COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION
MEMBERS: Stewart-Cousins, Chair, Bronz, Oros, Ryan,
Rogowsky,
BOL: Ann Giordano, Steve Bass
GUESTS: (CEO), William Randolph (CEO) Liz Salvi (Law), Andrew Neuman (CEO), Barbara Monahan (Taxi & Limousine Commission), Karen Pasquale(CEO), Stacey Dolgin-Kmetz (Law), Brendon McGrath (Law)
Chairwoman Stewart-Cousins opened the meeting at 11:54 am
Chairwoman Stewart-Cousins opened and invited Barbara Monahan of the Taxi & Limousine Commission to discuss legislation that would require Child Safety Seats be available in for-hire vehicles. The current laws governing the seats exempt for-hire vehicles.
Ms. Monahan advised that the Commission’s proposal had been discussed and approved by the Public Safety Committee earlier and also advised that New York City is trying to do similar legislation.
Questions arose whether and to what extent should the County do this? There were also liability concerns.
County Attorney Stacey Dolgin-Kmetz agreed to check on the liability issue and report back to the committee. The Chair agreed to sign out the legislation pending the Law Department’s response to the issues raised.
Meanwhile, Leg. Rogowsky made a motion to sign the legislation out for all purposes and Leg. Oros seconded the motion.
Next a discussion was introduced about the “Unfunded Mandate” portion of the State Legislation Package. The Chair hoped to discuss the mandates and, if agreed on, sign the mandate portion of the package out in time to discuss at NYSAC.
Karen Pasquale was present to discuss the Administration’s input into the Mandate Package.
The discussed items were:
Medicaid – enact real Medicaid reforms that will significantly use the burden of the program on the local property taxpayer.
Early Intervention Programs - reform the model of care and increase provider accountability and revise distribution of fiscal responsibility.
Other items discussed included:
· Require State Parole Violators to be immediately placed in State Custody,
· Increase Reimbursement for State-Ready Prisoners and Parole Violators
· Provide Funding to offset costs for PINS expansion,
· Eliminate Requirement that Counties Repay OMH Funds to State
· Allow Counties to Bond for the Expense of Part A of the Retirement Incentive Under Chapter 69 of the Laws of 2002 (this was taken out because it wasn’t seen as a clear-cut state mandate).
The committee moved the State Mandates package as finalized with a motion from Leg. Rogowsky seconded by Leg. Ryan All in favor: 4-0. Oros was out for the vote.
The Chair then referred the committee to the remainder of the package considering those items recommended that were Westchester specific.
Items and recommendations were made on the following:
Health Insurance
Safety Course Training on Firearms
Indian Point
Increase Minimum Wage
Create a Keg Law
Tenant Protection
Removing guns in order
Septic Tank Improvements
Long-term lease agreements at certain park facilities
Murder by child
Electronic sale of bonds
E-911 cellular
Amend campaign finance
Reform Lobby
Pharmaceutical proposal
Prior to adjournment the Chair asked members to approve three sets of minutes. Leg. Ryan moved the 13th seconded by Leg. Bronz, Leg. Bronz, seconded by Leg. Rogowsky moved the 21st.
Leg. Bronz moved, seconded by Leg. Rogowsky the 10th. Motion to adjourn at 2:05 by Leg. Bronz seconded by Leg. Stewart-Cousins.