S1209

The New York State Senate passed S1209, an act to amend the Labor Law addressing school closings during state or local disaster emergencies, by a vote of 35-20 on February 9th. The bill's passage came after the chamber rejected a proposed amendment that would have prohibited schools from closing due to certain disaster emergencies. Sen. Weik, who sponsored the amendment, argued it was germane to the bill because it addressed school closings and would prevent student displacement to house migrants. Acting President Mayer ruled the amendment nongermane under Rule 6, Section 4B. When Sen. Lanza appealed the ruling, a show of hands vote of 20 ayes sustained the chair's decision. The bill was then restored to the noncontroversial calendar by consent and passed on a roll call vote, with 20 senators voting in opposition, including Sens. Ashby, Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Martins, Mattera, Murray, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Weber, and Weik.

The New York State Senate passed S1209, sponsored by Sen. Persaud, an act to amend the Labor Law, on a 41-19 roll call vote. The bill, which carries Calendar Number 255, will take effect 30 days after becoming law. Nineteen senators voted in opposition: Ashby, Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Martins, Mattera, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk and Weber. No floor debate was recorded on the measure prior to the vote.