Asm. Deborah Glick

Horseshoe crabs are a keystone species that have existed for 400-450 million years and are vital to migrating bird species and foraging fish. New York's population is in poor condition, and neighboring states have already banned or restricted taking. The phase-out gives the fishing community ample time to adjust and find alternatives.

Commended the sponsor, arguing that society has become empowered by anonymity to say harmful things that have damaged families and children, and this measure addresses that problem.

Argued the bill expands an existing effective program, that regulations will be developed with FDNY consultation, and that the current status quo of uncontrolled battery disposal is more dangerous than managed retail collection.

Children in small towns and cities need access to books that help them understand their identities; restricting these books condemns them to negative self-image. Parents' concerns should not prevent other children from accessing materials that validate their existence.

Ms. Glick explained the bill protects additional state-owned lands from oil and gas leasing, adding state forests, reforestation areas, wildlife management areas, and unique areas to existing prohibitions on state parks and Lake Ontario shorelines. Mr. Simpson questioned whether the bill should also prohibit solar, wind, and battery storage facilities on these lands, noting potential conflicts with climate goals like 30 by 30 carbon sequestration. Ms. Glick acknowledged the suggestion but stated the current bill focuses on oil and gas drilling and indicated willingness to consider such provisions in future legislation.

Stated prior mayors abused bumping power and the current mayor has engaged in executive overreach by holding charter commission hearings in summer with little notice. Argued the bill restores checks and balances against executive overreach.

Stated prior mayors abused the bumping power and the current mayor has engaged in executive overreach through a charter revision process with minimal community input. Supported the bill as restoring checks and balances.

Eighty-five percent of land east of the Mississippi is privately owned; residents must be able to support pollinators and native species on their properties. The bill is a minor measure allowing aware residents to support nature while remaining in HOAs, addressing the critical need for pollinator habitat.

Praised restrictions on private equity home purchases and MTA burden-shifting to large businesses that depend on transit system; noted film industry purchases from small businesses in her district.

Praised restrictions on private equity home purchases and MTA burden-shifting to large businesses, noting the MTA is critical to city tax revenue generation and that major employers support the changes.

Praised restrictions on private equity home purchases and MTA burden-shifting to large businesses; noted film industry purchases from small businesses in her district.

Assemblywoman Peoples-Stokes explained that the bill addresses a critical issue for transplant patients, particularly those on Medicaid who are currently restricted to applying to only one transplant program. She noted that approximately 8,000 New Yorkers are on transplant wait lists, with roughly 400 expected to die before receiving a transplant. The bill allows patients to apply to multiple programs, improving access and quality of life by reducing dependence on dialysis.

Argued the bill addresses climate crisis and makes EV charging accessible to those in multi-family dwellings who lack home charging options. Noted that new buildings are the best opportunity to install infrastructure from scratch.

Horseshoe crab populations are now near threatened due to commercial and biomedical taking, with cascading impacts on dependent species like migratory birds. No permits have been requested for biomedical purposes in years, indicating the restriction will not harm the biomedical field.

Sponsor argued horseshoe crabs are near-threatened with populations dropped dramatically since 1998, and current DEC protections are insufficient. Emphasized the species' ecological importance and that synthetic alternatives are not yet FDA-approved for widespread use.

Asm. Goodell opposed the bill, arguing it improperly overrides existing homeowner association deeds, contracts, bylaws and agreements that residents voluntarily signed. He contended the bill would nullify legal documents governing landscaping and allow individual owners to plant rain gardens, pollinator gardens, or native habitat gardens regardless of association rules, inappropriately substituting legislative judgment for local association governance.

The bill encourages natural landscaping which provides environmental benefits including water absorption, reduced pesticide use, and prevention of runoff, particularly important given increasing heavy rain events. Property maintenance standards and restrictions on common space impacts remain in place.

Horseshoe crab populations have declined to near-threatened status, affecting dependent species including migratory birds. No permits for biomedical purposes have been requested in years, indicating the restriction will not harm the biomedical field.

Sponsor argued horseshoe crabs are near-threatened with populations dropped precipitously since 1998, and current DEC protections are insufficient. Emphasized the species' ecological importance and medical value while noting habitat loss and sea-level rise threaten spawning areas.

Asm. Goodell opposed the bill, arguing it improperly overrides existing homeowner association deeds, contracts, bylaws, and agreements that govern landscaping. He contended the Legislature should not override voluntary legal agreements and that homeowner associations should retain authority to enforce their own rules.

The bill encourages natural landscaping which provides environmental benefits including water absorption, reduced pesticide use, and prevention of runoff, particularly important given increasing heavy rain events. Property maintenance standards and restrictions on common space encroachment remain in place.

Horseshoe crab populations have declined to near-threatened status, impacting migratory birds and fish dependent on their eggs. No permits for biomedical purposes have been requested in years, so the prohibition does not interfere with the biomedical industry.

Sponsor argued horseshoe crabs are near-threatened with populations dropped dramatically since 1998, and current DEC protections are insufficient. Emphasized the species' ecological importance and that existing regulations have failed to prevent decline.

Asm. Goodell opposed the bill, arguing it improperly overrides homeowner association deeds, contracts, bylaws, and agreements that residents voluntarily signed. He contended the bill would nullify legal documents governing landscaping and allow individual owners to plant gardens in violation of association rules, usurping decisions that should remain with HOA boards.

The bill encourages natural landscaping which provides environmental benefits including water absorption, reduced pesticide use, and prevention of runoff, particularly important given increasing heavy rain events. Property maintenance standards and restrictions on common space encroachment remain in place.

Applauded the sponsor's work and rejected the framing that pitted benefit recipients against hardworking taxpayers. Noted that hardworking New Yorkers support these programs and that people can fall on hard times despite working, emphasizing the bill helps vulnerable populations.

Sponsor argued the medical certification requirement creates an unnecessary burden on low-income people unable to easily obtain doctor's notes, and that the COVID waiver demonstrated no misuse of the program. Noted that 96 percent of HEAP funds go to heating, leaving only 4 percent for cooling.