This Week's Votes in the NYS Senate

The bills listed below were voted on this week in the New York State Senate.  The legislation is listed by bill number and includes a short description, followed by Senator Gallivan's vote.  You can access each bill individually at the links provided below.

#S2041  CHAPTER AMENDMENT - Requires public notice prior to certain transportation facility closures; provides an exception for unforeseen circumstances where closure is necessary to ensure public health, safety and welfare.

AYE

#S2042  CHAPTER AMENDMENT - clarifies that competitive promotional exams to employees holding provisional or discretionary appointments in an affected supervisory role are only offered to those who are permanent competitive employees in the department.

AYE

#S2044  CHAPTER AMENDMENT - Clarifies provisions relating to voluntary readiness guidelines for vegetation management plans that are pollinator friendly.

AYE

#S839  Enacting the "New York state YouthBuild act", a comprehensive system for supporting YouthBuild programs in the state of New York.

AYE

#S2440  Enacts the Child Victims Act

AYE  (Legislation should go further by repealing the criminal statute of limitations and requiring members of the clergy to be mandated reporters of abuse)

#S2523  This is a chapter amendment to the program created under 5.1675 of 2019 that makes technical fixes to ensure correct administration.

AYE

#S101A  Requires that no educational institution shall issue written authorization to carry a firearm to any person who is not primarily employed as a school resource officer, law enforcement officer, or security guard.

NAY  (Eliminates local control and provides no exception for shooting competitions or special event sporting activities)

#S1891A  This legislation would limit the amount of property tax shift between homestead/non-homestead and class share apportionment for local governments within and including Nassau County and homestead/non-homesteadapportioned local governments within Suffolk County (Town of Islip).

AYE

#S2374  Establishes a waiting period before a firearm, shotgun or rifle may be delivered to a person; requires either the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) or its successor has issued a "proceed" response to the licensee, or thirty calendar days have elapsed since the date the licensee, seller, transferor or dealer contacted NICS to initiate a national instant criminal background check and NICS has not notified the licensee, seller, transferor or dealer that the transfer of the firearm, rifle or shotgun to such person should be denied.

NAY (NICS check must be renewed after the 30 days/could be delayed indefinitely)

#S2438  When a non-state resident applies for a firearms license, this bill would require law enforcement to inquire with the state which said applicant resides regarding any records concerning previous or present mental health illness. Mandates the applicant sign a waiver of confidentiality in order for such information to be obtained. The bill sponsor aims to close a loophole in the law.

AYE  (Same applicability as NY residents)

#S2448  To prohibit the possession, manufacture, transportation, shipment and sale of items that accelerate the firing rate of firearms, rifles, or shotguns. NOTE - the President issued regulations banning the use of bump stocks on December 18, 2018.

NAY  (Redundant and therefore not necessary)

#S2449  Establishes the municipal gun buyback program by the division of state police for the voluntary return of guns; establishes the municipal gun buyback program fund.

NAY  (Program does not work, no funding in the budget and many local municipalities already do this)

#S2451  Establishes extreme risk protection orders as a court-issued order of protection prohibiting a person from purchasing, possessing or attempting to purchase or possess a firearm, rifle or shotgun.

NAY  (Focus is on the gun and not the person, vague standard, broad language could violate 4th Amendment, significant potential for abuse)