Meetings
Transcript: Select text below to play or share a clip
[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes (Majority Leader)]: Madam speaker, would you please call the house to order?
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: The house will come to order. Good morning, colleagues. In the absence of clergy, let us pause for a moment of silence. Visitors are invited to join members in the pledge of allegiance.
[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes (Majority Leader)]: One nation under god. And he has called for liberty and justice for all. A
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: quorum being present, the clerk will read the journal of Wednesday, March 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 at the same, she stand approved.
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: Without objection, so order it.
[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes (Majority Leader)]: Thank you so much, colleagues, guests that are in the chambers. It's no secret that this is women's history month, so we're gonna share a quote with you all today from a woman. Her name is Molly McCook. She is a an American stage actor and a TV actress. She played in several leading roles in the Fox last man standing episode. Again, these words from Molly McCook. Women should be celebrated every day.
[Mary Beth Walsh (Member of Assembly)]: Yes.
[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes (Majority Leader)]: But a month dedicated to female empowerment is extremely special. It doesn't just honor the iconic women who have changed history, but it encourages new generations to dream big and know that anything is possible. Again, these words from Molly McCook. Madam speaker, colleagues have on their desk a main calendar. And after you have done any housekeeping and or introductions, we're gonna be take up our floor work beginning with resolutions on page three. And then we will continue to consent where we left off on yesterday. Left off last week, I should say, with calendar number one seventy one, that's on page 31. There could be a need for additional floor activity, madam speaker. Should that happen, I will be happy to advise at that moment. However, majority of conference members should, without question, understand that there is gonna be a hearing. In Hearing Room C, we're gonna be meeting for our conference regarding very important issues. We need people to be there and be on time. Obviously, madam speaker, we'll consult with our colleagues on the other side of the aisle to determine if they may have similar needs. However, that is a general outline of where we're going today. If you could get started now with housekeeping and introductions. Thank you.
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: Thank you. We have no housekeeping and no introductions currently. So we'll we'll jump right into our work. Resolutions. Page three, clerk will read.
[Assembly Reading Clerk (name not stated)]: Assembly number 1,003, miss Rosenthal. Legislative resolution memorializing governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim 02/19/2026 as cholangiocarcinoma day in the state of New York.
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: On the resolution, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, no. The resolution is adopted.
[Assembly Reading Clerk (name not stated)]: Assembly number one thousand four, mister Rago, legislative resolution memorializing governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim 02/20/2026 as day of social justice in the state of New York.
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: On the resolution, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed, no. The resolution is adopted.
[Assembly Reading Clerk (name not stated)]: Assembly number one thousand five, Ms. Jackson. Legislative resolution memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim 03/06/2026 as Employee Appreciation Day in the state of New York.
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: On the resolution, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed, no. The resolution is adopted.
[Assembly Reading Clerk (name not stated)]: Assembly number one thousand and six, Mr. Conrad, legislative resolution memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 2026 as Bleeding Disorders Awareness Day in the state of New York.
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: On the resolution, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed, no. The resolution is adopted. On consent, page 31, calendar 171. Clerk will read.
[Assembly Reading Clerk (name not stated)]: Assembly number 6,707, calendar 171, Ms. Solaj, enact to amend the state finance law.
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: This bill is laid aside.
[Assembly Reading Clerk (name not stated)]: Assembly number 6741a, calendar 172, Mr. Simone, an act to amend the election law.
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: This bill is laid aside.
[Assembly Reading Clerk (name not stated)]: Assembly number 6765a, calendar 173, Ms. Torres, an act to amend the general business law.
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: Bill is laid aside.
[Assembly Reading Clerk (name not stated)]: Assembly number six thousand 766, calendar 174, Ms. Devenel, an act to amend the general business law.
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: This bill is laid aside.
[Assembly Reading Clerk (name not stated)]: Assembly number 6,767, calendar 175, Mr. Vannell, an act to amend the general business law. Bill is laid aside. Assembly number 6,824 b, calendar one seventy seven, miss Warner, an act to amend the county law.
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: Read the last section.
[Assembly Reading Clerk (name not stated)]: This act shall take effect immediately.
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: The clerk will record the vote. Ms. Walsh, to explain her vote.
[Mary Beth Walsh (Member of Assembly)]: Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Good morning to my colleagues. I just wanted to explain my vote quickly on this bill that I was so pleased to work with the sponsor on. This bill actually came from a county coroner in Saratoga County who approached me a couple of years ago and was explaining about how although if somebody really needs to almost pass away within a hospital setting in order to be able to donate organs, for eye and tissue donation, I guess the period of viability is the window is a little bit bigger and it can be possible if somebody passes away not in a hospital setting. So what this bill does is it amends the county law to require coroners and coroner's physicians to develop a referral protocol to identify organ donors who have died in their jurisdiction and outside of a hospital. The protocols will include but not be limited to requiring a call or a text be promptly placed to a designated representative of the appropriate eye and tissue bank to enable such organ procurement organizations to verify donor registry and make a donor suitability determination. So important, we always are talking in this body about trying to increase organ
[Assembly Reading Clerk (name not stated)]: and tissue
[Mary Beth Walsh (Member of Assembly)]: donation. This bill will do that. So I'm just very grateful that we're able to get this passed today. And many thanks to you and especially to the sponsor for working with me. Thank you.
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: Thank you, miss Walsh and the affirmative. Ms. Warner to explain her vote.
[Carrie Woerner (Member of Assembly)]: Thank you, Madam Speaker. My colleagues, how much do we love bills that save lives and change lives? Those are our best kind of bills. And that's what this is. The eye and tissue donation which for every donation can change lives or save lives for 70 people. This is something that we have, we don't talk enough about. But when someone passes away outside of the healthcare system and they go to the funeral home directly, what this bill would allow to have happen is that an organ transplant team could come and take a donation of tissues and eyes that can be used to save people's lives. So I want to thank you all for your support of this. I'd like to thank the speaker for bringing it to the floor because today we're saving lives and we're changing lives. Thank you very much.
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: Thank you. Ms. Warner in the affirmative. Are there any other votes? Announce the results.
[Assembly Reading Clerk (name not stated)]: Ayes, 123. Noes, zero. The bill is passed. Assembly number 6867, calendar 178, Ms. Heinbin, enact to amend the labor law.
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: This bill is laid aside.
[Assembly Reading Clerk (name not stated)]: Assembly number 6,868, calendar 179, Ms. Hooks, Enact to amend the labor law.
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: This bill's laid aside.
[Assembly Reading Clerk (name not stated)]: Assembly number 6903B, calendar 180, Mr. Bronson. Enact to amend the labor law.
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: Read the last section.
[Assembly Reading Clerk (name not stated)]: This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day. The clerk will record the vote.
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: Miss Walsh, to explain her vote.
[Mary Beth Walsh (Member of Assembly)]: Thank you, madam speaker. So many of you may have looked at the caption for this bill and thought, why do we need safety protocol and workplace protections for people who work in libraries? I mean, that's supposed to be the quietest, most peaceful place in the world to go and spend time. But it's actually, many, many people might not realize that you know libraries are one of the only places sometimes in a community that are completely open to the public. And when that's the case, we do get folks that do come into the library that can be disruptive. And as somebody who's practicing family court, I can tell you that a lot of custodial changes, exchanges happen in a library. And sometimes those do not go well. And so I do think that this bill really is necessary. I'm grateful that it has been brought up again for a vote. I know last time we were very supportive of it and we are again. I'm happy to cast my vote in the affirmative. Thank you, madam speaker.
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: Thank you, miss Walsh in the affirmative. Miss Kay, to explain her vote.
[Assemblymember (Ms. Kaye/Kayne — exact identity uncertain)]: Thank you. I agree with miss Walsh. This is such an important vote for our librarians across the state. I have several libraries in my district that are struggling and safety really has become the number one issue when they come talk to me. And we want libraries to be a place of quiet reflection, learning and joy. And I do believe that this bill will help bring that back. Thank you, and thank you for letting me speak on this issue.
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: Thank you. Miss Kayne, the affirmative. Are there any other votes? Announce the results.
[Assembly Reading Clerk (name not stated)]: Ayes, one twenty eight. Nose, zero.
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: The bill is passed.
[Assembly Reading Clerk (name not stated)]: Assembly number seventy thirty three d, calendar one eighty two, mister Zaccaro, an act to amend the arts and cultural affairs law.
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: Read the last section.
[Assembly Reading Clerk (name not stated)]: This act shall take effect immediately.
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: The clerk will record the vote. Mister Zaccaro to explain his vote. Quiet, please.
[John Zaccaro Jr. (Member of Assembly)]: So much, madam speaker. Much like Little Italy, El Barrio, Chinatown, and other cultural districts across our city and state, Little Yemen and my district has grown to become a beacon of light for those who come to America in search for a better future for themselves and for their family. And so today, the passage of this bill that will establish Little Yemen as a cultural district is a moment in which we can proudly say that New York proudly recognizes the Yemeni American community and the contributions that they have made, not just in The Bronx and in our city, but in our great state. And so I wanna thank my colleagues today for their support of this legislation, and I proudly vote in the affirmative.
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: Thank you, mister Zuccaro in the affirmative. Are there any other votes? Announce the results.
[Assembly Reading Clerk (name not stated)]: Ayes, one twenty nine. Nose, zero.
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: The bill is passed. Miss Peoples Stokes for the purpose of an introduction.
[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes (Majority Leader)]: Thank you, madam speaker, for the opportunity to interrupt our proceedings and introduce a gentleman in our chambers. On behalf of myself and assembly members Grace Lee and Chantel Jackson, it is my honor to introduce Corin Smith, a dedicated basketball coach and mentor who is sharing his love of the game with young people across the state of New York. Corin Hales from Brooklyn where he fell in love with basketball and learned the rhythm of the game on the neighborhood courts. He later brought a talent up brought a talent upstate to Herkimer Community College, and he is a standout basketball player while also studying sports management. Madam speaker, we are especially grateful for Corin's newest coaching assignment, helping to train the assemblywoman's basketball team. Under his guidance, they have learned the fundamentals of sharpening their jump shots and preparing for what they hope will be many future tournaments, particularly against our colleagues on the men's team. I'll just say this. With Corin and the assembly women's basketball coach, the men should be a little nervous. Corin brings energy, patience, and generous love for the game to all he is engaged with. Madam speaker, would you please welcome Corin Smith and and give him the cordialities of our house. Welcome him into our chambers. Thank you.
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: Thank you. On behalf of miss Peoples Stokes, miss Lee, miss Jackson, the speaker and all members, welcome coach Smith to our Assembly Chamber, extending the privileges of the floor to you. Hoping you enjoy our proceedings today. And congratulations for all of your athletic success, but especially your biggest feet to date, coaching our wonderful women's basketball team. So good luck to you, and good luck to us all. Thank you so very much for joining us today. Ms. Walsh for the purpose of an introduction.
[Mary Beth Walsh (Member of Assembly)]: Thank you very much Madam Speaker for allowing me to interrupt the proceedings here for another introduction. Today on behalf of Assemblyman Matt Slater, we are joined by the Stars and Stripes Club from Somers High School. And these students are joining us today to learn a little bit more about what we do here in the People's House, about the legislative process and to see our beautiful capital. So would you please on behalf of Assemblyman Slater, please afford to this group the Stars and Stripes Club all the cordialities at the house. Thank you so much.
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: Thank you. On behalf of Ms. Walsh, Mr. Slater, the speaker, and all members, we welcome our young leaders from the Stars and Stripes Club, from Somers High School here to our assembly chamber, extending the privileges of the floor to you. Hoping you enjoy our proceedings today. This is where the magic happens and you're here today to see that. So we do hope you enjoy, learn a lot, you are our future. You're the leaders of the future. So please take it all in, ask a lot of questions, and we thank you so very much for joining us today. Thank you. On consent, page 33, calendar 183, clerk will read.
[Assembly Reading Clerk (name not stated)]: Assembly number 7,125, calendar 183, Ms. Bashat Hermelin, an act to amend the state finance law.
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: Read the last section.
[Assembly Reading Clerk (name not stated)]: This act shall take effect immediately.
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: The clerk will record the vote. Miss Walsh, to explain her vote.
[Mary Beth Walsh (Member of Assembly)]: Thank you Madam Speaker. So this bill has some really good parts to it and I think that we voted on it last year, almost everybody supported it. Here we are again, I expect that most of us are going to be supporting it again. What it does is it allows that a procurement contract could get broken into smaller pieces. And I think the idea behind it is to allow perhaps a smaller business that would not have the ability to do an entire larger piece of the contract to at least get a part of it. And so I think that that could be very helpful in encouraging some smaller businesses to take a try at bidding on some work and allowing those businesses to grow. I do think that there is some concern that we don't want to hold up or unduly delay the procurement process. We want to keep things moving. So, hopefully, this bill will not have that very unintended consequence. But I think that it's a good idea, and it's one that I'm very happy to support. So I will be in the affirmative. Thank you.
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: Thank you. Miss Walsh in the affirmative. Are there any other votes? Announce the results.
[Assembly Reading Clerk (name not stated)]: Ayes, 133. Nose, zero. The bill is passed. Assembly number 7194B, calendar 184, Ms. Bashat Hermelin, enact to amend the labor law. This bill's laid aside. Assembly number 7,000 '2 79, calendar calendar 186, mister Kim, enact to amend the Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation law.
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: This bill is laid aside.
[Assembly Reading Clerk (name not stated)]: Assembly number seventy three zero one b, calendar one eighty seven, miss Tapia, an act to amend the general business law.
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: Read the last section.
[Assembly Reading Clerk (name not stated)]: This act shall take effect on the one hundred and eightieth day.
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: The clerk will record the vote. Are there any other votes? Announce the results.
[Assembly Reading Clerk (name not stated)]: Ayes, one thirty six. Noes, zero. The bill has passed. Assembly number 7345a, calendar one eighty eight. Mister Bronson, an act to amend the criminal procedure law.
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: Read the last section.
[Assembly Reading Clerk (name not stated)]: This act shall take effect immediately.
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: The clerk will record the vote. Are there any other votes? Announce the results.
[Assembly Reading Clerk (name not stated)]: Ayes, one thirty three. Noes, six. The bill is passed.
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: Miss Peoples Stokes for the purpose of an introduction.
[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes (Majority Leader)]: Thank you, madam speaker, for allowing me to interrupt our proceedings to do an introduction for our colleague, Mrs. Buttonshine. She has a guest in our chamber, Sarah Foster Calero. Sarah is from the Oneida County Board of Tourism, and she's here in our great capital to discover more about the tourism that's available in the state of New York and spread the word about what's available in Oneida. Would you please welcome her to our chambers and offer her the cordialities of the house?
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: On behalf of miss Peoples Stokes, miss Buttonshone, the speaker, and all members, we welcome you to the assembly chamber, extending the privileges of the floor to you, hoping you enjoy our proceedings today. Thank you for all of the great work you do in the community, elevating and amplifying your voice for tourism in our great state. We appreciate that very much. Thank you so very much for joining us today. On consent, page 34, calendar number 189. Clerk will read.
[Assembly Reading Clerk (name not stated)]: Assembly number seventy three sixty three c, calendar one eighty nine, mister Santa Barbara, an act to amend the mental hygiene law.
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: This bill is laid aside.
[Assembly Reading Clerk (name not stated)]: Assembly number seventy five twenty nine, calendar one ninety, mister Burke, an act to amend the criminal procedure law.
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: Read the last section.
[Assembly Reading Clerk (name not stated)]: This act shall take effect immediately.
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: The clerk will record the vote. Are there any other votes? Announce the results.
[Assembly Reading Clerk (name not stated)]: Ayes, one thirty two. Noes, eight.
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: The bill is passed.
[Assembly Reading Clerk (name not stated)]: Assembly number 7627 b, calendar one ninety one, miss Kaye, an act to amend the Veterans Services Law. Read the last section. This act shall take effect immediately.
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: The clerk will record the vote. Are there any other votes? Announce the results.
[Assembly Reading Clerk (name not stated)]: Ayes, one forty. Noes, zero.
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: The bill is passed.
[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes (Majority Leader)]: Madam speaker, do you have any further housekeeping or resolutions? We
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: have no housekeeping. We do have some resolutions. A resolution by Ms. People Stokes. Clerk will read.
[Assembly Reading Clerk (name not stated)]: Assembly number ten ten, Mrs. People Stokes. Legislative resolution mourning the death of Jonathan A. Dandis, president of rich baseball operations, inductee of the Buffalo baseball baseball hall of fame, and devoted member of his community.
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: Miss people stokes on the resolution.
[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes (Majority Leader)]: Thank you, madam speaker. John Dandy's, from Amherst, New York and very well known in all of Western New York was transitioned to his next life on February 22. John distinguished himself not just as a citizen who had a passion for the area that he lived in, but a citizen who had a passion for people as well. John had previously in his life had a kidney transplant. And because he had that experience, he took the availability to share time with my now late daughter, Roshana Colquing, on being supportive of her as she went through the process. Now this is a man who was, you know, one of vice presidents of the Buffalo Bison. He sits on most every board in all of Western New York with very much was very prominent from the partnership to Erie Community College to Shays Theater, a a very busy man, but a busy man with a good heart. I trusted my next moves many times on John Dandy's. I would call and ask his opinion on things, and he would be willingly share it. Sometimes he would say that that's a good call, Crystal. You should move that way. And sometimes he would say no. Maybe you shouldn't go that way. You should wait a little bit longer before you take that next step. Talk about an outstanding citizen of the Western New York community. That's who John Dandies was. When I lost people in my family, he was there. When he lost his first wife, I was there. The kind of relationship we had is way beyond measure. It's it's not just about an elected official and a person who supports her. It was more a kindred spirit. It was almost like we were related from a different biological sources, but he's truly truly going to be missed. The legacy that he left, however, will never ever be forgotten. So I honor John Dandies and I honor his children who he so dearly loved and talked about so often, particularly grandchildren. You know how we get when we start talking about our grandchildren. John was like that about his too. And so I honor his family. I know they're still dealing with the loss, but I also know that it will they will overcome. They're going to be comforted and things are going to be fine. And their dad and our great community leader in the Western New York community is still going to be watching out for the interest of all in Western New York and the state of New York. Thank you, madam speaker.
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: Thank you. On the resolution, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed, no. The resolution is adopted. We have a number of additional 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. Ms. People Stokes.
[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes (Majority Leader)]: Speaker, would you please call on Ms. Clark for the purposes of an announcement?
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: Ms. Clark for the purpose of an announcement.
[Sarah Clark (Member of Assembly)]: Thank you, madam speaker. Announcing that we will have majority conference immediately following session in Hearing Room C. Majority conference immediately following session.
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: Thank you. Majority Conference Hearing Room C after the conclusion of our session today. Miss People Stokes.
[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes (Majority Leader)]: I now move that the assembly stand adjourn until Friday, March 6, tomorrow being a legislative day, and that we reconvene on Monday, March 9 at 2PM, Monday being a session day.
[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer, female)]: On miss Peoples Stokes' motion, house stands adjourned.