New York State SmartTranscripts:

[Acting President of the Senate (male presiding officer)]: The senate will come to order. Ask everyone present to please rise and recite the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of United States Of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. In the absence of the clergy, let us bow our heads in a moment of silent reflection or prayer. Reading of the journal.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: In senate, Tuesday, 05/12/2026, the senate met pursuant to adjournment. Journal of Monday, 05/11/2026 was read and approved. I'll motion the senate adjournment.

[Acting President of the Senate (male presiding officer)]: Without objection, the journal stands approved as read. Presentation of petitions, messages from the assembly. Secretary Rovere.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Senator May moves to discharge from the committee on higher education assembly bill number 4,848, a substitute for the identical senate bill nine thousand six and seventy three, third reading calendar seven seventy two. Senator Rivera moves to discharge from the Committee on Health Assembly Bill number 8,849, a substituted for the Identical Senate Bill 9,401 A, third reading calendar eight thirteen. Senator Ramos moves to discharge from the Committee on Consumer Protection, Assembly Bill number 7,301 B, substitute a for the identical senate bill 7,547 b, third calendar eight thirty four. Senator Sutton moves the discharge from the committee on higher education, assembly bill number 9,566, a substitute for the identical senate bill 9,123, third calendar nine twenty four. Senator Bailey moves to discharge from the committee on agriculture. Assembly bill number 10,703. Substituted for the identical senate bill forty seven sixty nine, third reading calendar nine ninety five. So ordered.

[Acting President of the Senate (male presiding officer)]: Messages from the governor, report to standing committees, report to select committees, communications reports from state officers, motions and resolutions. Senator Generis.

[Senator Michael N. Gianaris (Deputy Majority Leader)]: Good afternoon, mister president. On behalf of senator Rivera, on page 39, I offer the following amendments to calendar eight twelve, senate print eighty eight forty one, and as that said, bill retains its place on the third reading calendar.

[Acting President of the Senate (male presiding officer)]: The amendments are received and the bill retains its place in the third reading calendar. Senator Generis.

[Senator Michael N. Gianaris (Deputy Majority Leader)]: Please recognize senator Fernandez for an introduction.

[Acting President of the Senate (male presiding officer)]: Senator Fernandez, for the purposes of an introduction.

[Senator Nathalia Fernandez]: Thank you, mister president, and thank you for this moment to give an introduction to some good friends and great leaders in the great state of New York. Today, we had some visitors from, our district in The Bronx as well as all over New York City, from the Yemen American community. We've celebrated, before in this house. We passed legislation to support a cultural district in The Bronx. And today, we had visitors, seeing us here in chambers, and I'm going to ask them to stand. But please, when you do give the cordiality of the floor, please recognize Somia El Romain, Enas El Romain, Rina Alma Wahi Wahi. These ladies have been staunch advocates for the Yemen American community when it comes to owning businesses, when it comes to making sure our schools and communities are able to to to support their various needs and values, and much like all of us, those are the same needs and values, but they have really, made strides in in the advocacy world when, women are not seen much. So we really appreciate their efforts, and I'm very honored to have them here today. They did join a greater group of of members of the Yemeni American community. Some friendly names we know, Yaheh Obeyed from Morris Park and Zaid Nagy from the Yemen American Merchant Association. But we thank them for their work in not only uplifting their community, but all our communities. And I thank them for visiting us today.

[Acting President of the Senate (male presiding officer)]: Thank you, senator Fernandez. From The Bronx and beyond, our Yemeni community to the ladies of the Yemeni community, we thank you for coming and advocating for small businesses and for your community. We extend to you all of the privileges and courtesies of this house. Please rise and be recognized.

[Senator Michael N. Gianaris (Deputy Majority Leader)]: Senator Generis. Rollison for an introduction.

[Acting President of the Senate (male presiding officer)]: Senator Rollison, for the purposes of introduction. Mister

[Senator Rob Rolison]: president, thank you. I think most of you probably would remember two years ago in June when we did the Alzheimer's resolution, I had the opportunity to introduce to this chamber two very dear friends of mine, Sherry and and Chris Davies. And I as at the time, I had told the story that that that Chris Davies junior and I were police officers together for about twenty years. And that shortly after he retired from the PD, he developed the early onset of Alzheimer's. And I talked about that, and Chris and Sherry were here to talk about what they were doing together as a couple to bring awareness to this because this happens to individuals far too early, and that was what happened to Chris. So today, mister president, earlier, Sherry Davies, who was here in the chamber with us today, was the recipient of the Frank Carlino Award for being an advocate for the Alzheimer's Association here in New York State. And I had a chance, of course, to see her there and introduce her to the individuals present from across the state who are doing advocacy today on Alzheimer's. Sadly, mister president, Chris is not here with us today. He could not make the trip. His situation, mister president, has deteriorated quite rapidly in in recent months. So she accepted this award on behalf of everybody that was in that room, many with the same types of experiences. And what Sherry has done, writing a chapter in this book called The Grief Experience on her journey through this terrible disease with her husband Christopher is start a support group for other spouses of individuals who have the early onset of dementia. Because it is certainly a place that is has many unknowns, and I heard it again today. Just catching up with her both on the phone in the past few weeks and then today about my friend Chris. And so her work has led to an establishment of a early stage task force within the association. And she was recognized for it, mister president. And because she is here today, I wanted to recognize her again to all of us, to the things that she has done and will continue to do. Today, I don't know where that journey is going to go for my good friend, my former brother in the police department, Chris Davies junior. But I know that his wife, Sherry, and his family and support system are going to be with him. And so, Sherry, you know how I feel about you and how I feel about Chris. And I wanted to say again, as I did two years ago, I love you both so dearly. And I wanna end this, mister president, with a writing in in her chapter, and and she says, and I think we all could really use to to think about this when we go about our our lives. I no longer take for granted the opportunities to be happy, present, and joyful with the people that I love. Let's remember that today, mister president, and every day, for Sherry, for Chris, for our own families, for the struggles that we may be having right now, the struggles we may have in the future. And mister president, if you could, could you extend the privileges of this house to Sherry Davis?

[Acting President of the Senate (male presiding officer)]: Thank you, senator Rollison. To miss Sherry Davis, we thank you for your advocacy, your strength, and your courage, and your reminder to let us not take anything for granted. That is certainly necessary in these days and times. We extend to you all the privileges and courtesy of this house. Please remain standing and be recognized. Senator Generis.

[Senator Michael N. Gianaris (Deputy Majority Leader)]: Mister president, let's take a previously adopted resolution 19 o five by senator Grunardis. Read that resolution's title and recognize senator Grenardis.

[Acting President of the Senate (male presiding officer)]: The second say we read.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Resolution nineteen zero five by senator Grenardis memorializing governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim 04/24/2026 as Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day in the state of New York.

[Acting President of the Senate (male presiding officer)]: Senator Grenardis in the resolution.

[Senator Andrew Gounardes]: Thank you, mister president. My colleagues, I stand here today in support of this resolution commemorating April 24 as Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day. The twentieth century has seen some of the greatest atrocities known in the history of mankind. Attempts to wipe out and fully exterminate entire populations of people. And even before or even a generation before the terrible atrocities that happened during the Holocaust in Nazi Germany, the Ottoman Empire engaged in a systematic pogrom to exterminate the Armenians and the Greek and the Pontians and the Assyrians and other Christian minorities living in the Ottoman Empire, living in modern day Turkey. On 04/24/1915, ultra nationalist Turkish factions in the Ottoman Empire, known as the Young Turks, began their eight year long campaign to systematically wipe out the minority communities living there. Over the course of eight years, 1,500,000 Armenians were exterminated because of the Turkish Ottoman genocide pogrom. 800,000 Greeks were exterminated by the Turkish Ottoman genocide pogrom. Hundreds of thousands of Assyrians, pontics, and other Christian minorities were terminated, killed, slaughtered, displaced. They were forced into death marches and placed in concentration camps. Churches destroyed, whole communities set on fire. In 1923, the Ottoman Empire set fire to the entire city, Greek city of Smyrna in Asia Minor in an attempt to kill every person living there. This is an awful, awful legacy that we have an obligation not just to never forget, but to proactively remember. Henry Morgenthau, who was The US ambassador to the Ottoman Empire at that time, observed in 1915 that the actions by the Ottoman Turks constituted a carefully planned scheme to thoroughly extinguish the Armenian race and that a campaign of race extermination is in is in progress. Three years later in 1918, ambassador Morgenthau issued a call to the world to stand up for the truth saying, will the outrageous terrorizing, the cruel torturing, the driving of women into the harem, the debauchery of innocent girls, the sale of many of them at 80¢ each, the murdering of hundreds of thousands, and the deportation to and starvation in the deserts of other hundreds of thousands, the destruction of hundreds of villages and cities. Will the willful execution of this whole devilish scheme to annihilate the Armenian, Greek, and Syrian Christian Christians of Turkey, will this all go unpunished? Sadly, mister president and my colleagues, at that time, it did go unpunished. But we're here today more than a century later to be able to say that we'll never forget what happened to those communities and that we'll do everything in our power to put their memory into our consciousness. At a time of renewed hatred and bigotry against ethnic, racial and religious minorities around the world, of where they are or where they come from, let us remember the tragedies that occurred to the Armenian, Greek, Assyrian and Pontic people a century ago, pay tribute to their lives, and commit ourselves to ensure that on our watch and forever beyond, these atrocities never happen again. I vote aye.

[Acting President of the Senate (male presiding officer)]: Thank you, senator Gennardis. The resolution is previously adopted on April 21. Senator Generis.

[Senator Michael N. Gianaris (Deputy Majority Leader)]: Let's now move on to previously adopted resolution twenty fifty eight by senator Mayor. Read that resolution's title and call on senator Mayor.

[Acting President of the Senate (male presiding officer)]: Secretary, I will

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: read Resolution twenty fifty eight by senator mayor mourning the death of Dylan Valle, distinguished citizen and the board member of his community. Senator mayor, the resolution.

[Senator Shelley B. Mayer]: Thank you, mister president. I rise to speak about an incredible colleague and leader in our community, Dylan Valley, a labor leader, community advocate who died way too early last month in an automobile accident. Dylan dedicated his life to fighting for working people and uplifting communities and many of the communities I represent as a regional director for the New York Hotel Trades Council, a union organizer with TWU Local one hundred, and for the last ten years as the district director for Local thirty two BJ in our community. During those ten years, I worked closely with him as he represented thousands of union members and advocated for them, largely office cleaners in the commercial sector as well as airport workers and so many immigrant members of thirty two b j fighting for affordable housing, tenant protection, better benefits, better contracts, and for more just immigration policies that allowed the members of that union to feel confident in their right to stay in this country and work. Just before Dylan died and I watched it today, he spoke at the White Plains City Council with the new council members urging them to take action condemning some of the immigration policies that are before us, as well as he had worked with me on expanding affordable housing in the city of White Plains, always with a constructive voice to finding solutions, always in a most heartfelt effort to ensure that the members of that union, people that we live among our neighbors, were protected and got the American dream they deserved. He was respected not only for his leadership but his compassion. He worked with families in need following superstorm Sandy, supported the American Cancer Society, and served as a delegate to the Westchester Putnam Central Label Body of the AFL CIO. Everywhere he went, was a person who brought people together. He fought for fairness, opportunity, and respect for all. He was a beloved father and family man. I met several of his children. He was so proud of them and all they had accomplished. He also left behind his parents and so many other family members who loved him. While his passing is a tremendous tragedy for our community, His legacy of compassion and courage and service and commitment to doing hard things and political courage will be remembered for years. We honor him today and extend our deepest condolences to his family, his friends, his colleagues in 32 BJ, and all those whose lives he touched. May he rest in peace. I vote aye.

[Acting President of the Senate (male presiding officer)]: Thank you, senator mayor. The resolution was adopted on May 12. Senator Generis.

[Senator Michael N. Gianaris (Deputy Majority Leader)]: Please, call on Senator Prasad in relation to previously adopted resolution thirteen eighty two whose title should be read.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Secretary O'Reed. Resolution thirteen eighty two by senator Passad, memorializing governor Kathy Hopewell to proclaim May '17 02/2026 as period poverty awareness week in state of New York. Senator Passad, end the resolution.

[Senator Roxanne J. Persaud]: Thank you, mister president. Today, I rise as I've been doing for many years now to recognize period poverty awareness week in the state of New York, and that is May. This week initiated it was initiated by the Alliance for Period Supplies. It highlights a prevalent issue, the lack of access to menstrual products. Yesterday, I wanna thank my colleague, senator Gonzalez, who partnered with me on our annual webinar where we had educators, physicians, etcetera, community advocates talking about what period poverty is and how it affects people across all walks of life, not just in our, you know, my community, but across the state of New York, actually across the world. Period poverty is something that, you know, the one of the advocates on the calls on the webinar yesterday said, she was in another country and people were doing a collection of period products, to distribute to, you know, underprivileged communities. And she said to them, oh, we do that in The United States also. And they looked at her and said, what are you talking about? This is what the person said. What are you talking about The United States? She says, yes. We have to collect products to distribute within The United States to people who have no access to period products, which should not happen. You know, one in three low income individuals do not have access to these products. Students going to school or not going to school because they do not have access. The ones who are attending classes, they go and senator Lanza I can hear senator Lanza.

[Acting President of the Senate (male presiding officer)]: Can we have some order, folks? Thank you.

[Senator Roxanne J. Persaud]: Students are going to school, and they're sitting there all day afraid to get up, to leave the classroom because they are afraid of what may happen, what others may see when they get up. People are sitting in classrooms, in a very hot classroom with a scarf tied around their waist or sweater tied around their waist because they're afraid to get and they're afraid to get up. Some people have access. They have to leave the classroom and get to a nurse's office and ask for a product. That should not be. Everyone should have access. We talk about being a a wealthy nation. We talk about being everyone having access to everything that they should need. But period poverty is real in this country. Period poverty is something that we need to eliminate. You know, I invite my colleagues to do in your communities. I ask every year, I ask you this. Duke drives in your community and ask your your constituents to donate products and then distribute those products to people who are in need. Do so. We do that. We stand in front of schools and distribute it to, to students as they're coming out. A few years ago, as we were distributing these products, a young man came up and said he wanted to take some home for his mom. Right? A young man came up. He was not afraid. He was not embarrassed. And he came up and said, can I have some products to take home for my mom? We want this to be a conversation that people are having. We want people to understand that this is a health issue. If someone is unable to change the product that they're using or they have no access to the products to keep them healthy, then we end up paying for it on the other end. We end up paying for it for health care. And we're cutting back on health care. Right? If we're cutting back on health care, we should do things to prevent them from needing that health care that we're cutting back on. So, mister president, I, again, I encourage my colleagues, please do drives in your in your community. It does not only have to be during this week. It can be any time of the year. And as you go around your community, as you have any kind of event, have a table, set it up, and distribute those products. That person will be thankful. So, mister president, I and I thank you, and I vote aye.

[Acting President of the Senate (male presiding officer)]: Thank you, senator Prasad. Senator Webb on the resolution.

[Senator Lea Webb]: Thank you, mister president. I too wanna thank senator Prasad for, introducing this resolution. A number of us members in our districts, not just simply during this week but throughout the year, offer free menstrual hygiene product drives because the need is that great. And so it's important that we not only work through programs in trying to improve access, but also to continue building awareness. And so I want to thank senator Prasad again for her efforts. You know, as the chair of women's issues, we have done a lot in this space in trying to pass policies that improve access as a body. We have most certainly done this, whether it was legislation that was passed in 2016 that has taken off what was known as a period tax where we were finding that a lot of these products or pink tax, excuse me, that a lot of products that women use were being taxed at much higher rates. These are things that are essential, they are needed. Every woman in their lifetime goes through a significant amount of years with respect to their menstrual cycle. It's a natural process and it's important to recognize the barriers that still exist still to this day. In this chamber, we've also done policies including expanding access at our k through 12 schools, most certainly our colleges and universities, making, free products available. But we know there's still more work to do. In New York, it is documented that more that individuals will spend more than $7,000 over the course of their lifetime on period products. Again, it is important that we continue to raise awareness through policy, strengthen, most certainly access to these important products, but also continue to work collectively to remove barriers that are most certainly driven by socioeconomic status and other challenges that we need to do. And period poverty awareness week is a great way to not only lift up this important issue, but to also encourage all of us to collectively take a stand and support those who are most impacted by this issue. I proudly vote aye. Thank you, mister president.

[Acting President of the Senate (male presiding officer)]: Thank you, senator Webb. Senator Clear on the resolution.

[Senator Cordell Cleare]: Thank you, mister president. And I wanna thank, my colleagues for raising this issue. It is a very important issue. Women do go through this and girls, some as young as even nine years old. And if you could imagine being in school or being afraid to go to school, because you don't have sufficient products, you don't have the money and and households where you have more than one, more than two girls, more than three, You know, I had a lot of sisters. That can be an expense for a family, you know, and and and also maybe mom. But it's and also the other reason why it's so important that we do things like this and talk about it is to lift the stigma off of it. This is a natural process. Every woman, human being will get it. And you know, we have to make sure that we're not talking about it like this is some kind of a, you know, taboo. This is a period. This is what women get. And we have to make sure that everybody feels comfortable. It should be as normal as toilet paper. So these products should be available to women everywhere, all the time. That's as much as we can do. So I have I I took Senator Proussard up earlier this year and we did a huge collection in my district and the women who received those products were so grateful, so thankful to get those products in their homes. They're very expensive sometime and all the time they're expensive. And we have to just make sure that we're thinking about these things. So thank you so much for lifting that up. Thank you.

[Acting President of the Senate (male presiding officer)]: Thank you, senator Cleer. This resolution was adopted on January 21. Senator Generis.

[Senator Michael N. Gianaris (Deputy Majority Leader)]: And now let's move on to previously adopted resolution thirteen thirty nine by Senator Galvin. Read that resolution's title and call on Senator Galvin.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Secretary will read. Resolution thirteen thirty nine by Senator Galvin memorializing governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2026 as nurses week in the city of New York.

[Acting President of the Senate (male presiding officer)]: Senator Galavan on resolution.

[Senator Patrick M. Gallivan]: Thank you, mister president. I rise to recognize nurses week in New York state and to honor the extraordinary nurses who serve patients, families, and communities in every corner of our state. This week, also commemorates the May 12 birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, gives us an opportunity to pause and express our deep gratitude for a profession defined by skill, compassion, and quiet strength. In New York, the governor has also recognized the month of May as nurses month, underscoring the vital role nurses play not just during one week or month, but every day of the year. Nurses are often the steady voice in a moment of fear and the reassuring presence that helps families through some of life's most most difficult times. They work in our hospitals, nursing homes, schools, clinics, physician offices, and home care settings. They serve in urban centers, suburban communities, and rural towns. They bring clinical excellence, dedication, and humanity to every setting in which care is delivered. New York is home to hundreds of thousands of nursing professionals whose expertise strengthens patient care, improves outcomes, and supports the health of our communities. At a time when our health care system continues to face serious demands, nurses remain indispensable. The strength of our health care system depends in large measure on the strength of our nursing workforce. So today, I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking the nurses of New York State for their professionalism, their sacrifice, their unwavering commitment to others in our community as we all recognize and celebrate nurses week in New York State. Thank you, mister president.

[Acting President of the Senate (male presiding officer)]: Thank you, senator Galagan. The resolution was adopted on January 13. Senator Generis.

[Senator Michael N. Gianaris (Deputy Majority Leader)]: The, sponsors of today's resolutions would like to open them for cosponsorship.

[Acting President of the Senate (male presiding officer)]: These resolutions are open for cosponsorship. Should you choose not to be a cosponsor, please notify the desk.

[Senator Andrew Gounardes]: Senator Generis.

[Senator Michael N. Gianaris (Deputy Majority Leader)]: Please call on senator Lanza for a motion.

[Acting President of the Senate (male presiding officer)]: Senator Lanza.

[Senator Andrew J. Lanza]: Thank you, senator Generis. Mister president, on behalf of senator Rhodes, on page 31, I offer the following amendments to calendar six six three, print number four three two five, and as that said, bill retain its place on third reading calendar.

[Acting President of the Senate (male presiding officer)]: The amendments are received and the bill retain its place on the third reading calendar. Senator Generis. Let's take up the calendar, please. Secondary read.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Calendar number 51, senate print two fifty two by senator Martinez. In that, too many environmental conservation law. Lay it aside. Calendar number one sixty nine, center front seventeen fourteen a by senator Brucken, acting on the public health law. Read the last section. Section five is action to defect immediately. Call the roll. Adabo. GNR, Scugar, Ort, Stuart Cotton's, zoner. Announce the results. In relation to calendar one sixty nine, voted in a negative are senators Barrella, Gonzalez, Fitzpatrick, Chan, Galvin, Grifle, Helming, Lanza, Matera, Merrill Ort, Rhodes, Stett, Tedisco, Walzwick, Weber, and White, Ayes, 44. Nays, 16. Bills passed. Calendar number February, center print eighty eight sixty one a by Senator Ashby, an action on the highway law. Read the last section. Section three, this action to expect the meeting. Call the roll. Dabo, GNR, Scruggar, Court, Swift Captain Zelman. Announce the results. Aye, 60. Votes passed. Calendar number May, set up in seventy eight ten by Senator Salazar, an act to amend the correction law. Read the last section. Section two, this action defect immediately. Call the roll. Dabo, GNR, Scruger, Ort, Sukad, and Zelner. Announce the results. In relation to counter five fifty voting in the negative are senators Ashby, Barello, Kansas City, Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivant, Griflo, Helming, Lanza, Meterra, Amara Ort, Colombo, Rhodes, Stack, Todisco, Walzwick, Weber, and White. Ayes, forty two days, eighteen. Bills passed. Calendar number 06/23, senate press 6463 by senate clear, enact them in the correction law. Read the last section. Section three, this action of the effective mediator. Call the roll. Adabo, GNR's approval. Ort, Sukup, and Zeller. Announce the results. In relation to calendar six twenty three, vote in the negative are senators Barrella, Chan, O'Mara, Ort, Steck, Walzik, and White. Ayes, 53 and aye, seven. Bills passed. Calendar number June, center print '82 pardon me, 8272 by Senator Steckenack to amend the executive law. Read

[Senator Mark C. Walczyk]: the last section.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Section two, this action will defect immediately. Call the roll. Adabo, GNR, Scrugga, Ort, Sulcas, and Zelman. Announce the results. Aye, 60. Bills passed.

[Acting President of the Senate (male presiding officer)]: Calendar June is high and will be laid aside for the day.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Calendar number 674, senate print 8294 by senator Sapova, an act from the civil practice law and rules. Read the last section. Section two, this act should be perfect immediately. Call the roll. Adabo, G and R, Sukad and Zelman.

[Acting President of the Senate (male presiding officer)]: Now's the results.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: In relation to calendar June, voted in the negative are senators Barrella, Chan, Martinez, Murray, O'Mara, and Ort. Ayes fifty four and eighty six. The bills passed. Calendar number July, Senate Print 09/2018 by Senator Mayer, enactment to amend the education law.

[Senator Mark C. Walczyk]: Read the last section.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Section two, this action will take effect immediately. Call the roll. Adabo, Jornar, Springer, Ort, Sukad, and Zeller. Announce the results. Ayes, 60. Those passed. Number 747, center print twenty three zero five by senator Kruger, an act to amend the civil practice law and rules. Read the last section. Section three, this action took effect immediately. Call the roll. Adabo, GNR, Sukhan, Zellner. Announce the results. In relation to counter seven forty seven voted in the negative are Senators Ashby, Barello, Kensethaer Fitzpatrick Chan, Gallivan, Griffin Helming, Lanza, Matera, Murray, O'Mara, Ort, Palumbo, Rhoads, Rawls, and Steck, Tadesco, Walzik, Weber, and White. Ayes, 40 nays, 20. The bill's passed. Calendar number July, assembly number 4848 by assembly member McDonnell, enactment of education law.

[Senator Mark C. Walczyk]: Read the last section.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Section two, this act will take effect on the one hundred and eighty day after their job come along. All the roll. Adabo, GNR, Krueger, Ort, Suka, and Zelner. Announce the results. In relation to calendar July, voting in the negative, Senator Walzik. Ayes, 59 nays one. Bills pass. Calendar number 08/13, assembly number 8849 b by assembly member McDonald, enact two of the public health floor.

[Senator Mark C. Walczyk]: Read the last section.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Section two, this action will take effect immediately. Call the roll. Adabo, Gnr. Schruger, Ort, Sukad, and Zonner.

[Acting President of the Senate (male presiding officer)]: Announce the results.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: I have 60. Bills passed. Calendar number August, assembly number 7301 b by assembly member Tapia Nachtum in the general business law.

[Senator Mark C. Walczyk]: Read the last section.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Section two, this action will be conducted and wander eighty of days. Shout out come along. Call the roll. Dabo, GNR, Scruggler, Ort, Souther, and Zoner. Announce the results. Aye, 60.

[Senator Rob Rolison]: The bill's passed.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Calendar number August, center print 7690 by Senator GNR, enact to amend the health law. Public health law.

[Senator Mark C. Walczyk]: Read the last section.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Section six is action, pick, and fective, 100 and of day. If should come along? Call the roll. Adabo, JNR, Scruker, Ort, Stewart Cotton, Zummer.

[Acting President of the Senate (male presiding officer)]: Announce the results.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: In relation to counter eight fifty two voting in a negative, Senator Walzik, ayes 59, ayes one. The bill's passed. Excuse me. Also, Senator Chan, ayes 58, Names two. Bill remains passed. Calendar number eight fifty three, senate print seventy seven thirty eight a by senator Gennard is enacted with the social services law. Read the last section. Section two, this action will take effect immediately. Call the roll. Adabo, Gennard, Souka, or Zucker, and Zellner. Announce the results. I have six bills passed. Child number 864, senate correct 2476 a by senator Parker, enacted with the public service law. Read the last section. Section three, this action could affect immediately. Call the roll. Adabo, Jynar, or Sukhanzam. Announce the results. In relation to counter eight sixty four, vote in the negative are senators Barrella, Kensetha, Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Grifo, Helmy, Matera, O'Mara, Ort, Rhodes, State, Tedisco, Walton, Weber, and White. Ayes, 45. Nays, 15. The bill's passed. Senator Generis.

[Senator Michael N. Gianaris (Deputy Majority Leader)]: Neglected to call on senator Ramos to explain her vote on calendar August. Can we please, give her that opportunity?

[Acting President of the Senate (male presiding officer)]: Certainly, senator Genera. Senator Ramos to explain her vote.

[Senator Jessica Ramos]: Oh, thank you, mister president. Carmen Iris Santiago was murdered by her estranged husband inside the beauty salon where she worked on 37th Avenue in Jackson Heights several years ago. Her death shook our community deeply because salons are supposed to feel safe. They're places where women gather, talk, build trust, and look out for one another. And after Carmen's murder, many advocates and salon workers in Queens began asking an important question. What if survivors had more discreet access to information and support in the places they already trust? That's what this bill is about. Domestic violence remains one of the most urgent public health crises facing our state. More than one in three New Yorkers will experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime. That's an appalling statistic. Survivors suffer in silence, isolated by fear, stigma, language barriers, or simply not knowing where to turn to for help. This legislation requires salons, barber shops, nail salons, spas, and other appearance enhancement businesses to display multilingual information about domestic violence resources, hotlines, and victim services. Because help should be visible and because immigrant communities and non English speakers should not have to navigate fear and language barriers at the same time. This bill does not ask businesses to solve domestic violence. It asks us to make sure survivors know they are not alone. Because sometimes access to help begins with something as small as seeing a phone number on the wall. Sometimes visibility can save a life. I wanna thank the advocates, survivors, salon workers, and community organizations who helped bring attention to this issue and continue fighting for safer communities across New York. I wanna thank my colleagues who support this legislation and especially senator May for having it passed through her consumer protection committee. Thank you.

[Acting President of the Senate (male presiding officer)]: Senator Ramos will be recorded in the affirmative. Senator Generis.

[Senator Michael N. Gianaris (Deputy Majority Leader)]: Continue at the calendar. I think we're up to calendar August.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Secretary Reed. Calendar number eight ninety five, senate ninety nine zero seven by senator Butcher Bacheron, pardon me. And that's when the real property action and proceeding will. Read the last section. Section two, this action can affect immediately. Call the roll. Dabo, GNR, Swiga, Ort, Swiga, Zama. Announce the results. In relation to calendar August, voting in negative are senators Barrella, Kansas City, and Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallowan, Griffon, Helming, Matera, Murray, Amera or Columbo, Rawlinson, Todisco, Walzik, Weberton, White. Ayes 44

[Acting President of the Senate (male presiding officer)]: and a 16. Before we know that the bill is passed, senator Generis.

[Senator Michael N. Gianaris (Deputy Majority Leader)]: President, I believe that's senator Butcher's first bill to pass the senate.

[Acting President of the Senate (male presiding officer)]: Senator Bacher, are you going to explain your your vote? Bacher to explain his vote.

[Unknown NYC Senator (first-time bill sponsor on NYC marshal e-filing)]: Thank you, mister president. Today, I rise to discuss my first bill as a member of this body to come to the floor, and it's a bill that states something simple but important, that New York City marshals must serve a notice of eviction electronically within one business day of service of the eviction notice. This bill is about transparency, fairness, and giving tenants clear notice before an eviction takes place. Last year, New York strengthened the law to require New York City marshals to electronically file eviction notices so tenants and their attorneys could clearly understand eviction timelines. But in practice, many notices are not being uploaded promptly, creating confusion and leaving tenants without critical information when time matters most. This bill simply clarifies the law by requiring marshals to physically post and electronically file notices of eviction within one business day of service. This ensures that tenants have accurate and timely access to information so that they may seek legal assistance, apply for rental aid or pursue relief before an eviction occurs. It ensures the process is transparent, consistent, and compliant with the law. At a time when housing instability continues to affect so many New Yorkers, we have a responsibility to ensure due process protections are meaningful and enforceable. I'm glad I'm

[Acting President of the Senate (male presiding officer)]: Senator Batshu, it will be recorded in the affirmative. Announce the results. The bill is passed. With the

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Calendar number 912, senate print 70 279 by senator Garcello Spanthan enact to amend the Surrey Accords Procedure Act. Read the last section. Section two is action to defect immediately. All the roll. Adabo, GNR Scrugga, Hortz, suitcumstance owner. Announce the results. In relation to counter nine, twelve, voting in a negative R, senators Morello, Kansas City, Fitzpatrick, Chan, Galvin, Griffin, Helming, Lanza, Martinez, Matera, Murray, Amara Ort, Rose, Rawlson, Steck, Tadisco, Walzik, Weber, and White, ayes 41, nays '19. The bill's passed. Calendar number 09/23, set up for an 8899 by Senator Savicka, enact to amend the education law. Read the last section. Section three, this act is affecting the one and twentieth date. It shall come along.

[Acting President of the Senate (male presiding officer)]: Call to roll.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Adabo, GNR, Scuga, Ortz, will come and zona. Announce the results. Ayes, 60. Bill's passed. 100 Calendar number 09/24, assembly number 9066 A by assembly member Bergeron Act to amend the education law.

[Senator Mark C. Walczyk]: Read the last section.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Session two, this act should be effective on the January shall a law.

[Acting President of the Senate (male presiding officer)]: Call to roll.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Adabo, G and R, Skruger, Ort, Announce the results. In relation to calendar 09/24, voting negative, Senator Walzik, ayes 59, ayes one. Bills passed. Calendar number 09/29, center print ninety nine sixteen by Senator Jackson, enact to amend the correction law.

[Senator Mark C. Walczyk]: Read the

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: last section. Section two, this action took effect 01/01/2027. Call the roll. Adabo, GNR, Scuba, Ort, Sukhan, Zelner. Announce the results. Aye. 60. Bills passed. Calendar number '9 30 '6, center print 2517 a by center Coonan, enactment of the vehicle and traffic law. Read the last section. Section 12 is actual to defect on the ninety day after a shop come along. Call the roll. Adabo, GNR Skruger, Ort, Sukhan, Zona. Announce the results. I 60. Bills passed. Childhood number 953, senate print 10,041 by senator Scarcello Spanton, Enact from the environmental conservation law. Read the last section. Section two that's action to defect immediately. Call the roll. Adabo. G and R, Scruger, Ort, Sukad, and Zelner. Announce the results. In relation to calendar nine fifty three, voting in a negative Senator Scoopers. Ayes 59, ayes one. The bill's passed. Calendar number nine fifty seven, senate print 10/1945 by Senator Fernandez enact too many environmental conservation law. Read the last section. Section two, this action could affect immediately. Call the roll. Adabo, GNR, Scugar, Ort, Sukadanzona. Announce the results. In relation to calendar nine '57, voting in a negative. Senator Scruger, ayes 59 ayes one. Bills passed. Calendar number nine fifty eight, senate print 10/1946 by senator Bino, enact too many environmental conservation laws.

[Senator Mark C. Walczyk]: Read the last section.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Section two that's action to infect immediately. Call the roll. Adabo, GNR, Scuba, or school cousins, Zelman. Senator May to explain your vote.

[Senator Rachel May]: Thank you, mister president. I rise in the hope that senator Scufus might vote in favor of this bill. No. I'm I'm I know it's not normal to speak on these program bills, but I wanted to take a moment to honor the American eel as we are voting for, protecting and managing this species. Because the American eel was once an incredibly plentiful and important species in my district. The lore from the Haudenosaunee about how many eels there would be in Onondaga Lake was that they were so plentiful, you could almost walk across the lake. They were a very, important food species for the six nations of the Haudenosaunee, and so beloved and honored that one of the nine clans of the six nations is the eel clan to this day. The American eel has an interesting life cycle. They spawn in the Sargasso Sea in The Caribbean. The juveniles swim all the way up the coast of, the East Coast of the continent. They used to go up to the Saint Lawrence River, labor their way up that rushing river into Lake Ontario and down Seneca River into Onondaga Lake. And they would sometimes stay as many as thirty years maturing before they would swim back down to the Sargasso Sea to mate and spawn. They can't do that anymore because of all the dams on the Saint Lawrence River, but some intrepid American eels still make their way up the East Coast to the Hudson River. And I'm proud that the state DEC protects and manages this threatened species that has been so important to our state in the past. I vote aye.

[Acting President of the Senate (male presiding officer)]: Senator May to be recorded in the affirmative. Senator Scoopfist to explain his vote.

[Senator James Skoufis]: Thank you very much, mister president. As they say, you learn something new every day. I think I learned eight or nine new facts about EEL just a moment ago. And so I too rise to celebrate the EEL, but I also wish to explain why I vote no briefly. And that is not because I don't wish the DEC to regulate eel and blueback herring and the 19 other species we'll no doubt authorize regulation for later this session. It's the the way by which we legislate these authorizations splitting up all the different fish and wildlife. That is why I vote no. Thank you.

[Acting President of the Senate (male presiding officer)]: Senator Scoopers, to be recorded in the negative, announce the results.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: In relation to calendar nine fifty eight, vote in in the negative. Senator Skupas, aye 59. Nays one.

[Acting President of the Senate (male presiding officer)]: The bill's passed.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Calendar number September, senate print thirty three thirty six by senator Cooney enact to amend the general municipal law. Read the last section. Section two, this action should effect immediately. Call the roll. Adabo. G and R, Scruzell, Ortz, Wilkut, and Zellner. Announce the results. Ayes. 60. Bills passed. Calendar number nine ninety five, assembly number 10/1000 by assembly member Simon and Nach to amend pardon me, Nach to authorize and direct the commission the commissioner of agriculture and markets to conduct a study on vertical farming.

[Senator Mark C. Walczyk]: Read the last section.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Section two is asked to conduct immediately. Call the roll. Dabo. GNR speaker Ort, Sukhan Zumner. Announce the results. I have six. Bills passed. Comment number nine ninety six, senate print fifty one fifty nine a by senator Commer, enactment of agricultural markets law. Read the last section. Section two, this action will take effect immediately. Call the roll. Adabo, Genar, Sukun, Zonner.

[Acting President of the Senate (male presiding officer)]: Announce the results.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: In relation to the calendar nine ninety six voted a negative are Senator Scrugga and Walzik, ayes 58, names two. Bills passed. Calendar number 1,009, senate print eighty six sixteen a by Senator Gennaro, enactment general business law.

[Acting President of the Senate (male presiding officer)]: Lay it aside. Senator Gennaro, that completes the reading of today's calendar.

[Senator Michael N. Gianaris (Deputy Majority Leader)]: Let's take up the controversial calendar, please.

[Acting President of the Senate (male presiding officer)]: Secretary, ring the bell. Secretary, read.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Calendar number 51, senate print two fifty two by senator Martinez, and that to amend the environmental conservation law.

[Acting President of the Senate (male presiding officer)]: Senator Wolczyk, why do you rise?

[Senator Mark C. Walczyk]: Mister president, would the sponsor yield? Will the sponsor yield? Yes. Sponsor yields. I know we're, forty two day through you, mister president. I know we're we're forty two days, late on the New York state budget, but priorities and a long agenda today, we continue to work on different legislative initiatives and various priorities. This bill would ban people from owning walruses in the state of New York. How many New Yorkers currently own a 4,000 pound Pacific Arctic walrus?

[Senator Jessica Ramos]: Madam president, to my knowledge, no one.

[Senator Mark C. Walczyk]: Thank you, madam president.

[Senator Roxanne J. Persaud]: Are there any other senators wishing to be heard? Seeing and hearing none, the debate is closed. Senator Generis. Senator Generis.

[Senator Michael N. Gianaris (Deputy Majority Leader)]: Madam President, let's restore this bill to the non controversial calendar, please.

[Senator Roxanne J. Persaud]: The bill is restored to the non controversial calendar. Read the last section.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Section three, this act shall take effect immediately. Call the roll. Adabo, Gennaro, Suka, or Suka, and Zaun.

[Senator Roxanne J. Persaud]: Announce the results.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: In relation to counter fifty fifty one voted in a negative are senators Lanza, O'Mara, Ort, Steck, and Walzik. Ayes 55, nays five.

[Senator Roxanne J. Persaud]: The bill is passed.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Counter number 1,009, set up for eighty six sixteen a by senator Gennaris, an act to to amend the general business law.

[Senator Roxanne J. Persaud]: Senator Barrella, why do you rise?

[Senator George M. Borrello]: Well, madam president, that was the second best WALZIC Wednesday that I've ever seen. But that being said, would the sponsor yield for a question?

[Senator Roxanne J. Persaud]: Well, the sponsor yield. Yes. The sponsor yields.

[Senator George M. Borrello]: Through you, Madam President, you know, I've read through this bill, and for the audience watching at home, both of them, could you please explain what this bill is actually looking to accomplish as far as consumer protection? How's how's this going to function?

[Senator Michael N. Gianaris (Deputy Majority Leader)]: Yeah. So once again, my colleague has taken up the mantle of the defender of large corporate abuse. And so I'm happy to defend this bill against that onslaught from Senator Barello. This bill will prohibit the practice of electronic shelf labeling, which is digital labels that appear at grocery stores and large box stores. And the reason for that is because as technology is emerging, those labels can be used to scan or listen to a person's conversations or scan their faces and download personal data and set prices specific to that individual that would result in what is effectively price gouging.

[Senator George M. Borrello]: Madam President, sponsor continue to yield?

[Acting President of the Senate (Madam President, likely Sen. Roxanne J. Persaud)]: Will the sponsor yield? Yes. The sponsor yields.

[Senator George M. Borrello]: So, with that being said, do we have any documented cases of this happening in New York State so far at pharmacies and grocery stores, which appears this is the bill that's targeting specifically those two categories?

[Senator Michael N. Gianaris (Deputy Majority Leader)]: What we have, Senator Barrella, is the fact that Walmart specifically has indicated their intention to implement these digital price labels throughout their stores. We had examples from Kroger's. We have examples from a Wegmans in Brooklyn, was doing a facial recognition program. We also have the fact that in conjunction with Walmart saying they're implementing electronic shelf labeling, they have applied for two patents related to machine learning, which would allow for the kind of AI generated pricing and algorithmic pricing that we're referring to here. So I, for one, don't want to wait until we find documented individual cases of this happening in stores in New York when we know it's coming and there's no reason not to stop it. We know that Instacart, for example, was doing this kind of thing online already. And why you would want people to be further subject to price gouging at a time of an affordability crisis is beyond me, but we're trying to take measures to stop that. Continue to yield.

[Acting President of the Senate (Madam President, likely Sen. Roxanne J. Persaud)]: Does the sponsor yield? Yes. The sponsor yield.

[Senator George M. Borrello]: So you brought up algorithms, you brought up Instacart, which leads to another question of mine. So how would this bill protect someone from having Instacart change their price on them?

[Senator Michael N. Gianaris (Deputy Majority Leader)]: Well, Instacart is an online platform. This bill deals specifically with, in person shopping at grocery stores or big box stores. There is legislation that I believe my colleague, senator May, is carrying that would deal with the broader problem from, the Instacarts of the world.

[Senator George M. Borrello]: Madam president, will sponsor continue to yield?

[Acting President of the Senate (Madam President, likely Sen. Roxanne J. Persaud)]: Does the sponsor yield?

[Senator Michael N. Gianaris (Deputy Majority Leader)]: Yes.

[Acting President of the Senate (Madam President, likely Sen. Roxanne J. Persaud)]: The sponsor yields.

[Senator George M. Borrello]: So you have brick and mortar businesses, which we value here in New York State, particularly because they pay property taxes, they employ our citizens. They will be constrained by this. But yet, an online retailer would not really be constrained by this because we're really not addressing the algorithm or just the actual shelf pricing. Is that correct?

[Senator Michael N. Gianaris (Deputy Majority Leader)]: Like I said, this bill is specifically tailored to one aspect of the problem. There's another bill which you're welcome to co sponsor. I'm sure senator May would be happy to have your name on the bill, that would deal with the broader problem.

[Senator George M. Borrello]: May the president sponsor continue to yield?

[Acting President of the Senate (Madam President, likely Sen. Roxanne J. Persaud)]: Does the sponsor yield? Yes. The sponsor yields.

[Senator George M. Borrello]: So with that being said, what about a retailer that has brick and mortar and online? If they have you know, how will this impact them in their online version of that same product that you're concerned about the price changing?

[Senator Michael N. Gianaris (Deputy Majority Leader)]: Bill deals with electronic shelf labeling on-site at a store in person.

[Senator George M. Borrello]: Madam President, sponsor continue to yield? Does the sponsor yield?

[Acting President of the Senate (Madam President, likely Sen. Roxanne J. Persaud)]: Yes. The sponsor yields.

[Senator George M. Borrello]: Your bill speaks to bona fide discounts. How how is that defined and how how do you expect the business to comply with something that's termed, I I guess, kind of a vague term?

[Senator Michael N. Gianaris (Deputy Majority Leader)]: That is the definition that, we have used in reference to the FTC. There's a definition of bona fide discount that the FTC uses and that's what we would use for this legislation.

[Senator George M. Borrello]: Madam president, on the bill.

[Senator Roxanne J. Persaud]: Senator Barrella, on the bill.

[Senator George M. Borrello]: Thank you, senator Junaris. These days are waning now with you and I being able to do this, so thank you for the time today. So so I realized I think I've seen these I've seen these little price digital price things at many stores, some even here in the capital region. And I think they're it's in a convenient way for businesses to be able to respond to changes in their cost. As a business owner, can tell you that costs change frequently. And the cost involved of printing another sign and wasting that paper and everything else is is is a real legitimate concern, particularly when you're magnifying it towards big businesses. But I'm told that the real reason that these things are there is to provide discounts. So if we're going to say you're no longer allowed to have a dynamic pricing model and you instead are going to just have to have a static price, you think that price is going to be lower or higher? It's gonna be higher. If they have to pick one price, they're gonna go with the price that confirms they're not gonna lose money on that product at any at any time. So in the end, we're really not gonna help affordability with this bill, I don't think. I think we're gonna end up pricing people that we want to get a discount in order to in order to incentivize them to buy something, and they're instead probably not going to buy it and they're gonna pay a higher price. But the bigger issue for me is this that, you know, we've seen this shift toward more online purchases much, much easier. Is Amazon gonna be impacted by this bill? No. Is Instacart gonna be impacted by this bill? No. Who will be impacted? Brick and mortar businesses that employ people right here in New York State, that pay property taxes, that in the end are the driver of our economy. And that is a concern for me. Do I think am I concerned about what Senor Gioneris described? Absolutely. I'm concerned about it. But you know what? You know, back in, you know, my day, as I'll say, you know, you had if you wanted to find the price of something, you had to go out and buy a Consumer Reports magazine or or or something like that to determine the price. Now, you pick up your phone and you can instantly know where that item is in probably 10 different locations in three seconds. So if you think you're being price gouged, check it out. But in the in the event of this bill passing becoming law, we may end up raising prices for people, which I don't think is the intent. So for that reason, I'll be cautious and I'll be voting no. Thank you, madam president.

[Senator Roxanne J. Persaud]: Thank you, senator. Are there any other senators wishing to be heard? Seeing and hearing none, debate is closed. Senator Generis?

[Senator Michael N. Gianaris (Deputy Majority Leader)]: Madam president, we've agreed to restore this bill to the noncontroversial calendar.

[Senator Roxanne J. Persaud]: The bill is restored to the noncontroversial calendar. Read the last section.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Section seven is actually taken effect on 01/1980 of the Av Shahab Komala Law.

[Senator Roxanne J. Persaud]: Call the roll.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: Adabo. GNR's Kuka or Sukhan Zama.

[Senator Roxanne J. Persaud]: Senator Generis, six win his vote.

[Senator Michael N. Gianaris (Deputy Majority Leader)]: Thank you, madam president. I just wanna point out that there are no less than 24 lines of this bill dedicated to defining a, an effort to provide a discount to a customer. So in fact, we've taken great pains to make sure that whatever we do here continues to allow people to get prices that are less than the regular price. What we are doing, in fact, is preventing people from being gouged at prices that are higher than the regular price because the data that, these stores may obtain through electronic surveillance, would, give them information about a person's income, their need for a particular product, how often they buy that product, and so on. And so, let's not pretend this is about protecting discounts when discounts are explicitly protected. I think my colleague is more interested in protecting the corporations that are price gouging than protecting the customer. I vote aye. Thank you.

[Senator Roxanne J. Persaud]: Senator Generis, to be recorded in the affirmative, Announce the results.

[Secretary of the Senate (Reading Clerk)]: In in relation to calendar 1009, voted in a negative are senators Barello, Chan, Gallivan, O'Meara, Ort, Steck, Tedisco, Walzwick, Reverend White. Ayes, 50. Nays, 10.

[Senator Roxanne J. Persaud]: The bill is passed. Senator Generis, that completes the reading of the calendar.

[Senator Michael N. Gianaris (Deputy Majority Leader)]: Is there any further business at the desk?

[Senator Roxanne J. Persaud]: There is no further business at the desk.

[Senator Michael N. Gianaris (Deputy Majority Leader)]: I move to adjourn until tomorrow, Thursday, May 14 at 11AM.

[Senator Roxanne J. Persaud]: On motion, the senate stands adjourned until Wednesday, May 14 at 11AM.