The Commons Gallery

An act to amend the Education Law — 2026-03-11 · Calendar #436

NYS Legislature ↗ · OpenLeg API ↗

The Senate passed S6318A, sponsored by Senator May, an act to amend the Education Law, on a roll call vote of 61-1. Senator Walczyk cast the sole vote in opposition. The bill, which takes effect immediately, advanced without floor debate. The measure was Calendar Number 436.

Passed Senate Ayes: 61 · Nays: 1

Debate Summary

No substantive debate is recorded in this transcript segment. The bill proceeded directly to a roll call vote following the reading of the final section.

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
Walczyk	nay	Republican

An act to amend the Education Law — 2025-06-06 · Calendar #669

NYS Legislature ↗ · OpenLeg API ↗

The New York State Senate passed legislation requiring art and music education in schools, with a vote of 52-1 on Calendar Number 669, Senate Print 6318A. The bill, sponsored by Sen. May, would amend the Education Law to make arts and music instruction mandatory in school curricula. Supporters argued that arts education develops students as whole human beings and is often the first subject eliminated during budget cuts, despite being critical to student engagement and development. Sen. Cooney, a graduate of a performing arts high school, emphasized that all children deserve access to arts curriculum and that early exposure creates engaged citizens and future artists. Only Sen. Walczyk voted against the measure. The legislation represents a multiyear effort supported by arts and music educators across the state.

Passed Senate Ayes: 52 · Nays: 1

Debate Summary

The bill would require art and music education in New York schools. Sen. May argued that arts and music develop the whole child and are often the first subjects cut during budget reductions, despite their importance to student engagement and development. Sen. Cooney supported the legislation, noting that all children should have access to arts curriculum and that early arts education creates engaged citizens and future artists.

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
Walczyk	nay	Republican

An act to amend the Public Service Law — 2024-06-03 · Calendar #1477

NYS Legislature ↗ · OpenLeg API ↗

The New York State Senate passed S6318A, sponsored by Sen. Hinchey, an act to amend the Public Service Law. The bill passed on a roll call vote, 59-0. The measure will take effect 30 days after becoming law. No floor debate was recorded on the legislation.

Passed Senate Ayes: 59 · Nays: unknown

Debate Summary

No debate was recorded on this bill. The measure proceeded directly to a roll call vote following the reading of the final section.

An act to amend the Public Service Law — 2023-06-08 · Calendar #1519

NYS Legislature ↗ · OpenLeg API ↗

The New York State Senate unanimously passed legislation sponsored by Sen. Hinchey to create the first statewide map of cellular service coverage and establish service standards across the state. The bill, S6318A, passed 62-0 on a roll call vote. The measure aims to address widespread gaps in cellphone service, particularly in rural areas, which sponsors characterized as both an economic development and public safety issue. Sen. Hinchey noted that poor coverage makes it impossible to complete phone calls in many parts of the state and poses dangers when emergencies occur on back roads. Sen. Stec emphasized the urgency of the problem, citing a two-year-old task force study whose recommendations remain unimplemented and noting that 70-75 percent of 911 calls now originate from cellular networks as landlines disappear. While acknowledging the bill is a study measure, senators stressed the need to move beyond data collection to actual infrastructure investment. The bill takes effect immediately.

Passed Senate Ayes: 62 · Nays: 0

Debate Summary

The bill would create the first statewide map of cellphone service coverage and establish thresholds and standards to ensure reliable phone service across New York, particularly in rural areas. Sponsors emphasized that poor cellular coverage is both an economic development and public safety issue, with senators citing examples of emergency situations where lack of service endangered lives. While supporters acknowledged the bill is a study measure, they stressed the urgency of addressing the problem, noting that landlines are disappearing and most 911 calls now come through cellular networks.