Syracuse – New York State Assemblyman William B. Magnarelli (D-120) said that he was pleased with this year’s legislative session after passing ten bills in both houses, of which Governor Paterson has already signed two. “This year was particularly difficult in part because of the transitioning of a new administration, but we accomplished what we set out to do,” Magnarelli said. “We will continue listening, and we will continue working hard on the behalf of New Yorkers.” Outlined are the ten bills, introduced by Magnarelli, including provisions for protecting our most vulnerable citizens with a Silver Alert system; honoring our citizen-soldiers for their continued service on behalf of New Yorkers; and establishing New York State’s first-ever teacher recognition day. A.10265-B
“The Omnibus Alzheimer Services Act is one of the most important pieces of health care legislation to pass the State Legislature this session,” Magnarelli said. “Its primary provision creates a ‘Silver Alert’ system similar to Amber Alert that would provide assistance to law enforcement personnel in locating missing citizens who suffer from Alzheimer’s or dementia.” If signed into law, New York would join a small handful of other states taking the initiative to protect one of our most vulnerable populations with a Silver Alert system. The bill also allows the Director of the Office of Aging to contract with non-profit organizations to train and educate law enforcement personnel about cognitive impairments as well as provides for the study of the best uses of locator technology in finding these missing citizens. A.11361
This bill extends the provisions of law which provides for the New York Telecommunications Relay Service Center to remain located in Syracuse. The center provides TTY service for deaf and hearing impaired citizens across the State. This bill keeps the more than 100 vital jobs created by this center in Syracuse. A.3414-A
“We were successful in passing a critical bill that establishes the New York State Greenhouse Gases Management Research and Development Program under NYSERDA,” Magnarelli said. “This program will provide grants authorized by NYSERDA for research that promotes new technologies and processes that will reduce the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere – something that many of our local research facilities are investigating.” A.9242-A
Onondaga County is looking to upgrade its current emergency telecommunication system equipment, and this legislation assists with the financing of the state-of-the-art system. Advocates for the bill included not only Onondaga County government, but also police, fire, emergency medical technicians, mayors, supervisors, elected officials and other associations representing Onondaga County and various regions of Central New York. “Onondaga County is ready to launch an interoperable communications system – a new network linking all police, fire and emergency workers through one system,” Magnarelli said. “To date, I have helped to secure $2 million in this year’s state budget for hardware and software for the interoperable communications project – which will improve the county’s emergency response system by streamlining communications and will save taxpayers’ monies required for the new equipment.” A.9667-A
The current system of water level management of bodies of water – including the Oswego River Basin – is inadequate to prevent flooding. Regular flooding takes place in areas surrounding the Oswego River Basin causing severe destruction of land and property. This legislation enables the Canal Flood Mitigation Task Force to study the flooding in the Oswego River Basin and recommend ways to lessen the flooding. “Central New York is home to many beautiful lakes and rivers,” Magnarelli said. “These natural resources are critical to our tourism trade and local economy. We have to take a careful look at the way we handle our water level management to ensure that the same disaster that has befallen the Midwest doesn’t happen here. Floods are devastating to communities – like Baldwinsville and others – causing damage to properties and farm land, resulting in a negative hit to the economy.” A.10266
This bill extends the provisions requiring workers on high voltage lines to be trained in and use a “hot stick”, an insulated tool arm, when handling these lines. These provisions are essential to ensure that our high voltage workers remain safe. The Governor signed this bill into law on June 17, 2008. A.251
A ‘due-on-sale’ clause in a mortgage agreement requires that the borrower pay the remaining balance of a mortgage when a property is transferred. Currently, Federal law restricts federally chartered banks from using the ‘due-on-sale’ mortgage clause when a residential property is transferred between certain family members; the property transfer in these cases is not a sale and therefore is not subject to the repayment of the balance. Currently, state-chartered banks are not subject to the same rule as federally chartered banks. State-chartered banks have had the option to exercise the ‘due-on-sale’ clause in the case of a death of the property owner when a home is thereafter transferred to the survivor’s spouse by will or trust, transfer of property to children, transfers during a divorce and in other cases. “Just as the Federal law protects families from this clause, New York State should have this protection in place,” Magnarelli said. “Time and time again, our laws must reflect on-going practices. This legislation ensures protection of families during such property transfers. In many cases, family-to-family property transfers include a death or divorce. These are already challenging and difficult times for the family, and the undue stress caused by the possible exercising of a ‘due-on-sale’ clause – requiring full payment of the mortgage balance – is simply wrong.” A.4323-A / A.6479-A
The first bill passed both houses and waives court fees associated with court action necessitated by being called to active duty for citizen soldiers (A4323A). The second bill passed both the Assembly and Senate eliminating the service charge for issuing distinctive vehicle license plates for members of the New York State militia (A6479A). “Both bills are designed to honor the service of our New York State citizen-soldiers,” Magnarelli said. “These brave men and women, in organized militias or reserve armed forces, protect the rights and freedoms of New Yorkers by aiding the existing military efforts. They honor New York State with their service and we should honor them for their bravery by waiving these fees.” A.7569-B
Governor Paterson signed the New York State Teacher Day legislation designating the first Tuesday of every May as a day of commemoration. “My wife is a retired teacher, and my son teaches at a Syracuse high school,” Magnarelli said. “May 6 will be a great day of honor for those New York State teachers who work hard on a daily basis to educate, encourage and inspire our children.” Magnarelli urges the Governor to sign the remaining bills into law.