Asm. Jo Anne Simon

Characterized the bill as a historic step addressing the mental health crisis. Noted that over 40 states have joined PSYPACT and that the bill expands access to care immediately with zero state funding, supporting students, working families, and mobile populations while keeping New York competitive.

Characterized the bill as a historic step addressing the mental health crisis by ensuring continuity of care across state lines at zero cost, unlocking existing mental health workforce capacity without creating new providers.

Assemblyman Morinello opposed the bill as a violation of New York's traditional three-tier system protecting the alcoholic beverage industry. He argued the exemption undermines the integrity of the system and threatens thousands of jobs in distribution, trucking, and related industries. Morinello characterized the measure as the first step in eroding protections that have long benefited workers and businesses across the state.

The bill allows state employees to use accrued sick time, compensation time, personal time or vacation time while serving the required waiting period for Workers' Compensation claims. If determined entitled to benefits during the waiting period, employees receive full restoration of time charged, rather than the current two-thirds restoration. The bill applies to public employees not covered by collective bargaining agreements, with flexibility for those under collective bargaining to negotiate their own terms.

The bill provides voters early access to full sample ballots before early voting, addressing the fact that current law predates early voting. It ensures voters see the complete ballot they will encounter, including ballot initiatives, allowing them time to study and prepare.

The bill addresses a gap in current law by ensuring voters can access their full ballot before Election Day, not just candidate information. Current law predates early voting and doesn't align with modern election timelines. Constituents have reported not knowing about all races on the ballot until arriving at the polling place.

The bill addresses a gap in current law by ensuring voters can access their full ballot before Election Day, not just candidate information. Current law predates early voting and doesn't align with modern election timelines. Constituents have reported confusion about ballot contents when arriving at polling places.

Assemblymember Lavine explained the bill is written with Abraham Lincoln's philosophy in mind, ensuring that veterans who are incarcerated and about to be released receive available federal and state benefits they deserve. Lavine emphasized that New York State has one of the largest veteran populations in the nation and that caring for veterans is a solemn obligation.

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.

Argued the bill will save ratepayers $600 million annually by requiring new customers to pay for their own hookups rather than socializing costs across all ratepayers. Dismissed opposition letters as entirely unfounded.

Argued the delay allows time for implementation while the underlying law will save ratepayers $600 million annually by requiring new customers to pay for their own hookups rather than socializing costs across all ratepayers.

The bill corrects a judicial loophole by clarifying that wages include all non-discretionary compensation and requires clear written notice of purely discretionary compensation. Courts have incorrectly read discretionary exceptions into performance-based compensation.

The bill empowers librarians educated in library science to curate developmentally appropriate materials without eliminating parents or school boards. It addresses a real problem: librarians are self-censoring due to pressure from both sides, and some districts are removing age-appropriate books like science texts. The Commissioner would set guidelines but districts retain a role through an appeal process.

Sponsor argued the bill removes an unfair subsidy where all ratepayers fund new residential gas connections within 100 feet, saving customers $200 million annually. She contended that those building new homes should pay for their own connections, and that the bill does not eliminate gas access or contradict climate policy.

Stated the bill is critically needed because the Administration is actively seeking to eliminate disparate impact standards through Executive Orders and rulemaking, and codifying the standard protects New Yorkers even if other states do not.

Supported requiring judges to seek Wilson-Pakula authorization to run on non-enrolled party lines. Noted that without this requirement, judges are forced to run on contradictory party lines, confusing voters. If the judiciary is meant to be nonpartisan, the law should reflect that principle.

The bill removes mayoral abuse of bumping provisions, allowing both mayoral and council/commission proposals on the ballot simultaneously. Voters would choose the proposal with the most affirmative votes, empowering citizens and preventing mayors from blocking legitimate charter initiatives.

Stated prior mayors have abused bumping power to suppress City Council proposals, citing a recent example of a proposal to confirm commissioners. Argued the bill restores balance of power and allows voters to see multiple options rather than limiting choices.

Argued that statutory requirements are stronger than departmental guidance and cannot be easily changed, and that the bill protects communities by ensuring decision-makers understand healthcare needs before closures occur.

The bill removes mayoral bumping powers that have been abused historically, allowing both mayoral and council/commission proposals to appear on ballots simultaneously. This empowers voters and prevents important issues like class size referendums from being blocked by mayors.

Argued prior mayors have abused the bumping power to prevent legitimate City Council proposals from reaching voters. Stated the bill restores balance of power and expands democratic options for voters rather than limiting them.

Argued that statutory requirements are stronger than departmental guidance and cannot be easily changed. Cited the 2013 closure of her hospital as evidence that DOH fails to assess community healthcare needs, and noted that 41 hospitals have closed in the past decade with 27 rural hospitals lost and 40 more in danger.