March 10, 2026 · Higher Education · 996 words · 2 speakers · 29 segments
Good morning and welcome to this meeting in room 123 of the Capitol of the New York State Senate Committee on Higher Education. Today is Tuesday, March 10, 2026, and it is 11:04am Joining us today are Senators Lou, Jackson, Griffo and Murray. And. Sorry, I was next door. And Senator Fahey. Also in attendance are committee staff and central staff. Oops. Beth, Is there a quorum? There is. There is. The committee will take up and consider seven bills today. First bill on the agenda is Senate Bill 55. I'm sorry, 553 by Senator Lew Janl Reed.
This bill amends the education law in relation to the observance of all religious holidays by institutions the State University of New York and cuny and includes the Asian Lunar New Year within the definition of such holidays. There's a memo in support from cuny. There are no memos in opposition. If reported, this bill will be reported to the floor. If enacted, this act will take effect immediately.
Are there any questions? Move to bill. Bill moved by Senator Jackson. Is there a second senator? Seconded by Senator Lub, since it's his bill. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Aye. Without recommendation. Bill is reported to the floor. Second bill on the agenda is Senate Bill 2046 by Senator Webb. Jan Will Reid.
This bill amends the education law to establish the Mental Health Educational Opportunity Program and the Mental Health Higher Education Opportunity Program. There are no memos in support or opposition. If reported, this bill will be reported to the Finance Committee. If enacted, this act will take effect immediately.
Are there any questions?
Motion.
Is there a motion to move the bill by Senator Lew? Seconded by Senator Jackson. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Opposed. Senator Murray without recommendation. With Senator Griffith and Senator Oberaka. And Senator Oberaka who has joined us.
Thank you.
Oh, no, he hasn't. He said. Oh, he hasn't. Okay. The bill is reported to the Finance Committee. Third bill on the agenda is Senate Bill 516-5116 by Senator Clear, General Reed.
This bill amends the education law to create within the State University of New York a black history preservation commission. There are no members in support or opposition. If reported, this bill will be reported to the floor. If enacted, this act will take effect immediately.
Any questions? Motion. Question. Bill moved by Senator Liu. Seconded by Senator Fahey. All those in favor?
Aye.
Opposed. Without recommendation. Bills reported to the floor. Fourth bill on the agenda is Senate Bill 634. No. 633. 6334 by Senator Fahey.
Generally, this bill amends the education law to Authorize direct support staff and non facility programs to provide nursing services if ordered by a registered professional nurse. There are no memos in support or opposition. If reported, this bill will report it to the floor. If enacted, this act will take effect 18 months after it has become a law and will expire and be deemed repealed by July 1, 2030.
Any questions? Bill moved by Senator Jackson, seconded by Senator Lou. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed without recommendation. Bill is reported to the floor.
One more.
Here we are. The fifth bill on the agenda is Senate Bill 6482 by Senator Webb. General Reign.
This bill amends the education law to update the licensure requirements for geologists. There's a memo in support from the New York State Council of Professional Geologists. There are no memos in opposition. If reported, this bill will be reported to the floor. If enacted, this act will take effect on the 180th day after it's become a law and will apply to applications for licensurers of professional geologists on or after such effective date.
Are there any questions? Bill moved by Senator Jackson, seconded by Senator Stavisky. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed for that recommendation. Bill is reported to the floor and we have been joined by Senator May. The sixth bill on the agenda is Senate Bill 6759 by Senator Fernandez, General Reid.
This bill amends the Education law to authorize the application of topical fluoride varnish to a child's teeth by a parent or legal guardian. There are no memos in support or opposition. If reported, this bill will be reported to the floor. If enacted, this act will take effect immediately.
Are there any questions? Bill moved by Senator Jackson, seconded by Senator May. All those in favor? Opposed without recommendation. Bill is reported to the floor. The seventh and final bill on the agenda is Senate 6929 by Senator Webb, General Reed.
This bill amends the education law and the public health law to require dental laboratories in New York State to register with the New York State Department of Health. There are no memos in support or opposition. If reported, this bill will be reported to the floor. If enacted, this act will take effect one year after it has become a law.
Any questions? I have a question. Yes, it's probably justified by my dentist has a 3D printer and. And makes a lot of the items himself in the offer, you know, right here in the office. Just. Would any of this apply to a dental office that was making its own prosthetics and things?
I don't know. I'm not sure.
I'm have to double check. Okay.
Yeah.
Thank you. We'll check and get back to center,
then
move to bill. Moved by Senator Jackson, seconded by Senator Fahey. All those in favor? Aye. Opposed? Without recommendation. The bill is reported to the floor. This completes today's Higher Education Committee meeting. It is now 11:12, and this meeting is adjourned. Thank you for coming. And thank you to the staff, both committee staff and secretary staff.