Buffalo Ledger

During the week of February 24, 2025, several bills were approved in the New York State Senate, with Senator Gallivan casting votes on each. The bills covered a wide range of topics from short-term rentals to healthcare and public safety.

Senator Gallivan voted "nay" on S820, which involves regulating short-term residential rentals by creating a registration system and allowing for tax collection from these rentals. This was noted as a substantial rewrite of the original bill.

In contrast, Senator Gallivan supported S1610, which requires stormwater permit applicants to notify affected counties about construction projects. These counties must then publish the notice online.

Senator Gallivan also voted "aye" on S29, mandating medical professionals report cases of Lyme or other tick-borne diseases to the Department of Health. Similarly, he supported S195, which expands prohibitions on selling tobacco products that appeal to minors.

Further approvals included S2324, granting new oversight authority over land transfers; S378 for foster youth education funding information; and S3029 for licensing genetic counselors. Other notable approvals were for insurance rate equality (S661), electronic signatures for tax documents (S52), and an insurance liaison role on the disaster preparedness commission (S2069).

Senator Gallivan opposed S417 concerning vote recount margins and expressed concerns over confidentiality with S488 related to pharmaceutical agreements delaying generic drugs.

The senator supported numerous other measures including those aimed at enhancing transparency in prescription drug supply chains (S438), improving eviction processes involving minors (S1615), expanding caregiver training programs (S903), and addressing banking development districts (S2027).

Additionally, Senator Gallivan backed legislation promoting privacy rights in healthcare settings (S555) and establishing crimes related to voyeurism while exempting certain professionals like firefighters and healthcare workers (S524).

Several other bills received affirmative votes from Senator Gallivan across various sectors such as transportation safety education (S1284) and telework policy reporting by state agencies (S936).

Overall, Senator Gallivan's voting record this week reflects a diverse set of legislative priorities ranging from consumer protection to public health initiatives.