Asm. Catalina Cruz

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.

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 concern that the requirement could delay justice for victims, impose costs on smaller police departments, and create practical difficulties in areas with limited interpreter access or poor cell service. The sponsor clarified that the bill does not prohibit arrests on complaints, only requires certification when converting complaints to informations, and that existing OGS contracts provide telephonic interpreter services.

Commended the sponsor and noted IDNYC was developed with security measures comparable to Green Light legislation. Emphasized that undocumented individuals can already obtain driver's licenses and open accounts, and that IDNYC allows those who cannot afford other IDs to access banking services. Argued the bill enables migrants to keep money secure and contribute to communities.

The bill would create a ratepayer advocate office and reimburse intervenors in PSC rate proceedings. Supporters argued it would level the playing field between utilities and consumers, citing successful intervenor programs in other states that have saved billions in rate hikes. Opponents contended the bill duplicates existing ratepayer advocacy mechanisms, would increase costs passed to ratepayers, and has been vetoed twice by the Governor for these reasons. The debate also touched on broader energy policy concerns, including costs of green energy mandates and electrification requirements.

Argued the task force needs reconvening to assess whether the 2010 recommendations were properly implemented, if they need updating based on scientific advances, and to provide accountability for government action on sea level rise threats.

Cruz thanked former colleague Senator Ashby, the Speaker, and veterans' leadership for support. She emphasized this bill provides resources for veteran immigrants and their families to achieve citizenship without sacrificing everything, calling it the least the state can do for veterans and their families.

IDNYC underwent rigorous security protocols similar to the Green Light law. The bill allows people who cannot afford traditional IDs to access banking, and enables migrants to keep money secure and contribute to communities rather than storing cash under mattresses.

The bill would create a ratepayer advocate office and reimburse intervenors in PSC rate proceedings. Supporters argued it would level the playing field between utilities and consumers, citing successful intervenor programs in other states that have saved billions in rate hikes. Opponents contended the bill duplicates existing ratepayer advocacy mechanisms, would increase costs passed to ratepayers, and has been vetoed twice by the Governor for these reasons. The debate also touched on broader energy policy concerns, including costs of green energy mandates and electrification requirements.

Argued the task force must reconvene to assess whether the 2010 report's 14 recommendations were properly implemented, determine if updates are needed based on changed conditions, and make new recommendations as necessary.

Mr. Goodell questioned whether the bill violates the State Constitution by directing the Department of Financial Services to submit a budget request, arguing that only the Governor has constitutional authority to submit the Executive Budget under Article VII, Section 1. Ms. Cruz acknowledged there is no current funding for the program and that the RFP implementation date is March 1, 2025, but did not directly address the constitutional concern raised by Goodell.

Assemblyman Goodell requested the vote be withdrawn and the bill laid aside for further discussion, stating he was mistaken in his earlier assessment that the bill should proceed on a quick vote.