Albany Legislative Update - March 18, 2023

FLOOR NEWS

Resolution on Videoconferencing

• The Assembly adopted a resolution (C.162) that allows members of the New York State Assembly and Senate to use videoconferencing when, due to extraordinary circumstances, they are unable to attend certain legislative proceedings in person.

One-House Budget Resolution

• Despite unanimous Republican opposition, the Assembly Majority passed its $232.9 billion One-House Budget Resolution (E.190) on 3/16 (vote: 96- 47).

• The Senate also passed its One-House Budget Resolution (R.555) on 3/16.

Sunshine Week

• The Assembly passed the following transparency-related bills:

• A.1628 – Requires that all real estate leases entered into by the State with a limited liability corporation (LLC) identify all natural persons who are officers, members, directors, managers, shareholders, and partners in that LLC (vote: 100-46).

• A.2873-A – Requires reporting of cryptocurrency holdings on the annual statement of financial disclosure by public officers (vote: 117-29).

• A.4453 – Waives the ability of government agencies in New York to claim certain copyright protections (vote: 98-48).

State Zero-Emission Vehicle Fleet Plans and Targets

• The Assembly and Senate passed a bill (A.993) enacting a chapter amendment to Chapter 789 of the Laws of 2022, which imposed six benchmarks for the purchase or lease of State agency or public authority vehicles under the State Clean-Fueled Vehicle Program. This chapter amendment repeals much of Chapter 789, and instead directs each State agency to prepare its own plan, along the lines of these benchmarks: December 31, 2023 (light-duty, non-emergency vehicles); December 31, 2025 (medium- or heavy-duty vehicles); December 31, 2035 (the conversion of light-duty, non-emergency vehicles to zero-emission); and December 31, 2040 (if feasible, for the conversion of said medium- and heavy-duty vehicles) (vote: 102-43).

COMMITTEE NEWS

Mental Health

• The Mental Health Committee reported a bill (A.793) requiring the Commissioner of Mental Health to establish a training program for mental health providers and clinicians regarding the diagnosis and treatment of military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. This bill was reported to Ways and Means.

People with Disabilities

• The People with Disabilities Committee reported a bill (A.1200) establishing an 11-member People with Disabilities Access to Programs Commission to study and make recommendations for new State laws that streamline eligibility requirements and processes for programs and services that assist people with disabilities. This bill was reported to Ways and Means.

Environmental Conservation

The Environmental Conservation Committee reported the following bills:

• A.3226 – Enacts the “Birds and Bees Protection Act.” Prohibits any person, beginning January 1, 2026, from selling, offering for sale, or distributing within the State any corn, soybean, or wheat seeds coated or treated with pesticides with the active ingredients clothianidin, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, dinotefuran, or acetamiprid (commonly referred to as neonicotinoid insecticides).This bill was reported to Codes.

• A.3969 – Bans the sale of beverage containers connected to each other by a separate holding device constructed of plastic (popularly known as six-pack rings).This bill was reported to the Floor.

Social Services

• Despite unanimous Republican opposition, the Social Services Committee reported a bill (A.3539) which would eliminate all asset limits for calculating benefits under any public assistance program. This bill was reported to Ways and Means.

Governmental Operations

• Despite unanimous Republican opposition, the Governmental Operations Committee reported a bill (A.4157) that directs the Municipal Police Training Council to develop and disseminate a minimum standards policy governing the use of Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPRs).This bill was reported to the Floor.

Codes

Despite unanimous Republican opposition, the Codes Committee reported the following bills:

• A.3978 – Prohibits law enforcement from engaging in racial or ethnic profiling.

• A.5074 – Requires the court, as it relates to Judicial Diversion Program participation, to inquire, on the record, whether an eligible defendant mandated to attend a substance abuse treatment program has an objection to any religious element of that program (e.g. Alcoholics Anonymous). Directs the court to identify an alternative program if the defendant objects. This bill is identical to the 2022 bill vetoed by Governor Hochul due to the overly rigid burden it would place on courts and judges. Both bills were reported to the Floor.