COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION
MEMBERS: Stewart-Cousins, Chair, Bronz, Abinanti, Rogowsky, Oros, Ryan and Maisano
BOL: Ann Giordano, Steve Bass
GUESTS: Karen Pasquale, (CEO), William Randolph (CEO) Liz Salvi (Law), Andrew Neuman (CEO), Stacey Dolgin-Kmetz (Law), Sal Carrera –Economic Dev.
Chairwoman Stewart-Cousins called the meeting to order at 11:49 am
Chairwoman Stewart-Cousins opened the meeting with dialogue about the annual preparation of the State Legislative Package and introduced Karen Pasquale from the County Executive’s office to present the Administration’s priorities.
Their priorities included:
1. Increase in sales tax (1% increase for 2 years, which is the standard) 75-25% split.
2. Increase Radiological Preparedness Fees to Counties with Nuclear Power Plants
3. Increase penalties for impersonating a Police Officer and for unauthorized sale of a Police Uniform
4. Expand Penalties for making a false statement to a Police Officer
5. Pass a Keg Registry Law
6. Authorize Law Enforcement Agencies to Impound Vehicles of Persons Arrested for DWI and to issue responsibility warnings to those assuming custody of persons arrested for DWI.
7. Establish a Westchester County Linked Deposit Program for Septic System Improvements
8. Allow Westchester County to enter into Long-Term Lease Agreements at Certain Park Facilities.
9. Require State Parole Violators to be immediately placed in state custody.
10. Require Probationers to pay a fee to help offset the cost of their supervisions.
11. Designate Members of the Retirement System who have been unable to work for at least 5 years as Permanently disabled.
12. Required 3rd party insurance reimbursement for early intervention services.
13. Eliminate requirements that county repay OMH funds to the State
14. Allow Counties to Bond for the Expense of Part A of the Retirement Incentive under Chapter 69 of the Laws of 2002
15. Provide Additional Job Security to Disabled Civil Service Employees
16. Improve NYS Fire Safety Standards
17. Designate Westchester County as the Initial Test Site for the Statewide Wireless Network
2003-04 Budget Priorities
1. Stop unfunded mandates
2. Increase funding for Parkway Patrols
3. Oppose Reinstatement of Commuter Tax
4. Increase reimbursement for State-Ready Prisoners and Parole Violators
Steve Bass asked legislators to submit their recommendations for inclusion in the package by Wednesday.
Chairwoman Stewart-Cousins thanked Karen Pasquale who advised that appropriate personnel would be available to discuss administration’s priorities as needed.
On motion of Legislators Bronz and Ryan, the Legislation Meeting recessed at 12:59 p.m. to reconvene at 3:00 jointly with Environment & Health to discuss the Smoking Worksite Legislation.
Chairwoman Stewart-Cousins along with Legislator Kaplowitz called the joint committee meeting at 3:30 pm. The following committee members, BOL staff members and guests were present:
MEMBERS: Stewart-Cousins, Chair, Bronz, Abinanti, Rogowsky, Ryan and Maisano
BOL: Ann Giordano, Steve Bass, Tara Bernard, Peter Neglia,
GUESTS: William Randolph (CEO) Liz Salvi (Law), Andrew Neuman (CEO), Stacey Dolgin-Kmetz (Law), Hope Corbin (Intern), Christine H. Verber, Paula DeCaro (LWV), Peter Peter Riekstins, (Pres. NY State – West. Chapter of the Restaurant Association), Linda Trentacoste (Law), Brendan McGrath (Law), Lillian Jones (Amer. Cancer Society), Suzanne Levin (Amer. Cancer Soc.), Margaret Hallet, Marshall Goldberg, Frank Guido (Health Dept), Mary Landrigan (Health Dept), Jean Hudson (Health Dept)
The Committee on Legislation and Environment & Health opened the meeting jointly at 3:20 pm with Legislator Stewart-Cousins reconvening the Legislation portion of the meeting.
Legislator Kaplowitz opened the discussion by introducing the latest Smokefree Worksite Legislation. Questions were raised on whether a place of residence may be considered as a place of employment. Frank Guido from the Westchester County Health Dept. said that all would depend on the different circumstances. The answer may be different on any given day, said Chairwoman Stewart-Cousins and that the language may be changed to a full-time place of employment.
Kaplowitz moved to accept the section as it is on the legislation that a place of residence is considered a place of employment.
The next question was on whether private clubs should be included on this. ASC said that this certainly is a place that is worth considering. Peter Riekstins, of Pete’s Saloon & Restaurant and President. Of the NY State - Westchester Chapter of the Restaurant Association. Feels that this should be done across the board.
Lillian Jones from the American Cancer Society said that the difference in figures on how many people lose lives each year to lung cancer depends on the different studies that are done.
Andrew Neuman said that the initiative to have a regional approach. Also as far as private clubs, the law should be enforced if there are no people employed at the club, either full or part-time.
There was agreement if the word volunteers gets taken out.
Dennis Gallagher said that that people have been scammed by the American Cancer, American Lung Association. He feels that there is no evidence whatsoever that people die from secondhand smoke.
The members discussed having this law take effect 90 days after enactment. Ventilated designated smoking rooms were discussed.
Residential Health Care Facilities shall have a designated smoking area.
Indoor/Outdoor area – in NYC outdoor cafés – they have the option of allowing 25% of the total area is designated to smoking.
Having covered all the issues that were outlined for discussion for the joint Legislation/Env. & Health committee meeting, Chairwoman Stewart-Cousins and Mike Kaplowitz asked the Law Department to change the language in the legislation and we will sign it out for all purposes.
The committee reiterated the language changes of the legislation.
Motions of Abinanti and Bronz moved to sign it out for all purposes.
Mike Kaplowitz and Vito Pinto moved the legislation for all purposes for the committee on Environment & Health.
Chairwoman Stewart-Cousins accepted motions to adjourn Legislation Meeting motions were made by Abinanti and seconded by Bronz.
Kaplowitz & Pinto moved to adjourn at 4:37 pm.