New York State SmartTranscripts:

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

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: The house will come to order. Good morning, colleagues and guests. Making today a great day. 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 Tuesday, March 31. Miss Peoples Stokes.

[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes, Majority Leader]: Madam speaker, I move to dispense with the further reading of the journal of Tuesday, March 31 and at the same stand approved.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Without objection, so hold.

[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes, Majority Leader]: Thank you so much, ma'am. Good morning, colleagues and guests that are in the chambers. I would like to share a quote with you today. This one comes from Prince Roger Nelson, better known as Prince. His words for us today, technology is cool, but you've got to use it as opposed to letting it use you. Again, these words from the phenomenal prince. Madam speaker, members have on your desk a main calendar and a debate list. And after you have done any housekeeping and or introductions, we're gonna take up resolutions on page three. Then we're gonna take up the following bills on from the debate list. Calendar three Yeah. Zero three by mister Wright, calendar 100 by mister Otis, and calendar 10 by miss Barrett. There may be a need for additional floor activity as we proceed, madam speaker. Should that be the case, we'll be advising at that moment. However, members should be majority members should be aware that there definitely is a need for a conference after we conclude our work on the floor today. And as always, Madam Speaker, we will consult with our colleagues to determine what their needs may be. That's a general outline of where we're going today. Madam Speaker, if you could begin with housekeeping and introductions. Thank you.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Thank you. We have no housekeeping today and a few introductions. We will start with Mr. Beepen for the purpose of an introduction.

[Anil Beephan, Jr.]: Thank you Madam Speaker. With me here today, we have a very distinguished resident of Dutchess County. We have Ron Hicks. Ron Hicks currently serves and soon to be retiring as our assistant county executive of Duchess County. But this is not his first time here in the chamber. He actually started his thirty year career in public service interning for speaker Miller. He then worked for assembly person Eileen Hickey back in the day as her district director, then serving as deputy county clerk, regional director for then governor George Pataki, regional director for Empire State Development and is now ending his thirty year career as the assistant duchess county executive. Ron has been instrumental in a number of coveted projects in Duchess County including our wonderful regional airport supporting Dutchess Community College and our aviation program and our very well known mechatronics lab among other economic development projects in Dutchess County. So Madam Speaker, on behalf of Assemblywoman Dede Barrett, Assembly Member Jonathan Jacobson, I, would you please welcome Ron Hicks back to the chamber and extend all the cordialities of the house.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: On behalf of Mr. Beepin, Assembly members Barrett Jacobson and the speaker and all members we welcome you back to the Assembly chamber extending to you the privileges of the floor. Congratulations on your long tenure. You have very storied career. Welcome home mister Hicks and we hope you enjoy the proceedings today. Thank you so very much for joining us. Mr. Saez for the purpose of an introduction.

[Nader J. Sayegh]: Thank you very much madam speaker. I rise today to recognize two of my constituents from the city of Yonkers, individuals that truly have played a major role in assisting so many citizens in Yonkers and throughout the state. Valerie Pennington Reyes and Pedro Reyes are two dedicated public servants whose careers in community leadership reflect a deep commitment to helping others. And through their professional achievements and continued service, they have made meaningful contributions and well-being to many families. Valerie is summa cum laude from Lehman College, bachelor's degree in psychology and minor in health administration, worked for the Archdiocese of New York as a registered nurse assistant, and later supervisor supporting individuals with developmental disabilities. And she continued her work in administration for children's services and child protective services. Her husband Pedro Reyes also demonstrated deep commitment working for the last eighteen years in the Yonkers Public Schools, having known Pedro for his dedication as a custodian protecting our children, students, and staff in buildings, and very involved with many community organizations, cultural organizations, protecting and advancing quality in our communities. Madam Speaker, if you can give them the cordiality of the house and show them the dedication that we respect and the commitment they've made to our communities.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: On behalf of mister Saj, the speaker, and all members, welcome mister and missus Reyes to our assembly chamber of the people's house. We extend you the privileges of the floor and hope you enjoy our proceedings today. We thank you so very much for your exemplary works in the community. What member Saesh had mentioned of both of your backgrounds and careers really is a testament to your true service to our community. So thank you so very much for your continued service and for joining us today. Miss Walsh, for the purpose of an introduction.

[Mary Beth Walsh]: Good morning Madam Speaker. I'm so pleased to reintroduce to everybody one of our former colleagues who's joined us today in the chamber. John Sulka is here. We served with him from 2019 to 2021 for the 121st District. And John, as many of you know, has been a respiratory therapist for around thirty years and certainly brought that background and experience into the chamber. I miss him personally. He was always just an extremely nice fellow to spend time with in those long, long days that we spent before before COVID and during actually during COVID. He was around and and I just wanted to welcome him back and I hope we could all join in welcoming him back for his visit to Albany today. Madam speaker, would you please welcome John back to the chamber and afford to him all the cordialities of the house? Of

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: course. On behalf of miss Walsh, the speaker, and all members, welcome back mister Sulka to the assembly chambers. Obviously, you know, once a member, always a member. It's so wonderful to see you here again today. Continued best wishes and good success to you, sir. It's wonderful to see you here today. Thank you for joining us. Goodbye. Mister Gray, for the purpose of an introduction.

[Scott A. Gray]: Thank you, madam speaker. It's a pleasure to welcome to the chamber today Potsdam Central School women's varsity hockey team. They have reached the pinnacle of high school athletic success on Saturday, February 21 at twenty twenty six at the Nexus Center in Utica, where they won the New York State twenty twenty six championship by a score of three to two over Adirondack United. They had a stellar season all year long. Go they went eighteen, three and two. So if you could welcome all the student athletes and the coaches to the chamber and offer them all the cordialities of floor. It would be much appreciated. Thank you very much.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Yes. On behalf of mister Gray, the speaker, and all members, congratulations. It's wonderful to see you here and we welcome you to the chamber and extend to you the privileges of the floor. It's an outstanding accomplishment to be New York State champion. So eat it up. You guys did a great job. Congratulations and continued best wishes and success for your continued athletic and academic endeavors. Thank you guys for joining us so very much today. Resolutions, page three. Clerk will read.

[Assembly Reading Clerk (name not stated)]: Assembly number one one zero eight, mister Palmisano. Legislative resolution memorializing governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2026 as organ and tissue donation awareness month in the state of New York.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Mister Palmisano on the resolution.

[Philip A. Palmesano]: Thank you, madam speaker, my colleagues. It's my privilege to bring this resolution to the floor with my friend and colleague, the majority leader. Once again, in conjunction with, National Donate Life Month. Usually, I have a bunch of prepared notes I go by, but I was talking to a friend of mine last night. Said, speak from the heart. I still have some notes to guide me, but I'm gonna do my best to see how I could follow with that. What I wanna do is I wanna talk about four people, two members and two other people, and then, share some facts and share some progress we've made, and a challenge to all of us. I know this issue has touched a lot of people in this chamber, and I would encourage you all to please continue to share your story because that helps gets the message out, helps saves lives. The first person I wanna talk about was Bill Hoyt. He was a member back and he had a heart attack on the assembly floor in 1992. He passed away, and I was told that he was waiting for a heart transplant, a lot of people didn't know till then. I had the privilege to serve a brief period of time with his son, Sam, here on the floor. Of course, the second member I wanna talk about, I'd be remiss, is Jim Conti. Jim was our floor leader, stood right there, sat there during debates. He helped lead this resolution from 1992 to 2012 with some member Ortiz, our former colleague. Those who knew Jim Conte know he was a strong and passionate advocate for the importance of education on organ donation. Those who have also known Jim Conte, he was a two time kidney transplant recipient. He co authored Lauren's Law with Mr. Ortiz, which passed and became law in 2012. For those who don't know what Lauren's law is when you go to the drive when you go to DMV, get your license, they ask you that question. Do you wanna be an organ donor? Yes or skip the question? You don't have to say yes, but you have to answer the question. Unfortunately, we lost our friend and colleague, Jim Conte in October 2012. He was only 53 years old. His passing left a hole in the heart of this chamber, but his mission still continues today. And when Jim spoke about this issue, he spoke with emotion, passion, and facts. So let's just talk about some of the facts that Jim would share if he was here with us today. Right now in New York, we have near nearly 8,000 New Yorkers on the transplant list. Nearly 800 have been waiting for more than five years. The national donation registration rate is 64%. New York is 52%. We have one of the highest need for organ donations, but the one of the worst registries in the country. Sadly, last year, we lost nearly 300 men, women, and children waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. Madam speaker, my colleagues, we can and we must do better. But the good news is the most important statistic we should take away, one person, just one person who donates at the time of their death can save up to eight lives and impacts the lives of seventy five others. So one person truly can make a difference. The third person I wanna mention is Lauren Shields. Lauren Shields was a brave 12 year old little girl who had a heart transplant, a lifesaving heart transplant. And after she had that heart transplant, she just didn't go back home. She let her name not just her name, her face, and her powerful voice for advocacy for this important issue. Lauren's Law. She was the one that got over the finish line. It wasn't just the legislature. It was her power for advocacy. Now when you go again, like you go to DMV, you have to answer that question. Yes or skip the question. That was a game changer. The fourth person I'd like to talk about, if I may, and I I've talked about it a lot, is my older sister Teresa. My sister Teresa was a juvenile diabetic at a very early age. The diabetes devastated her body and organs throughout her very short lifetime. Because of that, she needed two transplants. First in 2000, she had the a transplant from the kindness of a stranger. Then in 2006, I had the privilege to donate a kidney to my sister. Still one of the most proud and best things I think I've ever done in my entire life. But because of that, madam speaker, my colleagues, I have had the ability to see firsthand how organ donation can change and improve the quality of life of an individual and their families. Now sadly, I lost my sister Teresa in 2013 at the age of 50, but I still tell people Teresa was the lucky one. She had two transplants. Two. Some people never even get one. And I understand when I talk to people this can be a difficult conversation because you're talking about one's own death. I understand that. But I say to you, I say to those individuals, I say, think about it for a minute. What if it was your mom or dad? What if it was your brother or sister? Husband or wife? Or your son or daughter? And maybe they needed a transplant. Maybe you think differently about it after hearing those numbers. So, you're already a donor, thank you. If not, please consider it. We made tremendous progress with Lawrence laws, letting 16 and 17 year olds register to be an organ donors, registering online. Last year, we passed the Majority Use Heart Act. This year, we're trying to push doorways to donations allow people to register on their when they file their income taxes. The statistics have improved dramatically. I won't go go talk about how bad they were back in years. We've made progress. We still can. We must do better.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Thank So

[Philip A. Palmesano]: the challenge is let's get this done. Let's work together. Let's save lives. Thank you.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Thank you, mister Palmisano. Thank you. Miss Peoples Stokes on the resolution.

[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes, Majority Leader]: Thank you, madam speaker, for allowing me to speak on this resolution which I think is a powerful resolution. I certainly wanna honor my colleague, mister Palosamo, for his dedication to this issue and to the services that are provided by to donate life, for New York State. And I wanna honor the executive director, Aisha Tatter, who does an amazing job of pulling this agency together across the state of New York to help us increase the number of people who become registered, thereby helping a number of people who have access to either organs and or tissue. The work is good work and the work is important work. As was mentioned by my colleague, there are a lot of people who are still waiting for opportunities to receive a transplant. I do want to mention a few people as well. One is doctor Kailer who is the surgeon that does transplants at the Erie Community Hospital in the great city of Buffalo. Doctor Kailer actually performed the transplant on my daughter, Roshan Nicole King, which allowed her an additional two years of life, a good quality of life where you can do things like go go swimming that you could not do necessarily when you have to go and take dialysis on a regular basis. We got a chance to travel and do things that we could not do because you had to carry around a lot of things or either find somebody who can provide you with dialysis when you got there. It gives you a different quality of life. So I wanna honor doctor Kahler because not only did she perform the surgery for my daughter, the transplant, but she also brought to my attention and to our attention the legislation that we needed to pass last year that allows more people to be eligible to receive transplants, not because they don't have insurance, but because they do have access to Medicaid. And so I wanna honor her. I actually took that bill that was given came from the governor's office and signed by the governor, had it framed, and took it to doctor Kahler for her to hang in her office because not only is she consistently saving lives, but she's also providing information that could add value to the work that donate life does. So I certainly wanna honor her. And I I would just end by saying this, that nobody is too sick or too old to get it on the registry. People think if you have some health issues that maybe you can't provide it. But if you're on the registry, no one's gonna know whether or not your organs are valuable enough to be shared until after you're not here anymore. So don't make that decision on your own that you don't feel well or someone tells you that you're too old. There's no such thing. Anybody who is over 16 can get on that registry. And I would encourage them to do so. There are a number of ways that it can be done already, and I know that we're looking legislatively at some additional ways by some legislation that our colleague, Tapia, is sponsoring that would add the opportunity to your income tax filing to say, yes. I would like to be a donor. I always say this. It's still a fact. It's official that there is life after death, but you have to leave your an okay for your organs to be used for someone else to live on. Lastly, I will say, we could really make this our last great thing that we do when because we know that nobody's getting out of here alive. So you can plan for your estate. You can plan for your property. You can plan for what's happening with your children, but you can also plan to save at least eight lives by being a registered donor. So I just would encourage my colleagues to continue doing the great work that we've been doing here in the state of New York and increasing these numbers. And by the way, they are increasing, but we still have a ways to go. So thank you so much, madam speaker, I look forward to voting yet again in support of this critical resolution that will save lives.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Thank you. Mister Smollin, on the resolution.

[Robert J. Smullen]: Thank you, madam speaker. I humbly request permission to suspend the rules of the house and play the song that my niece has has, put to music, the poem about my son.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Thank you, Mr. Smallen. But we would ask if you could just use your remarks please, sir.

[Robert J. Smullen]: In lieu of, not being allowed to play it, I will read it. As as many of you know, my wife and I lost our son two years ago, and he participated in the donate life program. He saved five lives. We've met his heart recipient. We have received a letter from his liver recipient, which I haven't been able to open at this time, but hope to do someday. But the donate life program is extremely important to New York State. It's become deeply personal to me and my family, and we we feel that it's very important that legislation that's going to increase Donate Life participation across New York State needs to not only be repassed by this body, but signed into law. So all New Yorkers have the opportunity to participate in the program by filling out a in checking a block on their taxes. It will greatly increase participation in New York State. We know that volunteers that do such a thing, it's a tremendous effort. And let me read to you what I feel about the donate life program and about these decisions. And this is about my son, AJ Smollin, who passed on 03/06/2024. A life undone, no more years of fun or happiness with you. We held your hand while your mama cried, your family there on the day you died. Yet your heart beats strong, so we'll carry on our lives on this earth without you. Oh, AJ, my AJ, oh, why did you leave me? With our hopes and dreams, and so it seems, a bit of myself died beside you. Oh, you can't believe how a father grieves. It's so unfair that you had to leave. But we'll be strong and pray you'll live on your gift inside when here alive. You will never know how a wife's love grows alongside a child you'll never conceive. A mother's love real who will never heal, a wound so deep in a heart that weeps. Yet life goes on and your heart beats strong, deep inside one here alive. Yes. A hole torn wide, something deep inside when I lost my son across the great divide. Thank you, madam speaker.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Thank you. Mister Smollin, thank you.

[Mary Beth Walsh]: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I guess there's just two things that I'd like to add to what's already been said. The first is I want to thank everybody in the chamber who supported Assembly Bill 6,824 again this year, which is aimed towards enhancing and improving eye and tissue donation. That bill is hopefully going to be taken up by the Senate and I hope to see it done. I want to thank Assemblywoman Warner for working with me on that bill. Because we can always do more. We can always do more to try to encourage organ and tissue donation and some of those things have already been mentioned by others. The second thing is I just want to send prayers out to a good friend of mine who is at or is just coming back from Mount Sinai Hospital having received a lifesaving liver transplant recently, my good friend Joe Whalen, a young guy, our highway superintendent in my hometown. And it's been an incredibly difficult road for Joe and his family, his wife, his two children. And at a time in his life when things should have gotten more simple, his his life got very hard very fast. So I thank donor that gave the liver that he received because it's given him another chance at life. And I hope he takes, and I know that he will take full advantage of it. Life is precious and as we've just heard. And I think that working together as a body, we can try to make New York work better for people who need organ and tissue donation and we can honor the lives of those that we've lost who unfortunately didn't receive a donation in time. So I just wanted to say both of those things and thank you Madam Speaker.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Thank you. 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 eleven eighteen, Mr. Klotzinski. Legislative resolution memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim 04/06/2026 as dingus day in the state of New York.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Mister Kluginski on the resolution.

[Unidentified member (Dingus Day sponsor; Western NY)]: Thank you, madam speaker. I rise today as a proud sponsor of this resolution proclaiming Monday, April 6 as dingus day in the state of New York. While many across the country see the day after Easter as just another Monday, in Western New York, it's one of the most anticipated celebrations of the year. On this day, Chickpawaga, Lancaster, and the historic East Side Of Buffalo will be transformed into a sea of red and white. Dingus Day is more than just a party. It's a powerful tribute to our Polish heritage, our faith, and the enduring strength of our community. In Buffalo, the Dingus Day capital of the world, the air will be filled with the sound of live polka music, the scent of fresh kielbasa and pierogi, and the sight of over 50,000 people lining the streets of the historic Polonia District. From the world's largest dingus day parade on Broadway to the countless church halls, social clubs, and tent parties across Erie County, the energy will be unmatched. We celebrate with the tradition of pussy willow branches and, of course, squirt guns that have become a staple of the festivities. But perhaps the most beautiful part of this holiday is its inclusivity. In Western New York, we have a saying, everyone is Polish on Dingus Day. It is a day where neighbors of all backgrounds come together to celebrate the end of Lent, the arrival of spring, and the vibrant culture that helped build the backbone of our region. I invite all my colleagues to join us, wear something red, find your best polka shoes, and experience the best of Western New York. Thank you, madam speaker, and Az Drovia.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Thank you. 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 eleven nineteen, miss Walsh, Legislative resolution memorializing governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim 04/11/2026 as submarine day in the state of New York in conjunction with the observance of National Submarine Day.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: 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 eleven twenty, mister Sayej, legislative resolution memorializing governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim 04/17/2026 as Syrian American Heritage Day in the state of New York.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Mister Sajj, on the resolution.

[Nader J. Sayegh]: Thank you very much, madam speaker. I rise today, to celebrate Syrian American Heritage Day, 04/17/2026 here in New York State, and that's in conjunction with the eightieth anniversary of Syrian independence. Here in New York, I'm blessed in my community in Yonkers to have a large Syrian American community, and, being a member of the Antiochian Eastern Orthodox Church of North America and its bishop, his eminence, Metropolitan Saba, is the head of the church, a Syrian American, and what we don't realize at times is that when we look at the migration of Syrian Americans here to New York and to America, that really began at the end of the eighteen hundreds, formed a very large community especially in Downtown Manhattan. Lower Manhattan was known as Little Syria for many years and later this year there will be a special monument that would be placed in Little Lower Manhattan in honor and recognition of the Syrian American migration to America, their role in business and industry, their role in entertainment and in government is pretty evident with so many of Syrian Americans that are involved. And today, it is my honor to recognize Syrian Americans and their communities across New York, Mainly, there are Christian communities, there are Jewish communities, Muslim, Alawites, and others that play a significant role here in New York. The Jewish Syrian community in Brooklyn, New York has made its mark for many years along with the anti Achaeans all across the state. So madam speaker, it's a privilege and an honor to recognize another group that really brought diversity, whether in culture, entertainment, music, food, here to New York State and our communities. Thank you.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Thank you. 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 eleven twenty one, Ms. Jackson. Legislative resolution memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim 11 through the seventeenth, twenty twenty six as Black Maternal Health Week in the state of New York. On

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: the resolution, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed, no. The resolution is adopted.

[Assembly Reading Clerk (name not stated)]: Assembly number eleven twenty two, Ms. Hunter, Legislative resolution memorializing governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2026 as the month of the military child in the state of New York.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: 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 eleven twenty three, Ms. Barrett. Legislative resolution memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2026 as Lyme Disease Awareness Month in the state of New York.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Ms. Barrett, on the resolution.

[Didi Barrett]: Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise today to ask all of you to remember how toxic and how pervasive Lyme disease still is in the state. And I have introduced this resolution for pretty much every year in the last decade. But it started out, it was May. And we now have moved this to April because Lyme and ticks are much more active. Lyme and other tick borne diseases continue to be widespread. What first happened kind of locally in the Hudson Valley and Lyme, Connecticut is now across the state of New York and across the country. So please make sure that you're all paying attention to what you're doing to checking for ticks and let's continue to support the education and the advocacy around Lyme and tick borne disease starting with April. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Thank you. 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 eleven twenty four, mister Jensen. Legislative resolution memorializing governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2026 as adolescent and young adult cancer awareness month in the state of New York.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: On the resolution, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? No. The resolution is adopted. Page 34, calendar number three zero three. Clerk will read.

[Assembly Reading Clerk (name not stated)]: Assembly number 10137, calendar three zero three, mister Wright. An act to amend the general business law.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: An explanation has been requested. Mister Wright?

[Jordan Wright]: Yes. Of course. The purpose of this bill is to remove the prohibition against barbershops and allow for mobile barbershops to be licensed in the state of New York.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Miss Walsh.

[Mary Beth Walsh]: Thank you, madam speaker. Will the sponsor yield, please?

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Will the sponsor yield?

[Jordan Wright]: Absolutely.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: The sponsor yields.

[Mary Beth Walsh]: Thank you. So I just found this bill just so interesting because it looks like the law had not been updated since maybe night like, 1947 or something like that. So could you just talk a little bit about what the genesis for the bill is? What's the reason for the bill?

[Jordan Wright]: Absolutely. You So, know, in our in our great state, we haven't allowed for mobile barbershops. There's language referring to these mobile barbershops as, quote, evil. I think it's about updating the language and ensuring that folks from all across our great state can, you know, be pro business and have a mobile barbershop in addition to maybe brick and mortar as well, but to make sure mobile barbershops are allowed.

[Mary Beth Walsh]: Yeah. I noticed that the the language that was struck from the existing law said that well, it says it is the purpose of the legislature article to safeguard and protect the barbers of this state, quote, from the evils of itinerant barbers and barbershops. So they did think that it was evil, and I don't know why they would think that it was evil. But but so, basically, under this legislation, there would no longer be any requirement that an individual who wanted to do this needed to have a brick and mortar shop at all. They could just operate with a mobile barbershop. Correct?

[Jordan Wright]: Correct. And also the there would be nothing against mobile barbershops and brick and mortar barbershops are restricted to the same principles. They have to abide by the same rules.

[Mary Beth Walsh]: Yeah. I'd like to get into that a little bit. So it it says well, I was taking a look at other states that are doing this. There are 30 something other states that do allow some form of this. Mhmm. So it talks about in the bill that it we're gonna have to show the applicants gotta obtain a barbershop owner's license to operate a mobile barbershop and has to demonstrate a certain number of things. Could you just review what those things are that the the individual applying would have to show?

[Jordan Wright]: The individual would have to show anything that a same a brick and mortar shop wants to open up. A mobile shop has to have the same exact qualifications.

[Mary Beth Walsh]: Okay. Is there no requirement for a brick and mortar shop to show insurance at all? Because I noticed that it was this is silent for the mobile barbershops. They have to show that they have a a license a valid license to drive the vehicle, but there's no requirement of any kind of business insurance or anything like that.

[Jordan Wright]: They have to have commercial insurance in order to register the vehicle.

[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes, Majority Leader]: Part of

[Mary Beth Walsh]: the DMV. I I couldn't hear you. Could you could you repeat that, please?

[Jordan Wright]: The part of the with the DMV Yeah. The vehicle has to have commercial insurance in order to operate.

[Mary Beth Walsh]: For the for the vehicle? Yes. Right? But okay. But there's no other requirement as far as because some states will have requirements to have not only vehicle and commercial auto insurance, but liability coverage for both professional liability and general insurance regarding, for, like, accidents or injury. The this bill appears to be silent on that. Other states do require it, so I was just asking.

[Jordan Wright]: Don't liability. Brick and mortar So as I had said, you know, you have to have the the same, responsibilities and requirements for mobile barbershops are the same for the brick and mortar shops as well.

[Mary Beth Walsh]: Okay. Alright. Very good. So, it doesn't seem as though this bill specifies the kind of vehicle that will be allowed. So in my mind, I'm thinking about, you know, would it be something that's the size of a tractor trailer? Would it be something that's the size of a of a U Haul van? You know, I it just it's completely silent. Can you explain why that was done, and do you see any kind of a problem with not being more specific in the bill about that?

[Jordan Wright]: Well, I think, you know, like, the things that you have to have in a mobile barbershop, you have to have in a brick and mortar as well. So, you know, the running water, the cleanliness, the clean towels, etcetera, etcetera, all of the things will have to be in there as well. And the department of state department of state will, determine who has the most experiences and what I what have you, the same way they do with the brick and mortars.

[Mary Beth Walsh]: Does it say anything in the bill about the amount of time that department of state has to actually come up with these specifications or or rules?

[Jordan Wright]: No. That's the same amount of time that they would have for any other brick and mortar shop. It's always the same same, procedures.

[Mary Beth Walsh]: Okay. So there there's you don't anticipate any further regulation or rulemaking by Department of State? It's just going to be whatever's already in place as far as what DOS requires for brick and mortar?

[Jordan Wright]: Yes. That's that's what I understand.

[Mary Beth Walsh]: Okay. Alright. Because I did notice that the the act is to take effect immediately, and I was just wondering if department of state okay. Okay. So

[Sam Pirozzolo]: the

[Mary Beth Walsh]: is there any criteria for relicensing once something is licensed?

[Jordan Wright]: Excuse me?

[Mary Beth Walsh]: For Is there anything about it's like how often it's gonna get relicensed?

[Jordan Wright]: Well, again, so for the same procedures for a brick and mortar shop as often as they have to be relicensed, the same thing for a mobile barbershop as well.

[Mary Beth Walsh]: Okay.

[Jordan Wright]: Oh, annual annually. I'm sorry. Annually.

[Mary Beth Walsh]: It's gonna be an annual thing? Yes. And how will the inspection part take place? So it talks about the there needs to be hold on a second. Let get the right section here. There needs to be for example, I'm looking at page two line six, proof of proper layout as determined by the department. So is is there are there currently rules for brick and mortar shops as far as what a layout is supposed to to be for a barbershop?

[Jordan Wright]: It's up to the department of state right now.

[Mary Beth Walsh]: So they're gonna have to create some kind of rulemaking. Right? I mean, that's gonna be specific to to mobile barbershops. Yes.

[Jordan Wright]: And the mobile shops, you know, the same way that they have to have water supply, waste disposal, etcetera, etcetera. And they can also enact reg regulations, the general business law of 4033.

[Mary Beth Walsh]: Okay. I guess what I'm getting at is you you in response to some previous questions that I asked, you were really completely saying that the mobile barbershops would completely mirror

[Sam Pirozzolo]: Mhmm.

[Mary Beth Walsh]: Exactly what's in place now. And but then as I just probe that a little bit further with you, it sounded like it might be different

[Jordan Wright]: Mhmm.

[Mary Beth Walsh]: The mobile barbershops. For example, I mean, it it I don't know if there's a square footage requirement or if there's a separation distance between one thing or another. It might just be different if you've got a brick and mortar shop, barbershop versus a van or something, you know, that you're utilizing.

[Jordan Wright]: Right. I mean, you know, again, the when you have the brick and mortar shop and you wanna have the mobile shop, you still have to have all the things, the running water, the access to clean towels, so on and so forth. The things that you have to do to have a mop a brick and mortar, they always have to be in the mobile shop as well.

[Mary Beth Walsh]: Okay. So so some states, for example, they specifically talk about sanitation for clean or dirty water tanks, fire safety for electrical systems, whether you're going to be allowed to have laundry system or if you're going to be using disposable capes and towels. New Jersey requires a minimum floor space in the vehicle and a restroom in specifically equipped trucks or trailers as as vehicle, location reporting requirements in some states, proof of of appropriate storage. So, you know, this this bill doesn't talk about any of that stuff.

[Jordan Wright]: Well right. And the proper layouts are to be determined by the Department of State. So as the applications come in, Department of State will determine if the layout is proper or not, and they will go ahead and make that decision based off the application.

[Mary Beth Walsh]: Okay. Okay. And then how once something is licensed, I understand from your answer before that there'll be a relicensing process every year.

[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes, Majority Leader]: Mhmm.

[Mary Beth Walsh]: But in the meantime, during that year when it's operating, is there anything in place for periodic inspections, and who would do those?

[Jordan Wright]: All inspections are done by the Department of State, and I think that, you know, that will be yearly, and then they'll have to abide by the same the health and sanitation codes that are enacted as well.

[Mary Beth Walsh]: I mean, are there for so for and and I don't know the answer to this. That's why I'm asking. But, like, for a brick and mortar shop that has a permanent address, if the Department of State wants to go in and inspect, they know where to find you. But if you're mobile, how how will they know where to go for a spot check? Or is it are they not gonna be able to do that?

[Jordan Wright]: No. They'll be able to do that. I think there has to be a layout of where they're going to be, and that has to be set. So they if they need to be inspected, they can be. And

[Mary Beth Walsh]: where does it say that in the bill that there needs to be it says proof of proper layout as determined by the department. I assume that that meant the layout of the actual barbershop area.

[Jordan Wright]: What I just said, that'll be done by regulation, so that'll be established.

[Mary Beth Walsh]: So there will have to be additional regulations that'll be established? Yes.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Okay.

[Mary Beth Walsh]: But the act, again, as you said, or as we established earlier, will take effect immediately. So you don't see any issue with Department of State having to create these regulations, but the act taking effect immediately?

[Jordan Wright]: I think it'll get done properly. I think I feel like it'll Department of State, trust them. You know, they do the barbershop now. So

[Mary Beth Walsh]: Okay. I'm just I have to ask you this because it just makes me laugh. And and and I do see I know that for other types of licenses, like, for example, like an esthetician, when they're licensed, they have this phrase in there, and it just seems so antiquated, but they need to prove that they are of good moral character. I mean, what what I mean, I just want somebody who can cut hair, but Right. But how was that even evaluated? I I see that you just kind of carried that into your bill language for the mobile barbering, but I have to ask, like, how is that even measured? Do you know?

[Jordan Wright]: Again, I I'm not even sure how that would be measured, but, again, you know, ensuring that the Department of State is gonna do background checks to ensure that folks have the best best moral standards as possible when they wanna have these barbershops.

[Mary Beth Walsh]: Okay. So you see this, like, a background check type of a thing that department of state will be doing

[Jordan Wright]: Yes.

[Mary Beth Walsh]: Before they issue the license? Okay. I was just curious about that. I found that interesting.

[Philip A. Palmesano]: Me too. Okay.

[Mary Beth Walsh]: Now what about this is obviously a bill that has statewide importance. It's not just impacting New York City or just certain areas with certain population. I've read with interest that in your memo of support, you talked about kind of two main reasons for doing the bill. One was because of high rents that might be keeping people out of the business who can't afford, you know, a high rent. It's particular I would think probably in a city environment would be particularly hard to pay rent and operate a business. And then the second reason was it was oh, service to folks who in the communities that maybe are underserved?

[Jordan Wright]: Yes.

[Mary Beth Walsh]: So where where do you envision the underserved communities to be? And if you see it like a in in the state, is do you have a sense of where I mean, underserved not able to get to a barber?

[Jordan Wright]: We all represent underserved communities in some form or fashion. You know, some folks might not have access to a barbershop nearby. You know, maybe they can get a barbershop closer to them this way. I think, again, we all represent underserved communities. It's about how we do that.

[Mary Beth Walsh]: What about did you consider it all and this is kind of the the one of the last questions I've got, I guess. What about local control here? I mean, can what about if there's local zoning that's there's a local community that says, you know, great idea, I guess, but not for us, not for our community. Will will this supersede local zoning on this?

[Jordan Wright]: I think the Department of State will, you know, understand exactly where they where we're gonna they're gonna be allowed the applications and whatnot. And and just like brick and mortar shops, municipalities, they regulate the time, the manner, and the place. You know, like so many brick and mortar stores that wants to open, the same thing will happen with a mobile shop in terms of municipalities having the regulation.

[Mary Beth Walsh]: And how will that work in real I'm glad to hear that the the desires and wishes of a locality still are going to count Because I think that that's overall, you know, something that I I know I care about and other people here care about as well. Don't want to see the localities getting kind of steamroller by the state, you know? But how how will that be figured out? Like, let's say that one of the towns that I represent say we don't want it, but the Department of State has licensed this mobile operation. I mean, how is that gonna work in practical in a practical sense? Are they just gonna have to avoid the the town that that doesn't want it? And how will the mobile barbershops know? And will it I I I'm asking a big run on many questions, but, you know, I'm but as I'm thinking about it, how how does that gonna work?

[Jordan Wright]: Well, again, you know, the municipalities, they'll be able to determine exactly, you know, who's operating, when they're operating, so on and so forth. And I think it's incumbent upon folks who have the shops, you know, to make sure they're not operating somewhere they're not allowed to, and I think it'll be handled from there.

[Mary Beth Walsh]: Okay. I hope so. Yeah. Thank you very much for your answers. I appreciate it. Madam speaker, very briefly on the bill.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: On the bill.

[Mary Beth Walsh]: So I I tried to just kind of point out I mean, I get the I get the idea and the concept for doing something like this. I just think that I personally have a lot of unanswered questions about how this could work. I think that that will be difficult. The fact that it is a mobile operation changes changes things. I think that how will the Department of State be able to do a spot check? They don't know exactly where that vehicle is going to be on any given day. They could be traveling around a very big area. Some places within that area may not want mobile barbershops to be there. And I think that that needs to be respected. And I don't know as a practical matter how we get around that. I also think that when you have a bill that is effective immediately and it's clear that there's gonna be a need for regulatory, you know, rules and regulations to be developed at the Department of State, I don't really see how that lines up. So I I think the concept may have merit, but I do think that the bill, I would say, needs further amendment work. And for that reason, I won't be supporting it today, but I do appreciate the sponsor for his answering my questions. And thank you very much, Madam Speaker.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Thank you. Mister Pierazolo.

[Sam Pirozzolo]: Good day, madam speaker. Good day. Yield for a few questions, please?

[Jordan Wright]: Sponsor yield? Absolutely.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Sponsor yields.

[Sam Pirozzolo]: How are you, sir?

[Jordan Wright]: I'm well, sir. How are you?

[Sam Pirozzolo]: Alrighty. I have a couple of questions. I'm going to usually, I do this without notes, but I'm going to be using our legislative bill memorandum just to make sure I stay germane to the topic of the bill at hand. We're talking about proof of title possession or lease of the vehicle that has to be maintained. So there are a lot of different licensing things that we're talking about. So I'd like to be very specific when you say licensing, what we're referring to. So as far as the licensing of the vehicle, could you kind of explain that to me?

[Jordan Wright]: The licensing of the vehicle

[Sam Pirozzolo]: Well, the licensing, the inspection

[Jordan Wright]: Right. To make

[Sam Pirozzolo]: sure the vehicle is good to use.

[Jordan Wright]: Right. So the licensing of the vehicle would be, you know, under the New York state. It has to be un insured with New York state insurance, and it has to be outfitted to be a mobile barbershop, and that would be the layout of the shop would be, you know, approved by the Department of State in the application.

[Sam Pirozzolo]: Okay. So where would those vehicles be inspected?

[Jordan Wright]: Vehicles would be inspected.

[Sam Pirozzolo]: To make sure they comply with all of that.

[Jordan Wright]: Vehicles would be inspected by DMV, like a vehicle license.

[Sam Pirozzolo]: Okay. Will there be a sign at the DMV inspection station that says we can examine, inspect the mobile barbershop?

[Jordan Wright]: No. I think the DMV will make that determination. Residue right now.

[Sam Pirozzolo]: Okay. A lot of what you said, you refer back to the Department of State. Forgive me, I'm not necessarily overly familiar. So could you kinda give me an explanation of how the department of state will play its role into this bill? Right. Determining all the things that you said were to be determined?

[Jordan Wright]: Right. So the department of state right now, they are the ones who provide the licensing for mobile for the brick and mortar shops. Excuse me. And so they'll be doing the same thing as it comes to licensing the application for the mobile barbershops.

[Sam Pirozzolo]: Alright. But I think you kinda went a little bit more detailed with the Department of State when it came to, like, the layout of a vehicle. Now it's possible that it could be many different vehicles used. Right? It could be a van. It could be a box truck. I mean, who who knows? It could be an old mini school bus. Right?

[Jordan Wright]: Right.

[Sam Pirozzolo]: So are you saying that the Department of State is going to determine where the sink should be, where the entrance should be, where the towel should be stored?

[Jordan Wright]: Yes.

[Sam Pirozzolo]: Okay. Do they normally do that for a brick and mortar shop? Or does the brick and mortar shop come in and say, I'm gonna design the place. We're gonna do this, this, and this. Does he have to submit? Does a mobile barbershop or brick and mortar have to submit a layout to the Department of State, and then the Department of State will say, you know I don't think the sink should be there. It should be over there, and then the licensee has to comply.

[Jordan Wright]: Yes. They have to the sanitary code. That's to me, the Department of State sanitary code, brick and mortar shop.

[Sam Pirozzolo]: Okay. Well, speaking of sanitary codes, you you say often that you're requiring this mobile barbershop to have the same exact responsibilities as a brick and mortar. And as a person who operates a brick and mortar, I can tell you your statement is very, very far from the truth. Not that you're intentionally saying,

[Robert J. Smullen]: but I operate it.

[Sam Pirozzolo]: In my shop, to get in, my entrance door has to be so many feet apart so that a wheelchair can fit in. What happens if a person with a wheelchair or a walker comes to a mobile barbershop? Are they going to be required to have a lift?

[Jordan Wright]: A lift to get into the shop? Yeah. Well, no. It could be a ramp. It could be any number of ways, but it you know, the ramp, everything has to go through with the layout has to be through department of state. So it'll be a ramp to make sure the wheelchair, walker can get into the shop, sit in the chair, get their cut, get their hair washed, etcetera, etcetera.

[Sam Pirozzolo]: I got it, but that's not exactly what I asked. What I asked is there going to be a requirement that says any mobile barbershop must have an entrance of a certain size, must have access to get in or out, right? And then once in, they have to be free to move about. So I'm imagining most barbershops have a stationary chair. I don't know if a wheelchair is going to be going in, but you could just come up the lift and back in. You might not be near the sink. What happens then? You know, so I wanna know if it's gonna be a requirement that they have to meet handicap regulations.

[Jordan Wright]: Yes. They have to meet all 80 state ADA complications.

[Sam Pirozzolo]: Who enforces that?

[Jordan Wright]: Department of State.

[Sam Pirozzolo]: Are you sure? Yes. Okay. You happen to say that these are mobile barbershops. Right? But then the bill also removes the requirement that a barbershop must be located at a permanent and definite location. So can it be located at a definite and permanent location?

[Jordan Wright]: It could be located wherever the route that has been determined, that's where it can be located.

[Sam Pirozzolo]: So then it's no longer mobile if it's gonna be at the same spot all the time. It's a store, not in brick and mortar. It's a store parked at the street.

[Jordan Wright]: Well, not I mean, there's you have to move your car. It could get ticketed rapidly. You know? Any parking laws, it will still have to abide by. There's no way it could just stay in one spot.

[Sam Pirozzolo]: So I would imagine that if you're putting a mobile barbershop on a fairly busy street because that's where you would want people to have access. Mhmm. Is there any consideration given to the safety of access to that vehicle so that someone is not hit by oncoming traffic or having any sort of problems like that? Can they be in a bus stop? Can they be in a crosswalk? How far do they need to be from a fire hydrant?

[Jordan Wright]: No. They have to follow by whatever parking rules in the municipality they're located at.

[Sam Pirozzolo]: And who enforces that?

[Jordan Wright]: That'd the local municipality. The local municipality.

[Sam Pirozzolo]: So are municipality is gonna be told the people who go out and give tickets, your parking meter attendance. Right?

[Jeff Gallahan]: Right?

[Sam Pirozzolo]: Whatever you wanna call them. I don't mean to disparage their position. But are they gonna be told that, you know, now there's gonna be a truck there. If they're parked there, they don't have to pay to park there per hour? I mean, are we gonna require or allow a mobile barbershop to park in a paid parking zone for free?

[Jordan Wright]: No. They have to they have to pay whatever whatever laws that municipality requires. They have to abide by those parking rules.

[Sam Pirozzolo]: Okay. So the reason I'm asking a lot of these questions is I just want to establish that because it really, in my opinion, this is an attack on brick and mortar. And I'm going give you another example. My brick and mortar is located within a business improvement district. That means that I pay a special tax to my extreme locality, right, to maybe clean the streets, do Christmas lights, or things like that. Are they going to be paying that local business tax if they're within such a district?

[Jordan Wright]: Yes. If they're they're charged the same tax, then, yes, they would.

[Sam Pirozzolo]: So I find that hard to believe, and I asked for an explanation of how that's gonna happen.

[Jordan Wright]: Municipality might charge, you know, a tax on any

[Sam Pirozzolo]: I can't hear you. Sorry.

[Jordan Wright]: A municipality might charge a tax, a sales tax, and that would be, incumbent upon the mobile barbershop as well.

[Sam Pirozzolo]: That doesn't work for me because my brick and mortar location is at a specific spot, and it's automatically taxed. Now we have an alleged mobile vehicle driving in, driving out. So on the day it's parked within a business improvement district, how is the locality going to know that they're there and, hey, you have to give me an extra tax? Is there even a method of payment that a vehicle like that or a mobile business could pay said tax that it's never heard of and never gonna get a bill for because they don't pay rent?

[Jordan Wright]: The Department of Tax and Finance will regulate this.

[Sam Pirozzolo]: How? There's no methodology for you. Explain how.

[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes, Majority Leader]: They're still subject all taxes, records, receipts.

[Jordan Wright]: They're still subject to submit taxes, records, receipts, payments where they were, when they were there, etcetera, etcetera.

[Sam Pirozzolo]: Unfortunately, that's not how bid taxes work. The bid doesn't send you a bill. It's part of your tax because you have a brick and mortar shop. So the angle that I'm coming from is that we're constantly attacking brick and mortar mom and pop shops, whether they're minority owned or not, right, are gonna be under attack because someone is gonna be allowed to park. Is there going to be a requirement that says you have to park 500 feet away from a local barber who's already there? We're attacking our own businesses.

[Jordan Wright]: Got it. And it's the same I mean, yes. It's the same principle, same way we handle food trucks or the same way we're gonna handle the mobile barbershops.

[Sam Pirozzolo]: Well, I don't know how we handle food trucks. I wanna know how we're gonna handle the mobile barbershops.

[Alec Brook-Krasny]: So if

[Sam Pirozzolo]: you could other than just making the generic statement, explain what that means. Is there a requirement that says you cannot park within so many feet of another barbershop? The municipality

[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes, Majority Leader]: will determine the designated

[Mary Beth Walsh]: parking areas.

[Jordan Wright]: The municipalities are gonna determine the designated parking areas where they can be, where they can't be.

[Sam Pirozzolo]: Are the municipalities aware or going to be made aware that there's going to be one, a fleet, however, that you're going to now have to determine this? Or are these trucks, barbershops just gonna pop up in various areas and then municipalities have to catch up? I mean, how how is this gonna work? It's a I understand the idea, but it's not really a business idea.

[Jordan Wright]: Okay. Well, you know, there will be there there have to there's gonna be an application process. We'll have to go through municipalities. We'll determine where the if these trucks can exist, and then they can determine where and how.

[Sam Pirozzolo]: Now what? Okay. I'll let that go. How about electricity? Right? Mhmm. Are these mobile barbershops gonna be allowed to idle So they can have electricity or the pump can pump water for the water to wash someone's hair or they're to be required not to idle because now if you have a beverage truck or any other truck making delivery, they face idling restrictions. And if their truck is idling, they can get a significant, significant fine. What's gonna happen with mobile barbershops?

[Jordan Wright]: Yeah. The Department of State will determine exactly, you know, if they can idle, where they can idle, where they can be, and that's how we look at.

[Sam Pirozzolo]: Well, so one of the other really big problems that's becoming apparent here is that most of your answers, you're really not sure. And you're falling back on the Department of State to which I don't know that the Department of State has the nth of the regulation that you're proposing, right? You're saying, oh, the Department of State will do it, and you're kind of using that as a shield to get down to the brass tacks of what is going to actually happen with businesses. You know, it would be really great if I went to court, you know, and and I'm the judge is asking me questions and I go, you know, the Department of is gonna handle that. Judge doesn't wanna hear that. Judge kinda wants to know what's going on. When I spoke about safety before, you wanna put these in areas that our guests are not busy, right, because you wanna increase access. How is it determined that a particular area is not busy?

[Jordan Wright]: It it's it's not a is that a requirement of the legislation? I don't believe so.

[Sam Pirozzolo]: Well, it says, you know, the sponsor argues that authorizing the operation of mobile barbershops will allow the service to reach communities that currently do not have access. So I would imagine that's not Main Street.

[Jordan Wright]: No. But, you know, if you're operating a mobile shop, you wanna go where the need is there. So you wanna go where people need the need the accessibility, wanna get the haircuts, wanna get their hair taken care of. So that'll be where the access will be. And it promotes it makes certain that they can go to these areas and it provides the opportunity to do so.

[Sam Pirozzolo]: So I agree with that and not a problem. But the question goes now back to what I said about safety. There's going be a stick up at a mobile barbershop. You call 911 and you're going say, hey, I have a mobile barbershop over here. Are the localities and so, you know, like you say, the Department of State, you're going go back to localities possibly. Are the localities going to be aware that there are mobile barbershops operating within their district as far as when a phone call comes in? If a phone call were to come in, that the proper safety or police protocols would file would would follow for what's

[Jordan Wright]: gonna The phone call comes in, and they share where there might have been an issue, and then the authorities will come there.

[Sam Pirozzolo]: In committee when we spoke about this, it says that I voted yes. Maybe I voted yes specifically for the purpose of this particular conversation. But we spoke about home services and that's when I spoke about what happens if people are wheelchair bound. And they said, this would be good because now a barber can go into someone's home. So does this mobile barber shop include a barber going into someone's home? No. Do you have any idea how people who need this type of service in their homes are serviced?

[Jordan Wright]: How people who might? People who are homebound, how do they

[Sam Pirozzolo]: get their haircut?

[Jordan Wright]: They people who are homebound, however they need to get their haircut. I mean, this service for this legislation specifically, people would be able if they're homebound, they could more easily find themselves to come outside and go, you know, wherever they wherever you know, outside of their home. Where they might not live near a barbershop, they could then go outside, but the service would have to take place inside of the mobile unit.

[Sam Pirozzolo]: Alright. Well, that totally goes against the term homebound as in people who can't. But just another thing I kinda wanted to bring up. Was this offer or can this offer be made to an existing barbershop that would you like to have a mobile barbershop?

[Jordan Wright]: Absolutely. It can be in addition to the service that they currently provide.

[Sam Pirozzolo]: So then why don't we consider linking mobile barbershops to having to have a brick and mortar shop, and this would be an extension of that brick and mortar shop? This way, if you were to do that, you are complying with all locality regulations as far as business taxes, fees. And I'll point out one other thing because you said it's the same. It's not the same. When you have a brick and mortar shop, you have to have business insurance, liability insurance, fire insurance, all sorts of things that you're not going to have to have or at least this says you're not going to have to have, we don't know because it's not specific, that a mobile shop would. So brick and mortar shops have a tremendous financial burden. They have an inspection burden. I get the consumer Department of Consumer Affairs comes in to see if all my products have a label on them, right? Who's going to come into a mobile barber shop and say, you know, let me see if you have enough blue fluid in the combs, Right? Let me see if the floor is clean. Let me see this. Who's going to do that?

[Jordan Wright]: The Department of State, they they will infect the mobile barbershops as well. Like, they Does

[Sam Pirozzolo]: the Department of State go into mobile go into brick and mortar barbershops?

[Jordan Wright]: Yes.

[Sam Pirozzolo]: They do they do? Yeah. Yes. I'm gonna take a second 15, please.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Yes. That's fine. I

[Sam Pirozzolo]: don't have a barbershop, so I don't know. I would imagine the health department would be responsible for going into a barbershop and checking whether the floor is clean, the walls are clean, they have enough antiseptic where it's supposed to be. I don't think that's a Department of State matter. Maybe there's a little confusion there.

[Jordan Wright]: Both and.

[Sam Pirozzolo]: Yes. I can't hear you.

[Jordan Wright]: Both and. Both Department of Health and Department of State. Both.

[Sam Pirozzolo]: So you're changing your answer. Before it was department of state, I brought up the department of health, so now it's the department of health. I'm really just trying to point out that

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Miss Sullivan, why do you rise?

[Charles D. Lavine]: I would simply remind us all that when we engage in these debates, we are not under cross examining.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Do you have a point of order,

[Lester Chang]: Yes, I do.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: State your point.

[Charles D. Lavine]: I am the point of order is that those asking questions should ask the questions and not editorialize while they are asking their questions.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Thank you Mr. Levine. Members free to ask questions remain to the bell.

[Sam Pirozzolo]: Thank you Madam Speaker. So as I was saying all of a sudden, as I mentioned new agencies or their role, they come up and now that agency is going to be responsible. I have no problem with that. And it's not that I have a problem with this idea in the service of the community. I have a problem with this idea of a mobile barbershop not being subject to the same taxes as a business owner on any given street whether you say it or not. I just don't think you you may be aware of it. There may be many barbershops where the owner is struggling. And now we don't know because the bill doesn't specify it. On the corner in the back could be a mobile barbershop who instead of charging $20 for a haircut can charge 10, can charge 12 because they don't have the business taxes. They don't have all of that. You're hurting, in my opinion, this bill, alright, is hurting independent businesses, many of whom are minority owned, many of whom are not minority owned but it is a problem. And then when we talk about the services provided, talking about a barber, it could also be a salon. I would imagine that when I talk to my wife or women and they go and they have their hair dye, hair dye is a significant toxic chemical which has a significant amount of water that has to be used to be rinsed. So who the Department of State Health Department, who is going to be doing that inspection? Where is that gray water going to go? Does that barber get get to go home, unload the five gallon bucket, whatever it is, and pour it down the sink in their house? How is that excess or waste material gonna be managed? Yeah.

[Jordan Wright]: So they still have to abide by the sanitary code that the Department of State puts forward. The sanitary code is very important

[Sam Pirozzolo]: to us. I I hear you. I don't think the sanitary code exists for wastewater in a mobile barbershop. Okay. If it does, I'd like to see it.

[Jordan Wright]: Right here, I have the Department of State, the sanitary codes. And in the sanitary code, the first point is the water supply of adequate hot and cold water.

[Sam Pirozzolo]: Right. That's the supply. I'm asking about the waste.

[Jordan Wright]: Yeah. Waste disposal. Waste water from all plumbing fixtures shall be discharged into municipal sewers where available.

[Sam Pirozzolo]: So does that mean I can take that bucket, come out of my van, and there's a sewer grate over there and pour the waste from bleaching hair into the sewer? No.

[Jordan Wright]: But that's the code that applies to brick and mortars right now.

[Sam Pirozzolo]: Okay. So my brick and mortar is attached to a sanitary sewer system. Right? So does that mean that I can take my wastewater, go to the sewer grate on the corner, and dump all my waste?

[Jordan Wright]: We trust the Department of State and the Department of Health to regulate this appropriately.

[Sam Pirozzolo]: Okay. Thank you. I I my concern is really with do I trust the operator of of the shop because everything is new and haphazard. I'm probably done. I want to just make sure that I cover this. I know I asked the question. I don't think I got the response. Why can we not say that in order to have a mobile barbershop, you have to be working under well, I don't want say license because I understand the license requirements because I'm licensed. But you have to be working in association with a brick and mortar, and that mobile barbershop is just an extension of the brick and mortar, which will ensure that 90% of the questions that I've asked, will be taken care of.

[Jordan Wright]: Right. And I

[Sam Pirozzolo]: was Can we do that?

[Jordan Wright]: Yeah. So, I mean, the mobile barbershops prints presents an opportunity for folks who might not be able to have a brick and mortar shop to be able to do so at the mobile level and then be able to have a brick and mortar shop thereafter.

[Sam Pirozzolo]: Alright. I'm noticing that this is a one house bill. At the moment, there's no sponsor in the senate. Do you anticipate having a senate sponsor? I do. Yes.

[Robert J. Smullen]: Go on.

[Sam Pirozzolo]: That's all. Thank you. Thank you, sir.

[Jordan Wright]: Thank you.

[Sam Pirozzolo]: Madam speaker, if I may, on the bill?

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: On the bill.

[Sam Pirozzolo]: So I'm looking here and I see the let's see. NFIB really doesn't have any objections to this or maybe no comment. And I don't know, if they spoke about it or whatever. But I would have to tell you that as an independent businessman business person that this bill is extremely devastating. We have barber shops, we have salons where it's something that they've worked their entire lives to establish a business, to be able to help their communities. They're there, they pay their rent, they pay their taxes, they pay payroll taxes, unemployment taxes, they pay insurance, everything. I mean, I could be here for a while listing the different things that I have to pay in order to put the key in the door every morning. By allowing this, we're giving someone where we pretty much have zero control over. I mean, it's nice to say the Department of State, but that is pretty much meaningless. So we are undercutting businesses that are already in existence. We do it time and time again. And I would like to point out that this law or proposed law would undercut businesses owned by every nationality, every ethnicity, every everything you want already in New York State to give someone else an opportunity to do business where it's already existing. We don't have any limitations. We have limitations on marijuana shops. Right? We don't have any limitations on where this can be. Can it be outside a school? How far from an intersection? How far from that idling laws? There's nothing specific here other than the catch all phrase of it's up to the Department of State. So very, very bad business bill. I would I would like for the bill to be pulled, but I would suggest that my colleagues vote no. Thank you.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Thank you. Mister Days.

[Al Taylor]: Would sponsor yield?

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Will the sponsor yield?

[Jordan Wright]: Yes, sir.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: The sponsor yields.

[Al Taylor]: So

[Sam Pirozzolo]: I used to go to the

[Al Taylor]: same barbershop on A Hundred And 35th Street for a lot of years.

[Jordan Wright]: Probably the same one as me.

[Al Taylor]: Right by you know exactly where between 7th And 8th.

[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes, Majority Leader]: Yep.

[Al Taylor]: And they kept jumping the rent up and up and up his whole lifetime. That's all that's only place he's been. Yep. What if this bill when while rents and commercial rents keep going up and small businesses are being squeezed, wouldn't this give some entrepreneurs an opportunity to continue their business where they can no longer afford, commercial rent in their area?

[Jordan Wright]: Yes, mister Dace.

[Al Taylor]: So wouldn't you say that this bill is actually creating more access for business for, young business owners who want to try their chance of the New York dream of owning their own business?

[Jordan Wright]: Absolutely.

[Al Taylor]: Now in reference to barbershops, I know in my current barbershop, they have been transforming to battery operated clippers where they charge it all day. It usually works all day. Couldn't the mobile vans use these, battery powered instead of plug in clippers?

[Jordan Wright]: Absolutely.

[Al Taylor]: So therefore, in reference to the power of the mobile barbershops, they can use a battery pack, which DJs use in in different types of events that last multiple hours, and that could be the power source for these mobile barbershops?

[Jordan Wright]: Yes, sir.

[Al Taylor]: Now, two, in reference to ADA compliance and handicap, New Yorkers, we have vans that have handicap ramps. We have school buses that need to be ADA compliant. Our buses need to be ADA compliant. Wouldn't it make good business sense for these mobile barbershops to utilize those type of vehicles?

[Jordan Wright]: Yep.

[Al Taylor]: In reference to homebound, homebound doesn't necessarily mean they can't leave the home, but they can't have normal access to go into commercial school and other areas of work. Wouldn't this ease the burden on families who have homebound, family members?

[Jordan Wright]: As someone with a homebound family member? Absolutely.

[Al Taylor]: Yes. That's absolutely right. I hope your mother's doing well. Yep. In addition to that, that means that now it'd be easier to get her to get her hair done because she wants to feel better. She wants to feel her her beauty come back. She wants to get her hair her hair taken care of so she can look herself in the mirror, have better mental acumen, and feel better about herself. Isn't that true? Absolutely. So wouldn't this actually be serving someone who often feels invisible currently in New York State?

[Jordan Wright]: Yes. 100%.

[Al Taylor]: Let's talk about we we just talked about New York City and Harlem and the Bronx. What about the rural areas of New York State? Wouldn't this help those who might be homebound in areas where they can't get to a main street where there's a big district, but places where it's hard to get to?

[Jordan Wright]: Yes. So we're talking about farmers.

[Al Taylor]: We're talking about those who live in the mountains. We're about places where they might not have access to a local barber. It might be an hour drive to the closest barbershop. This now might make it possible for them to for a special birthday, for a special event to get their hair to get their hair done. Yes. Now in reference to waste management, wouldn't this be similar to our, our food vans that we deal with when they they deal with grease and waste and water waste, wouldn't this kinda be a very similar issue?

[Jordan Wright]: Yep.

[Al Taylor]: And so as you said in the, disposal, it can go into any, sewer. Isn't that no different than any business? When they water goes down the drain, doesn't it go into the municipal sewer?

[Jordan Wright]: Absolutely, mister Bass.

[Al Taylor]: So it'd be very similar. Correct?

[Jordan Wright]: Very similar.

[Al Taylor]: Thank you. On the bill?

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: On the bill.

[Al Taylor]: This is very simple. We often get criticism in New York for not being pro business friendly. This is allowing people the opportunity to start a business while lowering the entrance point of what it cost to run a business. As utilities are going up, as commercial rents are going up, I understand my colleagues debate and understanding that we do wanna support our barbershops. But this is giving people an opportunity to start a business, to start the New York and the American dream. This is simply about lowering the barrier so they can open up that shop. Because what might happen now, just like many food shops, I don't know if you're familiar with the Hala food truck, They started off on 5th Avenue in Manhattan. They expanded now to three brick and mortars across Manhattan. This is about giving people an opportunity to start up business and also possibly serving those who can't currently use the businesses in the big districts or the Central Main Street or in 5th Avenue in Manhattan or in Harlem or in the South Bronx. We are simply trying to give people an opportunity to own a business, start a business, and you never know what that might turn into. Suddenly, can turn into a franchise, suddenly they can open up their own brick and mortar to your point and then expand. But sometimes people just need a chance, and that's why I'll voting in the affirmative on this bill. Thank you.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Thank you. Mister Sempolinsky.

[Joe Sempolinski]: Thank you, madam speaker. Will the sponsor yield for a couple questions?

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Will the sponsor yield?

[Jordan Wright]: Yes.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Sponsor yields.

[Joe Sempolinski]: I think the sponsor for yielding. I think this is a very intriguing bill for a couple reasons. It's something I had never thought of or considered of till I saw your bill come up. Intriguing for one reason, we're changing a law from 1946 Yes. Which is just unusual in and of itself. And certainly, a lot of things have changed from 1946 to now. Would you agree that, you know, one of the biggest changes is what we can do as far as sanitation and and health and safety over the last eighty years? Absolutely. So, I just wanna have it very crystal clear on the record. These mobile barber shops would have to comply with all of the same modern health and safety and sanitation rules that a brick and mortar barbershop would. Absolutely. Okay. So so if you go, you're gonna be just as safe. You're not as more likely to get infected with something or and it'll be enforced by the Department of State just like a regular barbershop or

[Jordan Wright]: a regular standard barbershop.

[Joe Sempolinski]: Thank you. I'm gonna go on the bill. On

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: the bill.

[Joe Sempolinski]: I thank the sponsor for answering my questions. As was pointed out by the previous questioner, there are parts of the state where it's real tough to get from point a to point b and get to a barbershop, including my district. Takes me an hour just to drive to my office. So, you know, people who are elderly and and who are somebody who's a long way from a barber shop, I think this could be very helpful. So, that's one reason why I'll be voting up. The other is, you know, and and certainly, I'm the first to complain about it. There's there's a lot of times when we pass bills out of this chamber that put restrictions on business. That make them comply with different rules and regulations. And and I was explaining why I was voting against bills just couple weeks ago because we were doing things that weren't happening in other states. If we're gonna put forward a bill that says the entrepreneur can do something in the state of New York and free up their hands and reduce regulation and increase small business in the state of New York, I'm gonna vote yes.

[Philip A. Palmesano]: So, thank you very much.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Thank you. Mister Zuccaro.

[John Zaccaro, Jr.]: Thank you, madam speaker. Will the sponsor yield for a few questions?

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Will the sponsor yield?

[Jordan Wright]: Yes, mister Zuccaro. Sponsor yields. Sorry to give you my back. You can look forward. It's okay.

[John Zaccaro, Jr.]: It's But is it fair to say that this bill is about expanding opportunity rather than eliminating traditional barbershops?

[Jordan Wright]: Yes.

[John Zaccaro, Jr.]: Would you agree that today's workforce increasingly values flexibility and that this bill again aligns barbering with broader shifts and how people work?

[Jordan Wright]: Yes.

[John Zaccaro, Jr.]: Is it correct that this legislation would allow barbers to meet clients where they are that will then further improve access for individuals who may not be able to travel easily?

[Jordan Wright]: Absolutely.

[John Zaccaro, Jr.]: Would this model benefit working families, seniors, and individuals who have mobility limitations?

[Jordan Wright]: All of the above.

[John Zaccaro, Jr.]: And did we not see, would you agree that during the pandemic alternate alternative service delivery methods can be both safe and effective?

[Jordan Wright]: Absolutely.

[John Zaccaro, Jr.]: And would you agree that this bill does not eliminate brick and mortar shops but simply allows another pathway for barbers to operate? Absolutely. And my last question is, is it in your view that both traditional barbershops and mobile or independent barbers can coexist and both serve the market differently? Thank you so much for answering my questions. Madam speaker, on the bill.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: On the bill.

[John Zaccaro, Jr.]: I rise today to support this legislation because it reflects the reality of the world that we are living in today. The barbering industry like many others has changed. Rising rents as my colleagues have mentioned earlier, shifting consumer habits, and the lasting impact of the COVID nineteen pandemic have made it increasingly difficult for many barbers to sustain traditional brick and mortar shops. And as a result, many skilled professionals like my own barber are being pushed out of the industry or forced to take on additional full time work just to make ends meet. And so, what this bill does is it does not replace barbershops. It simply creates an opportunity. It allows barbers to work with flexibility, to reach clients more conveniently, and to build sustainable careers on their own terms. We have seen across industries that innovation and adaptability are not threats. They are necessary for survival and for growth. And so by supporting this bill today, we are supporting small businesses. We're supporting entrepreneurship and a modern workforce that demands flexibility and accessibility. And with that, I respectfully urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this legislation. Thank you, madam speaker.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Thank you. Mister Polonia.

[Unidentified member (male)]: Thank you, madam speaker.

[Philip A. Palmesano]: On the bill?

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: On the bill.

[Unidentified member (male)]: I I think we can all agree that since the pandemic that there's been a lot of great innovations that has happened in in in business. I mean, people have gotten creative. You've had takeout drinks. You've had the explosion of food trucks, mobile dentistry. There's been mobile mobile banking buses. So I think these are all really great things for our economy and our society. But I think that we we have to make a concerted effort in this chamber and in this state to recognize that traditional brick and mortar buildings there's a lot of commercial real estate that's sitting vacant, and it's going to be continue to become a a bigger problem. So this is a I think this is a really, you know, intriguing bill. This is not something you've ever thought about before. But as we continue to, you know, authorize more mobile services, I just wanna caution everyone to be cognizant of what traditional brick and mortar buildings, you know, whether it's commercial real estate, whether it's, you know, traditional brick and mortar service shops are are going through. And, maybe consider lifting some of the regulations on traditional businesses because we need to make sure that we're leveling the playing field as we continue to allow the emergence of of of mobile mobile services. So, with that is all. Thank you very much, madam speaker.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Thank you. Mister O'Farrow. Will

[Unidentified member (former barber)]: sponsor yield?

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Will the sponsor yield?

[Jordan Wright]: Yes, mister O'Farrow.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: The sponsor yields.

[Unidentified member (former barber)]: Would you agree that this piece of legislation will create not only economic growth, but fill in barbershop desert gaps? Absolutely. Madam speaker, on the bill.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: On the bill.

[Unidentified member (former barber)]: As a former barber myself, although it may not seem that way because I have no hair, But as a former barber and entrepreneur myself, we we need to recognize that the barbering world is evolving fastly and we must adjust to this rapidly growing landscape. Mobile barbershops are a powerful business model gaining such traction in the industry and are highly regulated in many other states. So why can't New York be a part of that? I strongly support this piece of legislation and I will proudly vote in the affirmative.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Thank you. Miss Giglio.

[Jodi Giglio]: Thank you, madam speaker. Will the sponsor yield?

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Will the sponsor yield?

[Jordan Wright]: Yes, miss Giglio.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Sponsor yields.

[Jodi Giglio]: Thank you. So would this commercial vehicle and the person operating it require a commercial driver's license?

[Jordan Wright]: Yes.

[Jodi Giglio]: It would. Okay. And does the bill prohibit towns or villages from rejecting mobile units because there's a saturation of barbershops or a saturation of delis?

[Jordan Wright]: They cannot reject, but they can regulate time, manner, and place.

[Jodi Giglio]: Okay. So if I have a because because when I was I'll go on the bill. Thank you very much.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: On the bill.

[Jodi Giglio]: When I was a local elected official, we had food trucks that were showing up on construction sites when there was a deli right next door. And, the people that were working on the construction site were going to the delis and or I mean, going to the food truck and the deli lost a lot of business where he could have actually made a lot of money by having the brick and mortar space. So, you know, in my opinion, I think this will adversely affect brick and mortar and small businesses. And with the food trucks in my district when we were on the town board, was by special permit so there would be a public hearing so that small business owners could come and speak about the adverse effect of these mobile vehicles coming in and being competing with them when they were paying the taxes, the insurance, the sewer district taxes, the water district taxes. They were parked in areas where they shouldn't have been. And if it's a state law, I want our law enforcement to be able to write them tickets if they're not there. They were also coming from other counties or other states with the trucks, the mobile trucks and didn't have to necessarily be registered locally. You know, I I think that if it does not prohibit, as the sponsor says, town clerks or towns, villages, and towns requiring a registration of any mobile vehicle that wants to do business within the town, then I think that's okay because then the towns could if they wanted to put forth a public hearing so that they could hear from local business owners as how this mobile commercial vehicle would adversely affect and impact their businesses. So, we had an example where a business, there was a mobile truck that was it a hot dog truck that was on a corner and there was a deli right next door. And people were going to the hot dog truck because it was quicker to just pull in and grab a hot dog and go than go to a deli and wait in line and get a sandwich or get something. And that deli went out of business and that truck remained. So, I and the commercial tax base was also affected by that business going out of business because the commercial store remains vacant. So, I I just really hope that we can modify this bill and I look forward to hopefully seeing a chapter amendment to address all of the points that were brought today by my colleagues and myself. Some good points made in favor of the bill and some points where I see that it could be made better. So I'm just hoping in supporting small businesses that our brick and mortar stores that we can do better with this bill and hopefully we'll see a chapter amendment next year. Thank you, madam speaker.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Thank you. Miss People Stokes.

[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes, Majority Leader]: Thank you. Madam speaker, on the bill?

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: On the bill.

[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes, Majority Leader]: I actually would like to applaud our colleague for putting this bill in. Things have changed so much since 1946. There were there were not food trucks in 1946, but there are food trucks all over the place now. And talk about brick and mortar spaces being vacant. A lot of them are office spaces that people used to work in, and they now work from home or they work at the local library. I mean, things are changing, and sometimes we do have to just try to keep up with that change, particularly if we wanna engage young younger people to encourage them in an entrepreneurial spirit. So I I'm encouraged by this bill. I I I just wanna speak to one industry that I know has changed, I think, greatly for the young lady that is a masseuse. She formerly had a brick and mortar location, and there came a time in her life when her business was good, but she needed to do some things for her family that she needed additional resources for. She literally left the brick and mortar place, bought the kind of equipment where she can move, and she will come to you, to your house, and do a massage. It's the same business, but it's not done in a a brick and mortar location. And it's more comfortable for her as an entrepreneur. And so I think sometimes we'll have to do things different because we live in a different time. This is 2026. No telling what will be happening and what kind of weird people will be working at by 2030. And so let us encourage younger people who wanna be in business, provide a service that folks need, and still be able to take care of their homes and their families. And honestly, full disclosure, I had no idea Barbara's dyed hair. But if that's something that they do in there, they'll have to find a way to take care of the the results of what happens with the water. And so I encourage the sponsor on this one. I look forward to voting for it. And I wanna just encourage my colleagues to be considerate of the times that we live in. We're we need to move with the times and not try to stay stuck in the past. Thank you.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Thank you. Mister Chang?

[Lester Chang]: Thank you. Speaker, on the bill itself?

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: On the bill.

[Lester Chang]: Okay. I understand that I'm a pro business person and and times have changing about the mobile business of anything. But there's some point that you have to have regulations for public safety and health and the barber industry is one of them. In my district in Brooklyn, it's explosion of mobile food cart, Mobile. And in other industry as well. And I get business association complain about competition and and it is true, it's it's competitive. And even the block where I live, there is a a mobile food truck and the neighbors complain about that to me. So occupies several parking spaces. They're not paying for for meters. Sometimes, I've seen food trucks park in the residential area doing their business, and and it's very hard to even call the cops to get these guys to move out from a residential area. Especially, if you're talking about commercial license, mobile attachments and and trucks. Very hard to to regulate in a in a in a commercial zone. And especially when you have neighbors who wanna complain about where were they gonna go. I understand that it's a business. People need to survive. But at the same time as a brick and mortar of a barber shop offer more protections, a a a place you can file a complaint. And this bill should need to be modified. It should limit it to certain amount of services because even for washing your hair for for dyes, it's it's has a it has chemicals in there. And how much water can a mobile food, mobile barbershop can carry that kind of water? Or when you're doing a shave, okay, with the blades and a shaving cream, where are gonna dispose that in a mobile truck?

[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes, Majority Leader]: Out in

[Lester Chang]: the sewer? So so there had to be some compromise somewhere, especially this is a public safety type of industry that why is why we heavily regulate, especially in New York City, where you add in on consumer fear on top of the regulations of getting a license for a barbershop. And getting a license for barbershop for being a barber is is quite long, especially in New York City. There are regulations on that. Maybe we should modify that. But another form of business of a mobile mobile barbershop needed to be needed to be looked at into instead of forcing to this issue. There need to be a study on that because it does affect businesses surrounding area when you're competing against a brick and mortar barbershop. And I do concern about that and And also for our tax base. That's all I have. Thank you very much madam speaker.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Thank you. Mister Benel.

[Unidentified member (former barber)]: Madam speaker, on the bill?

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: On the bill.

[Unidentified member (former barber)]: First off, do you guys know how expensive it is for a haircut nowadays? Super expensive. But I'm I'm bald right now, so I don't have to deal with that. So that's right. That's right. So, madam speaker, this this is a very good bill, and I can thank the sponsor for entering this bill. This bill is about economics, and it's about making sure that New York stays on the cups and making sure that we allow businesses to thrive in New York. We allow small businesses to grow. We allow locally yeah. Local economies to grow. We have to understand this. Now it's 2026. This bill was originally put in in place in in the nineteen forties. So we have changing economics and changing times. But we also have to understand that we have a current business environment. Right? We have brick and mortar we have brick and mortar businesses. We have local businesses also. We have to make sure that we balance we balance all of these these these competing interests. So it's important that this bill provides the allowance of mobile businesses. Right? In this case, the the the allowance of mobile barber shops, but the details are gonna be in the regulations. We have to make sure that the agencies that oversee this balance the the the interest of our local communities, the interest of the local barber shops to make sure that where the time and place is very important so that the local places, the local counties, the local towns, the local cities have a say of where these mobile shops go or what have you. But we have to also make sure that also we hope to make sure that the agencies also keep in mind about the existing businesses and their ability to also participate in this mobile space. But the world is changing. Right? Many people's experience with business now is online or in something that's more more transient. So we have to make sure that we balance both. And this stuff is hard.

[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes, Majority Leader]: It's hard to put all

[Unidentified member (former barber)]: of that stuff in a bill, in the law. And all of the details should not be in the law. All these kinds of details should be in regulations with the agencies and with the local communities that be able to do so. So I will I hope my colleagues vote in support of this bill and understand that this provides the gateway, the opportunity for these businesses to be able to be mobile, but the details will be in regulation to with the agencies.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Thank you. Mister Paul Massano.

[Philip A. Palmesano]: Yes. Thank you, madam speaker. Initially, wasn't gonna get up, but as I listened to the debate, this day has really been a lot about my family. I talked about my sister, hearing us talk about a barber. My father was a barber until he passed away in 1985. I remember going down to his barber shop often. And I also remember my

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: dad Are you on the bill, sir?

[Philip A. Palmesano]: On the bill. No question,

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: sorry Thank you. Sorry. The bill.

[Philip A. Palmesano]: So, I do remember him going at times, not a lot, but someone who used to come to him that was sick, he'd go see them and help them out. Whether that was a violation, my dad did it. Because that was my dad. He was helping people. I live in a county that's one county, Steuben County is 1,400 square miles. There are not many barber shops in every single town in those towns, those 30 plus towns. Sometimes there's a separation of several towns. I see more hair salons than I do barber shops. Although I understand the concerns that have been raised, and I think those concerns can be addressed, maybe probably through the regulatory process or what we need to look at, and I understand the concerns that are raised, but I also believe competition is a good thing. We want entrepreneurs as my colleague, Mr. Sempley said, we want entrepreneurs to support our entrepreneurs. Competition is good. That's what our economy, that's what democracy, that's what capitalism is about. But I also think about getting to those underserved areas that might not be able to get to us. How often, especially in our rural areas, talk about access to transportation being a problem, whether it's going to a job, getting to a doctor's appointment, it's problematic. So, if you have someone who's got a creative idea that wants to go into help areas that might not be served and underserved to bring a service to them that they can't come to that service, I think we should be supporting it. And if there are changes that need to be made, then let's look to make those changes. But in the meantime, I'm going to be voting yes on this bill and it just makes me remember my dad. I think my dad would support this bill if he was telling me to support it I think. So, I'm going to be supporting it and thank you Madam Speaker.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Thank you. Mr. Gallahan.

[Jeff Gallahan]: Thank you Madam Speaker. On the bill?

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: On the bill.

[Jeff Gallahan]: Well, it's painfully obvious that I will not be using the services of a mobile barbershop. So I have turned my bald head into a different instrument and I call it my rain gauge. So a couple things. I understand fully that, especially in a city of a million or more, it costs a lot of money to rent property, to rent a storefront, and it costs even more money for brick and mortar. And what we're creating here, would be creating here, is an opportunity for somebody to come off the couch and go out and make a living and put money back into our community and and and, contribute to the tax base in our state where so many businesses are leaving. So they're moving with you know, they take their feet, they vote with their feet, and they're gone. So that would also contribute to our our dilemma of businesses leaving our state. Now food trailers were mentioned a few times. Although not germane to this bill, I think I can speak on this because it's been brought up. My wife and I own a food trailer. If their businesses are regulated the way our food trailer is regulated, I don't see any problems. We're licensed by the state. We're regulated by the Department of Health. I've got more signs on the door of that place. I have to take orders out the back door because of the regulations in our state of the signs that I have to put up. But, therefore, we have a business that is regulated, highly regulated. It is it is monitored by the health department. It is insured. That's a state law. You have to have insurance. And I have to name the village, the town or the city or wherever I'm conducting business as an also insured. If these if these stipulations are met by anyone that's gonna operate a mobile barbershop, I don't have a problem with that at all. And once again, as my colleague, my esteemed colleague mentioned earlier, I live in a very rural area, seven counties, 47 towns and there's many places. There aren't any barbershops within 25 or 30 miles. So I will be in favor of this bill as long as it protects the residents of each city, town, village and they have the proper guidance and and they have the proper registrations that they need to operate their business. I'll be in favor. Thank you so much.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Thank you. Mister Manktilo.

[Brian Manktelow]: Thank you madam speaker. On the bill?

[Mary Beth Walsh]: On the bill.

[Brian Manktelow]: Again, like many of our colleagues have talked about here this after this morning or this afternoon, as we talk about mobile, just a few mobile things in my district. We have mobile pet grooming. We have mobile farm repair shops, we have mobile food pantries, but one of the most important mobile units that we have in our area is the mobile mammogram testing for all of our ladies and men. I will fully support this because we are growing business this will be small business and anything we can do to promote that and give someone the opportunity to come to America be an american and grow their own business they have my full support so I will be supporting the bill thank you madam speaker.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Thank you. Mr. Prakrazni.

[Alec Brook-Krasny]: Thank you madam speaker. Just a few thoughts on the bill.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: On the bill?

[Alec Brook-Krasny]: I believe that when we in the lawmaking process, we have to be consistent. And when we're putting so many regulations on brick and mortar stores in New York City and all of a sudden producing a new business without almost any regulations at all, there is no consistency in lawmaking process in New York State. And another thing I wanted to say, competition is good when competition is leveled. In this case, competition is not leveled and competition is not leveled because of this bill. And with all due respect, in 1947, they had a food trucks. I wasn't here, but they had a food trucks. They call it lunch trucks. So I'm voting no. Thank you very much.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Thank you. Mister Fitzpatrick.

[Michael J. Fitzpatrick]: Thank you, Madam Speaker. This has been a great discussion and I don't want to beat a dead horse, but we're talking about

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: On the bill, sir?

[Michael J. Fitzpatrick]: On the bill.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: On the bill.

[Michael J. Fitzpatrick]: We're talking about changing a business model. And a mobile barber shop, just like a mobile anything, disrupts the established business model. So, you know, in the old days, you'd buy something at the local grocery store, at the local shop on Main Street. Then the shopping mall came about, and that did severe damage to Main Street. Then the big box retailers came, and they did real damage to the shopping mall, major shopping malls. Then Amazon came and disrupted everything. And now you have companies like Saks Fifth Avenue that are filing bankruptcy because people are using Amazon. So we talk about constant disruption. It's part of capitalism. It's part of the retail environment. Things we believe will improve because of this innovation. I would just like to say, maybe we in New York State should look at our state's business model and innovate because we are losing our best customers to other locations that have a lower cost. So let's look if we're gonna change this business model, let's look at our own business model as well as we contemplate this late state budget. You, madam speaker.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Thank you, sir. Read the last section.

[Assembly Reading Clerk (name not stated)]: This action will take effect immediately.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: A party vote has been requested. Miss Walsh.

[Mary Beth Walsh]: Thank you, madam speaker. So, it's clear from the debate that we've had that while the Republican conference will generally be in the negative on this bill, there will be some exceptions, and members who wish to vote yes can certainly do so now at their seats. Thank you.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Thank you. Miss Peoples Stokes.

[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes, Majority Leader]: Thank you, madam speaker. The majority conference is gonna be in favor of this piece of progressive legislation. However, there may be a few that would desire to be an exception. They should feel free to do so at their seats.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Thank you. The clerk will record the vote. Mister Levine, explain his vote.

[Charles D. Lavine]: Just wanna thank you. I wanna just comment on a couple of the comments made. Yes. Certain neighborhoods have too many food trucks, I suppose. But let's face it. People really do have to eat every day and they don't have to have their haircuts every day. So I don't really envision much of a fear of these mobile barbershops being an on the street hazard. And secondly, on the issue of business improvement districts, which I have some familiarity with, which are really which are a creature of the New York State general municipal law. If a business is located in a bid and it doesn't pay whatever the bid's levy is, the municipality then can establish a tax lien against the business. And finally, I just want so I don't think we have to worry about that fear. And finally, I want to commend the sponsor because the way he handled himself during this discussion was really a cut above.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Mister Levening, the affirmative. Mister Chang to explain his vote.

[Lester Chang]: Thank you, madam speaker. I'm a pro business, and I support entrepreneurs. This bill, I support, but with trepidation that I don't wanna see I hope to see some sort of regulation to have at least a minimum distance from a brick and mortar. Like, you cannot have a liquor store down the block with another liquor store because competition and there's regulations on that. Unfortunately, in New York City, it's the densities are very high and get multiple mobile food carts of food vans. Barber shops is a service, and it's not condensed not dense area compared to to restaurants. And as the other colleague of of mine mentioned about the rural area that is very limited amount of services, and I respect that too. But in New York City, we should carve out a special amendment for New York City. It should be at least a minimum distance of brick and mortar establish establishment to a mobile establishment such as barbershop. Again, this is a service industry and it's not like food that you need to eat every day. But I'm a strong supporter of businesses and and I believe in level the competition of level the playing field of competition and not to compete directly from a mobile to a brick and mortar. But I support this bill because of entrepreneurship. Thank you madam speaker.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Thank you mister Chang. Affirmative. Are there any other votes? Announce the results.

[Assembly Reading Clerk (name not stated)]: Ayes, one twenty two. Nays, 18.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: And the bill is passed. Miss Peoples Stokes.

[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes, Majority Leader]: Any further housekeeping or resolutions?

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: We have no housekeeping. We have a number of resolutions before the house. Without objection, these resolutions be taken up together. On the resolutions, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, no. The resolution are adopted. Miss People Stokes.

[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes, Majority Leader]: Madam speaker, would you please call on member Clark for the purpose of of an announcement? Colleagues.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Miss Clark for the purpose of an announcement.

[Sarah Clark]: Thank you, madam speaker. I am here to announce there will be majority conference immediately following session in the Speaker's Conference Room. Majority conference immediately following session.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Majority conference in the Speaker's Conference Room immediately after the adjournment of session, miss Peoples Stokes.

[Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes, Majority Leader]: I now move that the assembly stand adjourned until Thursday, April 2, tomorrow being a legislative day, and that we reconvene and that we reconvene on Tuesday, April 7 at the call of the speaker.

[Acting Speaker (female presiding officer, name not stated)]: Miss Peoples Stokes' motion, the house stands adjourned.