At the same meeting where committees questioned Willow Baer, the Senate Finance committee read and moved a series of bills to the floor and confirmed a number of nominees who did not appear in person. Committee members voted on individual bills across public health, education, taxation, environment and retirement law categories and advanced them to the full Senate.

Votes at a glance (committee action = moved to floor unless noted)

- S598 (Hinchey): amend Public Health Law to establish a state corneal degeneration registry — moved to floor (moved by Senator Norella; second recorded).

- F995 (Rolison): amend Elder Law to create a Municipal Senior Center Capital Support Program to aid municipal purchases of senior buses — moved to floor (second recorded by Senator O'Mara).

- S1011 (Brooke): amend Education and Retirement/Social Security laws about membership eligibility in NYS retirement system — motion held earlier but later moved to the floor after members returned.

- S1111: create a single streamlined process to certify combined pre-K and daycare programs — moved to floor (moved by Senator Helbing; second recorded).

- S1222 (Rivera): amend Public Health Law to review early intervention reimbursement adequacy — moved to floor.

- S1480a (Bloom): amend Public Officers Law to permit award of reasonable attorneys’ fees in certain proceedings — moved to floor.

- S1457a (Kavanaugh/Hartgum reading): increase combined household income limits for several property-tax exemptions (local option) — moved to floor.

- S1464 (Hartgum, Packaging Reduction & Recycling Infrastructure Act): bill discussed; committee moved it to the floor after debate and recorded both aye and nay voices in committee.

- Multiple retirement- and benefits-related bills (including changes to beneficiary designation after family-offense convictions, and changes to earning limitations for retired public servants) — moved to the floor following committee votes.

- Confirmations: the committee also confirmed five appearing/nonappearing nominees advanced from the Disabilities committee and six additional nominees (including federal-designated brigadier generals requiring state confirmation). Several senators noted “without recommendation” on unpaid nominees while approving the confirmations that proceed to full Senate consideration.

What the committee record shows

Committee staff read each bill title before members moved or seconded motions and took voice votes. Where members recorded objections or “nay” voices, clerks captured those statements and the record shows the bills were nonetheless reported to the floor. The session concluded after completing the bills list and confirmations.

Ending

The committee adjourned after moving the slate to the floor; bills will appear on the full Senate calendar for further action.