New York State SmartTranscripts:

[Assemblymember Charles D. Fall]: Madam speaker, can you please call the house back to order?

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: The house will come to order. Mister Fall.

[Assemblymember Charles D. Fall]: Members have on their desk both the a and b calendar. Madam speaker, I now move to advance both calendars.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: On a motion by mister Fall, the a and b calendar are advanced. Mister Fall.

[Assemblymember Charles D. Fall]: Well, madam speaker, can we immediately tick up the a calendar?

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Page three, rules report one ten. Clerk will read.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Assembly number one one three six five, rules report one ten, rules at the committee on rules, mister Pretlow, and act making appropriations for the support of government.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Governor's message is at the desk. Clerk will read.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: I hereby certify to an immediate vote Kathy Hochul, governor.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: An explanation has been requested, mister Pretlow.

[Assemblymember J. Gary Pretlow]: Absolutely, madam speaker. As we work toward a final enacted budget, this extender would ensure funding for state operations and other programs through May 18. The bill includes additional funding for emergency payroll, WIC payments, transportation assistance, unemployment insurance, OPWDD services, veterans programs and general state charges.

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

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: Yes. Thank you, madam speaker. Will the chairman yield for some questions?

[Assemblymember J. Gary Pretlow]: Yes. Will.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Chair Yelton. Chair Yelts.

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: Thank you, mister Paltrow. Here we are again. This is our twelfth extender. From my understanding, this ties last year. So, it seems like we're on pace to break that record maybe?

[Assemblymember J. Gary Pretlow]: Well, Yogi Berra said deja vu all over again.

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: Deja vu again, true. But I do have a few quick general questions like you know, like we do in committee first and I'll get into some others. Obviously, this goes to May 18. This being our twelfth extender again, how much this is appropriate in total with the 12 extenders?

[Assemblymember J. Gary Pretlow]: With the 12 extenders, we're at a total appropriations of $23,700,000,000.

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: Okay. And, the increase above the previous extender is how much?

[Assemblymember J. Gary Pretlow]: $560,100,000.

[Assemblymember John T. McDonald III]: Okay. So

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: so I know you mentioned deja vu all over again. When we talked earlier in the week when we were asked where we are, when we might start taking up budget bills, you said next week. Do you still think we will be taking up budget bills next week or if so, is it earlier in the week, later in the week or is that cloud still getting darker kind of overshadowing the process?

[Unidentified member (called 'Mr. Deyes' by the Chair)]: I don't

[Assemblymember J. Gary Pretlow]: believe the clouds are getting any darker. I think the pitcher has taken their warm up pitches. The batter's in the batter's box, but the first pitch has not been thrown yet, but we're getting there.

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: Okay. So so so I guess I'll just ask on that. So, you think we're still on pace to do the start the budget bills next week? To actually start voting on budget bills next week?

[Assemblymember J. Gary Pretlow]: I really can't answer that with any definitive

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: That's all right. I wasn't sure if you could, but I wanted to at least ask. So, we still have some uncertainty, okay.

[Assemblymember J. Gary Pretlow]: Yes.

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: Because I do know earlier in the week, I know the majority leader said that they were still waiting for some specific language on some of the policy issues, and I'll talk about that in a minute. I know when we about it before, you did give us a list of table targets, was helpful. Are you in a position really to give us some of the details of how some of that funding is allocated? I'll give you an example. You mentioned 85,000,000,000 for million for education. Does that include possible library increase aid increases in the budget? Do you know will it be library increases? Is that part of those table targets or is that something you really can't

[Assemblymember J. Gary Pretlow]: I don't have the specifics on on any of those additions yet.

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: That that's fine. Just wanted to ask if I could. I know also on on the policy side, I'll just go through again. I know I bring this up every week, the major policy issues. Auto insurance, have we seen any finalized agreement on any language yet? I know you might not be able to share it, but do we have finalized agreement language on the auto insurance reform, judge?

[Assemblymember J. Gary Pretlow]: I think we're extremely close on the automobile insurance.

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: Okay. How about on seeker agreement or close? Very close. Close. Immigration policy?

[Assemblymember J. Gary Pretlow]: Close. Still working on

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: I'm sorry.

[Assemblymember J. Gary Pretlow]: Still working on it.

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: Okay. You're still working on it. Tier six?

[Assemblymember J. Gary Pretlow]: There are serious discussions, I think I explained to you the last time we had a discussion that there's some disagreement as to who is responsible for picking up the difference in the required pension payments for employees.

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: Yes, and I think that's certainly an important point. On the tier six, though, I would like to ask you, Mr. Prowlo, if I could. I saw some reports, we saw some reports saying that there's agreement or close to an agreement on lowering the retirement age, but it seemed like that was directed at just teachers, not all public employees. So the stories of reports out there that we're looking at lowering the retirement age for public employees. Is it just going to be for teachers or is it going to be for all public employees? Do you have any details or data you could share with us on that?

[Assemblymember J. Gary Pretlow]: That's not shareable at this point, but we are dealing with all of the unions and they all have their different requirements and trying to come to an agreement between the teachers and the police officers and the firefighters. Their own issues that Totally they're trying to work

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: understand and I know we'll get into more specific details at a later time. Of course, the other policy issues, the climate agreement or close? Very close. Okay. And I would just again, just on that point, just like to reiterate, I know you mentioned as part of the discussions, I think, especially because with our school district votes next week, you know, that EV school bus mandate is something we've been advocating for for a long time to, you know, we want change of reform, but to at least delay that somewhat to help our school districts. Hopefully that's part of the final budget that's been discussed. I know you mentioned it's part of the discussions. You expect maybe that might be an agreement in the final budget or is that

[Assemblymember Scott A. Gray]: still being

[Assemblymember J. Gary Pretlow]: I think that's a good assumption.

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: Okay that's good to know. I also wanted to ask maybe just on a couple more fiscally related on that if I could. Don't know if you have information. There was a report in the suite that came out relative to our roads and bridges being some of the worst in the country. Deteriorating roads, deteriorating bridges. And as you know, in the one house, other conversations, bipartisan support for an increase in funding for our local roads, bridges, and culverts through the CHIPS program. Is that do you anticipate we might an increase in the CHIPS program on the final adopted budget or is that still being discussed?

[Assemblymember J. Gary Pretlow]: I do anticipate that, yes.

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: That would be good. Also earlier this week, the reports that the language from the PA to terror attacks still has not been shared by the governor's office. Can you tell us what the status of that proposal is and has that language been shared with your conference?

[Assemblymember J. Gary Pretlow]: I think you just answered your own question.

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: Okay. I just wanted to be sure. I just wanted you to verify because I don't know specifically what's been shared with you by the governor's office. I just wanted to see about the reports, but that's fair enough. I appreciate it. So aside from the the language, are there any other issues that are remaining to be closed down before we pass the budget?

[Assemblymember J. Gary Pretlow]: Well, we still don't have a completed financial plan, so there's not very far that we can go at this point. Everything is under discussion. I've shared with you as much as I know, much as I could share. Hopefully, we can bring this to fruition by the middle of next week, middle to the end of next week.

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: All right. Mister Pralow, again, as always, thank you for your time and your discussion. I really appreciate it. Madam speaker,

[Assemblymember J. Gary Pretlow]: Thank you, sir.

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

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: Yes. Madam speaker, my colleagues, here we are passing our twelfth budget extender. We only had 10 budget bills to pass, but this is our twelfth extender. This ties last year's record of 12. Next week will be our thirteenth, and we'll break that record. This is the latest state budget since 2010. So we are actually looking to set a modern record for more budget dysfunction in New York State. A record. A record for failure. Let that sink in for a minute. This is really a mess. Unfortunately, this is what one party rule looks like when no one is willing to lead. And meanwhile, like we talked about, there were reports this week that the language of some of the largest policy issues are still not nailed down yet. I will remind you, every day this language remains open is another day for us to finally wrap up the budget and get to the end of session as well. That's going be a challenge there. Some very important issues that are out there. I just want to stress it again. The EV school bus mandate, our conference has been talking about it. I know we've all been hearing about it from our constituents back at home, from our school districts back at home. The mother of all unfunded mandates, especially with the school budget coming up, vote coming up next week. The reports that there are going to be a delay to this is important. They need that and help. And I will say to you, it's still hard for me to understand why we were always asking the way the law is asking school districts to convert their entire school fleets before the state of New York does not have to convert their fleet. The state of New York has a full five years later to do their fleet. Oh, by the way, the state of New York has an out for feasibility, cost, reliability, whatever reason they want, but our school districts do not have that. But if we at least I mean, I'd like to see it repealed and go back to the drawing board, but if we can't do that, let's at least pause that in this budget. We urge you to do that. We urge that to be included. I'm sure you're hearing from the same school districts in your school district just like we are. Also, I want to just reiterate that point. Given that report that came out this week, relative to our deteriorating roads and bridges, there is a demand and a need in our communities. I mean, our communities right now with the delays are waiting for their aid numbers. That CHIPS money is critically important. And I will remind you, CHIPS doesn't just benefit Upstate. It benefits the city. It benefits Long Island. It benefits everyone. And it's done in a fair way. With that deteriorating road and bridges, we need to have an increase in the CHIPS program and I'm glad the chairman mentioned there's a possibility that can happen. I hope you hear that. But with all of this, still outstanding, nothing finalized, a lot of close we're up close on a lot of issues apparently. The governor has already went out there and declared victory on this budget. Declared victory on a budget that's not even written, on a budget this legislature has not even voted on yet, on a budget that's the public has not seen. And as part of this so called victory, we are now learning that the state is putting together another $4,000,000,000 bailout for New York City. Let's be clear what this means. New York City is going to get a bailout while the rest of the state is being left in the dark. Still waiting on the state's support they need to plan their own budgets, our school districts, our local municipalities to plan their road projects. One thing after another. And my colleagues, this is exactly why you don't take a victory lap before the race is finished. And you certainly don't take one while the rest of us are in here passing budget extenders to keep the lights on. Of course, myself and others are going to vote for this extender because it's important that government keeps open. It's important that we're paying our dedicated employees who are doing such a great job to protect us, to keep us safe, to make sure our roads are safe. All the services they provide across the board. That's important. We need to keep government open. But let's be honest about what we're really doing here. We're not governing. We're failing the people who sent us here. And on Monday, if nothing changes, we won't just be failing them. We will be making history, but for all the wrong reasons. Thank you, madam speaker. I vote in the affirmative.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Thank you, miss Walsh.

[Assemblymember Mary Beth Walsh]: Thank you, madam speaker. Will chair Pretlow just yield for just a couple of questions?

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

[Assemblymember J. Gary Pretlow]: For two questions? Absolutely.

[Assemblymember Vivian E. Cook]: Chair, he goes.

[Assemblymember Mary Beth Walsh]: I did say a couple, but there might be three. It depends on how well you answer them. Oh, don't know. Could ask more. No. I'm just really curious. In because this this whole budget negotiation is, by its very nature, three people in a room and it's shrouded with some secrecy. I'm just wondering if you can shed a little light on whether does the governor actually participate in these negotiations or does she just send people in for

[Assemblymember J. Gary Pretlow]: her The to governor is participating in all aspects of the budget.

[Assemblymember Mary Beth Walsh]: Oh, was just wondering because it it just seems like she when she came out last week and announced at 9AM that there was a budget deal, and then my understanding was that she, like, hopped a plane and went down to, I think, the city or something. So, I mean, are negotiations continuing in her absence?

[Assemblymember J. Gary Pretlow]: Absolute absolutely.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: The state?

[Assemblymember J. Gary Pretlow]: They're continuing in her absence. You know, the budget director is always at these meetings, but the governor hers herself, even though she has many other things to do with for the state of New York, she is definitely an active participant in all these budget negotiations.

[Assemblymember Mary Beth Walsh]: Well that's good to hear. I I saw her, she was at a bagel shop doing like a video for one of our colleagues who's running for higher office and I'm grateful to know that as all of us are waiting patiently, some of us losing patience a little bit through this whole process, that I'm glad that the governor is actively engaged in trying to come to a resolution here. So thank you very much mister Pretlow. Appreciate it. Madam speaker,

[Assemblymember J. Gary Pretlow]: on the Thank you.

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

[Assemblymember Mary Beth Walsh]: Yeah. Would say that, you know, I would if if I were talking to one of my kids right now, I would say that that I'm on my last nerve at kind of at this point. That's usually and I would usually have a look that would usually make them know that they had really kind of pushed me to about my limit. Folks, I mean at this point, at this point at doing our twelfth extender, we should all be really troubled by the fact that these all of these emergency extender bills amount to almost $24,000,000,000 emergency appropriation. I mean that's without any debate, that's without any discussion, that's without actually reading anything. Mean just emergency appropriations approaching $24,000,000,000 We are well beyond the time when we should be able to actually read some bill text. I'm also really troubled by the fact that after Speaker Hasty went and talked with the press last week, I mean he was clearly frustrated with the way that this has gone so far and said like we're not doing this again. And yet today we're being told again by our Ways and Means Chair that we still don't have final language worked out on the policy that really should not have been preceding a talk about the numbers. So this is just beyond messed up. I agree with the previous comments that were made by my, our ranker on ways and means, Mr. Palmisano. And I just want to add my voice to it. Mean I think this probably is going to be the last guest vote that I'm going to be casting for an extender. Because I just can't, I can't justify continuing to support a process that is just beyond dysfunctional. So I mean we were hoping we'd be voting on bills this week, Now we're hoping next week. I've heard a hot rumor that we might not see anything until June 1. I mean really this is time. It's beyond time to pull the plug here. So I will cast my vote in the affirmative but it's very grudgingly, I'm sure along with many of the rest of you, and I really more than hope, I want there to be a budget next week. We need to have this done. Thank you very much. Madam Speaker, thank you.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Thank you. Ms. Caffarmato?

[Assemblymember Stacey Pheffer Amato]: Chair Pretlow, would you rise for a question?

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Move the chair yield.

[Assemblymember Mary Beth Walsh]: Absolutely. Yields.

[Assemblymember Stacey Pheffer Amato]: Thank you chair for all your hard work and your team. Can you just explain to me the actions that are being discussed for New York City?

[Assemblymember J. Gary Pretlow]: Well, there is a lot of misinformation going around with regards to a bailout for New York City and misinformation about a $4,000,000,000 payment to New York City, which is both totally untrue. Yes, we are looking to help not only New York City but every city in the state of New York. There will be a increase in their aim. I'm pretty sure I can say that with good assurance. But in no way are we giving New York City a $4,000,000,000 bailout.

[Assemblymember Stacey Pheffer Amato]: Thank you.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Mister Gandolfo?

[Assemblymember Jarett Gandolfo]: Thank you, madam speaker. Would the chairman yield for a question?

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Well, the chair yield chair yields.

[Assemblymember Jarett Gandolfo]: Thank you, sir. So you just stated that there's no $4,000,000,000 bailout. How big is the bailout?

[Assemblymember J. Gary Pretlow]: I can't answer that. I know that the city the work we're working on helping a lot of our distressed cities. New York City is one of them.

[Assemblymember Jarett Gandolfo]: Was the $1,500,000,000 bailout funds that the governor announced earlier this year, Is that still on the table?

[Assemblymember J. Gary Pretlow]: I can't answer. I do not know. Okay. It's all part of the con it's all part of the conversation. Okay.

[Assemblymember Jarett Gandolfo]: But it stands to reason they will be getting some some of the billions of dollars. Okay. Thank you, sir. Okay. Thank you, madam speaker.

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

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: This section will take effect immediately.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Clerk will record the vote. Are there any other votes? Announce the results.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Ayes, one thirty four. Nays, zero.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: The bill is passed, mister Fall.

[Assemblymember Charles D. Fall]: Madam speaker, can we now take up the b calendar and do the bills on consent?

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Absolutely. On the on the b calendar. Oops. Sorry. On the b calendar. On consent, page three, rules report number one one one, clerk will read.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Assembly number five eighty two a, rules report one eleven, mister Steck, enact to amend the elder law.

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

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: This action will take effect on the March day.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: The clerk will record the vote. Are there any other votes? Announce the results.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Ayes, one thirty five. Nays, zero.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: The bill is passed.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Assembly number twenty five twenty nine rules report one twelve, mister Sayesh, an act directing the commissioner of division of criminal justice services. Section. This act shall take effect immediately.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: The clerk will record the vote. Miss Walsh to explain her vote.

[Assemblymember Mary Beth Walsh]: Thank you, madam speaker. So I will be supporting this particular bill, but what made me think about the issue of taking a look at and studying the effectiveness and accuracy of devices used to estimate blood alcohol content by law enforcement, it struck me that here we are in 2026 and we still don't know, there is no single universally accepted and scientifically validated roadside device to instantly determine impairment by marijuana in the same way a breathalyzer works for alcohol. Technology is evolving. I mean, I think that that would be a great thing to study because I think we really need that. I think any of us who have been driving on the roads lately and and without even an open window, we're catching a, shall we say a strong odor emanating from vehicles around us in traffic. We know that there are people who are driving around impaired on marijuana. We have no way to measure it. And as THC does linger, but I was researching it a little bit this morning and it says due to a lack of a silver bullet, marijuana DUI cases are often heavily contested in court based on the limitations of current scientific tests. While I say I I'll be supporting this bill, I think we have more work to do in the in the arena of testing roadside for marijuana. But I'll be in the affirmative. Thank you.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Thank you. Miss Walsh in the affirmative, mister Sledge, explain his vote.

[Assemblymember Nader Sayegh]: Thank you, Madam Speaker. To explain my vote, thank my colleague for the remarks. And you're right, this has been an issue that really has impacted law enforcement, impacted many individuals in the court system, with cases involved in DWI and DUI. This is really unique because most of us understand someone driving drunk or under the influence of alcohol. But in today's time, driving under the influence could be under drugs, under marijuana, under prescription drugs, under a lot of other items that very often we find in the court system a lot of unfairness where people that should be given DWI tickets and violations may get away because of technical grounds, because the calibration of the machinery and the devices that we utilize presently may not be effective. And at the same time, many individuals that may be charged when they're taking a prescription drug for flu or whatever they may have, may be charged with a violation and the cost of going through the process is extensive as far as hiring attorneys and the cost and the potential of losing driver driving privileges. So this legislation, the hope is that we encourage the commissioner the DeMarc Department of Motor Vehicles, to study the devices we have and look at the some of the concerns we have that go beyond, you know, just normal alcohol related. Thank you.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Mister Saj, an affirmative. Are there any other votes? Announce the results.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Ayes, one thirty three. Nays, one.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: The bill is passed.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Assembly number 2,749, rules report 113, Mr. Bronson. Enact to amend the labor law and the executive law.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: This bill is laid aside.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Assembly number 3191A, rules report 114, Ms. Lunsford. An act to

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: amend the penal law. Read the last action.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: This action will take effect immediately.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: The clerk will record the vote. Are there any other votes? Announce the results.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Ayes, one thirty four. Nays, zero.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: The bill is passed, mister Faw, for the purpose of an introduction.

[Assemblymember Charles D. Fall]: Thank you, madam speaker. On behalf of our colleagues from Kings County Assembly member Joanne Simon and Assembly member Bobby Carroll. We have a group of individuals here to celebrate and recognize this Dyslexia Day here in the state capital. These are parents, educators and children from across the state who are here to visit us and legislators about dyslexia literacy, justice and the need for early identification, professional development, and evidence based methods of teaching, reading. Madam Speaker, if you could be so kind to extend the cordialities of the house to the guest of Mr. Carroll and Ms. Simon.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Of course. On behalf of miss Simon, mister Carroll, mister Fall, the speaker, and all members, we welcome the parents, educators, and children from across our state to our assembly chamber, extending to you the privileges of the floor. We thank you so very much for being here today, participating in Dyslexia Awareness Day. Your advocacy and voice lends a strong amplification to the need and awareness that dyslexia brings. So we thank you so very much for your advocacy and for being here today. Thank you. On consent page three, rules report one fifteen. Clerk will read.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Assembly number thirty two twenty three a, rules report one fifteen, mister Ecas, an act to amend the Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation Law.

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

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: The clerk will record the vote. Mr. Miller to explain his vote.

[Assemblymember Brian Miller]: Thank you madam speaker. Is it okay if I ask the sponsor one quick question for clarification?

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Sorry we're on Okay. Explaining your vote.

[Assemblymember Brian Miller]: This is a great bill and I think the state parks are a great place to allow our veterans to fish for free in the state and I hope that state boat launches are also included in that. So I'm voting yes on this bill. Thank you.

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

[Assemblymember Chris Tague]: Ms.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Miller in the affirmative. Mister Hawley to explain his vote.

[Assemblymember Stephen Hawley]: Very briefly, succinctly ditto to mister, Miller's comments. Mister Yukas, thank you very much.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Mister Hawley in the affirmative. Are there any other votes? Announce the results.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Ayes, one thirty three. Nays, zero.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: The bill is passed.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Assembly number thirty two sixty four b, rules report one sixteen, mister Hevesy, an act to amend the social services law.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: On a motion by mister Hevesy, the senate bill is before the house. The senate bill is advanced. Read the last section.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: This act shall take effect immediately.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: The clerk will record the vote. Are there any other votes? Announce the results.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Ayes, 133. Nays, zero.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: The bill is passed.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Assembly number 4,122 rules report 117, Ms. Selaj, an act authorizing and directing the office of children and family services to conduct a study.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: This bill is laid aside.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Assembly number 4603 a, rules report 118, Mr. Weapon, enact to amend the correction law. Bill aside. Assembly number six seven nine zero a, rules report one nineteen, miss McMahon, enact to amend the tax law and the real property tax law.

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

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: This action will take effect April 1.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: The clerk will record the vote. Mister Angeline, now to explain his vote.

[Assemblymember Joseph Angelino]: Thank you, madam speaker. To explain my vote on six seven nine zero a, I am grateful for anything that is going to help the Volunteer Fire Service and EMS. I'm happy to support this bill. While not as generous as the bill that I proposed just recently, I will say this bill includes the property tax and the income tax included. And that's a question that came up quite a bit. So that will help. And I will be explaining this to volunteer fire departments all over my district. And I know I have countywide training coming up this summer, and I'll be explaining this. And let's just hope that this continues on and that it if it has not passed the senate, that it does and it does become law. Thank you.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Thank you, mister Angelino in the affirmative. Mister Smullen to explain his vote.

[Assemblymember Robert Smullen]: Thank you, madam speaker. I rise to explain my vote. The volunteer fire service in Upstate New York is incredibly generous with their time in supporting their communities. This bill goes a little ways towards making sure that that commitment from the entire state is is given to those volunteers, and it's it's very much appreciated. On behalf of all of the the volunteer fire people, we we look forward to discussing this and and other further measures to make sure that our fire service stays strong as volunteers in all of the great towns and villages in Upstate New York. Thank you, madam speaker.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Thank you. Mister Osmolon, the affirmative. Miss McMahon to explain her vote.

[Assemblymember Karen McMahon]: Thank you, madam speaker, for the opportunity to explain my vote. My district is served by nine different volunteer fire companies who the members of which serve our community, answer the call day and night to protect the health and safety of our neighbors. In this day and age when recruitment and retention is such a problem, this is the least we can do to help support these fine volunteers. I want to thank my colleagues for supporting this bill and I vote in the affirmative.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Ms. McMahon in the affirmative. Ms. Barrett to explain her vote.

[Assemblymember Didi Barrett]: Thank you, madam speaker. I wanna thank the sponsor of this bill and my colleagues. As we discussed last week when we recognized the volunteer firefighters across the state, we are in so many of our communities dependent on these brave men and women, often generations of families who participate. And this legislation, which includes a bill that I too have carried, incorporates enough incentives that hopefully we will start addressing and continue to address the recruitment challenges and the retention challenges to thank our firefighters and the volunteer departments to encourage them to continue doing the work that we need them to do across the state. So thank you the sponsor. I vote in the affirmative.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Miss Barrett in the affirmative, mister Sempolinsky to explain his vote.

[Assemblymember William (Bill) Conrad III]: Thank you, madam speaker. I plan on voting yes and I thank the sponsor for bringing this bill forward, my colleague from Western New York. I appreciate it. I just also want to point out that the sponsor happens to be a member of a different political party than me and the way I handle things is I vote based on the merits of the bills rather than the political affiliation of the sponsor. I wish the entire body operated that way.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Mister Sempolinsky and the affirmative. Miss Kay to explain her vote.

[Assemblymember Aileen M. Gunther]: Thank you Madam Speaker. Thank you to the sponsor of this bill for bringing this very important piece of legislation to the floor. Recruitment and retention of our volunteers is of the utmost importance And this will certainly go a long way to making sure that in the rural communities that I represent, we have help and we'll be able to recruit new members. And I plan on bringing this to the attention of all the volunteers within both Sullivan and Orange Counties. Thank you again to the sponsor.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Thank you, Ms. Kay. And, the affirmative Mr. Tague to explain his vote.

[Assemblymember Chris Tague]: Thank you, Madam speaker. I too am very thankful to the sponsor for bringing this important bill to the floor. However, it falls short of where we should be. But at least you brought the bill to the floor. I want to thank my colleague that sits in front of me, mister Angelino, for bringing the original bill through committee and then here on the floor that, of course, was stopped, which was a real shame. But, thank God to our side of the aisle for pushing this so much that you folks decided to bring it to the floor. So, thank you again to the sponsor. We're still not where we should be, but thank you and God bless each and every one of our volunteer fire and EMS.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Mr. Teague in the affirmative, Ms. Warner to explain her vote.

[Assemblymember Carrie Woerner]: Thank you Madam Speaker. I'd like to join my voice in thanking the sponsor for having the patience to shepherd this bill through the committee process. A very vital step in making sure that the legislation we pass has integrity and can be implemented. I too represent 14 different volunteer fire companies. And while this body has done a number of things over the last few years to strengthen our volunteer firefighters including expanding the property tax exemption. The reality is for young firefighters or young potential firefighters, property tax exemption doesn't really help them. But what does help them is an income tax credit. And by expanding this income tax credit by four x, we are making a meaningful difference in our fire company's ability to recruit young firefighters. So once again, thank you to the sponsor for her work on this issue. And with that, I vote in the affirmative.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Miss Warner in the affirmative. Mr. Cashman to explain his vote.

[Assemblymember Cashman (first name unclear)]: Madam Speaker, rise in support of this and I want to thank the sponsor. But I also want to recognize that there are many bills that we are all on in a bipartisan effort. And our firefighters every single day should be the focus of the work that we do. And there is more work to be done. But let's take this moment to put the focus where it belongs, on the men and women that respond to calls every single day to protect our communities. So I rise not only in support of this bill, I rise to thank these men and women again and again and again. So let us work together to continue to fight for them as they fight for us. And finally, I'd just like to acknowledge a dear friend of mine, chief Scott Ewing, who served as one of the only people from the North Country as president of the fire chiefs association. It was ten years ago when I was a town supervisor that he took me under the wing. So that I went to the fire towers and went to, town wide trainings as many of the members here do. So let us not be broken by politics. Let us come together in service like these men and women do. I vote in the affirmative. Thank you.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Thank you, mister Cashman. In the affirmative, mister Lamondi used to explain his vote.

[Assemblymember John Lemondes Jr.]: Thank you, madam speaker. As the grandson of a firefighter, which I very rarely speak about, I wanna say thank you to our the original person that my colleague, mister Angelino, that had this idea as well as to the sponsor for bringing it through. Recognizing that it does fall short, it is a major step in the right direction for helping our fire crews and EMS crews that we all depend on. Representing a primarily rural district, we not only worry about our homes, we also have to worry about barn fires, equipment fires, and feed fires. And that is critically important because most of those are tended to by volunteers. This is a step in the right direction. We're not there yet, but on behalf of all the crews that this will help, I want them to know we're gonna continue pushing. Thank you, madam speaker.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Mister Lamondi's in the affirmative. Mister Gandalfo to explain his vote.

[Assemblymember Jarett Gandolfo]: Thank you, madam speaker. I'm going to support this bill. It's better than nothing. But I question why when we're going to end up with a state budget that's, what, $268,000,000,000, we couldn't just scrounge up the extra money to do the what our conference proposed and give a $2,500 tax credit. There are some comments made in media over the weekend about how it would be pretty much lunacy to pass a bill like this without a full fiscal impact analysis. I haven't seen that done. It seems like this was brought to the floor after some of our colleagues in the majority kind of stepped in it and heard it from their local volunteer firefighters. One person even said Republicans think their voter think voters are idiots over trying to pass a $2,500 income tax credit. But I think it's probably the opposite because I think the majority might be hoping that our volunteers don't realize that 800 is far less than 2,500. So I will support this bill. It's better than nothing but we can do better. Thank you madam speaker.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Mister Gandolfo, the affirmative. Mister Paul Massano to explain his vote.

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: Yes. Thank you madam speaker. I too will be supporting this legislation. I wish we would have supported the other bill that was proposed by my colleague Mr. Angelino that was provided $2,500 tax credit. We' on the cusp of passing a quarter of $1,000,000,000,000 budget. It seems like we could have done a little bit better for our volunteers, but this is at least something and a step in the right direction. I was at a volunteer banquet this past weekend. They honored one gentleman who had seventy five years of service. I was blown away. And I know you probably see it when you go to your fire department banquets. This is not just individual commitment. This is a family commitment. This is a generational commitment. These individuals dedicate and commit so much. And not only do they protect their neighbors, not only do they protect their neighbors property, but they protect the property taxpayers because the study was shown that the services our volunteers had to provide were paid services, it would cost over an additional $4,000,000,000 in property taxpayers an additional excuse me, an additional $4,000,000,000 in property tax increases to local property taxpayers. So this is something at least we can do to say thank you. It does not come to the level of banks they deserve and need, but at least it's something for now and we need to continue trying to do more. So I will support this legislation. We are so blessed to have such a great dedicated number of individuals who commit their lives to protecting their neighbor and their community. And we need to continue to say thank you through the financial means and just basically saying thank you to them when we see them. So I will be voting yes on this legislation.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Mister Palmisano, in the affirmative, mister Jacobson to explain his vote.

[Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson]: This is on? Thank you, madam speaker. I wanna commend the sponsor on this. This is a very small investment with great returns for all of our taxpayers. If the towns that I represent that are served by volunteer firefighters did not have them, the towns would be on the hook for millions and millions of dollars. I hope that this is a first step in our, appreciation of the volunteer firefighters. We we must remember, they take so much time out from their daily lives, and they're running to the fire. And not running away. And so we not only should we thank them, but we should give them the tax credits they deserve. Thank you.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Mister Jacobson, in the affirmative, miss Callisto, explain her vote.

[Unidentified member (female; possibly the sponsor referred to as 'Ms. Callis/Callisto')]: Thank you so much. I rise to explain my vote. I've seen in this chamber on this particular issue some of the most disappointing cheap campaign tactics. And I just want to note we are better than that. We're better than that. This is an incredibly important group of people in our communities. They're the backbone of our communities. We owe them. We all know that. We're all standing here together. I want to thank the sponsor who's carried this bill for years. I think she was actually one of the first people who brought this forward. But there are several people who also have bills that do the same thing, so let's celebrate everybody who does. And we all stand here together. Let's continue to stand here together, but let's not use our firefighters as tactics in this house. Let's just support them as a as a collective. They do phenomenal work for all of us. They've saved many of our families. They've saved many of our friends. And we celebrate together that we're standing here collectively and in a bipartisan way supporting them. I stand in the affirmative. Thank you.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Just as a note to our colleagues, when we are explaining our vote, you are explaining. It's not in order to be impugning the motives of other colleagues. Please, Ms. Williams, to explain her vote.

[Assemblymember Jaime R. Williams]: Thank you, madam speaker, for allowing me to explain my vote. First, I would like to thank the sponsor of this bill. In my district in particular, we do have many volunteer ambulance workers and firefighters going from the Garrison Beach Volunteer Fire Department, the Garrison Beach Volunteer Ambulance, the Flatlands Volunteer Ambulance, and also the Hetzala Volunteer Ambulance and we are just so proud today to see that we are actually giving them back something in their pocket and the work that they do is just selfless and thank you so much to the sponsor. I vote yes.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Miss Williams in the affirmative, mister Durso to explain his vote.

[Assemblymember Michael Durso]: Thank you, madam speaker. I I I thank you for your comments also on this. Again, we support our firefighters each and every day. I hope that we do it in this chamber. They are not tactics. They are not political campaign speeches. But each and every day, including last week, we were supporting a resolution honoring our volunteer firefighters. But if we're gonna do that today and say that we honor our firefighters, we wanna do everything we can to help them, especially our volunteer firefighters EMS, we could have done it two weeks ago with compensation or a tax credit that was even more. If they were our heroes two week today, they should have been our heroes two weeks ago, and we could have honored them then. Thank you.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Mr. Durso, in the affirmative, Ms. Bailey, to explain her vote.

[Assemblymember Marjorie L. Byrnes]: Thank you, Madam Speaker. To explain my vote in it, it kind of goes on what one of my colleagues just said. This weekend, we had a volunteer fire department in our district that dissolved due to lack of volunteers. But I also got to celebrate with another agency where we honored fifty five years, sixty years and seventy years. And at every volunteer fire department banquets or EMS events

[Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha]: that I

[Assemblymember Marjorie L. Byrnes]: go to, I always recognize the institutional knowledge but the generational knowledge as well that is there. Unfortunately, we are more and more acknowledging those folks who have 40 in the volunteer fire industry. That is exciting and that is great. What we don't have are those that

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: are

[Assemblymember Marjorie L. Byrnes]: entering. And my district is serviced by all volunteer fire departments. So this is a step in the right direction. I hope we can continue to have the conversation because our communities rely on our volunteers each and every day. When we're running out of the building, they are running in and these are their friends and family that they are going to rescue and we need to continue to identify that. Otherwise, we are going to have a problem when we don't have volunteers any longer in these institutions. And that will be a sad day, I know in the 1 33rd Assembly District, but I'm sure it will be across all 150 as well. Thank you.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Thank you. Miss Bailey in the affirmative. Mr. Slater to explain his vote.

[Assemblymember Matthew J. Slater]: Thank you, madam speaker. I also just wanted to rise on this important legislation. In my district, we have volunteer firefighters and EMS servicing every one of my towns. And I think it's critically important that we continue to find ways to support them. Appreciate the fact that we have found something that we can all agree on on both sides of the aisle. But this is a serious problem that, as we just heard from one of my colleagues Upstate, is plaguing our communities. I have two municipalities that are going be meeting later this week because of the fact that they don't have enough people to respond for ambulance calls. That is a major problem. And so I I think this is an opportunity for us to do more, to do more for the neighbors of ours who respond to our worst day. When you have a car accident, when you have an emergency at your house, a fire, a loved one who's sick and you have to call an ambulance, it's your neighbor who is showing up because they're volunteering their time. They're leaving work. They're leaving their family to go help you on your worst day. And unfortunately, think this is a situation where this is typical Albany where we're patting ourselves on our backs, but we can and should do more. And while I'm supporting this, I sure hope that we can come back later on and do more for the heroes of our community. Thank you very much.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Mr. Slater in the affirmative, Mr. McDonald to explain his vote.

[Assemblymember John T. McDonald III]: Thank you, madam speaker. And I wanna thank our sponsor and my colleagues for supporting this important tax credit for volunteer firefighters. To you Madam Speaker, thank you for the continued legacy of support for volunteer firefighters in this house. As many, but not all voted for last year, we supported to create the reimbursement for training stipends for our volunteer firefighters who take their Saturdays and their Sundays to learn the standards to protect our communities. This is building on the success that this chamber has always supported for volunteer firefighters. And I can tell you as chair of government operations, although the budget's not finally complete, there will be more support. Particularly to provide the tools of the trade so these individuals can protect our communities. So let's cherish the moment, let's continue to build on this legacy that we've had. Thank you very much.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Mr. McDonald in the affirmative, Ms. Griffin to explain her vote.

[Assemblymember Judy Griffin]: Thank you Madam Speaker for giving me the opportunity to explain my vote. I stand in strong support of this measure and I thank the sponsor. And I just want to say how grateful I am for the firefighters in my assembly district. I have about 12 volunteer fire departments and I am grateful for their dedicated service. There are generations, so many of these departments are made up of generations of families. And it's really impressive to see generation after generation how many join our volunteer fire departments and how well their families support them. Because when there's a firefighter in the family, the other people in the family help out too. And they're at all of the different community events bolstering the community and strengthening our community. So I appreciate all that our house has done for firefighters and I stand in strong support of all that we continue to do. Thank you for allowing me to explain my vote. I vote in the affirmative.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Thank you, Ms. Griffin in the affirmative. Mr. Conrad to explain his vote.

[Assemblymember William (Bill) Conrad III]: Thank you, madam speaker. I want to thank my colleague Karen McMahon as co sponsor. I just want to want to remember the volunteer firefighters for helping me. One hot July afternoon, I decided to take an old refrigerator out of my mother in law's basement and cut the Freon and started to cough in the basement. And so we came upstairs, my cousin and I, and he called his dad who was a volunteer firefighter. He said could you send someone over I think we've done something terribly wrong. No sirens though. No sirens. Well what happened? Every siren went off, the whole town showed up and it just shows you the resolve of how committed our volunteer firefighters are. What's the anecdote of this story is not just the response, but the fact that they actually brought the refrigerator out of the basement for me and it probably was about 300 pounds. But the best part of the story is my mother-in-law was moved to the car because it was a hot summer day and when a neighbor came over to ask what happened, my cousin simply said, you know the old lady that lives here? The guy goes, yeah? Well they just found

[Assemblymember Scott A. Gray]: a body in her basement.

[Assemblymember William (Bill) Conrad III]: Thank you. I vote in the affirmative.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Mister Conrad in the affirmative, mister Carroll to explain his vote.

[Assemblymember Robert C. Carroll]: Thank you, madam speaker. I wanna rise and commend my colleague, Assemblywoman McMahon, for putting this bill and getting it to the floor. In Rockland County, all of our firefighters are volunteer firefighters. My quick math says I think we have 13 fire districts volunteer fire districts in my community. And as others have said, when we run away from the fire, they run towards it. So it's a family business and I don't think this tax credit will, you know, create more firefighters just alone. I know we need to do more, but it's a small token of our appreciation by the state of New York. I thank the sponsor and I vote in the affirmative.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Mr. Carroll in the affirmative, Mr. Hawley to explain his vote.

[Assemblymember Stephen Hawley]: Thank you, madam speaker. I rise as a life member of the Stafford volunteer Fire Department in Genesee County and applaud all of us who recognize the sacrifices that those that volunteer to protect our personal our persons as well as our property need to have this type of recognition and help in their everyday lives as the affordability crisis hits the state. So again, I appreciate Ms. McMahon's efforts as well as Mr. Angelino's. And finally, we're all on the same page. Thank god for that.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Mister Hawley and the affirmative, mister Miller to explain his vote.

[Assemblymember Brian Miller]: Thank you, madam speaker, for allowing me to explain my vote. Just wanna thank the sponsor and all of us for working hard for our volunteer firefighters. I've made it a career over my time in public service to work with and for the firefighters. At the county level, we've implemented full scholarships to community colleges. And that was one tool for recruitment and retention. And I want to thank the sponsor and everybody who worked on this for another tool to help our volunteer firefighters with recruitment and retention. It's very, very important for us legislators Upstate New York who have mostly rural districts who depend on these men and women every day, twenty fourseven, three sixty five days of the year to respond to emergencies. So thank you. I will be voting affirmative on this bill.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Thank you, mister Miller, and the affirmative mister Gray to explain his vote.

[Assemblymember Scott A. Gray]: Thank you, madam speaker. And let me thank the sponsor for sponsoring this bill and bringing it forward. Also, I'd like to point out my colleague well, I wouldn't like to point out because I don't wanna be caught with props, but my colleague that sits right here, thanking him for his advancement of this conversation and this important initiative. So we've all talked about fire departments and how much that they protect our communities, and they certainly do it all times of the day, and night. And they also spend many many hours training, for the work that they do. In addition to that, they also spend many hours taking care of the equipment and the departments that they represent. And on top of all of that, they have to fundraise in order to provide a vital public safety service to our communities. So let that just sink in for a minute. Many such a vital important part of public safety in our communities relies on chicken barbecues. So this is critically important as a way to show our gratitude to all the firefighters in the communities. To anybody here that's a firefighter, thank you for your service. And, madam speaker, I vote in the affirmative.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Mr. Gray, in the affirmative, Mr. Levine to explain his vote.

[Assemblymember Charles D. Lavine]: So I want to commend the sponsor, and I know that some of us have shared some life stories, some anecdotes about our interactions with volunteer firefighters. So I live in the little city of Glen Cove where we have a volunteer fire department. And this must be about seven or eight years ago. At about 03:30 in the morning, our fire alarm went off. And Ronnie was pushing me to go find out what is going on. By the time I got up, stood up, and went downstairs to try to figure out what was going on. The Glen Cove Fire Department was on my front porch. So just a small token of our appreciation for what these volunteers do. And to finish the story about the fire alarm, the battery, the battery was bad. So but that didn't matter. This was three, 03:30 in the morning. They were downstairs faster than I was. Thank you to our volunteer firefighters, and thank you to the sponsor, Karen McMahon.

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

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Ayes, one thirty three. Nays, zero.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: The bill is passed.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Assembly number eight zero one three, rules report one twenty, mister Burrs. Enact in relation to authorizing the assessor of the county of Nassau to accept an application.

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

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: This act shall take effect immediately.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: The clerk will record the vote. Are there any other votes? Announce the results.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Ayes, one thirty four. Nays, zero.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: The bill is passed. Mr. Fall for the purpose of an introduction.

[Assemblymember Charles D. Fall]: Thank you Madam Speaker. On behalf of Assembly Member Steck and Assembly Member McDonald and the entire Capital Region delegation, we have a special guest here from the Christian Brothers Academy and it is the basketball team, the varsity basketball team who went undefeated this season '25 and o. They won the championship and they defeated Fair Point High School in the final winning 78 to 67. What a stellar season. If you could be so kind to congratulate them, welcome them and extend the cordialities of the floor madam speaker.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: On behalf of Mr. Fall, Mr. Steck, all members of the Capital Region delegation, the speaker and all members, we welcome the CBA varsity basketball team to our people's chamber, the assembly house here, and extend to you the privileges of the floor. I hope you've been able to enjoy the proceedings as you sit back there. Congratulations to you on your undefeated season and winning the championship, a stellar accomplishment. We wish you best wishes for your future continued academic and athletic success. Thank you so very much for joining us today. On consent page five, rules report one one twenty one. Clerk will read.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Assembly number 8,131, rules report one twenty one, miss Callis, an act to amend the public service law. This bill is laid aside. Assembly number 8,414, rules report 122, miss Barrett, an act to amend the public service law.

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

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: This act shall take effect to 01/01/2027.

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

[Assemblymember Philip A. Palmesano]: Yes, madam speaker. I am definitely gonna support this legislation. I have very similar legislation. I know when we were in committee talking about it one day, and I said to the chair chairwoman, I said, you know, you have a bill. I have a bill that I thought was a little bit better. Why not put those two bills together? Make one big beautiful bill. But, unfortunately, that was turned down, so we'll settle for this one. Thank you, madam speaker. I vote yes.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Mister Palmisano in the affirmative. Are there any other votes? Announce the results.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Ayes, one thirty four. Nays, zero.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Bill is passed.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Assembly number 8897 a, rules report one twenty three, mister McDonald, enact to amend the highway law.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: On a motion by mister McDonald, the senate bill is before the house. The senate bill is advanced. Read the last section.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: This act shall take effect immediately.

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

[Assemblymember John T. McDonald III]: Thank you, madam speaker. I wanna thank you and I wanna thank my colleagues for their support for passing this legislation to rename the Petrone Island Bridge, which connects Renssela and Albany County just north of the state capital on I-ninety after our local national hero, Sergeant Henry Johnson. Many in our community have fought for the recognition of Sergeant Johnson's bravery and heroism throughout the years, resulting in the posthumous awards of the Medal of Honor, the Purple Heart, and the Distinguished Service Cross. Theodore Roosevelt, who once sat in that rostrum, once called sergeant Johnson one of the five bravest American soldiers in World War one. Despite that accolade, the significance of Henry Johnson's achievements were overlooked during his lifetime. Even though the Bipartisan Naming Commission recommended a name change from Fort Polk to Fort Johnson in 2023, the federal administration switched the name back to Fort Polk with no justification. Now while we cannot right the wrong of taking the name of Fort Polk from sergeant Johnson or the many other wrongs that he endured during his lifetime, we can come together and rename this Capital Region gateway after a man whose bravery and sacrifice should be a model to all of us. Thank you madam speaker.

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

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Ayes, 134. Nays, zero. The bill is passed. Assembly number 9111C, rules report 124, Ms. Gallagher, an act to amend the public service law and the executive law.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: This bill is laid aside.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Assembly number 9,146, rules report 01/2025, miss Warner, an act to amend the racing, pari mutuel, wagering, and breeding law.

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

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: This act shall take effect immediately.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: The clerk will record the vote. Are there any other votes? Announce the results.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Ayes, one thirty four. Nose, zero.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: The bill is passed.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Assembly number 9212, rules report one twenty six, mister Lasher, an act to amend the general business law.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: On a motion by the mister Lasher, the senate bills before the house of senate bill is advanced. This bill is laid aside.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Assembly number 105 10158, rules report one twenty seven, mister P. Carrow, an act to amend the real property tax law.

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

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: This act shall take effect immediately.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: The clerk will record the vote. Are there any other votes? Announce the results.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Ayes, one thirty four. Nays, zero.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: The bill is passed.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Assembly number 10162, rules report one twenty eight, mister p Carol, an act to amend the real property tax law.

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

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: This act shall take effect immediately.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: The clerk will record the vote. Are there any other votes? Announce the results.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Ayes, one thirty four. Nays, zero.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: The bill is

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: passed. Assembly number 10184, rules report one twenty nine, mister p Carol. An act to amend the real property tax law.

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

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: This act shall take effect immediately.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: The clerk will record the vote. Are there any other votes? Announce the results.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Ayes one thirty four, nays zero.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: The bill is passed. Mister Fall for the purpose of an introduction.

[Assemblymember Charles D. Fall]: Thank you madam speaker. On behalf of our colleague from Westchester County, assemblymember Nader Syed. He has a special guest here from Guinea, Miss Mariama Jalo Ba who's here in Albany for a special occasion. If you could extend to her the cordialities of the floor Madam Speaker who would greatly appreciate it.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Thank you. On behalf of mister Fall, mister Sayesh, the speaker, and all members, we welcome our guests to the assembly chamber, extending to you the privileges of the floor. Thank you for traveling such a very long way to see your daughter graduate from SUNY Albany. So congratulations to you. We hope you enjoy our proceedings today. Thank you both for joining us today. Page seven, Rules Report 130, Clerk will read.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Assembly number 10,415, rules report 130, Mr. Magnarelli, enact to amend chapter 62 of the laws of 2003.

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

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: This act shall take effect immediately.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: The clerk will record the vote. Are there any other votes? Announce the results.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Ayes, 134. Nays, zero.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: The bill is passed.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Assembly number 10518, rules report 131, Mr. McDonald, an act to amend the criminal procedure law.

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

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: This act shall take effect immediately.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: The clerk will record the vote. Are there any other votes? Announce the results.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Ayes, one thirty one. Nays, three.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: The bill is passed.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Assembly number 10522, rules report one thirty eight two, miss Barrett, enact to amend the tax law.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Home rule desk home rule message is at the desk. Read the last section.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: This act shall take effect immediately.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: The clerk will record the vote. Are there any other votes? Announce the results.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Ayes one zero eight, nays 26.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: The bill is passed.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Assembly number 10562, rules report one thirty three, mister Stern. An act to amend the real property tax law.

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

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: This act shall take effect January 1.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: The clerk will record the vote. Are there any other votes? Announce the results.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Ayes, one thirty four. Nays, zero.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: The bill is passed.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Assembly number 106418, rules report one thirty four, miss Schresta, an act to amend the real property tax law.

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

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: This act shall take effect immediately.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: The clerk will record the vote. Ms. Stresta to explain her vote.

[Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha]: Thank you, madam speaker. I just wanted to take a moment to thank my constituents Julia and Christopher from the town of Red Hook who brought this issue to our office. Some years ago they believed they mailed their annual school tax payment through the mailbox but months later they learned when they got the notice from the town that the payment had never been received and in fact the check had been stolen. So what happened was they were able to have their fraud investigated and recovered the money, however they were still stuck with late fees and interest. So, what this bill does is it authorizes tax districts to waive such penalties in cases of future fraud that could happen. And I will be voting in the affirmative. Thank you.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Thank you, Ms. Sressa in the affirmative. Are there any other votes? Announce the results.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Ayes, one thirty four. Nays, zero.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: The bill is passed.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Assembly number 10937 a, rules report one thirty five, mister Kim, an act to amend the Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation Law.

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

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: This act shall take effect immediately.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: The clerk will record the vote. Miss Walsh to explain her vote.

[Assemblymember Mary Beth Walsh]: Thank you, madam speaker. To explain my vote. So I think that this is a really good idea. It's a very short little bit of language of a bill and a couple of thoughts that kinda came to me as I was reading it. I mean it says that it's going to permit composting facilities at state parks when such composting facility does not harm the natural environment or integrity of the park and provide that such facility shall comply with codes, rules and regulations relating to composting facilities. That's the whole bill. That's what it says. I mean we know that the Adirondack Park itself is 6,000,000 acres. I am assuming, I'm making a few assumptions here with my yes vote. The assumption is that we're not going to be bringing composting material into these parks, but it's going to be more like where we always say that if you carry in, you need to carry back out. You're going to carry in and then if it can be composted, you'll leave it. If you can't, then you're going to carry it back out again. And that it's just going to be, I think it would be a great lesson for our kids and adults who are using the park and it's a commitment to showing that we want to be sustainable in our state. So I'm going to support it. I will say that when I was a kid, my dad used to take me up to the dump to see the bears and you know, I'm a little worried that a composting facility might really encourage some wildlife activity that maybe we might not want, But hopefully this will all work out well. So I'll be in the affirmative. Thanks.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Thank you. Miss Walsh in the affirmative. Are there any other votes? Announce the results.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Ayes, one thirty four. Nays, zero.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: The bill is passed on the main calendar, page 20, calendar number one ninety two. Clerk will read.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Assembly number 7633 a, calendar one ninety two, miss Barrett. An act to amend the public service law.

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

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: This act shall take effect immediately.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: The clerk will record the vote. Are there any other votes? Announce the results.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Ayes, one thirty three. Nays, one.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Bill is passed. Mister Fall?

[Assemblymember Charles D. Fall]: Madam speaker, can we now take up the calendar four eighty two on page 36 by mister Waffney?

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Certainly. On the main calendar, page 36, calendar number four eighty two. Clerk will read.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Assembly number 10443 a, calendar one eight 482, mister Wepprin. An act to amend the insurance law.

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

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: This act shall take effect immediately.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: The clerk will record the vote. Are there any other votes? Announce the results.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Ayes, one thirty four. Nays, zero.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: The bill is passed. Miss Walsh, for the purpose of an introduction.

[Assemblymember Mary Beth Walsh]: Thank you very much Madam Speaker for allowing me to interrupt our proceedings for an introduction. This introduction is for our colleague, Assembly Member Palmisano and we're also joined by Senator O'Meara. We have some students here from the fifth grade class of St. Michael's School which is in Pena, New York. And this is their annual trip to Albany. But what makes today so special is that in the past they've come when we haven't been in session. But they did come visit our chamber last year and they even had an opportunity to meet the speaker who came out, was kind enough to come out and say hello. But we are usually gone when they come and visit so today makes it especially nice for them. In addition to parent chaperones, we're joined by teacher Keith Prather and the students names are Otto Anderson, Keith Kastner, Wesley Grushow, Aria Orr, Luna Rogers and Reed Stevens. So Madam Speaker, would you please welcome these great students from fifth grade and offer them all the cordialities of this house? Thank you.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Yes, on behalf of Ms. Walsh, Mr. Palmisano, the speaker and all members, we welcome the fifth grade class of the St. Michael School in Penaean. We welcome you to our assembly chamber, extending to you the privileges of the floor. Hope you enjoy our proceedings today. It's wonderful to see the students, teachers and parents here today getting a first hand bird's eye view democracy action. This is where the soup is made. So best wishes to you for your continued academic success. Have a great summer. It's coming really soon. And thank you so very much for joining us today. Resolutions page three clerk will read.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Assembly number thirteen fifty nine rules at the request of Mr. Rah legislative resolution memorializing governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim 05/14/2026 as IgA Neuropathy Awareness Day in the state of New York.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Ms. Giglio, on the resolution? Okay, we're ready for you in the next one. On the resolution? On the resolution, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed? No. The resolution is adopted.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Assembly number thirteen sixty rules at the request of Ms. Gillio, legislative resolution memorializing governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim 05/15/2026 as peace officers Memorial Day in the state of New York.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Miss Giglio on the resolution.

[Assemblymember Jodi Giglio]: Thank you, madam speaker. Today we pause to recognize a solemn and deeply meaningful occasion of peace officers memorial day. In New York state, we have long stood committed to supporting the brave men and women who serve in law enforcement. These individuals dedicate their lives to protecting the safety, stability and integrity of our communities. The quality and sanctity of community life values we hold dear are preserved each day through their courage, vigilance and unwavering sense of duty. It is both an honor and responsibility for this legislative body to memorialize governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim 05/15/2026 as Peace Officers Memorial Day in the state of New York. This observance is not simply a date on the calendar, it is a moment of reflection, remembrance and gratitude. Peace Officers Memorial Day traces its origins back to 1962 when President John F Kennedy signed a proclamation establishing May 15 as a day to honor law enforcement officers who have been killed or disabled in the line of duty. Since then, this day has grown into a national and international tribute. Each year, thousands gather in Washington DC to pay their respects. Participating in events such as the National Peace Officers Memorial Service and Candlelight Vigil. These ceremonies serve as powerful reminders of the sacrifices made by those who wear the badge. Behind every fallen or injured officer is a family, a community, and a legacy of service that must never be forgotten. Today, we honor not only those we have lost but also those who continue to serve with integrity and dedication. We recognize the immense challenges they face and the strength it takes to meet those challenges each day. As we observe Peace Officers Memorial Day on 05/15/2026, let us come together as a state and as a community to express our deepest gratitude. Let us remember the fallen, support families they leave behind, and reaffirm our commitment to those who continue to stand on the front lines in service to us all. May we never forget their sacrifice and may we always honor their service. Thank you, madam speaker, and I urge my colleagues to vote yes on this resolution. Thank you.

[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.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Assembly number thirteen sixty one rules at the request of mister Lamondes. Legislative resolution memorializing governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim 05/16/2026 as Armed Forces Day in the state of New York.

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

[Assemblymember John Lemondes Jr.]: Madam speaker, as we know, Armed Forces Day was established by president Truman on February on 02/27/1950 in recognition of all currently serving military members. In addressing the significance of this, there are several aspects that should be mentioned. First, historically, most Americans alive today have never lived in an America where their country or way of life were existentially threatened, the last time being World War two. This binding fabric that has unified us many times over the last two hundred and fifty years is oftentimes forgotten. However, it has not been forgotten by those countless souls that have served, bled, and died or their families. The importance being that there is a cost to be free, and that cost is paid every single day as witnessed by one of our very own members who is deployed right now as we speak. What many don't realize is the sphere of influence our military has with respect to our security and that that that is ever present twenty four seven, recognizing that this pillar of external security is the first of three imperatives necessary to have and maintain a free society and is the first step in understanding how vital it is. The second being internal security and the third being a functional economy, which can't be achieved and maintained without the other two. Whether operating in space, above or below the sea, in the air, or on the ground in as many as 30 countries at any given time, your, our military members are out there oftentimes in miserable conditions, willing to sacrifice everything so that our republic may live to see another day. This level of commitment by so few for so many is often taken for granted as so many enjoy the benefits of our society, but don't even know, understand, or participate in its obligations. Last, please recognize our military members have more responsibility at a younger age than those of any other segment of our society. In their honor, on this day, please join me in recognizing the significance of their service on our behalf. 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.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Assembly number thirteen sixty two rules at the request of mister Simone. Legislative resolution memorializing governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2026 as Family Physician Week 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.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Assembly number thirteen sixty three rules at the request of Ms. Demar, legislative resolution memorializing governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2026 and stop the bleeding 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. Opposed, no. The resolution is adopted.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Assembly number thirteen sixty four rules at the request of miss Buttonshun. Legislative resolution memorializing governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim July 2026 as ice cream 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. Opposed, no. The resolution is adopted.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Assembly number thirteen sixty five rules at the request of mister Ecas. Legislative resolution memorializing governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim 09/13/2026 as Grandparents Day in the State of New York.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Mr. Ikis, on the resolution.

[Assemblymember Chris Eachus]: Thank you, Madam Speaker. For those of you who are not grandparents, it is the most magnificent thing in the world. If you thought having kids was great, having grandkids is even better because you get to pass them back to their parents. Thank you.

[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.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Assembly number thirteen sixty six rules at the request of mister Burdick. Legislative resolution memorializing governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim 09/18/2026 as POWMIA Day in the state of New York.

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

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Assembly number thirteen sixty seven rules at the request of mister Durso. Legislative resolution memorializing governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 13 through the nineteenth two thousand twenty six as truck driver appreciation week 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.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Assembly number thirteen sixty eight rules at the request of mister Jensen. Legislative resolution memorializing governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim 11/10/2026 as Net Cancer Day 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.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Assembly number thirteen sixty nine rules at the request of mister Slater. Legislative resolution memorializing governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim 11/15/2026 as Prematurity Day in the state of New York.

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

[Assemblymember Matthew J. Slater]: Thank you, madam speaker. I just wanted to rise real quick to raise awareness on Prematurity Day. Premature births, as we know, are not rare these days. They are impacting families in every corner of our state. Premature births are qualified as those births that happen at thirty seven weeks or less. And my daughter Elizabeth, born at thirty six weeks, spent her first week in the NICU at White Plains Hospital. But if you saw her today, you would certainly not think of her as a preemie. In fact, she just got her green belt in Kwon Do on Monday. So congratulations to Elizabeth on that great accomplishment. But these babies often face significant medical challenges that puts great strain and pressure on parents. But we want to recognize them as well as the NICU doctors, nurses, and staff who continue to do amazing work. These are some of New York's smallest New Yorkers fighting the biggest battles before they leave the hospital. So today, we want to recognize their strength, we want to stand with their families, and we want to cheer them on for their continued growth and success. Thank you very much, Madam Speaker, and thank you to my colleagues for supporting this resolution.

[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. Mister Fall.

[Assemblymember Charles D. Fall]: Madam speaker, do we have further housekeeping or resolutions?

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: We have no housekeeping. Resolution by miss People Stokes. Clerk will read.

[Reading Clerk (unidentified)]: Assembly number thirteen seventy, Ms. People Stokes. Legislative resolution commemorating the four year anniversary of the shooting of the at Tops Friendly Markets in Buffalo, New York on 05/14/2026 and honoring the victims, survivors, families, and community at large in wake of this devastating tragedy.

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

[Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera]: Thank you. I wanna thank everyone here who has thought about Buffalo since what's happened and just share a thought. Not speaking on behalf of my my colleagues, I know some will speak in a moment, but certainly wanna express a deep gratitude to those who have reached out since that day and and and remember it. For me on 05/14/2022, I witnessed the consequences of the most brutal indifference towards life a human can exhibit, but I also witnessed the limitless potential of human compassion and concern. It was a day where I saw the fullest manifestation of hate and the fullest manifestation of empathy. And as the know as the news broke about what had happened, I eventually made it to Jefferson Avenue and was overwhelmed by the confusing thoughts of what could have carried on in someone's mind to do this, but saw the resiliency of people and community and the concern that people had that maybe had never even been to Buffalo before or Jefferson Avenue for that. And many of my colleagues that are here in this chamber with me today reached out in the hours that followed to see if I was okay knowing that I was from Buffalo and asking if they could be of any help in any way. And it's a day that I'll remember for a lot of reasons, but I lean on the hope and the belief that brighter days are ahead for Buffalo and we are doing all that we can as lawmakers to prevent the kinds of injustices and and brutalities that we saw. So I want to thank my colleagues who have forever been kind to me about Buffalo in all the different ways and believe wholeheartedly that the work that we do is in line for a better future. So thank you.

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

[Assemblymember William (Bill) Conrad III]: Is a solemn day for Buffalo and really for everyone in America and across the world who's experienced the horrors of supremacist hatred and gun violence. We recall where we were that day. My son and I were at McCarthy Park about a mile and a half from that, and we saw the ambulances and the fire trucks and the the movement down the street. On this very day in 2022, when a shooter drove to our city and callously and premeditatedly stole 10 innocent lives, wounded three others, and threatened the safety and security of countless more. We recall the sorrow that followed as we attended memorials and volunteered our time and spoke with community members who knew the victims and therefore will never be the same. But of all else, we recall their names. Celestine Cheney, Roberta Drury, Andre McNeil, Catherine Massey, Marghus Ferguson Morrison, Hayward Patterson, Aaron Salter Junior, Geraldine Talley, Ruth Whitfield, Pearl Young. We recognize their faces, and we've learned their stories. This is a necessary and rightful reflection today and every day because these people were dear to us. They were dear to their families and their neighbors. And the vile racist evil that took them from us, it must be called what it is, and it must be condemned. We must, as a collective, refuse the rhetoric that breeds inhumanity and spawns tragedy. May we offer comfort and condolences to those who robbed us of these victims' lightened lives. May we allow their memories to move us forward a better America, one that is stirred by justice and committed to the building of a more equitable country. Thank you.

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

[Assemblymember Chantel Jackson]: Thank you, madam speaker. Ruth Whitfield, Pearl Young, Geraldine Talley, Roberta Drury, Aaron Salter, Marcus Morrison, Hayward Patterson, Celestine Chaney, Andre McNeil, Catherine Massey. On 05/14/2022, an 18 year old white supremacist killed shoppers and workers with the semi automatic rifle at Tops supermarket in Buffalo after driving more than 200 miles from his home. He chose the business for its location in a predominantly black neighborhood and livestream the massacre from a camera attached to his tactical helmet. Eight customers, the store security guard and a church deacon who drove shoppers to and from the store with their groceries were killed and three people were wounded. The rifle that he fired was marked with a racial slur with phrases including the great replacement. The common council Buffalo is asking that this day be an annual day of service in the city of Buffalo. And it's not a holiday because we aren't celebrating. We are mourning while we build community. And so, when we talk about teaching people about our history, about what black people experience in this country and so we can avoid the biases that exist and the hatred that is created and the racism that continues. So from Brooklyn to Buffalo, we all felt the pain that was happening. And we need to do everything in our power to right the wrongs that racism causes in our nation. We talk about gun violence, we've seen so much of it but we're doing not enough. We are committed, I am committed to continue this work to drive out hate, to teach people about black people and the beauty that we have and what we offer this country so that we can stop and combat the hate that we are experiencing.

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

[Unidentified member (Buffalo-area male)]: Thank you, madam speaker. I support this resolution as we honor the 10 innocent lives that were stolen from us four years ago today and the horrific racist attack at the Jefferson Avenue tops in the city of Buffalo. Watching the news earlier this morning, I heard remarks from a respected faith leader in my district, reverend Mark Blue. His words stayed with me. He pointed out that in the immediate agonizing aftermath of this tragedy, we saw no cars burned, no buildings looted in Buffalo or Western New York. Instead, we saw community coming together with deep compassion and care. We saw community choose compassion over chaos. We saw people coming together across every demographic line, neighbors feeding neighbors, strangers comforting the brokenhearted, a region united in absolute care. Our entire region of Western New York was hurt by this sickened and evil act, but the resilience of our neighbors proved that while hate struck Buffalo, it will not define us. However, the strength of our neighbors does not absolve us of our responsibility. We must set aside division here, look at the hard truths, find meaningful solutions so that an atrocity like this never happens again. It is not enough to simply offer moments of silence. We in this body need to work together to find real meaningful solutions so that a tragedy like this never happens again. Thank you, madam speaker.

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

[Assemblymember Latrice Walker]: Thank you madam speaker. Today we gather in solemn remembrance of one of the darkest chapters in the history of the state of New York. The racist mass shooting at the top's friendly markets in Buffalo. Wayne Jones Junior, he planned to surprise his grandmother with flowers, perfume and a meal on Sunday, May 15. It was a week of after Mother's Day, which he couldn't spend with her because he had to work. He never got to surprise his grandmother who was 65 year old Celestine Chaney because she was stopped by a tops friendly market in Buffalo the day before on a Saturday afternoon, she was killed by a racist gunman. Miss Cheney survived breast cancer and three aneurysm surgeries, but she could not survive a trip to the supermarket to buy strawberries. She was one of 10 black people that were killed when an 18 year old white supremacist drove three and a half hours as we heard for the sole purpose, the sole purpose of killing black people. Sole purpose. He was wearing body armor and he used an AR-fifteen style Bushmaster rifle that he illegally modified so it could handle 30 round magazines. The details of the shooting, of course, are as grim and chilling today as they were four years ago when those victims were wounded and killed. Three people, however, survived. So I stand in support of this resolution which honors these amazing New Yorkers whose lives for their relatives will forever be changed. It is our duty as we've heard to make sure that their deaths are not in vain. It is our duty to ensure that all of the lives that were struck down by this tragedy allows us to have a mem opportunity for remembrance, an opportunity to learn from the mistakes, an opportunity to recognize how dangerous rhetoric can fuel itself into the everyday lives of everyday people. We must be careful of our words because our words have power. They have an opportunity to be memorialized. And sometimes when people hear the words that you speak, it becomes a part of their reality. And sometimes people don't know how to take the things that we say and say, well, maybe these are just things that people are saying on the media. But no, they take these things real, for real, and it manifests into opportunities like little girls who are on their way into schools and being murdered. And then they transform themselves and they become legislation that would allow for our community and our world and our country to just be in an erratic state. And so, we definitely have to recognize that it is our opportunity to recommit ourselves to the work ahead. Why? Because we don't want the hatred, the radicalization, the racism, and the dangerous lies that people can be told about the humanity of a person because of the color of their skin. We don't longer want people to be targeted and be put to possibly death based on their skin color. So today, we also say never again. We must also mean never again to racist massacres in black neighborhoods. Never again to conspiracy theories replacing truth. Never again to silence in the face of hatred. Never again to allowing extremist ideologies to radicalize young people into violence. We have to recognize that hate left unchallenged becomes danger. Prejudice left unchecked becomes violence. And when any community is targeted because of who they are, all of our humanity is diminished. So we are answering the call just as our sisters and brothers did in Buffalo. We will say that we will always drive out hate with love. Never again.

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

[Unidentified member (called 'Mister Burrows')]: Thank you, madam speaker. Although I represent a part of New York that is far far from Buffalo, I am a child of the state of New York. I am a graduate of the University of Buffalo. I have many friends that still reside in Buffalo. And so the act that took place in 2022 affected me as it did a lot of my colleagues and also the families. So I want to stress that my heart still remains with the family of the lost ones and that we look at a time like this as a time when we come together to try to prevent many other instances like this from happening. So, my heart continues to go out and believe for Buffalo. I do believe in the compassion that we will find the strength to ensure things like this won't happen again. And, thank you, Buffalo. Pride strong.

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

[Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson]: Thank you, madam speaker. 05/14/2022 will go down in history as one of the most horrific days in the history of this state and nation. It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon. People were going about to do their weekend shopping, and they were met with hatred in the form of an assault weapon, an a k 15 type weapon worn by a white supremacist. Excuse me. Carried by a white supremacist wearing a bulletproof vest. This could have been any place in New York State, could have been in the supermarket that I go to. It could have been any place in my district. It could have been any place in your district. We have to redouble our efforts of making sure that weapons do not get in the hands of those that should not have it. We have to make sure that assault weapons that are used on the battlefield are not used in New York State. And we must do what we can also to fight white supremacy and those who preach hatred as an excuse for their shortcomings. Thank you.

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

[Assemblymember Karen McMahon]: Thank you, Madam Speaker. As I've walked the hallway this week between the LOB and the Capitol, I was reminded of those 10 beautiful souls who lost their lives on that very dark day in May four years ago. I hope everyone took the time to look at those portraits that were displayed and to see the lives that were cut short, the opportunity that was taken away, the beauty that was murdered. We've heard their names. There was a security guard just doing his best to keep his community safe. Several women going about their business, getting their groceries for Sunday dinner. Someone running in to get a birthday cake, you know, at the last minute. 10 innocent people who were in the wrong place at the wrong time. I'm sorry our majority leader isn't here with us today because this horrible act of violence and racism took place in her district, in her neighborhood, among her friends and her constituents. But I'm really honored to speak on behalf of all those who have been affected by the events of that dark day. May we remember these beautiful souls whose lives were cut short as we work to make the city of Buffalo a more peaceful and just community. And may their memories forever be a blessing. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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

[Assemblymember Al Taylor]: Thank you Madam Speaker and I want to thank the sponsor for introducing this legislation. And we're here with heavy hearts to honor the lives cut short by the violence at a supermarket on a Saturday afternoon in Buffalo in the face of unimaginable sorrow. We choose to remember and to stand in solidarity and to affirm the value of every life. To the victims, you are mothers, fathers, siblings, friends, neighbors, and members of a great community who brought light to those around you. Your lives mattered deeply and though you are no longer with us, your memories endure in the stories that are shared. The love that remains and the hope that guides us toward a safer more compassionate world. I would be lying if I didn't say I have mixed emotions and it's hard not to want to meet fire with fire but there's a greater creator that desires us to be smarter and greater than that and it's easy to surrender yourselves to the emotions that are around. And I would say that if we practice more than what we say which is practicing peace, what does that look like? And the creator says to seek justice, do mercy, and walk humbly with our gods. And and if we are doing those things individually, then we are transformative. We are power within ourselves that can transform anything. So we're not talking about hate. We're not gonna identify the individual. But if we're sharing positive love, then it's transformative and we can change our neighbor not knowing what they may be thinking about. I think that's the real takeaway that we can do here today is really live to model what the creator has given us to do. And we'll make New York State a better place. We'll make our communities a better place. And our homes would model that as well. And I can't help but not think about South Carolina because it happened there. So those are the things that kinda like you get swept up in the emotions. But there is going to be a day of And I know I wanna be really really quick here. But I want us to leave here with the strength and the courage that you matter and that you are an agent of transformation and you can make the world a better place. We all can. Thank you madam speaker.

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

[Unidentified member (called 'Mr. Deyes' by the Chair)]: Thank you madam speaker. There's no need to re opine what has already been said of the tragedy that was Buffalo but we do sometimes always need historical context. The first recorded mass killing of African Americans happened in 1866 which occurred in Memphis, again also New Orleans. Again in 1873 in Colfax. Nineteen o six in Atlanta. 1911 in Houston. East St. Louis, Wilmington, Chicago, Atlanta, Amherstburg in 1968, and of course Charleston in the state of where my family is from. But we can also not forget Tree Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh which attacked Jewish Americans. El Paso, Walmart that attacked Latino Americans, and the Atlanta spa targets in 2021. What we have seen is the connection between white supremacy groups and who are using also their political will in certain states to continue their campaign of fear. My grandmother was raised in the Jim Crow South and she told me the stories and why she fled South Carolina to come to New York. We must continue to be vigilant and to fight for those who understand that hate will always be a cancer within our society. Very brief, know we want we have a lot of people on the list, but if you just close your eyes for a quick second and imagine just like anyone here, they go to the grocery store to buy what they normally do. So for my kids, I'm buying Cheerios, I'm buying grapes and and oranges and snacks for their school. The Bushmaster, the five five six has a very unique sound and you hear that pop in your normal grocery store. And now as you open your eyes, there's a gun pointed at you. And your fate is determined on the color of your skin. Depending at that moment that person's gonna shoot you or not. The most chilling part of that encounter was there was stories and testimonies about he saw someone was about to pull the trigger and realized they were not a person of color and they told them to go. So imagine if you were in that grocery store and simply by the weight, the color of your skin determined if you're going to walk out. Something you do every day, every week was simply just going grocery shopping. We must remember those who were killed in the name of hate, but we must uplift them in the word of prayer and never forget the sacrifices that they made so we can continue to make New York better. Thank you.

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

[Assemblymember Vivian E. Cook]: Thank you madam speaker. Four years ago today, 10 of our neighbors went to a grocery store on Jefferson Avenue in Buffalo. Strawberries for a shortcake, a birthday cake for a three year old, a few items on the way home from a nursing home visit, ordinary errands on an ordinary day. Aaron Slater Jr, Celestine Chaney, Roberta Drury, Andre McNeil, Catherine Massey, Margus Morrison, Hayward Patterson, Geraldine Talley, Ruth Whitfield and Pearl Young did not come home that day. 10 black New Yorkers murdered in a racist attack by an 18 year old who drove more than 200 miles with a purpose, deliberate intention of killing black people because they were black. We have to say that plainly. This was white supremacist terrorism on New York soil against New Yorkers. I represent a district in Queens. But the grief of East Buffalo is not a regional grief. It is a New York grief. Every black person in my district understood that on 05/14/2022 that it could have been them that day. We say their names in the chamber because their names belong in the official record of the state of New York. Remembrance is necessary. But remembrance alone is not enough. This body has a responsibility to confront the radicalization, the weapons of war, and the inequities this attack laid bare. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Thank you. Ms. Chandler Waterman on the resolution.

[Assemblymember Monique Chandler-Waterman]: Thank you, Madam Speaker. Today we pause to commemorate the horrific mass shooting at Tops Friendly Market on Jefferson Avenue in Brooklyn, New York. Four years ago, 10 innocent people sorry, in Buffalo, New York. Four years ago, 10 innocent people were murdered in an act of racist domestic terrorism that targeted the heart of a proud and historic community. My prayers go out to all those impacted and continue to be impacted. As the co chair of the anti gun violence subcommittee of the New York State Black Puerto Rican Hispanic Asian Caucus, we collectively work together in hopes that one day we can say not another child, not another father, mother or loved one was killed due to gun violence. Today, we pay tribute to the victims, uplift the survivors and families who continue to carry unimaginable grief and recognize the strength and resilience shown by the Buffalo community in the years since this tragedy. We also thank the first responders, faith leaders and neighbors who answer hatred with compassion and unity. As a state, we need to continue to focus on increasing public health investments in a holistic way, leaning on gun violence prevention and education to drive out the hate. To move away from reactive measures. We recognize that gun violence devastates community across New York State and urban and rural towns. Each shooting, no matter one, two, unintentional or not, ripples through families and neighborhoods creating trauma that can last for generations. We are in the business of saving lives, preserving lives, loving people in our communities and we got so much work to do and it starts with all of us understanding differences, loving on each other and no matter what there is a place for everyone in this country, in this state, in this city. As New Yorkers, we remain dedicated in condemning racist, violence and bigotry in all forms and committed to ensuring that the memory of those lives that were taken for us, stolen for us, snatched for us, those who were murdered, we continue to make sure they are never forgotten. I stand in support today of this resolution, along with my colleagues, my family here today in the assembly.

[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. We have a number of resolutions before the House. Without objection, these resolutions will taken up together. On the resolutions, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed, no. The resolutions are adopted. Mister Fall.

[Assemblymember Charles D. Fall]: Madam speaker, on behalf of the chair for the majority conference, miss Clark, I would like to announce that there will be an immediate conference following session in the Speaker's Conference Room.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: Immediate majority conference in the Speaker's Conference Room, mister Fall.

[Assemblymember Charles D. Fall]: I now move that the assembly stand adjourned until Friday, May 15, tomorrow being a legislative day, and that we will reconvene on Monday, May 18 at the call of the speaker.

[Acting Speaker (female, presiding officer – name not stated)]: On mister Fowles' motion, the house stands adjourned.