New York State SmartTranscripts:

[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes (Majority Leader)]: Madam speaker, would you please call the house to order? The

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: house will come to order. Good afternoon, colleagues. The reverend Donna Elio will offer a prayer.

[Rev. Donna Elio]: Let us pray. Holy and compassionate God, as a new legislative session begins, fill the body with hope, wisdom, and resolve. Let the discussion and work be dynamic and engaging, centered on the well-being of all constituents, the well-being of our state and society. And may their decisions be wise and just. Thank you for new legislators. Let there be an openness to the new ideas and perspective and vision. And help the most seasoned members remember they were once new. Thank you too for returning legislators and renew their call to public service. When the task seems daunting, fill them with a large measure of problem solving skill and a deep ability to listen well. Accept our gratitude for the talented and tireless work of staff, those who we see and those who work behind the scenes. And may all persons be valued and treated with dignity and respect. Give comfort to any who grieve, healing to those who struggle with health and well-being for themselves or their loved ones. And grant courage to all to stand against injustice and for human dignity. And let none of us grow weary in doing the part of healing the world that you call us to do. Holy one, you make peace in high places. Give us peace and justice in our time. Amen.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Amen. Visitors are invited to join members in the Pledge of Allegiance. A quorum being present, the clerk will read the journal of Saturday, January 10. Miss People Stokes.

[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes (Majority Leader)]: Madam speaker, I move to dispense with the further reading of the journal of Saturday, January 10 and that the same stand approved.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Without objection, so ordered.

[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes (Majority Leader)]: Thank you. Colleagues and guests that are in our chambers, this is the second session day of our two hundred and forty ninth session. I have a quote for you today that I would like to share. This one says, if you have everything prepared, the rest will take care of itself. This one comes from Marvin Daniel Marv Levy. He's a former coach who was the head coach of a national football league for seventeen years, seventeen seasons. He spent most of his head coaching career with the Buffalo Bills leading them from 1986 until 1997. Again, these words from Marv Levy. Madam speaker, members have on their desk a main calendar. It has 219 bills on it. I should remind members that this calendar represents those bills that passed the assembly last year, but not the senate, as well as those bills that died on the calendar. Today, we will also formally introduce our newest member, mister Michael Cashman of the 115th Assembly District. We're gonna begin our work today on the floor by taking up assembly rule change resolution eight twenty six. We would then begin consenting the main calendar beginning on page three. With calendar number one, we'll be calling for the following committees off the floor. Today, aging, followed by children and families, followed by consumer affairs, corporations, environmental conservation, governmental operations, governmental employees, higher education, and rules. These committees are going to produce an A calendar, which we do plan to take up today. So that's the general outline, Madam Speaker, where we're going today. If you have housekeeping or introductions, now would be the perfect time.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Thank you. We have many pieces of housekeeping this afternoon. At the request of the sponsor, the following bill is committed back as follows, Ms. Rosenthal Calendar nineteen zero six b to Consumer Affairs and Protection. On a motion by miss Cruz, page four, calendar number seven, bill number a one eight two, the amendments are received and adopted. On a motion by Ms. Barrett, page four, calendar 11, bill number A-three 49, the amendments are received and adopted. On a motion by Mr. Kim, page six, calendar number 21, bill number A-six 22 b, the amendments are received and adopted. On a motion by Ms. Clark, page eight, calendar number 28, bill number A707, the amendments are received and adopted. On a motion by Mr. Barras, page 11, calendar number 42, bill number one one nine one a. The amendments are received and adopted. On a motion by Ms. Tapia. Page 11. Calendar number 44. Bill number a one two four eight b. The amendments are received and adopted. On a motion by Ms. Pollan, page 12, calendar number 47, bill number a one two nine six a. The amendments are received and adopted. On a motion by Ms. Kellis, page 15, calendar number 62, bill number a one five five six e, the amendments are received and adopted. On a motion by miss Rosenthal, page 15, calendar number 64, bill number a one six five six, the amendments are received and adopted. On a motion by mister Eichenstein, page 19, calendar number 86, bill number a two three eight four, the amendments are received and adopted. On a motion by mister Havasse, page 22, calendar number 97, bill number a two six two zero a, the amendments are received and adopted. On a motion by mister Otis, page 22, calendar 100, bill number a two six five seven, the amendments are received and adopted. On a motion by Mr. R. Carroll, page 23, calendar number 101, bill number A3058A, the amendments are received and adopted. On a motion by Mr. Weapon, page 25, calendar number 108. Bill number A3919A. Amendments are received and adopted. On a motion by Ms. Jackson. Page 27. Calendar one twenty seven. Bill number A4677A. 77A. The amendments are received and adopted. On a motion by Ms. Reyes, page 29, calendar number 137. Bill number A5209, A5207, the amendments are received and adopted. On a motion by Mr. Barras, page 34, calendar number 163, bill number A6540C, the amendments are received and adopted. On a motion by Mr. Benedetto, page 34, calendar number 164, bill number A6559B, the amendments are received and adopted. On a motion by Mr. Wepprin, page 34, calendar number 165, bill number A6561A. The amendments are received and adopted. On a motion by Mr. Borys. Page 34, calendar 166, bill number A6578. The amendments are received and adopted. On a motion by Ms. Kay, page number 39, calendar number 191, bill number A7627A. The amendments are received and adopted. On a motion by Ms. Seawright, page 42, calendar number two eleven, bill number A8447, the amendments are received and adopted. On a motion by Mr. Braunstein, page 43, calendar number two sixteen, bill number A8675A, the amendments are received and adopted. Pursuant to Rule three, Section two, the following, bills are committed back to the committee on codes at the request of the chair, calendar number 78, bill number 82,020, calendar number 96, a two six one two, calendar number 157, a 6405, calendar number 181A6997, miss People Stokes.

[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes (Majority Leader)]: Thank you, madam speaker. It is now my pleasure to introduce well, we've he's been introduced on our floor once, but now we're gonna read his entire bio. He's an amazing gentleman. Assembly member Michael Cashman was elected to represent the 115th Assembly District in Clinton and Franklin Counties and portions of Exodus County. Michael began his career in 2016 when he was elected the youngest town supervisor in the town of Plattsburgh. Michael also serves as the chair of New York State Commission on National and Community Service, helping advance volunteerism and strengthening the AmeriCorps programs across the state. Assembly member Cashman is the first generation college graduate and two time SUNY Plattsburgh alum. He earned a bachelor of science degree in speech communications and a master of science degree in college and advocacy counseling, agency counseling. In 2024, Michael received the national trio achiever award from the council for opportunity in education for his advocacy on behalf of first generation and low income students. Michael and his wife Olivia reside in the town of Plattsburgh. Please join me in welcoming our newest assembly member, Michael Cashman, to our chambers.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Welcome, mister Cashman. On behalf of the speaker, we wish you well. Congratulations and good luck to you. Mister Ramos, for the purposes of an introduction.

[Assemblymember Phil Ramos]: Madam speaker, I rise for the purpose of an introduction. Today marks my twenty fourth year here in the New York State Assembly. And I remember twenty four years ago thank you. Thank you. I remember twenty four years ago when I came here, everything seemed so foreign to me. I didn't come from a background of government or anything like that. And I realized that many people in my district were like minded and were not engaged in government. So I vowed twenty four years ago to make sure that my constituents become part of the process from beginning to end. And every day on opening day, I bring a group of stakeholders and leaders in in my community and this has expanded And there's actually members here from all of the Long Island delegations districts. And they're here to roll up their sleeves and work with us. We are a government of the people, for the people, and it'd be fit fitting that we start our work here in the assembly with the people here engaged with us to make things happen. Together with us today is ambassador Lee from Taiwan embassy. We have Wanda Ortiz Rivera, superintendent of schools at Brentwood School District. Doctor Bill Victor Seltzer, founder of Horizons Heart, Candace Aguirre Haile, director of community outreach, Horizon Hearts, Joseph Ruehle, director of development of Mc Ronald McDonald Foundation, Leanne Bard, chair of the ICEF Democratic Committee, Pilan Moya Mancenera, executive director housing help, Peter Sidoti, president of all deposits, members of ISA Forward, Kevin Shaquille, TechBytes Insurance Brokerage, and the Young Democrats. Madam speaker, I ask you to please welcome this distinguished group from my district, and please extend them all the courtesies of the house.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: On behalf of mister Ramos, the Long Island delegation, the speaker, and all members, we welcome the ambassador and all distinguished guests to the chamber. We extend the privileges of the floor to you and hope you enjoy our opening proceedings today. Thank you so very much for joining us. Mister Durso, for the purposes of an introduction.

[Assemblymember Michael J. Durso]: Thank you, madam speaker. So today, we're joined by a councilman from the town of Babylon, Anthony Mineta from my hometown. Councilman Mineta has served on the Babylon Town Board since 2018 and currently serves as the town's chair of the small business committee. Councilman Mineta works closely with the chambers of commerce across the town of Babylon. He formed the town of Babylon's first commerce collaborative group, one of the first of its kind on Long Island. Councilman Minetta feels that having our main streets prosper is important for our local economy. He has been a vocal supporter of the revitalization efforts all across the town of Babylon and especially in the communities of Lyndonhurst, Wyandanche, Kopeg, and Deer Park. Councilman Mineta is a good friend of mine and getting to work with him in the in government has been a complete pleasure. Anthony Mineta Councilman Mineta, excuse me, is not only a great example for small businesses in chamber of commerce all throughout Long Island and the state, but also on how government works in the town of Babylon. Every level of government works well together regardless of the side of the aisle that we sit on and Councilman Mineta is a true example of how to work closely with our partners in government and get the best for our residents. So madam speaker, on behalf of myself, Assemblyman O'Farrow and Assemblyman Keith Brown, if you could welcome Councilman Mineta to the chamber today and offer him all the cordialities of the floor, I would appreciate it.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: On behalf of mister Durso and assembly member O'Farrow and Brown, we welcome you council member Mineta to the chamber and extend the privileges of the floor to you today. I believe you have visited us before, so it's good to see you again. Hope you enjoy the proceedings. Thank you so very much for joining us. Mister Smith, for the purposes of an introduction.

[Assemblymember Doug Smith]: Thank you, madam speaker, for allowing me to interrupt the proceedings for the purposes of an introduction. Today, I'm joined and have the honor to introduce a good friend and colleague on behalf of the Suffolk County delegation, our newly elected presiding officer, Anthony Picarillo from Suffolk County. Suffolk County is home to more than 1,500,000 New Yorkers, and his work in the county legislature is so important to continue to provide a safer, more affordable New York. Anthony is a good friend of mine. He's a fellow Sachem graduate. We grew up in the same hometown, and he is a fighter. Anthony, during his tenure in the county legislature, has made it a priority to preserve open space and support law enforcement. I think these are laudable goals that we try to do here in this body every day. So, madam speaker, if you could join me in welcoming our presiding officer Anthony Picarrell to the People's House. House.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: On behalf of mister Smith, the Suffolk County Delegation, the speaker and all members, we welcome you mister Picariello to the People's House, our assembly chamber, extending to you the privileges of the floor. Hope you enjoy our proceedings today. Thank you so very much for joining us. Miss Heinemann, for the purposes of an introduction.

[Ms. Heinemann (Assembly Internship Program representative)]: Thank you, madam speaker. I have the pleasure of introducing the 2026 intern class of the New York State Assembly. Yes. Give them a round of applause and be and be nice. No. Thank you very much. We have students from all over the state as well as other states that will be interning in the New York State Assembly. They will make themselves known to you very shortly, but we wish them the greatest success and endeavors. And I'm really happy to say I I just hired another former intern from this wonderful internship program that we have in the New York State Assembly. Congratulations. Welcome to the class of 2026.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: On behalf of miss Heinemann, the speaker, and all members, we welcome you, the twenty twenty six intern class, and welcome you to the assembly chamber. This will not be the first nor last time you will be in the chamber today. We hope you get out of it what you put into it. And we will see what that looks like towards June. We extend to you the privileges of the floor. Hope you enjoy the proceedings. Good luck to all of you. Thank you for joining us today in the chamber. Mister Watt Bran, for the purpose of an introduction.

[Assemblymember David I. Weprin]: Thank you, madam speaker. It's my pleasure to introduce two colleagues with the National Conference of State Legislators that I've worked with over many years recently on insurance and healthcare issues. Sydney Enland and Sarah Jarman. Sarah is a constituent of Scott Benditz from East Greenbush originally. And she during this trip she got a chance to spend some time with her parents. So if you could please give them your normal cordial welcome.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: On behalf of mister Weprin, the speaker and all members, we welcome you guests from NCSL and extend you the privileges of the floor. We hope you enjoy the proceedings here today. Thank you so very much for joining us. Mister Schiavone, for the purpose of an introduction.

[Assemblymember Fred W. Thiele, Jr.]: Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce Suffolk County legislator Ann Welker to the floor of the New York State Assembly. Ann represents the 2nd Legislative District in the Suffolk County legislature, which includes the towns of Southampton and East Hampton. Legislator Welker is a champion of the environment. And as one of her proud constituents, I'm happy to call her a friend and a colleague as we work together to represent the interests of the Eastern End Of Long Island. Prior to her election in the Suffolk County legislature, Ms. Welker was the first woman to be elected trustee of the freeholders and commonality of the town of Southampton. This is the oldest elected body in the state of New York which was established in 1686. As Suffolk legislator, Ms. Welker has been successful in championing the Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Act, which was approved by this body in 2024, and then approved by the voters in that same year. She has also proven to be an effective advocate for the East End, most recently exhibiting by her work in sponsoring the Suffolk County Working Waterfronts Act to support Long Island's fishing and aquaculture industries. Madam Speaker, I respectfully ask, request that you please welcome and extend the cordialities of the House to Suffolk County Legislator Ann Welker.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: On behalf of Mr. Scifoni, the Speaker, and all the members, we welcome you, Legislator Welker, to the chamber, extending the privileges of the floor to you. Hope you enjoy our proceedings today. Thank you so very much for joining us. Miss People Stokes.

[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes (Majority Leader)]: Madam speaker, if you could please call the aging committee to the Speaker's Conference Room.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Aging committee members to the Speaker's Conference Room. Aging committee members to the Speaker's Conference Room. Miss Peoplescopes. Mr. Scifoni, for the purpose of an introduction.

[Assemblymember Fred W. Thiele, Jr.]: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I also rise today and am proud to introduce East Hampton Town Supervisor Kathy Burke Gonzalez to the floor of the New York State Assembly. Kathy represents the eastern most tip of New York State and is a genuine leader on the East End Of Long Island. Prior to entering municipal government, Supervisor Burke Gonzales worked in advertising for over thirty years. She first entered public service as an elected official to be a trustee and former president of the Springs School District. Springs School Board rather. Supervisor Burke Gonzalez was first elected in East Hampton in 2013 and elected again in 2017 and 2021. She has been elected twice as East Hampton Town Supervisor and has proven that she and the town board can provide successful, affordable housing opportunities to protect our and protect our fragile ecosystems and our oceans' coastlines. East Hampton Town was one of the among the first municipalities in the state of New York to earn the pro housing community certification. And East Hampton has also landed the cable for the South Fork Wind, the first offshore wind farm in New York State. Interstate of the town of The Dress just last week, Kathy highlighted the successes of the town's directions, which has proven to be the shining example to make Eastern Long Island a more sustainable place to live for all. Madam speaker, I respectfully request that you please welcome and extend the cordialities of the house to East Hampton Town Supervisor, Kathy Burke Gonzales.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: On behalf of mister Scaffoni, the speaker, and all members, we welcome you supervisor Bert Gonzalez to the chamber, extend to you the privileges of the floor. Hope you enjoy our proceedings today. Thank you so very much for joining us. A resolution by miss People Stokes, clerk will read.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number eight twenty six, missus People Stokes. Assembly resolution amending various sections of the assembly rules.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: An explanation has been requested. Miss People Stokes.

[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes (Majority Leader)]: Absolutely, madam speaker. This resolution actually proposes some rule changes. It splits the time for debate and vote, explanation on bills to evenly dividing it between our two conferences with exemptions for budget bills, concurrent resolutions proposing amendments to our state constitution, and bills agreed on by the speaker and the minority leader.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Miss Walsh.

[Assemblymember Mary Beth Walsh]: Thank you, madam speaker. On the resolution.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Resolution.

[Assemblymember Mary Beth Walsh]: Assembly resolution eight twenty six makes significant changes to the way that our floor operations will be conducted moving forward. Under our current rules, there is a maximum of four hours of debate on any bill and an additional one hour to explain votes. Debate order is established first come, first served regardless of which side of the aisle you're on. Under the new rule, with a few exceptions, the times allocated herein shall be divided evenly between each conference. This means that on debate of a regular bill, the Republican conference will now have a maximum of two hours total debate and a maximum of thirty minutes to explain our votes. This cuts our time in half. This will be the general rule with limited exceptions regardless of whether a single majority member rises to debate. Just last week, during our opening day of session, the majority leader complimented us on this body's robust debate. That was the phrase that was used, robust debate. And I acknowledge that we need to balance efficiency in the way that we operate with the need for maintaining robust debate. Because it's also got to get noted that this rules change comes on the heels of a previous change in 2022 and '23 which cut each individual member's debate time with limited exceptions in half from thirty minutes per bill to just fifteen. So debate is a critically important component in legislative deliberation. It establishes contemporaneous legislative history which may be relied upon by the courts later tasked with interpreting our laws. This was underscored last November by the New York State Court of Appeals when it issued a notice to the bar for an amendment to rules of practice amicus curi. That amendment took effect on 12/10/2025. And it states, quote, in matters that involve statutory construction and legislative intent, proposed Amici may address the statutory language and canons of statutory construction, including publicly available contemporaneous legislative history. Proposed Amici shall not present the views of individual lawmakers outside of the publicly available contemporaneous legislative history to address legislative intent. What does this mean? It means that what is said during the debate of a bill on the floor of the assembly is contemporaneous legislative history. What does that imply? It means that this is the worst time ever to further truncate debate at the very same time that the state's highest court is saying that we collectively, what we say collectively during the debate of bills will be given the closest scrutiny and greatest weight in determining legislative intent. Aside from the importance of debate in establishing legislative intent, we additionally know that the 2nd Floor listens to debate. How do we know this? Because when we see the chapter amendments to bills from the previous year, the changes sought by the governor's office very often track the debate we had on the original bill. Debate brings out those concerns about the bill, the wording of it, the unintended consequences, the concerns raised by advocates, all of it. Some of my colleagues here may address the more logistical challenges we will be facing in trying to keep track of time and things of that nature. I'll just conclude by saying that we should be embracing debate, not limiting it. I will not be supporting this resolution and I suspect that the rest of my Republican conference will not be either. Thank you, madam speaker.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Thank you. Mister Ra?

[Assemblymember Edward P. Ra]: Thank you, madam speaker. On the resolution

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: On the resolution.

[Assemblymember Edward P. Ra]: And I thank our floor leader for really encapsulating what this is about. I want to point out for many of the members who haven't been here quite as long as I have, You know, we've gone through several iterations of this. And prior to the COVID pandemic, we each got two fifteen minute times to speak on a bill. We didn't have an overall limit. I guess if you did the math, we had an overall limit based on whatever that number would would add up to if everybody were to take their time. Obviously, that's not something that ever happened. But over time now, we've seen the erosion of so much of what made us a deliberative body. We've cut back on debate. We've limited the amount of bills that can be forced to be considered through the 99 process. We've made it so that people don't even have to be in this chamber. They can come, swipe their card, and go back to their office.

[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes (Majority Leader)]: They don't even have to listen to

[Assemblymember Edward P. Ra]: the debate. So I don't know why it's so important to further limit it because they can be back in their offices doing whatever they want. They don't even have to be on this floor in order to cast a vote. If you were to take a look at how we operate versus so many other legislative chambers, whether it's federally or or the states, I would submit to you that we are not a very deliberative body. Many states have hearings on bills and what comes about of that is an opportunity for the public, for stakeholders to weigh in on a bill. But really, the important thing about that is when you see a final product, there's been a transparent way of that coming about. So you know who weighed in. And if you see a change that say a, you know, an industry stakeholder was talking about and it made into the bill and that may be fine and good, that may be the right thing to do but you know where it came from. Too much of what we do goes on behind closed doors and the less opportunity we have to discuss things on this floor, the more that it's going to go on behind closed doors. Later on today, we're going to be probably beginning one of my least favorite parts about how we function, passing chapter amendments. And I know we have a new member. Chapter amendments are essentially the process is done. People may know I'm a big fan of school house rock, how a bill becomes a law. The process is done. Now it's signed by the executive. But wait, the executive had a private conversation with the two bill sponsors in either house and they agreed to changes that are gonna get made the following year. It's a complete farce of a process, but it's something we do each and every year. So we're making ourselves less transparent and we're making ourselves less really accountable to the public in the process. So it is tremendously disappointing that we're going to be adopting these changes today. When you don't have deliberative processes, when you can have those discussions about bills, the floor becomes the only opportunity to do that. And when we further limit the opportunities that members in this body have to speak about those bills, it makes our government less open and less transparent. And

[Assemblymember Phil Ramos]: I

[Assemblymember Edward P. Ra]: would point out, you know, if you think of some of the really emotional bills we've done over the last few years, Whether it was the assisted suicide bill last year, I can think back a few years ago to a bill about the rights of adoptees to get documents related to their birth. They were some of the most incredible debates I've seen on this floor. Passionate. Opportunities for everybody who needed to be heard to be heard on that and I think it's a shame that that we're moving away from that. So I'm just gonna leave you with a quote from one of our founding fathers, James Madison who said, a popular government without popular information or the means of acquiring it is but a prologue to a farce or a tragedy or perhaps both. I urge you to vote no on this rule's change. Thank you, madam speaker.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Thank you, mister Gandolfo.

[Assemblymember Jarett Gandolfo]: Thank you, madam speaker. On the resolution please.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: On the resolution.

[Assemblymember Jarett Gandolfo]: I'd like to thank my colleagues who spoke before me who really lay out why this is such a concerning change to our rules. Unlike my colleague, I haven't been here that long. I'm in my third term now. But just in my third term, this is the second action taken by the majority to limit the time that the minority party, us, the opposition party, has to debate bills that are coming before us. Bills that affect millions of New Yorkers every day, some of them extremely dense dealing with constitutional rights. One of the longer debates last year, which still didn't hit our limit of four hours, was the medical aid in dying bill. That is a bill that allows New Yorkers to elect to end their own life. So the question I would pose is, how much time is too much time to discuss issues that are that important and that meaningful? Every single time we limit how much we can talk about these major legislative, changes here in this chamber, we limit the legislative record. We, lessen the opportunity for the second floor to take notice and make meaningful amendments to clarify ambiguities or to close loopholes in the law. I believe one of the, chapter amendments we will be taking up probably early on this session will be to the medical aid in dying bill, and a number of those changes that we will be voting on are major points that our conference brought up in the debate. And, again, I am so proud to be a member of this chamber. Our debate is always respectful. It is always substantive. So to continue to chip away at the deliberative nature of this body is just a travesty. So, madam speaker, thank you for the opportunity to speak. I will be voting no as I suspect many of us on our side will be.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Thank you. Mister Paul Massano? Miss Peoples Stokes.

[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes (Majority Leader)]: Thank you, madam speaker, for allowing me to interrupt our proceedings here. But we'd like to call the Children and Families Committee to the Speaker's Conference Room.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Yes. Children and families committee members, please see chair. Have a seat in the Speakers Conference Room. Children and families committee to the Speakers Conference Room. Mister Palmisano.

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: Thank you, madam speaker. Thank you my colleagues. You know, several years ago, we had the as my colleagues have mentioned, we had a rules change on this floor, which we, as you know, limited debate to fifteen minutes for each member. I said on the floor at the time that that was this that was a sad day in this chamber. Today is even sadder because this isn't about democracy. This is about limiting debate and asking discussions and to have accountability. Listen. You have the majority. You know you're gonna win every vote. We don't believe you win the debates, you'll win every vote. Isn't that enough? Now now you wanna not have a thorough discussion on so many important issues? Now we agree. There are gonna be a number of issues, bills that come before this house. We don't need that much time on, but there are a host of others that we do need that extra time and it's important. I can think of a host of issues like the farm labor act, some of the criminal justice policies that have been enacted in this chamber. Halt, raise the age, bail reform, parole, and then of course, the energy climate agenda that we've been talking about, that I talk about on this floor. I know I've used a lot of time on numerous occasions. I'm sure you'll be glad not to hear me say some of these things but I'll continue to do so. But whether it's the CLCPA, EV mandates, electric school bus, cap and invest, all electric buildings, of course those three were all done part of the budget to limit and restrict debate. But the fact of the matter, my colleagues, the far reaching impact of the legislation we passed in this house, what it's gonna have on consumers, what it's gonna have on farmers, what it's gonna have on senior citizens, businesses, We need to take that into consideration. The negative impacts, the unintended consequences. You know, I often hear from, my friends, on the other side of the aisle, that say, we're about democracy. We're about supporting democracy. All my colleagues, this isn't about democracy. This democracy is being heard in this chamber today by this rules change. Really because you don't wanna take the time to go through thorough discussions and evaluations on certain pieces of legislation. Now I know there's other things in this bill but I just think that from my perspective, this is a sad day. You know, our debates in this house have always been very civil, very cordial. I know sometimes it gets heated, but I think we've all tried our best on our side to have a civil conversation so we can get on the record what we try to voice our problems with the legislation that you bring before this house. There are a series of serious issues that we take up. There are gonna be serious issues that we take up this year that needs that thorough time. Again, not on all of them but there's there's time. And I just think it's just really sad on this day that we're advancing this rule change to limit us to just two hours of debate, and I'm I'm looking forward to seeing your side use your time. I just it's just concerning to me as a member of this house. I've been here for a long time. I just think this rule changes. This is I'm honored to be a part of this house. It's a privilege to be a part of this house, to serve with all of you, my colleagues. I just think this step that we're taking today is the wrong step. I think it's just doesn't isn't a bright day for our chamber and this institution. And for that reason, mister speaker, my colleagues, I will be voting negative on the resolution and urge my colleagues to do the same. Thank you.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Thank you. A party vote has been requested. Miss Walsh?

[Assemblymember Mary Beth Walsh]: Thank you, madam speaker. For all the reasons just explained by the previous speakers, the republican conference will be in the negative on this resolution. Thank you.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Thank you. Miss Peoples Stokes.

[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes (Majority Leader)]: Thank you, madam speaker. Honoring the comments that have been made in here today, we actually want to move forward with this resolution so that the majority party will be voted in favor of it.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Thank you. The clerk will record the vote. Are there any other votes? Enoughs the results.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Ayes, 98. Noes, 45.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Resolution is adopted. On consent, page three, calendar one. Clerk will read.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number 38, calendar one. Mr. Burdick, an act in relation to directing the New York State Department of Labor to establish a voluntary training and certification program.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Read the last section.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: This section will take effect on the ninetieth day.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Clerk will record the vote. Are there any other votes? Announce the results.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Ayes, one forty three. Nos, zero.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: The bill is passed.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number 65 a, calendar two, mister Hevesy, enact to amend the social services law.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: This bill

[Clerk of the Assembly]: is laid aside. Assembly number 70 a, calendar three, mister R Carroll, enact to amend the general business law.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: This bill is laid aside.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number 77, calendar four, mister Dinowitz, an act to amend the public health law. This bill is laid aside. Assembly number 123, calendar five, miss miss Cruz, an act to amend the criminal procedure law.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: This bill is laid aside.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number 173, calendar six, Ms. Pollan, enact to amend the not for profit corporation law.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: This bill is laid aside.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number 182, calendar seven was previously amended on third reading. Assembly number 189, calendar eight, Ms. Rosenthal, an act to amend the private housing finance law.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: This bill is laid aside.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number 265A, calendar nine, Mr. Steck, an act to amend the mental hygiene law and the public health law.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Read the last section.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: This action will take effect immediately.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: The clerk will record the vote. Miss Peoplestrokes.

[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes (Majority Leader)]: Madam speaker, would you please call the consumer affairs committee to the speaker's conference room?

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Consumer affairs committee to the Speaker's Conference Room. Consumer affairs Speaker's Conference Room. Are there any other votes? Announce the results.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Ayes, one forty three. Noes, zero.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Bill is passed.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number three forty eight, calendar 10, miss Barrett, an act to amend the real property law.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Spell as laid aside.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number three forty nine, calendar 11 was previously amended on third reading. Assembly number three fifty six, calendar 12, mister Wepron, an act to amend the executive law.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Bill is laid aside.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number three eighty two a, calendar 13, mister Venal, an act to amend the racing, pari mutuel, wagering, and breeding law. Bill

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: is laid aside.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number three ninety one, calendar 14, mister Vannell, an act to amend the financial services law.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Read the last section.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: This action will take effect immediately.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Clerk will record the vote. Are there any other votes? Announce the results.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Ayes, one forty three. Nose, zero.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: The bill is passed.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number five thirty six a, calendar 15, miss Pollan, an act to amend the insurance law.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: This bill is laid aside.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number five sixty three a, calendar 16, miss Pollan, an act to amend the executive law and the general business law.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Read the last section.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: This action will take effect on the three hundred and sixty fifth day.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: The clerk will record the vote. Are there any other votes? And that's the results.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Ayes, one forty three. Nose, zero.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Bill is passed. Ms. Peoples Stokes?

[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes (Majority Leader)]: Madam speaker, if you can call the corporations committee to the Speakers Conference Room, please. The

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: corporations committee to the Speakers Conference Room. Corporations to the Speakers Conference Room. On consent, page five, calendar 17. Clerk will read.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number 590, calendar 17, Ms. Pollan, enact him in the vehicle in traffic law.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Read the last section.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: This action will take effect April 1.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Clerk will record the vote. Are there any other votes? Announce the results.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Ayes, one forty four. Noes, zero. The bill is passed. Assembly number five ninety three, calendar 18, Ms. Pollan, enact to amend the vehicle in traffic law.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: This bill is laid aside.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number 617A, calendar 20, Ms. Shimsky, enact to amend the legislative law. This spells

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Read the last section.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: This act shall take effect immediately.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: The clerk will record the vote. Are there any other votes? Announce the results.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Ayes, one forty four. Nose, zero.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: The bill is passed. Miss Peoplestrokes?

[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes (Majority Leader)]: Madam speaker, if you can call the environmental conservation committee to the Speaker's Conference Room.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Environmental conservation committee to the Speaker's Conference Room. Encon to the Speaker's Conference Room.

[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes (Majority Leader)]: Thank you.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Thank you. On consent, page six, calendar 21, clerk will read.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number six twenty two b, calendar 21 was previously amended on third reading. Assembly number six fifty four b, calendar 22, Ms. Rosenthal, an act to amend the energy I'm sorry, Emergency Tenant Protection Act of 1974. This

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: bill is laid aside.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number six fifty nine, calendar 23, miss Rosenthal, an act to amend the real property tax law.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: This bill is laid aside.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number six seventy three a, calendar 24, miss Cruz, an act to amend the criminal procedure law.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: This bill is laid aside.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number six eighty eight, calendar 25, miss Buttonshun, an act to amend the executive law.

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: This bill is laid aside.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number six ninety one, calendar 26, mister Havassey, an act to amend the social services law.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: This bill is laid aside.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number six ninety seven, calendar 27, miss Gonzales Rojas, an act to amend the public health law.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: This bill is laid aside.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number seven zero seven, calendar 28 was previously amended on third reading. Assembly number 73A, calendar 29, Ms. Gonzales Rojas, an act to repeal section 2,307 of the public health law.

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: Spill is laid aside.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number seven fifty five a, calendar 30, miss Pollan, an act to amend the public health law. Spill is laid aside. Assembly number eight thirty six, calendar 31, miss Solage, an act to amend the public service law.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: This bill is laid aside.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number eight fifty two b, calendar 32, miss Pollan, enact to amend the general business law.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: This bill is laid aside.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number eight sixty seven, calendar 33, Ms. Glick, enact to amend the penal law.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Read the last section.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: This act shall take effect immediately.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: The clerk will record the vote. Are there any other votes? Announce the results.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Ayes, one forty four. Nose, zero.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Bill is passed.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number 949, calendar 34, miss Lunsford, an act to amend the workers' compensation law.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Read the last section.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: This action will take effect immediately.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: The clerk will record the vote. Are there any other votes? Announce the results.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Ayes, one forty four, nos, zero.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: The bill is passed. Miss Peoples Stokes.

[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes (Majority Leader)]: Madam speaker, would you please call government operations committee to the Speakers Conference Room?

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Yes. Government operations committee to the Speaker's Conference Room. Gov ops to the Speaker's Conference Room. On consent page nine, calendar 35. Clerk will read.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number nine fifty three b, calendar 35, miss Dresda, an act to amend the public service law.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: This bill is laid aside.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number nine eighty two, calendar 36, miss Barrett, an act in relation to establishing the New York State Grid Modernization Commission.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Read the last section.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: This act shall take effect immediately.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: The clerk will record the vote. Are there any other votes? Announce the results.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Ayes, one forty four. Nose, zero.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: The bill is passed.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number ten twelve a, calendar 37, miss Barrett, enactment of public authorities law.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: This bill is laid aside.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number ten fifty three a, calendar 38, mister Steck, enactment of general business law.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: This bill is laid aside.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number 1067, calendar 39, Mr. Rivera. Enact to amend the insurance law.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: This bill is laid aside.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number eleven eighteen, calendar 40, miss Pollan, an act to amend the public health law.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: This bill is laid aside.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number eleven thirty a, calendar 41, mister Santa Barbara, an act to amend the mental hygiene law.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Read the last section.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: The clerk will record the vote. Are there any other votes? Announce the results.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Ayes, one forty four. Nose, zero.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: The bill is passed. Miss Peoples Stokes?

[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes (Majority Leader)]: Madam speaker, if you can call the governmental employees to the Speaker's conference room, please.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Government employees to the Speaker's conference room. Government employees to the Speaker's conference room. On consent, page 11, calendar 42, clerk will read.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number 1191 a, calendar 42 was amended on third reading. Assembly number twelve nineteen, calendar 43, Mr. Dinovitz, an act to amend the civil practice law and rules.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: This bill is laid aside.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number twelve forty eight a twelve forty eight b, calendar 44 was previously amended on third reading. Assembly number twelve fifty, calendar 45, Ms. Pollan, an act to amend the general business law.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Read the last section.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: This action will take it back to immediately.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: The clerk will record the vote. Are there any other votes? Announce the results.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Ayes, one forty four. Nose, zero.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: The bill is passed. Miss Peoples Stokes?

[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes (Majority Leader)]: Madam speaker, if you can please call the higher ed committee to the Speaker's Conference Room.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Higher ed committee to the Speaker's Conference Room. Higher ed committee members to the Speaker's Conference Room. On consent, page 11, calendar 46. Clerk will read.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number twelve sixty for the calendar 46, miss Cruz, enact to amend the insurance law.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Read the last section.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: This action will take effect immediately.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: The clerk will record the vote.

[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes (Majority Leader)]: Madam speaker, may I interrupt our proceedings to invite or or to introduce the gentleman walking towards the door? He's our own chancellor of our SUNY system. Would you please greet him as he moves through here headed to the higher ed committee? Always great to see you, mister chancellor.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: On behalf of miss People Stokes, the speaker, and all members, we welcome you chancellor King to the Assembly Chamber. Always a pleasure to see you. Looking forward to great work we're going to do with you this year. You are always welcome in the people's house. Thank you for very much for joining us today. Are there any other votes? Announce the results.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Ayes, one forty four. Nose, zero.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: The bill is passed.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number 1296A, calendar 47 was previously amended on third reading. Assembly number thirteen twenty five, calendar 48, Ms. Simon, an act to amend the correction law.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Read the last section.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: The clerk will record the vote. Are there any other votes? Announce the results.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: Ayes, one forty four. Noes, zero.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: The bill is passed. Miss Peoples Stokes.

[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes (Majority Leader)]: Madam speaker, if you would please call our last committee for the day rules to the Speaker's Conference Room.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Rules committee to the Speaker's Conference Room. Rules committee to the speaker's conference room. On page 12, calendar 49, clerk will read.

[Reading/Assistant Clerk]: Assembly number thirteen fifty one, calendar number 49, miss Gonzales Rojas. Enact to amend the public health law.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: This bill is laid aside.

[Reading/Assistant Clerk]: Assembly number thirteen eighty eight, calendar number 50, miss Rosenthal. An act to amend the environmental conservation law. This bill is laid aside. Assembly number thirteen ninety six, calendar number 51, mister Eckis, an act to amend the civil service law. Read the last section. This act shall take effect immediately.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: The clerk will record the vote. Are there any other votes? Announce the results.

[Clerk of the Assembly]: It's one forty four. Nose, zero.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: The bill is passed. Miss People Stokes.

[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes (Majority Leader)]: Madam speaker, members have on their desk an a calendar. I would like to move to advance that a calendar.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: On a motion by miss People Stokes, the calendar is advanced. Miss People Stokes.

[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes (Majority Leader)]: Madam speaker, do you have any further housekeeping or resolutions?

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Yes. We do have a few pieces of housekeeping on a motion by miss People Stokes, page 41, calendar number two zero four, bill number A8091A. The amendments are received and adopted. Pursuant to rule three, section two, the following bills are committed back to the committee on ways and means at the request of the chair. Calendar number one twenty six, bill number a four three eight five, calendar number one nine seven, bill number A7884 a, calendar number 206, bill number A8235, calendar number two one four, bill number a eight five two five a, calendar number two one eight, bill number a eight eight zero five. Miss Peoples' jokes.

[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes (Majority Leader)]: I now move that the assembly stand adjourned and that we reconvene at 10:30AM, Tuesday, January 13. Tomorrow will be in a session day.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: On miss Peoplestokes' motion, the house stands adjourned.