Asm. Pamela J. Hunter

No substantive debate occurred. Assemblyman Palmesano explained his affirmative vote by highlighting New York's low organ donor registration rate (50 percent vs. 64 percent national average) and the urgent need to increase donations, noting that one donor can save up to eight lives.

Sponsor explained the bill codifies the superintendent's authority to remove or suspend officers engaged in misconduct or unsafe practices, modernizing an antiquated process tied to a dissolved banking board. Emphasized the bill includes due process protections, applies only to State-chartered and foreign-licensed institutions, and was prompted by recent bank failures like Signature Bank and Silicon Valley Bank.

The bill codifies existing superintendent oversight, provides clear criteria for removal, includes due process protections, and ensures bad actors are held accountable while protecting New York consumers at state-chartered banks and foreign financial institutions.

The bill creates statewide uniformity in ballot ordering and addresses documented voter drop-off. In Nassau County, 24,000 voters dropped off the ballot when judges appeared before Congressional candidates. Ordering by electorate size is logical and prevents confusion.

The bill is a chapter amendment to legislation passed last year that required the Office of Mental Health to develop a PTSD training program and certification for veterans. The amendment eliminates the training and certification requirements and instead requires OMH only to compile a list of existing resources for veterans with PTSD. Assemblyman Goodell opposed the amendment as less effective than the original bill, though he acknowledged it is better than nothing.

The bill extends a provision in the Banking Law that prohibits bank-owned check cashing institutions from locating within three-tenths of a mile of licensed check cashing facilities. The extension is for two years. The measure restricts potential competitors owned by banks from locating near independent check cashing facilities.

The moratorium codifies the Tyler decision and provides one year for counties to come into compliance with the Supreme Court ruling requiring return of surplus proceeds. The bill ensures uniform implementation and gives the Legislature time to address necessary Article XI changes, while exempting municipalities already in compliance since 1993-1994.

Sponsor argued the moratorium codifies a de facto moratorium already created by the Supreme Court ruling and provides municipalities time to establish compliant processes while the Legislature addresses Article XI issues affecting non-charter counties.

Assemblymember Goodell strongly opposed the bill, arguing it violates multiple constitutional due process principles. He contended the bill allows municipalities to make repairs on private property without notice, warrant, or hearing, and then bill homeowners for the repairs with no restrictions on how repairs are made, no consultation with the homeowner, and no competitive bidding requirements.

The bill expands biomarker testing coverage for cancer patients and others, allowing healthcare providers to deliver targeted treatment. New York joins ten other states in this expansion. Hunter noted the bill was motivated by her family's experience with cancer and represents state-of-the-art diagnostic testing.

Assemblymember Goodell spoke in favor of the bill, noting it calls for a study of utilizing state government payments to improve banking opportunities. He urged that the resulting report be provided to both the Majority and Minority, as the Minority represents about one-third of the state and many areas that could benefit from improved banking access.

The bill authorizes school zone speed cameras in Syracuse with significant debate over deterrent effectiveness and scope creep. Supporters argued speeding in school zones is dangerous. Opponents, including Mr. Goodell and Mr. Reilly, raised concerns that the $50 fine is insufficient, cameras only trigger above 10 mph over the limit (allowing drivers to speed through 10 mph zones without penalty), the owner-liability model lacks deterrent impact compared to driver citations with license points, and the half-hour before/after school event activation is impossible for drivers to track. Mr. Reilly warned that New York City's program started identically in 2014 and expanded to 2,500 schools with a quarter-mile circumference, reduced speed limits, and increased fines, all funding the general fund rather than school safety improvements.