Asm. Michaelle C. Solages

The study is necessary to ensure the Legislature understands whether FAR accomplishes its goals, is operated as designed, and identify improvements based on evolving knowledge of child development and family support needs. Independent Inspector General oversight will ensure transparency and accountability.

Argued that extreme weather is becoming more frequent and utility shutoffs during these periods are life-threatening. The bill creates uniform statewide standards using National Weather Service data, ensuring all residents have consistent protections regardless of location, and prevents utilities from making discretionary shutoff decisions.

The study is necessary to ensure the Legislature understands whether FAR accomplishes its goals, is operated as designed, and identify improvements. Modern understanding of child development, brain development, and family support needs has evolved since FAR's inception, requiring reassessment based on facts and data.

Argued that extreme weather is becoming more frequent and utility shutoffs during these periods are life-threatening. The bill creates uniform standards across the state so all residents have consistent protections regardless of location, preventing utilities from making discretionary shutoff decisions.

The study is necessary to ensure the Legislature has data on whether FAR accomplishes its goals, is operated as designed, and identify improvements. Society's understanding of child safety, brain development, and family support has evolved since FAR's inception, warranting reassessment. The Inspector General's involvement ensures independent oversight and transparency.

Argued that extreme weather is becoming more frequent and utility shutoffs during these periods are life-threatening. The bill creates uniform statewide standards with specific temperature triggers and duration parameters, ensuring consistent protections regardless of where residents live and preventing arbitrary utility company discretion.

The bill codifies class action certification against government entities to ensure accountability. Judges are currently using workarounds because they lack formal authority, and a pending court case demonstrates the need for statutory clarity to give New Yorkers collective legal recourse.

Asm. Walsh explained her vote in support of the bill, which prohibits discrimination, harassment, and bullying of students by other students on non-public or secondary-school property or at school functions. The bill requires school employees who witness bullying or harassment to orally alert the head of school within one school day. Walsh noted the bill was inspired by Jack Reid's parents' advocacy following a tragic situation involving bullying.

Asm. Ra explained that the bill allows individuals applying for or renewing a driver's license or non-driver ID to opt in to receive information from the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplant Program and the National Marrow Donor Program, which connect volunteer donors to patients needing bone marrow transplants. Ra shared a personal story about his mother's Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnosis and recovery through a bone marrow transplant, which allowed her to see him graduate high school and college. He noted that every three minutes someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer, and about 70 percent of patients needing a transplant won't have a fully matched donor in their family.

Argued that utilities should not have a blank check for their lawyers' reimbursement while citizen groups and nonprofits cannot afford to participate in rate proceedings. Stated the bill creates a fund with checks and balances allowing diverse regional groups to advocate for ratepayers.

Sponsor argued the fund gives ratepayers a voice against utilities with unlimited legal budgets. Cited Idaho and California examples showing ratepayer savings of approximately $19 million. Emphasized the fund applies only to residential gas, electric, and steam rate cases and allows the PSC to combine groups and ensure accountability through a framework with checks and balances.

Argued that utilities receive reimbursement for their advocates while citizen groups and non-profits cannot participate in rate proceedings due to cost. Stated the bill creates a fund with checks and balances allowing diverse regional groups to advocate for ratepayers and low-income customers.

Sponsor argued the fund gives ratepayers a voice in rate proceedings and levels the playing field against utilities that have unlimited budgets for attorneys. Cited California and Idaho as examples where similar funds saved ratepayers money. Emphasized the fund would help small nonprofits and community organizations, not government agencies, and would apply only to residential gas, electric, and steam rate cases.

Argued that the bill clarifies that courts cannot deny class certification solely because a lawsuit involves a governmental operation, ensuring low-income and marginalized communities have access to courts and that government is held accountable like any other entity.

Sponsor explained the chapter amendment merely clarifies language by removing redundant definition of ammunition dealers, as firearms dealers already cover ammunition under law. No substantive changes to the bill's intent.

Assemblymember Gandolfo spoke in favor, arguing the bill increases transparency and scrutiny on no-bid contracts awarded during states of emergency. He cited a COVID-era example where New York paid $637 million for COVID tests at nearly double the market rate, while California paid half the price for identical tests, noting the vendor's CEO was a major contributor to the Governor's reelection campaign.