New York State Assembly

Speaker Carl Heastie, Representative Jamaal Bowman, Senator Jamaal Bailey and Council Member Kevin Riley Statement on the Passing of General Colin Powell

Oct 18, 2021

Today we join the country in mourning the loss of General Colin Powell, a great man and an extraordinary leader.Born in Harlem and raised in the Bronx by Jamaican parents, General Powell helped blaze a trail for men and women of color at the highest levels...

Notice of Public Hearing - Medicaid Program Efficacy and Sustainability

Oct 15, 2021

Notice of Public Hearing - Cryptocurrency Mining

Oct 13, 2021

Notice of Public Hearing - Family involvement in the child welfare system

Oct 13, 2021

Speaker Heastie Continues Annual Statewide Tour in Nassau County

Oct 13, 2021

Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his annual statewide tour in Nassau County with Assemblymember Gina Sillitti. Together they visited the Plandome Road business district to talk about the Manhasset sewer project, and toured damage homeowners in Manorhaven...

Notice of Public Hearing - Oversight of the State Fiscal Year 2021-2022 State Budget for New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal.

Oct 12, 2021

Notice of Public Hearing - Gun safety proposals and the status of the firearm ammunition sales database in New York

Oct 5, 2021

Speaker Heastie's Statewide Tour Continues in Westchester

Oct 4, 2021

Speaker Carl Heastie today traveled to Westchester to continue his statewide tour with Assemblymember Chris Burdick. During the visit, the pair made stops at a local playground, a community center and an immigrant resource center.“Every community...

Grants Action News - October 2021

Oct 1, 2021

Notice of Public Hearing - Non-MTA Public Transit Systems and Service

Sep 29, 2021

Notice of Public Hearing - The COVID-19 Pandemic’s Impact on the Open Meetings Law

Sep 29, 2021

Speaker Heastie Continues Annual Statewide Tour with Stops in Rochester and Onondaga County

Sep 28, 2021

Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his annual statewide tour with stops at Special Touch Bakery and the Lexington Avenue Community Garden in Rochester with Assemblymember Sarah Clark, and the White Pine Commerce Park and the North Syracuse Early Education...

Notice of Public Hearing - Governance of the New York City School District

Sep 24, 2021

Notice of Public Hearing - The Role of Local Governments in Accessory Dwelling Unit Siting

Sep 23, 2021

Speaker Heastie's Statewide Tour Continues in Buffalo

Sep 21, 2021

Speaker Heastie today continued his statewide tour with Assemblymembers William Conrad and Jon Rivera in Buffalo. The trip included a tour of Fowler’s Chocolates Factory Headquarters, tire manufacturer Sumitomo Rubber USA and a stop at the Hispanic...

Notice of Public Hearing - Restructuring the New York State Division of Veterans’ Services (NYSDVS)

Sep 17, 2021

Speaker Heastie Continues Statewide Tour in Western New York

Sep 16, 2021

Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his annual statewide tour in Western New York with Assemblymembers Jennifer Lunsford and Demond Meeks, taking a walking tour of the village of Fairport and touring Heritage Christian Services in Penfield and East High...

Notice of Public Hearing - Conditions at the Rikers Island Correctional Facility and Other Facilities of the New York City Department of Correction

Sep 15, 2021

Speaker Heastie Statement on the 20th Anniversary of the September 11th Attack

Sep 11, 2021

Twenty years ago, our nation experienced one of the most devastating attacks in U.S. history that took the lives of nearly 3,000 people.For New Yorkers, the events that unfolded that day shook us to our core and overwhelmed us with a shared sense of grief.In...

Notice of Public Hearing - Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities

Sep 10, 2021

Speaker Heastie Announces Appointment of Adam W. Perry to the Cannabis Control Board

Sep 8, 2021

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that he has appointed Adam W. Perry to serve on the Cannabis Control Board.“As we create the mechanisms and regulations around the new legal cannabis industry, it is critical that we have people involved that...

Statement from Speaker Carl Heastie

Sep 3, 2021

I was informed today that Assemblymembers Charles Fall and Inez Dickens have tested positive for COVID-19. Both have been vaccinated and are currently quarantining. We are now in the process of reaching out to other members and staff that they may have...

Speaker Heastie Announces New Leadership Positions

Sep 2, 2021

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced the following leadership appointments:  Chair, Majority Steering Rebecca A. Seawright Chair, Banks Patricia Fahy Chair, Task Force on Women's Issues         ...

Assembly to Pass Legislation to Extend Eviction & Foreclosure Moratoriums, Ensure New Yorkers Have Access to Critical Rental Assistance

Sep 1, 2021

Speaker Carl Heastie, Codes Committee Chair Jeffrey Dinowitz and Housing Committee Chair Steven Cymbrowitz today announced that the Assembly will pass critical legislation that will extend the residential and commercial eviction and foreclosure moratoriums...

Grants Action News - September 2021

Sep 1, 2021

Speaker Heastie Continues Statewide Tour on Long Island

Aug 31, 2021

Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his annual statewide tour on Long Island with Assemblymember Steve Stern, touring Huntington Station and then visiting Farmingdale State College, where they met with Farmingdale State College President John Nader and...

Statement from Speaker Carl Heastie

Aug 24, 2021

Today, we have sworn in the first woman to serve as governor of New York. From State Senate majority leader to state attorney general to vice president of the United States, we continue to see women rise through the ranks of government, and it is a welcome...

Speaker Heastie Begins Annual Statewide Tour in Cortland and Tompkins Counties with Assemblymember Kelles

Aug 19, 2021

Speaker Heastie today began his annual statewide tour, joining Assemblymember Anna Kelles in touring Main Street in Cortland and meeting with the REACH Project, Inc Medical Director Dr. Justine Waldman, as well as touring the Learning Farm in Ithaca.“One...

Notice of Public Hearing - Intercity Passenger Rail Transportation

Aug 19, 2021

Statement from Speaker Carl Heastie and Assembly Judiciary Chair Charles Lavine

Aug 16, 2021

The Assembly Judiciary Committee will continue to review evidence and issue a final report on its investigation of Governor Cuomo. In doing so, the committee will take all appropriate steps to ensure that this effort does not interfere with various ongoing...

Statement from Speaker Carl Heastie on Impeachment Investigation

Aug 13, 2021

After consulting with Chair Lavine and my majority colleagues, the Assembly will suspend its impeachment investigation upon the governor’s resignation taking effect on August 25.There are two reasons for this decision. First, the purpose of the...

Notice of Public Hearing - Neonicotinoid Pesticides

Aug 12, 2021

Statement from Speaker Carl Heastie

Aug 10, 2021

This has been a tragic chapter in our state's history. Governor Cuomo's resignation is the right decision.The brave women who stepped forward were heard. Everyone deserves to work in a harassment free environment.I have spoken with Lieutenant Governor...

The Remarks of Speaker Carl E. Heastie Following the Judiciary Committee Meeting on the Impeachment Investigation into Governor Cuomo

Aug 9, 2021

August 9, 2021Legislative Office BuildingAlbany___________________________________[as prepared]Good afternoon.On March 1st, the attorney general was authorized to undertake an independent investigation into sexual harassment allegations against Governor...

Speaker Heastie Statement on the Passing of AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka

Aug 5, 2021

It is with deep sadness that I learned of the passing of AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka.Richard dedicated his life to fighting for working people. His passing is a tremendous loss to my union brothers and sisters, but his legacy has undoubtedly changed...

Statement from Speaker Carl Heastie

Aug 3, 2021

After our conference this afternoon to discuss the Attorney General's report concerning sexual harassment allegations against Governor Cuomo, it is abundantly clear to me that the Governor has lost the confidence of the Assembly Democratic majority and...

Statement from Speaker Carl Heastie on Attorney General's Report

Aug 3, 2021

We have received the Attorney General's 168 page report containing findings of sexual harassment and misconduct committed by Governor Cuomo. The findings contained in the report are disturbing. The details provided by the victims are gut-wrenching....

Notice of Public Hearing - Emergency Rental Assistance Program

Jul 30, 2021

Statement from Speaker Carl Heastie

Jul 28, 2021

The recent spike in the COVID-19 pandemic shows that we still have more work to do in order to overcome this terrible health crisis. In order to ensure the safety of the public and our employees, and consistent with CDC and state guidance, the Assembly...

Notice of Public Hearing - The Provision of Electric Service on Long Island

Jul 27, 2021

Assembly to Hold Hearing on the Emergency Rental Assistance Program

Jul 22, 2021

Speaker Carl Heastie, Ways and Means Committee Chair Helene E. Weinstein, Housing Committee Chair Steven Cymbrowitz and Social Services Committee Chair Linda B. Rosenthal today announced the Assembly will hold a hearing on Tuesday, August 10, 2021 to...

Federal Government Began Disbursement of Monthly Child Tax Credits This Week

Jul 16, 2021

This week, the federal government began the disbursement of monthly Child Tax Credit payments that were included in the American Rescue Plan Act passed by Congress earlier this year. Speaker Carl Heastie and Ways and Means Committee Chair Helene Weinstein...

Statement from Speaker Carl Heastie

Jul 14, 2021

In its never ending quest to degrade public discourse, the New York Post's editorial board today reached a new low, if that is even possible. Using racist dog whistle language to make an inaccurate point about an issue which I am not even involved with...

Assembly Continues Working to Ensure Small Businesses Keep Critical Grant Funding to Aid in COVID-19 Recovery

Jul 13, 2021

Speaker Carl Heastie, Small Business Committee Chair Al Stirpe and Assemblymember Erik Dilan today announced that the Assembly has passed legislation to help small businesses across New York by ensuring that grants from the COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business...

Assembly Passes Public Health Measure to Reduce the Spread of Blood Borne Diseases

Jul 8, 2021

Speaker Carl Heastie and Health Committee Chair Richard N. Gottfried today announced the Assembly has passed legislation to decriminalize the possession and sale of hypodermic needles and syringes to reduce the spread of blood borne diseases, most notably...

Assembly Passes Legislation to Establish the Office of the Utility Consumer Advocate

Jul 7, 2021

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that the Assembly has passed legislation that would create the state Office of the Utility Consumer Advocate to represent residential utility consumers’ interests in residential and utility matters at the state...

Notice of Public Hearing - Ranked Choice Voting in New York City

Jul 2, 2021

Statement from Speaker Carl Heastie

Jul 2, 2021

Addressing climate change continues to be a top priority for the Assembly Majority. The adoption of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) in 2019 was an important first step in establishing climate and equity requirements, but we...

Grants Action News - July 2021

Jul 1, 2021

Statement from Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie

Jun 30, 2021

The Assembly Majority has passed a number of important voting reforms to strengthen our electoral system and provide easier access to all New Yorkers. The situation regarding the tabulation issues in New York City is extremely concerning, and we are closely...

Assembly Passes Legislation to Improve Water Quality in Schools

Jun 28, 2021

Speaker Carl Heastie and Health Committee Chair Richard N. Gottfried today announced the Assembly has passed legislation that would improve drinking water quality in schools by strengthening water testing requirements, including increasing the frequency...

Speaker Heastie Statement on the Sentencing of Derek Chauvin

Jun 25, 2021

The murder of George Floyd was a tragedy, one that became a rallying cry and a call to action across our country. Today, Derek Chauvin was sentenced to 22 and half years in prison for his murder. I hope that today’s sentencing brings George Floyd’s...

Assembly Passes Legislation to Hold Out of State Businesses Engaged in Improper Conduct Financially and Legally Accountable in New York

Jun 23, 2021

Speaker Carl Heastie and Ways and Means Committee Chair Helene E. Weinstein today announced that the Assembly passed legislation that would help New York businesses by holding out of state business to the same standards as those headquartered in New York....

Assembly Passes Package of Critical Consumer Credit Protection Legislation

Jun 16, 2021

Speaker Carl Heastie and Ways and Means Committee Chair Helene E. Weinstein today announced the Assembly passed a comprehensive package of consumer credit protection legislation.“The Assembly Majority has long been committed to protecting the rights...

Assembly Passes Sweeping Legislative Package to Address Discriminatory Real Estate Practices

Jun 11, 2021

Speaker Carl Heastie and Housing Committee Chair Steven Cymbrowitz today announced the Assembly has passed a comprehensive package of legislation addressing discrimination in the real estate industry.In 1968, the federal Fair Housing Act was passed to...

Statement from Speaker Carl Heastie on the End of 2021 Session

Jun 10, 2021

During one of the toughest times in our history, the New York State Assembly rose to the occasion to meet the challenges we faced. This session we passed groundbreaking legislation and delivered a historic budget that met the needs of New Yorkers during...

Assembly Passes the Gender Recognition Act

Jun 10, 2021

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Daniel J. O’Donnell today announced that the Assembly has passed the Gender Recognition Act. This bill would ensure that government documents reflect transgender, nonbinary and intersex individuals’...

Assembly Passes Legislation to Speed up the Canvassing of Absentee Ballots in New York State and Ensure Every Valid Ballot Counts

Jun 10, 2021

Speaker Carl Heastie, Election Law Committee Chair Latrice Walker and Assemblymember Robert C. Carroll today announced that the Assembly has passed legislation that will streamline the process for canvassing absentee, military, special and affidavit ballots,...

Assembly Passes Make Voting Easy Act Expanding the Number of Early-Voting Sites in New York State

Jun 10, 2021

Speaker Carl Heastie, Election Law Committee Chair Latrice Walker and Assemblymember Al Taylor today announced the passage of the Make Voting Easy Act, significantly expanding early voting sites throughout the state and increasing the hours polling sites...

Assembly Passes Legislation to Reduce Recidivism and Promote Successful Reintegration After Incarceration

Jun 10, 2021

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced the Assembly has passed legislation that would ensure individuals have the support they need to reenter the community after incarceration and successfully complete their community supervision.“Successful reintegration...

New York's COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program to Begin Accepting Applications

Jun 10, 2021

Speaker Carl Heastie, Small Business Committee Chair Al Stirpe and Economic Development Committee Chair Harry Bronson announced today that New York will begin accepting grant applications for its COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program...

Notice of Public Hearing - Integrating services offered by the Office of Addiction Services and Supports and the Office of Mental Health

Jun 10, 2021

Assembly Passes Legislation to Support Gun Violence Research in New York State

Jun 9, 2021

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon today announced that the Assembly has passed legislation to create the Firearm Violence Research Institute and the Gun Violence Research Fund, and allow taxpayers to make contributions to...

Assembly Passes Legislation to Create Opioid Settlement Fund

Jun 9, 2021

Speaker Carl Heastie, Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Committee Chair Phil Steck and Assemblymember Carrie Woerner today announced that the Assembly passed legislation to create the Opioid Settlement Fund, which will ensure that funding obtained from settlements...

Senate and Assembly to Pass The Housing Our Neighbors with Dignity Act

Jun 9, 2021

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie today announced the Legislature will advance legislation to enact the Housing Our Neighbors with Dignity Act. This legislation will allow the state to finance the purchase...

Assembly to Pass Comprehensive Package of Legislation to Protect New Yorkers from Gun Violence

Jun 8, 2021

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that the Assembly will pass a comprehensive package of commonsense gun safety legislation. Included in the legislative package are bills that would ban ghost guns, hold the gun industry liable for damages it causes,...

Assembly Passes Legislation to Continue to Allow Outdoor Dining On Sidewalks and Streets

Jun 8, 2021

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Patricia Fahy today announced the passage of legislation that would allow restaurants to continue to use streets and sidewalks for outdoor dining for an additional year as they work towards recovery from the COVID-19...

Assembly Passes Legislation to Ensure that All Vietnam War Veterans are Recognized

Jun 7, 2021

Speaker Carl Heastie and Veterans' Affairs Committee Chair Didi Barrett today announced the passage of legislation that would change the beginning date of the Vietnam War from February 28, 1961 to November 1, 1955, to coincide with the date used by the...

Assembly Passes Legislation to Make Forging Immunization Records a Felony

Jun 3, 2021

Speaker Carl Heastie and Codes Committee Chair Jeffrey Dinowitz today announced the Assembly has passed legislation that would confirm that forging proof of immunization is a felony (A.7536, Dinowitz).“It is beyond comprehension that after the horror...

Notice of Public Hearing - The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Program

Jun 3, 2021

Assembly Passes Legislation to Expand Protections in the Child Marriage Law, Making 18 the Age of Consent to Marry

Jun 3, 2021

Speaker Carl Heastie, Judiciary Committee Chair Charles D. Lavine and Assemblymember Phil Ramos today announced that the Assembly has passed legislation that builds on a 2017 law that prohibited marriage by young teenagers, but allowed 17 year olds to...

Assembly Passes Legislation to Advance Transparency in Grand Jury Proceedings

Jun 2, 2021

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Daniel O’Donnell today announced the Assembly has passed legislation that would facilitate additional involvement of the court and increase transparency in grand jury proceedings (A.5845, O’Donnell).“When...

Assembly Passes Legislation to Protect Immigrants from Coercion and Extortion

Jun 2, 2021

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Michaelle Solages today announced the Assembly has passed legislation that would include making threats to report a person’s immigration status or cause deportation/removal proceedings a form of extortion...

Grants Action News - June 2021

May 27, 2021

Assembly Passes Legislation Establishing Nourish New York Program

May 26, 2021

Speaker Carl Heastie, Agriculture Committee Chair Donna Lupardo and Assemblymember Catalina Cruz today announced the Assembly has passed legislation to establish the Nourish New York program in law, which connects surplus agricultural products with food...

Speaker Heastie Announces Continuation of Assembly Workgroup on Sexual Harassment

May 26, 2021

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced the continuation of the Assembly Workgroup on Sexual Harassment and announced new members to the group. The members will review issues on workplace discrimination and identify ways to ensure the safety of all employees.“We...

Speaker Heastie Statement

May 25, 2021

George Floyd’s murder a year ago today was a personal tragedy for his family and friends who continue to grieve his loss. The protests that were held across the country and the world in the weeks and months following his death spurred action. We...

Assembly Passes Legislation to Enter New York into SNAP Restaurant Meals Program

May 25, 2021

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Karines Reyes today announced the Assembly has passed legislation that would enter New York State into the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) (A.1524, Reyes). The program...

Assembly Passes Legislative Package in Observance of Legislative Disabilities Awareness Day

May 24, 2021

Speaker Carl Heastie, Minority Leader William Barclay today announced the Assembly will commemorate May 24, 2021 as the annual Legislative Disabilities Awareness Day (K.324, Abinanti). In honor of Legislative Disabilities Awareness Day, the Assembly...

Speaker Heastie Names Two Members to the Selection Committee for First State Veterans' Cemetery

May 20, 2021

Speaker Carl Heastie today announced that he has appointed James Bass and Sergio Villaverde to serve on the selection committee charged with determining the location of the first state veterans’ cemetery.“The selfless men and women who...

Speaker Heastie Statement on Updated Guidance and Capacity Limits in the Assembly Chamber

May 19, 2021

Effective immediately, and consistent with updated guidance, capacity limits in the Assembly Chamber have been eliminated. In order to ensure everyone’s safety, members, employees and visitors will continue to be required to wear face masks in all...

Assembly Passes Legislation Expanding Voters' Access to the Ballot in New York

May 11, 2021

Speaker Carl Heastie and Election Law Committee Chair Latrice Walker today announced that the Assembly has passed legislation to expand access to absentee ballot voting in New York by removing the constitutional barrier to “no excuse” absentee...

Notice of Public Hearing - Mental Health Crisis Services

May 11, 2021

Speaker Heastie Statement on the Passing of Former Assemblymember Aurelia Greene

May 10, 2021

It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing of a true friend and community stalwart, former Assemblymember Aurelia Greene.While representing the 77th Assembly District in the Bronx for over 20 years, she dedicated her life to the betterment...

Assembly Passes Lifesaving Legislation to Require Safe Staffing Standards in Hospitals and Nursing Homes

May 4, 2021

Speaker Carl Heastie, Health Committee Chair Richard N. Gottfried and Assemblymember Aileen Gunther today announced that the Assembly passed lifesaving legislation which will require hospitals and nursing homes to meet staffing ratios for nurses and unlicensed...

Assembly Passes Legislation to Extend Residential & Commercial Eviction Moratoriums

May 3, 2021

Speaker Carl Heastie, Assemblymember Jeffrey Dinowitz and and Assemblymember Harry B. Bronson today announced that the Assembly has passed legislation to extend the residential and commercial eviction and foreclosure moratoriums, and expand the number...

Grants Action News - May 2021

Apr 29, 2021

Speaker Heastie Statement on Resolutions Repealing Executive Orders

Apr 28, 2021

Today, the Assembly passed resolutions to repeal certain portions of a series of executive orders issued by the governor over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. These executive orders were issued in order to respond to the constantly evolving health...

Assembly to Pass Legislation to Expand Rape Statutes to Allow Survivors to Seek Justice

Apr 27, 2021

Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Catalina Cruz today announced that the Assembly will pass legislation that would redefine New York’s rape statutes to ensure that survivors receive appropriate justice and that their trauma is recognized...

Notice of Public Hearing - Electronic and Remote Notarization in New York State

Apr 27, 2021

Notice of Public Hearing - Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) Implementation

Apr 22, 2021

Assembly Passes Measure to Expand the Domestic Workers' Bill of Rights to Include Paid Family Leave

Apr 21, 2021

Speaker Carl Heastie, Labor Committee Chair Latoya Joyner and Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar today announced the passage of legislation to expand the Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights so that domestic workers are covered under Paid Family Leave...

Assembly Passes Legislation to Restore Voting Rights to Individuals Released to Parole Supervision

Apr 21, 2021

Speaker Carl Heastie and Election Law Committee Chair Latrice Walker today announced the Assembly has passed legislation that would restore voting rights to individuals released to parole supervision to facilitate community reintegration and participation...

Speaker Heastie Statement

Apr 20, 2021

George Floyd’s murder was a tragedy. It was a crime that the entire world witnessed on video over the course of nine minutes and 29 seconds. That Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all counts is important and it is right. But I also know we must...

Assembly Passes Earth Day Legislative Package to Safeguard the Environment

Apr 20, 2021

Speaker Carl Heastie and Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Steve Englebright today announced that the Assembly will commemorate April 22, 2021 as the 51st Anniversary of Earth Day (K.167, McMahon). In honor of Earth Day the Assembly passed...