

TRAINING THEIR STAFF AND THE LIKE.

I WANT TO THANK ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES FOR THEIR SUPPORT

FOR EMS OVER THESE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. I ESPECIALLY WANT TO GIVE A

SHOUT OUT TO MY NEIGHBORING COLLEAGUE, WHO I'M SURE IS GONNA HAVE A

-- TO SAY A FEW WORDS. WE HAVE WORKED EXTREMELY CLOSELY TOGETHER

AFTER A TRAGIC INCIDENT IN OUR COMMUNITY BROUGHT US TOGETHER TO RAISE

THESE IMPORTANT ISSUES.

I ALSO WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES

AND THE CONFERENCE OF MAYORS FOR THEIR STEADFAST SUPPORT IN HELPING US

IMPROVE OUR EMS SERVICES.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THANK YOU.

MS. LUPARDO IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

MR. ANGELINO TO EXPLAIN HIS VOTE.

MR. ANGELINO: TO EXPLAIN MY VOTE ON 2177-A.

FOR THE SECOND TIME TODAY, MY COLLEAGUE TO THE RIGHT,

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

THE JUDGE, AND MYSELF, BOTH HAD SITUATIONS WHERE ACROSS THE AISLE

COOPERATION AND KNOWLEDGE ON SPECIFIC THINGS IS COMING TO FRUITION

THROUGH A PASSAGE OF A BILL, AND IT LOOKS LIKE UNANIMOUSLY.

MY COLLEAGUE FROM THE 123RD DISTRICT AND I MET WITH

RURAL AMBULANCE PROVIDERS, AND THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE. I STILL HAVE

VOLUNTEER, FULLY VOLUNTEER AMBULANCES THAT ARE STRUGGLING, AND IT'S

DOMINOES WHEN IT COMES TO THESE AMBULANCES. I HAVE CERTAIN TOWNS

THAT HAVE NO COVERAGE. THEY DON'T HAVE A AMBULANCE SERVICE, THEY'RE

NOT IN A CERTIFICATE OF NEED, AND THEY RELY SOLELY ON MUTUAL AID. AND

THIS, IF THIS IS SIGNED INTO LAW, WILL GIVE THESE MUNICIPALITIES A LITTLE BIT

OF -- OF BREATHING ROOM. THEY'RE NOT GOING TO FUND AN ENTIRE AGENCY

OUT OF THIS. SOME PLACES JUST NEED TO SIGN A CONTRACT THAT MIGHT BE 50

CENTS ON THE DOLLAR OVER THE 2 PERCENT TAX CAP.

I'LL BE VOTING YES ON THIS VERY IMPORTANT PIECE OF

LEGISLATION. THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THANK YOU.

MR. ANGELINO IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A02328-A, RULES

REPORT NO. 420, ANGELINO, LEMONDES, MORINELLO. AN ACT TO AMEND

THE TAX LAW, IN RELATION TO AUTHORIZING THE TOWN OF DICKINSON TO

ESTABLISH HOTEL AND MOTEL TAXES; AND PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF SUCH

PROVISIONS UPON EXPIRATION THEREOF.

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: READ THE LAST

SECTION -- OH, 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.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A02657, RULES REPORT

NO. 421, OTIS, ROSENTHAL, SIMON, LUNSFORD, SHIMSKY, SIMONE,

MCDONALD, GRIFFIN, COLTON, SEAWRIGHT, EPSTEIN, LEVENBERG, REYES,

BRONSON, BURDICK, GALLAGHER, CUNNINGHAM, MCMAHON, SCHIAVONI,

PAULIN, SHRESTHA, CLARK, BRAUNSTEIN, KASSAY, GLICK, WOERNER. AN ACT

TO AMEND THE PUBLIC AUTHORITIES LAW, IN RELATION TO ESTABLISHING THE

ELECTRIC LANDSCAPING EQUIPMENT REBATE PROGRAM; AND PROVIDING FOR

THE REPEAL OF SUCH PROVISIONS UPON EXPIRATION THEREOF.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: ON A MOTION BY MR.

OTIS, THE SENATE BILL IS BEFORE THE HOUSE. THE SENATE BILL IS ADVANCED.

THIS BILL IS LAID ASIDE.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A03273, RULES REPORT

NO. 422, MCDONALD. AN ACT TO AMEND THE EXECUTIVE LAW, IN RELATION

TO ENACTING THE NEW YORK STATE RESIDENT EXPERIENCE ACT OF 2025.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: READ THE LAST

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

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. A03295, RULES REPORT

NO. 423, PHEFFER AMATO, TAPIA, STECK. AN ACT TO AMEND THE CIVIL

SERVICE LAW, IN RELATION TO AUTHORIZING THE REMOVAL OF POLICE OFFICER

CANDIDATES FROM AN ELIGIBLE LIST WHEN SUCH CANDIDATE DOES NOT MEET

PSYCHOLOGICAL FITNESS REQUIREMENTS OR LACKS GOOD MORAL CHARACTER

STANDARDS.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: ON A MOTION BY MS.

PHEFFER AMATO, THE SENATE BILL IS BEFORE THE HOUSE. THE SENATE BILL IS

ADVANCED. THIS BILL IS LAID ASIDE.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A03644, RULES REPORT

NO. 424, GALLAHAN, PALMESANO. AN ACT TO AMEND THE TAX LAW, IN

RELATION TO EXTENDING THE EXPIRATION OF THE AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY

OF SENECA TO IMPOSE AN ADDITIONAL 1 PERCENT SALES AND COMPENSATING

USE TAX.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: ON A MOTION BY MR.

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

ADVANCED.

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT --

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: HOME RULE

MESSAGE IS AT THE DESK.

READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THE CLERK WILL

RECORD THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

THE BILL IS PASSED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A03665-A, RULES

REPORT NO. 425, SIMONE, WEPRIN, GONZ�LEZ-ROJAS, DINOWITZ, EPSTEIN,

GLICK, TAPIA, REYES. AN ACT TO REPEAL PARAGRAPHS (E), (F) AND (G) OF

SUBDIVISION 5 OF SECTION 36 OF THE MUNICIPAL HOME RULE LAW, RELATING

TO LIMITATIONS ON THE SUBMITTING OF A QUESTION TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS

OF A CITY WHEN THERE IS A QUESTION SUBMITTED BY A CHARTER COMMISSION.

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.

MS. WALSH: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. WOULD

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

YOU PLEASE LAY THIS BILL ASIDE?

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THE ROLL IS

WITHDRAWN. THIS BILL IS LAID ASIDE.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A03698-A, RULES

REPORT NO. 426, WEPRIN, WILLIAMS, ALVAREZ, PHEFFER AMATO,

BURROUGHS. AN ACT TO AMEND THE REAL PROPERTY TAX LAW, IN RELATION TO

PROVIDING AN ADDITIONAL REAL PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR CERTAIN SENIOR

CITIZENS.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: READ THE LAST

SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THE CLERK WILL

RECORD THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A03919-A, RULES

REPORT NO. 427, WEPRIN, HEVESI, TAYLOR, PAULIN, BROOK-KRASNY. AN

ACT TO AMEND THE INSURANCE LAW, IN RELATION TO ESTABLISHING A

REQUIREMENT FOR INFORMATION RELATED TO SPECIALIZED DENTAL BENEFIT PLANS.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: READ THE LAST

SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THE CLERK WILL

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

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. A03949-A, RULES

REPORT NO. 428, HUNTER. AN ACT IN RELATION TO AUTHORIZING THE

JAMESVILLE-DEWITT CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT TO DISCONTINUE THE USE OF

SCHOOL DISTRICT-OWNED PARKLANDS AND TO LEASE SUCH PARKLANDS TO THE

TOWN OF ONONDAGA.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: HOME RULE

MESSAGE IS AT THE DESK.

READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THE CLERK WILL

RECORD THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A03987-A, RULES

REPORT NO. 429, SHIMSKY. AN ACT TO AMEND THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

LAW, IN RELATION TO DESIGNATING SECURITY OFFICERS FOR THE VILLAGE COURT

OF THE VILLAGE OF PLEASANTVILLE AS PEACE OFFICERS.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: READ THE LAST

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

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. A04014, RULES REPORT

NO. 430, MCDONALD. AN ACT TO AMEND THE COUNTY LAW, IN RELATION TO

MANDATORY CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR CORONERS AND

CORONER'S DEPUTIES.

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.)

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A04025, RULES REPORT

NO. 431, SIMPSON. AN ACT TO AMEND THE PUBLIC OFFICERS LAW, IN

RELATION TO WAIVING THE RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT FOR CERTAIN COUNTY

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

ATTORNEY POSITIONS WITHIN WARREN 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.)

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A04276, RULES REPORT

NO. 432, CUNNINGHAM, DE LOS SANTOS. AN ACT TO DIRECT THE

COMMISSIONER OF MENTAL HEALTH TO CONDUCT A STUDY OF CHILD-AND-

YOUTH-TARGETED MOBILE CRISIS OUTREACH TEAMS.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: READ THE LAST

SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THE CLERK WILL

RECORD THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A04834, RULES REPORT

NO. 433, SANTABARBARA, SHIMSKY. AN ACT RELATING TO ASSESSING THE

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

STAFFING AND OTHER ISSUES CAUSING THE CONTINUED DISPLACEMENT OF

INDIVIDUALS WITH DIS -- DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES FROM VARIOUS STATE-

OPERATED INSTITUTIONS UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE OFFICE FOR PEOPLE

WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: READ THE LAST

SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THE CLERK WILL

RECORD THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A05031-A, RULES

REPORT NO. 434, JACOBSON, LUCAS, HYNDMAN, TAYLOR, SANTABARBARA,

GLICK, DILAN, SAYEGH, SEPTIMO, DAVILA, STECK, REYES, BURDICK,

SEAWRIGHT. AN ACT TO AMEND THE BANKING LAW, IN RELATION TO

ESTABLISHING CRITERIA FOR THE CLOSURE OF BANKING ACCOUNTS IN THE STATE OF

NEW YORK.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THIS BILL IS LAID

ASIDE.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A05341-A, RULES

REPORT NO. 435, ZACCARO, CRUZ, TORRES, ROZIC, CONRAD, STECK, BERGER,

EPSTEIN, DESTEFANO, CHANG, BEEPHAN, YEGER, SEAWRIGHT, HEVESI,

COLTON, SCHIAVONI, HOOKS, MCDONOUGH, NOVAKHOV, NORBER,

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

SEMPOLINSKI, GIGLIO, LEMONDES, REYES, WILLIAMS, K. BROWN,

CHLUDZINSKI, DILAN, GALLAHAN, BUTTENSCHON, MCDONALD, LEE, TAPIA,

DAVILA, SMULLEN, BRABENEC, FITZPATRICK, BLANKENBUSH, BORES,

LEVENBERG, GLICK, GANDOLFO, PALMESANO, HYNDMAN, BROOK-KRASNY,

KASSAY. AN ACT TO AMEND THE CANNABIS LAW, IN RELATION TO FURTHER

RESTRICTING CANNABIS STOREFRONTS FROM BEING LOCATED WITHIN 500 FEET OF A

SCHOOL AND 200 FEET OF A HOUSE OF WORSHIP IF THEY ARE LOCATED IN A

MIXED-USE BUILDING.

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. ZACCARO TO EXPLAIN HIS VOTE.

MR. ZACCARO: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

SINCE MY ARRIVAL TO THE ASSEMBLY, I'VE CONSISTENTLY

STRIVED TO ADDRESS THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS THAT AROSE

IN THE WAKE OF THE LEGALIZATION OF THE CANNABIS MARKET, FROM

EMPOWERING LAW ENFORCEMENT TO SHUT DOWN ILLICIT SMOKE SHOPS TO

ADVOCATING FOR THE REVOCATION OF STATE LICENSES FROM THOSE WHO DON'T

PLAY BY THE RULES. I'VE WORKED TO ENSURE THAT OUR COMMUNITIES ARE

PROTECTED AND THE LEGAL CANNABIS INDUSTRY IS GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY THAT

IT NEEDS TO SUCCEED, AND TODAY WE'RE TAKING AN IMPORTANT FIRST STEP

FORWARD. WE ARE PASSING A BIPARTISAN PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT REFLECTS

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

A COLLECTIVE EFFORT, PARTICULARLY IN THE COMMUNITY OF JACKSON HEIGHTS,

QUEENS, WHERE I STOOD WITH MY COLLEAGUES. I STOOD WITH FAMILIES AND

SCHOOL ADVOCATES AGAINST THE OPERATION OF ILLEGAL SMOKE SHOPS LOCATED

DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO A SCHOOL; AN ESTABLISHMENT THAT WAS SELLING ILLICIT

CANNABIS AND PUTTING OUR YOUTH AT RISK. AND THROUGH THIS FIGHT WE

UNCOVERED A SIGNIFICANT LOOPHOLE IN OUR EXISTING LAWS, AND TODAY WE'RE

CLOSING THAT LOOPHOLE. AND I'M PROUD TO BE PART OF A BODY THAT HAS LED

THE WAY IN REFINING AND IMPROVING THE LAW TO STRIKE A RESPONSIBLE

BALANCE BETWEEN OPPORTUNITY AND SAFETY.

I WAS CONCERNED TO LEARN THAT CURRENT REGULATIONS DID

NOT ACCOUNT FOR SCHOOLS AND HOUSES OF WORSHIP LOCATED WITHIN

MIXED-USE BUILDINGS WHEN DETERMINING THE PERMISSIBLE PLACEMENT OF

CANNABIS STOREFRONTS. AND THIS OVERSIGHT WAS NOT UNIQUE TO MY DISTRICT,

IT WAS AN ISSUE ACROSS OUR STATE. AND SO TODAY WE'RE PASSING A BILL THAT

CORRECTS THAT. ONCE ENACTED IT WILL PROHIBIT CANNABIS STOREFRONTS FROM

OPERATING WITHIN 500 FEET OF A SCHOOL, AND 200 FEET FROM A HOUSE OF

WORSHIP IN MIXED-USE BUILDINGS. AND THIS TARGETED CHANGE WILL MAKE A

REAL DIFFERENCE FOR PUBLIC SAFETY, ESPECIALLY IN COMMUNITIES LIKE MINE.

AND LET ME BE CLEAR. THIS LEGISLATION IS NOT INTENDED

TO PLACE UNDUE BURDEN ON LICENSED DISPENSARIES. WE REMAIN

COMMITTED TO PROMOTING A THRIVING LEGAL CANNABIS INDUSTRY, BUT THE

SUCCESS MUST GO HAND-IN-HAND WITH SMART, COMMUNITY-CENTERED

REGULATION AND THIS BILL ACHIEVES THAT BALANCE.

AND I PROUDLY VOTE IN THE AFFIRMATIVE. THANK YOU,

MADAM SPEAKER.

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THANK YOU.

MR. ZACCARO IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THIS BILL IS PASSED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A05364, RULES REPORT

NO. 436, P. CARROLL. AN ACT TO AMEND THE REAL PROPERTY TAX LAW, IN

RELATION TO LIMITING THE SHIFT BETWEEN CLASSES OF TAXABLE PROPERTY IN THE

TOWN OF HAVERSTRAW, COUNTY OF ROCKLAND.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: READ THE LAST

SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THE CLERK WILL

RECORD THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A05524, RULES REPORT

NO. 437, JACKSON. AN ACT TO AMEND THE STATE FINANCE LAW, IN RELATION

TO THE DEBRIEFING OF CERTAIN CONTRACTS.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: ON A MOTION BY MS.

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

ADVANCED.

READ THE LAST SECTION.

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT ON THE 90TH

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. A05685-A, RULES

REPORT NO. 438, HYNDMAN, SAYEGH, SIMON. AN ACT TO AMEND THE

EDUCATION LAW, IN RELATION TO THE NEW YORK STATE MASTERS-IN-

EDUCATION TEACHER INCENTIVE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: READ THE LAST

SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THE CLERK WILL

RECORD THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A05898, RULES REPORT

NO. 439, TAPIA, GRAY, DESTEFANO, BORES, BURDICK, CRUZ, PALMESANO,

LEVENBERG, MORINELLO, ALVAREZ, DE LOS SANTOS, REYES, HYNDMAN,

LUNSFORD, DAIS, DAVILA, KASSAY, K. BROWN, SANTABARBARA. AN ACT TO

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

AMEND THE RETIREMENT AND SOCIAL SECURITY LAW, IN RELATION TO DEATH

BENEFITS FOR THE BENEFICIARIES OF CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE RETIREMENT

SYSTEM.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THIS BILL IS LAID

ASIDE.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A06274, RULES REPORT

NO. 440, BRONSON. AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY OF MONROE TO OFFER

AN OPTIONAL 20-YEAR RETIREMENT PLAN TO GREGORY M. PROKOP, A DEPUTY

SHERIFF EMPLOYED BY SUCH COUNTY.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: HOME RULE

MESSAGE IS AT THE DESK.

READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THE CLERK WILL

RECORD THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A06279, RULES REPORT

NO. 441, BRONSON. AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE GRANTING OF RETIREMENT

SERVICE CREDIT IN THE OPTIONAL 20-YEAR RETIREMENT PLAN TO DUANE A.

PALMA FOR SERVICE AS A CORRECTION OFFICER.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: HOME RULE

MESSAGE IS AT THE DESK.

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

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. A06609-A, RULES

REPORT NO. 442, LUNSFORD. AN ACT IN RELATION TO AUTHORIZING KAROL

HUGHES TO TAKE THE COMPETITIVE CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATION FOR THE

POSITION OF POLICE OFFICER AND BE PLACED ON THE ELIGIBLE LIST FOR

EMPLOYMENT AS A FULL-TIME POLICE OFFICER FOR THE TOWN/VILLAGE OF EAST

ROCHESTER.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: HOME RULE

MESSAGE IS AT THE DESK.

READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THE CLERK WILL

RECORD THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A06639, RULES REPORT

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

NO. 443, KIM, DAVILA, SHIMSKY, TAPIA, GLICK, LUNSFORD. AN ACT TO

AMEND THE PARKS, RECREATION AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION LAW, IN

RELATION TO REQUIRING SAWYER TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES ENGAGED IN TREE

MAINTENANCE.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: READ THE LAST

SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THE CLERK WILL

RECORD THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A06721-A, RULES

REPORT NO. 444, GRIFFIN, SOLAGES, STERN, BERGER, PHEFFER AMATO,

MCDONALD, STECK, SCHIAVONI, KAY, MCMAHON, BUTTENSCHON,

BRAUNSTEIN, O'PHARROW, SAYEGH, RAJKUMAR, ROZIC, CONRAD, SHIMSKY,

LUNSFORD, RAMOS, CLARK, KASSAY, YEGER, WILLIAMS, HEVESI, LAVINE,

BARRETT, TAPIA, SIMON, COLTON, HOOKS, WIEDER, DILAN, WOERNER. AN

ACT TO AMEND THE EXECUTIVE LAW, IN RELATION TO PROVIDING

CONFIDENTIALITY FOR COMMUNICATIONS ARISING OUT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT

PEER SUPPORT COUNSELING.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: READ THE LAST

SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT ON THE 90TH

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

DAY.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THE CLERK WILL

RECORD THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

MS. GRIFFIN TO EXPLAIN HER VOTE.

MS. GRIFFIN: POLICE OFFICERS PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE

LINE EVERY DAY TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITIES, YET TOO OFTEN THEY DO NOT

RECEIVE THE ESSENTIAL MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT THEY NEED BY NATURE OF THEIR

PROFESSION. THIS CAN EXACT A TOLL, BOTH PROFESSIONALLY AND PERSONALLY.

TOMMY SHEVLIN, PRESIDENT OF NASSAU COUNTY PBA, AND POLICE

ORGANIZATIONS STATEWIDE HAVE DISCUSSED THIS MAJOR ISSUE WITH ME,

SHARING HOW THE REPETITIVE TRAUMA THAT POLICE OFFICERS ENDURE FROM

RESPONDING TO VIOLENT CRIMES, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INCIDENTS, CAR

ACCIDENTS AND OTHER LIFE-THREATENING SITUATIONS CAN HAVE A SERIOUS

IMPACT ON THEIR WELL-BEING.

I WAS HONORED WHEN THEY ASKED ME TO SPONSOR THIS

LEGISLATION TO ESTABLISH A FORMAL PEER-TO-PEER MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM

FOR OUR POLICE. THIS IS ABOUT SUPPORTING THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO

PROTECT US EVERY DAY BY ENSURING THAT THEY HAVE THE MENTAL HEALTH

RESOURCES THEY NEED TO SERVE COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE EFFECTIVELY.

SADLY, SUICIDE RATES FOR POLICE OFFICERS ARE MUCH

HIGHER THAN FOR RESIDENTS ACROSS THE STATE. IN FACT, STATISTICS SHOW LAW

ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ARE 54 PERCENT MORE LIKELY TO COMMIT SUICIDE

THAN THE GENERAL POPULATION. I AM PROUD THAT WE HAVE PASSED THIS

LEGISLATION IN MEMORY OF LIEUTENANT JOSEPH BANISH, A STATE TROOPER

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

WHO DIED BY SUICIDE.

IT TAKES A TEAM TO BRING LEGISLATION TO THE FLOOR. SO I

WANT TO THANK THE SPEAKER FOR HIS SUPPORT, AS WELL AS JEN BEST AND HER

TEAM AT PROGRAM AND COUNSEL; ASSEMBLYMEMBER LAVINE AND THE

JUDICIARY TEAM; ASSEMBLYMEMBERS SOLAGES, RAMOS AND O'PHARROW FOR

STRONGLY ADVOCATING TO BRING THIS BILL TO THE FLOOR. I AM GREATLY

APPRECIATIVE OF THE MANY COSPONSORS WHO SIGNED ON. A HUGE THANK

YOU TO MY LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR JEN SLAGEN, AND LEGISLATIVE ASSOCIATE

MARIE CURLEY FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN GETTING THIS BILL TO THE FLOOR.

SOME OF OUR BILLS TAKE A FEW YEARS TO PASS, AND THIS

CERTAINLY WAS ONE OF THEM. I WANT TO RECOGNIZE MY FORMER COLLEAGUE,

ASSEMBLYWOMAN GINA SILLITTI, FOR HER DEDICATION TO THIS BILL OVER THE

PAST TWO YEARS. THIS BILL WAS PASSED OFF TO ME, AND I'M GRATEFUL TO

GINA FOR ALL OF HER DED -- DEDICATED EFFORTS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THANK YOU.

MS. GRIFFIN IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

MR. DURSO TO EXPLAIN HIS VOTE.

MR. DURSO: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

FIRST, I WANT TO THANK THE SPONSOR FOR FINALLY GETTING

THIS BILL ACROSS THE FINISH LINE. AGAIN, OUR FRIEND TOMMY SHEVLIN HAS

BEEN WORKING ON THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION FOR A LONG TIME. AND

OBVIOUSLY, THE SUICIDE RATES FOR FIRST RESPONDERS, ESPECIALLY OUR POLICE

OFFICERS, HAS BEEN GOING UP EXPONENTIALLY. AND BEING ABLE TO PUT A

PIECE OF LEGISLATION LIKE THIS TOGETHER TO NOT ONLY PROTECT THEM, THEIR

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

FAMILIES, BUT GIVING THEM THAT PEER-TO-PEER SUPPORT THAT THEY NEED SO

THAT THEY COULD DO THEIR JOBS, KEEP US PROTECTED WHILE WE DO OUR JOBS

HERE, AND HELP PROTECT THEM IS SO VITAL.

SO AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK THE SPONSOR, THANK MY

FRIEND TOMMY SHEVLIN FOR ALL THEIR HARD WORK ON THIS LEGISLATION, AND

OBVIOUSLY I'LL BE IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THANK YOU.

MR. DURSO IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

MR. RA TO EXPLAIN HIS VOTE.

MR. RA: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

I'M VERY PROUD TO HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT

THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION. AS MY COLLEAGUE JUST MENTIONED, OUR -- OUR

PBA PRESIDENT ON LONG ISLAND IN NASSAU, TOMMY SHEVLIN, HAS BEEN

PUSHING THIS FOR -- FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS. I'M GLAD TO SEE IT COMING

OUT ON THE FLOOR TODAY.

WE NEED TO DO MORE WITH REGARD TO THIS ISSUE.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE'VE SEEN IT FAR TOO MANY TIMES THAT A LAW

ENFORCEMENT OFFICER HAS -- HAS MADE THE TRAGIC DECISION TO TAKE -- TO

TAKE THEIR OWN LIFE BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY HAVE DEALT WITH, THE THINGS

THEY'VE SEEN IN -- IN SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC IN -- IN THEIR JOB PROTECTING

THE PUBLIC.

SO I HOPE THIS HAS AN IMPACT ON ALLOWING THOSE TO GET

HELP, GET TREATMENT, BUT ALSO THAT IT IS A STEP THAT WE CONTINUE TO DO THE

THINGS WE NEED TO DO TO PROVIDE RESOURCES FOR ALL OF OUR FIRST

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

RESPONDERS SO THAT WE CAN STOP WHAT HAS BEEN AN EPIDEMIC OF LAW

ENFORCEMENT SUICIDES.

SO I'M VERY PROUD TO CAST MY VOTE IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THANK YOU.

MR. RA IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

MR. LAVINE TO EXPLAIN HIS VOTE.

MR. LAVINE: THANK YOU. VERY BRIEFLY, I WANT TO

THANK THE SPONSOR.

THIS WAS ANYTHING BUT AN EASY LIFT. AND I WANT TO

THANK THE STAFF AS WELL AND THE SPEAKER AS WELL FOR THEIR INVOLVEMENT. I

ALSO WANT TO THANK LAW ENFORCEMENT, NOT JUST IN NASSAU COUNTY, BUT

LAW ENFORCEMENT WITH WHOM I INTERACTED WITH RESPECT TO THIS BILL FROM

SUFFOLK COUNTY AND FROM NEW YORK CITY AS WELL.

THIS IS A HIGHLY SIGNIFICANT PIECE OF LEGISLATION, AND I

THINK IT'S ONLY FITTING THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT KNOWS THAT WE IN THE

ASSEMBLY ARE HERE TO PROTECT THEM AND TO PROTECT EVERYONE ELSE.

AND FINALLY, THIS WAS OUR COLLEAGUE GINA SILLITTI'S BILL.

AND GINA WORKED VERY HARD ON THIS BILL AS WELL, AND I THINK IT'S ONLY

FAIR THAT THE RECORD REFLECT THE EFFORTS OF THE PRESENT SPONSOR AND OF THE

PRIOR SPONSOR AS WELL.

I AM VERY PLEASED TO HAVE THE CHANCE TO VOTE IN THE

AFFIRMATIVE. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THANK YOU.

MR. LAVINE IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

MS. GIGLIO TO EXPLAIN HER VOTE.

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

MS. GIGLIO: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER. I WOULD

ALSO LIKE TO THANK THE SPONSOR FOR BRINGING THIS BILL FORWARD.

IF YOU'VE EVER SPOKEN TO A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER

ABOUT THE CHALLENGES OF THEIR DAY-TO-DAY LIVES, FROM WITNESSING A FATAL

CAR ACCIDENT TO HOLDING A BABY THAT MAY HAVE JUST PASSED AWAY, AND

THEN BEING EXPECTED TO JUST PICK UP YOUR LIFE, GO HOME, GO TO YOUR KID'S

SOFTBALL GAME, GO ABOUT YOUR DAILY LIFE. AND IT'S REALLY VERY

CHALLENGING FOR ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICES. SO THIS

PEER SUPPORT BILL IS REALLY A VERY GOOD STEP IN THE DIRECTION TO HELP LAW

ENFORCEMENT AND ANYBODY THAT'S FACING THESE CHALLENGING JOBS ON A

DAY-TO-DAY BASIS.

SO I'D ALSO LIKE TO THANK TOMMY SHEVLIN, BECAUSE IF

YOU HAVEN'T HEARD HIS STORY YOU PROBABLY SHOULD. AND IT'S A SHAME THAT

IT TOOK THIS LONG TO GET THIS BILL TO THE FLOOR FOR A VOTE, BUT I'M HAPPY

THAT IT DID. AND WE PRAY FOR OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FOR OUR

EMERGENCY SERVICES EVERY DAY, AND THANK THEM FOR THE JOB THAT THEY DO,

WHICH IS ONE THAT WE MAY NOT CHOOSE TO DO SO, BUT THEY DO IT AND -- AND

THEY STILL MANAGE TO SURVIVE AND GO HOME TO THEIR FAMILIES AT NIGHT.

SO THANK YOU AGAIN TO THE SPONSOR. THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THANK YOU.

MS. GIGLIO IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

MS. SHIMSKY TO EXPLAIN HER VOTE.

MS. SHIMSKY: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

WE TALK A LOT ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND HOW

MANY WE HAVE AT THIS POINT. IT'S A PROBLEM ACROSS THE BOARD, BUT

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

ESPECIALLY WITH CERTAIN SPECIALIZED GROUPS, ONE OF WHICH IS OUR FIRST

RESPONDERS. AND ONE WAY TO FILL THE GAPS IS WITH PEER-TO-PEER

COUNSELORS. BUT WITH THE WAY THE LAW WAS WRITTEN, IT COMPROMISED THE

ABILITY OF PEER-TO-PEER COUNSELORS TO BE AS HELPFUL TO THEIR BASE OF

CLIENTS AS THEY SHOULD BE.

SO I AM VERY PROUD TO SUPPORT THIS BILL. I -- I THANK

OUR COLLEAGUES ON LONG ISLAND FOR WORKING SO HARD TO GET THIS ACROSS

THE FINISH LINE, INCLUDING OUR FORMER COLLEAGUE GINA SILLITTI, AND

INCLUDING OUR ONCE AND CURRENT COLLEAGUE MS. GRIFFIN. AND I -- I'M

GLAD TO SEE THAT THE SUPPORT IS SO WIDESPREAD. THAT IS WHY I'M VOTING

IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THANK YOU.

MS. SHIMSKY IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

MR. STERN TO EXPLAIN HIS VOTE.

MR. STERN: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

I, TOO, HAVE MANY TIMES HEARD THE STORY FROM

PRESIDENT TOM SHEVLIN FROM NASSAU COUNTY, SPEAKING ABOUT PERSONAL

EXPERIENCES AS WELL OF THOSE OF HIS MEMBERSHIP THAT APPLIES OBVIOUSLY

NOT JUST TO THE OUTSTANDING MEN AND WOMEN OF THE NASSAU COUNTY LAW

ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, BUT TO ALL OF SO MANY OF OUR LOCAL HEROES THAT

SERVE ALL OF US THROUGHOUT NEW YORK STATE.

THIS IS AN IMPORTANT DAY. AND IT IS, AS MY COLLEAGUES

HAVE POINTED OUT, A LONG TIME COMING WITH AN AWFUL LOT OF MEMBERS

AND SUPPORTERS HAVING WORKED SO HARD TO MAKE THIS A -- A REALITY.

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

WE KNOW THAT A DWYER-LIKE PEER-TO-PEER SUPPORT

PROGRAM IS A QUANTIFIABLE MODEL THAT HAS BEEN PROVEN TO HAVE A

TREMENDOUS IMPACT ON SAVING LIVES, AND OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT

COMMUNITY DESERVES NO LESS. THESE ARE SERVICES THAT ARE GONNA MAKE

A REAL DIFFERENCE. A REAL DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF THOSE THAT HAVE

SERVED US AND THERE ARE FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES THAT SUPPORT THEM.

I ALSO VERY QUICKLY WANT TO POINT OUT SO MANY OF THE

ADVOCATES IN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ALL THROUGHOUT NEW YORK

STATE, SO MANY OF THEM WHO WE KNOW, WHO WE ARE CLOSE WITH, WHO WE

ARE FRIENDLY WITH WHO SERVE AN IMPORTANT ROLE UP HERE IN ALBANY ON A

DAILY BASIS. THIS HAS BEEN ONE OF THEIR VERY TOP PRIORITIES FOR YEARS.

AND SO AGAIN, IT IS AN IMPORTANT DAY TO SEE IT FINALLY BECOMING A

REALITY.

TO OUR COLLEAGUE JUDY GRIFFIN, CONGRATULATIONS. A

LONG TIME COMING, AN AWFUL LOT OF HARD WORK. BUT THIS IS A GOOD DAY

FOR OUR FRIENDS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT. AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE THAT WE ALL

SEND NOT JUST TO THOSE THAT SERVE US IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, BUT TO SO MANY

WHO DEAL WITH MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES AND -- AND THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE;

RATES WHICH ARE WAY TOO HIGH, WHICH SHOULD BE UNACCEPTABLE TO ALL OF

US. THAT THIS IS A PROGRAM THAT WORKS AND ONE THAT WILL -- WE CAN ALL BE

VERY PROUD OF GOING FORWARD.

THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THANK YOU.

MR. STERN IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

MR. O'PHARROW TO EXPLAIN HIS VOTE.

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

MR. O'PHARROW: I'M VERY PROUD OF THIS BILL, AND

THANK YOU TO THE SPONSOR, JUDY, FOR BRINGING THIS BILL TO THE FLOOR. YOU

AND I HAD SEVERAL CONVERSATIONS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, AND I, FOR ONE,

WHO STOOD 25 YEARS WEARING THE SHIELD KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR

THIS BILL TO COME FORTH.

I HAD A FEW, QUITE A FEW, AND TOO MANY COLLEAGUES IN

LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT TOOK THEIR LIVES. AND THIS BILL GIVES THEM THE

OPPORTUNITY TO TRAIN IN PEER-TO-PEER COUNSELING SO THAT THIS DOESN'T

HAPPEN AGAIN.

MIND YOU, THIS BILL IS NOT JUST FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THIS BILL IS FOR EVERYBODY. THIS IS THE PEOPLE THAT PROTECT US. WE NEED

TO DO OUR DUE DILIGENCE TO PROTECT THEM. WE NEED TO PROTECT THOSE THAT

PROTECT US.

AND JUDY, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR BRINGING THIS

BILL FORWARD. I -- I KNOW IT WAS VERY CHALLENGING FOR YOU. BUT I WAS

RIGHT BY YOUR SIDE TO GUIDE YOU AND MAKING THOSE PHONE CALLS TO THOSE

PEOPLE OF NEW YORK STATE THAT NEED TO HEAR THAT THIS NEEDS TO BE DONE.

SO, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. CONGRATULATIONS.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THANK YOU.

MR. O'PHARROW IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

MS. BUTTENSCHON TO EXPLAIN HER VOTE.

MS. BUTTENSCHON: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

AND TO OUR SPONSOR, I SINCERELY APPRECIATE YOUR HARD WORK AS WELL AS

SO MANY COLLEAGUES THAT BROUGHT SUPPORT.

EVERYONE HAS SPOKEN TODAY OF THE IMPORTANCE OF WHAT

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

LAW ENFORCEMENT DOES FOR ALL OF US, AND CLEARLY, THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY

FOR US TO REFLECT AND REMEMBER THAT THERE ARE DAYS THAT THEY NEED US

AND WE WANT TO ENSURE THAT WE DO PROVIDE THAT.

SO AGAIN, I ECHO THE THOUGHTS OF EVERYONE THAT HAS

SPOKEN TODAY, AND I THANK OUR COLLEAGUES FOR THEIR HARD WORK TO BRING

THIS FORWARD.

THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THANK YOU.

MS. BUTTENSCHON IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

MR. GANDOLFO TO EXPLAIN HIS VOTE.

MR. GANDOLFO: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

FIRST, THANK YOU TO THE SPONSOR FOR GETTING THIS BILL

OVER THE FINISH LINE. WE'VE SEEN HOW SUCCESSFUL THE JOSEPH P. DWYER

PEER-TO-PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM HAS BEEN FOR OUR VETERANS, AND TO NOW

EXPAND THIS TYPE OF PEER-TO-PEER SUPPORT TO OUR POLICE OFFICERS IS JUST

SUCH A GREAT STEP FORWARD.

OUR POLICE OFFICERS AND OUR FIRST RESPONDERS, THEY FACE

IMMENSE PRESSURES EVERY SINGLE DAY. IF YOU'VE EVER BEEN IN A SITUATION

WHERE YOU HAD TO CALL A POLICE OFFICER, THAT RELIEF YOU FELT AT THE DARKEST

-- ONE OF THE DARKEST MOMENTS IN YOUR LIFE, THEY ARE RESPONDING TO

SITUATIONS LIKE THAT ALL OF THE TIME AND CARRYING THAT WITH THEM. AND

UNFORTUNATELY, THOSE PRESSURES CAN GET TO THEM AND TOO MANY HAVE

SUFFERED IN SILENCE, AS WE'VE SEEN WITH POLICE OFFICERS TAKING THEIR OWN

LIVES.

WITH WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE IS GOING TO SAVE LIVES. I

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

AM SO PROUD TO VOTE FOR THIS BILL. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE NASSAU

PBA PRESIDENT, TOMMY SHELVIN -- SHEVLIN, SORRY, FOR HIS WORK

ADVOCATING (INDICATING) FOR THIS BILL, AND ALL OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT

ADVOCATES WE SEE WALKING THE HALLWAYS UP HERE EVERY WEEK THAT WE'RE

UP HERE, TO ADVOCATE FOR THEIR NEEDS.

SO, AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS TO THE SPONSOR. THIS BILL IS

GOING TO SAVE LIVES.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THANK YOU.

MR. GANDOLFO IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

MR. GANDOLFO FOR THE PURPOSES OF AN INTRODUCTION.

MR. GANDOLFO: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

ON BEHALF OF OUR COLLEAGUE ROBERT SMULLEN, I HAVE

THE PLEASURE OF INTRODUCING MRS. ALLEN'S CLASS, 5TH GRADE SOCIAL

STUDIES, FROM THE WEST CANADA VALLEY SCHOOL. THEY ARE HERE WITH US

IN THE CHAMBER TODAY, OBSERVING OUR PROCEEDINGS AND LEARNING A LITTLE

BIT ABOUT HOW OUR STATE GOVERNMENT WORKS HERE. HOPEFULLY THEY ARE

ENJOYING WHAT THEY SEE WITH SOME OF THE THOUGHTFUL DISCUSSIONS AND

COMMENTS BEING MADE HERE.

AND I WOULD ASK THAT YOU WELCOME THEM AND OFFER

THEM ALL OF THE CORDIALITIES OF THE HOUSE.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: ON BEHALF OF MR.

GANDOLFO, MR. SMULLEN, THE SPEAKER AND ALL MEMBERS, WELCOME,

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

YOUNG PEOPLE, TO THE ASSEMBLY CHAMBER. WE EXTEND THE PRIVILEGES OF

THE FLOOR TO YOU. HOPE YOU ENJOY OUR PROCEEDINGS TODAY. THIS IS A

GREAT LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR ALL OF YOU, SOMETHING THAT YOU WILL

REMEMBER FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. I HOPE YOU TAKE A GOOD LISTENING

TODAY WHILE YOU'RE HERE. LOTS OF FUN, EXCITING THINGS ARE HAPPENING

HERE FOR YOU TODAY. SO THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

(APPLAUSE)

THE CLERK WILL READ.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY A06750, RULES REPORT NO.

445, MORINELLO. AN ACT TO AMEND THE TAX LAW, IN RELATION TO

AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY OF NIAGARA TO CONTINUE TO IMPOSE AN ADDITIONAL

RATE OF SALES AND COMPENSATING USE TAXES.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: ON A MOTION BY MR.

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

ADVANCED. HOME RULE MESSAGE IS AT THE -- 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 BILL IS PASSED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A06815, RULES REPORT

NO. 446, BEEPHAN. AN ACT TO AMEND THE TAX LAW, IN RELATION TO

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

AUTHORIZING THE TOWN OF FISHKILL TO ADOPT A LOCAL LAW TO IMPOSE A

HOTEL/MOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX FOR HOTELS NOT LOCATED IN THE VILLAGE OF

FISHKILL; AUTHORIZING THE VILLAGE OF FISHKILL TO ADOPT LOCAL LAWS TO

IMPOSE A HOTEL/MOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX IN SUCH VILLAGE; AND PROVIDING FOR

THE REPEAL OF SUCH PROVISIONS UPON EXPIRATION THEREOF.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: HOME RULE

MESSAGE IS AT THE DESK.

READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THE CLERK WILL

RECORD THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A06824-B, RULES

REPORT NO. 447, WOERNER, WALSH, LEVENBERG, STECK, BUTTENSCHON,

SHIMSKY, ZACCARO. AN ACT TO AMEND THE COUNTY LAW, IN RELATION TO

EYE AND TISSUE DONATION.

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.)

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

MS. WOERNER TO EXPLAIN HER VOTE.

MS. WOERNER: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER, FOR

ALLOWING ME TO INTERRUPT OUR PROCEEDINGS TO EXPLAIN MY VOTE.

THIS BILL PROVIDES THAT WHEN A DEATH OCCURS OUTSIDE OF

A HOSPITAL, THAT THE CORONER OR MEDICAL EXAMINER WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR

PROCESSING THAT -- THAT DEATH, REACH OUT TO ORGAN PROCUREMENT

ORGANIZATIONS -- HAVE A PROTOCOL TO REACH OUT TO ORGAN PROCUREMENT

ORGANIZATIONS TO ALERT THEM IF THEY HAVE A -- A DONOR THAT IS -- THAT IS

INTERESTED -- THEY HAVE SOMEBODY WHO'S INTERESTED IN BEING AN ORGAN

DONOR. BECAUSE THEY CAN DO A TISSUE AND -- DONATION UP -- AN EYE AND

TISSUE DONATION UP TO 24 HOURS AFTER SOMEONE HAS PASSED AWAY.

AND JUST TO GIVE YOU A SENSE OF CONTEXT, ONE TISSUE

DONOR CAN SAVE OR HEAL 75 PEOPLE. SO BEING ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF

SOMEONE'S WILLINGNESS TO BE AN ORGAN DONOR AND TO DONATE IN THIS WAY

WHEN THEY DON'T DIE IN A HOSPITAL IS SUCH -- IS JUST AN IMPORTANT STEP

FORWARD IN NEW YORK.

SO I AM SO PLEASED TO BRING THIS BILL TO YOU, TO HAVE

YOU ALL SUPPORT THIS. BECAUSE I THINK THIS IS A GOING TO BE JUST A -- A

WAY THAT -- THAT NEW YORK CAN -- CAN MOVE FORWARD AND SAVE MORE

LIVES THROUGH ORGAN DONATION.

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO THE SPEAKER AND TO THE

COSPONSORS FOR HELPING ME BRING THIS TO THE FLOOR, AND TO ALL OF YOU FOR

VOTING IN THE AFFIRMATIVE. AND WITH THAT, I VOTE IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THANK YOU.

MS. WOERNER IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

MS. WALSH TO EXPLAIN HER VOTE.

MS. WALSH: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER, I REALLY

AM SO HAPPY TO SEE THIS BILL GETTING DONE.

I WAS APPROACHED A FEW YEARS AGO BY THE SARATOGA

COUNTY CORONER, SUSAN HAYES-MASA, WHO SAID SOMETHING THAT I DIDN'T

KNOW, WHICH IS THAT -- AND -- AND THE PREVIOUS SPEAKER JUST REFERRED TO

IT -- THAT THE VIABILITY OF EYE AND TISSUE IS LONGER THAN FOR OTHER ORGANS.

SO THERE'S A MISSED OPPORTUNITY UNLESS WE CAN SOMEHOW CREATE A

PROTOCOL WHERE WE'RE AT LEAST ALLOWING THE CHANCE FOR PEOPLE WHO

WANTED TO BE DONORS TO HAVE THAT DONATION ACTUALLY TAKE PLACE. AND

SUSAN KNEW THIS BECAUSE OF HER LONG -- MANY YEARS OF WORK WITH THE --

WITH THE LIONS CLUB, AND OF COURSE, THEIR MISSION HAS A LOT TO DO WITH

EYES. AND I THINK THAT IT'S -- IT'S WONDERFUL BECAUSE THIS BILL REALLY

CLOSES A LOOPHOLE, BECAUSE FEDERAL LAW, SINCE 1998, REQUIRES HOSPITALS

TO REFER DEATHS TO ORGAN PROCUREMENT ORGANIZATIONS. BUT NO SUCH

FEDERAL OR NEW YORK STATE REQUIREMENT EXISTS FOR CORONERS OR MEDICAL

EXAMINERS, WHICH CREATES A REFERRAL LOOPHOLE. THIS LOOPHOLE LIMITS

DONATION POTENTIAL WHEN DEATHS FALL UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF CORONERS

OR MEDICAL EXAMINERS. AND SO THIS BILL WILL HELP TO CLOSE THAT

LOOPHOLE. I THINK THAT IT REALLY WILL ASSIST IN HEALING AND HELPING SO

MANY PEOPLE, POTENTIALLY, AND I'M SO GLAD TO SUPPORT IT. AND I'D REALLY

LIKE TO THANK THE SPONSOR FOR HER WORK OVER THE YEARS WITH ME TO GET

THIS DONE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. I'LL BE IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THANK YOU.

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

MS. WALSH IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

MR. PALMESANO TO EXPLAIN HIS VOTE.

MR. PALMESANO: YES. MADAM SPEAKER AND MY

COLLEAGUES.

THIS IS ANOTHER BILL IN A SERIES OF BILLS THAT WE'VE SEEN

COME TO THE FLOOR OF THE ASSEMBLY DEALING WITH ORGAN DONATION AND

EYE AND TISSUE DONATION. YOU KNOW, I KNOW A LOT OF TIMES ON THE FLOOR

WHEN WE GET UP WE HAVE OUR DISAGREEMENTS, OUR FRUSTRATIONS WITH EACH

OTHER ON BILLS AND POLICY. THIS ISSUE OF ORGAN DONATION AND TISSUE AND

EYE DONATION, I HAVE TO SAY HOW PROUD I AM TO BE PART OF THIS BODY AND

WHAT WE'RE DOING TOGETHER IN A BIPARTISAN FASHION. BECAUSE THIS IS

ABOUT SAVING LIVES. AND THE ACTIONS THIS CHAMBER HAS TAKEN, WORKING

TOGETHER WITH THE SENATE AND THE GOVERNOR, WE ARE, INDEED, SAVING

LIVES.

SO CONTINUE TO TAKE MORE STEPS LIKE THIS; MAKING IT

EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO SIGN UP TO BE AN ORGAN DONOR, TAKING SOME OF THE

REGULATIONS AND -- AND RED TAPE OUT OF THE WAY SO WE CAN IMPACT OTHERS.

AND JUST THINK ABOUT THIS BILL. THINK ABOUT HOW MANY PEOPLE -- MY

COLLEAGUE MENTIONED 75 PEOPLE. ONE STATISTIC I ALWAYS USE IS ONE

PERSON WHO DONATES AT THE TIME OF THEIR DEATH CAN SAVE UP TO EIGHT

LIVES AND IMPACT THE LIVES OF 75 OTHERS. THAT'S THROUGH EYE AND TISSUE

DONATIONS AND OTHER THINGS. BURN VICTIMS. SO MANY PEOPLE WE'RE

HELPING WITH WHAT WE'RE DOING IN THIS CHAMBER ON THIS ISSUE.

OBVIOUSLY, WE'D LIKE TO SEE US DO IT ON MORE OF THESE ISSUES, BUT THIS

ISSUE, WE ARE LEADING. AND I JUST WANT TO SEE US KEEP HEADING DOWN

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

THAT DIRECTION BECAUSE THE MORE WE GET THAT QUESTION IN FRONT OF PEOPLE,

DO YOU WANT TO BE AN ORGAN DONA -- DONOR, THE MORE PEOPLE ARE GONNA

SAY YES AND THE MORE LIVES THAT WE ARE GONNA SAVE.

SO I JUST WANTED TO SAY -- COMMEND THE -- THE SPONSOR

FOR DOING THIS LEGISLATION AND COMMEND ALL MY COLLEAGUES FOR THEIR --

FOR THE CONTINUED LEADERSHIP WORKING TOGETHER ON THIS VERY IMPORTANT

ISSUE THAT'S ALL ABOUT SAVING LIVES.

I VOTE YES. THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THANK YOU.

MR. PALMESANO IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

MS. LEVENBERG TO EXPLAIN HER VOTE.

MS. LEVENBERG: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

I JUST ALSO WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE SPONSOR. I'M PROUD

TO COSPONSOR THIS BILL, WHICH WE KNOW IS HELPING TO GET ORGANS TO THE

PEOPLE WHO NEED THEM MOST. WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO DO BETTER AND

BETTER AND BETTER IN THIS STATE TO MAKE SURE ORGAN DONATION IS MOVED UP

TO THE TOP OF THE LIST OF PRIORITIES. AS WE KNOW HOW, AGAIN, AS -- AS

MANY OF THE PRIOR SPEAKERS HAVE MENTIONED, HOW MANY LIVES CAN BE

SAVED. THIS IS ONE MORE WAY TO HELP MAKE SURE THAT WE SAVE LIVES,

SAVE OTHER PEOPLE'S ABILITIES TO SEE AND TO MOVE AND TO EXIST IN A -- IN A

MORE PRODUCTIVE WAY BECAUSE OF THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN WILLING TO PAY IT

FORWARD.

SO THANK YOU AND I VOTE AYE.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THANK YOU.

MS. LEVENBERG IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES TO EXPLAIN HER VOTE.

MRS. PEOPLES-STOKES: THANK YOU, MADAM

SPEAKER, FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLAIN MY VOTE.

I WANT TO COMMEND THE SPONSOR OF THIS PIECE OF

LEGISLATION BECAUSE, CLEARLY, THIS IS SOME OF THE THINGS THAT BRING ME A

LOT OF GRATITUDE. WHEN WE CAN BRING SCIENCE TO THE LIFE OF OUR BODIES TO

HAVE THEM EXTEND THE LIFE OF SOMEONE ELSE, IT IS JUST AMAZING. AND I

THINK WE HAVE ONLY JUST TOUCHED THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG IN WHAT CAN

HAPPEN INTO THE FUTURE. AND SO BILLS LIKE THIS SAYS THAT THERE'S PROGRESS

AND THAT WE'RE GOING FORWARD.

SO I AM HONORED TO BE VOTING FOR THIS BILL, AND AGAIN, I

THANK THE SPONSOR FOR INTRODUCING IT.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THANK YOU.

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. A06870, RULES REPORT

NO. 448, HUNTER, HEVESI. AN ACT TO AMEND CHAPTER 591 OF THE LAWS OF

2001, AMENDING THE BANKING LAW RELATING TO LIMITING THE CHECK

CASHING EXEMPTION FOR NATIONAL BANKS AND OTHER REGULATED ENTITIES, IN

RELATION TO THE EFFECTIVENESS THEREOF.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THIS BILL IS LAID

ASIDE.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A06943-B, RULES

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

REPORT NO. 449, HUNTER. AN ACT TO AMEND THE GENERAL BUSINESS LAW,

IN RELATION TO ESTABLISHING STANDARDS FOR GLASS REPAIR AND CALIBRATION OF

ADVANCED DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: READ THE LAST

SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THE CLERK WILL

RECORD THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A07235, RULES REPORT

NO. 450, BICHOTTE HERMELYN, LUNSFORD, DESTEFANO. AN ACT TO AMEND

THE EXECUTIVE LAW, THE STATE FINANCE LAW AND THE PUBLIC AUTHORITIES

LAW, IN RELATION TO ESTABLISHING EXPANDED CONSTRUCTION MENTORSHIP

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SMALL AND MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS

ENTERPRISES.

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.

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A07345-A, RULES

REPORT NO. 451, BRONSON, HEVESI, CLARK. AN ACT TO AMEND THE

CRIMINAL PROCEDURE LAW, IN RELATION TO GRANTING PEACE OFFICER STATUS TO

CERTAIN SECURITY OFFICERS EMPLOYED BY HIGHLAND HOSPITAL.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: READ THE LAST

SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THE CLERK WILL

RECORD THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A07360, RULES REPORT

NO. 452, PHEFFER AMATO, GRIFFIN, ALVAREZ, HEVESI, BURROUGHS, ROZIC.

AN ACT TO AMEND THE RETIREMENT AND SOCIAL SECURITY LAW, IN RELATION

TO AUTHORIZING A 30-YEAR RETIREMENT BENEFIT FOR CERTAIN MEMBERS IN

NASSAU COUNTY.

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

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

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. A07447, RULES REPORT

NO. 453, SMULLEN. AN ACT TO AMEND THE TAX LAW, IN RELATION TO

EXTENDING AUTHORIZATION FOR THE COUNTY OF FULTON TO IMPOSE AN

ADDITIONAL 1 PERCENT OF SALES AND COMPENSATING USE TAXES.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: ON A MOTION BY MR.

SMULLEN, 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.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A07802-A, RULES

REPORT NO. 454, SAYEGH. AN ACT TO AMEND THE RACING, PARI-MUTUEL

WAGERING AND BREEDING LAW, IN RELATION TO REQUIRING HARNESS RACETRACK

LOCATIONS AWARDED A GAMILY FACILITY LICENSE MAINTAIN LIVE RACING

ACTIVITY.

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: READ THE LAST

SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT ON THE 90TH

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. A07845, RULES REPORT

NO. 455, STERN, SEAWRIGHT, SHIMSKY, EPSTEIN, SAYEGH, LASHER. AN ACT

TO AMEND THE PUBLIC HEALTH LAW, IN RELATION TO ESTABLISHING A STATE

AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS (ALS) AND MOTOR NEURON DISEASE

(MND) REGISTRY.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: READ THE LAST

SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT ON THE 90TH

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.

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A07856-A, RULES

REPORT NO. 456, LAVINE, JACKSON, SAYEGH, SHIMSKY, MCMAHON. AN

ACT TO AMEND THE ESTATES, POWERS AND TRUSTS LAW AND THE STATE

TECHNOLOGY LAW, IN RELATION TO ELECTRONIC WILLS.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: ON A MOTION BY MR.

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

ADVANCED.

THIS BILL IS LAID ASIDE.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A07934, RULES REPORT

NO. 457, MAGNARELLI, HUNTER, STIRPE, LEMONDES. AN ACT IN RELATION TO

AUTHORIZING THE ONONDAGA COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, IN THE COUNTY

OF ONONDAGA, TO OFFER THE OPTIONAL 20-YEAR RETIREMENT PLAN TO DEPUTY

SHERIFFS BRITTANY E. DORN, NOAH C. HUNT, DANIEL D. LORENZINI, GORDON

J. LOPEZ, TRE C. FESINGER, CHRISTOPHER L. VAN DUSEN.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: HOME RULE

MESSAGE IS AT THE DESK.

READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THE CLERK WILL

RECORD THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A07964-A, RULES

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

REPORT NO. 458, KELLES, ROSENTHAL, SCHIAVONI, WOERNER. AN ACT TO

AMEND THE AGRICULTURE AND MARKETS LAW, IN RELATION TO ESTABLISHING A

NEW YORK NATIVE PLANTS DESIGNATION.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: ON A MOTION BY MS.

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

ADVANCED.

READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THE CLERK WILL

RECORD THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A08011, RULES REPORT

NO. 459, JONES. AN ACT TO AMEND THE TAX LAW, IN RELATION TO

INCREASING THE HOTEL OR MOTEL TAX IN THE COUNTY OF CLINTON.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: HOME RULE

MESSAGE IS AT THE DESK.

READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THE CLERK WILL

RECORD THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A08028, RULES REPORT

NO. 460, HEVESI, LASHER. AN ACT TO AMEND THE REAL PROPERTY TAX

LAW, IN RELATION TO INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF THE CHILDCARE CENTER TAX

ABATEMENT FOR CERTAIN PROPERTIES IN A CITY HAVING A POPULATION OF ONE

MILLION OR MORE.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: ON A MOTION BY MR.

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

ADVANCED.

READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT 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. A08070, RULES REPORT

NO. 461, KASSAY. AN ACT IN RELATION TO AUTHORIZING CERTAIN -- THE LEASE

OF CERTAIN LANDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF BUILDING UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT,

GRADUATE STUDENT, FACULTY AND STAFF HOUSING.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: ON A MOTION BY MS.

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

ADVANCED.

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

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. A08146, RULES REPORT

NO. 462, SHRESTHA. AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE TOWN OF HURLEY TO ALIENATE

CERTAIN PARKLANDS FOR USE AS A HIGHWAY GARAGE FOR THE TOWN AND TO

DEDICATE OTHER LANDS AS REPLACEMENT PARKLANDS.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: HOME RULE

MESSAGE IS AT THE DESK.

READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THE CLERK WILL

RECORD THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A08160-A, RULES

REPORT NO. 463, EPSTEIN, ROSENTHAL, COLTON, SHIMSKY, SEAWRIGHT,

REYES, LEVENBERG, BURDICK. AN ACT TO AMEND THE ENVIRONMENTAL

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

CONSERVATION LAW, IN RELATION TO DIRECTING STATE AGENCIES TO ADOPT A

WASTE DIVERSION PLAN.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THIS BILL IS LAID

ASIDE.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A08210, RULES REPORT

NO. 464, KELLES. AN ACT TO AMEND CHAPTER 443 OF THE LAWS OF 20 --

2007 AMENDING THE TAX LAW RELATING TO AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY OF

CORTLAND TO IMPOSE AN ADDITIONAL MORTGAGE RECORDING TAX, IN RELATION

TO EXTENDING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SUCH PROVISIONS.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: HOME RULE

MESSAGE IS AT THE DESK.

READ THE LAST SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THE CLERK WILL

RECORD THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A08275, RULES REPORT

NO. 465, JONES, JACOBSON, LEVENBERG. AN ACT TO AMEND CHAPTER 668

OF THE LAWS OF 1977, AMENDING THE VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS' BENEFIT

LAW RELATING TO DISABILITY DUE TO DISEASE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE HEART OR

CORONARY ARTERIES, IN RELATION TO THE EFFECTIVENESS THEREOF.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: READ THE LAST

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

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. A08276, RULES REPORT

NO. 466, LEVENBERG, JACOBSON. AN ACT TO AMEND CHAPTER 606 OF THE

LAWS OF 2006 AMENDING THE VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS' BENEFIT LAW

RELATING TO CREATING A PRESUMPTION RELATING TO CERTAIN LUNG DISABILITIES

INCURRED BY VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS, IN RELATION TO THE EFFECTIVENESS OF

SUCH CHAPTER.

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. LEVENBERG TO EXPLAIN HER VOTE.

MS. LEVENBERG: THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER.

I RISE TODAY TO EXPLAIN MY VOTE FOR THIS BILL, WHICH I

SPONSOR, AND I THANK ALL THOSE WHO COSPONSOR AND SUPPORT IT, WHICH

EXTENDS VITAL PROTECTIONS FOR OUR VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS SUFFERING FROM

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

LUNG DISEASE INCURRED IN THE LINE OF DUTY. THESE BRAVE INDIVIDUALS

SERVE OUR COMMUNITIES SELFLESSLY, OFTEN AT GREAT PERSONAL RISK, AND THEY

DESERVE THE SECURITY OF KNOWING THAT THEIR VOLUNTEER SACRIFICES WILL BE

RECOGNIZED AND THEIR HEALTH NEEDS COVERED. THIS LEGISLATION ENSURES

THAT THE PRESUMPTION LINKING THEIR SERVICE TO DISABLING LUNG CONDITIONS

REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH 2030, ALLOWING THEM TO HAVE ACCESS TO

BENEFITS AND, THEREFORE, ENJOY GREATER PEACE OF MIND. IT'S THE LEAST THAT

WE CAN DO FOR THOSE WHO GIVE SO MUCH.

I VOTE IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: MS. LEVENBERG IN

THE AFFIRMATIVE.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A08332, RULES REPORT

NO. 467, LASHER, DE LOS SANTOS, STERN, ROMERO, HEVESI. AN ACT TO

AMEND THE REAL PROPERTY TAX LAW, IN RELATION TO THE ASSESSMENT OF

SOLAR OR WIND ENERGY SYSTEMS.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THIS BILL IS LAID

ASIDE.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A08418, RULES REPORT

NO. 468, BICHOTTE HERMELYN. AN ACT TO AMEND THE ALCOHOLIC

BEVERAGE CONTROL LAW, IN RELATION TO A LICENSE TO SELL LIQUOR AT RETAIL

FOR CONSUMPTION ON CERTAIN PREMISES.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: READ THE LAST

100

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

SECTION.

THE CLERK: THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

ACTING SPEAKER HUNTER: THE CLERK WILL

RECORD THE VOTE.

(THE CLERK RECORDED THE VOTE.)

ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: ARE THERE ANY OTHER

VOTES? ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A08420, RULES REPORT

NO. 469, RAMOS, SCHIAVONI. AN ACT TO AMEND THE AGRICULTURE AND

MARKETS LAW, IN RELATION TO THE SUSPENSION OF COLLECTION OF THE PRODUCT

SECURITY FUND.

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.)

THE CLERK WILL ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS.

(THE CLERK ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS.)

THE BILL IS PASSED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY NO. A08475, RULES REPORT

NO. 470, BERGER. AN ACT TO AMEND THE ELDER LAW, THE MENTAL HYGIENE

LAW AND THE STATE FINANCE LAW, IN RELATION TO MAKING TECHNICAL

101

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

CORRECTIONS RELATING TO THE TITLE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF VETERANS'

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.

MEMBER SOLAGES.

MS. SOLAGES: MR. SPEAKER, CAN WE TO GO TO PAGE 3

FOR CALENDAR RESOLUTIONS?

ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: ABSOLUTELY.

THE CLERK WILL READ. RESOLUTIONS, PAGE 3.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 687, MS.

BICHOTTE HERMELYN.

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR

KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM MAY 27-31, 2025, AS POSTPARTUM

DEPRESSION AWARENESS WEEK IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: ON THE RESOLUTION,

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE; OPPOSED? THE RESOLUTION IS

PASSED -- ADOPTED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 688, MS.

102

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

SOLAGES.

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR

KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM MAY 31, 2025, AS SAVE YOUR HEARING DAY

IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: ON THE RESOLUTION,

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE; OPPOSED? THE RESOLUTION IS

ADOPTED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 689, MS.

SOLAGES.

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR

KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM JULY 2025, AS PLASTIC-FREE MONTH IN THE

STATE OF NEW YORK.

ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: ON THE RESOLUTION,

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE; OPPOSED? THE RESOLUTION IS

ADOPTED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 690, MR.

RIVERA.

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR

KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM AUGUST 11-17, 2025, AS PUERTO RICAN

HERITAGE WEEK IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: ON THE RESOLUTION,

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

ADOPTED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 691, MR.

BRABENEC.

103

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR

KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM AUGUST 21, 2025, AS ONION APPRECIATION

DAY IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF

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

ADOPTED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 692, MR. P.

CARROLL.

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR

KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM JUNE 12, 2025, AS PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE

DAY IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF

-- ON THIS RESOLUTION, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE; OPPOSED,

NO. THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 693, MR.

SAYEGH.

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR

KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM AUGUST 24, 2025, AS UKRAINIAN HERITAGE --

-- AMERICAN HERITAGE DAY IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: ON THE RESOLUTION,

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

ADOPTED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 694, MS.

PAULIN.

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR

104

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM AUGUST 2025, AS AMBULATORY SURGERY

CENTER MONTH IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: ON THE RESOLUTION,

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

ADOPTED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 695, MR.

DURSO.

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR

KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM SEPTEMBER 14-20, 2025, AS TRUCK DRIVER

APPRECIATION WEEK IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: ON THE RESOLUTION,

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

ADOPTED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 696, MR.

LAVINE.

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR

KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM SEPTEMBER 2025, AS UROLOGICAL HEALTH

AWARENESS -- UROLOGICAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK IN THE MONTH --

MONTH IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: ON THE RESOLUTION,

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

ADOPTED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 697,

DESTEFANO.

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR

105

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM SEPTEMBER 2025, AS DYSTONIA AWARENESS

MONTH IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: ON THE RESOLUTION,

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

ADOPTED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 698, MR.

RA.

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR

KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM OCTOBER 9, 2025, AS SIGHT DAY IN THE STATE

OF NEW YORK.

ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: MR. RA ON THE

RESOLUTION.

MR. RA: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I'M PROUD TO

HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING THIS RESOLUTION FORWARD TODAY, AND I

THANK MY COLLEAGUES FOR THEIR SUPPORT.

IN ADDITION TO SIGHT DAY BEING PROCLAIMED IN OCTOBER,

WHICH IS -- IS DONE NATIONALLY, ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT THIS

RESOLUTION TALKS ABOUT IS A CONDITION CALLED COLOBOMA, AND MANY

MUNICIPALITIES RECOGNIZE OCTOBER AS COLOBOMA AWARENESS MONTH.

AND HERE'S WHY IT'S PERSONAL TO ME. I HAVE A NEPHEW NAMED ANTONIO

WHO HAS THIS CONDITION. IT'S SOMETHING HE'S HAD FROM BIRTH. IT'S A

CONDITION WHERE THE NORMAL TISSUE IN OR AROUND THE EYE IS MISSING AT

BIRTH. AND IT CAN BE AS SIMPLE AS JUST HAVING SMALL VISION PROBLEMS, OR

IN MANY INSTANCES THE PERSON CAN BE TOTALLY BLIND OR -- OR AT LEAST

LEGALLY BLIND. SO THIS IS A CONDITION THAT WAS DISCOVERED WHEN HE WAS

106

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

VERY YOUNG, UNDER A YEAR OLD, AND HE'S -- HE'S DOING GREAT. HE'S GOING

TO SCHOOL, AND -- AND -- BUT IT'S -- IT'S BEEN AN INTERESTING THING TO LEARN

ABOUT.

AND THEN ONE THING THAT BROUGHT THIS FULL CIRCLE IS IF

ANYBODY GOT INTO THE OLYMPICS LAST SUMMER, ONE OF THE STARS THAT

BECAME, LIKE, A -- A CULT HERO WAS STEPHEN NEDOROSCIK, THE GYMNAST

THAT THEY CALLED "PUMMEL HORSE GUY", WHO WOULD TAKE OFF HIS GLASSES

AND GO ON THE PUMMEL HORSE. HE HAS THIS CONDITION AS WELL.

SO I THOUGHT THIS WAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO BRING THIS

RESOLUTION FORWARD AND INCREASE AWARENESS OF -- OF THIS CONDITION, AND I

THANK ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES FOR SUPPORTING IT.

ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: ON THE RESOLUTION,

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

ADOPTED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 699, MR.

LEMONDES.

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR

KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM OCTOBER 25, 2025, AS HUG A SHEEP DAY IN

THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: MR. -- MR.

LEMONDES ON THE BILL -- RESOLUTION.

MR. LEMONDES: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. THANK

YOU, COLLEAGUES, FOR STICKING AROUND AND LISTENING.

NATIONAL HUG A SHEEP DAY IS -- IS A UNIQUE

CELEBRATION BRINGING PEOPLE CLOSER TO THESE FLUFFY, LOVABLE FARM

107

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

ANIMALS. THIS SPECIAL DAY HAS GROWN INTO AN INTERNATIONAL EVENT WITH

FARMS OPENING THEIR GATES FOR PEOPLE TO COME AND HUG A SHEEP,

PROMOTING KINDNESS AND COMPASSION TOWARDS THESE GENTLE CREATURES.

CELEBRATED SINCE THE MID-1990S, THE DAY AIMS TO

APPRECIATE THE SIGNIFICANT ROLE SHEEP PLAY IN OUR LIVES, FROM PROVIDING

WOOL FOR OUR CLOTHING TO CONTRIBUTING FOOD AND EVEN SOLAR GRAZING

SOME OF OUR FIELDS. IT'S A CHANCE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SHEEP, THEIR

INTELLIGENCE, THEIR ABILITY TO REMEMBER FACES AND VOICES FOR YEARS;

ENGAGE IN ACTIVITY SUCH AS FARM VISITS, PETTING ZOOS AND KNITTING

CLASSES, OFTEN ON -- OFTEN TAKE PLACE ON THIS DAY. AND THERE'S

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE, THE BOTTOM LINE. WHETHER IT'S LEARNING ABOUT

THEIR RECTANGULAR PUPILS OR SIMPLY ENJOYING THE WARMTH OF A SHEEP HUG.

NATIONAL HUG A SHEEP DAY NOT ONLY CELEBRATES THE

BOND BETWEEN HUMANS AND SHEEP, BUT ALSO HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE

OF ANIMAL WELFARE AND -- AND ETHICAL TREATMENT. IT'S A GENTLE REMINDER

OF THESE ANIMALS' JOY AND COMFORT IN OUR LIVES, AND THE NEED TO TREAT

THEM WITH LOVE AND RESPECT.

EMBARK ON A FARM ADVENTURE BY FINDING A LOCAL FARM

THAT'S OPEN TO VISITORS. THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO GET UP CLOSE AND

PERSONAL WITH SHEEP AND GIVE THEM A GENTLE HUG. GATHER YOUR FRIENDS

FOR A COZY GET-TOGETHER, KNITTING OR CROCHETING WITH SHEEP'S WOOL WHILE

EXCHANGING INTERESTING SHEEP -- SHEEP FACTS. IT'S BOTH A CREATIVE AND

INFORMATIVE WAY FOR A FAMILY AND/OR SINGLES AND CHILDREN TO SPEND THE

DAY.

THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

108

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: ON THE RESOLUTION,

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

PASSED -- ADOPTED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 700, RULES

-- MS. ROSENTHAL.

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR

KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM NOVEMBER 8, 2025, AS LUNG CANCER

SCREENING AWARENESS DAY IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: ON THE RESOLUTION,

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

ADOPTED.

THE CLERK: ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NO. 701, MR.

EACHUS.

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING GOVERNOR

KATHY HOCHUL TO PROCLAIM DECEMBER 3, 2025, AT INTERNATIONAL DAY OF

PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: MR. EACHUS ON THE

RESOLUTION.

MR. EACHUS: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

I ONLY HAVE ONE THING TO SAY. PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

ARE PEOPLE, TOO.

THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: MR. SANTABARBARA

ON THE RESOLUTION.

MR. SANTABARBARA: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER.

109

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

I WANT TO THANK THE SPONSOR FOR BRINGING THIS

RESOLUTION FORWARD. I RISE IN SUPPORT OF THIS RESOLUTION THAT RECOGNIZING

THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. I SEE THIS AS AN

IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY TO HIGHLIGHT THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF PEOPLE WITH

DISABILITIES AND TO REFLECT ON THE WORK THAT WE'RE DOING AND STILL NEED TO

DO TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITIES MORE INCLUSIVE AND ACCESSIBLE. AS CHAIR

OF THE ASSEMBLY'S COMMITTEE ON PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND AS A

FATHER OF A SON WITH AUTISM, I'VE SEEN BOTH THE CHALLENGES AND THE

PROGRESS FIRSTHAND.

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

RESOLUTION FORWARD. RECOGNIZING THIS DAY HERE IN NEW YORK HELPS US

KEEP THE FOCUS ON INCLUSION, ACCESSIBILITY AND RESPECT FOR ALL

INDIVIDUALS, REGARDLESS OF WHAT ABILITIES THEY HAVE.

THANK YOU.

ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: THANK YOU.

ON THE RESOLUTION, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING

AYE; OPPOSED, NO. THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED.

MS. SOLAGES.

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

ANY FURTHER HOUSEKEEPING OR RESOLUTIONS?

ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: ON A MOTION BY

MR. WEPRIN, PAGE 4 ON THE A-CALENDAR, RULES NO. 417, A01698, THE

AMENDMENTS ARE RECEIVED AND ADOPTED.

ON A MOTION BY MR. -- MS. PAULIN, PAGE 20, CALENDAR

NO. 68, BILL NO. A06773-A, THE AMENDMENTS ARE RECEIVED AND

110

NYS ASSEMBLY JUNE 6, 2025

ADOPTED.

AND 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

AYE; OPPOSED, NO. THE RESOLUTIONS ARE ADOPTED.

(WHEREUPON, ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION NOS. 702-718

WERE UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED.)

MS. SOLAGES.

MS. SOLAGES: I NOW MOVE THAT THE ASSEMBLY

STAND ADJOURNED UNTIL SATURDAY, JUNE 7TH, TOMORROW BEING A LEGISLATIVE

DAY, AND THAT WE RECONVENE AT THE CALL OF THE SPEAKER ON JUNE 9TH,

MONDAY BEING A SESSION DAY.

ACTING SPEAKER TAYLOR: ON MS. SOLAGES'

MOTION, THE HOUSE STANDS ADJOURNED.

(WHEREUPON AT 2:46 P.M., THE HOUSE STOOD ADJOURNED

UNTIL SATURDAY, JUNE 7TH, THAT BEING A LEGISLATIVE DAY, AND TO RECONVENE

ON MONDAY, JUNE 9TH AT THE CALL OF THE SPEAKER, THAT BEING A SESSION

DAY.)

111