New York State SmartTranscripts:

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

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: The house will come to order. Good morning, colleagues and guests. In the absence of clergy, let us pause for a moment of silence. Visitors are invited to join members in the pledge of allegiance. A quorum being present, the clerk will read the journal of Wednesday, February 4. Miss Peoples Stokes.

[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes, Majority Leader]: Madam speaker, I move to dispense with the further reading of the journal of Wednesday, March 4, and that same stand

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

[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes, Majority Leader]: Thank you. Madam speaker, colleagues and guests that are in the chambers. Wanna share a quote with you for today. This one is from very familiar face. It's from Fred McFreely Rogers. He was a Presbyterian minister and he's also known as mister Rogers. His word for us today, there are three ways to ultimate success. The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. And the third way is to be kind. Again, these words from mister Rogers. Madam speaker, our colleagues have on their desk a main calendar. And after you have done housekeeping and or introductions, we're going to begin our floor work today by taking up resolutions on page three. Beginning with a resolution on Black History Month by speaker Hasty, members should be aware that there is definitely going to be a need for to call higher education committee to meet off the floor. And so higher ed members should be in and around the chambers. That would be helpful to our process here today. We will begin to consent starting on page five with rules report 72. Then we're gonna continue to consent where we left off on yesterday with calendar number one nineteen. That's on page 26. I'll announce any further floor activity should it be necessary, madam speaker, but members should be aware that there will be a need for a conference after we're done here with our floor work. That's the general outline of where we're going today. If you can begin by any introductions and or housekeeping.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Thank you. We have no housekeeping this morning, but an introduction to start. Ms. Warner, for the purpose of an introduction.

[Carrie Woerner, Assemblymember]: Thank you Madam Speaker for allowing me to interrupt our proceedings for purposes of an introduction today. I am absolutely thrilled to be joined in the chamber today by the New York State Class C State Girls Hockey Champions, Stillwater High School. You know I was a pre Title Nine girl and so I didn't get the opportunity to play sports. But as I said to them when I met them earlier this morning, what they have been able to, the skill set they've been able to build by being student athletes throughout their academic career is a set of leadership skills that will serve them well out into the future. And so it is really a pleasure to introduce to you today this team. Allie Liomero, Bridget Kuhn, Lucy Rubenstein, Cameron Van Pelt, Peyton Perrata, Kennedy Van Pelt, Brooke Hodgson, Brooke Kuhn, Finley Bourne, Maisie Jabbalt, Addison Callanan, Sadie Hasen, Callan Basley, Madeline Callanan, Emerson Patnaud, their assistant coach Cassidy Chapko and their head coach Christine Inatola whose mother Deb Devine is an alum of the Assembly Ways and Means staff. Madam Speaker if you would offer congratulations and welcome to this amazing team of young women and offer them the cordialities of the house.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: On behalf of miss Warner, the speaker and all members, we welcome you girls soccer team champions to the New York

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: State

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Assembly. Congratulations to all of you. We extend the privileges of the floor to you and hope you enjoy our proceedings. It's a big deal to be a state champion, so relish all of this. You deserve every accolade. Thank you so very much for joining us today. Miss Peoples Stokes.

[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes, Majority Leader]: Can we just go to page three with resolutions, madam speaker?

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Resolutions. Page three. Clerk will read.

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number nine thirty three, mister Hasty. Legislative resolution memorializing governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim February 2026 as Black History Month in the state of New York.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Mister Wright on the resolution.

[Jordan Wright, Assemblymember]: Thank you, madam speaker. Negro History Week began in 1926, a hundred years ago. When we celebrate a quarter millennium of America, we celebrate a century of black America. But America was built on the backs of black and brown men and women deprived of accessing the so called American dream. I'm here to report in Harlem, we celebrate black history month every day of the year. And I'd urge the rest of America to follow suit. You cannot walk five steps in Harlem without being immersed in the beauty and riches of black America. The Studio Museum in Harlem has put black art where it belongs, front and center. The Schaumburg is the worldwide archive for African descent. Duke Ellington, the Cotton Club, the Apollo Theater, when we consider a hundred years through the eyes of Harlem, things look very different. Let us remember that when we owe when we in New York owe to black culture and what we fight to ensure it is never erased. While it is not lost on me that February is the shortest month of them all, that doesn't quite matter in Harlem, USA. There aren't enough months in the year to celebrate, to reflect, to observe the impact and importance that black and brown people have made to this country. Happy black history month to the state of New York to The United States Of America. Thank you all so much.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Thank you. Mister Anderson, on the resolution.

[Khaleel M. Anderson, Assemblymember]: Thank you, madam speaker. I rise to speak in support of this resolution calling on governor Kathy Hochul to memorialize February as Black History Month. And I I have a few brief remarks with regard to why we celebrate this month. But before I do that, I must share with my colleagues that being pro black does not mean that you are anti white. It means that you are pro supporting the advancement of your community and pro supporting our neighbors who have made strides to be and to sit and to serve in these very chambers. It was 1918 when the first black assembly member walked into these halls and served in the New York State Assembly for the first time. Fast forward nearly a hundred years later, we elected the first black speaker to lead this body and that is important. But I want us to not get lost in the sauce, not to get lost in that storied history and not to be afraid to say that even though The United States is turning two hundred and fifty years this year, that many folks who look like me were not free and could not celebrate. And so those are the Americans whose shoulders that we stand on. But it's also important to acknowledge that black history is American history. The difficult parts in chattel slavery to even the parts today as we work towards the issues of segregation that impacts New York City schools and all of the vestiges of chattel slavery, the vestiges of the Jim Crow North and the Jim Crow South that still exist in government. When Edward Johnson, was the first black assembly member took to these chambers, he wrote a very important book, a book called A School History for Negro Race in America, which was the first textbook that was authored to use in North Carolina schools to study black history. And so while we see black history being erased across the nation, it's important that here in these chambers that we uphold that history. And as we celebrate one hundred years of celebrating Black History Month, let us be reminded that we are still journeying towards that promised land that Doctor. King talked about in his final waning days. That we are still journeying towards the fight that all folks can be created equal and judged by the character not just the color of their skin. But also, I caution us as we challenge ourselves in going towards that journey to let us not as Doctor. King said, integrate into a burning building. Let us integrate fairly, justly and ensure that black New Yorkers, black Americans alike become a part of the fabric and the history and are not forgotten and are not relegated to the shortest month of the year but we celebrated three hundred and sixty five days of the year and three hundred and sixty six days during the leap year. Thank you madam speaker.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Thank you. Miss Forrest, on the resolution.

[Phara Souffrant Forrest, Assemblymember]: Thank you madam speaker. W. E. B. Du Bois understood that democracy without economic power is a hollow promise. A. Philip Randolph organized black workers to demand dignity and fair wages. Claudia Jones connected anti racism to anti capitalism and built global black solidarity. Doctor King's final campaign was not just about civil rights, it was the poor people's campaign demanding jobs, housing, and a guaranteed income for all peoples. They knew what we must say clearly today, political power without economic justice is not freedom. We cannot continue to talk about democracy while millions are locked out of healthcare, housing, education, and a living wage, and dignity. We cannot celebrate black representation without actually redistributing wealth. And we cannot claim justice while wealth and power are hoarded by the few. Universal access to economic and political justice is not radical. It's moral, it's necessary, and it is now. The black radical tradition let led by more than the few that I have named teaches us this, freedom is not guaranteed by Wall Street or the elites. Freedom will never be given by the oligarchs. A dignified life can only be won by organizing to demand a society that works for us all. This is the fight we as legislators in the great state of New York must continue. Because when we fight, we win. Thank you.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Thank you. Miss Jackson, on the resolution.

[Chantel Jackson, Assemblymember]: Thank you Madam Speaker for allowing me to speak on this resolution. As I've mentioned before, I would choose to be black in every lifetime. This is a time of celebration. I fully understand that February is designated for acknowledging black history but black history is every single day and black history is American history. And as we celebrate one hundred years of black history month, I'm reminded of our ancestors and everything they survived and built. We cannot forget the middle passage, the black codes, the red lining, but we are also here to celebrate the Harlem Renaissance and Black Wall Street and our excellence in sports and science and technology and the cultural movements that have reshaped this nation. Our history is one of truth, resilience and undeniable brilliance. Each chapter tells us the truth of our history and the power of our perseverance. And while we have come a mighty long way, we still have so far to go as our people are still dying in the streets at the hands of our police officers, as mothers are trying to birth their babies and dying at higher rates of our white counterparts, as our children are not being educated at the same level as everyone else's children, we still have so far to go. We are going to soon be talking about Buffalo and and the massacre that happened there to black people just because they are black. So while I am always excited to talk about the the brilliance of black people in black history, I am never going to let anyone in this body forget what this country has done to our people and how we have to do so much better to protect black people. Nothing for us without us. Thank you.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Thank you. Mister O'Farrow on the resolution.

[Unidentified Member ('Mr. O'Farrow')]: Good morning, madam speaker and thank you and salute to response of this historic resolution. This month, we proudly celebrate one hundred years of Black History Month, one hundred years of culture, legacy, and excellence. Black history is not just black history, it is America's history. A great many men and women bled and died for this country to make it fair and equitable for all. The march on Washington was not just a march, it was a movement. It was something that told the world that injustice here is an injustice everywhere. Black history is embedded in the fabric of our culture's creativity, sports, tech, and education. This is in part to those who have came before us and those who can enjoy the fruits of their tireless efforts. For generations, we helped build this nation often without acknowledgment or recognition. Yes. We as a nation we have achieved and that's in because in part we built it, we moved it, and we made it greater. As we honor the past, the present, and the future, we must invest in all of us. Let this centennial remind us that progress is not progress if we regress. Unity is the journey, but first, our past must meet on equal and solid ground. May we celebrate this month and every month with purpose and continue writing history together. I thank you for this moment.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Thank you, mister Deyes, on the resolution.

[Unidentified Member ('Mr. Deyes')]: Thank you, madam speaker. As we celebrate the hundred years of black history, the reality is black history did not start in 1926, but it started four hundred and seven years ago on 1619 when 25 slaves ended up at the point Port Of Comfort and started the Jamestown Colony. That means from the beginning of time of what we know as our country, African blood has been upon these shores. A hundred and fifty one years after that, the first American blood spilled in the American revolution was Crispus Atticus on 03/05/1770 during the American revolution. We have been at the forefront of the creation of our country. But during that time and even prior to that at 1655 as we built Wall Street, where companies such as JP Morgan, New York Life Insurance, Lehman Brothers, Aetna, United Pacific Railroad, and CSX profited from the slave trade. That tells you about the economics that our culture has been a part of even though we did not benefit from it. My first ancestor arrived here in 1790 via the census. Her name was Rebecca Quanabam. Well, a lot of people do not know as at that time if you were a slave who died, you were put in an unmarked grave in your plantation used as fertilizer for the very crops that they tended. We can also talk about the black soldiers or regiments of civil war or the buffalo soldiers that helped to do the Western Frontier. We could talk about the Harlem Hellfighters in World War one or the Panther tank division or the Tuskegee Airmen in World War two. Every major conflict battle and inflection point in American history, we are braided within the American history. We are as American as apple pie even if we prefer peach or sweet potato pie. If you ask about American culture, what is American food? I think the first thing I would say is soul food. If we talk about what music and culture was invented in The United States Of America, it is blues, rock and roll, jazz, rag top, hip hop, and r and b and house music, all founded by black artists. We are culturally entwined within the very DNA of our country. And even though at times we continue to be punched down upon, we still rise. I am a grandson of a of a grandmother who had a sixth grade education who fled from Jim Crow South. And she now has two grandsons who have multiple degrees and one now is an assembly member in New York State Assembly. I am her wildest dream. But for her, she was my black history because her strength is what led my family because she was a true fighter during the worst times of our country. Black history is for all of us and it needs to be taught and it cannot and shall not be erased as what we've seen on the federal level. Because if you erase black history, you are erasing American history. Without the hidden figures, we've never been to the moon. Without our civil right leaders, we would have lost our soul as a country. Black history is for everyone and hope everyone can celebrate it as fully as we do. Thank you.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Thank you. Miss Zimmerman, on the resolution.

[Stefani Zinerman, Assemblymember]: Madam speaker, I rise today in support of this resolution memorializing Kathy Hochul, governor, to proclaim February 2026 as black history month in the state of New York. This year marks one hundred years since the formal founding of black history month rooted in the work of doctor Carter G. Woodson who understood that a nation cannot move toward justice without first telling the truth about its history. We make this proclamation at a defining moment. As our nation approaches its two hundred and fifty eighth anniversary, we are called to confront with honesty who built this country, whose labor fueled its prosperity and whose freedom has been systematically delayed and denied. At the same time, we are witnessing deliberate efforts to erase black history, censor education, and roll black civil and human rights. In this context, black history month is not ceremonial. It is a necessary act of truth telling and accountability. As legislators, our responsibility is not to commemorate history, but to legislate in response to it. Through my membership in the New York State Black Legislative Task Force, the black Puerto Rican Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus and the national black caucus of state legislature. I work collectively with colleagues who advance policies and solutions that address the enduring impacts of slavery, segregation and systemic racism. These bodies serve as engines for racial equity, shaping legislation that expands access to quality education, protects voting rights, strengthens healthcare systems, advances fair housing, supports black entrepreneurship and builds pathways to economic mobility. In alignment with the global calls such as the United Nations second international decade for people of African descent, our work affirms that recognition, repair and justice must be reflected in the budgets, the statutes and the institutional practices. Proclaiming February 2026 as Black History Month affirms New York's commitment to this work. It declares that black history is American history. That black lives matter in policy not only in proclamation. And that this state will not retreat from our pursuit of equity and justice. Madam speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this very important resolution and to recommit ourselves to translating remembrance into results for black New Yorkers.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Thank you. Mister Burrows on the resolution.

[Unidentified Member ('Mr. Burrows')]: Good morning madam speaker. Thank you for allowing me to speak on this resolution. Black history month, it's one of resilience, one of opportunity and it's also one of heartbreak but also triumph. So black history month should mean pride. Black history month should mean the ability to withstand things that will put in front of you as an obstacle and you are going to overcome that obstacle no matter what the challenge. Black history is not something that you just teach in a textbook. Black history month is a time where we teach what happened and how do we prevent from what happened from happening ever again. Today, see our history not just black history but history in general trying to be erased. And I think that's a huge mistake because if you don't know your past then you never know what your future can be. You should always know what happened in the past this way it prevents you from making the same mistakes made in the past. Black history month is a time to celebrate resilience, brilliance, achievement economics, achievements in in healthcare, achievement and so many different facets of this life that we live today. And I think we should all appreciate what black history meant. Black history did not start or black culture civilization did not start in 1619. As a person who we call ourselves black, I like to call myself indigenous because that means I was here when the founding of this nation was here and even before and so my ancestors. So, for that I say we celebrate where we are, we celebrate where we come from and we celebrate with the opportunity of knowing that we can continue to push forward and make things better for every single one and be proud that we have a time where we can call this Black History Month. Thank you.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Thank you. Mister Meeks on the resolution.

[Demond Meeks, Assemblymember]: Thank you madam speaker. On the resolution, today, I would like to highlight the founder, Carter g Woodson, the father of black history. Carter g Woodson was a groundbreaking American historian, author, and educator who helped create the field of black history in The United States. He was born on 12/19/1875 in New Canton, Virginia to parents who had been enslaved. Because his family was poor, Woodson worked in coal mines and did not begin formal formal schooling until he was 20 years of age. He graduated high school in under two years and went on to earn a bachelor's degree from Berea College in Kentucky. And both a bachelor's and a master's degree from the University of Chicago in 1912. He became only the second person after W. E. B. Dubois to receive a PhD from Harvard University. The only the second black person to receive a PhD from Harvard University. In 1915, Woodson cofounded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, Now, called the Association of the Study of African American Life and History. To support, excuse me, to support research on black history, the next year, he started the journal of Negro history to provide a scholarly outlet for historical work about African Americans. In 1926, Woodson launched Negro History Week, choosing the February to coincide with the birthday of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. The week was intended to highlight the often overlooked contributions of black Americans. Over time, this observance expanded into what is now known as black history month celebrated every February. Woodson wrote many books on black history including the education of the Negro prior to 1861, the Negro in our history, and he published the miseducation of the Negro, a powerful critique of educational bias. He believed that understanding history was essential for black empowerment and equality. Woodson died on 04/03/1950 in Washington DC, but his vision continues every black history month and throughout the year as people learn and teach a more complete American history. Carter g Woodson, the father of black history, was a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated on 02/10/1917, and he delivered a keynote address at the fraternity's grand conclave in the year 1920. In recognizing Black History Month, it is only right, it is only necessary that we recognize a founder such as Carter g Woodson. Thank you, madam speaker.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Thank you. Miss People Stokes on the resolution.

[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes, Majority Leader]: Thank you, madam speaker. I rise to speak on this resolution. First, I would like to honor speaker Hasty for introducing it and to each honor each one of my colleagues that took the opportunity and saw it not robbery to speak to the value of this resolution. Not just as it relates to February being black history month, but to black history in general. And quite honestly, if folks were paying attention as I was, heard a lot of black history just recently being said on the floor because it went back further than one hundred years ago. Because that's how long we've actually been in this country and added value to it in a way that makes it a desirable place to be. And I'm I'm honored by that to be of a people who would do that under the circumstances that our people built built this country under. It was horrific. It was hard. It was difficult. It was challenging. There were mean spirited people everywhere around us, but there was no stopping us then and there's no stopping us now. So happy Black History Month. Happy Black History Month.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Thank you. On the resolution, all those in favor signify by saying aye. The opposed, no. The resolution is adopted.

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number nine thirty four, mister McDonald. Legislative resolution memorializing governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim February 2026 as American Heart Month in the state of New York.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: On the resolution, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed, no. The resolution is adopted. Ms. People Stokes.

[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes, Majority Leader]: Madam speaker, would you please call the Higher Ed Committee to the Speakers' Conference Room?

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Higher Ed Committee members to the Speakers' Conference Room. Higher Ed Committee Speakers' Conference Room. On consent, page five, rules report 72. Clerk will read.

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number 9444, rules report 72. Mister Lasher, an act to amend the general business law. On

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: a motion by mister Lasher, the senate bill is before the house. The senate bill is advanced. This bill is laid aside.

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number 9471, rules report 73, miss Pollan, an act to amend the public health law.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: On a motion by miss Pollan, the senate bill is before the house. The senate bill is advanced. Read the last section.

[Reading 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.

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: Eyes, one thirty six. Nose, zero. The bill is passed. Assembly number 9472, rules report 74, mister McDonald, an act to amend the public health law.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: On a motion by mister McDonald, the senate bill is before the house. The senate bill is advanced. Read the last section.

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

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: The clerk will record the vote. Ms. Walsh, to explain her vote.

[Mary Beth Walsh, Assemblymember]: Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I am delighted to be able to support this bill, and I really want to thank the members of the Assembly for bipartisan Support of this measure and also the other recent bill that we passed unanimously regulating kratom. Kratom is a substance that really in New York desperately needed some regulation. And I think that it's come to my attention in my district that there has been a loss of life from people that have used this substance in an attempt to get some sleep. And it's ended up really it's killed some young people that I know. And I want to dedicate my vote today to the family of Nicholas Scribner, who unfortunately passed away far, far too young due to the use of Kratom. So I think that 21 seems like a good age. The warning labels that are going go on Kratom is also a really important step. So I think our assembly body is doing a good job in really taking a hard look at this substance and doing appropriate taking appropriate steps to regulate. So with that, I'll cast my vote in the affirmative. Thank you very much.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Thank you. Ms. Walsh in the affirmative. Are there any other votes? Announce the results.

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: Ayes, one thirty eight. Nose, zero.

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

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number 9474, rules report 75, mister McDonald, an act to amend the public health law.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: On a motion by mister McDonald, the senate bill is before the house. The senate bill is advanced. Read the last section.

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

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

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: Ayes, one thirty seven. Noes, one. The bill is passed. Assembly number ninety four eighty, rules report 76, miss Pollan, an act to amend the public health law.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: On a motion by miss Pollan, the senate bill is before the house. The senate bill is advanced. Read the last section.

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: This act shall take effect immediately. The clerk will record the vote.

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

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

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: The bill is passed. On consent, page 26, calendar number one nineteen. Clerk will read.

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number 30 nine-twenty eight b, calendar 119, Ms. Tibares, enact to amend the general business law.

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

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number 30 nine-87a, calendar 120, Ms. Shimsky, an act to amend the criminal procedure law.

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

[Reading 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.

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: Ayes, 137, noes, three. The bill is passed. Assembly number thirty nine eighty eight a, calendar one twenty one, miss Shimsky, an act to amend the criminal procedure law.

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

[Reading 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.

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: Ayes, one thirty seven. Noes, three. Bill has passed. Assembly number 4127 a, calendar one twenty two, mister Sturpey, an act to authorize and direct the Department of Public Service

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

[Reading 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.

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

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

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number 4279 a, calendar one twenty three, miss DeBarrez, enact to amend the racing per mutual wagering and breeding law.

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

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number four thousand three and twenty seven, calendar 124, mister Dinowitz, an act to amend the general business law.

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

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number 4,346, calendar 125. Mister Dinowitz, an act to amend the education law.

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

[Reading 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.

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

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: The bill is passed. Mister Gandolfo, for the purposes of an announcement and introduction.

[Jarett Gandolfo, Assemblymember]: Thank you Madam Speaker for allowing me to interrupt our proceedings here for an introduction. On behalf of our colleague Jody Giglio and the Suffolk County delegation, I'm happy to announce that with us today in the chamber we have Suffolk County Legislator Chad Lennon. Chad is a lieutenant colonel in the United States Marine Corps with seventeen years of service, including a combat deployment to Afghanistan. He has led over 50 combat missions and earned numerous military honors, including the Purple Heart. In January 2024, he began serving the 6th District in the Suffolk County legislature, where veterans issues are central to his work. Chad sponsored legislation establishing the veteran suicide awareness and remembrance day in Suffolk County, which passed unanimously in a bipartisan vote. He also led efforts to reopen the veterans traffic court and to officially recognize the veteran suicide awareness and remembrance flag. Chad went in service in uniform and in office reflects a deep and lasting commitment to our veterans. Also joining us today is Ron Zaleski. Ron is a Southampton native, a Hampton's Bay's high school graduate and United States Marine Corps veteran from the Vietnam era. After returning home, he after returning home and learning members of his squadron were unfortunately killed in combat, Ron carried a deep sense of guilt and grief. In 1972, he made a powerful vow to walk barefoot as a memorial to his fallen brothers and as a protest against the horrors of war, a vow he keeps to this day. He later walked over 3,400 miles across the country to raise awareness of veteran suicide and advocate for mental health support. Through the long walk home, Ron continues to dedicate his life to ensuring veterans are seen, supported, and never forgotten. So, madam speaker, would you please welcome these honored guests to our chamber here today?

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: On behalf of mister Gandolfo, miss Giglio, mister Brown, and the entire Suffolk County delegation, the speaker, and all the members, we welcome you, lieutenant colonel and mister Zaleski, to our assembly chamber, and thank you for your tireless and important work for veterans, especially relative to veteran awareness regarding suicide, a very important issue. Our veterans are taking their lives in record numbers, and so your important work must continue. And thank you, mister Zaleski, for your important walk across the country. I know people recognized you and stopped and wanted to say hello and thank you. It's these little important steps that mean very much to veterans. So we hope you enjoy the proceedings today, and thank you so very much for joining us. On consent, page 27, calendar number 127. Clerk will read.

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number 4677B, calendar 127, Ms. Jackson, an act to amend the insurance law.

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

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: This act shall take effect 01/01/2028.

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

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

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

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number forty seven thirteen a, calendar one twenty eight, mister Sayesh, an act to amend the public service law.

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

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number 4seven 16 d, calendar 129 was previously amended on third reading and is high. Assembly number 4eight 10, calendar 130, Mr. Fanal, an act to amend the financial services law.

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

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: This act shall take it back to immediately.

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

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

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: The bill is passed. Mister Gandolfo, for the purpose of an announcement.

[Jarett Gandolfo, Assemblymember]: Thank you, madam speaker. Would you please recognize mister Smullen for the purposes of an announcement?

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Mister Smullen for the purpose of an an announcement. I'd like to announce that there will be an immediate Republican conference upon the conclusion of session today. Thank you. Members only in the parlor. Thank you. Immediate minority conference immediately following session. Members only assembly parlor. Miss People Stokes.

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

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: We have neither. Miss People Stokes.

[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes, Majority Leader]: Would you please call on mister Benedetto for the purpose of an announcement?

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Mister Benedetto for the purpose of an announcement.

[Michael R. Benedetto, Assemblymember]: Yes. There will be an immediate democratic conference in Hearing Room C at the end of session.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Thank you. Immediate majority conference, Hearing Room C, immediately following the conclusion of our session, miss Peoples Stokes.

[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes, Majority Leader]: And I'll move that the assembly stand adjourned until Friday, February 6, tomorrow being a legislative day, and that we reconvene at 2PM on February 9, Monday being a session day.

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