Senate passes broad slate of bills, including animal-welfare and public-health measures

The New York State Senate moved through a lengthy third-reading calendar on May 4, approving a broad slate of bills across areas including environmental conservation, public health, corrections, criminal procedure, labor and agriculture. Multiple recorded roll calls showed unanimous or near-unanimous passage on many items, and several measures drew significant negative votes.

Notable floor actions included:

- Calendar 273 (Senate Print 3158, sponsor: Sen. Skoufis): An amendment to the Penal Law was called and passed on the floor by a recorded roll call of 61-1, with Sen. Brisport recorded as voting in the negative.

- Calendar 377 (Sen. Stec, Senate Print 2646): An act to amend the Executive Law was passed (Ayes 62).

- Calendar 379 (Assembly 5850 / Assemblymember Glick; substituted Senate bill 3629A): An act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law (effective Dec. 31, 2026) passed 54-8. Sen. Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, explaining her affirmative vote, said the measure is “a crucial step in making New York State free of animal cruelty” and described the bill as intended to rein in exploitation of wild animals in traveling shows. Recorded negative votes were cast by Sens. Borrello, Gallivan, Griffo, Lanza, Ortt, Stec, Walczyk and Oberacker.

- Calendar 380 (Sen. Sepúlveda, Senate Print 5014): An amendment to the Environmental Conservation Law passed 55-7.

- Calendar 514 (Sen. Hinchey, Senate Print 1784): A bill concerning pets and housing procedures was passed (Ayes 62). Sen. Hinchey explained the measure’s purpose, saying landlords sometimes find animals left behind and the bill would clarify procedures to ensure animals are not abandoned; she said local humane societies estimate many animals are left behind when properties are vacated.

- Calendar 591 (Sen. Salazar, Senate Print 1048): An amendment to the Correction Law passed 44-18; the transcript records a long list of senators voting in the negative on this measure.

- Calendar 840 (Sen. Rivera, Senate Print 428A): A public health–related measure passed with a 42-20 recorded vote; the transcript lists numerous negative votes.

Several other bills passed unanimously or by large margins (examples: Calendar 511/197 Ayes 60–2, Calendar 5134 Ayes 62, Calendar 515/3026 Ayes 62, Calendar 655/2596 Ayes 62, Calendar 705/9207 Ayes 59–3, Calendar 717/8733 Ayes 62, Calendar 786/3073A Ayes 62). The Secretary read each bill’s title and the Senate called the roll; where members offered brief floor explanations (for example, Sen. Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick on animal-welfare measures and Sen. Hinchey on pets left behind), those remarks were recorded prior to votes.

What this means: The Senate’s action moved multiple bills forward toward becoming law (subject to enactment processes and any required gubernatorial action). Effective dates vary by bill (many included 90th or 180th day effective clauses, some immediate), as read on the floor.

The session concluded with the Senate completing its reading of the day’s calendar and adjourning until May 6.

Votes at a glance (selected roll-call results from the transcript): - Calendar 273 (3158): Passed 61–1 (Nay: Sen. Brisport). - Calendar 377 (2646): Passed Ayes 62. - Calendar 379 (Assembly 5850 / Senate 3629A): Passed 54–8 (Nays listed in transcript: Borrello, Gallivan, Griffo, Lanza, Ortt, Stec, Walczyk, Oberacker). - Calendar 380 (5014): Passed 55–7 (Nays listed in transcript). - Calendar 511 (197): Passed 60–2 (Nays: Brisport, Salazar). - Calendar 591 (1048): Passed 44–18 (Nays listed in transcript). - Calendar 705 (9207): Passed 59–3 (Nays: Ortt, Rhoads, Walczyk). - Calendar 840 (428A): Passed 42–20 (Nays listed in transcript).

All vote tallies and negative-vote lists are taken from the Senate roll calls as read into the record during the May 4 session.