March 17, 2026 · 6,469 words · 14 speakers · 176 segments
The Senate will come to order. I ask everyone please rise and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Pled allegiance to the flag, the United
States of America, and to the republic
for which it stands, one nation under
God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Reverend Father Dan Quinn of Blessed Sacrament Church in Albany, we will deliver today's invocation.
Hello.
Thank you for having me. I'm Father Quinn from Blessed Sacrament up the street here in Albany. And I've got a couple other parishes with their schools as well. You know, today's St. Patrick's Day, so I know I'm dressed a little bit traditional Irish with the kilt, but I know, of course, the Irish are just one of many cultures that have come together to form, you know, what we have here as a state in New York. And today on the feast of one of their great saints, one of their great leaders, who himself was first a foreigner, sort of, as the story goes, captured and sort of enslaved by those people and escaped, but then went back again as an immigrant and lived there as a man with some new and different ideas that he had. And eventually, as they caught on, he became the bishop there, the man chiefly in charge of praying for them, you know. So we take a moment to pray, certainly for the people of Ireland today on their feast of their great saint. We take a. Take the time to pray for our community here in. In New York and. And also for our leaders and for our legislators. So let us pray in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Lord God, we know that in your perfect fatherly love, you have given us laws to guide all of our decisions, our growth, to guide our consciences. Through Moses, through the prophets, and above all, through Jesus, we have received your ways, which are so far above our ways, and yet they are written on each of our hearts as the goal and the guide for our own lives, most supremely expressed in your command to love. To love you and to love our neighbor. So we ask you to help us to honor your laws while we are engaged in composing ours, in composing our laws, that our ways may be a true reflection of your perfect way. And that in the craft of lawmaking, you may protect us from distortions, not allowing us to be satisfied with easy solutions to complex problems. So guide us to being true agents of truth and of love, avoiding all that is really, truly in our power to hate and to live according to convenient falsehoods or what is in our power to cause destruction, to cause division, to cause death. Instead, help us to be people who foster and protect life, the lives of all of our citizens, our neighbors, the guests in our state, all life, young and old. And so in quoting St. Patrick, help us, Lord, in all of this. To arise, to rise to the challenge through, according to St. Patrick, God's strength to pilot me, God's might to uphold me, God's wisdom to guide me, God's eye to look before me, God's ear to hear me, God's word to speak for me, God's hand to guard me, God's shield to protect me. Christ with me, before me, behind me, in me, beneath me, above me, on my right and on my left. May God's host save us and protect us and give us the strength we need through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Thank you for having me. You'll be in my prayers.
Reading of the Journal in Senate Monday, March 16, 2026. The Senate met pursuant to adjournment. Adjourner Law Friday, March 13, 2026 was read and approved. A motion to senate adjourned without objection.
The Journal sends approved as read presentations 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 Generis.
Good afternoon, Madam President. On behalf of Senator Myy, on page 15, I offer the following amendments to calendar 412 Senate 2539A and ask that said bill retain its place on the third reading calendar.
The amendments are received and the bill will retain its place in the third reading calendar.
Senator generous, please recognize Senator Hinchey for an introduction.
Senator Hinchey for an introduction.
Thank you, Madam President. It's my honor to welcome some very special guests to the chamber today. Students from my district who are part of student government at Millbrook Middle School. We are so happy that you're here today. These students made the trip from Dutchess county to learn about New York State history and the legislative process. And there's no better place to do that than right here in this chamber. Student government is one of the most important clubs that a student can join. It proves that you don't have to wait until you're adult to identify what matters to you, to organize around it, and to work hard to make school and your community a better place for everyone. And this group has already put that mission into action. They ran a successful holiday food drive for a local pantry, making sure neighbors in need had food on their tables. They organize a Valentine's Day dance to raise funds so students have the chance to go on meaningful field trips like this one. And they've been advocating directly for student led improvements within their school. Seeing our next generation engaged and showing up like this is incredibly important and it gives me so much hope for our future. You all are setting an example not only for your peers, but for all of us here today. So thank you for being here. Thank you for taking on leadership roles. Thank you for being engaged and for caring about your fellow students and your community at large. And I also want to shout out your teachers who helped make it all possible to be able to be here today and to instill the incredible work that something like student government can give. And so, Madam President, I would ask you to welcome our guests to the chamber and and to give them all of the privileges. Thank you very much.
Thank you. To our guests, the Millbrook Middle School student government. Congratulations on all the things that you have done. I welcome you. On behalf of the Senate, we extend to you the privileges and courtesies of this house. Please remain standing and be recognized. Senator Generis.
At this time, Madam President, I move to adopt the resolution calendar with the Exception of Resolution 1739.
All those in favor of adopting the resolution calendar with the exception of Resolution 1739, please signify by saying aye. Opposed? Nay. The resolution calendar is adopted. Senator Geneiris.
Now let's take up Resolution 171739 by Senator Serrano. Read its title and call on Senator Serrano.
Secretary will read Resolution 1739 by Senator Serrano memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 2026 as youth art Month in the State of New York.
Senator Serrano on the resolution.
Thank you very much, Madam President. Youth Arts Month is really a very special time here in the state of New York. It gives us the opportunity to really talk about how important the arts and culture are to students across our state. Plenty of studies show that exposure to the arts, culture, music, dance, any of the arts has a profound impact on students across our state, allowing them to do better in all other subjects. It really does create better, well rounded individuals and students. It makes them more excited about school itself, and it does have tremendously important outcomes. But unfortunately, throughout the state of New York, we are not always hitting our mark in ensuring that we have viable and robust arts and music instruction across our state. So it's important that we use Youth Arts Month as a great opportunity to push for more arts programming in schools to support our teachers and so that they can do all the things that we need to do and also to think more about how the arts and culture in our schools do so. Much more than provide a moment that is aesthetically pleasing but actually has a profound impact on test scores and ensuring that students can do well. I will also mention that the arts are uniquely positioned to be a tremendous vehicle for discussions on social justice. And that artists across time, across history, sometimes at their own detriment, have put forth a lot of important messages that needed to be heard in ways that all of us can really do things in a very unstratified ways and come together and build coalitions around important things. So the arts are so many things, and really, we should ensure that our students have that ability to partake in it. And that's why I'm so grateful to my colleagues for supporting Youth Arts Month for March in the state of New York. Thank you.
Thank you, Senator Bailey, under resolution.
Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Senator Serrano, for this really important resolution. I know we fund schools and we fund programs in schools, and we should continue to do so, but when it's at home, you see it differently. My oldest, Giada, has taken up the violin, and she's become quite good at it, Madam President. And you ultimately see a confidence boost in her. There's a higher level of her abilities to feel like she's doing something positive because she's taken up that violin. My youngest, Karina, youngest daughter Karina, has taken up the drums. And she's very talented. Way better, both of them, way better than I ever was in music. But this also has. You've seen a growth in her academic performance. Julian is almost 2. He's not really playing anything officially yet, unless you count banging on pots and pans, which he is an Olympic gold medalist. But still, it's very crucial that we fund music and arts, because I always believe that the creative fuels the critical. You can't be a critical thinker without being a bit creative. You can't be a good lawyer or debater without thinking about a creative path towards that debate. So it is really important to make sure that we continue to have arts and music in schools because it is a vital part of who we should be as a society. And I'm grateful to Senator Serrano for this resolution and his leadership in this committee and for all of our colleagues for continuing. No matter what place you live in is great state that you're supporting your students and children because it does matter. It makes a difference. Thank you, Madam President.
How about I thank you, Senator.
The questions on the resolution. All those in favor signify by saying, I oppose. Nay. The resolution is adopted. Senator Generis.
Let's Take up the calendar, please. Madam President, I neglected to open that resolution for co sponsorship. Madam President, let's do that first and then take up the calendar.
At the request of the sponsor, the resolution is open for co sponsorship. Should you decide not to be a co sponsor, please notify the desk. Senator Generos.
Calendar, please.
Calendar, please.
Secretary will read calendar number 237. Senate print 60. Pardon me. 6600B by Senator Jackson. An act to man the multiple dwelling law.
Read the Last section.
Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Call the roll.
Dobble, gnrs, Kruger or suitcase owner. Announce the results in relation to. Calendar 3.
Pardon me.
237. Vote in the negative. R. Senators Ashby, Barillo, Cancer, Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivant, Griffith, Hellman, Lanza, Martins, Matera, Murray, Oberacker, Omara, Ort, Palumbo, Rhodes, Rollinson, Stack, Tedisco, Walzerk, Weberton. White Eyes 38 and ACE 22.
The bill is passed.
Counter number 325. Senate print 228A. By Senator Scubas. Enactment of real property law.
Read the Last section.
Section 3. This action took effect immediately.
Call the roll.
Adabo, Gnrs, Cougar, Ort, Sukhan, Zeln,
SA.
Announce the results.
Emulation count of 325 voted in a negative. R. Senators Ashby, Barillo, Cancer, Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallop and Griffo. Helming, Lanza, Martin, Matera, Oberacker, O', Mara, Ort, Palumbo, Rhodes, Steck, Tedisco, Walzek and White. Ayes 41, nays 19.
The bill is passed.
Calendar number 328. Senate print 3819A. By Senator Rivera. An act to amend the executive law.
Read the Last section.
Section 3. This action took effect immediately.
Call the roll.
Adapo, Gianar's, Kruger or Sukhan Zeln. Announce the results in relation to counting. 328 voted in the negative. R. Senators Ashby, Borrello, Kansas, Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Martins, Matera, Murray, Oberack, Romero, Ort, Palumbo, Rolls, Rolston, Steck, Tedisco, Walzig, Weberton, White, IAS 39, ACE 21.
The bill is passed.
Conduct number 354. Senate 4514. A mess. And Ramos. Enactment of the labor law.
Read the Last section.
Section 2. This action effect immediately.
Call the roll.
Adabo, Gianar, Krueger, Ort, Sulkhuddens, Zellner.
Senator Ramos. Explain her vote.
Yeah. Thank you, Madam President. You know, today we're taking a step towards something fundamental. Making sure that in New York. Hard work is not synonymous with hardship. Too many families in our state are doing everything right and still falling behind. They're working full time, they're raising children, contributing to their communities, and yet struggling to afford rent, childcare and basic necessities. Poverty in New York is not just about income. It's about instability. It's about whether a family can plan for the future or is constantly forced to react to crisis. And what we know, and what has been widely reported is that when government makes intentional investments in working families, poverty goes down. Not abstractly, in real terms, for real people. That is what good governance looks like. This bill is about making sure our policies actually reflect that. Understanding that we are not just measuring poverty, but actively reducing it. That we are aligning our systems to support stability, not perpetuate struggle. The goal is to not simply manage poverty, but to reduce it. To give families the ability to stay in their homes, to raise their children with dignity, and to build a future. In this state. When working people have stability, New York is stronger, our economy is stronger, our communities are stronger. That's the work before us and that's what this bill moves us closer to achieving.
Thank you, Senator Ramos. To be recorded in the affirmative amongst
the results in relation to count of 354 voting and negative R Senators Borrello, Cancer, Fitzpatrick, Chan, Griffo, helming, Murray, Oberack, O', Meara, Ort, Rhodes, Steck, Walzig, Weberton, White I 46 nays 14.
The bill is passed.
Calendar number 4 18. Sender print 879A by Senator May enactment the Agriculture and Markets law.
Read the last section.
Section 6 is actual effect immediately call the roll. Adabo Ginar School
Senator Mayt explain her vote.
Thank you, Madam President. Since I don't get to debate this bill today, I would like to at least take a moment to make a few comments about why I'm proud to put forward this legislation that allows New Yorkers to manage their lawns for food production and habitat for beneficial species. The American lawn is the largest irrigated crop on this continent, covering about 40 to 50 million acres. It takes up a third of all the water that's used for residential uses and uses about four times as much water as most other crops do. In addition to that, we use pesticides, we use gas powered equipment to mow the lawns and all of that contributes to water pollution, air pollution and noise pollution. At the same time, the species that we grow in our lawns are non native and typically invasive species from northern Europe and Russia. That are not habitat for any native species here in North America. So I am pleased that with this bill we are saying that we want people to be able to make their yards into something that is part of a flourishing habitat for the State of New York. And I vote aye,
Senator May to be recorded in the affirmative. Senator Martins explain his vote.
Thank you, Madam President. Maybe we should have debated this bill this year, but for the sake of everyone else in the room, we'll just explain our vote. Madam President, we had this discussion last year. You know, the difference between what someone perceives as being a garden in their front lawn and what they will allow to grow or overgrow or interfere with their neighbor's property is a real concern. We've seen it in real time. Maybe many of us have seen it in our communities where someone decides that they're going to keep their house in a certain condition and allow their overgrowth in their property. Maybe it's a small lot, but it brings different creatures to the community and different impacts on the neighbors. And as much as that person may love the look of their house and want to avail themselves of that, we do live in communities, Madam President, where we have to live together. And oftentimes what that person may want for themselves will automatically translate into an impact to their neighbors. So why don't we allow things to be as they are? Why don't we allow local communities to make those decisions for themselves? Why don't we allow the kind of civility that we have seen historically as opposed to allowing the outlier to actually control the narrative? It'd be great if the sponsor's vision was actually true. It'd be great if the person actually maintained a property properly. But that rarely happens, Madam President. Therefore, I'll vote.
No sense of margins to be recorded in the negative.
Amongst the results in relation to counter,418 voted in a negative R. Senators Kansas City, Fitzpatrick, Gallowin, Griffo, Lanza, Martins, o' Mara or Rhodes. Pardon me. Ryan, Walzek and white ayes 40. Also Senator Weber eyes 48. Nace 12. The bill is fast count number 423. Senate print 5265 by Senator Bailey. Enact from the correction law.
Read the last section.
Section 2 this actual effect immediately call the roll Dabo Ginars Krueger or Sukan
Zellner Senator Bailey to explain his vote.
Thank you, Madam President. In a day and time when people are able to feed themselves less and less, I see more and more folks voting against this bill. When people are not able to Sustain themselves. This is not the time for us to think about taking food out of people's mouths, literally. Some of us live to eat, but you must eat in order to live. And there's no exemption for that. For individuals that are coming home from incarceration, they should eat. They need to eat. Madam President, we should screen them for SNAP eligibility, which this is all this does. It's a screen. This is not granting anybody anything. This is merely your screen. Because when you're coming home from incarceration, there's so many reasons. There's so many things that you're facing. Senseless violence, really, so many reasons. Mental health reasons, financial reasons. You know, people sometimes don't love the city, But I love the city, Madam President. I think we should be supporting this bill so people can eat.
A vote.
I, Senator Bailey, to be recorded in the affirmative. Senator Hinchey to explain her vote.
I rise to thank the sponsor for introducing this bill and the leader for bringing it to the floor today. Access to food should be a right. You cannot live in our society if you are hungry and seeking food. You cannot live your fullest life or be acclimated back into your community if you're wondering where your next meal is going to come from. And too often, we do not have enough services for people who are coming back to better their lives in our communities. We don't set them up for success. We say, good luck out there. Figure it out. Having access to food is a basic necessity that if we are not helping people figure out how they're going to find their next meal or take that worry off the table quite literally, then we're not actually looking out for our constituents and the rest of our community members who are all just going about our daily lives. And so when someone needs food, we should be in this body doing everything we can to make sure that that is not a question. And SNAP is a big part of that. And so I thank you, Senator Bailey, for bringing this bill forward. I encourage all of my colleagues in every community that we represent to vote in favor, and I proudly vote in favor of this bill. Thank you.
Senator Hinchey to be recorded in the affirmative. Senator Martins to explain his vote.
Thank you, Madam President. I also want to thank Senator Bailey for introducing this bill. I think it's important at a time time when we are dealing with so much concern across the state with regard to affordability, People's access to basic necessities should be something that should concern all of us. I would just remind my colleagues that in this context, this State has increased spending in its budget by over $80 billion in the last six to seven years alone. $80 billion. There is no reason why there should be anybody in this state that is hungry when you're spending $80 billion more year over seven years ago. And so, as we debate these issues and discuss this issues, I do want to thank the sponsor for bringing this to the floor and we can address this small piece of this equation. But I would remind everyone, as we discuss the budget this year, remember that $80 billion is gone. Go figure out why we can't feed people. Madam President, I vote yes.
Senator Martin recorded in the affirmative. Senator Murray to explain his vote.
Thank you, Madam President. I too would like to praise the sponsor for bringing this to the floor. It's. You've got someone who served their time, they did something wrong, went to prison, they served their time, they're done. They're about to come out into society. They're about to hopefully become a very successful member of society and acclimate back in. We need to do all we can to help them do that, to make that transition as smooth as possible so that they can do that and they will have that advantage. They're going to be hungry when they get out, whether they qualify or not. So why not help them on the way out and give them that extra help as they finish serving their time and they're going back into society. I proudly vote aye for this bill.
Thank you, Senator Murray. To be recorded in the affirmative. Senator Geneiros to explain his vote.
Thank you, Madam President. I'm compelled to stand up and point out to my colleagues that it's. Well, I was going to say it's unfortunate, but it's really not that. My colleagues across the aisle are in the minority, so it's easy to stand up and cast aspersions without remembering the fact that some of these good colleagues served in the majority. And in that time, under Governor Pataky's leadership, when Senator Bruno was majority leader, spending, believe it or not, in this state, went up by $60 billion. Doubled, doubled in that time. So like I said, it's an easy job to do when you just sit there and throw out wild claims to try and make your point. But the fact is, when you actually have to govern, you spend to support the people of this state. The Republicans did it when they were in charge. We're certainly doing it. We're doing it better and in ways that are supporting working people as opposed to just the wealthy. Thank you, Madam President.
Senator Geneiros, to be Recorded in the affirmative.
Announce the results in relation to calendar423vote and the negative R. Senators Borrello, Chan, Galliman, Griffo, Oberack, o', Mara, Ort, Rhodes, Steck, Walzig and White. Also Senator Tedisco Ayes 48 and Ace 12.
The bill is passed.
Counter number 442. Senate print 4482 by Senator Mayor Enact to him in the election law.
Read the last section.
Section 2. This actual take effect on the 90th date of shall become a law.
Call the roll.
Adabo Gnr, Schooler or Cutting Zell. Announce the results in relation to calendar. 442 vote in a negative Senate Lanza Ayes 59 days 1 the bill is passed. Calendar number 458. Senate print 1368 by Senator Serrano Enact to create a temporary state commission to study and make recommendations concerning the application of pesticides.
Read the last section.
Section 5. This action to protect immediately fold a roll. Adabo Check Yonar Cooper or Sukhatan Zellner announce the results. Ayes 60.
The bill is passed.
Counter number 476. Senate print 887A by Senator Sepulveda. An act from the Surrogate Courts Procedure Act.
Read the last section.
Section 2. This action took effect immediately.
Call the roll.
Adabo Giano Krueger or Sukhot and Zellner announce the results. Aye 60.
The bill is passed.
Calendar number 42. Senate print 5288 by Senator Sepulveda. Enactment of the civil practice law and rules laid aside. Counter number 501. Senate print 7663A by Senator Bino Enacted relation to authorizing the county of Nassau Assessor to accept an application for a real property tax exemption.
Read the last section.
Section 2. This action took effect immediately.
Call the roll.
Adabo Gnr Scooper or Cousin Zellner announce the results in relation to calendar 501 vote in a negative Senator O' Meara I 59 nays 1.
The bill is passed.
Calendar number 516. Senate print 553 by Senator Lew A. Knight to minor Education law.
Read the last section.
Section 3. This action take effect immediately.
Call the roll.
Adabo Gnrs, Kruger or Sukha and Zelner announce the results.
I60 the bill is passed.
Calendar number 518 Senate print 6334 by Senator Fahey an act to amend the education law.
Read the last section.
Section 2. This action took effect 18 months after shall become a Law Call the roll Adabo Gnr School cousins Zelmer. Announce the results in relation to calendar 518 voted in a negative R Senator Kansas, Fitzpatrick, Martins, Walzig and White Eyes 56 and ACE4 the bill is passed. Counter number 520. Senate print 6759 by Senator Fernandez Enact to amend the education law.
Read the Last section.
Section 2. This action took effect immediately. Call the roll Dabo Gnr or store cutting Zumner
Announce the results in relation
to calendar 520 voted in a negative Senator White I 59 days 1 the bill is passed. Calendar number 521 senator print 6929A by Senator Webb. An act to amend the education law.
Read the Last section.
Section 4. This action took effect one year of child become a law. Call to roll Adabo Giannar, Spooker or Sulkan Zelna Senator Webb to explain her vote.
Thank you, Madam President. This legislation aims to strengthen transparency and accountability with the dental laboratory industry. This is an industry that quietly plays a vital role in in the health and well being of thousands of New Yorkers every single year. Dental laboratories. They manufacture dentures, crowns, bridges, orthodontic appliances that are placed in patients mouths. When a dentist place a crown or a denture or patients naturally assume that the products that they are receiving were made safely and with quality materials. And dentists assume the same thing. This assumption however, is not always backed by transparency or accountability, Madam President. Currently there is no requirement that a dental laboratory inform the dentist of the materials used in the restoration or the point of origin of manufacture. This lack of transparency matters also. Poorly manufactured restorations can lead to infections, allergic reactions, structural failures and the need for costly corrective procedures. Recent surveys have shown that nationwide approximately 25% of domestic dental laboratory sales and 38% of dental restorations are manufactured overseas. The goal with this legislation is not to burden businesses with unnecessary regulation, but to rather establish accountability and oversight in an area directly tied to patient health. Dental appliances and prosthetics are medical devices that must meet certain standards of safety, quality and traceability. I vote I and encourage my colleagues to do the same. Thank you, Madam President.
Senator Webster recorded in the affirmative.
Amongst the results in relation to counter 521 voted in a negative. Senator Walzig, Ayes, 59, nays 1.
The bill is passed Senator Geneiros that completes the reading of the non controversial calendar.
Thank you, Madam President. Please call on Senator Comrie for an introduction.
Senator Comrie for an introduction.
Madam President, I rise Today to acknowledge that we have a group of people that are here from Queens today that were brought by our borough president, Donovan Richards. They're in the gallery now, some of them. It's their first time in Albany and I just wanted to thank them for coming. They're here to work to make sure that Queens gets the money. They're here to make sure that Queens doesn't get hit with property taxes, which we don't do in the state. And we were able to convince them today to go back downstate and let their mayor know that that will not happen. And we're not going to anything with property taxes. That's something that has to be done on a city level. But they're also here today to help argue, to fight for some of the shifts that were burdened on the city during the de Blasio administration when the previous governor, who shall not be named over, shifted a lot of money from the state to the city to burden. Which is one reason why the city's in financial struggle right now. So I just wanted to thank them for coming. Our borough president is probably meeting with the speaker right now. Donovan Richards. He's not here, but I just wanted to thank you all for coming. We had a great day. A lot of legislators got to meet you. You've learned a lobby. I hope you can come back on a regular basis to join the throngs of people that are up here to make sure that Queens gets the money. Thank you.
Thank you. To the delegation from Queens civic organizations, I welcome you on behalf of the Senate. We extend to you the privileges and courtesies of this house. Please rise and be recognized.
Senator Generis, let's take up the controversial calendar, please.
The Secretary will ring the bell. The Secretary will read.
Calendar number 482, Senate 5288 by Senator Sepulveda enacting civil practice, law and rules.
Senator Rhodes, why do you rise?
Madam President, I was hoping that Senator Sepulveda, as the sponsor, might yield to a few questions.
Senator.
Madam President, I yield for those questions.
Senator yields.
Thank you, Madam President. Through you, Madam President. Senator, I understand the. I think I understand the purpose of the bill, but I do have a couple of questions with regard to its scope. My understanding is that this legislation is intended to address a specific circumstance with regard to pendente lite child and spousal support applications, presumably to the to the family court. However, the legislation itself amends CPLR 2101 to add a subdivision H, which would apply to every court in the state of New York, what's the reason for such a broad application when it's designed to address, according to your justification memo, a specific circumstance in only the family court?
To you, Madam President. My colleague. I'm not sure if we're reading the same bill. This bill is a simple bill about tabs and exhibits. When you file any kind of pleading in the courts. My experience as an attorney for 34 years, dealing with myself and colleagues that have filed things like motions or order to show cause where on the cusp. On the verge of a statute of limitations expiring, a judge will reject a pleading because a person didn't put a tab on an exhibit that the case will be that the filing will be denied, statute of limitation expires, and a person loses the ability to have his day in court for a simple tab has nothing to do with what you indicated.
Continue to yield.
Senator, if you can just hold a minute, please. Thank you.
It mentions family court.
Sorry,
Sa.
Yes, Senator,
I'll connect. Yes.
Okay.
1.
The case that's in the memo is one particular case in a bucket of cases, but that's where the most egregious situations have occurred, in family court cases. So you're standing corrected about the actual type of case. But this is to fix a problem that's beyond just those pleadings in family court.
I will sponsor continuity of.
Through you, Madam President. Yes, I do.
The sponsor yields through you, Madam President.
Is this. Is this a situation where it's. It's pro se applications that are a problem or these applications that are actually filed by attorneys?
Both.
Yes. Okay. Thank you, Senator. Both.
Sorry.
I'm going to speak on the bill. Thank you, Senator. I appreciate it.
Okay. Senator Rhodes, on the.
On the bill, I promised my colleagues that I would only ask two questions. I asked two questions. Just for the record. I was. I'm concerned. I certainly understand the intent of the legislation. I feel as though attorneys at law should be qualified. Certainly most are, and certainly most paralegals are to be able to put exhibit tabs on exhibits. I'm concerned that this may apply to any filing. Like, for example, when I have to submit pre marked exhibits for trial. We're sort of using a specific example, and instead of using a scalpel to fix that specific example, we're kind of using a meat cleaver and putting in a piece of legislation that would apply to a broad number of cases. I could understand if these were pro se applications that were being made where you don't have trained attorneys that are actually filing these applications that certainly would make Sense to me. But when the purpose of exhibit tabs are so that everyone can agree on the court and the parties to litigation can agree on what we're speaking about when we're referring to particularly cases with multiple exhibits, I think we should have been a little more specific in this legislation. And I don't know that the Office of Court Administration, the State Bar association or any of the organizations were consulted, much less asked for or support this particular legislation. And so while I understand the purpose, I unfortunately will vote no. And I would encourage my colleagues to do the same. If this bill were a little tighter, it might be a different result. Thank you, Madam President.
Thank you Senator. Are there any other senators wishing to be heard?
Thank you,
Senator Spolvida on the bill.
Thank you, Madam President. Just want to be able to clarify something. Exhibits on pleadings can be handled several ways. When you have multiple judges throughout the court system with different part rules, that is where the problem is created. You can start. You can label an exhibit page with a 8 and a half by 11 and you can type in in larger font exhibit A. Where the problem has existed is that unless you have what's called a little tab to notate that exhibit, some judges throughout the system will reject that pleading. What this says is either you put a page where you write, you type in literally exhibit A in black print at the bottom before you put the exhibit, or you use a tab. Either one is acceptable. The problem occurs when judges say you have to use a specific tab and that is highly unfair. And especially in cases where either statute of limitations are expiring or you need particular relief immediately for a judge to reject it because that's the way you want to notify about a particular exhibit on a pleading is inherently unfair and confusing because there are so many judges with different rules in different parts.
Thank you.
And I vote aye.
Thank you. Are there any other senators wishing to be heard? Seeing hearing none, the debate is closed.
Senator Generis, let's restore this to the non controversial calendar. By consent please.
By consent the bill will be restored to the non controversial calendar. Read the last section.
Section 2 this actual effect immediately. Call the roll Adabo, Gnrs, Krueger or suit cutting zone. Announce the results in relation to count of 42 voted in the negative R Senators Borrello, Kansas, Fitzpatrick, Chan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Matera, Murray, Obrack, O', Mara, Rhodes, Stack, Tedisco, Walls in White I 45, Nays 15.
The bill is passed. Senator Generos completes the reading of today's
calendar Is there any further business at the desk?
There is no further business at the desk.
I move to adjourn till tomorrow. Wednesday, March 18th at 3pm on motion.
Ascend stands adjourned until Wednesday, March 18th at 3pm Enjoy your St. Patrick's Day.