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Senator Bruno speaks to reporters regarding the 2003 Legislative Session. |
Friday, June 20, 2003
2003-04 STATE BUDGET
Fiscal Overview
* The Legislature's enacted budget includes $92.8 billion in All Funds spending, an increase of 2.1 percent from State Fiscal Year 2002-03. The increase in All Funds spending is lower than the rate of inflation of 2.4 percent.
* The enacted budget includes $1.9 billion in General Fund restorations.
* Total General Fund spending in the enacted budget equals $39.4 billion, which represents a reduction of $101 million from the previous fiscal year.
* The Legislature reduces its own budget by $6 million.
* While the enacted budget includes spending restorations, it also implements $2.1 billion in spending reductions proposed by the Executive.
Education
* The enacted budget restores $1.1 billion in school aid -- the largest legislative addition to an Executive Budget school aid proposal in history-- for a total of $14.4 billion in General Support for Public Schools.
* The local aid restoration helps school districts reduce proposed property tax increases and ensure the best possible education for our children and provides the resources teachers need to be effective.
* The enacted budget restores funds for Teacher Centers, Teacher Support Aid, Universal Pre-K, BOCES Aid, Transportation Aid, Building Aid and Operating Aid.
* The Legislature denies a proposal to cap STAR, which would have cost local property taxpayers $93 million.
Higher Education
* The budget restores $410 million in aid to higher education. The restorations will save families and college students $138 million compared to the Executive Budget.
* The Legislature reduces the proposed $1200 SUNY tuition increase to $950, putting $250 back into students� pockets.
* Restorations includes:
> $262 million to fully restore funding for the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) to help low and middle income students afford a higher education;
> $18.7 million in BUNDY Aid to offset the costs at private colleges and universities; and
> $74 million in Community College Base Aid to help keep the cost of a community college education affordable.
Health
* The budget adopted by the Legislature includes more than $1 billion in health care restorations which will help to support hospitals, nursing homes and home care services and ensure that New Yorkers continue to have access to quality health care in their communities.
* In the adopted budget, the Legislature:
provides for a total restoration of the proposed reductions to nursing homes, resulting in a $394 savings for the nursing home industry;
reduces the Gross Receipts Tax on nursing homes by one percent for an additional $45 million in industry savings and provided for a complete phase out of this tax over the next two years;
restores proposed Medicaid reductions to the hospital industry, and rejected a proposed Gross Receipts Tax on hospitals for a total savings to the hospital industry of $555 million;
restores proposed Medicaid reductions to the Home Care industry and rejected a proposed Gross Receipts Tax on Home Care services, for a total savings of $55.6 million to the home care industry.
Mental Hygiene
* The Legislature's restorations include $30.3 million for the Mental Hygiene System, maintaining State psychiatric centers in Elmira, Syracuse, and Middletown, and maintaining funding for the Nathan Kline Institute in Rockland County and the Institute for Basic Research in Staten Island.
Transportation
* The budget fully restores funding for the five-year highway and bridge plan, including $100 million in highway and bridge letting level funds and $37 million in associated engineering costs to continue.
* The restorations for transportation will help ensure that proposed road and highway rehabilitation projects will be able to go forward.
* The budget provides an additional $34.9 million for the Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) for total funding of $276.6 million, which is aid to local governments for their highway and road projects.
Miscellaneous
* The enacted budget appropriates $125 million for the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF).
* The Legislature's enacted budget includes $100 million in Capital Projects Funds for expedited deployment funding of enhanced wireless 911 service costs associated with local wireless public safety answering points. This funding will enable localities to accelerate their plans to create tracking systems that would be able to pinpoint the location of emergency calls from cell phones.
* The Legislature restores $200,000 for the "Road to Recovery" program, a Senate initiative that provides for increased drug and alcohol rehabilitation services as an alternative to incarceration.
* The enacted budget provides $17 million in new revenue sharing funds for counties that can be used to offset costs of local programs and help keep property taxes under control.
Taxes
* Almost $200 million in tax cuts scheduled to be phased in for SFY 2003-04 go forward, including:
> elimination of the Marriage Penalty, which will save married couples filing jointly $11 million;
> expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit, which will provide $15 million to low income working families; and
> College Tuition Deduction Program, which allows families and students to deduct tuition expenses, saving them $14 million.
* The quarter percent sales tax increase included in the budget expires in two years; it will cost about $24 per person, per year.
* The PIT surcharge on the wealthiest New Yorkers phases down and expires in three years. Of 19 million New York residents, only about 400,000 taxpayers will pay the PIT surcharge.
Miscellaneous
* The budget appropriates $125 million for the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF).
* $100 million for the expedited deployment of enhanced wireless 911 services, which will enable local governments to improve emergency communication technologies in order to pinpoint the exact location of someone calling 911 from a cell phone and save lives.
* The budget restores $200,000 for the "Road to Recovery" program, a Senate initiative that provides for increased drug and alcohol rehabilitation services as an alternative to incarceration.
* The budget provides $17 million in new revenue sharing funds for counties that can be used to offset costs of local programs and help keep property taxes under control.
Budget Reform
The Budget Reform Act of 2003 (S.1 & S.2) were the very first pieces of legislation acted on by the Senate this session. The bills represent a sweeping budget reform plan that calls for reshaping every aspect of the state's budget-making process in order to ensure that a budget is passed on time. The plan includes: shifting the start of the state fiscal year to May 1; early submission of the Executive Budget and public submission of agency budget requests; providing for a binding revenue forecast; and imposing a default budget as a back-up to ensure a spending plan is in place by the deadline. The default budget would be a continuation of the previous year�s budget, along with flexibility to make adjustments should revenues be forecast at a lower level than the previous year.
AGING
Grandparents Rights
The Legislature approved a measure that would provide grandparents with standing in custody proceedings involving their grandchildren when the parent and child have been separate for at least 24 consecutive months and the child resides in their grandparent�s household. (S.4224, Passed Both Houses, Sen. Stephen Saland, R-C, Poughkeepsie)
CONSUMER PROTECTION
Fighting Spam
The Senate passed the most comprehensive package of legislation in the country to fight unwanted computer e-mails known as "Spam." The Senate�s legislative package includes provisions that would: ban deceptive spam that evades spam filters; enable people to unsubscribe from spam e-mail lists and place their name on a Do Not Spam registry; allow people to disable web site �pop-up� ads; ban spam sent to cellular phones; require the flagging of spam e-mails with sexual content; fight the cyber-squatting of web site domain names; and provide for the enforcement of web site privacy policies. (S.5155, Sen. Joseph Robach, R, Rochester; S.1680 & S.4511, Sen. Mary Lou Rath, R-C, Williamsville; S.5154, Sen. Elizabeth Little, R-C, Queensbury; S.600A, Sen. Kemp Hannon, R-C, Garden City)
Banning Ephedra
The Senate passed legislation to ban over-the-counter sales of ephedra, an herbal dietary supplement sold as a weight-loss aid and muscle-builder that has been linked to at least 100 deaths, including a 20 year old Northport man and a 37 year old Huntington woman who both died after consuming a diet supplement that contained ephedra. (S.3294B, Passed Both Houses, Sen. Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., R-C, Merrick)
Motorcycle Lemon Law
The Senate passed legislation that would extend the Lemon Law to cover motorcycles and continue to protect New York�s consumers from fraud. (S. 4500, Passed Both Houses, Sen. John (Randy) Kuhl, R-C, Hammondsport)
Auto Leasing
The Senate passed legislation to reform antiquated state laws to prevent consumers from being socked with additional costs for leasing vehicles and to assure that consumers will be able to lease vehicles in New York in the future. Under current law, leasing companies can be held liable for unlimited monetary damages caused by the negligent actions of drivers. This legislation would eliminate the liability for leasing companies, as most other states do, in recognition of the fact that the leasing company has no control of either the vehicle or the driver of the vehicle. (S.397A, Sen. Owen H. Johnson, R-C, Babylon)
CRIME
Video Voyeurism
The Legislature passed a bill that would make video voyeurism a crime. "Stephanie�s Law" creates criminal penalties for those who would use a mechanical, digital or electronic device to capture visual images of another person in a place where that person has a reasonable expectation of privacy and has not given his or her consent. There is currently no clear criminal penalty for such activity. (S.3060B, Sen. Carl Marcellino, R-C, Syosset, Passed Both Houses, Delivered to the Governor)
Penny�s Law
The Senate gave final legislative approval to "Penny�s Law," which toughens penalties against juvenile offenders convicted of second degree murder. "Penny's Law" is named in memory of Salamanca resident Penny Brown, a 39 year-old mother, wife and nurse who was brutally raped and murdered on Mother's Day in 1999 while jogging with her two dogs. Her killer, a 15 year old neighbor, though tried and convicted as an adult, was sentenced as a juvenile to just nine years in prison, the maximum sentence available under current law. The bill increases the penalty for juvenile offenders ages 14 and 15 convicted of second degree murder to 7 � years to 15 years instead of the current five to nine years. (S.3230A, Passed Both Houses, Sen. Patricia McGee, R-C, Franklinville)
Auto Insurance Fraud
In an effort to combat the growing problem of auto insurance fraud and reduce premiums, the Senate passed a comprehensive package of bills that includes tougher penalties against scam artists, more time to challenge potentially fraudulent insurance claims, greater antifraud enforcement, and measures to ensure that consumers receive a savings as a result of the fraud crackdown. (S.683, Sen. Jim Seward, R-C-I, Oneonta; and S.555, Sen. Dean Skelos, R-C, Rockville Centre).
The Senate also passed legislation to extend important insurance laws that help stabilize auto insurance rates for consumers that expired in August of 2001. (S.632, Sen. Jim Seward, R-C-I, Oneonta).
Rockefeller Drug Law Reform
The Senate passed a bill that would restructure sentencing for all class A felony drug offenders sentenced under the Rockefeller Drug Laws. Currently, an individual could be sentenced to a minimum of 15 years to life and up to 25 years to life. This bill would reduce that to a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of 20 years. With merit and good time eligibility included in this legislation, a first time offender could serve less than 10 years. Sentences for first-time A-II offenders would range from 3 to 14 years, and sentences for felony drug offenders with a prior nonviolent felony conviction would be lowered to a minimum of 12 years. (S.1441, Sen. Dale Volker, R-C, DePew).
Anti-Terrorism
The Senate approved five bills that would give New York the toughest, most comprehensive anti-terrorism laws in the nation, including bills that would fight agri-terrorism, bio-terrorism and cyber-terrorism. The bills would:
> Create new anti-terrorism crimes, strengthen the authority of law enforcement officials to investigate and prosecute terrorists, and severely punish the possession and use of chemical or biological weapons. (S.3, Sen. Michael Balboni, R-C, Mineola)
> Create the crime of cyber-terrorism, making it a class B felony to help prevent damage by launching "denial of service" attacks on local, state, and federal computer networks. (S.1627, Sen. Balboni)
>
Help protect the agricultural industry and preserve the integrity of New York State�s food production industry and food supply chain by creating the new crime of agri-terrorism. (S.180, Sen. Nancy Larraine Hoffmann, R, Syracuse)> Create the crime of placing a false hazardous substance; and a bill that would permit municipalities, schools, fire and ambulance companies and other public entities to seek restitution for response costs from any person convicted of falsely reporting an incident or placing a false bomb or hazardous substance. (S.1711, S.1712, Sen. Mary Lou Rath, R-C, Williamsville)
Life Without Parole
The Senate passed legislation to authorize the imposition of a sentence of life imprisonment without parole for persistent violent felony offenders. The measure would affect defendants who have committed three or more violent felonies within ten years (S. 554, Sen. Dean Skelos, R-C, Rockville Centre).
Sexual Assault Reform
The Senate passed legislation to toughen the state�s sexual assault laws. The reform package includes tougher penalties against repeat sexual offenders and extends protections to additional victims of sexual assault crimes. The bills would:
> Punish repeat sexual offenders by mandating consecutive sentences for any act of first degree rape. Current law does not mandate consecutive sentences for each separate rape conviction (S.1055, Sen. Dean Skelos, R-C, Rockville Centre).
> Increase the term of probation for a class B misdemeanor sexual assault from 1 year to 3 years (S.1433, Sen. Dean Skelos, R-C, Rockville Centre).
> Reform procedures for the admissibility of evidence of prior sexual assault crimes and enable prosecutors to appeal unreasonably low bail for someone charged with a sex assault crime (S.1384, Sen. Dale M. Volker, R-C, DePew).
Parole Violation
The Senate passed legislation that would require parole violators to serve the maximum sentence for the original felony, and at least the minimum sentence for the subsequent felony (S.1034, Sen. Thomas P. Morahan, R, New City).
Crime Victims Statements
The Senate passed a bill that would expand the number of family members who may speak at the sentencing of the defendant. It would also include the victim�s spouse as among the family members permitted to speak at the sentencing as well as allow a picture of the victim to be shown during opening and closing arguments (S.243, Sen. Dale Volker, R-C, DePew).
Sexual Abuse Reporting
The Senate passed legislation, would make all members of the clergy mandated child abuse reporters. Presently, mandated reporters are only required to report suspected child abuse by a parent or person legally responsible for a child to the New York State Central Register. Additionally, this legislation requires that when a mandated reporter suspects that a child is being abused by a person in a position of trust they must contact law enforcement directly. A person in a position of trust is an adult, who by reason of authority or perceived authority over a child, is able to exercise undue influence over a victim. Examples of a person in a position of trust include coaches, counselors, doctors, baby-sitters, or a member of the clergy. (S.2947, Sen. Stephen M. Saland, R-C, Poughkeepsie)
Sex Offender Registry
The Senate passed a package of bills that protects children from sexual predators byreforming the sex offender registry and ensures that registry information is updated and accurate to promote greater public awareness of convicted sex offenders. One bill would require registered sex offenders to have a new photograph taken each year and to have that photograph included in their sex offender registration, another makes any failure to appear for an updated photograph a violation of the Sex Offender Registration Act. (S.3925, S.4007, Sen. Dean Skelos, R-C, Rockville Centre)
The Senate also passed four bills sponsored by Senator Skelos that: ensures all persons convicted of sex offenses in federal and other state courts will continue to be registered as sex offenders upon establishing a residence in New York (S.4168); requires sex offenders to annually return a verification form to the Division of Criminal Justice Services within 10 calendar days of receipt (S.4455); include persons who have plead guilty or who have had verdicts entered against them of not responsible by reason of mental disease within the provisions of the sex offender registration (S.4835) and would increase the penalty for failing to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registry Act from a class �A� misdemeanor to a class �D� felony (S.1016).
The Senate also passed a measure that would require renters or buyers of real property to be given a notice informing them of the existence of the New York Sex Offender Registry. (S.3580, Sen. John J. Flanagan, R-C, East Northport).
In addition, the Senate passed two bills sponsored by Senator Flanagan that require the inclusion of a Level 3 offender�s exact name and alias in law enforcement's notification to the public (S.3587); and require any person charged as a sex offender and found not responsible by reason of mental disease or disorder to comply with the provisions of the Sex Offender Registry (S.4771).
The Senate passed three bills sponsored by Senator James Alesi (R-C, Perinton) that: adds a new section to Megan�s Law making it a class �E� felony to offer false information regarding identity or residence when registering as a sex offender (S.120); makes it a class �A�
misdemeanor to falsely identify someone as a sex offender or to distribute such information independent of an authorized agency (S.948, Passed Both Houses); and bars sex offenders from participating in community services programs managed by state correctional institutions (S.949).
Unborn Victims of Violence
The Senate passed legislation which would treat the killing of an unborn child as a form of homicide. The legislation is very similar to the California law that was used to charge Scott Peterson with Capital Murder for the deaths of his wife, Laci Peterson, and their unborn son, in a case that has drawn national attention. (S.403, Sen. Serphin Maltese, R-C, Queens)
Sports Rage
The Senate passed legislation raising the penalty for acts of "sports rage," defined as an intentional physical assault committed by a spectator, or non-participant, at an athletic event against a player, coach or official. Under existing State law, such an act would be subject to a class A misdemeanor�punishable by up to one year in jail. As passed by the Senate, the offense would be elevated to a class E felony, thereby raising the maximum penalty to four years in prison. (S. 3344A, Sen. Dean G. Skelos, R-C, Rockville Centre)
Sexual Predators
The Senate approved the most comprehensive package of legislation in the country to combat child sex crimes, including an across-the-board increase in criminal penalties; making it easier for law enforcement to prosecute offenders who prey on children over the Internet; and coordinating health and safety education efforts to increase public awareness and prevention of child sex abuse. The package included bills that would:
>Expand laws to target Internet pedophiles by expanding the existing offenses of promoting and possessing obscene and sexual performances by a child. Under current law, a person is prosecuted for the same charge whether they possess one obscene image or one thousand. This bill increases penalties for those who possess or promote numerous obscene and sexual performances by a child.
> Enhance penalties for those who disseminate or exhibit pornographic images to a child.
> Permit prosecution of these offenders through use of undercover "sting" operations where police pose as a minor. Current law says it is only a crime to solicit a minor. This bill would expand the definition to apply to someone the online predator thinks is a minor, which will ensure stronger prosecution of online sex offenders caught through sting operations.
> Amend the Civil Rights Law to permit child victims of these offenses to have their identities remain confidential. (S.5280, Sen.Michael Balboni, R-C, Mineola)
Other bills in this package would:
> Close a loophole that can impede the prosecution of Internet predators by allowing the admission of business records, such as information related to the owner of an Internet account, into evidence in grand jury proceedings by way of a sworn affidavit instead of live testimony. (S.2945, Sen. Dale Volker, R-C-I, Depew)
> Raise by one level, the current penalties prescribed for rape second and third degree, sodomy second and third degree, forcible touching, persistent sexual abuse, sexual abuse first, second and third degree, course of sexual conduct against a child second degree and facilitating a sex offense with a controlled substance. In addition, The bill also designates as violent felony offenses any sex offense involving a child victim, thereby assuring persons convicted of these offenses will be sentenced to prison, and that they will serve a determinate term of imprisonment rather then an indeterminate term of imprisonment. This will guarantee that child sex offenders serve longer sentences in prison; it also modifies provisions of the Sexual Offender Registration Act to require that persons convicted of sex offenses against children shall be deemed to have committed a sexually violent offense requiring lifetime registration, rather than the current 10 year registration. (S.5278, Sen. Nicholas Spano, R-C, Westchester)
> Would increase current penalties for patronizing child prostitutes; increase the penalty for the current offense of permitting prostitution and establish a new class E felony for permitting prostitution involving children. This bill would also guarantee that people convicted of a child prostitution offense must serve a longer, determinate sentence and have a lifetime listing on the sex offender registry. (S.5279, Sen. Martin Golden, R-C, Brooklyn)
In addition to this package of legislation, the Senate has already acted this year on the following legislation related to fighting child sexual abuse:
> Makes provisions with respect to sexual assault against a child by a person in a position of trust. (S.550, Sen. Dean Skelos, R-C Rockville Centre)
> Increases the penalties for sexual performances by a child and provides for consecutive sentencing upon certain multiple convictions. (S.512-A, Sen. Michael Balboni, R-C, Mineola)
> Requires the district attorney to notify the local child protective agency upon the conviction of any person at least 18 years of age for a crime against a child under the age of sixteen. (S.3183, Sen. Guy Velella, R-C, Bronx/Westchester)
Driving While Intoxicated
The Senate approved the following bills related to DWI:
> Limit Plea Bargaining -- Under current law, offenders may continually plead to driving while ability impaired (DWAI) from a DWI charge, and to non-alcohol related offenses from a DWAI charge. For example, an individual previously charged with DWAI, but who was allowed to plead guilty to a non-alcohol related charge, will at present not be identified or punished as a repeat offender upon re-arrest. This bill closes existing "loopholes" in the law by precluding plea bargaining from DWI to DWAI, and from DWAI to a non-alcohol offense, for offenders with a previous DWI or DWAI conviction within 10 years. (S.495, Sen. Owen Johnson, R-C, Babylon)
> Require School Bus Drivers Involved In Accidents to Submit to Breath Tests - Current law requires an operator of a motor vehicle involved in an accident to, at the request of a police officer, submit to a breath screening test to determine whether or not he or she has consumed alcohol. The police officer therefore has discretion in deciding whether a test should be administered. This bill requires every operator of a school bus, which is involved in an accident where there is death or personal injury, to submit to a breath test to determine the alcohol content of his or her blood. If the breath test indicates alcohol, the operator shall then be requested to submit to a chemical test for alcohol. (S.2860A, Sen. Patricia McGee, R-C, Franklinville)
> Increase License Revocation -- Current law requires an operator's license to be suspended for six months for a refusal to take a chemical test and one year where the operator has a prior refusal or prior conviction of an alcohol related driving offense. This bill increases the minimum length a driver's license can be revoked for refusal to submit to a chemical test, from six months to one year for a first offense. Additionally, the bill extends the minimum revocation period, from one year to eighteen months, in any case where the person has had a prior revocation resulting from refusal to submit to a chemical test, or has been convicted of or found to be in violation of driving while intoxicated or driving while the ability is impaired by alcohol or drugs within the 5 years immediately proceeding the date of such revocation. (S.45, Sen. Alesi, R-C, Perinton)
> Increase Penalties For Chemical Test Refusal -- Under the existing law, there is a period where an offender under 21 years of age, or a commercial vehicle operator, can refuse to submit to a chemical test. This bill would increase penalties for refusal to submit to a chemical test when one is requested. It would also require that a copy of the report submitted to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles on any tests conducted for alcohol or drug presence on bodies of victims of traffic accidents be submitted to the county coordinator of the special traffic options program. (S.3518, Sen. Patricia McGee, R-C, Franklinville)
> Expand the Definition of "Drug" -- Current law only prohibits driving while ability impaired by drugs listed in drug schedules contained in Public Health Law, including illegal and prescription drugs. This bill) would expand the definition of "drug" to include glue sniffing, aerosol inhalation, or the inhalation of any toxic vapor. (S.2859, Sen. Patricia McGee, R-C, Franklinville)
> Lower BAC Level For Commercial Drivers -- Current law prohibits any person from operating a commercial motor vehicle with more than .07% but less than .10% blood alcohol content (BAC). The bill would reduce the lower level of the range to .06%, thereby making it illegal to operate a commercial motor vehicle with more than .06% but less than .10% BAC. The bill also would make a necessary technical adjustment to reduce the upper level of the range for such a violation to .06% (currently the range is .04% to not more than .07%). (S.4992, Passed Both Houses, Sen. Martin Golden, R-C, Brooklyn)
> Expand Requirement of Mandatory Imprisonment/Community Service -- This bill would expand the requirement of mandatory imprisonment or community service for repeat convictions of driving while intoxicated, driving while impaired by drugs and commercial vehicle alcohol offenses. The bill also increases the period of revocation of an operator's license and registration to two years for the first repeat conviction within 10 years, and four years for the second and subsequent convictions within such period of time. In addition, during any period of license revocation, the registration of each motor vehicle owned by such a person shall be revoked. (S.4987, Sen. George D. Maziarz, R-C, North Tonawanda)
> Felony Crimes of Aggravated Vehicular Assault & Vehicular Murder --This bill would include aggravated vehicular assault and vehicular murder to the list of felony offenses for driving while intoxicated, as well as increase the fine from $1000 to no less than $2500. Also, a person convicted of DWI, DWAI-drugs or DWAI by a combination of drugs and alcohol after having been convicted twice of DWI, or of vehicular assault or vehicular manslaughter, or vehicular murder within the previous ten years shall be punished by a fine of not less than $5000, rather than the current minimum fine of $2000. (S.4988, Sen. Charles Fuschillo R-C, Merrick)
> Create Crimes of Aggravated Vehicular Assault and Vehicular Murder -- This bill would establish the new crime of "Aggravated Vehicular Assault." A person is guilty of this crime when a person recklessly causes serious physical injury to another person while operating a motor vehicle, vessel or public vessel, snowmobile or all terrain vehicle while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs. Aggravated vehicular assault would be a class C felony. In addition, this bill would establish the new crime of "Vehicular Murder." A person is guilty of this crime when a person recklessly causes the death of another person while operating a motor vehicle, vessel or public vessel, snowmobile or all terrain vehicle while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs. Vehicular murder would be a class B felony. (S.4989, Sen. Joseph Robach, R, Rochester)
> DWI for Snowmobiles and Recreational Vessels -- The Senate passed legislation that would lower the BAC threshold to .08 for operating a snowmobile while intoxicated on any New York State street or highway, or upon public trails or lands; (S.4991-A, Sen. George Maziarz, R-C, North Tonawanda) and a bill that would lower the BAC threshold from .10 to .08 for operating a recreational vessel in the waters of New York State while intoxicated. (S.4990-B, Passed Both Houses, Sen. John Flanagan, R-C, Northport)
Underage Drinking
The Senate approved a package of legislation that combats underage drinking by increasing penalties on underage drinkers and restricting their access to alcohol, and also toughens sanctions for the crime of hazing.
The package of bills includes:
> Tougher Penalties for the Crime of Hazing -- Toughens criminal sanctions for the crime of hazing in the first and second degrees and creates the new offense of hazing in the third degree. Under current law, hazing in the first degree is a class �A� misdemeanor while hazing in the second degree is merely a violation. This bill would elevate hazing in the first degree, where the hazing causes serious injury or death, to a class �D� felony and would make second degree hazing, where the hazing results in physical injury, a class �E� felony. The new offense of third degree hazing, covering situations where no physical injury results, would become a class �A� misdemeanor. (S.5158, Sen. Elizabeth Little, R-C, Queensbury).
> Measures to combat underage drinking -- Requires beer kegs to be clearly marked with an identification label or tag, allowing law enforcement to track down the purchaser of kegs found at underage parties. Any person in possession of a keg without a label or tag faces a fine of up to $400. The Keg Registration Bill would also require a $75 keg registration deposit in addition to the current price of the keg. If the keg is returned with the keg label or tag intact and not damaged, then the deposit is returned to the purchaser. If the keg label or tag is missing or damaged, then the purchaser forfeits the registration deposit. (S.2963-B, Sen. Patricia McGee, R-C, Franklinville)
The Senate also passed bills related to underage drinking that would:
> Allow a court to suspend the license of a person who buys alcoholic beverages for a person under the age of 21 for six months for the first violation, or one year for a second or subsequent violation. (S.5460, Sen. Martin Golden R-C, Brooklyn)
> Increase the length of suspension of a driver's license for a person who illegally purchases or attempts to illegally purchase an alcoholic beverage from 3 months to 6 months for the first offense and increase the suspension from six months to one year for a second or subsequent violation. (S.5461, Sen. Joseph Robach, R, Rochester)
-- Increase fines and suspend the driver's license of an individual under the age of 21 who unlawfully possesses alcohol with the intent to consume. (S.5327, Sen. Nicholas Spano, R-C, Westchester)
-- Extend to 2006 the current provisions which allow a premises licensed to sell alcoholic beverages to use a scanner in order to check the validity of a person�s age on an ID. (S.5342, Sen. James Wright, R-C-I, Watertown)
-- Create the crime of unlawfully providing a child with large quantities of alcohol and makes that offense a class �E� felony. (S.2580, Sen. Thomas Libous, R-C, Binghamton).
-- Impose driver�s license suspensions upon persons under the age of 21 years who fail to pay fines for the unlawful possession of an alcoholic beverage with the intent to consume. (S.1467, Sen. John (Randy) Kuhl, Jr., R-C, Hammondsport)
Sex Offender Probation
The Senate passed a bill that would require sex offenders who are found guilty of another offense during their probation to serve consecutive sentences rather than concurrent sentences for which the law currently allows. (S.1206, Sen. Joseph E. Robach, R, Rochester)
Sale of Drugs on Playgrounds
The Senate passed legislation that would increase criminal penalties for selling controlled substances in parks or playgrounds. Under existing law, selling drugs within a 1,000 foot safety zone around school grounds is a felony punishable by 8 1/3 to 25 years in prison. This bill would include parks and playgrounds in that law with the same tough criminal penalties. (S.1504, Sen. Martin Golden, R-C, Brooklyn)
Statute of Limitations
The Senate passed a bill that would end the statute of limitations for class B violent felons and further expand the State�s DNA identification index. New York State already exempts class A violent felonies, such as murder, first degree arson, and first degree kidnapping from the statute of limitations. This bill will extend that exemption to class B violent felonies, which includes crimes such as first degree attempted murder, first degree rape and sodomy, first degree assault, second degree kidnapping, first degree aggravated sexual abuse, and course of sexual contact against a child in the first degree. Presently, these felonies are subject to a five year statute of limitations. (S.5554, Sen. Dean G. Skelos, R-C, Rockville Centre)
Timber Theft
The Legislature passed a bill that increases penalties for timber theft on State-owned and privately-owned property. The bill would require that violators pay a civil penalty of $250 per tree or treble damages, based upon the market value of the trees, or both, for timber theft on private or state lands. In addition, the DEC or a court could also order financial reparation for damage caused by timber theft on state lands. The criminal penalty for stealing timber from public or private land would be a class A misdemeanor. (S.1783-A, Passed Both Houses, Sen. Betty Little, R-C, Queensbury)
Good Samaritans
The Senate passed legislation that would protect crime victims and witnesses from being sued by criminals when acting in self defense or as a Good Samaritan to prevent a crime. (S.557, Sen. Dean Skelos, R-C, Rockville Centre),
Toxic Ammonia
The Senate passed legislation to make it a felony to steal or possess stolen anhydrous ammonia. The substance has potential to be used as chemical weapon, as it can be harmful to individuals who come in contact with it or inhale airborne concentrations of the gas; it is also a key ingredient in the illegal production of methamphetamines. (S. 432, Sen. Michael Nozzolio, R-C, Fayette)
EDUCATION AND HIGHER EDUCATION
School Budget Vote
The Legislature approved a bill that delayed from May 20th until June 3rd, 2003, the deadline for school districts to hold votes on proposed school budgets. This gave districts more time to ensure they had accurate information about how much state aid they would receive from the state budget and could reflect that in proposed tax rates. This bill was vetoed and the veto was overridden by the Legislature. (S.4286, Sen. Stephen Saland, R-C, Poughkeepsie)
2003-04 State Budget
The Budget restored $1.1 billion in school aid -- the largest legislative addition to an Executive Budget school aid proposal in history-- for a total of $14.4 billion in General Support for Public Schools. The aid restoration helped school districts reduce proposed property tax increases and ensure the best possible education for our children and the resources teachers need to be effective. The budget restored funds for Teacher Centers, Teacher Support Aid, Universal Pre-K, BOCES Aid, Transportation Aid, Building Aid and Operating Aid.
* The budget restored $410 million in aid to higher education. The Legislature reduced the proposed $1200 SUNY tuition increase to $950.
* Higher Education Budget Restorations included:
> $262 million to fully restore funding for the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) to help low and middle income students afford a higher education;
> $18.7 million in BUNDY Aid to offset the costs at private colleges and universities; and
> $2,300 in Community College Base Aid to help keep the cost of a community college education affordable.
New York City School Governance
The Legislature approved a bill that would create community district education councils in each community school district in New York City that would replace the existing community school boards.
The 12 member councils would be comprised of nine parents selected by the elected officials of local parent associations, two members appointed by the Borough President and a nonvoting high school senior selected by the district superintendent. Community councils would be required to develop a process for community involvement in connection with the evaluation of the district superintendents and instructional supervisors, as well as hold monthly meetings with the superintendent, hold hearings on the district�s annual capacity needs and review the quality of the district�s educational programs. In addition, the bill creates a city-wide council on special education. (S.5688, Passed Both Houses, Sen. Frank Padavan, R-C, Bellerose)
Term Papers
The Senate passed a bill that prohibits the sale of dissertations, theses and term papers, and includes documents provided for sale or purchase through electronic media such as the Internet. Students would still be able to access information through this media, but selling or purchasing a term paper, thesis or dissertation would be a violation of the law, including a fine of up to $1000. (S.298, Sen. Kenneth LaValle, R-C, Port Jefferson)
College Grades
The Senate passed a bill that would require all colleges and universities and other institutions of higher learning in New York to provide parents or guardians with a copy of their children�s grades if the parents or guardians request such information. (S. 1222A, Sen. Bill Larkin, R-C, Cornwall-On-Hudson)
Violent Students
The Senate passed a bill that would permit superintendents or the board of education to transfer a violent or disruptive student from their current classroom setting to a more appropriate educational setting in another school. (S.5325, Sen.Stephen Saland, R-C, Poughkeepsie)
Laser Pointers
The Senate passed legislation to prohibit the sale of laser pointing devices to minors. The legislation also establishes criminal penalties for misuse of the potentially dangerous devices, prohibits such devices on school grounds, and restricts access to laser devices in stores. (S.551, Senator Dean Skelos, R-C, Rockville Centre)
ELECTION REFORM
In accordance with the HAVA requirements of the federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) the Senate passed a package of bills designed to improve and enhance voter access. The bills, which were all sponsored by Senator Thomas Morahan (R-C, New City) would:
> Eliminate the use of punch card ballots, provide for a Help America Vote Act administrative complaint procedure, create a statewide voter registration database and election results reporting system, as well as create the Help America Vote Implementation Fund. (S.5686)
> Authorize the appropriation of money from the Help America Vote Act implementation fund that would be used for the purpose of implementing the statewide voter registration database and election results reporting system. This would create a centralized database that can be accessed by any county across the state. Currently each county has a separate database. (S.5687)
> Provide for additional ballot instructions on paper ballots and absentee voter ballots. It also provides that these ballots include the instructions "do not overvote" and "do not attempt to correct mistakes on the ballot by making erasures or cross outs". Prior to submitting a ballot, if a voter makes a mistake in completing the ballot or wishes to change their ballot choices, they may obtain and complete a new ballot. The voter has the right to a replacement ballot upon return of the original ballot. (S.5617)
> Provide special procedures for military and special voters. The bill also requires the board of elections to send a written explanation when denying an application of persons in military. (S.5539, Passed Both Houses)
> Require election inspectors to post in the polling place a voter information posting. This posting will provide: a sample ballot and instructions for the use of voting machines; Information regarding the date of the election and the hours during which polling places will be open; Instructions on how to cast an affidavit ballot and a concise statement of a voter's right to such a ballot; and a voter's bill of rights describing voter's rights under applicable federal and state law, including the right of accessibility and alternate language accessibility. (S.5541, Passed Both Houses)
ENERGY
The Senate passed a bill that establishes a state energy planning board to create a state energy plan, and establishes a process for the siting of major electric generating facilities. (S.5673, Sen. James Wright, R-C-I, Watertown)
The Senate approved a bill that provides for electric corporations to interconnect to residential and farm wind electric generating equipment and net energy metering. (S.4890A, Sen. James Wright, R-C-I, Watertown)
The Senate passed a bill that requires the director of public security to create and implement security measures for power generating and transmitting facilities located within the state; requires a report by such director to the governor and legislature; creates a new section entitled the protection of critical infrastructure including energy generating and transmission facilities; defines "critical infrastructure". (S667A, Sen. Frank Padavan, R-C, Bellerose)
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION
Brownfields Cleanup and Superfund
The Senate approved legislation that would refinance and reform the State's Superfund Program; create a new State Brownfields Program to encourage private investment through liability reform, tax incentives, and a predictable process for cleaning up and redeveloping brownfields; improve the municipal Brownfields Program funded through the 1996 Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act to encourage even more municipal participation; and implement liability reform to the Oil Spill Program that is used to cleanup petroleum contaminated sites.
The bill would:
> Appropriate $168 million to be financed with a combination of bond funds, industry fees General Fund dollars and other sources:
-- $120 million that will be made available on an annual basis for the State Superfund Program and financed with bonds issued by the Environmental Facilities Corporation, with State debt service costs offset by industry fees.
-- $33 million for the Oil Spill Program financed by industry fees.
-- $15 million for the new Brownfield Opportunity Areas planning program, technical assistance grants to community based organizations to participate in the Superfund and Voluntary Cleanup programs, the development of a Geographic Information System on the State's groundwater resources, and other hazardous waste remediation purposes. In addition, funding will allow DEC to provide appropriate staffing levels to implement the new programs.
In addition, the bill would:
> Accelerate brownfield cleanup and redevelopment by establishing a comprehensive package of tax credits with an estimated annual value of $135 million to offset costs associated with real property taxes, site preparation, water treatment expenses, and property improvements;
> Improve the Brownfields Program by increasing the State grant to municipalities from 75 percent of eligible costs to 90 percent of eligible costs and not requiring the municipality to take title to the property prior to the investigation. More than $27 million has been committed to 116 projects in 62 communities across New York .
> Allow for the clean up of hazardous substance sites, in addition to hazardous waste sites, which have been excluded from the State's Superfund program for 20 years. DEC has identified 274 hazardous substance sites that may pose a significant threat to public health and the environment that will now be cleaned up through the Superfund program;
> Expand public participation opportunities through Technical Assistance Grants to be made available to municipalities and community based organizations to assist in evaluation of site data and the development of public areas.
> Provide for protective and predictable cleanups under the State Brownfields Program that will continue to be fully protective of public health and the environment based on remedy selection criteria, including the current, future and reasonably anticipated land use; and the long-term effectiveness and permanence of the cleanup. Thorough and consistent investigations will continue to be required. (S.5694, Sen. Carl L. Marcellino, R, Syosset)
GOVERNMENT REFORM
The Senate passed a bill that would expand the State�s Lobbying Law by requiring public disclosure and regulation of all contract procurement lobbying at State agencies and authorities, and establish a new, independent and bi-partisan commission to investigate and address reports of judicial corruption.
Specific lobby law reform provisions of the proposal include:
> Extending the definition of lobbying to include procurement contract and real estate transaction decisions.
> Expanding the membership of the Lobby Commission to provide more balanced representation between the Executive and the Legislature to reflect the body�s increased responsibilities with respect to the Executive branch;
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Ensuring that Lobby Law violations pertaining to unlawful gifts are referred by the Lobby Commission to the appropriate governmental ethics office; and Strengthens enforcement of the Lobby Law by changing the standard for violations of the law.The Judicial Reform portion of the bill would strengthen the State�s laws governing the process by which judges are selected and enhance safeguards against corruption and misconduct. The plan would establish an independent, bi-partisan commission that will have broad investigative powers to help uncover and root out corruption in the judiciary. This independent investigatory commission, which would be appointed by the Governor, the legislative leaders and the Attorney General, would be empowered to:
> Investigate reports of judicial corruption, favoritism, undue influence, conflicts of interest, abuse of official position or other conduct that impairs public confidence in the integrity of the judiciary;
> Investigate weaknesses in existing laws, regulations, procedures, policies and practices that are intended to safeguard against such misconduct and develop recommendations for reform;
> Investigate the laws, regulations, procedures, policies and practices regarding the selection of judges and develop recommendations for reforms; and
> Report on its findings and reform recommendations to the Governor, the legislative leaders and the Attorney General no later than February 1, 2004. (S. 5696, Sen. John Flanagan,R-C, Northport)
HEALTH CARE
Smoking Ban in Places of Employment
The Legislature enacted a new law that would prohibit exposure to secondhand smoke through a statewide smoking ban in all places of employment. The law amends the New York Clean Indoor Act of 1989, by prohibiting smoking in virtually all workplaces and public places, including restaurants, schools, daycare centers, health care facilities, billiard parlors, auditoriums, zoos, theaters, retail stores, public transportation facilities and bars.
Exemptions exist for private homes, automobiles, a hotel or motel room, retail tobacco businesses, established cigar bars, outdoor areas of restaurants with no roof, separate enclosed rooms of residential health care and adult facilities, and volunteer organizations without employees such as an American Legion Hall. (Chapter 13; S.3292, Sen. Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., R-C,- Merrick)
2003-04 State Budget
The budget adopted by the Legislature includes more than $1 billion in restorations to health care to maintain the quality of health care in New York, keep hospitals open and maintain nursing home and home care services.
Childhood Obesity Prevention
The Legislature approved a bill that would establish the childhood obesity prevention program within the Department of Health to prevent and reduce the incidence and prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents. (S.2045A, Passed Both Houses, Sen. Mary Lou Rath, R-C, Williamsville)
Emergency Contraception
The Legislature approved a bill that would require all hospitals to provide information about emergency contraception, as well as provide emergency contraception when requested by a rape victim. This bill would guarantee that any victim of a sexual assault be offered emergency contraception following the attack. (S.202A, Passed Both Houses, Sen. Nicholas Spano, R-C, Westchester)
Excess Medical Malpractice
The Senate approved legislation that would extend the excess medical malpractice liability insurance program for two years, to cover policy periods between July 1, 2003 and June 30, 2005, to help control medical malpractice premiums and maintain access to physician care in New York State. (S.4967, Rules)
Medicaid Reform
Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno created the Senate Task Force On Medicaid Reform, a panel that will develop a long term vision for making the Medicaid program in New York State more efficient while providing quality affordable health care. The bipartisan Task Force will be chaired by Senator Kemp Hannon, Chairman of the Senate Health Committee, and Senator Raymond Meier, Chairman of the Senate Social Services Committee, and include Senate Minority Leader David Paterson as a member of the Task Force Executive Committee.
In addition to Senators Hannon, Meier and Paterson, the Executive Committee of the Senate Task Force on Medicaid Reform includes Senators James Wright (R-C-I, Watertown), Elizabeth Little (R, Queensbury), Mary Lou Rath (R-C, Williamsville) and Frank Padavan (R-C, Bellerose). Every member of the Senate will participate as a member of the Task Force. The Task Force will focus on the three largest and fastest growing categories of Medicaid spending: long term care, acute care and pharmaceuticals.
HOMELAND SECURITY
The Senate passed a package of bills designed to enhance New York�s homeland security:
> Chemical Plant Security - This bill requires chemical facilities to perform security assessments and security plans to protect against the threat of a terrorist attack. It also authorizes the Office of Public Security and the State Police, in consultation with various state agencies, to issue regulations to designate certain combinations of chemicals and substances of concern as high priority based on the severity of the threat that they pose to the public in the event of a terrorist attack. The bill calls for stiff penalties of $50,000 if the owner or operator of a chemical facility does not comply with this act. (S.4156, Sen. Michael Balboni, R-C, Mineola)
> Nuclear Plant Security - This legislation provides additional criminal safeguards against individuals who trespass on the grounds of, or interfere with, the safe operations of a nuclear powered electric generating facility.(S.3579, Sen. Michael Balboni, R-C, Mineola)
The Senate also passed a bill that requires the New York State Office of Public Security to create statewide security standards for all power generating plants, transmission lines and other energy related facilities. It will require these facilities to install permanent security measures to protect against terrorist plots as well as other disasters. (S.667A, Passed Both Houses, Sen. Frank Padavan R-C, Bellerose)
> Municipal Disaster Preparedness - This legislation would require counties to include in their existing disaster preparedness plans sections that will help respond to a terrorist attack. Appropriate plans would have: a roster of volunteer medical personnel within the county who would help in case of a disaster along with a plan to coordinate them; an assessment of the county's health care infrastructure including the number of hospital beds and doctor's offices; a system to collect disease or exposure data as a result of the disaster; identification of a local stockpile of pharmaceuticals that might be used in case of a disaster; a plan to identify and coordinate emergency services organizations following a disaster; identify a county health official that would serve as a risk communicator; and drills to test the plans. (S.4749, Sen. Michael Balboni, R-C, Mineola)
In addition to the bills listed above, the Senate passed three bills sponsored by Senator Charles Fuschillo (R-C, Merrick), that would make it a felony to steal the official identification of a fire department or law enforcement officer (S.4435); increase penalties for stealing identification issued by a transportation authority or government agency or issued for use at a transportation facility (S.4436); and legislation that would make criminal impersonation at a transportation facility or public place a felony (S.4584).
Patriot Plan/Supporting Our Troops
The Senate passed a comprehensive plan that would make it easier for families to communicate with loved ones serving overseas, provide important salary protections for state employees serving in the military, and provide additional educational benefits to servicemen and women from New York State who are serving in Iraq and the ongoing war against terrorism. Under the "Patriot Plan," New York's military personnel called to duty and their families will be eligible for a broad array of new benefits and protections.
The provisions of the Plan would also:
> protect against military status discrimination; allow for the termination of vehicle leases; protect health insurance benefits; and
> provide the children, spouses and dependents of New York military personnel killed or severely and permanently disabled during the Persian Gulf conflict (retroactive to 1990), the war on terrorism, or the current military action in Iraq, with undergraduate awards to cover the cost of attending institutions of the State University or City University, or a commensurate amount to attend a private college or university in New York State;
> require colleges and universities to provide educational military leave of absence for students called to active duty;
> require OGS and DMNA to negotiate bulk telephone rates on behalf of those on active military duty and their families; require DMNA and OFT to coordinate with the Department of Defense to provide access to video conferencing at selected sites for families to communicate with their loved ones overseas; and
> provide that paychecks of public employees activated for foreign deployments will be made by electronic transfer of funds. (S.5679, Sen. Elizabeth Little, R-C, Queensbury)
Earlier this year the Senate passed a similar package of bills to support our troops and their families. The bills would direct the Division of Military and Naval Affairs to:
> Provide facilities for teleconferencing between New York residents in active military service and their families. (S.3289, Sen. Bill Larkin, R-C, Cornwall-On-Hudson)
> Subsidize the mailing of one package per month from the family of a resident of New York on active duty to their family member on active duty. (S. 3285, Sen. Martin Golden, R-C, Brooklyn)
> Negotiate bulk telephone service rates for residents of New York in military service. (S.3284, Sen. Elizabeth Little, R-C, Queensbury)
In addition, the Senate package would:
> Put into law, supplemental pay provisions for state employees on active duty that require the state to make up the difference between a person�s regular job and their military pay. This is currently done by a Memorandum of Understanding by the Governor�s Office of Employee Relations. (S.3286, Sen. Joseph Robach, R-C, Rochester)
> Require that members of the organized militia ordered into the active service of the state be paid by electronic fund transfer. (S.3288, Sen. Vincent Leibell, R-C, Patterson)
> Require the waiver of all professional continuing education requirements for persons ordered into active military service. (S. 3287, Sen. John Flanagan, R-C, Northport)
September 11th Remembrance
The New York State Senate passed two bills to commemorate September 11th as an official day of remembrance and to require the American flag to be flown at half-staff at public buildings and encourage the display of the flag throughout the state on that day. (S.761, S.762, Sen. Carl Marcellino, R, Syosset)
Foreign StudentsThe Senate passed a bill that would require designated school officials on college campuses to report changes in prescribed status for foreign students to the New York State Police and the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). (S. 345-A, Sen. Kenneth P. LaValle, R-C, Port Jefferson)
HOUSING
Rent Control
The Senate passed a bill that would extend the rent control laws for eight years, until June 15, 2011, to give tenants in rent control units in New York City stability well into the future. The legislation made no substantive changes to the existing rent control laws. (S.5693, Rules)
SCRIE Program
The Legislature passed a bill that increases the income eligibility for the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) program from $20,000 to $24,000. The SCRIE program is available to senior citizens who are 62 years or older earning $20,000 per year who live in rent stabilized, rent controlled or Mitchell-Lama housing, and who have at least 1/3 of their income going towards rent. When their rent is increased, SCRIE caps the rent with the locality paying the increase on the tenants behalf. This bill raises the income ceiling from $20,000 up to $24,000 to recognize the increase in the cost of living. (S.2696, Passed Both Houses, Senator Olga A. Mendez, R, D, I , L, Manhattan-Bronx)
LABOR
Farm Workers
The Senate passed bills that would ensure that farm workers are aware of their eligibility for workers compensation and are provided with the proper forms if they are injured on the job.
The bills would require farmers to post notices regarding workers compensation rights and procedures requires farmers to provide workers compensation claims forms to workers who are injured on the job. (S.2638A, S.2683, A Senator Olga Mendez, , R, D, I, L, Manhattan/Bronx)
Pension Reform
The Senate gave final legislative passage to a pension reform bill that will save state and local taxpayers approximately $1.7 billion this year and stabilize the pension system to prevent surprise spikes in pension costs in the future. Under the provisions of the pension reform bill, local governments would be able to amortize at 8 percent or finance for up to five years, the portion of the December 2004 pension payment bill that is above the seven percent contribution rate. The state can amortize the cost of the March 2005 payment, over the seven percent contribution rate for five years, also at eight percent. In addition, local governments will be able to finance, for up to five years, all costs associated with all prior early retirement programs.
Also, pension billing to the state and localities would be changed to reflect a one year lag, similar to what is done with the Teachers Retirement System. This change will help stabilize costs and avert sudden, surprise fluctuations in pension contribution costs, such as what happened earlier this year. (Chapter. 49, S.4902, Sen. Joseph Robach R, Rochester)
Pension Earnings
The Senate approved a measure which increases the annual earning limits for public retirees without decreasing their retirement benefits. The legislation raises the annual earnings limit to from $25,000 a year to $30,000 per year. (S.2937, Sen. Vincent Leibell, R-C, Patterson)
Exam Credit For Siblings of WTC Victims
The Legislature approved a bill that would grant additional credit on competitive examinations to siblings of fire fighters and police officers killed in the line of duty as a result of the September 11th terrorist attacks. (S.3975, Passed Both Houses, Sen. Martin Golden, R-C, Brooklyn)
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