March 30, 2026 · ALBANY, NEW YORK · 5,894 words · 15 speakers · 148 segments
The Senate will come to order. I ask everyone to please rise and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. (Whereupon, the assemblage recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.)
In the absence of clergy, let us bow our heads in a moment of silent reflection or prayer. (Whereupon, the assemblage respected a moment of silence.)
Reading of the Journal.
In Senate, Friday, March 27, 2026, the Senate met pursuant to adjournment. The Journal of Thursday, March 26, 2026, was read and approved. On motion, the Senate adjourned.
Without objection, the Journal stands approved as read. Presentation of petitions. Messages from the Assembly. Messages from the Governor. Reports of standing committees. Reports of select committees. Communications and reports from state officers. Motions and resolutions. Senator Gianaris.
Good afternoon, Madam President. I have amendments to the following Third Reading Calendar bills: By Senator Krueger, page 16, Calendar Number 450, Senate Print 2224A; And by Senator Harckham, page 17, Calendar Number 464, Senate Print 4033B.
The amendments are received, and the bills will retain their place on the Third Reading Calendar. Senator Gianaris.
Please recognize Senator Scarcella-Spanton for an introduction.
Senator Scarcella-Spanton for an introduction.
Thank you, Madam President. It is my honor to introduce Dr. Amit Verma, his two daughters, his mother, and his in-laws to Albany today. They are actually lucky enough to be represented by Senator Mayer, who's here with us as well. Dr. Verma is the chair of the Department of Oncology and associate director, Translational Science, Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, and professor of Medical Oncology and professor of Developmental and Molecular Biology at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. In 2022, through a New York State grant that the Albert Einstein College of Medicine received for groundbreaking research that produced compelling, actionable results, led by Dr. Verma and Dr. David Presan, which successfully sequenced blood samples from over a thousand World Trade Center exposed first responders, including firefighters, police officers, many of whom have been U.S. military veterans. First responders with these mutations were nearly six times more likely to develop leukemia. This study had an immediate clinical impact. First responders identified with the mutation were immediately contacted and referred for comprehensive medical evaluation, enabling early detection, enhanced monitoring, and timely intervention. On a personal note, I will say I have three uncles, two of which were police officers, one of which was an FDNY -- he was an FDNY Rescue Five on Staten Island. My uncle Larry Sullivan passed away from a 9/11-related cancer. So I want to say thank you for your work and helping families to avoid the tragedy that my family had faced. We know that early detection is key in making sure people get the treatment that they need. So with that, we are honored to have Dr. Verma with us today to share his expertise and insight. Please join me in welcoming Dr. Verma and his wonderful family today.
Thank you, Senator. To Dr. Verma and family, we welcome you on behalf of the Senate. We extend to you the privileges and courtesies of this house. Thank you for your service. Please continue standing and be recognized. (Standing ovation.)
Senator Gianaris.
Please take up previously adopted Resolution 1707, by Senator Fernandez, read its title and recognize Senator Fernandez.
The Secretary will read.
Resolution 1707, by Senator Fernandez, memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 2026 as Problem Gambling Awareness Month in the State of New York.
Senator Fernandez on the resolution.
Thank you, Madam President. Thank you to this floor for even though we're in the last days of March, March 2025 and so on should be recognized, will be recognized after the passage of this resolution for -- to be Gambling Awareness Month. There are some proposals that we're looking at right now as we go through our budget. Now that we have three new casinos coming, this should be a top priority of awareness, making sure that we are investing in programs that can help people overcome addiction. As we look at options to raise revenue, let's be aware of some of the concerns and harms that still lie with access to online betting and everything related. So this month, please be aware. Please remember those that do suffer, that this is not a harmless addiction. Because at the worst of it, we might lose somebody to self-harm, to suicide, should the gambling addiction get worse. So this is an important awareness to have, and I'm grateful to this body for supporting it. And let's continue to be mindful of the investments that we're negotiating in the next couple of days. Thank you. I support it.
Thank you, Senator. The resolution was adopted on March 10th. Senator Gianaris.
At this time please recognize Senator Rolison for an introduction.
Senator Rolison for an introduction.
Thank you, Madam President. And I want to thank Senator Gianaris for -- this is a late-addition introduction, but nonetheless one that is very important for us to be able to have the opportunity to recognize today. Today we're joined by the Youth Leadership in Government program from the City of Poughkeepsie. It start in 2025, under the leadership of Mayor Yvonne Flowers, who is here today, and Karen Williams, who is the director of Youth Services for the City of Poughkeepsie. I've had the opportunity to meet with this group before, in-district, and today they're here at the Capitol. They met earlier this morning with Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson, and then they came over and had the opportunity to speak with me upstairs in the office and then came down to the Senate floor. And what this government leadership class does is give students the opportunity to understand what we're doing here, what other levels of government are doing, and the fact that they can do it too. You absolutely can. And they're making a difference even before getting elected to office. They're making a difference in finding out about government, community service, nonprofit organizations are the very fabric of our communities and of course our Senate districts. So just honored, Madam President, to have them here today. I know we say this a lot, but we also mean it a lot. These individuals are the future of our communities, they are the future of our governments. But really, you know, they are our future. And, Madam President, would you please extend the courtesies of this house to this fantastic group, led by a fantastic mayor in Mayor Yvonne Flowers.
Thank you, Senator. To our student government leaders, future leaders of our state, we welcome you on behalf of the Senate. We extend to you the privileges and courtesies of this house. Please rise and be recognized. (Standing ovation.)
Senator Gianaris.
Madam President, today's resolution sponsors would like to open them for cosponsorship.
The resolutions are open for cosponsorship. Should you choose not to be a cosponsor, please notify the desk. Senator Gianaris.
Please take up the calendar.
The Secretary will read.
Calendar Number 114, Senate Print 1688, by Senator Skoufis, an act to amend the Executive Law.
Read the last section.
Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Call the roll. (The Secretary called the roll.)
Senator Borrello to explain his vote.
Thank you, Madam President. I rise to vote yes on this bill, and also I want to thank Senator Skoufis for introducing this for I think the sixth time now. But I also want to take this moment to recognize a now late member of the Tuskegee Airmen, also a resident in my Senate district. Wallace "Wally" Higgins, of Allegany County, was among a distinguished group of American heroes. Wally Higgins was one of the original Tuskegee Airmen, part of a historic generation of Black servicemen who answered their country's call at a time when the same country was still marked by segregation and discrimination. He was recruited into the Army in 1943 before he could even finish high school. Wally was then sent south for training, where he was selected for the Tuskegee program. He completed the flight training at Tuskegee and later served in the Pacific in Saipan and Okinawa, helping build roads, airfields, and other infrastructure critical to America's war effort. His life reminds us that the story of the Tuskegee Airmen is not just one of military excellence, but also of patriotism, perseverance, and dignify in the face of injustice. After the war, Wally continued serving others as a professor at Alfred University, a community volunteer, and a civic leader in Allegany County. He received a Congressional Gold Medal, was inducted into the New York State Veterans Hall of Fame by my predecessor, Cathy Young, and earned the respect of everyone who knew him. Establishing Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day ensures that men like Wally Higgins are not forgotten and that future generations understand both what they overcame and what they achieved for this nation. It's really about time that we gave these heroes the recognition that they deserve here in New York State. And again, thank you for this bill.
Thank you. Senator Borrello to be recorded in the affirmative. Announce the results.
Ayes, 56.
The bill is passed.
Calendar Number 192, Senate Print 1514, by Senator Harckham, an act to amend the Labor Law.
Lay it aside.
Lay it aside.
Calendar Number 201, Senate Print 524A, by Senator Mayer, an act to amend the Penal Law.
Read the last section.
Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
Call the roll. (The Secretary called the roll.)
Announce the results.
In relation to Calendar 201, voting in the negative: Senator Brisport. Ayes, 55. Nays, 1.
The bill is passed.
Calendar Number 383, Senate Print 707A, by Senator May, an act to amend the Public Health Law.
Read the last section.
Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Call the roll. (The Secretary called the roll.)
Announce the results.
In relation to Calendar 383, voting in the negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Martins, Mattera, Palumbo, Rhoads, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk and Weik. Ayes, 42. Nays, 14.
The bill is passed.
Calendar Number 494, Senate Print 7160, by Senator Cleare, an act to amend the Elder Law.
Read the last section.
Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Call the roll. (The Secretary called the roll.)
Announce the results.
Ayes, 56.
The bill is passed.
Calendar Number 508, Senate Print 5563, by Senator Mayer, an act to amend the General Municipal Law.
Read the last section.
Section 2. This act shall take effect on the 90th day after it shall have become a law.
Call the roll. (The Secretary called the roll.)
Announce the results.
Ayes, 56.
The bill is passed.
Calendar Number 519, Senate Print 6482, by Senator Webb, an act to amend the Education Law.
Read the last section.
Section 3. This act shall take effect on the 180th day after it shall have become a law.
Call the roll. (The Secretary called the roll.)
Announce the results.
In relation to Calendar 519, voting in the negative are Senators Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Martins, Mattera, Palumbo, and Ryan. Ayes, 51. Nays, 5. Oh, excuse me. Also Senators Rhoads and Weik. Ayes, 49. Nays, 7.
The bill is passed.
Calendar Number 567, Senate Print 1015, by Senator Brouk, an act to amend the Estates, Powers and Trusts Law.
Read the last section.
Section 2. This act shall take effect on the 180th day after it shall have become a law.
Call the roll. (The Secretary called the roll.)
Announce the results.
Ayes, 56.
The bill is passed.
Calendar Number 568, Senate Print 3690A, by Senator Sanders, an act to amend the Lien Law.
Read the last section.
Section 3. This act shall take effect --
Lay it aside.
Lay it aside.
Calendar Number 573, Senate Print 2091, by Senator Kavanagh, an act to amend the Executive Law.
Read the last section.
Section 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
Call the roll. (The Secretary called the roll.)
Announce the results.
Ayes, 56.
The bill is passed. Senator Gianaris, that completes the reading of today's calendar.
Madam President, before we move on to the controversial calendar, please recognize Senator Fahy for an introduction.
Senator Fahy for an introduction.
Thank you, Madam President. It's with great honor today, and I hope you'll join me in recognizing the Guilderland High School Girls Track Team. If you would stand, please. This is at least a part of the team, the Flying Dutch, who just had an extraordinary victory in the Division I, Section 2 Indoor Track & Field Championship in Boston last month. The Guilderland Girls Track Team finished first. They set a new record time of 3 minutes and 56 seconds to win the 1600-meter sprint medley relay. And both of my children ran track in high school, and I know that this is an extraordinary record. Couldn't be more pleased to have them here today. They beat the second-place team by a seventh of a second, which is huge. We're joined today by Fiona McCarthy, if you'd wave a little; Parker Steele; Lauren Burnash; as well as Addison Vellekoop. Two of them will be going on to run Division I track: Parker Steele will be running with Michigan State, and Addison will be running with Syracuse University. They are also joined by two rather remarkable coaches: Coach Chris Scanlan, as well as Coach Dave Kosier, who also join us here today. They were the only public school in their heat at the race. They are now All-Americans. They hold the school record. They hold the fastest time in Section 2 history. And they hold the New York State record, and they're first in the entire country in the 1600 sprint medley relay. It's truly quite remarkable. My daughter would be rather envious, I think. I'm not sure she hit that time in college. But this really is an extraordinary achievement. The Guilderland community could not be prouder, but the whole Capital Region really acknowledges this extraordinary achievement. And Madam President, if you would please join me in welcoming these extraordinary young women and their coaches.
Thank you. To the Guilderland High School Track and Field champions, congratulations on your championship. I welcome you on behalf of the Senate. We extend to you the privileges and courtesies of this house. Continued success to you. Please -- (Standing ovation.)
Senator Gianaris.
And now the controversial calendar, please.
The Secretary will ring the bell. The Secretary will read.
Calendar Number 192, Senate Print 1514, by Senator Harckham, an act to amend the Labor Law.
Senator Stec, why do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. If the sponsor will yield for a few questions, please.
Will the sponsor yield?
Absolutely, Madam President.
The sponsor yields.
Thank you, Madam President. Through you. Senator Harckham, thank you. I know that you and I have talked about this bill offline a couple of times this session, and I thank you for your efforts in meeting with some of the constituent businesses that I brought to your attention that had issues with this. So, I mean, my questions really are in that vein. We've laid this bill aside before, hoping to make some modifications to it. I'm concerned about a one-size-fits-all approach. I certainly understand that there are industries that have certain problems that the bill is trying to address with who is an employee versus who is a contractor. And I can understand looking for a hammer to tap down on some of the bad actors and the glaring problems is called for, and I support that. However, specifically the concerns I have are in that last-mile courier. A business in my district has expressed concerns last year and again more recently this session about, you know, finding themselves in a spot. They are moving life-saving medicines with shelf lives and, you know, need to be temperature-controlled. And, you know, they are literally a Johnny on the spot to move important medical supplies. And if somebody makes an accusation that, hey, this person isn't a contractor, they're an employee -- which again, in that industry, it's the nature of their industry that a lot of them are indeed contractors. But all it takes is one complaint, and now that business is on the hook to resolve this in 72 hours or they could be shut down. And the concern is that these medicines that need to get moved, they're going to simply relocate to another courier and it's not going to be a three-or-four-day shutdown until you get it resolved and then go back to work. It can potentially bankrupt these last -- this segment of all employers. So my question is, have you met recently with -- I know NFIB has put out a memo in opposition, I think largely due to these kinds of concerns. What is the status of, you know, the conversations you've had with the people that I'm talking about? And is there a hope of further tweaking this so that we -- again, I'm looking -- I'm afraid we're going to catch fish in this net that we don't intend to catch. Thank you.
Thank you, Madam President. And thank you, Senator, for the meetings, for the discussion. There's a lot to unpack in your question there. So if I may -- and thank you, Madam President -- that while yes, we talk about misclassification primarily in the context of the construction industry, the Department of Labor estimates, Madam President, that 870,000 workers in New York State are misclassified. Which is I think, you know, a broad swath of workers. And I think one of the reasons why we passed this bill unanimously last year is that this bill resonates with all of us and through our organized labor contacts. But I think the important thing to recognize is that there is a process here, that someone is not just going to show up one day and shut a business down, whether they be a last-mile courier or whether they be a construction site. There will be an investigation first. And the standard is knowingly misclassified. So if we're talking in the courier spaces, someone's a contractor, you've got, you know, bring someone in for a day to replace someone -- you know, we understand those things happen. That's not knowingly misclassifying. Right? What the Department of Labor is going to look for is a pattern, and then they will inform that employer that they do indeed have a finding and they have 72 hours to cure that finding. So if it's a group of employees, get them paid. If it's a group of couriers, get them reclassified. You've got three business days to do that, 72 hours. So in fact I did meet -- to your question have I continued to meet, I had a meeting with the last-mile couriers' lobbyist today. It goes to prove there's a lobbying group for everyone. The last-mile couriers -- as they should. They should have representation too. We met with them. But at the end of the day I feel comfortable that there's enough due process in here to protect the businesses. Because we don't want to throw the baby out with the bathwater, as you said. And that phrase "knowingly misclassified" I think is where the good actors can hang their hat.
Thank you. Madam President, briefly on the bill.
Senator Stec on the bill.
Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Senator Harckham, for that answer and for your efforts on this. I hope you're right. I just -- I've seen how our state agencies sometimes will take the law as written. They're not necessarily there when it's drafted; they're not necessarily reading the debate or, you know, they don't have a window into the sponsor's intent. My concern is that, you know, there will be debate over what is or isn't intentional. Lawyers get involved. And asking a business, a small business to rectify something in 72 hours or you're going to lose all your business and potentially not survive that closure, I think -- I'm a little concerned about it. I wholeheartedly agree that there's need for this elsewhere, which is why I voted in favor of it last year, as we all did. But having this come to light, I'm concerned that it's a little too broad for now. I hope that, you know, in the legislative process with our partners down the hall maybe further amendments will be worked in. But until that happens, because of the concerns I have expressed, I'm going to be no on this bill. But again, recognizing that the bill does achieve a lot of other necessary things, and I appreciate your effort. Thank you.
Thank you, Senator. Are there any other Senators wishing to be heard? Seeing and hearing none, the debate is closed. The Secretary will ring the bell. Read the last section.
Section 2. This act shall take effect on the 180th day after it shall have become a law.
Call the roll. (The Secretary called the roll.)
Senator Ramos to explain her vote.
Yeah, thank you, Senator Persaud -- Madam President. I rise to applaud my colleague Senator Harckham on this bill, and I really pray that it becomes law. This is really about leveling the playing field for good business. We want bad businesses to close. And if they are indeed misclassifying their workers purposefully, well, we want to make sure that they are being held accountable to the letter of the law. We in fact have several bills working through the Labor Committee and through the Legislature on this topic, and we want to make sure that workers have real tools in order to pursue the justice that they deserve. I really believe that enforcement of misclassification of workers isn't even just enough alone. We want to be able to make sure that there are clear standards in order for these workers to be able to regain the rights and perhaps even pay, or other recourse, so that they're able to be restored as the real employees they are. There are far too many industries specifically in the digital age that are taking advantage of this misclassification. And it is my hope that in this Legislature, and with the Governor's help, we'll be able to right the wrongs in the economy and make sure every worker is protected. Thank you.
Thank you. Senator Ramos to be recorded in the affirmative. Senator Martins to explain his vote.
Thank you, Madam President. I rise to support the legislation. As a cosponsor, I want to thank the sponsor for this piece of legislation. And of course I encourage everyone to consider the concerns that have been voiced here by our colleagues with regard to the application. But there are several victims when people are misclassified. One, most importantly, is the worker himself, who oftentimes doesn't have access to workers' comp and is at risk. That should be a concern for everybody in this room. Two, it's every other business in New York State that has to make up the difference in the costs of doing business in New York State. And we all know how expensive it is in New York for our businesses to make ends meet, insurance being amongst the most costly. And so again, compliments to my -- to the sponsor and to our colleague. But it's an important bill. Let's address some of the issues that were voiced here today to the extent that we can. But let's not forget, this is about protecting businesses and, most importantly, protecting the workers of our state. I'll vote aye.
Thank you. Senator Martins to be recorded in the affirmative. Senator Stec to explain his vote.
Thank you, Madam President. Just by the way of trying to be constructive and offer a solution here, page 1, one word change on the bill, page 1, lines 22 to 24: "Within 72 hours after the employer's opportunity to come into compliance, if the employer has not come into compliance, the commissioner shall issue a stop-work order requiring the cessation of all business operations of the employer at every site at which the violation occurs." Wow. Change the word "shall" to "may." It would give everyone the flexibility that they want here, but at the same time give some regulator the opportunity to apply a little common sense to realize, hey, this isn't the time to issue a stop-work order and shut down every operation for a last-mile courier. So that one-word suggestion would get me from a no to a yes. Thank you, Madam President.
Senator Stec to be recorded in the negative. Announce the results.
In relation to Calendar 192, voting in the negative are Senators Stec and Walczyk. Ayes, 54. Nays, 2.
The bill is passed.
Calendar Number 568, Senate Print 3690A, by Senator Sanders, an act to amend the Lien Law.
Senator Murray, why do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. Would the sponsor yield for a quick clarification question.
Will the sponsor yield?
Absolutely.
The sponsor yields.
Thank you, Senator. Good afternoon.
Good afternoon, sir. How are you?
I'm good. I'm good.
Great. Great.
And I think I know the answer, just want to clarify. On the original bill, you had -- the language said that in regards to the time frame for which the demand for payment be made, the Lien Law says 30 days. You had changed that to 60 days, I believe in the A print. And can you just confirm that that change has been put back? Is it in fact 30 days now in the A print?
I'll double-check. The short answer is yes. After hearing from my colleagues -- I'm a reasonable man. Why not? (Laughter.)
Thank you. Madam President, briefly on the bill.
Senator Murray on the bill.
I just want to say thank you. That's -- that's the way it's supposed to be done. You know? You introduced the bill, we had some concerns, there were industry concerns, there were concerns on this side of the aisle. You listened to them, you made changes that I think makes it a better bill, and I'm proud to vote in favor of the bill. Thank you, Senator.
Are there any other Senators wishing to be heard? Seeing and hearing none, the debate is closed. The Secretary will ring the bell. Read the last section.
Section 3. This act shall take effect on the 180th day after it shall have become a law.
Call the roll. (The Secretary called the roll.)
Announce the results.
In relation to Calendar 568, voting in the negative are Senators Ashby, Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Griffo, Lanza, Martins, Ortt, Rhoads, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber and Weik. Ayes, 42. Nays, 14.
The bill is passed. Senator Gianaris, that completes the reading of today's controversial calendar.
Is there any further business at the desk?
There is no further business at the desk.
Earlier start tomorrow, my colleagues. I move to adjourn until tomorrow, Tuesday, March 31st, at 11:00 a.m.
On motion, the Senate stands adjourned until Tuesday, March 31st, at 11:00 a.m. The Senate stands adjourned. (Whereupon, at 3:58 p.m., the Senate adjourned.)