With a focus on public safety, protecting the environment and ensuring the well-being of residents statewide, I am proud to say that the recently completed Senate session was my most productive since taking office in 2019.
The Senate approved 62 of my bills, the full State Legislature approved 31, three have been signed into law already and one was included in the enacted FY2024 State Budget.
I expect more executive approvals of some of my bills are forthcoming.
During this Senate session we worked together to solve problems and made progress on so many important issues. Like:
Getting serious about roadway repair S.4531A, which was ultimately included in the state budget, authorizes DOT to conduct a $3 million study of Routes 35 and 202 from the Hudson River to the Connecticut border.
Helping first responders, S.1176 and S.1180 make permanent benefits for volunteer firefighters with lung and heart disabilities. Important other public safety bills received praise from family advocates, like S.2102 requiring police officers to take temporary custody of firearms when responding to reports of family violence
As chair of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee, I had 16 bills that passed in the Senate, including eight that now await the Governor’s signature, like:
- 1725A Protects Class C streams and fragile drinking water supplies
- 6604 Exempts geothermal boreholes at depths beyond five hundred feet requirements
- 3365 Requires disclosure of insurance information from pipeline developers
Important bills to protect the environment that await approval in Assembly include:
- 6893 Prohibits the discharge of radioactive wastewater into the Hudson River
- 2994A Prohibits fuel oil, grade four in any building or facility in the state after July 2026
In addition, both houses approved S.2099C—Matthew’s Law—making fentanyl test kits, a critical harm reduction tool for preventing overdoses, available in pharmacies.
There is more work ahead for all of us!
Thank you.
