Transcript Highlights:

• We are joined today by our ranking member, Senator Borrello, Senator Brouk, Senator Fernandez, Senator
• Helming, and Senator Ryan.
• Senator Fernandez, Senator Helming, and Senator Ryan. And it's a really busy day.
• Motion by Senator Borrello, seconded by Senator Helming. All those in favor?
• Two without rec: Senator Helming and Senator Borrello. Thank you very much.

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have in the room Senator Addabbo, Senator Bynoe, Senator Cleare, Senator Jackson, Senator Liu.
• I don't see Senator Martinez, Senator Salazar, Stavisky, or Sutton.
• I see Senator Tedisco, Senator Weber, and Senator Stec. Thank you. Senator Weber and Senator Stec.
• Senator Liu. No. Senator Liu moves the bill. Senator Cleare seconds. All in favor? Aye. Opposed?
• Senator Stec opposed, Senator Tedisco opposed. Senator Weber? Without rec. AWR.

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• Present today are our ranking members, Senator Weik and Senator Mattera.
• The first bill is Senate Bill S-1722, by myself, Senator Jackson.
• Moved by a senator. Seconded by Senator Mattera. All those in favor say aye. Aye.
• The fifth bill is Senate Bill S-7750A by Senator Mattera.
• The seventh bill, Senate Bill S-7986A. The seventh bill is Senate Bill S-7986A by Senator Ryan.

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we are let's see in two resolutions.
• Concurrent Resolution. Concurrent Resolution.
• Definitely, Senator. I totally agree. Definitely, Senator. I totally agree.
• Senator Inouye's excused. Senator DeCorte. Chair recommendation's adopted. Thank you very much.
• Senator Inouye's excused. vote I. Senator Inouye's excused. Senator<00:15:20.320> DeCourcy.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing of the Committees on Public Safety and Military Affairs and Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs considered two resolutions related to Red Hill and PFAS contamination. HCR 186 urged the U.S. Department of Defense and Defense Health Agency to extend the renewal period for secretarial designee health care authorization for people affected by the Red Hill water contamination crisis and to improve access to care. Testimony from Moira Flanary and Board of Water Supply’s Ernie Lau supported the measure, emphasizing lasting health impacts, the need for continuity of care, and National Academies recommendations for continued eligibility and access to treatment. The second measure, HCR 200, urged the U.S. Department of Defense to reassess prior determinations and closure decisions under CERCLA in light of evolving scientific understanding of PFAS and recent federal hazardous substance designations. Mr. Lau testified in support, arguing that military investigations should not rely only on old records or AFFF documentation and should instead use current testing methods to identify contamination. He said PFAS is persistent, mobile in groundwater, and likely to require long-term remediation, and he also answered questions about cleanup challenges and the Board of Water Supply’s ongoing litigation against the Navy over Red Hill-related costs. At the end of the hearing, the committees voted to pass both HCR 186 and HCR 200 unamended. The Public Safety and Military Affairs Committee adopted the chair’s recommendations on both measures. The Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee did not have quorum, so its votes were deferred until April 21 at 2:00 p.m. in Conference Room 225.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am New York State Senator Pete Harckham, Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Environmental Conservation
• We're joined by our ranking member, Senator Stec, Senator Bynoe, Senator May, Senator Kavanagh, and Senator
• And we're joined by Senator Hinchey. Welcome. Next bill is S. 7039A by Senator Hinchey.
• S. 9311, Senator Persaw.
• Thank you, Senator Bynoe. Thank you, Senator Stec. All in favor? Aye. Any without rec? Any nays?

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).

Transcript Highlights:

• I am joined by my colleagues, our ranker, Senator Rolison, as well as Senators Myrie and Weber.
• Moved by Senator Rolison, seconded by Myrie. Any nay votes? AWR. That is reported.
• I would have glad we've been joined by Senator Gonzalez, the one, the only.
• Moved by Senator Myrie, seconded by Senator Rolison. Any nay votes? N-AWR from Senator Weber.
• AWR from Senator Weber and Senator Rolison. That is reported. Okay. That concludes our agenda.

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.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• 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:

• Questions Senator? that's what we have. Questions Senator?
• 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

Transcript Highlights:

• We are here for the purpose of hearing one proposal, Senate File 3432, Senator Latz.
• Welcome to the committee, Senator Latz. Welcome to the committee, Senator Latz.
• Thank you, Senator Latz. Senator Rest. I move the motion. Are there any questions?
• Then, as Senator Rest moves that the provisions of Senate Concurrent Resolution Number 6 be suspended
• for all further proceedings on Senate File 3432 and that the previous committee report be adopted.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > 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

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.
• 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:

• JRS 50, joint resolution relating to weekend adjournment on April 24th of 2026, offered by Senator Baruth
• Now you've heard the reading of the resolution, and the question is: shall the Senate adopt the resolution
• 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.

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:

• Seeing no questions, Senator Limmer moves that the provisions of Senate Concurrent Resolution Number
• Seeing no questions, Senator Limmer moves that the provisions of Senate Concurrent Resolution Number
• Seeing no questions, Senator Limmer moves that the provisions of Senate Concurrent Resolution Number
• Seeing no questions, Senator Limmer moves that the provisions of Senate Concurrent Resolution Number
• Seeing no questions, Senator Limmer moves that the provisions of Senate Concurrent Resolution Number

Keywords: 1187, senate, all