Transcript Highlights:

• > um >> I I think Senator I think Senator and um >> I I think Senator I think Senator
• Senator McCunki. full. Senator McCunki.
• However, as a result of that, Senator Jim Rubin was behind getting very exhaustive rules adopted here
• Senator Jim Rubin was behind getting very<01:48:30.800> exhaustive<01:48:31.280> rules
• Senator. Okay. Senator. Okay.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Senator.
• 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.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 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 Brodeur made the motion, and Senator Lang seconded.
• 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.
• . you rules.
• Welcome to Senate Judiciary. Senate Judiciary is back in session.
• Senator, yes, please. Sure.
• Thank you for your question, Senator. Thank you for your question, Senator.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator from Windsor.
• Senator from Chittenden. Senate Health and Welfare will meet at 10:00. Senator from Windsor.
• Senator from Washington. Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Finance will meet at 1:00.
• Senator from Washington. Thank you, Mr. Senator from Washington. Thank you, Mr.
• Senator from Washington. Thank you, Mr. Senator from Washington. Thank you, Mr.

Keywords: 927, 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.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Pappas. Thank you, Senator Rest. Senator Pappas.
• Senator Thank you, Senator Maye Quade. Senator Pappas. Pappas. Pappas.
• Thank you, Senator Kunesh. Senator Rest. Yes, I do believe >> Senator Kunesh.
• Thank you, Senator Kunesh. Senator Rest. Yes, I do believe >> Senator Kunesh.
• Thank you, Senator Kunesh. Senator Rest. Yes, I do believe >> Senator Kunesh.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have in person Senator Cleare, Senator Kavanagh, Senator Weik, and our ranking member, Senator Murray
• Motion by Senator Kavanagh. Second Senator Cleare. All in favor? Aye.
• Motion by Senator Cleare and Senator Kavanagh. All in favor?
• Senator Murray and Senator Weik are in the negative.
• Motion, Senator Murray, and second by Senator Cleare. All in favor? Aye.

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• We begin with Senate Print 657, by Senator Harckham. Enacted by Senator D'Abel, Senator Fernandez.
• Senator Fernandez. All in favor of Senator Fernandez. All in favor.
• Bill is reported. 85-12, Senator Krueger. Enacted by Senator Harckham. All in favor of post.
• Moved by Senator Myrie, seconded by Senator Liu. Seconded by Senator Liu. Second by Senator Liu.

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Stewart-Cousins from the Committee on Rules reports the following bill: Senator Harckham, an
• COMMITTEE ON RULES REPORTS THE FOLLOWING BILL, SENATOR HARCKHAM, AN ACT TO AMEND THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
• Print 2078, Senator Mayer, an act to amend the Labor Law. >> Lay aside. >> Senate Print 1116, Senator
• >> CALENDAR 186, SENATE PRINT 114 SENATOR CLEARE, AN ACT TO >> Senator Gianaris. >> Mr.
• >> CALENDAR 654, SENATE PRINT Calendar 654, Senate Print 2078, Senator Mayer, an act to amend the

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• Moved by Senator Skoufis, seconded by Senator Fernandez and Sanders.
• Moved by Senator Fernandez, seconded by Senator Cooney and Sanders.
• Moved by Senator Cooney, seconded by Senator Skoufis and Dado.
• Senator Helming moves the bill. Senator Helming. Move the bill.
• Senator Fernandez moves the bill. Seconded by Senator Sanders.

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to start with Senator Pappas and Senate File 4075, and I will ask Senate Counsel, Ms.
• Senator<00:04:32.360> Pratt. Senator Pratt. Senator Pratt.
• So, our friends in the task force, again including Senator House, worked very hard to come up with rules
• Senator<00:23:37.720> Pratt. Senator Pratt. Senator Pratt.
• Howe<00:24:21.600> and Putnam, Senator I, Senator Howe and Putnam, Senator I, Senator Howe

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Transcript Highlights:

• In accordance with the rules of the Senate, the following members will be participating remotely in today's
• Thank you, Senator Senator Clark.
• Okay, Senator. Senator Johnson Stewart. Okay, Senator. Senator Johnson Stewart.
• Senate File 4598 would move the variance process out of the rule and into statute and create a new advisory
• Senate File 4598 those statewide rules.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senators Carlson pursuant to rule 40.7. Senators Carlson and<00:04:42.520> Rest.
• Senator Dziedzic, for those voting pursuant to rule 40.7.
• Senator Housley pursuant to rule 40.7. Senator Housley votes<02:08:28.960> aye.
• Senator Port votes I. Senator Jasinski, for those voting pursuant to Rule 40.7. Thank you, Mr.
• Senator Jasinski, for those voting pursuant to Rule 40.7. votes I. Senator Putnam votes I.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator<00:09:12.000> Pratt. Senator Pratt. Senator Pratt.
• Senator<00:14:18.160> Friends Senator Friends Senator Friends Senator<00:14:20.079> Friends
• Senator Marty: No. Senator Franzen: No. Senator Pratt: Yes. Senator Champion: No.
• Senator Draheim: Yes. Senator Howe: I. Senator Jasinski: I. Senator Johnson: Yes.
• Senator Mohamed: Yes. Senator Murphy: No. Senator Pappas: No. Senator Wiklund: No.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The transcript contains only repeated expressions of thanks and does not include any legislative discussion, bill references, testimony, motions, votes, or other committee or floor actions. No substantive meeting content is present in the provided text.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, we also have Senator Kanuha, but we lost Senator Keohokalole.
• Or state does Or Senate doesn't need.
• Senator Favela. Any NWRs are no's of the Senator Favela.
• send a draft one only excuse Senator send a draft one only excuse Senator Favela.<00:12:50.040><
• <00:13:06.600> Any Senator Favela. All members present. Any Senator Favela.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee met on April 17, 2026, and heard testimony on several concurrent resolutions. HCR 18 would request the Department of Health to convene a hospice working group; the Department testified in opposition, saying its enforcement role created a conflict of interest and that the work exceeded its compliance-focused scope. The measure’s introducer proposed amendments to have a legislator, rather than DOH, chair the group and to remove a date restriction on hospices. The committee later recommended HCR 18 be passed with amendments. HCR 32 sought a plan to increase access to the Hawaii State Hospital for certain mentally ill criminal defendants. The Department of Health Behavioral Health Administration and the governor’s office indicated support or willingness to work on the issue, while the ACLU provided comments and OHA supported the measure. The committee recommended passage with technical amendments. HCR 35, on an audit of the social and financial effects of mandatory insurance coverage for biomarker testing, drew broad support from medical, patient advocacy, and professional organizations, and a surgical oncologist testified in favor, emphasizing the importance of biomarker testing for cancer treatment. The committee recommended passage as is. HCR 105 asked the Hawaii State Center for Nursing to compile recommended safe patient staffing ratios and maintain a repository; the Center said it had already begun the work and was happy to continue, and the committee adopted an amendment changing the focus from “ratios” to “strategies and ratios” before recommending passage. HCR 173 urged Maui Health to work with stakeholders to establish a full-time medical residency program on Maui; testimony supported the idea as a way to formalize and expand an existing informal program and improve local health care access, including maternity care. The committee recommended HCR 173 pass with technical amendments. All recommendations were adopted without objection, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Ihara is excused. Senator Moriwaki is also excused. Senator Fevella? >> Aye.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Labor and Technology Committee met on April 17, 2026, and considered HCR 112, which asks the Department of Human Resources Development to work with state departments, agencies, and labor organizations to complete a comprehensive review of classification and compensation systems for civil service positions. DHRD, represented by Malia Donlon on behalf of Director Chiba, testified in support, and HGEA also supported the measure. No opposition was noted. The committee initially recessed to obtain a quorum before taking action. After reconvening, the chair recommended passing HCR 112 unamended. The committee voted to adopt the recommendation, with the chair, Vice Chair Lamosao, and Senator Fevella voting aye; Senators Ihara and Moriwaki were excused. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Go ahead, Senator Gabbard.
• Go ahead, Senator one? Yeah, I got one. Go ahead, Senator Gabbard. Gabbard. Gabbard.
• Senator Chang. Aye. Senator San Buenaventura is excused. And Senator Auwae. Aye.
• If not, Senator<00:09:48.800> Gabbard.
• On GM 778, Chair's Senator Gabbard.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee held a Governor’s Message hearing on two nominations. For GM 750, Tracy Fujita was nominated to the Commission to Promote Uniform Legislation for a term ending June 30, 2030. Testimony in support came from several officials and commission members, including the Deputy Attorney General, Maui Behavioral Health Resources CEO Nicole Hokoana, Maui Council Chair Alice Lee, and Uniform Law Commission members. Fujita said her county-level legislative law background at the Department of Corporation Counsel and Office of Council Services would help her serve, and she expressed particular interest in health care legislation. For GM 778, Jessica Schafer was nominated to the Commission on the Status of Women for a term ending June 30, 2030. Support testimony came from Commission Executive Director Yasmin Chaney and multiple others. Schafer said her background includes prosecuting domestic violence cases, working in a human trafficking clinic, investigating sexual misconduct in higher education, and leading gender-based violence programming at the University of Hawaii; she said she is especially interested in sexual and gender-based violence issues but is open to broader commission work. After questioning, the committee moved to decision-making on both nominations. The chair recommended advise and consent for each, and the committee adopted both measures without any no votes or reservations. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Fukunaga, thank you. And good afternoon, Senator Hashimoto. >> Some good.
• >> thank you, Senator Kona. >> thank you, Senator Kona.
• Senator Kim. >> Yes.
• >> Senator<02:34:11.359> Kani, >> Senator Kani, >> Senator Kani, >> I<
• >> Senator<02:40:35.600> Kedani. >> Senator Kedani. >> Senator Kedani.

Keywords: 912, senate, all