S1646

An act to amend the Civil Practice Law and Rules — 2024-06-03 · Calendar #424

NYS Legislature ↗ · OpenLeg API ↗

The Senate passed legislation amending the Civil Practice Law and Rules on a 40-19 vote. Sponsored by Sen. Hoylman-Sigal, Senate Print 1646 (Calendar 424) will take effect 60 days after becoming law. Nineteen senators voted in opposition: Ashby, Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Martins, Mattera, Murray, Oberacker, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Weber and Weik. No floor debate was recorded on the measure.

Passed Senate Ayes: 40 · Nays: 19

Debate Summary

No debate was recorded on this bill. The measure proceeded directly to a roll call vote.

Transcript Mentions

These votes were extracted from the floor transcript by AI. NYS Senate roll calls are read in full, but AI extraction may not capture every senator — so this list is incomplete and skews toward named dissenting votes. Use the Official API Data table above for the complete roll call.

Senator	Vote	Party
Ashby	nay	Republican
Borrello	nay	Republican
Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick	nay	Republican
Gallivan	nay	Republican
Griffo	nay	Republican
Helming	nay	Republican
Lanza	nay	Republican
Martins	nay	Republican
Mattera	nay	Republican
Murray	nay	Republican
Oberacker	nay	Republican
Ortt	nay	Republican
Palumbo	nay	Republican
Rhoads	nay	Republican
Rolison	nay	Republican
Stec	nay	Republican
Tedisco	nay	Republican
Weber	nay	Republican
Weik	nay	Republican

An act to amend the Civil Practice Law and Rules — 2023-06-01 · Calendar #407

NYS Legislature ↗ · OpenLeg API ↗

The New York State Senate passed S1646, a bill amending the Civil Practice Law and Rules, on a 39-19 vote. The measure, sponsored by Sen. Hoylman-Sigal, addresses character and fitness requirements for attorney admission or licensure. During floor debate, Sen. Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, an attorney herself, urged colleagues to vote against the bill, citing a letter from judges of the Appellate Divisions and the Acting Chief Judge warning that passage would jeopardize public safety. Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick argued that character is a critical prerequisite to practicing law and that the character committee process allows individuals to explain past conduct and demonstrate personal growth. Despite the judicial concerns, the bill secured majority support and passed. The measure takes effect 60 days after becoming law.

Passed Senate Ayes: 39 · Nays: 19

Debate Summary

The bill addresses character and fitness requirements for attorney admission or licensure. Sen. Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick opposed passage, citing concerns about public safety raised in a letter from judges of the Appellate Divisions and the Acting Chief Judge. She argued that character is a critical prerequisite to practicing law and that the character committee process allows individuals to explain past conduct and demonstrate growth.

Transcript Mentions

Senator	Vote	Party
Borrello	nay	Republican
Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick	nay	Republican
Gallivan	nay	Republican
Griffo	nay	Republican
Helming	nay	Republican
Lanza	nay	Republican
Mattera	nay	Republican
Murray	nay	Republican
O'Mara	nay	Republican
Oberacker	nay	Republican
Ortt	nay	Republican
Palumbo	nay	Republican
Rhoads	nay	Republican
Rolison	nay	Republican
Skoufis	nay	Democrat
Stec	nay	Republican
Tedisco	nay	Republican
Walczyk	nay	Republican
Weber	nay	Republican