Regular Session - February 4, 2025
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1 NEW YORK STATE SENATE
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4 THE STENOGRAPHIC RECORD
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9 ALBANY, NEW YORK
10 February 4, 2025
11 4:13 p.m.
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14 REGULAR SESSION
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19 SENATOR JAMAAL T. BAILEY, Acting President
20 ALEJANDRA N. PAULINO, ESQ., Secretary
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1
2 P R O C E E D I N G S
3 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The
4 Senate will come to order.
5 I ask everyone present to please
6 rise and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
7 (Whereupon, the assemblage recited
8 the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.)
9 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: In the
10 absence of clergy, let us bow our heads in a
11 moment of silent reflection or prayer.
12 (Whereupon, the assemblage respected
13 a moment of silence.)
14 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Reading
15 of the Journal.
16 THE SECRETARY: In Senate, Monday,
17 February 3, 2025, the Senate met pursuant to
18 adjournment. The Journal of Friday, January 31,
19 2025, was read and approved. On motion, the
20 Senate adjourned.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Without
22 objection, the Journal stands approved as read.
23 Presentation of petitions.
24 Messages from the Assembly.
25 The Secretary will read.
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1 THE SECRETARY: Senator Persaud
2 moves to discharge, from the Committee on Rules,
3 Assembly Bill Number 1019 and substitute it for
4 the identical Senate Bill 758, Third Reading
5 Calendar 33.
6 Senator Kavanagh moves to discharge,
7 from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill
8 Number 927 and substitute it for the identical
9 Senate Bill 763, Third Reading Calendar 37.
10 Senator Harckham moves to discharge,
11 from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill
12 Number 1676 and substitute it for the identical
13 Senate Bill 764, Third Reading Calendar 38.
14 Senator Rivera moves to discharge,
15 from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill
16 Number 1468 and substitute it for the identical
17 Senate Bill 765, Third Reading Calendar 39.
18 Senator Comrie moves to discharge,
19 from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill
20 Number 424 and substitute it for the identical
21 Senate Bill 767, Third Reading Calendar 41.
22 Senator Cleare moves to discharge,
23 from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill
24 Number 2250 and substitute it for the identical
25 Senate Bill 768, Third Reading Calendar 42.
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1 Senator Skoufis moves to discharge,
2 from the Committee on Rules, Assembly Bill
3 Number 752 and substitute it for the identical
4 Senate Bill 775, Third Reading Calendar 49.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: So
6 ordered.
7 Messages from the Governor.
8 Reports of standing committees.
9 Reports of select committees.
10 Communications and reports from
11 state officers.
12 Motions and resolutions.
13 Senator Gianaris.
14 SENATOR GIANARIS: Good afternoon,
15 Mr. President.
16 I move to adopt the
17 Resolution Calendar, with the exception of
18 Resolutions 297 and 301.
19 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: All those
20 in favor of adopting the Resolution Calendar,
21 with the exception of Resolutions 297 and 301,
22 please signify by saying aye.
23 (Response of "Aye.")
24 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Opposed,
25 nay.
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1 (No response.)
2 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The
3 Resolution Calendar is adopted.
4 Senator Gianaris.
5 SENATOR GIANARIS: Let's begin with
6 Resolution 297, by Senator Cooney, read that
7 resolution's title, and recognize Senator Cooney
8 on the resolution.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The
10 Secretary will read.
11 THE SECRETARY: Resolution 297, by
12 Senator Cooney, memorializing Governor Kathy
13 Hochul to proclaim February 4, 2025, as
14 Canada Day in the State of New York, in
15 celebration of this great Empire State's
16 longstanding economic and cultural relationship
17 with Canada.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Senator
19 Cooney on the resolution.
20 SENATOR COONEY: Thank you,
21 Mr. President.
22 And thank you to our
23 Majority Leader, Andrea Stewart-Cousins, for
24 bringing this important resolution on our
25 relationship with Canada to the floor.
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1 My friends, today's resolution is
2 needed now more than ever. As we are faced with
3 uncertainty and blatant hostility at the federal
4 level, our friends in Canada can rest assured
5 that New York remains a steadfast neighbor, an
6 ally, and a friend.
7 And regardless of how the federal
8 government responds, that friendship will never
9 waiver. As your neighbor with nearly 450 miles
10 of shared border between us, our priorities and
11 our cultures are so closely intertwined.
12 There's our economic bonds with
13 companies employing thousands of workers on both
14 sides of our border, billions of dollars in
15 bilateral trade, and a strong supply chain. Then
16 there's our energy goals, in lockstep with one
17 another when it comes to addressing climate
18 change and creating a cleaner, greener world for
19 our next generation.
20 This just scratches the surface.
21 Whether it's collaborating on public health
22 responses, the security of our people, or
23 infrastructure projects, here in New York we know
24 how fortunate we are to have a strong ally in
25 Canada.
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1 That's why we're here today to honor
2 the bonds that tie our people together, and we
3 are asking that February 4th be known as
4 Canada Day in the State of New York.
5 It is my honor to be able to
6 introduce this resolution joined by so many of
7 our Canadian dignitaries and friends here. Thank
8 you to the Consul General, Tom Clark, for joining
9 us today, but also for the hard work you do each
10 and every day on behalf of the people of Canada
11 and of New York.
12 And of course your team who joins
13 with you today, many of whom are on the floor
14 with us, including Corporal Sean Thomson, from
15 the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
16 Welcome to Albany. Welcome to our
17 State Capitol. We are so grateful for your
18 partnership and friendship, and we know that we
19 have many strong allies to the north and to the
20 west.
21 Happy Canada Day!
22 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Thank
23 you, Senator Cooney.
24 To our neighbors to the north, thank
25 you for coming. We extend to you all of the
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1 privileges and the courtesies of this house.
2 Please rise and be recognized.
3 (Standing ovation.)
4 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Senator
5 Gianaris.
6 SENATOR GIANARIS: Next up is
7 Resolution 301, by Senator Fernandez. Please
8 read that resolution's title and recognize
9 Senator Fernandez.
10 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The
11 Secretary will read.
12 THE SECRETARY: Resolution 301, by
13 Senator Fernandez, memorializing Governor Kathy
14 Hochul to proclaim September 2025 as
15 Recovery Month in the State of New York.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Senator
17 Fernandez on the resolution.
18 SENATOR FERNANDEZ: Thank you,
19 Mr. President.
20 Every year we come together to
21 recognize the strength of those on the road to
22 recovery and the communities that uplift them.
23 Today I'm proud to introduce this resolution
24 memorializing Governor Hochul to proclaim
25 September 2025 as Recovery Month in the State of
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1 New York.
2 Recovery is more than just a
3 journey; it is a movement. A movement that says
4 that treatment works, recovery is possible, and
5 that no one should walk this path alone.
6 For 35 years, the National
7 Recovery Month has been a beacon of hope shining
8 a light on the courage of individuals, the
9 dedication of service providers, and the power of
10 community support.
11 But this is not just about
12 awareness, this is about action. We must
13 continue to fund and expand access to treatment,
14 harm reduction, and support services so that
15 every New Yorker, no matter their background or
16 story, has the chance to reclaim their future.
17 Because when one person recovers, a family heals,
18 a community strengthens, and a state can move
19 forward.
20 Thank you.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Thank
22 you, Senator Fernandez.
23 The question is on the resolution.
24 All those in favor signify by saying aye.
25 (Response of "Aye.")
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1 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Opposed,
2 nay.
3 (No response.)
4 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The
5 resolution is adopted.
6 Senator Gianaris.
7 SENATOR GIANARIS: Mr. President,
8 the sponsors would like both these resolutions
9 open for cosponsorship.
10 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The
11 resolutions are open for cosponsorship. Should
12 you choose not to be a cosponsor of these
13 resolutions, please notify the desk.
14 Senator Gianaris.
15 SENATOR GIANARIS: Let's take up
16 the calendar, please.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The
18 Secretary will read.
19 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 33,
20 Assembly Bill 1019, by Assemblymember Solages, an
21 act to amend the Public Health Law.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
23 last section.
24 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
25 act shall take effect on the same date and in the
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1 same manner as a chapter of the Laws of 2024.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
3 roll.
4 (The Secretary called the roll.)
5 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Announce
6 the results.
7 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
9 is passed.
10 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 35,
11 Senate Print 760, by Senator Rivera, an act to
12 amend the Insurance Law.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
14 last section.
15 THE SECRETARY: Section 4. This
16 act shall take effect on the same date and in the
17 same manner as a chapter of the Laws of 2024.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
19 roll.
20 (The Secretary called the roll.)
21 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Announce
22 the results.
23 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
24 Calendar 35, voting in the negative:
25 Senator Walczyk.
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1 Ayes, 60. Nays, 1.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
3 is passed.
4 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 37,
5 Assembly Bill Number 927, by Assemblymember Fall,
6 an act to amend the Public Health Law.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
8 last section.
9 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
10 act shall take effect immediately.
11 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
12 roll.
13 (The Secretary called the roll.)
14 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Announce
15 the results.
16 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
18 is passed.
19 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 38,
20 Assembly Bill 1676, by Assemblymember Burdick, an
21 act to amend the Correction Law.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
23 last section.
24 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
25 act shall take effect on the same date and in the
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1 same manner as a chapter of the Laws of 2024.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
3 roll.
4 (The Secretary called the roll.)
5 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Announce
6 the results.
7 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
9 is passed.
10 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 39,
11 Assembly Bill 1468, by Assemblymember Paulin, an
12 act to amend the Public Health Law.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
14 last section.
15 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
16 act shall take effect on the same date and in the
17 same manner as a chapter of the Laws of 2024.
18 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
19 roll.
20 (The Secretary called the roll.)
21 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Announce
22 the results.
23 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
24 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
25 is passed.
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1 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 41,
2 Assembly Bill 424, by Assemblymember Weprin, an
3 act to amend the Banking Law.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
5 last section.
6 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
7 act shall take effect on the same date and in the
8 same manner as a chapter of the Laws of 2024.
9 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
10 roll.
11 (The Secretary called the roll.)
12 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Announce
13 the results.
14 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
15 Calendar 41, those Senators voting in the
16 negative are Senators Borrello,
17 Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Helming, Oberacker,
18 O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk and
19 Weber.
20 Ayes, 49. Nays, 12.
21 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
22 is passed.
23 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 42,
24 Assembly Bill 2250, by Assemblymember Torres, an
25 act to amend the Correction Law.
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1 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
2 last section.
3 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
4 act shall take effect on the same date and in the
5 same manner as a chapter of the Laws of 2024.
6 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
7 roll.
8 (The Secretary called the roll.)
9 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Announce
10 the results.
11 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
12 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
13 is passed.
14 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number 49,
15 Assembly Bill 752, by Assemblymember Eachus, an
16 act to amend the Education Law.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
18 last section.
19 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
20 act shall take effect on the same date and in the
21 same manner as a chapter of the Laws of 2024.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
23 roll.
24 (The Secretary called the roll.)
25 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Announce
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1 the results.
2 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
3 Calendar 49, those Senators voting in the
4 negative are Senators Chan, Oberacker, O'Mara and
5 Ortt.
6 Ayes, 57. Nays, 4.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
8 is passed.
9 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
10 139, Senate Print 265, by Senator Harckham, an
11 act in relation to directing the State Board of
12 Real Property Tax Services.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
14 last section.
15 THE SECRETARY: Section 4. This
16 act shall take effect immediately.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
18 roll.
19 (The Secretary called the roll.)
20 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Announce
21 the results.
22 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
24 is passed.
25 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
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1 149, Senate Print 2124, by Senator Kavanagh, an
2 act to amend the Tax Law and the Parks,
3 Recreation and Historic Preservation Law.
4 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
5 last section.
6 THE SECRETARY: Section 5. This
7 act shall take effect immediately.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
9 roll.
10 (The Secretary called the roll.)
11 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Announce
12 the results.
13 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
14 Calendar 149, voting in the negative:
15 Senator Walczyk.
16 Ayes, 60. Nays, 1.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
18 is passed.
19 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
20 164, Senate Print 3190, by Senator Kavanagh, an
21 act to amend the Real Property Tax Law.
22 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
23 last section.
24 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
25 act shall take effect on the 90th day after it
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1 shall have become a law.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
3 roll.
4 (The Secretary called the roll.)
5 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Announce
6 the results.
7 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
8 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
9 is passed.
10 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
11 166, Senate Print 228, by Senator Skoufis, an act
12 to amend the Real Property Law.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
14 last section.
15 THE SECRETARY: Section 3. This
16 act shall take effect immediately.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
18 roll.
19 (The Secretary called the roll.)
20 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Announce
21 the results.
22 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
23 Calendar 166, those Senators voting in the
24 negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello,
25 Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo,
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1 Helming, Lanza, Martins, Mattera, Oberacker,
2 O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Stec, Tedisco,
3 Walczyk and Weik.
4 Ayes, 42. Nays, 19.
5 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
6 is passed.
7 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
8 171, Senate Print 1157, by Senator Cooney, an act
9 to amend the Private Housing Finance Law.
10 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
11 last section.
12 THE SECRETARY: Section 4. This
13 act shall take effect on the 180th day after it
14 shall have become a law.
15 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
16 roll.
17 (The Secretary called the roll.)
18 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Senator
19 Cooney to explain his vote.
20 SENATOR COONEY: Mr. President,
21 buying a home is a cornerstone of the American
22 dream, and so many New Yorkers look forward to
23 the day when they can finally purchase their
24 first home.
25 But for too many in our communities
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1 across this state, the dream has become less and
2 less attainable. In the Senate Majority we're
3 looking to fix that. Homeownership is about
4 stability -- stability for a family, stability
5 for a neighborhood, which in turn creates a
6 stronger sense of community.
7 It's also about building
8 generational wealth. Owning a home is one of the
9 best ways to combat the cycle of poverty,
10 especially in communities like mine in Rochester.
11 That's why I've introduced my bill
12 to establish the New York State First Home
13 Savings Program. This bill will incentivize
14 prospective first-time homebuyers to establish
15 savings accounts to purchase a home, deducting
16 state income tax for deposits put into these
17 accounts.
18 By putting money back in the pockets
19 of first-time homebuyers and prospective
20 homebuyers, we're making our state more
21 affordable and homeownership a reality once
22 again.
23 I'm proud of our work today in the
24 Senate Majority, and our continued work to make
25 New York State a place which everyone can call
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1 home.
2 Thank you, Mr. President.
3 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Senator
4 Cooney to be recorded in the affirmative.
5 Announce the results.
6 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
8 is passed.
9 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
10 173, Senate Print 2534, by Senator Sanders, an
11 act to amend the Administrative Code of the City
12 of New York.
13 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
14 last section.
15 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
16 act shall take effect immediately.
17 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
18 roll.
19 (The Secretary called the roll.)
20 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Announce
21 the results.
22 THE SECRETARY: Ayes, 61.
23 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
24 is passed.
25 THE SECRETARY: Calendar Number
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1 187, Senate Print 2627, by Senator Kavanagh, an
2 act to amend the Real Property Law.
3 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Read the
4 last section.
5 THE SECRETARY: Section 2. This
6 act shall take effect immediately.
7 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Call the
8 roll.
9 (The Secretary called the roll.)
10 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: Announce
11 the results.
12 THE SECRETARY: In relation to
13 Calendar 187, voting in the negative:
14 Senator Walczyk.
15 Ayes, 60. Nays, 1.
16 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: The bill
17 is passed.
18 Senator Gianaris, that completes the
19 reading of today's calendar.
20 SENATOR GIANARIS: Is there any
21 further business at the desk?
22 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: There is
23 no further business at the desk.
24 SENATOR GIANARIS: I move to
25 adjourn until tomorrow, Wednesday, February 5th,
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1 at 12:00 noon.
2 ACTING PRESIDENT BAILEY: On
3 motion, the Senate stands adjourned until
4 tomorrow, Wednesday, February 5th, at 12:00 p.m.
5 (Whereupon, at 4:28 p.m., the Senate
6 adjourned.)
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