Asm. Carrie Woerner

Assemblywoman Walsh spoke in support of the bill, honoring the late Assemblymember Bobby D'Andrea as a dedicated public servant who was deeply embedded in his community and attended numerous local events and civic functions.

Bill codifies existing industry practices and establishes evidence-based risk profiling to identify players transitioning from entertainment gambling to compulsive play, laying groundwork for stronger regulations targeting game design itself.

Emphasized that the New York HOPES helpline connects callers to New York providers in crisis situations, whereas the national hotline may not, making the state-specific requirement essential for effective help.

Explained her affirmative vote by noting that those calling the NYHOPES hotline are connected to services funded by mobile gaming revenue through the state budget.

Explained that modernizing the self-exclusion process from paper-based to online will make it more accessible to people experiencing problem gambling while maintaining protections to ensure only the individual self-excludes, not family members or others.

Expert testimony from a hearing on problem gambling confirmed that providing information about wagering amounts, winnings, and losses is a real tool to help change behavior. The bill provides a specific mechanism to help struggling individuals recognize their problem and modify their own behavior.

Emphasized that eye and tissue donations can change or save lives for 70 people and allow organ transplant teams to procure donations from those who pass away outside healthcare systems.

Asm. Sempolinski expressed concern about the lack of explicit prohibition on gaming machines within the Seneca Nation's gaming exclusivity zone, noting that prior bills were vetoed for violating the Gaming Compact. He stated the current bill leaves the determination of violations to the Gaming Commission, which could lead to costly litigation and potentially be used as leverage against the Nation during Compact negotiations. Despite these concerns, Sempolinski voted yes to advance the bill's legitimate goals while urging enforcement to protect tribal compacts.

Bill modernizes electronic bell jar machines in Legion and VFW posts, simplifying administration and improving reporting accuracy. Includes safeguards against gamification and limits on machine numbers per facility.

Asm. Gandolfo questioned the sponsor on the definition and scope of prohibited games, the dual-currency system mechanics, enforcement mechanisms, and fines. The bill addresses a loophole in gaming laws where operators use real money to purchase non-wagerable tokens that come with free wagerable tokens, effectively creating unregulated online gambling. Gandolfo expressed support for closing the loophole due to concerns about lack of oversight, age verification, and location verification compared to legal gaming sites, which could expose minors to addictive behavior.

Sponsor emphasized that healthcare workers face high rates of workplace assault and should not be victimized a second time by having to spend hours at police stations filing reports. The bill allows victims to report crimes in a more comfortable setting, which is important for building case records and documenting patterns of repeat offenses.

Sponsor explained the bill requires police to inform assault victims they have the option to provide statements at the healthcare facility or at the police station at a later time. She cited conversations with ER nurses and hospital CEOs across multiple jurisdictions who reported victims felt re-victimized by mandatory police station visits, and noted the high prevalence of workplace violence in healthcare settings.

Explained the bill requires coroners and medical examiners to reach out to organ procurement organizations when deaths occur outside hospitals. Noted one tissue donor can save or heal 75 people and called the measure an important step forward for New York.

Sponsor Woerner explained the bill protects native amphibians and reptiles, citing a 2023-24 DEC assessment finding seven of 18 amphibian species declining. The bill eliminates clubbing and spearing as hunting methods for native species while allowing continued hunting of invasive species like bullfrogs under DEC-determined methods. Multiple members questioned the distinction between native and non-native species, the practical knowledge of hunters to differentiate them, and the scope of protected species. Woerner clarified that bullfrogs are invasive and can still be hunted by hand, fishing rod, or other DEC-approved methods, while native turtles are now limited to common snapping turtles only.

Highlighted expansion of Historic Preservation Tax Credit for affordable housing conversion, gaming revenue increases for problem gaming, and Farm Worker Overtime Credit fixes.

Highlighted expansion of Historic Preservation Tax Credit for affordable housing conversion, increased problem gaming funding, farm worker overtime credit fixes, and UI debt payoff benefits.

Highlighted expansion of Historic Preservation Tax Credit for affordable housing conversion, gaming problem mitigation funding, and farm worker overtime credit fixes.