Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Standing Committee on Agriculture considered a full agenda of bills covering animal welfare, school food standards, farm succession planning, microchipping, electronic reporting, and baby food safety. Several measures were reported or advanced without objection, including S.1743 (referred to Codes), S.30738 on a civil remedy for companion animals denied proper care, S.5488 on microchipping certain animals, and S.5689 on authorizing electronic reporting. S.3214B, which would prohibit the sale of foods containing synthetic additives in schools, was advanced to the Education Committee; two members were recorded without recommendation on that bill. The committee also discussed S.4755A, Senator Bailey’s farm ownership succession planning program, though the transcript does not capture a final vote on that item. The most detailed discussion centered on S.8701A, Senator Hinchey’s bill requiring testing of baby food and formula for toxic heavy metals and disclosure of results. Members asked about federal standards, supply-chain impacts, and whether ingredient suppliers should also be covered. Supporters said there are limited federal standards, cited similar laws in California, Virginia, Maryland, and Illinois, and argued the bill would protect consumers without disrupting supply. The bill was then moved to the Consumer Protection Committee. At the close of the meeting, the chair noted the large number of animal-related bills on the agenda and mentioned upcoming Animal Advocacy Day. The committee then adjourned.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Education met on April 21 and considered several education-related bills, mostly extensions or technical changes. S-57 (BOCES services to out-of-state school districts), S-150B (small-city school board nominating communication deadlines), S-8904A (BOCES lease terms for properties), S-9148 (exempting certain preschool special services providers from separate Commissioner approval), and S-9611 (extending provisions on certified school psychologists and preschool special education services) were all moved to the floor with little or no opposition. The committee also took up S-2498, which would reduce the required number of lockdown drills in schools from 12 to 10 and adjust the timing of drills. Senator Tedisco spoke strongly against the bill, arguing that repetition is necessary to prepare students and staff for emergencies and that reducing drills would move in the wrong direction on school safety. Chair Mayer responded that the bill still requires a significant number of drills and is intended to reduce trauma, especially for young children. The bill advanced, with Senators Stec and Tedisco opposed and Senator Weber recorded without recommendation. Most other bills were described as aligning existing rules, easing administrative burdens, or extending current law. The committee concluded by noting the meeting was productive and adjourned after moving all listed bills forward.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Civil Service and Pensions met on April 21, 2026, with a quorum present through in-person members and voting sheets. Chair Robert Jackson noted nine bills on the agenda, and the committee moved through each measure with no substantive debate or opposition raised. The committee approved and advanced several civil service, retirement, and public safety bills, including measures on salary schedule parity (S-1722), longevity payments (S-1739), procedures for receipt or discontinuation of certain benefits (S-5026B), geographic pay differentials for certain police officers (S-6598), deputy sheriff past service credit transfers between retirement systems (S-7750A), a 22.5-year retirement program for NYC EMTs and advanced EMTs (S-7916A), and firefighter service credit for certain State Police members (S-7986A). It also approved a bill changing the due date for the Teachers’ Retirement System’s annual W-B-E report (S-8234A) and a bill establishing the New York State park police (S-9301). All nine bills were reported favorably, with recorded votes of 7 aye, 0 nay, and 0 abstentions on each measure. Most bills were reported to the Finance Committee, while S-8234A and S-9301 were reported to the floor.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Environmental Conservation, chaired by Senator Pete Harckham, met earlier than scheduled because of budget-related scheduling conflicts. The committee considered a 10-bill active list focused on environmental regulation, waterways, wildlife management, and remediation issues. Bills included a ban on lead in aviation gasoline (S.5440A), changes to air quality permit modification and enforcement procedures (S.6833A), adding waterways in Monroe and Putnam counties to the inland waterways definition (S.9062 and S.9506), an urban deer management pilot program extension (S.9098), expanded technical assistance grants and brownfield remediation provisions (S.9294), a DEC study on Jamaica Bay restoration needs (S.9311), repair of damaged pesticide containers (S.9587), and a prohibition on using drilling fluids, brine, and flowback water on highways (S.9635).

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Children and Families Committee met on April 21 and considered three bills. S-8204, which would amend the Social Services Law and Family Court Act regarding the definition of “prospective relative guardian,” was moved and reported without objection. S-9042, which would amend the Social Services Law to incorporate a cost-of-living adjustment into subsequent maximum state aid rates, was also moved, but Senator Weber recorded a negative vote; the bill was referred to finance. The committee then took up S-9764, an act to amend the Domestic Relations Law concerning child custody. The bill was moved and reported, with Senators Weber and Rolison recording negative votes. No additional testimony or substantive debate was presented, and the meeting concluded after action on the three-bill agenda.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The New York State Senate Committee on Higher Education met on April 21, 2026, with a quorum present and considered nine bills. The committee advanced bills addressing licensing discrepancies for junior and assistant landscape architects (S.1834A), SUNY/CUNY research foundation financial reporting (S.6745), credits for volunteer firefighters and EMTs enrolled in SUNY or CUNY (S.7367), campus pool and health membership for disabled veterans (S.7784A), early licensure eligibility for dental residents in multi-year specialty programs (S.8401A), a 90-day grace period for certain social workers awaiting limited permits (S.9303), interior designer certification standards (S.9673), and a transfer of excess tuition reimbursement account funds to support proprietary vocational school oversight (S.9682). One bill, S.948 concerning occupational therapists, was held pending resolution with the State Education Department. Members asked questions on several measures, including whether firefighter/EMT credits were tied to service rather than coursework, how the dental residency bill would work in practice, and the funding source and purpose of the proprietary school supervision account transfer. Support was noted for the interior designer bill from ASID, CIDQ, and IIDA, while most other bills had no listed support or opposition memos. The committee explained that the fund transfer bill would move up to $500,000 from a tuition reimbursement account balance above $2.5 million to help the Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision address oversight needs. All of the bills taken up and moved were reported out of committee, with some sent to the floor and others to the Finance Committee as indicated by the chair. Several were reported without recommendation from individual members. The meeting adjourned at 10:45 a.m.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several guest introductions, including students from Brooklyn and St. John’s University, followed by adoption of the resolution calendar with exceptions for two items. The chamber then took up a series of previously adopted resolutions recognizing Black Maternal Health Week, Workplace Violence Prevention Month, the one-year anniversary of the Jet Set nightclub tragedy in the Dominican Republic, New York Constitution Day, and the Month of the Military Child. Senators speaking on the maternal health resolution emphasized racial disparities in maternal mortality and the need for culturally competent care; the workplace violence resolution highlighted hospital safety programs; the Jet Set resolution was adopted in memory of the victims; and the Constitution Day speech reviewed New York’s delayed but eventual support for independence in 1776. The military child resolution stressed the sacrifices of military families and support for children of service members. All of these resolutions were adopted, and the resolutions were opened to co-sponsorship. The Senate then moved through the third reading calendar, passing several bills and laying others aside. Measures passed included bills on public health, environmental conservation, executive law, public authorities, and consumer protection. One notable debate involved a bill to require transparency from private arbitration organizations handling consumer cases; supporters argued it would provide basic public data and guard against conflicts of interest, while opponents said it would burden a useful dispute-resolution process and intrude on privacy. The bill passed after debate. Another debated bill would phase out number 4 heating oil statewide; supporters said cleaner alternatives exist and the fuel is harmful to public health, while opponents raised cost and transition concerns, especially for colder regions. That bill also passed. The chamber also considered a bill to create a rebate program for battery-powered landscaping equipment, funded through utility-related mechanisms administered by NYSERDA. Supporters said it would reduce air and noise pollution and help companies transition, while opponents argued ratepayers should not subsidize landscaping equipment. The bill passed after being restored to the non-controversial calendar. Finally, the Senate began discussion of a housing-related bill aimed at preserving manufactured home parks by enabling nonprofits or municipalities to acquire development rights and keep the land dedicated to that use, with the sponsor explaining that the goal is to protect affordable housing and help residents remain in their homes.

Keywords: New York State Senate (YouTube), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPuQlcPYgy0, 2026-07-05T07:47:17+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Let New York State Senators hear your voice! Create a nysenate.gov user profile and set custom alerts for issues you care about, comment and vote 'yea' or 'nay' on bills, and access live streaming and archived Senate videos., 993, senate, all, 2.2.43, 2.1.47

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Housing, Construction and Community Development Committee met in Albany and considered a series of housing and homeownership bills. Early actions included reporting S.852 (Homebuyer Renovation Property Tax Exemption Act) to Finance, S.955 on smart access systems to Internet and Technology, and S.7933A on registrations of residential mortgages in default. The committee also advanced S.8675, the CAREforce First-Time Homebuyers Act, after a lengthy discussion about whether the bill inappropriately targets a specific workforce; supporters said it addresses a documented shortage of human services workers and includes existing SONYMA income eligibility, while opponents raised concerns about favoring one occupation over others. The bill was reported with some members in the negative and others voting to advance without recommendation. Members then reported S.9650, which would prohibit landlords from including incorrect rent decontrol information in certain leases and standardize notices for Affordable New York Housing Program units, and S.9679, which would codify the Block-by-Block Home Ownership Program in state law. Both had prior Senate history and drew some negative or AWR votes. The committee also discussed and advanced S.9742, which would allow residential units in multiple dwellings to omit openable windows if they meet ASHRAE ventilation standards; supporters said the change is needed to facilitate office-to-residential conversions, while members raised questions about maintenance, egress, and the bill’s limited application to localities under the multiple dwelling law. Finally, the committee reported S.989, establishing the vacant rental improvement program, after noting it had previously passed the Senate and was being reintroduced. Throughout the meeting, several bills were described as reintroductions or prior Senate measures, and multiple motions were made to report bills either to Finance, the floor, or another committee, with several members voting in the negative or to advance without recommendation on selected measures.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Social Services Committee met on April 20 with Senators Cleare, Kavanagh, Weik, and Murray present. The committee considered five bills, all of which were reported to the calendar. Senator Kavanagh introduced S.913, which would remove the requirement that a court proceeding be initiated before someone can qualify for rent arrears grants and ongoing rental assistance; members supported it as a way to avoid unnecessary eviction proceedings. S.2022 by Senator Cooney, which exempts certain income when determining eligibility for public assistance, was also reported without objection. The committee then discussed S.5807A by Senator Sepulveda, requiring EBT-related websites and mobile apps to be available in the 12 most common non-English languages. Several members supported the language-access goal but raised concerns that the bill could distract from or delay implementation of chip technology for EBT cards and fraud prevention; Senators Murray and Weik voted no, while the bill was still reported with concerns to be conveyed to the sponsor. S.7612 by Senator Martinez, establishing statewide co-shelter toolkits, was described as helping domestic violence survivors keep pets safe and together with victims, and it was reported unanimously. Finally, S.8045 by Senator Bino, requiring the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence to provide materials on removing accounts from smart home systems, was reported unanimously. Members noted concerns about tracking devices and smart-home-related safety issues in domestic violence cases. No other actions were taken beyond motions, seconding, and reporting each bill to the calendar.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The committee took up several Senate bills and reported them favorably. Senate Print 657, sponsored by Senator Harckham and enacted by Senator D’Abel and Senator Fernandez, was approved and reported. Senate bill 85-12, by Senator Krueger and enacted by Senator Harckham, was also reported. Senate bill 9963, by Senator Serrano, an appropriations measure, was moved by Senator Myrie and seconded by Senator Liu, then reported to the floor. The discussion was brief and procedural, with no substantive testimony or debate recorded in the excerpt. The chair indicated that one additional item would be taken up momentarily, but no further action appears in the provided transcript.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with routine formalities, approved the journal, welcomed a SkillsUSA student delegation, and then moved into budget and policy business. The chamber accepted a Rules Committee report and took up a supplemental budget extender, Senate Print 9963, which would extend state operations through April 22 and authorize $12.7 billion, including about $5.1 billion in new funding for Medicaid, payroll, and school aid. Senator O’Mara questioned the delay in the budget, the lack of public detail, and unresolved issues such as CLCPA changes, auto insurance, and SEQR reforms; the sponsor said negotiations were ongoing and that school aid would likely build on the executive budget. The extender passed 57-1, with Senator Weik voting no. The Senate then adopted Senate Resolution 1887, sponsored by Senator Brisport, memorializing the Governor to proclaim April 2026 as Arab American Heritage Month. Senators Brisport, Fahy, Salazar, and Gounardes spoke in support, emphasizing Arab Americans’ cultural, civic, and economic contributions in New York and condemning anti-Arab and anti-Muslim bias. The resolution was adopted by voice vote and opened for co-sponsorship. The chamber next considered several bills on the calendar, including a bill by Senator Cleare to prohibit state-chartered financial institutions from investing in private correctional facilities. Supporters framed it as a moral response to private prisons and rising federal use of detention facilities, while opponents argued it would overregulate state-chartered banks and affect private investment decisions. The bill passed 36-22. The Senate also passed a bill by Senator Krueger raising the nonprofit lobbying disclosure threshold from $5,000 to $10,000, after debate over transparency and whether the change would reduce oversight; it passed 35-23. Finally, the Senate passed Senator May’s bill on advanced transmission technologies and utility planning, after extensive debate over ratepayer costs, battery storage, and data center growth; supporters said it could lower energy costs through more efficient grid use, while opponents said it would raise rates and duplicate existing studies. The bill passed after being restored to the non-controversial calendar.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Insurance met and considered a long agenda of bills focused on health coverage, insurance regulation, and related consumer protections. Measures discussed included coverage for infant formula, restrictions on step therapy for serious mental health conditions, physical and occupational therapy services, outpatient substance use disorder treatment without pre-authorization, mortgage guarantee insurance, patient navigation services, specialized dental benefit plan information, firefighter medical exams, the Strength and Homes Program, accident prevention course instruction, early egg and peanut allergy coverage, speech therapy for stuttering, dog-breed-related insurance restrictions, insurer advertising requirements, prescription drug substitution during shortages, and notice of long-term care rate increases. Members also discussed the rationale for some bills, including concerns about outdated advertising rules and the importance of allergy-related coverage for children. Most bills were moved favorably, with several reported to the floor and others referred onward to the Finance Committee, Substance Use Disorder Committee, or Transportation Committee. Notable referrals included the infant formula, patient navigation, allergy coverage, stuttering therapy, and drug shortage substitution bills to Finance; the substance use disorder bill to the Substance Use Disorder Committee; and the accident prevention course bill to Transportation. Bills on mental health step therapy, mortgage guarantee insurance, specialized dental plan information, firefighter exams, dog breed restrictions, and insurer advertising requirements were reported to the floor. The committee also took recorded votes, with some members noted as without recommendation or without recusal on certain bills, and Senator Helming recorded in the negative on the long-term care rate increase notice bill. Overall, the meeting concluded with all agenda items acted on and no bill defeated outright.

Keywords: New York State Senate (YouTube), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zD57sBsBCJo, 2026-07-05T07:47:17+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Let New York State Senators hear your voice! Create a nysenate.gov user profile and set custom alerts for issues you care about, comment and vote 'yea' or 'nay' on bills, and access live streaming and archived Senate videos., 993, senate, all, 2.2.43, 2.1.47

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Rules convened and took up Senate Print 1918, sponsored by Senator Gianaris, an act making appropriations. The bill was moved by Senator Gonzalez and seconded by Senator Mayer. The committee approved the motion to post the bill directly to the floor for passage, with all members in favor. The meeting then adjourned.