Assembly approves a string of bills on consent and rules reports; vote tallies recorded

The New York State Assembly on Jan. 20, 2025 approved a series of bills from the calendar and rules reports, adopting measures that amend statutes including the Agriculture and Markets Law, Banking Law, Public Health Law and other statutes. Several members rose to explain their votes on chapter amendments before the measures were adopted.

Bills taken on the floor included Assembly Nos. 414 (Rules Report No. 6), 417 (Rules Report No. 7), 421 (Rules Report No. 8), 440 (Rules Report No. 10), 692 (Rules Report No. 12), 751 (Rules Report No. 13), 843 (Rules Report No. 14) and 914 (Rules Report No. 15). A small number of measures were laid aside (for example, Assembly Nos. 439 and 518 were laid aside). Where recorded, vote tallies were announced on the floor and are listed below.

Assemblymember Walsh offered recorded explanations on multiple chapter amendments. On Assembly No. 417 (a chapter amendment to earlier cannabis-related law), Walsh told colleagues the amendment clarifies that only legally cultivated cannabis is eligible for agricultural assessment and said she would support the chapter amendment as a clarification. On Assembly No. 421 (a chapter amendment affecting the Banking Development District consideration), Walsh said the chapter change replaces a mandatory consideration with a discretionary factor for the superintendent and that the New York Bankers Association withdrew its objection to the bill as a result.

On Assembly No. 914 (a chapter amendment to a maternal-health-related measure), Walsh said she was disappointed that the chapter amendment replaces a convened work group with a commissioner-led evaluation and reporting process, saying the change "cuts the legislature out" of the work-group reporting that the original sponsor proposed; she nevertheless voted in the affirmative.

Votes at a glance (as announced on the floor): - Assembly No. 414 (Rules Report No. 6), enact to amend the Agriculture and Markets Law — adopted (Ayes 143, Noes 0). - Assembly No. 417 (Rules Report No. 7), act to amend the Agriculture and Markets Law (chapter amendment clarifying ag assessment for legally cultivated cannabis) — adopted (Ayes 134, Noes 10). Explanation given by Assemblymember Walsh. - Assembly No. 421 (Rules Report No. 8), act to amend the Banking Law (chapter amendment changing mandatory consideration to discretionary factor) — adopted (Ayes 144, Noes 1). Explanation given by Assemblymember Walsh. - Assembly No. 440 (Rules Report No. 10), act to amend the General Business Law — adopted (Ayes 145, Noes 0). Explanation on the floor by sponsor (De Los Santos) cited public-safety and family protections. - Assembly No. 692 (Rules Report No. 12), act to amend the Public Health Law — adopted (Ayes 146, Noes 0). - Assembly No. 751 (Rules Report No. 13), act amending a chapter of the laws of 2024 — adopted (Ayes 146, Noes 0). - Assembly No. 843 (Rules Report No. 14), act to amend the General Business Law — adopted (Ayes 146, Noes 0). - Assembly No. 914 (Rules Report No. 15), act to amend the Public Health Law (chapter amendment discussed by Assemblymember Walsh) — adopted (Ayes 147, Noes 0).

Several bills were placed on the floor calendar and either laid aside or held for further consideration; the transcript indicates Assembly Nos. 439 and 518 were laid aside. After the roll calls and explanations, the Assembly proceeded to additional committee calls and resolutions.