Sen. Steve Rhoads

New York's utility rates are 51 percent higher than the national average for residential and 60 percent higher for commercial compared to other states under the same federal administration. The problem is New York's own energy policies, not federal policy, and this bill will make rates even more expensive.

Raised extensive concerns that the bill removes federal FDA approval standards and ACIP guidelines as requirements, vests sole authority in the state Health Commissioner, eliminates conflict-of-interest disclosures, allows consultation with unaccountable international organizations, risks loss of $350 million in federal Vaccines for Children funding, removes legal liability protections, and allows the commissioner to recommend vaccines not approved by the FDA.

Criticized apparent hypocrisy, noting the chamber recently passed transparency requirements for 501(c)(3)s expressing opinions on nominations, yet now seeks to reduce transparency for nonprofits actually spending money on lobbyists who attend campaign fundraisers and donate to politicians.

Noted the bill does not impact overall utility rates set by the PSC and challenged Sen. Webb's assertion that fossil fuel dependence drives high rates, citing data showing New York has 45 percent low-carbon electricity generation yet rates 50-61 percent above the national average. He also sought assurance that government would not use usage data to set consumption limits in future legislation.

Argued the bill represents unconstitutional state overreach into local control, allowing a secretary-run code enforcement program to supersede municipal programs and permitting out-of-jurisdiction officers to enforce unfamiliar local codes. Characterized it as part of a broader pattern of state interference in local affairs.

Voted against the bill.

While understanding the intent, Rhoads argued the bill uses a 'meat cleaver' approach when a 'scalpel' would be better, applying broadly to all filings rather than targeting pro se applications where the problem is most acute. He expressed concern that qualified attorneys and paralegals should be able to handle exhibit tabs and questioned whether the Office of Court Administration, State Bar Association, or other organizations were consulted or support the legislation.

Argued the budget makes the state less affordable through excessive spending and taxes. Noted New York has the highest individual tax burden and second-worst business climate, with one resident leaving every 2 minutes 23 seconds.

Emphasized the bill changes rather than clarifies law, allowing dispensaries next to playgrounds and athletic fields. Cited studies showing increased youth cannabis use, accidental poisonings up 70%, and psychiatric risks.

Expressed concern that the chapter amendment eviscerated key transparency provisions by eliminating pre-installation public notice, converting advance registration to after-action reporting, and removing specific penalty provisions, suggesting telecommunications company influence.

Opposed the bill because it restricts horseshoe crabs from biomedical research use, which he believes inhibits New York State's ability to innovate in biomedical research, though he supports restrictions for other purposes.

He argued the bill creates an open-ended definition of intimidation that could lead to frivolous litigation against poll workers and election inspectors simply doing their jobs, and noted that 80 percent of New Yorkers support voter ID requirements for election integrity.

The vague language defining unfair and abusive practices gives the Attorney General dangerous discretionary power to pursue actions based on undefined standards, allowing action against businesses for acts they 'are about to engage in' without clear standing or actual harm.

Opposed the bill because it mandates coverage without providing a good-faith religious exemption for faith-based healthcare companies, creating issues for institutions with religious objections to contraceptive coverage.

The bill erodes New Yorkers' rights to clean, safe, affordable energy by making gas service unaffordable or impossible to obtain. The state lacks actual solutions to replace natural gas and is pursuing hope and talk rather than a realistic plan.

The bill's broad language would prohibit legitimate training agreements in volunteer fire departments, SAFER Grant programs, and the Excelsior Grant program. The statute contains no wiggle room and would illegalize arm's-length contracts that clearly specify training costs and employment duration requirements.

Raised a fatal flaw: requiring discharge plans before release creates a conflict because DOCCS loses legal authority to hold individuals once a wrongful conviction judgment is issued, but the 60-day planning timeline may extend beyond that point. Acknowledged the bill's good intentions but stated this timing issue makes implementation problematic.

Voted in opposition to the measure.

Expressed concern that the bill lacks clarity on what constitutes a violation, noting the statute does not reference federal law standards that the sponsor relied upon. Questioned how payment processors can comply with state law if compliance criteria are not spelled out in the statute itself.

Rhoads argued the bill makes sense for New York City but not for other jurisdictions like Long Island, and requested the Senate revisit the measure to restore local control and zoning authority.

Voted in opposition to the measure.

Criticized lack of mandatory psychiatric evaluation, insufficient medical record review requirements, sampling-based oversight by Health Commissioner, and absence of case-by-case physician review.

Expressed concern about state preemption of local control, arguing that while some guidelines make sense in areas with no restrictions, municipalities should retain authority to make decisions reflecting local dynamics and economic conditions.

Argued that subsection B's vague wording may intrude on attorney work product and violate attorney-client privilege, urging the sponsor to address these concerns in a future session.

Questioned why DEC lacks authority to adjust goals/timelines despite having expertise. Noted Apollo program cost $318 billion in today's dollars, questioned whether Ontario municipalities actually passed savings to consumers, and emphasized burden on low-income families already facing 23% grocery inflation.

Argued mask penalty provision does nothing to prevent crime since it only applies after a crime is committed and caught. Questioned why the state doesn't simply criminalize mask-wearing for identity concealment purposes. Extensively criticized electric school bus mandate as unaffordable, with insufficient funding ($600M available vs. $20B needed), grid capacity issues, and safety concerns.

Challenged the NUMC allocation process, questioning who developed the plan and decided on the $50 million amount without input from county executive, hospital board, or CEO. Argued the Governor is using the budget to seize control of NUMC rather than address legitimate operational needs, and criticized the lack of communication between state and hospital leadership.

Characterized the budget as evidence of MTA and Governor addiction to spending, with the Legislature acting as enablers. Cited New York's status as highest-taxed state with worst business climate and highest outward migration, arguing the payroll tax is a tax on job creation.

Demanded fiscal accountability and a forensic audit of the MTA before continuing to fund it, comparing the situation to a parent questioning a child about missing allowance money.

Strongly opposed Part LL, arguing the Governor deliberately starved Nassau University Medical Center of $500 million in funding to create financial instability as pretext for takeover, violating local control and bond covenants.

Raised safety concerns about the state's electric school bus mandate requiring all purchases to be electric by June 1, 2027. Cited data showing 20 percent of electric buses out of service daily and detailed dangers of lithium-ion battery thermal runaway, spontaneous combustion, and explosive hydrogen gas emissions. Argued electric vehicle fires are more intense and spread faster than diesel fires on a percentage basis.

Argued the bill violates due process by imposing strict liability without fault findings or identifiable harm at specific locations, unlike federal Superfund. Contended the Legislature acts as judge, jury, and executioner, and that joint and several liability could force remaining companies to pay for others' obligations.

Stated the bill misses the mark by not addressing the actual threat retail workers face from shoplifters and robbers, which results from criminal justice reforms passed by the chamber. Noted that retail theft crimes are only eligible for bail if over $1 million in aggregate.

Opposed the biomedical restriction, arguing that horseshoe crab blood's LAL enzyme is the most sensitive and reliable method for bacterial endotoxin detection in vaccines and drugs. Noted the 2019 USP determination that synthetic alternatives are not as effective and questioned why the bill could not ban commercial fishing while preserving biomedical use.

Voted against the bill.

Questioned whether the amendment grants the Legislature unchecked power to shorten terms of any elected official, noted 15+ lawsuits challenging last year's election changes, criticized exclusion of New York City where turnout is lowest, and argued the measure is politically motivated to drown out local issues in favor of state/federal races.

Voted in opposition to the bill.

Voted against the measure.

Argued the bill injects chaos into the election process by allowing transient individuals to vote after minimal residency, undermining the purpose of residency requirements and creating administrative burdens for boards of elections that could facilitate voter fraud.

Argued the bill would allow attorneys to be dispatched as poll watchers to challenge results in competitive districts, which could be liable for abuse. Contended the bill ignores the more fundamental issue of voter identification and advocated instead for his own bill, S6139, which would provide free voter ID to all registered voters.

He cited examples of Washington, Colorado, and Illinois attempting similar programs, noting Illinois paused enrollment due to federal funding constraints. He argued the state would be taking a leap of faith without formal waiver approval and questioned why 400,000 undocumented immigrants should receive coverage while one million documented New Yorkers lack health insurance.

Expressed concern that the bill circumvents normal due process by having the Legislature assign fines without court proceedings, setting a dangerous precedent that could be applied to other industries like food manufacturers. Argued damages should be proven in court, not by legislative act.

Expressed grave concerns that Nassau University Medical Center, the only safety-net hospital in Nassau County serving 1.4 million people, received no explicit funding despite facing potential closure by late May or early June.

Voted no, arguing New York has a spending problem not a revenue problem, citing $2.4 billion on migrant crisis while failing to fund NUMC and CDPAP, and calling for better spending priorities.

Questioned oversight mechanisms and whether the state has conducted audits of migrant spending. Noted total spending of approximately $4.1 billion across multiple years and questioned why no legal action has been taken against the federal government for reimbursement.

Argued good-cause eviction represents socialism by giving government control over private property. Warned it will exacerbate housing shortages and discourage investment, continuing New York's downward spiral.

Expressed disappointment that the South Nassau Water Authority received no funding despite the North Shore Water Authority receiving $2 million, noting that Long Island residents in his district pay exorbitant water rates from private utilities and the authority was created to investigate a public takeover of Liberty Water.

Expressed concern about sacrificing local control and safety for speed in meeting CLCPA goals. Highlighted lithium-ion battery fire risks and questioned whether technology is advancing faster than safety measures.

Questioned why assault on retail worker is not bail-eligible on first offense and criticized exclusion of eight crimes from hate crimes list, including endangering welfare of child and labor trafficking. Called for restoration of judicial discretion.

Opposed placing inspection obligations on municipalities serviced by private water companies, arguing private utilities should bear the cost of hydrant inspection and testing rather than municipalities and fire departments. Supported the concept of annual testing but objected to the cost allocation mechanism.

Criticized the broken budget process and lack of minority party participation in conference committees, noting that school districts are making real decisions now with employees losing jobs. Expressed embarrassment with the dysfunctional process despite single-party control.

Stated that prisoner transport is the most vulnerable time for correction officers and that allowing pre-transfer calls provides opportunity to signal location and routes, creating unnecessary risk.

Appealed the chair's ruling that a proposed amendment was nongermane, arguing it was germane because both the bill and amendment address environmental justice. Criticized the congestion pricing plan as a money grab that will not reduce vehicles despite environmental justice messaging, and argued the legislature should retain approval authority over MTA toll amounts rather than delegating to an unelected board.

The HEAT Act is another step in making natural gas impossible to access, service, or afford. The 6 percent electricity cap is unworkable and will shift costs to commercial ratepayers or taxpayers. The bill eliminates consumer choice and puts all eggs in the electricity basket, giving government control over energy decisions that consumers should make.

The technology is unproven with safety questions, and the $20 billion expense will bankrupt school districts already facing Foundation Aid cuts. The July 1, 2027 implementation deadline leaves insufficient time for infrastructure development, making the proposed amendment germane and necessary.

Argued equal justice requires equal access to justice, and forcing citizens to travel four and a half hours denies that access. Contended the predictability rationale serves politicians, not the public, and ensures Democratic Party outcomes in preselected venues.

Criticized the bill for providing no security specifications regarding ballot box appearance, construction, or ballot protection. Suggested drop boxes should be placed at polling sites with Board of Elections supervision or at post offices with existing security infrastructure. Argued the bill could allow unsecured boxes like a duct-taped paper box to comply with the legislation.

Emphasized that process and consensus-building matter even when pursuing important goals. Noted that Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick was not consulted despite the project being in her district, and that the South Shore community bears the burden of CLCPA implementation without being asked.

Argued individuals should have the right to judge others' backgrounds themselves and that government should not put 'blinders' on the public. Stated people should make decisions with open eyes about who they invite into their homes or businesses.

Argued the bill is politically motivated to benefit Democrats in Republican-leaning counties and towns while exempting Democratic-controlled cities. Criticized the lack of a simultaneous constitutional amendment and noted the bill doesn't address the real turnout problem in cities, which saw 61% turnout in 2020 presidential election drop to 23% in 2021 mayoral election.

He opposed the insurance requirements as making occasional rentals unaffordable, particularly the requirement for full property value coverage on homes without mortgages, imposing thousands in annual costs with no benefit to renters.

Argued that the state should prioritize covering the estimated 700,000 legal New Yorkers without health insurance before extending benefits to undocumented individuals. Questioned the legal authority for the waiver under 42 U.S.C. Section 18051 and noted the state recently diverted $7 million in federal Medicaid dollars from counties that should have been passed through.

While wage theft is serious, the bill creates an imbalance in litigation by allowing frivolous or revenge-motivated claims to proceed with asset attachment before judgment. Plaintiffs can attach assets of up to 10 partners with no consequences, potentially tying up innocent owners' property for years in litigation.

Voted in the negative on the measure.

Argued that practice makes perfect and that reducing drills from four to one (a 75% reduction) will make children less safe. Contended that students need repetition to retain emergency procedures, comparing it to how firefighters and first responders train extensively.

The bill is one step in eliminating consumer choice and access to natural gas, dismantling infrastructure to make gas service unprofitable. It falsely claims consumers retain choice while systematically removing alternatives, leading to a darker future.

While agreeing deadly force for purse snatching is excessive, the alternative of allowing criminals to escape scot-free is also problematic. A middle ground is needed where intervention is commensurate with the threat posed.

While supporting the bill's intent to provide first responders with occupant information, Rhoads expressed concern about liability placed on building owners to maintain accurate lists and recommended future amendments to protect owners and require written documentation when residents opt out.

Raised concerns that the bill is inconsistent with the Tenant Protection Act of 2019, which he argued requires all residents including minors to be listed on eviction petitions and served with notice. He stated the two provisions create irreconcilable legal confusion and suggested the HSTPA should be modified instead.

Extensively questioned the eFMAP reduction, noting counties already pay 18% of Medicaid costs ($7.6 billion, more than all other 49 states combined), and that the federal pass-through funds were never the state's money to withhold. Argued the state has a $36 billion surplus and should not shift costs to property taxpayers.

Focused on the message of necessity issue, questioning the purpose of the three-day aging period and noting the bill is different from the Governor's Executive Budget and both houses' one-house proposals. Criticized closed-door negotiations and lack of public transparency, noting the 1,155-page bill was provided with less than 24 hours notice.

Focused on the 340B program restructuring and questioned why safety net hospitals were not included in the extender despite their critical role serving indigent populations. Sought clarification on total federal 340B funding amounts and whether the $9 million adequately addressed provider needs.

Stated the bill is not truly about paying debt service ($3.5 billion) but about prospectively authorizing future borrowing ($15.6 billion) before other budget bills are considered. Criticized the failure to address the $8.1 billion Unemployment Insurance Fund debt and noted the bill ignores obligations being paid by 20 million taxpayers.

Agreed the bill is unconstitutional and highlighted that using the same list for both positions would discourage qualified judges from applying for chief judge if they only wish to serve as associate judges, thereby limiting the Governor's pool of candidates.

Agreed with the bill's basic concept but expressed concern that ambiguities would create confusion for landlords and tenants. Suggested laying the bill aside to work on language clarification before advancing it, and indicated he would vote against the bill in its current form.

Expressed concerns about e-bike battery fire safety in homes, citing 104 fires in New York City last year and 22 fires with 36 injuries and 2 deaths as of February 24th. Also questioned the economics, noting both businesses and individual purchasers could receive $1,100 rebates, potentially costing $2,200 per bike.

While the intent is pure, the bill places onerous burdens on religious practice by requiring state registration of church activities like Vacation Bible School and creates unnecessary obstacles for volunteer organizations providing summer activities for children.

Argued the bill gives the state leeway on vehicle emissions while imposing unrealistic and dangerous restrictions on residents' use of natural gas for heating and cooking, with conversion deadlines that will burden homeowners financially.

He voted against the bill despite supporting its safety concept, arguing the 10-year standard is arbitrary and maintenance-based standards would be more appropriate. He contended the bill will harm small independent operators who must invest tens of thousands in retrofits under previous legislation, making a 10-year useful life economically unfeasible for low-mileage vehicles.

Echoed concerns about short-term residency restrictions, noting that rural communities particularly need flexibility to place loved ones in closing facilities for temporary stays while permanent care is arranged. Argued the bill removes options and lacks clarity, suggesting the underlying bill needs revisiting.

Questioned whether a demonstrated staffing problem exists and whether local boards could simply hire additional staff if needed. Argued the bill represents top-down control that infringes on local decision-making authority without clear justification.

Questioned the discrepancy between NYC's fixed rate and the rest of the state's minimum threshold approach, and raised concerns about whether split-shift workers would receive full daily compensation. Also questioned the projected $17 million cost (potentially $34 million with split shifts) and whether the state would provide funding to counties to cover these expenses.

Questioned why elections commissioners should be treated differently from other appointed officials like district attorneys, and argued the bill creates an unclear precedent without well-defined criteria for misconduct or malfeasance.

Argued this is a solution in search of a problem, noting that boards of elections already have authority to establish additional early-voting locations. Stated there are no documented complaints about access to early voting in his county and questioned whether legitimate security and cost concerns outweigh any discernible benefit.

Stated the bill is flatly unconstitutional as it restricts jurisdiction established by Article VII without amending the Constitution. Argued courts already have tools to handle frivolous litigation through sanctions, and the bill effectively denies access to courts for ordinary citizens while ensuring only political parties can afford to litigate.