Asm. Stefani Zinerman

The bill simply clarifies how cannabis proximity rules are measured while ensuring protections for schools and houses of worship remain intact. It addresses miscommunication from OCM and allows social equity licensees with established locations to operate without fear of relocation.

The bill corrects regulatory guidance from the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) that retroactively deemed over 100 licensed dispensaries non-compliant with proximity requirements. Debate centered on whether the bill unfairly favors cannabis businesses that received inconsistent state guidance versus other small businesses, and whether the cannabis rollout has been problematic overall. Supporters argued the bill restores clarity and fairness to measurement standards without weakening protections for schools (500 feet) or houses of worship (200 feet). Opponents questioned why cannabis businesses receive special legislative remedies unavailable to other regulated industries and expressed broader concerns about the cannabis program's implementation.

Argued the renaming is overdue and honors Malcolm X on what would have been his 100th birthday. Credited tireless community organizing and noted that while Reid Avenue was renamed to Malcolm X Boulevard in 1985, the MTA station remained unnamed for nearly four decades. Framed the renaming as honoring the enduring connection between Brooklyn and Harlem as pillars of Black culture and excellence.

Assemblymember Magnarelli explained the bill requires food retailers and third-party delivery platforms to clearly disclose whether online prices are higher or lower than in-store prices. Assemblywoman Walsh questioned the scope of implementation, asking whether item-by-item price comparisons would be required and what role the Department of State would play in regulation. Magnarelli clarified the bill requires disclosure of whether prices are generally higher or lower, with a link to the grocery store's website for consumers to verify, rather than mandating individual item comparisons. Walsh expressed concern about the burden on platforms given fluctuating prices but acknowledged the bill's consumer protection intent.

Clarified the distinction between line-warming (providing nominal-value items to sustain voters) and electioneering (campaigning within prohibited distance), noting the NAACP lawsuit sought to permit line-warming without promoting electioneering.

Assemblymember Palmesano expressed support for the child labor protections in the bill while noting broader concerns about child labor in global supply chains.

Debate centered on implementation and compliance mechanisms. Assemblymember Gandolfo questioned how retailers would verify manuals were included in sealed boxes from manufacturers, whether manufacturers or retailers bore liability for missing manuals, and whether bike-sharing services like Citi Bike could comply with the requirement. Assemblymember Palmesano raised concerns about lithium-ion battery sourcing, noting that 70 percent of cobalt is extracted in the Democratic Republic of Congo using child labor and that lithium mining in South America poisons water sources, arguing the Assembly should address sourcing before mandating EV adoption. Assemblymember Chang supported the bill but requested improvements to include occupancy capacity information and expand language requirements beyond the three most common languages to include Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese.

Sponsor argued this is a common-sense 21st-century measure to help voters with disabilities, elderly voters, and deaf/blind voters exercise their right to vote. Emphasized that postage costs are covered within the State Board of Elections budget, not local municipalities, and that email submission includes signature verification matching the original ballot.

Sponsor argued the bill is a common-sense measure for 21st-century voting, providing postage-paid envelopes and email options to help voters with disabilities, elderly, and deaf/blind voters cure ballots. Emphasized the cost is contained within the State budget, not municipalities, and allows voters to correct simple mistakes with confidence.

Argued this is a common-sense 21st-century measure to help voters with disabilities, elderly, and deaf/blind citizens exercise their right to vote. Emphasized the cost is contained within the State budget, not municipalities, and that email is now standard business practice.

Zinerman argued that New York needs 21st-century agencies to keep pace with rapid technological change and AI advancement. She characterized the bill as an extension to allow proper implementation and noted that reports will be published, though sometimes with delay.

This is a safety bill addressing the serious problem of lithium-ion battery fires in e-bikes. New York City experienced 267 fires in 2023 with 18 deaths and 150 injuries. Manuals in multiple languages ensure users know how to properly store and care for batteries to prevent violent fires.

Zinerman argued that New York needs 21st-century agencies to address rapid technological change and artificial intelligence. She characterized the bill as an extension to allow proper implementation and noted that reports will be published, though sometimes with delay.

E-bike battery fires are a serious public safety crisis in New York City: 267 fires in 2023 with 18 deaths and 150 injuries. Proper operation manuals in multiple languages are essential to ensure users know how to safely store and care for batteries, preventing violent fires in dense urban areas.

Praised the bill as common sense legislation that demonstrates concern for worker safety and provides tools for de-escalation, noting recent incidents of workplace bullying and the need for preparedness.

Called the bill 'common sense legislation' that telegraphs concern for worker safety and noted that workplace bullying and violence are serious issues requiring employer responsibility to provide safety tools.

Zinerman spoke on behalf of constituent Christine Fields, who died in December after entering a hospital healthy but perishing without her doula or the father of her child present. She emphasized that maternal health disparities for Black and Brown women are severe and that this legislation is critical to ensuring mothers have their health team around them during labor and delivery.

Congratulated the sponsor and noted the beauty of Brooklyn's diversity. Called for recognizing other growing groups in the future and advocated for expanding the school calendar beyond 180 days to allow more learning opportunities.

Described the bill as promoting economic opportunities and equity for all New Yorkers by establishing employment goals within the framework of Section 3502 of the NYC Charter. Emphasized the bill's transparency provisions and requirements for contractors to make best efforts in meeting employment goals.

The bill requires that proposed constitutional amendments and statewide ballot questions be written in plain language at an eighth-grade reading level or lower, with a descriptive title not exceeding 15 words and a total description not exceeding 30 words. Ms. Zinerman cited academic research showing voters recognize and prefer plain language ballots, vote more accurately on them, and are more likely to complete the entire ballot. She noted that 25 percent of New Yorkers are low-literacy or non-English proficient and that the bill consulted with 80 organizations and literacy experts. Assemblyman Goodell supported the objective but expressed concern about the complexity of the automated readability index formula used to measure eighth-grade level and questioned whether all constitutional amendments could be simplified to 30 words. Assemblyman Pirozzolo raised concerns about the eighth-grade standard given that many students cannot read at grade level, arguing the state should improve education rather than lower literacy standards. Ms. Zinerman countered that the bill is inclusive for the 1.8 million non-English proficient New Yorkers and 16-year-old voters, and that she worked in adult literacy for 14 years and supports improving education as well.

Praised community gardens as vital community spaces that distribute resources, provide gathering places, and supply fresh food. Noted gardens' critical role during the pandemic and thanked volunteers and organizations like the Brooklyn Queens Land Trust for their work.