New York State SmartTranscripts:

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

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: The house will come to order. Good afternoon, colleagues and guests. In the absence of clergy, let us pause for a moment of silence. And visitors are invited to join members in the pledge of allegiance. A quorum being present, the clerk will read the journal of Friday, March. Miss Peoples' jokes.

[Assembly Majority Leader Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes]: Madam speaker, I move to dispense with the further reading of the journal of Friday, March 13, and that the same stand approved.

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

[Assembly Majority Leader Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes]: Thank you so much. Colleague and guests that are in the chambers with us today, I would like to share a quote with you. This one comes from Jimi Hendrix. Most of us probably have heard his music before. He was an American singer songwriter and guitarist who revolutionized the electric guitarist tone and the envelope to make it sound like a human voice. His words for us today. When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace. Again, these words from Jimi Hendrix. Members have on their desk a main calendar with 21 new bills. After you have done any housekeeping and or introductions, we're gonna take up calendar resolutions on page three, then we will consent the new bills on the to the calendar beginning with calendar number two eighty eight. It's on page four. There may be a need for additional floor activity. Should that be the case, we will advise at that moment. Members should be aware that there is a general budget conference committee that will be meeting today at 04:30. So that's the general outline of where we're going, madam speaker. If you could please begin with housekeeping and or introductions. Thank you.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Thank you. We have no housekeeping today but a few introductions. We'll start with Ms. Reyes for the purpose of an introduction.

[Assembly Member Karines Reyes]: Thank you, Madam Speaker. It is my great honor to recognize and warmly welcome the members of the Bronx Garifuna delegation to our state capital. Their presence here today brings pride not only to The Bronx but to all of New York. This is our fifth year hosting them in our state capital. With us here today are members of the Garifuna Community Center, Casa Yrumain. The Garifuna people are descendants of West African and indigenous Caribbean peoples with deep roots in Central America. New York City is home to one of the largest Garifuna communities outside of Central America with over 300,000 people residing in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Staten Island. Their culture, language, music, and strong traditions continue to enrich the diversity and spirit of our city. With them of course is miss Mirta Colon, representative of Casa Udumaine who also works with many pan African Central American groups. Madam speaker, please join me in welcoming this distinguished group to our body today.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: On behalf of miss Reyes, the speaker, and all members, we welcome you back, our Garifuna community leaders from The Bronx. We extend the privileges of the floor to you. It's wonderful to see so many of you here again. We hope you enjoy the proceedings today. Thank you so very much for joining. Miss Raj Kumar, for the purpose of an introduction.

[Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar]: Thank you, madam speaker. I rise today with great pride to introduce an extraordinary advocate from Queen's, Connie Altamirano. For more than three decades, Connie has dedicated her life to standing up for families, protecting vulnerable children, and ensuring that the systems meant to serve our communities truly work for the people who need them most. Her work has spanned health care, education, and public policy, always driven by one mission, making sure no child and no family is left behind. Connie began her career in health care as a medical claims examiner, a patient advocate, and manager of a large medical practice, where she saw firsthand how difficult it can be for families to navigate complex health care and insurance systems. She later brought that same commitment to education as educational manager in New York City's early intervention program, where she helped ensure that infants and toddlers with developmental delays receive critical services during the most important years of their development. Her leadership continued in education policy where she has worked tirelessly to expand opportunities for students who face learning barriers. Beyond her professional work, she has been a tireless grassroots advocate, helping advance some of our landmark protections for children, including Child Victims Act, Aaron's Law, and Federal Law. And in Queens, she founded the District twenty four Middle School Fair. She served as vice president of the communication Community Education Council for District twenty four. And she launched the Rise Up Fair to connect families of students with disabilities to essential resources. Even during the pandemic, her work for our community was extensive. And today, she is leading an effort to recognize those afflicted from avoidant restrictive food intake disorder, airfed. So, madam speaker, please extend all the privileges of the floor to Connie Altamorano, who truly represents the best of our grassroots leadership.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Thank you. On behalf of Ms. Rajkumar, the speaker, and all members, we welcome you, Ms. Alchamorano, to the assembly chamber and extend to you the privileges of the floor. We appreciate your long standing community advocacy, especially for our most vulnerable populations. We hope you enjoy our proceedings today. Thank you so very much for joining us. Page three, resolutions. Clerk will read.

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number ten forty nine, Mr. Wepprin, legislative resolution memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim 03/15/2026 as Stiff Person Syndrome Awareness Day in the state of New York.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Mr. Wepren on the resolution.

[Assembly Member David I. Weprin]: Thank you Madam Speaker. Stiff person syndrome is a rare neurological disorder that affects one in a million people characterized by chronic muscle stiffness and widespread painful system spasms, stiff person syndrome remains difficult to identify taking an average of seven years to properly diagnose. While the symptoms can be managed with medication and immunotherapy there is no known cure. Celebrities like Celine Dion have brought stiff person syndrome to the spotlight but many others suffer in silence due to a lack of awareness and research funding. I first found out about this symptom or disorder through one of my staff members who had stiff person syndrome. Just because the disease is rare does not mean that those afflicted do not matter. As a society, we should commit to supporting the research, development, and education necessary to find answers for those living with rare diseases. We can do our part by raising awareness about this debilitating disease. I am proud to sponsor this resolution and we'll be voting in the affirmative and urge my colleagues to do the same.

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

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number ten fifty, mister Dersil. Legislative resolution memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim 03/15/2026 as Essential Workers Day in the State of New York.

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

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number ten fifty one, Ms. Walsh, legislative resolution memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim 03/21/2026 as Down Syndrome Awareness Day in the state of New York.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Ms. Walsh on the resolution.

[Assembly Member Mary Beth Walsh]: Thank you Madam Speaker and good afternoon colleagues. World's Down Syndrome Day began in 2006 but was officially recognized by the United Nations in 2012. The date March 21 or threetwenty one was chosen due to the triplication of the twenty first chromosome which causes Down syndrome and I've proudly carried this resolution since 2020. The purpose of Down Syndrome Day is to raise awareness worldwide of Down syndrome and to promote the rights and the overall well-being of those who are living with Down syndrome. The CDC has reported that Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal disorder with about one out of every seven hundred babies diagnosed. The theme of this year's World Down Syndrome Awareness Day is end the stereotypes as stereotypes placed on those with Down syndrome can stop those individuals from being treated like other people. People with Down syndrome are too often treated like children. They could be excluded or even abused. And this year's theme emphasizes the need that we must stop this. It's important to remember that everyone, including those with Down syndrome, is different. They have different individual needs, identities, interests and talents. And I think we all just need, I think what I love about carrying this resolution is that it reminds us all that we need to think differently. We need to understand that individuals who are differently abled are in our communities. They're people that we represent. And we all want everybody that we represent to live their very best lives. And I think that having greater awareness of the challenges faced and the opportunities for growth is just one of the reasons why I'm very happy to be able to speak on this resolution. So thank you very much, madam speaker. I'll of course be supporting this and I hope all of my colleagues will as well. Thank you.

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

[Assembly Member Sempolinski]: Thank you, madam speaker. First of all, happy World Down Syndrome Day to everybody. I talk about Down syndrome a lot because of my daughter Jojo who has Down syndrome. So, first I want to thank my floor leader who carries this every year and thank you so much for all your advocacy for those with Down syndrome. And I was thinking to myself, you know, what words I was gonna speak this year because I wanna say the exact same thing as last year. And the the word words sort of stuck in my head because Jojo is semi verbal. So, says words but she doesn't say a lot of words. And I found it ironic upon reflection that she's taught me that I didn't even really understand what the definition of some words were. And I I thought I think of three of them in particular. Now, the first is love. Now, that has nothing to do with Down syndrome. It's just Jojo's my first born child. I think every parent realizes they didn't really understand what the word love meant until they had a child. Second is pride. You know, pride when it's misplaced, of course, can be a deadly sin but proper pride, pride in work, pride in accomplishment are are wonderful things. But Jojo taught me to have real pride in what you overcome, not what you accomplish. And I certainly take more pride in her learning to do a simple task that maybe took her a lot longer to learn than your average person than certainly anything that I've ever done because she overcomes more in a day than I'm gonna overcome in a lifetime. And the last word is precious because throughout all of history, sadly, the world has often viewed those with Down syndrome and develop disabilities as disposable or ignorable. And Jojo has taught me that frankly, the world's opinion on the definition of a word can simply just be false. Because there's no one and nothing in this world more precious than my little daughter. So, there's no point in learning all this new vocabulary that Jojo's taught me if you don't use it. So, to the people with Down syndrome, to people in the intellectual and developmental disability community throughout, we love you. We're proud of you and you are precious. And to Jojo, my precious one, I'm so proud to be your dad and I love you forever.

[Assembly Majority Leader Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes]: Thank

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

[Assembly Member Joseph Angelino]: I rise to speak on the resolution and mainly to thank the sponsor for bringing forth a resolution recognizing March 21 as Down Syndrome Awareness Day, threetwenty one. This resolution recognizes New York's best citizens and in the 121st Assembly District, my district, is a great facility, the country's premier facility for helping people with Down syndrome known as Pathfinder Village. It's in the tiny village of Edmiston, New York And at Pathfinder Village, they foster independence for all of these fine fine citizens through inclusion. Pathfinder Village is a 300 acre village modeled after a early American settlement with a general store, a chapel, housing units, a school, playgrounds, paths, villages. And they have so many events there. I risk leaving out some of someone's favorite if I mention them, so I'll mention my favorites, competitive basketball. They have a bakery and from the bakery, they sell the things there in a cafe. They also have a farmer's market and if you go there, if you're in the Cooperstown area or maybe near Norwich and you stop in Edmundston to Pathfinder Village, it's right on Route 80, take a walk around. It is a village within that village. And go to the chapel. And if you ask nicely and maybe mention my name, they'll let you pull the rope to ring the bell in the Steeple Bell Tower. But again, thank you, thank you to the sponsor for bringing forth Down Syndrome Awareness Day resolution. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number one zero five two, miss Lapardo, legislative resolution memorializing governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March the twenty first two thousand twenty six as Agriculture Week in the State of New York.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Ms. Lopardo on the resolution.

[Assembly Member Donna A. Lupardo]: Yes, thank you very much. This opportunity to celebrate Agriculture Week in the State of New York is part of a larger recognition, the observance of National Agriculture Week. The celebration of National Agriculture Week recognizes that farmers who feed us and our families every day are very important not only to our local economies but to our quality of life. And the importance of agriculture in New York cannot be understated as a vital and very important industry. Just a couple of facts for your information. 98% of farms in New York State are family owned. Over 30,000 farms in New York State and we are currently having over 6,000,000 acres in production with the number one producer of yogurt, cottage cheese, and sour cream in the country, the number two producer of apples, maple syrup, cabbage, and snap peas. This opportunity today allows us to stop for a minute to thank our local farmers and our producers, to thank them sincerely for the work they do in spite of the challenges that they are facing which are numerous. I just want to take this opportunity to thank all of you for the support you have shown to New York agriculture through the budget legislative process. It has meant a lot to them and it has meant a lot to me in my capacity as chair of the committee, which has certainly been one of the honors of my life. Thank you.

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

[Assembly Member Aileen M. Gunther]: Thank you Madam Speaker, and thank you to the sponsor of this critically important resolution. As the Farm Bureau says, no farms, no food. We understand that up in the 1 Hundredth District in Sullivan and Orange Counties and we never forget that. Our farmers work tirelessly, but they're still struggling. Now is the time when they need our support the most. We are lucky to have such vast local farming networks across New York State, and we need to continue to support these farmers in every way we can. Thank you.

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

[Assembly Member John Lemondes Jr.]: Thank you, madam speaker. I just wanna say thank you to the sponsor for bringing this forward. And as one of the, I think, three commercial farmers in our state legislature, I just wanna make sure everybody is aware of of how important this industry is, our state's number one industry, my assembly district's number one industry. And please support your local farms. They're out there working hard, securing our food, and doing everything possible to not only have food, but have great food. And that's what we have here in New York. Thank you, madam speaker.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Thank you. The resolution, All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, no. The resolution is adopted.

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number ten fifty three, Mr. Ecas. Legislative resolution memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 15 through the twenty first two thousand twenty six as poison prevention week in the state of New York.

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

[Assembly Member Chris Eachus]: Thank you, madam speaker. On the resolution. I have the privilege of introducing this resolution to proclaim March as Poison Prevention Week in the state of New York. Poison Prevention Week was established in 1961 by the United States Congress under President JF Kennedy with the aim of creating awareness and lowering unintentional poisonings. Accidental poisonings occur because people come into contact with harmful chemicals often found in cleaning supplies, cosmetic products, and medications. These products are safe to be used but should never be consumed unless otherwise described by a prescriber. These chemicals can be harmful and are especially dangerous if left unintended around children. These are important statistics. Throughout The United States, over two million potential poisonings occur each year. Ninety percent of these incidents come from within the home. Children across the state of New York and throughout The United States are the main victims being affected by accidental poisoning with over three hundred children needing emergency treatment daily and with an average of two children dying each and every day because of the products they consumed. Poison Prevention Week can aims to educate our constituents to help all of us understand the dangers of leaving open chemicals in places where they can be easily be mishandled and to provide resources for those who have accidentally consumed these dangerous substances. Raising awareness is the first step in addressing any issue and with that Madam Speaker and colleagues I ask that you join me today to spread awareness for Poison Prevention Week here in New York State. Thank you, madam speaker.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Thank you. On the resolution, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed, no. The resolution is adopted. On consent, page four, calendar number two eighty eight. Clerk will read.

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number sixteen forty six, calendar two eighty eight, miss Rosenthal, an act to amend the administrative code of the city of New York.

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

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number 3,524, calendar two eighty nine, miss Bashot Hermelin, an act to amend the criminal procedure law.

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

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number 6292A, calendar two ninety, Mr. Jacobson, an act to amend the labor law.

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

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number 7001A, calendar two ninety one, Ms. Heinemann, an act to amend the general business law.

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

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: This act shall take effect on the May 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. Nose, zero.

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

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number seventy eight forty a, calendar two ninety two, mister Weapon, an act to amend the public health law.

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

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number 80 two-48a, calendar two ninety three, mister Hevesy, an act to amend the social services law.

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

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number eighty four-twenty four, calendar two ninety four, miss Tapia, act an to amend the Mental Hygiene Law and the Surrogates Court Procedure Act. 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? And answer the results.

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: Ayes, one forty. Noes, zero. The bill is passed. Assembly number eighty four fifty one a, calendar two ninety five, mister Bronson, an act to amend the executive law.

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

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number eighty nine thirty nine a, calendar two ninety six, miss Pollan, an act to amend the general business law.

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

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: This act shall take effect on the thirtieth 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 forty two. Nose, zero.

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

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number 9058 a, calendar two ninety seven, mister Wright, an act to amend the administrative code of the city of New York.

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

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

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: The clerk will record the vote. Mister Wright, to explain his vote.

[Assembly Member Wright]: Thank you, madam speaker. Legionnaires' disease doesn't care what ZIP code you live in or what community you call home. When an outbreak happens, it spreads quickly, and it puts families, seniors, and vulnerable New Yorkers at serious risk. We have seen it in our we have seen in Harlem how devastating these outbreaks can be. We had six people pass away, and that was six people too many. I encourage all of my colleagues to vote in the affirmative on on the affirmative on this piece of legislation because it can happen in your community like it happened in mine. Thank you so much.

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

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

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

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number ninety one forty four a, calendar two ninety eight, mister Levine, an act to amend the civil practice law and rules.

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

[Reading 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.

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

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

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number 9234 b, calendar two ninety nine, miss Warner. An act to amend the racing, pari mutuel, wagering, and breeding 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 three. Nose, zero.

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

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number 9523, calendar 300, miss Simon, enact to amend the real property law.

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

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number one zero one zero two, calendar one three zero one, miss Glick, enact to amend the real property law.

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

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly numb number 10122, calendar three zero two, miss Pollan, enact to amend the public health law.

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

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number one zero one three seven, calendar three zero three, mister Wright, enact to amend the general business law.

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

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number one zero three two nine, calendar three zero 4, miss Kasay, enact to amend the racing, pari mutuel wagering, and breeding law.

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

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number 10362 a, calendar three 05, miss Griffin, an act to amend the veterans services law.

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

[Reading 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.

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: Ayes, one forty three. Nose, zero. The bill is passed. Assembly number 10418, calendar three zero six, mister Stern, an act to amend the Veterans Services 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, one forty four. Noes, zero.

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

[Reading Clerk of the Assembly]: Assembly number 10420, calendar three zero seven, mister Cashman, an act to amend the Veterans Services 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 four. Nose, zero. The bill is passed. Assembly number 10538, calendar 308, miss DeVarez, enact establishing the proposition betting task force.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: This bill is laid aside, miss People Stokes.

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

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

[Assembly Majority Leader Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes]: Thank you. Would you please then call on our colleague, Sarah Clark, for the purposes of announcement?

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Miss Clark, for the purpose of an announcement.

[Assembly Member Sarah Clark]: Thank you, madam speaker. I am announcing we have majority conference immediately following session in the Speaker's Conference Room. Majority conference immediately following session.

[Acting Speaker (Presiding Officer)]: Immediate majority conference Speakers conference Room at the adjournment of session, miss Peoples Stokes.

[Assembly Majority Leader Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes]: I now move that the assembly stand adjourned and that we reconvene at 2PM on Tuesday, March 17, tomorrow being a session day.

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