Transcript Highlights:

• The first bill on the agenda is Senate, Fifth, Senate, uh...
• Senator Griffo and Senator O'Brocker. Senator Griffo and Senator O'Brocker.
• Senate Bill 6745 by Senators Domescu, January.
• Senator, thank you. That makes sense. Thank you. We talk. Senator, bill moved by Senator Lou.
• The next bill is Senate 948. Senate 948 by Senator Siviski. I am holding this bill.

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1392 BY: SENATOR PERSAUD Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
• Senator Webb on the resolution. Thank you, Madam President.
• >> THANK YOU, SENATOR WEBB. Thank you, Senator Webb. Senator Bailey on the resolution.
• [Applause] And next up is another Senator Sepúlveda resolution, Resolution 1859.
• >> THANK YOU, SENATOR. THE RESOLUTION WAS PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED ON MARCH 10. SENATOR GIANARIS.

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• by Senator Rarick. by Senator Rarick.
• Senator Hemmingsen-Jaeger and Senator um Senator Hemmingsen-Jaeger and Senator Nelson,<00:58:56.560><
• <00:59:32.960> and<00:59:33.080> Senator Senator Hemmingsen-Jaeger and Senator Senator
• Senator<00:59:50.000> Dziedzic. Senator Dziedzic. Senator Dziedzic.
• Senator<01:08:27.040> Latz. Senator Latz. Senator Latz.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

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• Senator Fenton, will you do the honors?
• >> Senator Ward, question.
• Senator McConkey. >> Thank you.
• >> Good job, Senator Manki. >> Good job, Senator Manki.
• it out, Senator Fenton? it out, Senator Fenton? >> All right. >> All right.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that 3/5 vote. that 3/5 vote.
• Senator Lang?
• from the senators? Senator<00:56:14.880> Lone. Senator Lone. Senator Lone.
• Questions from the senators. Senator Lang.
• senators? senators?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

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• <01:00:41.000> A Senator. I believe that's accurate. A Senator.
• Any questions for Representative Noble, Senator Watters, or Senator ...
• Senator<01:42:07.040> Alchiler? Senator Alchiler? Senator Alchiler?
• Senator<02:27:36.880> Abbas. Senator Abbas. Senator Abbas.
• >> Thank you, Senator. >> Thank you, Senator.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

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• > um >> I I think Senator I think Senator and um >> I I think Senator I think Senator
• Senator McCunki. full. Senator McCunki.
• So Senator Waters. answered that. So Senator Waters.
• Senator. Okay. Senator. Okay.
• Senator Rosen Wall >> Uh Senator uh yes. Senator Rosen Wall said<02:32:23.439> consent.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

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• Thank you, Senator.
• Senator<00:10:07.440> Watters. Senator Watters. Senator Watters.
• question is, Senator? question is, Senator?
• Thank you, Senator. Appreciate it. Thank you, Senator.
• section 1 through 5. section 1 through 5.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

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• Senator Lang.
• Senator Lang. Um one Thank you. Senator Lang.
• that Senator Lang will work with Senator that Senator Lang will work with Senator Rosenwald.<00:
• Senator Waters... Or not to... that be a question whether the whole $5 million is utilized or not.
• Senator<00:38:07.000> Waters Senator Waters Senator Waters Yeah,<00:38:08.560> I'm<00:38

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Go ahead, Senator. Um thank Thank you. Go ahead, Senator. Um thank you,<00:28:19.520> Mr.
• Welcome to Senate Judiciary. Senate Judiciary is back in session.
• Senator Altschiller has question.
• Senator, yes, please. Sure.
• Thank you for your question, Senator. Thank you for your question, Senator.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, we are going to reconvene and we will start with Senator Jones on file 5, SB 1212.
• And we will start with Senator Jones on file 5, SB 1212. Excellent. Thank you, Mr.
• Senator Becker: Aye. Seyarto: Aye. Cabaldon: Aye. Laird: On call. That is 5 to 0.
• That is 5 to 0 and is on call. File item 7 by Senator Gonzalez. Vote is 3 to 0 right now.
• Senator Seyarto: Aye. Allen, Grove. Laird: Aye. That is 5 to 0. The bill is on call.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, without objection, we're going to proceed to file item 5, SB 1361 by Senator Durazo.
• Senator, Senator. Thank you, Senator.
• Senator Chopo.
• We'll go next to Senator Caballero, then Senator Padilla.
• We'll proceed now to file item 5, SB 1361 by Senator Dorsey. Senator Seyarto, no. Caballero, aye.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

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• Senator Laird is going to present SB 931, which is item 5 in your agenda packets.
• Senator. Mr.
• Thank you, Senator. Senator Gomez Reyes and then Senator Rubio. Thank you.
• Oh, gosh, sorry, Senator Archuleta. Thank you, Senator. Thank you, Senator.
• Senator Senator Chaleta. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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• Thank you, Senator. So, Senator, would you like to close? Yes, thank you, Mr.
• Senator. Thank you.
• Senator Strickland. Hello. There are you. Senators Cortese here, Strickland, Archuleta...
• File item 5: the current vote is 10-0. Senators Blakespear, aye; Menjivar; Valadares. 11-0.
• File item 5, SB 1287 by Senator Hurtado. The motion is due pass to the Committee on Appropriations.

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Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Committee on Agriculture will come to order. I believe we have a quorum.
• SB 1223 by Senator Padilla. Welcome, and the floor is yours.
• The Senate Committee on Agriculture will come to order again.
• We'll go back to SB 1223 by Senator Padilla. We'll go back to SB 1223 by Senator Padilla.
• And that concludes the business of the Senate Committee on Agriculture.

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Transcript Highlights:

• Senators Wiener, aye. Umberg, aye. That's 3.0. We'll put that on call. Senator Umberg, aye.
• Senator Choi. Thank you.
• Our final presentation, Senator Nielo, for two items, items 4 and 5, SB 1225, followed by SCA 3.
• So, Senator, you may proceed. Senator, you may proceed with SB 1225.
• Okay, 5-0. The bill is out. Well, ...5-0. Okay, 5-0. The bill is out.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to turn over the gavel to Senator Grayson. Thank you. Senator, you may be easy on me?
• Thank you, Senator Neelow. Let's see, we're just going to wait, Senator. Let's see.
• Senator Rubio? Not questions, but I just want to make a comment. Senator Rubio?
• Senator Seyarto. Aye. Senator Ashby. Aye. Senator Grayson. That vote is 6 to 0.
• Senator Seyarto, aye. Senator Ashby, aye. Senator Grayson. That vote is 7 to 0. Okay, thank you.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Cortese.
• That bill is out on a vote of 5 to 1. Let's proceed to file item 6, SB 926 by Senator Strickland.
• SB 938 is out on a vote of 5 to 1. We'll now proceed to file item 9, SB 1019 by Senator Grove.
• That bill is out on a vote of 5 to 0. Let's proceed now to item 13, SB 1022 by Senator Volta.
• SB 1354 is out on a vote of 5 to 1. We now proceed to SB 1365 by Senator Allen.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm joined here by Senator Martin, or ranking member, as well as Senator Helming, Senator Zellnor, Senator
• Senator Martin seconded, from Senator Jackson. Any negative votes?
• Senate bill number 7933A by Senator Cooney. Next bill, please.
• Okay, Senator Martin and Senator Walsick in the negative.
• That's Senator Helming. And Senator... Got Senator Walsick in the negative.

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.