Transcript Highlights:

• I'm State Senator Kevin Parker.
• Senator Latteras? We're starting off so wrong. I don't know that. Senator Wetzar? Senator Wetzek?
• We have Senator Gazzalis, Senator May, and Senator Ryan. Chris Ryan.
• Senator González.
• I want to thank Senator Lutchev and Senator Tera, right?

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee, chaired by Senator Kevin Parker, considered several Public Service Law bills and advanced each one to the Rules Committee after brief discussion and recorded no votes or without-recommendation votes on some measures. The bills included proposals to prohibit utilities from using ratepayer funds for certain activities (1012A), establish minimum standards for payment plans for eligible customers (1327), adjust residential fixed charges (1329), require the Public Service Commission to consider economic impacts when setting rates (1847), require utilities to adopt PSC-authorized equity ratios and returns on equity (1896), create the Rate-Hike Notice Act (5553C), suspend certain utility rate changes while allowing retroactive revenue recovery (5593), allow consideration of non-economic losses in penalty determinations (7165A), change the composition of the Public Service Commission (7328A), and let utilities retain revenues above authorized returns on equity (7693). Members asked questions about who would be affected by the bills, including whether fixed-charge reductions would apply to vacant units or vacation homes and whether economic-impact considerations could affect customers differently depending on where they live; the chair and sponsors generally explained the measures as territory-wide or applicable to all residential customers, with no occupancy or income-based circuit breaker in the text. The committee then heard testimony from Alexandra Fasulo, introduced as an entrepreneur and farmer in Schuylerville, about her concerns regarding the Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES) and utility-scale solar development on farmland and grasslands. She argued that solar developers were pressuring landowners, including older and lower-income property owners, into long-term leases, that ORES approves most projects despite local opposition, and that the process lacks transparency, with redacted documents and limited public access to information. She also criticized the siting of solar projects on productive farmland and said decommissioning rules could leave equipment buried in the soil. Committee members responded that the Legislature has already taken steps to protect high-quality soils, that ORES was created by statute and operates within the Public Service Department, and that DEC and ORES are supposed to work together rather than ORES superseding DEC. Several senators said they were sympathetic to concerns about farmland and community engagement, but also emphasized the need to expand renewable energy and balance that with land preservation. Members suggested that specific complaints about ORES transparency or solar siting could be addressed through future legislation or by inviting ORES and PSC officials back for further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Berna. >> Thank you, Senator.
• Senator Berna. >> Thank you, Senator.
• Senator Berna. >> Thank you, Senator.
• Senator Berna. >> Questions from senators? Senator Berna.
• Thank you, >> Senator<00:50:50.880> L. >> Senator L. >> Senator L.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The prime sponsor is Senator Murphy. Great to see you this afternoon, Senator.
• Thank you, Senator. Senator. Senator. >> Thank<00:25:25.200> you,<00:25:25.279> Mr.
• Thank you, >> Senator<00:46:18.079> Abs. >> Senator Abs. >> Senator Abs.
• >> Senator<01:11:59.280> Abbas. >> Senator Abbas. >> Senator Abbas.
• >> Thank you, Senator. Senator<02:36:38.479> Ruden. Senator Ruden. Senator Ruden.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the Senate Education Committee.
• Start out with Senate Bill 433, and we have the prime sponsor, Senator Lang, here.
• Thank you, fellow senators. I am Senator Tim Lang.
• Senate Bill 433? Senate Bill 433?
• Senator Prentiss.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, questions from the senators. Senator Waters. Senator Waters: Thank you.
• Senate Bill 488. Senate Bill 488.
• Senator<00:25:10.799> Waters. Senator Waters. Senator Waters.
• Senator Rosen first and then Senator Lang.
• So, >> Senator<00:39:32.079> Rosen, >> Senator Rosen, >> Senator Rosen, >

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Chang, here. Senator Dit, here. Senator Decort, here. Senator Dela Cruz, excused.
• Senator Hashimoto, here. Senator Ihara, excused. Senator Inouye, present. Senator Kanuha.
• Senator Kouchi. Senator Kidani. Senator Kimator. Senator Lamosao, here. Senator Lee, here.
• Senator McKelvie, hi. Senator Moriwaki. Senator Rhoads. Senator Richards, here.
• On page two, introduction of measures: Senate Concurrent Resolution 6 for referral to committee.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, Senate Bill 415, Senate Bill 508, Senate Bill 509, Senate Bill 523, and Senate Bill 564.
• Senator McGee. >> Okay. Senator McGee.
• The chair will now call Lieutenant Senator. Senator. Senator.
• >> Senator<00:58:16.400> Mak. >> Senator Mak. >> Senator Mak.
• to Senate Bill 496? to Senate Bill 496?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And you yourself, Senator Avard, as well as Senator Pearl and Senator Lang and Senator Waters have all
• well as Senator Pearl and Senator as well as Senator Pearl and Senator Lang<01:01:04.000> uh<01
• >> Senator<02:03:23.840> Waters. >> Senator Waters. >> Senator Waters.
• Senator<02:09:29.840> Rose, Senator Rose, Senator Rose, >> are<02:09:32.239> you<
• Senator, let me un-recess you right now." "Thank you, Senator.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:17:39.440> Waters think that the sponsor Senator Waters think that the sponsor Senator
• <00:18:46.960> I'll Senator McConi. I'm disappointed. I'll Senator McConi.
• the amendment for Senate Bill 631. the amendment for Senate Bill 631.
• Both Senator and um Senate Bill 630.
• Senator D? Senator D?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Inouye present. >> Senator Kanuha here. >> Senator Kahole. >> Senator Kidani. >> Senator Kim
• . >> Senator Lamosao here. >> Senator Lee. >> Senator McKelvey excused. >> Senator Moriwaki. >> Senator
• If not, the motion is carried. >> Senate Resolution Number 3 for referral to committee. >> So ordered
• >> Senate<00:05:11.120> resolution<00:05:11.680> number<00:05:11.919> three
• ><00:05:12.080> for >> Senate resolution number three for >> Senate resolution number

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To my right is Senator Himoto and Senator Deort.
• I think maybe Senator Hashimoto was one of the introducers of this resolution.
• Senator.
• Senator. >> good members questions. Senator.
• <01:20:12.800> that Senator of uh different resolutions that Senator of uh different resolutions

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And House Communication No. 2 informs the Senate that the House adopted House Concurrent Resolution No
• President, I move for the adoption of House Concurrent Resolutions Nos. 1 and 2. >> Senator Decort >>
• Senate Resolution No. 2 amending Rule 16 of the rules of the Senate of the 33rd Legislature, regular
• <00:02:54.080> 1 >> Senate Concurrent Resolution numbers 1 >> Senate Concurrent
• President, I move for the adoption of Senate Resolution No. 2. >> Senator Decort >> Mr.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, Senator DeCorte had an unforeseen emergency, so she won't be attending today.
• and if you do have any concerns of these dates, could you please contact my office and as well as Senator
• <00:09:02.480> That as well as Senator Dit's office.
• That as well as Senator Dit's office.
• The goals and deliverables for the working group are laid out in Senate Concurrent Resolution 121 that

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• by Senator Rahm Hinsdale and others. by Senator Rahm Hinsdale and others.
• Senator from Chittenden. Senator from Rutland. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Senator from Washington. Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Appropriations will meet at 1:30.
• Senator from Windsor. Thank you.
• >> Senator from Bennington. >> Senator from Bennington.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . senator. senator.
• Senator. Senator. Senator.
• Thank you, Senator. Any questions? Senator Rosen.
• is Senate Bill 582FN. is Senate Bill 582FN.
• through the Senate? through the Senate?

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Transcript Highlights:

• Senator<00:15:54.639> Carson. Senator Carson. Senator Carson.
• Good afternoon, Senator. Senator. Senator. >> Good<00:15:58.240> afternoon.
• Yes, Senator. Thank you, Senator. We're all set. Thank you, Senator. Enjoy your next committee.
• Yes, senator. I. Yes, senator. >> Thank<00:17:43.360> you,<00:17:43.600> Senator.
• >> Senator<00:26:54.799> Reen. >> Senator Reen. >> Senator Reen.

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Transcript Highlights:

• Introduced by Senator Rahm Hinsdale and Senator Vhovsky.
• Senator Vhoski and others. Listen to the Senator Vhoski and others.
• President, Senate Government Operations will meet at 2:00. >> Senator from Washington. >> Senate Appropriations
• :07.120> um,<00:16:08.160> Senator Um, Senator Senator Baruth, um, Senator Um, Senator
• >> Senator from Rutland. >> Senator from Rutland.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to welcome Senator Nathalia Fernandez for joining us, Senator Christopher Ryan, Senator Jessica
• We are starting with Senate Bill 172A by Senator Ramos.
• Next is Senate Bill 496.
• Next is Senate Bill 2076 by Senator Shelley Mayer, who just walked in for her bill.
• Thank you, Senator Jackson and Senator Fernandez. All those in favor? I.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Labor Committee held its first meeting of the 26th legislative session, with Chair Senator Jessica Ramos outlining a worker-focused agenda centered on stability, fair hiring, clear benefits, and stronger systems for workers facing injury or family needs. She emphasized that the committee’s goal is to reduce worker crises by improving the rules before people need help. Senators Nathalia Fernandez, Christopher Ryan, Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, Mario Mattera, Robert Jackson, Shelley Mayer, and ranking member Steve Rhoads participated. Six bills were considered. Senate Bill 172A, by Senator Ramos, would increase short-term disability benefits and was reported to Finance. Senate Bill 496, by Senator Fernandez, would require employers to inform employees about certain contract provisions and was reported to the calendar. Senate Bill 2076, by Senator Mayer, would require notice of initial unemployment benefit determinations and was also reported to the calendar. Senate Bill 4518, by Senator Ramos, would address communications between a claimant’s attorney or representative and an injured worker’s treating provider or medical consultant, and was reported to the calendar. The committee also advanced Senate Bill 4816, by Senator Ryan, which would add Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases as occupational diseases for workers’ compensation purposes, and Senate Bill 5990B, by Senator Ramos, which would require employers to disclose benefits and other compensation such as bonuses, stock options, and commissions. All bills were moved by voice vote without opposition noted. Senator Rhoads briefly commented that protecting workers and advancing labor issues should be approached in a bipartisan way. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> The Senate will come to order.
• Senator Serrano. >> I move to adopt the resolution calendar. >> All in favor of adopting the resolution
• The resolution calendar is adopted. >> Please take up previously adopted Resolution 1324 by Senator Stec
• Read the resolution title only, and recognize Senator Stec. >> Secretary will read.
• Senate Resolution No. 1324 by Senator Stec, memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim January 25

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate met on January 20, 2026, approved the Journal, and adopted the resolution calendar. It then took up Senate Resolution 1324, sponsored by Senator Stec, which memorializes the Governor to proclaim January 25-31, 2026, as Medicolegal Death Investigation Professionals Week. Senator Stec described the work of medicolegal death investigators and recognized guests from several districts; the resolution was opened for co-sponsorship. The Senate then considered a series of bills on the calendar, including measures amending the Insurance, Labor, Workers’ Compensation, Public Health, State Finance, State Technology, Environmental Conservation, Criminal Procedure, Executive, and Veteran Services laws. Most bills passed with broad support, though several drew negative votes from individual senators or small groups, including Calendar 34 (Insurance Law), Calendar 47 (Environmental Conservation Law), Calendar 61 (Public Health Law), and Calendar 74 (Veteran Services Law). Senator Murray briefly explained his support for Calendar 62, a Criminal Procedure Law bill, suggesting additional confirmation for victim notifications if email notice is expanded. The Senate also discharged Assembly Bill 9436 from Rules and substituted identical Senate Bill 8773. After completing the calendar, the Majority Conference committee assignments were filed in the Journal. The Senate then adjourned until Monday, January 26, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., with intervening days designated as legislative days.

Transcript Highlights:

• Questions for the >> Welcome, Senator. Questions for the senator? senator? senator?
• Senate Bill 511. Senate Bill 511.
• And then... >> Senator Ro... sure... >> ...and then Senator M.
• Uh, Senator Tim Lang from Senate District 2. Um, I introduced Senate Bill 542.
• hearing on Senate Bill 635. hearing on Senate Bill 635.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all