Nov 20, 2025 Legislative Session

[ ROLL CALL]

[00:00:06]

OKAY GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY. I'D LIKE TO CALL SESSION NUMBER 21, NOVEMBER 20TH, 2025 TO ORDER.

CLERK, PLEASE TAKE THE ROLL. LEGISLATOR GREENE.

HERE HERE. BARGNESI. HERE GILMOUR. HERE HERE. SAINT JEAN TARD. HERE. AND VINAL. HERE ALL MEMBERS PRESENT. THANK YOU CLERK. PLEASE RISE FOR THE INVOCATION, WHICH WILL BE LED BY LEGISLATOR KOOSHOIAN.

[ INVOCATION: Mr. Kooshoian]

[ PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mr. Gilmour]

ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL THANK YOU. I WILL NOW OPEN THE FLOOR FOR THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.

[ PUBLIC COMMENT]

PLEASE KEEP IN MIND ALL SPEAKERS WILL LIMIT THEIR REMARKS TO THREE MINUTES.

THE CLERK WILL RING THE BELL WHEN YOU HAVE 30S LEFT.

ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE WE BEGIN? IF NOT, WE HAVE ONE SPEAKER SIGNED UP AT THIS TIME.

MR. PAUL WOLFE. PAUL, COME ON UP, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR, SIR.

THANK YOU CHAIRMAN SORRY. THANK YOU. MY NAME IS PAUL WOLFE. I WANT TO TALK ABOUT TWO ITEMS, ONE BEING TERM LIMITS AND THE OTHER BEING FAIR BALLOT ACCESS.

MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE TERM LIMITS ISSUE IS COMING UP FOR A VOTE TODAY, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THEY'RE ASKING FOR A 12 YEAR TERM LIMIT, WHICH I THINK IS TOO LONG. I THINK EIGHT YEARS IS PLENTY.

EIGHT YEARS IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. IT SHOULD BE GOOD ENOUGH FOR ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS.

AND I DON'T SUPPORT EXTENDING TERMS FROM TWO YEARS TO FOUR YEARS AT ALL.

I THINK THAT'S A TERRIBLE IDEA TO HAVE YOU GUYS FACE VOTERS IN LESS ELECTIONS.

YOU WIN 90% OF THE TIME. SO I DON'T THINK I DON'T FAVOR HAVING LESS ELECTIONS.

THE OTHER ITEM I WANT TO ADDRESS IS FAIR BALLOT ACCESS.

AND THAT IS IN THE LAST ELECTION. OVER HALF OF THE LEGISLATORS HERE DID NOT HAVE AN OPPONENT, WHICH MAY BE GOOD FOR YOU PERSONALLY, BUT I DON'T THINK IS HEALTHY FOR DEMOCRACY.

WE NEED TO HAVE COMPETITIVE ELECTIONS. WE NEED TO HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO HAVE DEBATES IN THE COMMUNITY ABOUT WHAT THE COUNTY SHOULD BE ADDRESSING OR NOT.

AND ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE HAVE SO FEW OPPOSITION IS IT'S HARD TO GET ON THE BALLOT IF YOU RUN AS A DEMOCRAT OR A REPUBLICAN.

EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM, YOU NEED 500 SIGNATURES TO GET ON THE BALLOT.

IF A PERSON RUNS AS AN INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE NONPARTY, THEY NEED 1500 SIGNATURES.

IT'S OUTRAGEOUS THAT YOU NEED TRIPLE THE NUMBER OF SIGNATURES.

THE RULE SHOULD BE THE SAME FOR EVERYONE. IF IT'S 500 FOR DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS, IT SHOULD BE 500 FOR INDEPENDENTS.

IT'S EASY TO GET. NOT EASY, BUT YOU CAN GET 500 SIGNATURES WHEN YOU'RE AN INCUMBENT, WHEN YOU HAVE PARTY BOSSES HELPING YOU, WHEN YOU HAVE PATRONAGE EMPLOYEES HELPING YOU.

YOU DON'T HAVE THAT. WHEN YOU RUN AS AN INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE, YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN.

SO IT SHOULD BE 500 FOR EVERYONE AND YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO CHANGE THAT.

THE ELECTION LAW SETS THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF SIGNATURES NEEDED AT 1500, BUT YOU HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO LOWER IT.

SO I REQUEST THAT YOU TAKE MY COMMUNICATION THAT I FILED, SEND IT TO COMMITTEE.

I HOPE YOU DON'T RECEIVE AND FILE IT. I HOPE YOU SEND IT TO COMMITTEE.

CONSIDER IT, TALK ABOUT IT, AND I HOPE SOMEONE WILL PROPOSE A LOCAL LAW TO MAKE THE SIGNATURE REQUIREMENTS THE SAME FOR ALL CANDIDATES.

THAT'S ONE THING YOU CAN DO TO IMPROVE DEMOCRACY AT THE LOCAL LEVEL, THANKS.

THANK YOU, MR. WOLFE. ARE THERE ANY OTHER SPEAKERS AT THIS TIME? OKAY, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.

CONTINUING ON WITH OUR AGENDA. TABLED ITEMS, THERE ARE NONE.

ITEMS FOR RECONSIDERATION, THERE ARE NONE. MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING, MAJORITY LEADER. MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL. SECOND

[ MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: Meeting No. 20]

MOTION CARRIES. PUBLIC HEARINGS, THERE ARE NONE.

[00:05:03]

[ MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS:]

SECOND ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

THE MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS ARE NOW AMENDED, MAJORITY LEADER.

MOVE TO APPROVE, AS AMENDED. SECOND SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR VINAL ON THE QUESTION.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

THE MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS ARE NOW APPROVED, AS AMENDED.

AT THIS TIME WE'LL HAVE A SHORT PRESENTATION FROM THE DIVERSIFICATION BOARD.

I'D LIKE TO INVITE THEM UP. WE HAVE JUDGE MARTOCHE, DOCTOR FARROW, JUDGE MCCARTHY WE HAVE A WHOLE SO YOU GUYS CAN COME UP HERE, WE'LL VACATE THE DAIS. AND THE MIC IS ON. COME ON, EVERYBODY.

SO GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY. GOOD MORNING, CHAIRPERSON MEYERS, GOOD MORNING TO ALL OF THE LEGISLATORS.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING US THIS MORNING. MY NAME IS AMY MARTOCHE.

I AM THE ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE FOR THE EIGHTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT, AND I'M HERE TODAY TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT A PARTNERSHIP THAT EXISTS, WHOSE SOLE PURPOSE IS TO INCREASE JURY DIVERSIFICATION FOR APPROXIMATELY THE PAST FOUR YEARS THIS GROUP.

THESE ARE MEMBERS OF THE GROUP WHO'VE BEEN WORKING TO ENHANCE DIVERSIFICATION OF OUR JURIES.

AND WHY IS JURY SERVICE IMPORTANT? I'M JUST GOING TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE MY OWN LITTLE CIVICS LESSON, WHICH JURY SERVICE IS FOUNDATIONAL TO OUR DEMOCRACY.

IT'S A PRIVILEGE AND A DUTY. YOU KNOW, I'M NOT GOING TO SAY ANYTHING THAT YOU ALL DON'T KNOW WHEN PEOPLE GET JURY SERVICE.

WHAT? YOU KNOW, NOTICE OF JURY DUTY. WHAT'S THE FIRST THING THEY DO? OH, MY GOSH, I'VE GOT JURY DUTY. I DON'T WANT TO GO.

I WANT TO GET OUT OF IT. HOW DO I GET OUT OF IT? THE IRONY IS, WHEN YOU TALK TO PEOPLE WHO'VE BEEN ON JURIES.

YOU KNOW WHAT THEY SAY? THAT WAS THE BEST EXPERIENCE I'VE EVER HAD.

I LOVED BEING A JUROR. I LOVED BEING A GRAND JUROR.

I LOVED BEING ON A JURY. BUT THE IMPORTANT THING WE NEEDED TO WORK ON IS DIVERSIFICATION OF OUR JURY.

STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT WHEN JURIES REFLECT THE COMMUNITY'S DEMOGRAPHICS, THE PUBLIC'S PERCEPTION OF FAIRNESS IS ENHANCED.

THE MORE DIVERSE JURIES, THE BETTER THE DECISION MAKING.

SO I AM HERE AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF THIS GROUP.

IT'S A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE FEDERAL AND STATE COURT.

IT'S THE FIRST OF ITS KIND. I'M GOING TO PASS THIS THIS CONVERSATION OVER TO OUR COMMISSIONER OF JURORS, DOCTOR FARROW. AND I WANT TO THANK YOU AGAIN, BECAUSE WHY WE'RE HERE TODAY IS WE NEED YOUR HELP IN THIS EFFORT.

IT IS A TEAM EFFORT. IT'S A COMMUNITY EFFORT.

SO THANKS AGAIN FOR HAVING US, DOCTOR FARROW. THANK YOU JUDGE.

THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN MEYERS, FOR ALLOWING THE JURY DIVERSIFICATION COMMITTEE TO SPEAK TO THE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE REGARDING THE WORK WE ARE DOING ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF JURY SERVICE AND JURY DIVERSITY, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE NOVEMBER IS WHEN WE CELEBRATE YOUR APPRECIATION MONTH.

AND STATE COURTS, MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE.

GOOD MORNING AS MENTIONED, I AM DOCTOR CHRISTINE FARROW.

I'M THE COMMISSIONER OF JURORS FOR ERIE COUNTY, AND I HAD THE HONOR OF CO-CHAIRING THE JURY DIVERSIFICATION COMMITTEE ALONGSIDE MARY LOEWENGUTH, CLERK OF COURT FOR US DISTRICT COURT, WESTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK.

MARY IS UNABLE TO BE HERE TODAY, BUT SHE SENDS HER REGARDS.

AS MENTIONED, OUR COMMITTEE STARTED ABOUT APPROXIMATELY FOUR YEARS AGO UNDER THE DIRECTION OF CHIEF JUDGE ELIZABETH WOLFORD FROM FEDERAL COURT.

OUR FORMER ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE KEVIN CARTER, AND NOW OUR CURRENT ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE, AMY MARTOCHE.

I WANT TO BE CRYSTAL CLEAR. JURY DIVERSITY IS NOT AN ISSUE CENTRAL TO ERIE COUNTY.

[00:10:01]

THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK IN THE EIGHTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT CONTAINS SOME OF THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST MEMBERS OF THE LEGAL COMMUNITY, MANY WHO ARE HERE WITH US TODAY TO IDENTIFY BARRIERS AND TO COME UP WITH SOLUTIONS.

THESE MEMBERS INCLUDE PROSECUTORS, JUDGES, DEFENSE ATTORNEYS, CIVIL ATTORNEYS, LAW CLERKS, AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY. AS THE JUDGE INDICATED, OUR COMMITTEE IS WHAT WE BELIEVE TO BE A FIRST OF ITS KIND COLLABORATION IN THE COUNTRY IN WHICH FEDERAL COURT AND STATE COURT HAVE COME TOGETHER TO FURTHER EXAMINE JURY DIVERSITY AND HOW WE CAN INCREASE JURY DIVERSITY. SO JUST TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND OF WHAT OUR COMMITTEE HAS DONE THUS FAR IN 2022, WE MET WITH A UNIVERSITY OF CORNELL PROFESSOR, AND SHE IS ONE OF THE NATION'S LEADING AUTHORITIES ON THE JURY SYSTEM.

WE ALSO MET WITH COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS, AND THEN WE HELD A SERIES OF FOCUS GROUPS.

WE DID THAT BECAUSE WE WANTED TO HEAR FIRSTHAND FROM THE COMMUNITY.

WHAT ARE YOUR ISSUES WITH SERVING, AND HOW CAN WE, AS THE COURTS AND THE LEGAL COMMUNITY, ASSIST YOU WITH OVERCOMING THOSE BARRIERS? AND WHILE OUR FINDINGS INDICATED LACK OF TRUST IN THE SYSTEM, THE MOST NOTABLE BARRIER TO JURY SERVICE WAS LACK OF INFORMATION AND EDUCATION.

SO TO ADDRESS THOSE BARRIERS, OUR RESEARCH INFORMED US THAT FIRST, WE NEED TO ADDRESS THE LACK OF TRUST.

TRUST IS NOT SOMETHING THAT JUST HAPPENS. IT'S A RESULT OF SMALLER, REGULAR INTERACTIONS AND EXPERIENCES THAT CAN BE DIRECTLY INFLUENCED BY THE COURTS. OUR FINDINGS ALSO TOLD US THAT WE NEED TO RAMP UP OUR EDUCATION AND OUTREACH EFFORTS.

THIS IS A HERCULEAN TASK. THE COURTS AND THE LEGAL COMMUNITY CANNOT DO THIS ALONE.

THIS IS WHERE YOU ALL COME IN. YOUR CONSTITUENTS ARE BASICALLY OUR PROSPECTIVE JURORS.

THE COMMITTEE HAS TAKEN UP MEET THEM WHERE THEY ARE APPROACH.

WE HAVE BEEN JUST ABOUT ANYWHERE, AND THE MEMBERS ON THE COMMITTEE CAN TELL YOU WE WILL GO JUST ABOUT ANYWHERE TO SPREAD THE WORD, PROVIDE EDUCATION AND OUTREACH. SO IF YOUR DISTRICT, IF YOU HOLD ANY KIND OF STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS, LET US KNOW. WE'LL GLADLY SHOW UP. WE WILL SET UP AN INFORMATION TABLE.

WE WILL DO A BRIEF SPEECH IF YOU HOLD. EXCUSE ME.

IF YOU SEND OUT NEWSLETTERS, LET US KNOW. WE HAVE INFORMATIONAL MATERIAL THAT YOU CAN ENCLOSE IN THOSE NEWSLETTERS IF YOU WANT INFORMATION MATERIAL DISPLAYED AT YOUR OFFICE. LET US KNOW. WE'LL PROVIDE THAT TO YOU.

AND I DON'T WANT TO PUT ANYBODY ON THE SPOT, BUT IF YOU EVER SERVED AND WENT THROUGH THE PROCESS, FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE US YOUR TESTIMONY. THESE ARE JUST A FEW WAYS THAT YOU CAN HELP.

I'LL SAY THIS. IN CLOSING, DESPITE US HAVING THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE SOURCE LIST, WE INCORPORATE TONS OF TECHNOLOGY TO COMMUNICATE WITH JURORS.

WE EVEN REVAMPED OUR SYSTEM SO WE MINIMIZE THE TIME THAT JURORS ACTUALLY SPEND WITH US.

AND NOT TO MENTION, NEW YORK STATE HAS THE HIGHEST JUROR PAY IN THE COUNTRY.

DESPITE ALL THOSE POSITIVE THINGS, THERE'S STILL A PORTION OF THE A SEGMENT OF THE POPULATION THAT THEY JUST DON'T WANT TO PARTICIPATE DUE TO THE BARRIERS PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED. BUT ON THE FLIP SIDE, THE JUDGE MENTIONED IT.

JURORS THAT DO YOU SERVE. THEY ACTUALLY TELL US HOW THEY ENJOY THEIR EXPERIENCE, AND THEY WALK AWAY WITH A GREATER APPRECIATION OF THE SYSTEM.

SO THIS IS BASICALLY OUR CALL TO ACTION FOR YOU TO COME ALONG WITH US AND JOIN US ON EDUCATING THE RESIDENTS OF ERIE COUNTY ON THE IMPORTANCE OF ONE OF THE CORNERSTONES OF OUR DEMOCRACY.

AND THAT'S THE JURY SYSTEM, BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW THAT IT'S EVERYDAY PEOPLE THAT MAKE JUSTICE WORK.

AND I'LL LET JUDGE MCCARTHY TALK ABOUT HIS PERSPECTIVE FROM THE FEDERAL COURTS.

THANK YOU, DOCTOR FARROW, GOOD MORNING. YOU KNOW, JURY DIVERSITY IS NOT JUST A MATTER OF A NICE THING TO DO.

OUR SUPREME COURT HAS SAID THAT, AND I QUOTE, THE SIXTH AMENDMENT'S PROMISE OF A JURY OF ONE'S PEERS MEANS A JURY SELECTED FROM A REPRESENTATIVE CROSS-SECTION OF THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

AND I RECOGNIZE ON BEHALF OF MY COLLEAGUES ON THE STATE SIDE, AS WELL AS MY FEDERAL COLLEAGUES, THE RESPONSIBILITY IS ON US AS WELL TO MAKE SURE THAT THE SYSTEM WORKS, THAT PEOPLE DO GET A FAIR SHAKE.

I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF PUBLIC PERCEPTION THAT THE CHIPS ARE IN WHEN SOMEBODY GOES TO TRIAL.

BUT THE ONLY WAY THAT CAN BE OVERCOME IS IF THERE IS A REPRESENTATIVE CROSS-SECTION FROM THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

[00:15:08]

IT MUST HAVE BEEN SOMETHING I SAID, BUT I DID NOT GET SELECTED TO MY EVERLASTING REGRET.

BUT I DID TRY. SO I JUST ENCOURAGE ALL OF YOU TO SPREAD THE WORD TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS.

WE ARE TRYING ON OUR END, BUT IT REQUIRES EVERYBODY TO PITCH IN THANK YOU.

THANK YOU AGAIN, I'M CRAIG AND I HAVE THE HONOR AND PRIVILEGE OF SERVING AS A STATE SUPREME COURT JUDGE.

AND I'M GOING TO ECHO WHAT JUDGE MCCARTHY SAID.

SERVICE. AND I'M QUOTING SHIRLEY CHISHOLM, IS THE RENT THAT YOU PAY FOR YOUR ROOM ON THIS EARTH.

AND WE WANT TO LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT JURY SERVICE IS WHAT YOU NEED.

JUDGE MCCARTHY SAID IT BEST. WE NEED PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE TO COME IN THERE, TO GIVE THEIR TIME AND THEIR TALENT AND THEIR ABILITIES TO SERVE ON THE JURY.

YOU DON'T KNOW, LIKE THE LITTLE NUANCES, WE ALWAYS JOKE ABOUT IT WHEN WE GO TO PLACES, LIKE WHEN YOU HEAR THE PHRASE STAND ON BUSINESS.

I STAND ON BUSINESS, MEANING ABOUT YOU, ABOUT YOU'RE ABOUT BUSINESS. YOU'RE ABOUT TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS. WE DON'T WANT SOMEONE IN THAT JURY PANEL TO THINK YOU'RE STANDING ON TOP OF SOMETHING, YOU KNOW? AND WE SAY THAT IN JEST.

BUT TO REALIZE IS WHEN YOU GET PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE TO COME IN THAT ROOM, THAT'S THE ONLY WAY THAT WE'RE REALLY GOING TO HAVE JUSTICE TO BE SERVED.

AND WHEN YOU GET THAT JURY SUMMONS AND HE'S BEING A LITTLE BIT MORE HONEST THAN I WAS WHEN I GOT MY JURY SUMMONS.

I WAS LIKE, AARGH! [GROANS]. BUT THEN I WAS LIKE, HOW CAN I GO OUT? AND ASK PEOPLE TO TAKE OFF THE WORK, TAKE OFF THE SCHOOL, BE AWAY FROM THEIR FAMILIES FOR 1 OR 2.

AND IF YOU'RE ON GRAND JURY, IT MIGHT BE THREE, FOUR, SIX WEEKS.

AND IF I WOULDN'T DO THE SAME THING. HE'S LUCKY, BECAUSE WHEN I GOT THERE, MY COLLEAGUES SAW ME AND THEY WEREN'T GOING TO LET ME GO TO THE END OF THE DAY [LAUGHTER]. SO THEY LET ME SIT UP IN THEIR BOX ALL DAY.

I KNOW THEY'RE GOING TO EXCUSE ME, BUT IT'S LIKE, NOPE, YOU HAVE TO WAIT TILL WE ASK YOU A QUESTION.

SO I SAT THERE FROM 8:30 TO ABOUT 4:30 AND THEY SAID, OKAY, YOU CAN GO NOW SO [LAUGHTER].

BUT I DIDN'T WANT TO BE TREATED ANY SPECIAL. THE REASON WHY I SAID THAT IS BECAUSE IF WE ALL DON'T GIVE OUR TIME, IF WE ALL DON'T GIVE OUR TIME, IF WE ALL DON'T SHARE THE THING THAT WE SAY, WE SAY IT ALL THE TIME.

WHEN WE SAY THE POTENTIAL JURORS, DON'T LEAVE YOUR COMMON SENSE ON THE COURTHOUSE STEPS.

YOU ARE THE JUDGES OF THE FACTS. YOU ARE THE ONE THAT'S GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT JUSTICE IS SERVED, BECAUSE PEOPLE MUCH WISER THAN US HUNDREDS OF YEARS AGO SAID WE SHOULD BE JUDGED BY A JURY OF OUR PEERS, AND WE CAN'T HAVE OUR PEERS TRYING TO GET OUT OF EVERY SERVICE THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO GET OUT OF A PARKING TICKET.

SO THAT'S WHAT WE CALL ON YOU AND JUDGE FARROW.

SO I'M MAKING YOU A JUDGE, [LAUGHTER] BUT BLOCK CLUB MEETINGS, CHURCH GATHERINGS, ANYTHING WE WOULD LIKE TO COME AND TALK TO EVERYONE ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF JURY SERVICE, NOT DUTY. SERVICE, BECAUSE YOU'RE SERVING, GIVING BACK TO MANKIND AGAIN.

I DON'T WANT TO BORE YOU, BUT I CAN TALK ABOUT THIS FOREVER.

BUT I'D BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T SAY THANK YOU FOR GIVING US YOUR TIME AND YOUR ATTENTION.

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, THANK YOU FOR BEING OUR MOUTHPIECE, BECAUSE WE WANT TO GET OUT IN THE COMMUNITY AND TELL EVERYONE THE IMPORTANCE OF JURY SERVICE. THANK YOU COMMUNITY EFFORT. SO THANKS FOR LETTING US BE HERE.

IF YOU CALL US, WE WILL COME. WE WILL SHOW UP.

WE'RE SHOWING UP IN SCHOOLS. WE'RE SHOWING UP IN MEETINGS WE'RE ALL OVER.

SO JUST TELL US AND WE'LL BE THERE. BUT I DO WANT TO INTRODUCE THE OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE.

WE HAVE JUDGE SUE EGAN FROM COUNTY COURT. WE HAVE FONDA KUBIAK FROM THE FEDERAL PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE.

WE HAVE NATALIE LESH FROM THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

WE HAVE ANDREW MOELLER, WHO IS THE INCOMING CLERK OF COURT AT FEDERAL COURT AND A LONGTIME FEDERAL CLERK.

AND WE HAVE MARY STRUBLE FROM THE STATE COMMISSIONER OF JURORS OFFICE.

I JUST WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEM BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THEY'VE BEEN DOING THIS WORK ON THE COMMITTEE LONGER THAN I HAVE.

SO THANK YOU ALL AND THANK YOU ALL FOR LETTING US COME TODAY.

DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR US? YES, SIR. I WAS SERVED ON A CRIMINAL OR I WAS CALLED.

I DIDN'T GET PICKED UP, BUT SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT WERE THERE HAD REAL PROBLEMS WITH TRANSPORTATION GETTING THERE AND ESPECIALLY PARKING.

AND THEY DIDN'T HAVE A CREDIT CARD. AND I WAS WONDERING, IS THERE A WAY TO GIVE LIKE PARKING FOR PROSPECTIVE JURORS AND TRANSPORTATION ALLOWANCE AHEAD OF TIME? SO THAT YOU KNOW THEY HAVE THAT NEED.

STATE COURT DOES NOT PROVIDE A TRANSPORTATION ALLOWANCE.

AND WE DID HAVE A I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO CALL IT A PARTNERSHIP WHEN IT WAS THE BUFFALO BRAND WHERE THEY WOULD ALLOW OUR JURORS TO PARK THERE FOR LIKE $3. BUT BEING THAT THEY'RE CLOSED DOWN WE DON'T HAVE THAT LUXURY TO OFFER THAT.

[00:20:02]

AND THEN IS THAT SOMETHING YOU'D WANT THE COUNTY LEGISLATOR TO MAYBE LOOK INTO FOR FUNDING THAT FOR ERIE COUNTY? BECAUSE THE PEOPLE THAT WERE RIGHT AROUND ME, TWO OF THE FOUR PEOPLE AROUND ME HAD REAL ISSUES.

THEY WERE CALLING THEIR KIDS, TRYING TO GET MONEY TO GET OUT OF THE PARKING LOT, YOU KNOW, AND THEY WERE WORRIED ABOUT THAT MORE THAN THE QUESTIONING, IT SEEMED LIKE.

WE CAN CERTAINLY HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT IT.

OTHER QUESTIONS? NO? THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] FEELS LIKE IT WAS JUST A LITTLE SHIFT IN POWER UP HERE [LAUGHTER].

OKAY CONTINUING ON WITH OUR AGENDA LOCAL LAWS, LEGISLATOR BARGNESI.

[ LOCAL LAWS:]

LEGISLATOR GREENE. NO. LORIGO. NO NO YES. FIRST OF ALL, I'D LIKE TO THANK LEGISLATOR VINAL FOR SECOND THIS MOTION.

I THINK EVERYBODY NEEDED TO REALIZE THAT TODAY'S VOTE WAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PUT THIS BEFORE THE PEOPLE OF ERIE COUNTY.

LET THEM DECIDE WHETHER TERM LIMITS IS SOMETHING THAT WE WANT TO DO.

IT'S NOTHING MORE THAN THAT. BY YOUR NO VOTE HERE TODAY, YOU'RE DENYING THE PEOPLE OF ERIE COUNTY THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE.

AND I THINK THAT'S WRONG. I DON'T I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD BE DECIDING THAT.

YOU SHOULD ALLOW YOUR CONSTITUENTS TO DECIDE IF THEY LIKE TERM LIMITS OR NOT.

THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON. I PRESENTED THIS LAST YEAR, I BELIEVE, IN JUNE OF 24.

THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON. I'VE BEEN WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES FOR THIS FOR QUITE A LONG TIME, TRYING TO RALLY SUPPORT.

I DON'T BELIEVE I HAVE THE SUPPORT HERE TODAY, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR AT LEAST CONSIDERING MY VOTE IS YES.

THANK YOU, LEGISLATOR DUPREE. NO. GILMOUR. NO.

KOOSHOIAN. YES. MEYERS. NO. SAINT JEAN TARD. EXPLAIN MY VOTE, I'M VOTING NO ON THIS PROPOSED TERM LIMITS, BECAUSE THE STRUCTURE SIMPLY DOES NOT REFLECT REAL ACCOUNTABILITY OR REAL REFORM.

A 12 YEAR CAP MADE UP FOUR YEAR TERMS IS NOT MEANINGFUL TERM LIMIT AND IS NOT A LIMITATION.

IT ACTUALLY WEAKENS THE VOTERS OVERSIGHT. SO THAT'S WHY I'M VOTING NO.

THANK YOU, LEGISLATOR VINAL. YES. THE VOTE IS 3 TO 8 IT FAILS

[ COMMITTEE REPORTS:]

MAJORITY LEADER. MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION APPROVAL.

SECOND 11 TO 0. THE REPORT IS APPROVED. REPORT NUMBER 11 FROM THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE.

LEGISLATIVE DUPRE. THANK YOU CHAIR. MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL.

SECOND 11 TO 0. THE REPORT IS APPROVED. REPORT NUMBER 15 FROM THE ENERGY ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE, LEGISLATIVE BARGNESI.

MAJORITY LEADER ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. THE REPORT IS APPROVED.

REPORT NUMBER 14 FROM THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE, LEGISLATIVE SAINT JEAN TARD. I MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL.

SECOND. WE HAVE A MOTION FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL BY THE LEGISLATIVE SAINT JEAN TARD, SECONDED BY THE MAJORITY LEADER. THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. THE REPORT IS APPROVED. REPORT, LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTIONS, MAJORITY LEADER.

[ LEGISLATOR RESOLUTIONS:]

MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION APPROVAL. SECOND.

[00:25:01]

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. MOTION CARRIES THE RESOLUTION IS APPROVED.

INTRO 21-2 FROM LEGISLATOR SAINT JEAN TARD, MAJORITY LEADER.

MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION APPROVAL. SECOND AND LEGISLATOR SAINT JEAN TARD ON THE QUESTION.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. THE MOTION CARRIES THE RESOLUTION IS APPROVED.

COMMUNICATIONS DISCHARGE FROM COMMITTEE, THERE ARE NONE.

SUSPENSION OF THE RULES, THERE ARE NONE. COMMUNICATIONS FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS.

[ COMMUNICATIONS FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS:]

COMMUNICATION 21E-6 MAJORITY LEADER. MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION APPROVAL.

SECOND. WE HAVE A MOTION FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION APPROVAL BY THE MAJORITY LEADER, SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR VINAL ON THE QUESTION.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. THE MOTION CARRIES THE ITEM IS APPROVED.

COMMUNICATION 21E-7 MAJORITY LEADER. MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL.

SECOND. WE HAVE A MOTION FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL BY MAJORITY LEADER, SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR VINAL ON THE QUESTION.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. THE MOTION CARRIES THE ITEM IS APPROVED.

COMMUNICATION 21E-8. MAJORITY MOVE FOR CONSIDERATION APPROVAL.

SECOND WE HAVE A SECOND BY LEGISLATIVE DUPRE ON THE QUESTION.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. THE MOTION CARRIES THE ITEM IS APPROVED.

COMMUNICATION 21E-9. MAJORITY LEADER. MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION APPROVAL.

SECOND ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. THE MOTION CARRIES AND THE ITEM IS APPROVED.

COMMUNICATION 21E-10 AS INDICATED. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS.

[ COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE DEPARTMENTS:]

COMMUNICATION 21D-4 MAJORITY LEADER. MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL.

SECOND ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. THE MOTION CARRIES THE ITEM IS APPROVED.

COMMUNICATION 21D-5 MAJORITY LEADER. MOVE FOR CONSIDERATION APPROVAL.

SECOND WE HAVE A SECOND BY LEGISLATOR SAINT JEAN TARD ON THE QUESTION.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. THE MOTION CARRIES.

THE ITEM IS APPROVED. COMMUNICATION 21D-6 THROUGH AND INCLUDING COMMUNICATION 21D-7 AS INDICATED.

COMMUNICATIONS FROM PEOPLE IN OTHER AGENCIES.

[ COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PEOPLE AND OTHER AGENCIES:]

THE CLERK WILL RING THE BELL WITH 30S LEFT. IS THERE ANY SPEAKER WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK AT ANY OTHER COUNTY BUSINESS? ONCE AGAIN, IS THERE ANY OTHER SPEAKERS WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON COUNTY BUSINESS? OKAY WITH THAT, CONTINUING ON WITH OUR AGENDA ANNOUNCEMENTS DUE TO THE HOLIDAY, WE WILL NOT HAVE COMMITTEE MEETINGS NEXT WEEK.

[ ANNOUNCEMENTS:]

THE CLERK OF THE LEGISLATURE WILL SEND OUT NOTICES WHEN THIS DATE IS CONFIRMED.

OUR NEXT SCHEDULED SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE WILL TAKE PLACE ON DECEMBER 4TH.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS? PLEASE RISE FOR MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS.

[ MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS:]

HE PASSED AWAY THIS WEEKEND, AND I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT HIS FAITH, LEADERSHIP AND LOVE FOR HIS COMMUNITY TOUCHED US ALL.

ALTHOUGH HE'S NO LONGER WITH US, HIS INFLUENCE AND EXAMPLE REMAINS STRONG IN OUR HEART.

I FEEL FOR HIS LADY, LINDA, HIS CHILDREN, AN ENTIRE ELIM CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP FAMILY PLEASE KEEP THEM IN YOUR PRAYERS THANK YOU.

I'M SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS LEGISLATOR. LEGISLATOR SAINT JEAN TARD, I'D LIKE TO ADJOURN IN MEMORY OF JANIE HILL.

WE HAD HER GRANDDAUGHTER HERE RECENTLY FOR EVERY BOTTOM COVERED, WHO GIVES OUT DIAPERS FOR SINGLE MOMS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY.

AND HER GRANDMOTHER WAS JUST SUPER INVOLVED IN DISTRICT TOO, MAKING SURE THAT SHE WAS MAKING AN IMPACT.

SO I WANT TO JOIN IN HER MEMORY AND ALSO IN THE MEMORY OF BISHOP TROY ANTHONY BRONNER.

I KNOW LEGISLATOR DUPREE JUST MENTIONED ALL THE AMAZING THINGS HE HAS DONE, BUT PERSONALLY, HE WAS NOT ONLY A FAITH LEADER, BUT HE WAS A COMMUNITY ADVOCATE.

HE TOOK CARE OF EVERYONE THAT WALKED THROUGH THE DOORS.

SPECIFICALLY WHEN I DECIDED TO BECOME A LEGISLATOR, HE WAS ONE OF THE FIRST PEOPLE TO CALL ME.

[00:30:05]

SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. LEGISLATOR BARGNESI. YES I WOULD LIKE TO ADJOURN IN MEMORY OF CHRISTOPHER SHELDON, DIED SUDDENLY. LEAVES BEHIND A WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN.

IT'S A GREAT I'M SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS, LEGISLATOR. LEGISLATOR LORIGO. I'D LIKE TO CLOSE IN HONOR OF JIM INCORVAIA AND ALDO ALDO WAS A GREAT DAD, AND HE'S GONNA BE SORELY MISSED.

SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS LEGISLATOR. LEGISLATIVE TODARO. THANK YOU CHAIRMAN.

I MOVE TO ADJOURN IN THE MEMORY OF DOUGLAS DICK, ROBERT BENZINGER, STANLEY SWAIN AND ALICE DEBIASE.

SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR THOSE WHO WENT ON TO THE LORD MIC]. WITH THAT, MOTION TO ADJOURN? MOTION TO ADJOURN MOTION TO ADJOURN BY LEGISLATOR BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.

WE HAVE A SECOND BY LEGISLATOR, GREENE AND LEGISLATOR SAINT JEAN TARD. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. WE STAND ADJOURN, THANK YOU.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.