Elvis has left the building! (For Now)

The Legislative Session ended quietly with the Senate gaveling out Thursday evening and the Assembly concluding business early Friday morning. 

The leaders of both houses left open the possibility of returning to Albany to wrap up a couple of items that eluded consensus this week, including the restructuring of MTA leadership proposed by the Governor and subsequent appointments. While there was little drama during the final week, hundreds of bills were moved by each house and more than 100 gubernatorial nominations were confirmed by the senate (see our Legislative News section for more details). Notably absent from the nomination/confirmation process was the selection of chair of the Cannabis Control Board and the four board members, along with the executive director for the Office of Cannabis Management for the state’s newly minted Cannabis program (related media here).

Primaries for local races ranging from the crowded race for New York City Mayor to town and county races take place later this month (June 22) and will now become the focus as members of the legislature head back to their districts.

This issue features highlights from the week, which includes bills passed at the end of session that are impactful to PSLLC clients.

Confirmations – The Senate confirmed a number of nominations this week after they appeared before various committees and finally the Senate Finance Committee.  The list of nominations (ultimately confirmed) that moved through Finance on June 7 – including nominations to the state Court of Appeals, nominations to the Capital District Transportation Authority, the Central NY Regional Transportation Authority, and to the Public Health and Health Planning Council – can be found here.  Related press releases from the Governor can be found here and here.

Volunteer Firefighters – A bill to ensure volunteer firefighters who suffer a vascular rupture will receive death/disability benefits under the Volunteer Firefighter Benefits Law passed both houses of the legislature. The bill was introduced after a north country firefighter died after suffering a rupture responding to a fire and was denied his worker’s compensation claim (media here). See our Legislative News section for bill details.

Rural Ambulance Task Force – The legislature approved a bill (S.3503-C/A.1561-C) last week to establish a task force to study and make recommendations related to ambulance services in rural areas of the state. Media here.

Pharmacy – A range of pharmacy related bills were moved by the legislature in the wanning days of Session including measures related to PBM regulation; access to local pharmacies; and access to pharmacy services.

COVID – As the rate of infection continued to drop this week, the Governor announced the demobilizing of a number of drive through testing sites and announced that once the state achieves a 70 percent vaccination rate, most pandemic related restrictions will be lifted. See our From the Governor section for more pandemic related news.