S1669

The Senate passed S1669, an Education Law amendment sponsored by Sen. Addabbo aimed at making higher education more attainable for veterans, by a vote of 59-0 on April 15. The bill's passage came after the chamber rejected an amendment proposed by Sen. Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick that would have required CUNY, SUNY, and accredited higher education institutions to implement antisemitism awareness training and report antisemitic incidents. Acting President Cooney ruled the amendment nongermane under Senate Rule 6, Section 4B, and the chamber upheld that ruling by a show of hands vote of 20 ayes. Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick appealed the ruling, arguing her amendment was germane and necessary given what she described as alarming levels of antisemitism on New York campuses. She cited an Anti-Defamation League report card that found no New York schools received an A grade on antisemitism policies, with four receiving F grades. Despite her appeal, the Senate voted to sustain the chair's ruling. The bill was subsequently restored to the noncontroversial calendar and passed unanimously.

The New York State Senate passed S1669, sponsored by Sen. Addabbo, an act to amend the Education Law, on a roll call vote of 61-0. The bill, which was Calendar Number 513, received no floor debate before passage. The measure is set to take effect on July 1st. The Senate adjourned following passage of the bill.