Direct Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets to conduct study on vertical farming
Authorize Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets to conduct study on vertical farming
An act to amend the Public Officers Law, in relation to accessing records under the Freedom of Information Law
An act to amend the Public Health Law, in relation to guidance, recommendations and best practices related to incorporating placenta accreta spectrum screenings into routine prenatal care
The Assembly passed A10514-A, legislation requiring the New York State Department of Health to develop guidance and best practices for incorporating placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) screenings into routine prenatal care. Sponsor Zaccaro noted that PAS incidence has surged from 1 in 1,250 pregnancies in 1980 to 1 in 272 by 2025, often going undetected until delivery and causing life-threatening complications. The bill mandates standardized, evidence-based screening guidelines to ensure consistent assessments across providers. Assemblywoman Forrest praised the legislation as part of addressing Black maternal health disparities. The bill passed on consent.
Designate security officers for Village of Pleasantville court as peace officers
Grant security officers serving at Village of Ardsley Village Court peace officer status
An act to amend the Labor Law, in relation to the Commissioner's duty to ensure employers inform employees about certain provisions in employment contracts
An act to amend the Legislative Law, in relation to the term 'reportable business relationship' as it relates to certain employees of the State University of New York and the City University of New York
Library book collection management and school library materials
The Assembly passed A777, legislation that grants the State Education Commissioner authority over school library book collections, in a contentious floor debate on June 17 that exposed deep divisions over intellectual freedom, parental rights, and local control. Supporters, including Assemblywoman Shimsky, argued the bill protects students' access to books that help them understand their identities and prevents censorship that corrodes democracy. Opponents, led by Assemblyman Durso and others, contended the measure strips authority from locally elected school boards and parents, arguing the real issue is age-appropriate placement of sexually explicit materials in children's sections, not book banning. Several members expressed concerns about granting excessive power to the Education Commissioner. The bill passed without a recorded tally being announced in this segment.
An act in relation to authorizing the city of Yonkers to alienate and discontinue the use of certain parklands
An act to amend Chapter 118 of the Laws of 1969, relating to a separate union free school district in the Town of Greenburgh in the County of Westchester, in relation to property used by the Greenburgh North Castle Union Free School District number 12 and authorizing such school district to affiliate with Rising Ground, Inc.
An act in relation to enacting the "County of Westchester Public Works Investment Act"; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon the expiration thereof.
An act to amend the Judiciary Law, in relation to increasing the daily rate of compensation for interpreters in town and village courts
The Assembly passed legislation sponsored by Asm. Conrad increasing the daily compensation rate for interpreters in town and village courts from $25 per day to $110 per day. The rate has remained unchanged since 1990. Conrad argued the increase is necessary because interpreter demand has grown significantly due to multiple languages and services for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, and the current rate makes it difficult to attract qualified interpreters. The bill is supported by the New York State Magistrate's Association and Association of Towns. Asm. Walsh raised concerns that the quadrupling of the rate creates an unfunded mandate on counties, noting that towns and villages already pay above the $25 rate when interpreters demand higher fees. Asm. Shimsky supported the bill, arguing that language fluency is a serious skill requiring thousands of hours of effort and should not be compensated at such low rates. Asm. Buttenschon, a former court clerk, commended the sponsor for addressing the need for interpreters to help non-English speakers understand court proceedings. The Republican Conference voted against the bill; the Majority Conference voted in favor.
An act to amend the Judiciary Law, in relation to increasing the daily rate of compensation for interpreters in town and village courts
The Assembly passed A06741, sponsored by Asm. Conrad, increasing the daily compensation rate for interpreters in town and village courts from $25 to $110 per day—the first increase since 1990. Conrad explained that the outdated rate fails to meet current demand for interpreters in multiple languages and for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. The funds come from court fees, fines, and court-ordered payments held in county trust accounts, not direct county appropriations. Asm. Walsh raised concerns that the quadrupling of the rate constitutes an unfunded mandate on municipalities, which must cover any interpreter fees exceeding $110. She noted that counties already face uncontrolled costs from recent increases to 18B attorney rates. Conrad countered that Erie County towns and villages submitted only $4,400 in reimbursement requests in 2024 (approximately 176 days at the current rate) and that state courts pay $385 for full-day interpreter services. The bill is supported by the New York State Magistrate's Association and the Association of Towns. Asm. Shimsky and Asm. Buttenschon, a former town court clerk, spoke in favor, emphasizing that professional interpretation is a valuable skill and necessary for fair court proceedings.
An act to amend the Executive Law, in relation to providing confidentiality for communications arising out of law enforcement peer support counseling
The Assembly passed A06721-A, sponsored by Asm. Judy Griffin, establishing confidentiality protections for law enforcement peer support counseling communications. The bill creates a formal peer-to-peer mental health support program for police officers modeled on the successful Joseph P. Dwyer program for veterans. Multiple members spoke in support, emphasizing that law enforcement officers face suicide rates 54 percent higher than the general population and that peer support with confidentiality protections is critical to address the trauma officers experience responding to violent crimes and life-threatening situations. Asm. Griffin noted the legislation was years in the making with input from police organizations statewide, including the Nassau County PBA. The bill passed with broad bipartisan support, with speakers including former law enforcement officer Asm. O'Pharrow and members from across the state.
An act to amend the Public Health Law, in relation to establishing a State Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Motor Neuron Disease (MND) Registry
An act to amend the Labor Law, in relation to prevailing wage for those involved in the hauling of concrete and asphalt
The Assembly passed A08465, a multi-sponsored bill amending Labor Law to establish prevailing wage requirements for those involved in hauling concrete and asphalt. The measure was considered on the consent calendar. Asm. Palmesano voted against the bill, citing concerns that the term 'public works website' is not defined and questioning whether utilities performing excavation work would be required to pay prevailing wage for hauling under the legislation. Palmesano expressed concern that such requirements could increase costs passed to ratepayers at a time when utility rates are rising across the board.
An act to amend the Legislative Law, in relation to the term 'reportable business relationship' as it relates to certain employees of the State University of New York and the City University of New York
An act to amend the Legislative Law, in relation to the term 'reportable business relationship' as it relates to certain employees of the State University of New York and the City University of New York
An act to amend the Legislative Law, in relation to the term 'reportable business relationship' as it relates to certain employees of the State University of New York and the City University of New York
An act to amend the Labor Law, in relation to prevailing wage for those involved in the hauling of concrete and asphalt
Hotel/motel occupancy tax for hotels not located in a village in the Town of Mount Pleasant
An act to amend the Public Health Law, in relation to removing the prohibitions on patient participation in multiple transplant programs in New York State
The Assembly passed legislation removing prohibitions on patients participating in multiple transplant programs in New York State. Sponsored by Assemblywoman Peoples-Stokes and 18 co-sponsors, the bill addresses a critical gap in access to organ transplants for Medicaid patients, who under current law can only apply to one program and be on one wait list. Peoples-Stokes noted that approximately 8,000 New Yorkers are currently on transplant wait lists, with roughly 400 expected to die before receiving a transplant. The measure was championed by Dr. Kayler, a transplant surgeon at Erie County Medical Center, and supported by Donate Life New York. The bill allows patients to remove themselves from dependence on dialysis machines by expanding their opportunities to access kidney transplants across multiple programs.
An act to amend Chapter 504 of the Laws of 2016, amending the Tax Law relating to authorizing the Town of Greenburgh to adopt a local law to impose a hotel/motel occupancy tax for hotels not located in a village; authorizing specified villages in the towns of Greenburgh and Mount Pleasant to adopt local laws to impose a hotel/motel occupancy tax in such villages, in relation to extending the effectiveness thereof
An act to amend Chapter 383 of the Laws of 1991, relating to the incorporation of the New York Zoological Society in relation to extending the expiration date of free one-day admission to the zoological park
Source: Official NY Assembly floor session transcripts (Granicus). AI-processed. Includes sessions from 2023 onward where transcripts are available.