Asm. Catalina Cruz

The bill would require the Empire State Development Corporation, in consultation with the Department of Agriculture and Markets and the Office of New Americans, to conduct a study on the economic impact of kitchen incubators in New York State. Sponsor explained that kitchen incubators are shared commercial kitchen spaces that allow entrepreneurs—particularly minority, women-owned, and immigrant-owned businesses—to prepare food products for sale. The bill was previously vetoed by the Governor as part of a package of study bills, but the current version adds additional agencies to share the burden and uses existing appropriations. Multiple members spoke in support, citing successful examples like Hot Bread Kitchen in Harlem and the Stony Brook incubator, which has helped hundreds of businesses graduate successfully.

The bill would require the Empire State Development Corporation, in consultation with the Department of Agriculture and Markets and the Office of New Americans, to conduct a study on the economic impact of kitchen incubators in New York State. Sponsor explained that kitchen incubators are shared commercial kitchen spaces that allow entrepreneurs—particularly immigrant, minority, and women-owned businesses—to prepare food products for sale. The bill would examine how to optimize existing facilities and create new ones. Questioner sought clarification on what constitutes a kitchen incubator, existing examples, and whether the study could recommend state funding or subsidies.

Cruz stated the bill was amended from a prior version to address gubernatorial concerns and clarified it does not guarantee automatic appeals but rather makes suppression claims reviewable. She noted the Office of Court Administration and multiple appellate attorney associations support the language change to protect constitutional rights.

Cruz stated the bill was amended to address prior gubernatorial concerns and that OCA and multiple appellate attorney associations support it as necessary to protect defendants' constitutional rights to appeal suppression rulings.

The bill eliminates the requirement that injured workers with temporary or permanent disabilities demonstrate ongoing attachment to the labor market to receive benefits. Sponsor Cruz argued the 2017 reforms left a loophole allowing insurers to deny wage replacement benefits on technicalities while raising employer premiums, and that most injured workers want to return to work once recovered. Assemblywoman Walsh raised concerns about removing a defense mechanism developed through case law, questioning whether the bill would increase costs for employers and small businesses and whether it adequately distinguishes between medically-disabled workers and those voluntarily withdrawing from employment. Cruz countered that workers have financial incentives to return to work and that insurers retain fraud investigation abilities through the Inspector General and Workers' Compensation Board.

Assemblymember Glick clarified that the bill is limited to traveling acts and prohibits only large cats, bears, non-human primates, kangaroos and wallabies. She emphasized the bill does not limit domesticated farm animals at county fairs or other events, and is targeted at protecting the public from dangerous incidents. Glick noted that 4-H activities and county fair displays of safe animals remain unaffected.

Sponsor explained the bill requires law enforcement to use qualified translators for non-English proficient deponents, with interpreters submitting affidavits affirming their qualifications and translation accuracy. This ensures defendants receive proper notice of allegations and prevents inaccurate interpretation from becoming grounds for appeal.

Mr. Zaccaro explained that placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) has increased dramatically from 1 in 1,250 pregnancies in 1980 to 1 in 272 by 2025, often going undetected until delivery and leading to severe bleeding and life-threatening emergencies. He noted that inconsistent screening practices across New York providers jeopardize women's health, and the bill mandates the Department of Health create evidence-based screening guidelines. Ms. Forrest commended the sponsor for addressing women's prenatal care needs and emphasized the importance of evidence-based screenings in preventing maternal loss and death, particularly for Black mothers.

Ms. Cruz explained that the bill would require the Department of Financial Services (DFS) to issue a request for proposal to implement a homeowner natural disaster preparedness program authorized in the 2016 Budget. Ms. Walsh questioned why the program, nearly ten years old, had not been implemented, learning that no courses had been submitted to DFS for approval despite a 2017 circular letter encouraging insurers to do so. The bill would provide financial incentive through an RFP and state funding to encourage insurers to submit proposals. Ms. Walsh noted the New York Insurance Association opposes the bill, questioning its meaningfulness and characterizing it as a mandate on DFS.

Argued that the labor market attachment requirement is onerous for injured workers focused on healing and physical therapy, and that the requirement should not condition receipt of already-determined benefits on job-seeking activities. Noted that eliminating the requirement would save the Workers' Compensation Board significant litigation costs.

Argued that the program, authorized in 2016, would educate homeowners on disaster preparedness and provide insurance premium reductions, but DFS has failed to implement it despite multiple natural disasters in New York. The bill seeks to compel DFS action through an RFP requirement and funding request.

Argued that the labor market attachment requirement is onerous for injured workers focused on healing and physical therapy, and that the majority of Workers' Compensation Board litigation involves this issue. Noted that fraud protections remain in place and that employers can still offer accommodations.

Argued that the program, authorized in 2016, would educate homeowners on disaster preparedness while saving them money through insurance premium reductions. Expressed frustration that DFS has not implemented the program despite multiple natural disasters in New York and reintroduction of the bill in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.

Cruz defended the expansion of benefits, arguing that as contractors, black car drivers lack employee benefits and the small surcharge ensures drivers are healthy enough to operate vehicles. She emphasized the program serves over 100,000 independent contractors and is funded by passenger surcharge without taxpayer costs.

Sponsor emphasized the fund's critical role providing healthcare to independent contractor drivers excluded from traditional benefits. She highlighted the minimal surcharge cost, successful vision care services, and Department of State oversight, arguing the fund has worked well for years.

Praised the budget for pushing toward equity, opportunity and compassion, highlighting wins including $8.5 million for Queens Museum, $2.75 million for Lorena Borjas TGNC Equity and Wellness Fund, and $64.4 million for immigrant legal services.

Highlighted equity-focused investments including $8.5 million for Queens Museum, $2.75 million for TGNC Equity and Wellness Fund, and $64.4 million for immigrant legal services; praised Speaker for pushing budget toward compassion and opportunity.

Praised the budget for pushing toward equity and opportunity, highlighting $8.5 million for Queens Museum, $2.75 million for TGNC Equity and Wellness Fund, and $64.4 million for immigrant legal services to protect constitutional rights.

Explained the bill honors Sergeant Jimenez, who disappeared in Iraq while his wife was being deported, and provides resources to military families with immigrant members to support them in achieving citizenship. She thanked previous committee chairs Kimberly Jean-Pierre and Didi Barrett for their work on the bill over the years, noting it had been previously vetoed but passed this year.

Mr. Goodell opposed the bill on three grounds: it restricts utility call center relocation outside New York without PSC approval, which could trigger retaliatory legislation from other states and violate federal interstate commerce provisions; it could harm call centers' ability to conduct out-of-state business; and it imposes unreasonable fines of $50,000 per call made without approval, which could bankrupt utilities.

Mr. Goodell opposed the bill on multiple grounds: it restricts utility call center relocation outside New York without PSC approval, which could trigger retaliatory legislation from other states and violate federal interstate commerce provisions; it imposes excessive fines of $50,000 per call made without approval, which could bankrupt utilities.

The bill expands Workers' Compensation eligibility for mental injury claims from a limited list of professions (police, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, emergency dispatchers) to all workers. Supporters argued it addresses gaps in current law by allowing workers in other high-stress professions like nurses, correction officers, and supermarket workers to have claims heard by the Workers' Compensation Board. Opponents raised concerns about undefined standards for 'extraordinary stress,' potential fraud, unknown costs to businesses, and the bill's impact on New York's already-high Workers' Compensation rates and business climate.

The bill requires certified interpreters or qualified translators to translate statements from non-English speaking deponents when those statements are used in criminal informations. Supporters argued the measure ensures accuracy of allegations and protects both victims and defendants' rights. Opponents, primarily from rural areas, expressed concerns about implementation burdens on police departments, potential delays in justice for victims, and questioned whether existing court protections at arraignment and trial stages make the requirement unnecessary.

The bill expands Workers' Compensation eligibility for mental injury claims based on extraordinary work-related stress from a limited list of professions (police, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, emergency dispatchers) to all workers. Supporters argued the expansion is necessary to cover workers like nurses, correction officers, and supermarket employees who experience extraordinary stress but are currently excluded. Opponents raised concerns about undefined standards for "extraordinary stress," potential fraud, unknown costs to businesses, and the impact on an already-strained Workers' Compensation system and business climate.

New York is linguistically diverse and non-English proficient residents cannot effectively report crimes without qualified translators. The bill ensures accurate translation of allegations and gives defendants proper notice of facts while protecting complainant rights.