Video & Transcript : 'counties authority' :
Page 420 of 500
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- SB 2027: prior authorized gold card exams. SB 2027: prior authorized gold card exemption. Finance.
- SB 1021: chiropractic board complaints training authority.
- SB 1142: federal tax credits authorization scholarships.
- SB 1142: federal tax credits authorization scholarships.
- SB 1161: appropriation, law exemption, Yuma County.
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then established attendance, approved the prior journal, and welcomed several guests, including the Doctor of the Day, a student shadowing a senator, representatives from Republic Services, and visitors from Copper Valley Energy. Senators also announced administrative deadlines, including extensions for opening Senate folders and for Senate bill introduction preparation, with the bill introduction deadline set for February 2.
The main floor business was the reading and reference of a large number of Senate bills and resolutions across many subject areas, including education, government, appropriations, natural resources, health and human services, finance, judiciary and elections, and military affairs and border security. The calendar also included second-reading placement for another large group of bills covering topics such as firearms, behavioral health, family courts, insurance, water, taxation, public safety, and elections. No substantive debate or votes on the merits of the measures occurred during this portion beyond the procedural reading and referral of the bills.
Standing committee reports were accepted without being read, and committee announcements were made for upcoming meetings of Government, Health and Human Services, Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency, Education, Judiciary and Elections, and Public Safety. The Senate then adjourned on motion until Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 1:15 p.m.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- of Honolulu, in support; Dan Viola, corporate counsel, City and County of Honolulu, in support; Bob
- 00:02:19.920><c> counsel,</c><00:02:20.320><c> City</c><00:02:20.520><c> and</c><00:02:20.600><c> County
- </c><00:02:20.800><c> of</c> corporation counsel, City and County of corporation counsel, City and County
- So currently you're deputy corporation counsel for the city and county.
- a concealed right to carry a authorized a concealed right to carry a firearm<00:12:04.200><c> in</c>
Committee:
Senate Judiciary
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on Governor’s Message 725, the nomination of Daniel M. Gluck to serve as associate judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals for a 10-year term. The chair announced a two-minute testimony limit, said the committee would not vote that day, and scheduled decision-making for the next day at 10:45 a.m. in Room 016. Testimony in support came from the Governor’s Office, judges and legal professionals, the Hawaii State Bar Association, and members of the public, including a child who described Gluck’s kindness and help in Girl Scouts. The committee reported 72 supporters, zero opposition, and one comment from the West Side Bar Association.
Gluck thanked the committee and outlined his background in private practice, nonprofit work, and government service, including work in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. He emphasized access to justice, pro bono representation, and his commitment to reducing the ICA backlog. In response to questions, he said he would focus on fuller staffing, shorter and more concise opinions, possible use of AI for limited administrative tasks, and process improvements to speed appeals. He also discussed appellate timelines, briefing schedules, and the value of oral argument for transparency and clarification.
Members questioned him about impartiality, especially in cases involving tension between Hawaii and federal precedent. Gluck said judges must follow controlling law, including U.S. Supreme Court precedent on federal questions and Hawaii Supreme Court precedent on state-law issues, and that the judiciary should not make policy. He also described his current work as deputy corporation counsel, including HART, firearms licensing after Bruen, appeals, and pending state cases. No vote was taken, and the hearing was adjourned after questions concluded.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
INSURANCE & COMMERCE - SENATE AND HOUSE Feb 13th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- You might find them in the county clerk under a probate matter or guardianship.
- We have authority to arrest. We have authority to serve warrants.
- Additionally, we have subpoena authority. Additionally, we have subpoena authority.
- For instance, Sebastian County, and that's perfectly fine.
- For instance, Sebastian County, and that's perfectly fine.
Summary:
A joint House-Senate Insurance and Commerce meeting focused on the growing threat of financial fraud in Arkansas, with members and witnesses describing scams targeting seniors, small businesses, and working families. The committee first approved the November 3, 2025 minutes, then heard from the Arkansas Bankers Association, the American Bankers Association, banks, the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division, the Arkansas Mortgage Bankers Association, the State Bank and Securities Department, the Insurance Department, and AARP. Witnesses described common schemes including spoofed bank calls and texts, government imposter scams, romance and investment scams, business email compromise, fake job postings, gift card scams, check fraud, wire fraud, reverse mortgage scams, identity theft, and insurance fraud. Several witnesses emphasized that cryptocurrency kiosks and crypto transfers make recovery difficult or impossible, and that artificial intelligence is making scams more convincing and scalable.
Witnesses repeatedly stressed education, verification, and coordination among banks, law enforcement, regulators, and consumers. Bank and mortgage representatives urged consumers to slow down, independently verify wire instructions, avoid clicking unexpected links, use tap-to-pay rather than chip or swipe when possible, and never share account credentials or one-time codes. The Attorney General’s office said it investigates consumer complaints, mediates disputes, works with social media platforms to remove scam ads, and recently created a Financial Fraud Task Force with bankers and other stakeholders. The State Bank and Securities Commissioner highlighted the Safe AR Act, the state’s crypto kiosk framework, and fraud education efforts such as “fraud bingo,” while the Insurance Department described its law-enforcement role and a range of insurance-related fraud schemes it prosecutes. AARP said fraud is widespread and underreported, especially among older adults.
Members asked about reporting scams, how losses are handled, whether tap is safer than chip, how crypto fraud works, whether Arkansas has model legislation to address telecom and social media impersonation, and how local law enforcement and state agencies coordinate investigations. Witnesses said banks generally absorb much of the financial loss under federal rules, while consumers bear the inconvenience and account changes. Several witnesses said Arkansas should consider additional legislation to hold telecom companies and social media platforms accountable for spoofed caller IDs and impersonation ads, and one witness said a federal Scam Act is moving in Congress. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond approval of the minutes, but witnesses agreed to share consumer education materials and model legislation with committee staff.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, March 27, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> the people of Orange County. the people of Orange County.
- </c><03:54:19.359><c> In</c> first about Stillwater County. In first about Stillwater County.
- Modoc County, Siskiyou County, Lassen County, Eastern Shasta, and other areas to a little bit lesser
- Syscue</c> of the state. uh Modoc County, Syscue of the state. uh Modoc County, Syscue County,<04:10
- ,</c> County, Lassen County, Eastern Shasta, County, Lassen County, Eastern Shasta, and<04:10:35.120>
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 02/27/25
Housing and Homelessness Prevention
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> my name is uh Joe perski Sterns County my name is uh Joe perski Sterns County Commissioner<00:26
- I'm presently the county commissioner in Stearns County, but before that I was the mayor of Sartell,
- </c> statutes that they have the authority statutes that they have the authority because<00:53:39.559
- </c> something brought to the the the county something brought to the the the county associations<01:
- </c> we what we're hearing from our counties we what we're hearing from our counties I<01:09:23.640><
Committee:
Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Banking & Insurance (2-19-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> this issue is that prior authorization this issue is that prior authorization was<00:05:21.039><
- exemption programs and prior authorizations conducted by private insurance.
- </c> exemption from prior authorization exemption from prior authorization requirements<00:07:15.759>
- exemption programs and authorization exemption programs and prior<00:08:15.639><c> authorizations</c>
- <00:08:16.560><c> conducted</c><00:08:17.080><c> by</c> prior authorizations conducted by prior authorizations
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:00
Roll Call: 00:13
HB423 Discussion: 01:38
HB423 Vote: 12:30
HB415 Discussion: 13:50
HB415 Vote: 15:13
HB390 Discussion: 16:30
HB390 Vote: 21:48
HB3 For Discussion Only: 23:15, 958, all
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 423, a prior authorization reform measure sponsored by Representative Kim Moser. A committee substitute was adopted to clarify that the bill’s prior authorization exemption program does not apply to Medicaid. Supporters, including the Kentucky Medical Association, said the bill would reduce red tape, improve transparency, and let providers spend more time on patient care. The bill would create a framework for insurers to establish a gold carding or waiver program for certain health services, exclude prescription drugs, prohibit retrospective reviews based solely on an exemption, and require annual reporting by the Department of Insurance and the Department for Medicaid Services. After questions about how exemptions would work and whether the bill addressed repeat prior authorizations, the committee voted to pass HB 423 with favorable expression.
The committee then considered House Bill 415, sponsored by Representative Pollock and supported by AFLAC representatives. The bill was described as clarifying that health insurance coverage mandates are generally intended to apply only to primary major medical policies. With no substantive opposition or questions, the committee voted to pass HB 415 with favorable expression.
Finally, the committee heard House Bill 390 from Chair Meredith, presented with support from multiple insurance industry representatives and the Department of Insurance. The bill would move motor vehicle insurance verification data from the old system to the CAVIS database and shorten the reporting turnaround from 30 days to a ceiling of seven days, with the possibility of a shorter period by regulation. After brief discussion and no objections, the committee voted to pass HB 390 with favorable expression. The committee also heard House Bill 3 for discussion only, sponsored by Representative Neighbors and supported by the Kentucky Pharmacists Association. The bill would require Kentucky Medicaid to reimburse pharmacists for covered clinical services they already provide, aligning Medicaid with existing commercial insurance policy. Supporters argued it would improve access, especially in underserved areas, and could reduce emergency room use and improve outcomes; the bill was not voted on during this meeting.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations and Budget 3rd Revision: SB2060 laid over 4/6, added to today's agenda Apr 7th, 2026 at 04:30 pm
Appropriations and Budget
Transcript Highlights:
- to protect infrastructure, comprehensive planning, zoning, or any other requirements the city or county
- Thank you for the question. council, such as where your city manager is, they have the authority and
- they have to direct what these developments look like prior to authorizing the creation of a district
- to issue a general obligation bond, which is debt that is carried by all of the citizens of that county
- We're waiting on an author It will come back into session.
Committee:
House Appropriations and Budget
Keywords:
research funding, development rebate, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, tax incentives, higher education partnerships, property tax, valuation increase, taxpayer rights, homestead, protest process, reading instruction, literacy, educational equity, intervention services, third grade retention, Strong Readers Act, Medicaid, ADvantage Waiver, home-based services, eligibility criteria
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs (2-27-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- County Clerk's Association Anderson County Clerk's Association Anderson County<00:03:32.439><c> Clerk
- </c> uh various individual clerks County uh various individual clerks County clerks<00:05:03.560><c>
- the</c><00:05:03.759><c> county</c><00:05:04.000><c> clerks</c> clerks the county clerks clerks the county
- </c> same day section five allows the county same day section five allows the county clerk<00:07:26.240
- </c> issued section six allows the county issued section six allows the county clerk<00:07:45.400><c>
Summary:
The House Standing Committee on Elections, Constitutional Amendments and Intergovernmental Affairs met with a quorum and considered two election-related bills. The committee first took up House Bill 684, sponsored by Representative Jennifer Decker, and adopted a committee substitute. Decker described the bill as a “continuous improvement” measure developed with election officials, clerks, legislators, and citizens. She walked through provisions addressing precinct officer staffing in vote centers, notice to school districts when schools are used as voting centers, absentee ballot replacement when a ballot is not received, retention and disposal timelines for election-related video surveillance, permanent voting assistance certifications, write-in candidate deadlines and posting restrictions, candidate filing details, witness requirements, public posting of candidate information, felony voting language, and school district closure rules for voting locations. Members discussed the school-related provision, the handling of mail-in ballots, and a committee-substitute change removing credit cards and debit cards as acceptable voter ID. Supportive comments emphasized election integrity and the collaborative drafting process. The committee then voted to report HB 684 favorably.
The committee next considered House Bill 699, sponsored by Representative DJ Johnson, which would add a pre-certification verification process for candidate filings. Johnson said the bill was intended to prevent ineligible candidates from appearing on the ballot by requiring election officials to verify that a candidate’s residence is in the correct jurisdiction and, in partisan races, that the candidate is registered with the party sought, with appeals going to circuit court. He argued the current system relies on costly legal challenges after filing errors occur. During discussion, Representative Hancock voted no, saying the bill would create an unnecessary administrative burden and that filing paperwork should remain a basic responsibility of candidates, while other members voted yes. The committee ultimately reported HB 699 favorably. The meeting then adjourned.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate - Conservation Jan 22nd, 2026 at 09:35 am
Senate Conservation
Transcript Highlights:
- I represent about a fifth of the county, along with my colleagues from Dona Ana County.
- , incorporated in Bernalillo County.
- I represent parts of four counties: San Miguel the rural part of Santa Fe, Torrance County, and about
- a third of Valencia County.
- One of them's on the county line road between Eddie County Travis County.
Committee:
Senate Senate Conservation
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Local Government Apr 1st, 2026
Local Government, Elections and Pensions
Transcript Highlights:
- , to county finances.
- Your first- and second-class counties are your large counties.
- Third-class counties are most of your smaller counties, and they have fourth-class counties.
- county.
- know that in third-class counties, the clerks also have the duties of elections as election authorities
Summary:
The Committee on Local Government met in executive session and first adopted a substitute for Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 975, which replaced Senator Black’s version with Representative Farnan’s bill. Members discussed that the controversial community-agreement language had been removed and that related community paramedic language had been moved to another bill. The committee then voted 16-0 to do pass the substituted bill.
The committee next considered House Bill 3496, dealing with county officials’ salary schedules and county classification issues. Representative Reedy explained the substitute added election authorities language, incorporated another bill on sheriffs and prosecuting attorneys, and changed the title and substance to address county valuation rules for certain fourth-class counties. Members discussed the impact on county classifications and the inclusion of abated and tax-exempt property in valuation calculations. The substitute was adopted, and the committee voted 15-1 to do pass the bill.
In public hearing, Representative Sharp presented House Bill 3028 as a Lewis County fix to allow more at-large members on a county board instead of requiring one from each township; a retired Lewis County commissioner testified in support, and no opposition appeared. Representative Thompson presented House Bill 2431 to let Lexington ask voters for a public safety sales tax after a major gas explosion; supporters said it would fund police, fire, and ambulance needs without reducing current budgets, while an opponent argued against new taxes and special laws. Representative Violet presented House Bill 2732 to raise the voter-approved cap on water service line repair fees from $12 to $24 annually; St. Peters officials said costs have risen and the program helps residents avoid large repair bills, while an opponent said existing programs are solvent and opposed the increase. No votes were taken on the public hearing bills, and the committee adjourned after the hearings.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Stan Karwaski, Washington County Commissioner, representing Washington County.
- that county.
- So from what I can tell, at County Road 5 or Kasson 5, there's a signal at County Road 3.
- into Eureka and runs a mile up to County Road 32 of Washington County.
- the county.
Committee:
Senate Transportation
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
Senate in Session Mar 14th, 2026 at 09:19 pm
West Virginia Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Engrossed committee substitute for House Bill 4245, authorizing certain agencies of the Department of
- aware of the benefits of agricultural programs and to gauge student interest, but also allows the county
- We're talking about making certain that employers verify that their employees are authorized to work
- worker... ...and willfully provides false records as to the legal status of an authorized worker can
- The new act authorizes reimbursement of qualifying employers for amounts paid to train or upskill an
Summary:
The Senate considered and passed House Bill 4245, the Department of Revenue rules bundle covering 27 rules from six agencies. Members withdrew the committee amendment, adopted a floor amendment making changes to two lottery rules and one tax rule related to pre-need cemetery companies, then passed the bill 30-1. The Senate also adopted a title amendment and made the bill effective from passage by a 31-0 vote. Later, when the House rejected the Senate’s amendments, the Senate receded from its amendments and again passed the bill, making it effective from passage.
The chamber also adopted several concurrent resolutions from the Rules Committee, including studies on school finance transparency, divorce grounds, the Southern West Virginia water crisis, athletic trainer access in public secondary schools, the eastern gray fox population, upland game bird stamp purchases, and the Public Service Commission. Senate Concurrent Resolution 50, calling for a study of the PSC, was also adopted. In addition, the Senate passed House Bill 5381, which expands the Office of Energy’s role to develop a comprehensive energy policy and grid stabilization plan, and House Bill 5412, the Future Ready Education Act, after amending it to require annual vocational and agriculture offerings unless not viable and to set science-of-reading training requirements for K-5 literacy teachers by 2028-29.
The Senate passed House Bill 845, a supplemental appropriation to the Governor’s Office Civil Contingent Fund, after concurring in a House amendment that reappropriated federal match grant funds and increased the civil contingency surplus fund from $15 million to $25 million; it was made effective from passage. The chamber also concurred in House amendments to House Bill 4106 on constitutional carry for 18- to 20-year-olds, House Bill 4004 creating the Recharge West Virginia training reimbursement program, House Bill 5453 revising the school aid funding formula for special education weighting, and other measures including House Bill 4009 on portable benefits, Senate Bill 164 on substitute teacher definitions, and House Bill 4606 on pretrial release for certain felonies.
A lengthy debate centered on House Bill 4198, the E-Verify Safe Harbor Act. The Judiciary Committee amendment would have required public and certain private employers to use E-Verify, while a further amendment from the Senator from Randolph would have limited the mandate to public employers and made E-Verify optional for private employers with liability protections for good-faith use. After extensive discussion about small business impacts, federal-state conflicts, and enforcement, the Senate adopted the Randolph amendment and then passed the bill 31-3, with a title amendment also adopted. The Senate later refused to concur in House amendments to House Bill 4010, concurred in House amendments to House Bill 5438, receded from amendments to House Bill 4765, and adjourned sine die.
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
February 18, 2026 - 03:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- It does a number of things including providing property owned by counties, municipalities, or school
- Redondo: So the city or county would not be permitted to change the zoning of that parcel.
- This is a local bill that at the Charlotte County local delegation meeting unanimously...
- Under present law, Charlotte County does not have clear authority to provide service within our city's
- designated utility area even when the county has available capacity and the city lacks it.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs (03/18/2025)
Election Law and Municipal Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:51:31.799><c> delegate</c> County uh convention and County delegate County uh convention and
- delegation to County change County delegation to County Convention<00:51:40.319><c> because</c><00:51
- or County the county delegation or County Commissioners<00:56:33.839><c> to</c><00:56:33.960><c> make
- and it should say County Convention instead of County delegation.
- County Convention instead of County delegation.
Committee:
Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Jun 22nd, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Of El Dorado County. This was established in 1976.
- Amy Carter, the Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools. Dr.
- elective in all of the counties of the North Bay.
- In 2024, she became the first openly LGBTQ person elected county supervisor in Santa Cruz County history
- for the more than 260,000 county residents.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then spent much of the session on floor recognitions and Pride Month observances. Members welcomed guests and honorees including APICA fellowship participants, the El Dorado Roses, retiring Loma Linda University Health president Dr. Richard Hart and incoming leader Dr. Anthony Hilliard, and Scripps National Spelling Bee champion Shrey Parique. The chamber also heard several personal and community tributes tied to LGBTQ+ Pride Month, including a long series of introductions of Pride honorees from across the state.
The main legislative item was SR 116 recognizing June 2026 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month. Senators Cervantes, Weber Pierson, Becker, Menjivar, Arreguín, Wahab, Ochoa Bogh, Wiener, and Laird, among others, spoke in support, emphasizing the history of Stonewall and other LGBTQ+ resistance movements, the contributions of Black, Latino, Jewish, women, and Asian American LGBTQ communities, and the need to oppose ongoing discrimination, violence, and attacks on transgender people. The resolution was adopted after a roll call vote of 28-0, and the Senate then proceeded to honor a large slate of Pride honorees from multiple districts and organizations.
The Senate also adopted SCR 166 designating Soju Day, with support highlighting Korean American culture and soju as a symbol of hospitality and cross-cultural exchange. SCR 155, naming the State Route 52/Interstate 805 interchange in San Diego County the Officer Kirk Leeland Johnson Memorial Interchange, also passed unanimously after remarks honoring Johnson’s military and police service and the long effort by his partner to secure the memorial. In addition, the Senate confirmed Laura Capps to the Board of State and Community Corrections by a 27-9 vote and confirmed Danielle Munoz to the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology by a 28-0 vote. The body also approved several Joint Rule 62(a) suspensions to allow committee hearings on short notice, moved AB 2294 to the inactive file, and sent SB 1189 back to the Assembly for further action.
The session concluded with adjournment in memory motions for Judith Helene Ware, Huntley Gordon, and Adolfo Franceschi Colon, followed by announcements that the Senate would reconvene on June 25, 2026.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House Agriculture and Forestry Committee Apr 9th, 2025
Agriculture and Forestry
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm a Franklin County I'm Terry Johnson. I'm a Franklin County deer farmer.
- could load a deer on a trailer and bring it to Cuffington County, Tuscaloosa County, Cuffington County
- , Tuscaloosa County, Elmore County, Blount County, down in Sumter County, over in Monroe County, up to
- Limestone County, down in Mobile County, over in Randolph County, Washington County, and Attala County
- Washington County, Attala County, over in Hale County, and down in Baldwin County.
Bills:
HB509
Committee:
House Agriculture and Forestry
Keywords:
HB509, game breeder, game breeder license, cervid, deer breeder, whitetail deer, elk, fallow deer, deer farm, captive deer, cervidae, wildlife disease, disease testing, antemortem testing, state veterinarian, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, property rights, private property, animal transfer, breeding stock
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 108 May 2nd, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><01:09:07.440><c> by</c> of these two sons of Weld County by of these two sons of Weld County by
- We're now down to three attorneys actually within the county.
- I worry about legal deserts county.
- ,</c> colleague uh from El Paso County, colleague uh from El Paso County, Matthew.<02:16:27.360><c> I'm
- Because this expands the government's taxing authority. What about a tax?
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- And from 2020 to 2024, we estimated a 300 percent growth in Monterey County.
- We estimated a 300% growth in Monterey County, a 530% growth in Santa Cruz County, and a 560% growth
- in San Luis Obispo County.
- And two of those counties have not seen the massive wildfires that we saw in Santa Cruz County.
- into the FAIR Plan in those two counties that we've seen in Santa Cruz County.
Committee:
House Insurance
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture & Natural Resources Feb 3rd, 2026 at 10:30 am
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- A question about my district along the Columbia River, down in Clark County, Vancouver area.
- Lisa Olson, Pacific County Commissioner, grateful for this opportunity and testifying in support of HB
- Pacific County has been built over the last more than a century on natural resources: timber, fishing
- I just need to understand what you mean by that, because we absolutely have legislative authority to
- I meant that it is within the legislative established authority, and so it has already been conducted
Committee:
House Agriculture & Natural Resources
Keywords:
anadromous fish, environmental conservation, state coordination, wildlife recovery, fisheries management, forest management, natural resources, collaboration, forest practices, sustainability, aviation, wildland fires, funding, disaster relief, emergency response, timber sales, land sales, process efficiency, legislation, department language
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
New York State Senate Session - 03/19/2026
New York Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- AND, BY EXTENSION TODAY, ALSO, He's from Saratoga County, 44th Senatorial District, and Company C-4.
- President, if the city has the permitting authority, it would apply to the city.
- President, The answer is yes, if they are the permitting authority.
- THE ANSWER IS YES, IF THEY ARE THE PERMITTING AUTHORITY. FREQUENTLY VILLAGES ARE NOT.
- But I do want to go back to Onondaga County, where we have a situation where the county wants to see
Summary:
The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation by Major Brittany Wooten, then took up Senate Resolution No. 1749 designating March 19, 2026, as West Point Day in New York State. Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, Senator Skoufis, Minority Leader Ortt, and several other senators spoke in support of West Point, its cadets, and the academy’s history and role in national service. Colonel Daniel R. Stuewe, commander of U.S. Army Garrison West Point, also addressed the chamber, emphasizing the long-standing partnership between West Point and New York and the academy’s mission to develop leaders of character. The resolution was adopted, and the West Point Day observance included recognition of cadets and academy staff.
The Senate then moved through a calendar of bills, passing measures including amendments to the Public Health Law, Election Law, Executive Law, Penal Law, Elder Law, Real Property Tax Law, General Municipal Law, and Public Authorities Law. Several bills drew brief explanations of vote or debate. Senator Mayer spoke in support of a bill establishing Fred Korematsu Day, framing it as a reminder of the injustice of Japanese American internment and the need to defend civil rights. Senator Ryan supported a bill streamlining the senior citizen property tax exemption process, calling it a way to reduce burdens on older residents. Senator Helming opposed a local government planning mandate as an unfunded mandate, while Senators Walczyk and Martins criticized a housing-related reporting bill as burdensome and ineffective.
The most debated item was Calendar 457, a housing-data and reporting bill sponsored by Senator May. Supporters argued it would improve transparency and help the state understand zoning and housing capacity, while opponents said it imposed new reporting burdens on municipalities and could penalize poorer communities by threatening CDBG funding. After debate, the bill was restored to the non-controversial calendar and ultimately passed by a vote of 37-23. The Senate then adjourned until the next legislative day.