Legislative Roundup for Week of June 1, 2012

Dean G. Skelos

New York State Senator, 9^th District

Voted Yes on S6636-2011: To strengthen Leandra’s Law which was passed in 2009 and requires all convicted DWI offenders to install and use an ignition interlock in all vehicles they own or operate for a period of at least six months after their conviction. Ignition interlocks are breath test devices linked to a vehicle’s ignition system which prevent the car from starting if alcohol is detected in the driver’s breath. Now, where the court finds “good cause” it can sentence a person to wear a transdermal alcohol monitoring device for a period of not less than six months. Passed by a vote of 58 to 1 with 2 excused.

Voted Yes on S6020A-2011: Gives the state Board of Parole the authority to require certain violent felons to serve out their full prison sentences when the parole board finds convincing evidence that the release of the inmate would pose an immediate threat to society. The legislation also makes the earning of good behavior allowances for violent felony offenders contingent upon their not being an immediate threat to society upon release. Passed by a vote of 50 to 9 with 2 excused.

Voted Yes on S4717B-2011: The bill, known as “Mark’s Law,” makes the intentional killing of emergency first responders first degree murder, punishable by the stiffest penalty allowed by law – life without parole. The law would add the emergency crews to the list that now includes police officers, peace officers, uniformed court officers, parole officers, probation officers, employees of the division of youth, and corrections officers. Passed unanimously [59] with 2 excused.

Harvey Weisenberg

New York State Assemblyman, 20^th District

Voted Yes on A03420: Amends the current public housing law in relation to allowing tenants with a physically disabling condition that affects their mobility, a preference in occupying a vacant unit on a lower floor in the same building in projects operated by the New York City housing authority. Bill passed by a vote of 120 to 17.

Voted Yes on A06658: Requires the State Fire Prevention and Building Code Council to update the New York State Fire Code to include procedures for evacuating individuals with disabilities and a list of individuals with disabilities who have notified the owner that they are disabled and would require assistance in the event of an emergency. Any failure to comply with any provision in the bill is punishable by a penalty of up to $500. Bill passed unanimously.

Voted Yes on S06858: amends the environmental conservation law to require the publication of laws relating to the control of invasive species. Bill passed unanimously.