>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. MY NAME IS OLIVIA OWENS,
[00:00:02]
AND I'M CLERK OF THE LEGISLATURE AND WE CAN SOON BE REELECTED AS CLERK OF THE LEGISLATURE.THE TIME IS NOW 11:35, AND I WILL CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER.
I WANT TO WELCOME YOU TO THIS MEETING ON BEHALF OF ALL OF THE LEGISLATURES.
AS THE CLERK OF THE LEGISLATURE, I WILL CALL THIS TO ORDER MEETING NUMBER 1 JANUARY 8, 2026.
I WILL NOW CALL ROLL. LEGISLATOR GREENE.
PLEASE STAND FOR THE INDICATION LED BY MR. MEYERS.
THANK YOU. PLEASE REMAIN STANDING IF YOU ARE ABLE FOR THE PLEDGE LED BY MR. MILLS.
>> THANK YOU. YOU MAY BE SEATED.
I WILL NOW ASK THAT THE HONORABLE JUDGE [INAUDIBLE] COME TO THE STAIRS FOR THE PURPOSE OF SWEARING A STATEMENT.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO THE CLERK OF THE LEGISLATURE.
GOOD MORNING, FRIENDS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.
THE BEAUTY OF A COUNTY LIKE ERIE IS THAT I CONSIDER EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FRIENDS AND IT'S BECAUSE OF OUR FRIENDSHIP, I THINK, ALL OF US THAT WE'RE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH THE WORK THAT WE DO FOR ALL OF OUR CONSTITUENTS, WHETHER IT'S IN THE LEGISLATURE OR THE COURTS, IT'S A PARTNERSHIP AMONG ALL OF US.
I'M HONORED TO RECEIVE THIS INVITATION FROM CLERK OWENS.
AT THIS TIME, WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, I WILL ASK ALL OF YOU TO STAND, PLEASE, SO I CAN ADMINISTER THE OATHS OF OFFICE.
ONE QUESTION FOR THE CLERK. [INAUDIBLE].
>> I WILL ASK THAT YOU RAISE YOUR RIGHT HANDS, PLEASE AND REPEAT AFTER ME.
[BACKGROUND] DO YOU SOLEMNLY SWEAR [BACKGROUND] THAT I WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA [BACKGROUND] AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK [BACKGROUND] AND THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICES OF LEGISLATOR OF THE COUNTY OF ERIE OR CLERK OF THE LEGISLATURE.
[BACKGROUND] ACCORDING TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY [BACKGROUND] SO HELP ME GOD.
WELCOME. YOU'RE ALL SWORN IN OFFICIALLY. THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE] PLEASE BE SEATED AGAIN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
GOD'S SPEED AND ALL THE HARD WORK THAT YOU DO FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
>> THANK YOU, JUDGE AND CONGRATULATIONS, LEGISLATORS.
[ NOMINATION & ELECTION OF CHAIR]
I WILL NOW OPEN THE FLOOR FOR NOMINATIONS AND THE ELECTION OF CHAIR OF THE LEGISLATURE FOR 2026, LEGISLATOR GILMOUR.>> THANK YOU. THERE'S A PROPER MOTION BY LEGISLATOR GILMOUR ON THE SECOND BY LEGISLATOR BAKER BARNES.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER NOMINATIONS?
>> THANK YOU. THERE'S A PROPER MOTION BY LEGISLATOR GILMOUR AND A SECOND BY LEGISLATOR BARGNESI TO CLOSE NOMINATIONS. ON THE QUESTION.
>> I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT IN THE TIME I'VE BEEN HERE, I JUST REALLY ADMIRE LEGISLATOR TIM MEYERS FOR HIS BRAINS, HIS CORDIALITY, HIS ABILITY TO WORK WITH PEOPLE AND AND HIS LISTENING SKILLS AND HIS ACTION AND HIS FEARLESSNESS.
I'M GLAD THAT HE IS THERE LEADER OF THE LEGISLATURE.
>> THANK YOU. STROLL ON THE QUESTION.
I NOW DO VOICE BOTH. ALL IN FAVOR? [OVERLAPPING]
>> OPPOSED? NOMINATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED.
WE HAVE A PROPER MOTION AND THE SECOND FOR TIMOTHY J MEYERS, AS CHAIR ON THE QUESTION.
NO. I WILL NOW DO A ROLL VOTE NOTE.
[00:05:01]
>> THANK YOU. THE VOTE IS 11 TO ZERO. [INAUDIBLE] IS KERRY.
TIMOTHY J MEYERS IS NOW THE CHAIR OF THE LEGISLATURE FOR 2026.
>> THANK YOU, EVERYBODY FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
I'M A LITTLE DISAPPOINTED THAT LEGISLATOR [INAUDIBLE] [LAUGHTER].
THAT'S ALL GOOD. BUT I DO THANK YOU ALL.
HOPEFULLY WE CAN CONTINUE WORKING TOGETHER.
I'VE BEEN TRYING TO CLOSE THAT GAP THAT WE'VE HAD, AND I THINK THAT WE CAN DO A LOT OF THINGS WE HAVE A OF INTELLIGENT PEOPLE HERE WITH A LOT OF GREAT IDEAS.
MY DOOR IS ALWAYS OPEN, SO HAVE A GREAT YEAR TO WORK TOGETHER.
AGAIN, I THINK IN THE BUNDLE LINE.
CONTINUING ON WITH OUR AGENDA,
[ NOMINATION & ELECTION OF CLERK]
I WILL NOW OPEN UP NOMINATION FOR ELECTIONS OF THE CLERK OF THE LEGISLATURE. MAJORITY LEADER.>> WE HAVE A PROPER NOMINATION BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.
WE HAVE A SECOND BY LEGISLATOR BARN MAJORITY LEADER.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND THE SECOND TO CLOSE NOMINATIONS.
>> THE NOMINATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED.
WE HAVE A PROPER MOTION ON THE SECOND FOR OLIVIA M OWENS ON THE QUESTION.
>> MOTION CARRIES CONGRATULATION [APPLAUSE].
FAVOR WE WILL NOW MOVE ON TO THE DESIGNATION OF THE MAJORITY LEADER LEGISLATOR BARGNESI.
[ DESIGNATION OF MAJORITY LEADER]
>> I HAVE A PETITION HAS BEEN SIGNED BY ALL MEMBERS OF THE MAJORITY CAUCUS, DESIGNATING JOHN J. GIMLOUR AS MAJORITY LEADER OF THE ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATOR FOR THE YEAR 2026.
THE PETITION HAS RECEIVED FILED AND PRINTED UNDER MY AUTHORITY AND THE CHAIR, CONGRATULATION MAJORITY LEADER.
>> WE WILL NOW BE ON TO THE DESIGNATION,
[ DESIGNATION OF MINORITY LEADER]
OF THE MINORITY LEADER. [INAUDIBLE].>> CHAIR, I HAVE A, EXCUSE ME ONE SECOND.
>> CHAIR, I HAVE A PETITION WITH FOUR SIGNATURES FROM THE MINORITY CAUCUS, AND I WOULD LIKE TO APPROACH THE COUNSEL.
>> ON THE QUESTION. THE PETITION HAS RECEIVED FILED AND PRINTED UNDER MY AUTHORITY.
AS CHAIR. CONGRATULATIONS AS MINORITY LEADER.
[APPLAUSE] MOVING ON WITH OUR AGENDA, THE RULES OF THE LEGISLATURE FOR 2026 ARE TABLED UNDER BY AUTHORITY AS CHAIR.
[ RULES OF THE LEGISLATURE FOR 2026]
OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER. MAJORITY LEADER.[ DESIGNATION OF NEWSPAPERS]
>> 70 PETITION OF THE MAJORITY CAUCUS OFFICIAL NEWSPAPERS. MR. MILLS.
>> I HAVE BEEN ALREADY CAUCUS OF LANCASTER BNA STORED?
>> THE PETITION THEY'RE RECEIVING FILED AND PRINTED.
I WILL NOW OPEN UP THE FLOOR FOR THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
[ PUBLIC COMMENT]
THE FIRST COMMENT SESSION OF THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD WE ASK THAT SPEAKERS KEEP THEIR COMMENTS RELATED TO MATTERS INVOLVING ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATOR RELATIVE TO TODAY'S SESSION.PLEASE KEEP IN MIND ALL SPEAKERS KEEP THEIR REMARKS THE THREE MINUTES.
[00:10:01]
THE CLERK WILL RING THE BELL.WHEN THERE ARE 30 SECONDS LEFT.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE WE BEGIN AGAIN? THANK YOU. OUR FIRST ONLY SPEAKER IS TODD [INAUDIBLE]. COME ON [INAUDIBLE].
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE. THANK YOU FOR AFFORDING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK BEFORE YOU TODAY.
FIRST, I WISH TO CONGRATULATE LEGISLATOR MEYERS FOR HIS REELECTION AS CHAIR AND TO LEGISLATORS GILMOUR AND MILLS FOR THEIR REELECTION LEADERS OF THEIR RESPECTIVE CAUCUSES.
GILMOUR IN YOUR POSITIONS OF LEADERSHIP, YOU YIELD CONSIDERABLE INFLUENCE TO DETERMINE THE RULES OF ORDER FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR.
I'M CALLING UPON THE LEADERSHIP OF DESIGN [INAUDIBLE] BODY TO SEE THAT PROVIDE NOTICE OF NO LESS THAN SEVEN DAYS FOR ALL PUBLIC HEARINGS GOING FORWARD.
THIS IS SOMETHING LEGISLATOR VITAL, I HAVE DISCUSSED PREVIOUSLY, AND I NOTICED SOMETHING THAT SHE'S INCREDIBLY PASSIONATE ABOUT.
BUT I DO BELIEVE THEY SHOULD RECEIVE OVERWHELMING SUPPORT ACROSS THE AISLE.
WHEN THE LEGISLATURE PASSED THE NEW PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD LATE LAST YEAR.
I BELIEVE IT USHERED IN A NEW PERIOD OF ACCESSIBILITY AND TRANSPARENCY NEVER BEFORE SEEN IN THE LEGISLATURE.
AS LEGISLATORS TO [INAUDIBLE] MENTIONED WITH THE PASSING OF THE NEW PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD, THIS IS THE HOUSE OF ERIE COUNTY THAT IS THE TAXPAYERS.
THEY CAN COME IN HERE, VOICE THEIR OPINION, TALK ABOUT ANY ISSUES OPENLY IN THE PUBLIC AND IT'S TRANSPARENT.
I BELIEVE GOING FORWARD, TRANSPARENCY AND ACCESSIBILITY WILL BE THE HALLMARK OF THE SIZE OF THE BY-LAW.
THEREFORE, I'M RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING A NOTICE OF NO LESS THAN SEVEN DAYS FOR ALL PUBLIC HEARINGS, SOME MORE TAXPAYERS CAN MAKE THEIR VOICES HEARD WITHIN THE HOUSE OF ERIE COUNTY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.
>> THANK YOUR [INAUDIBLE]. IS THERE ANY OTHER SPEAKERS WHO WOULD LIKE TO BE HEARD AT THIS TIME? ONCE AGAIN, IS THERE ANY OTHER SPEAKERS THAT WOULD LIKE TO BE HEARD.
HEARING NONE WE WILL CONTINUE WITH THAT AGENDA.
TABLED ITEMS THERE ARE NONE ITEMS FOR RECONSIDERATION THERE ARE NONE.
MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING, MAJORITY ONE.
[ MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: Meeting No. 24 (2025)]
>> WE HAVE A MOTION FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL FOR THE MINUTES FOR MEETING NUMBER 24 FROM 2026, AND SECOND BY LEGISLATOR VINAL ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> HEARING UNANIMOUSLY. PUBLIC HEARINGS THERE ARE NONE AT THIS TIME.
[ MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS:]
MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS ON PAGE 1, AND CONTINUED ON TO PAGE 3, MAJORITY LEADER.>> WE HAVE A MOTION TO CONSIDER BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.
WE HAVE A SECOND BY LEGISLATOR VINAL ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR?
>>THE MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS ARE APPROVED. MAJORITY LEADER.
>> MOVE TO AMEND TO INCLUDE AT ALL SPONSORSHIP.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION BY THE MAJORITY LEADER TO INCLUDE AT ALL.
WE HAVE A SECOND LEGISLATOR VINAL ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR.
>> MOVE TO APPROVE AS AMENDED.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE AS AMENDED BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.
WE HAVE A SECOND BY LEGISLATIVE DUPRE ON THE QUESTION.
>> CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. LOCAL LAWS.
[ LOCAL LAWS:]
LOCAL LAW INTER 1-1, 26 WILL BE SENT TO HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE UNDER MY AUTHORITY AS CHAIR.COMMITTEE REPORTS, THERE ARE NONE.
[ LEGISLATOR RESOLUTIONS:]
INTER 1-1 FROM THE MAJORITY CAUCUS. MAJORITY LEADER.>> MOVE TO AMEND WHAT'S BEEN PASSED OUT.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION BY THE MAJORITY LEADER TO AMEND WITH WHAT'S BEEN PASSED OUT.
WE HAVE A SECOND BY LEGISLATOR ST. JEAN TARD.
>> ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR.
>> MOTION CARRIES. MAJORITY LEADER.
>> MOVE TO APPROVE AS AMENDED.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE AS AMENDED BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.
WE HAVE A SECOND BY THE LEGISLATOR ST. JEAN TARD ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR.
>> THE MOTION CARRIES, THE RESOLUTION HAS APPROVED.
INTRO 1-2 FROM THE MAJORITY CAUCUS.
>> MOVE TO AMEND WHAT'S BEEN PASSED OUT.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION TO AMEND BY THE MAJORITY LEADER, A SECOND BY THE LEGISLATOR VINAL WITH WHAT'S BEEN PASSED OUT.
HANG ON. DO WE HAVE A QUESTION ON THIS ONE?
>>IT WAS CONSTRICTS [INAUDIBLE].
[00:15:02]
WE DO HAVE A MOTION TO AMEND WITH WHAT'S BEEN PASSED OUT BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.WE HAVE A SECOND BY LEGISLATOR VINAL ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> MOTION CARRIES MAJORITY LEADER.
>> MOVE TO APPROVE AS AMENDED.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE AS AMENDED BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.
WE HAVE A SECOND BY LEGISLATOR ST. JEAN TARD ON THE QUESTION.
>> MOTION CARRIES, AND THE RESOLUTION IS APPROVED.
COMMUNICATIONS TO DISCHARGED FROM COMMITTEE.
THERE ARE NONE. SUSPENSION OF THE RULES. MAJORITY LEADER.
[ SUSPENSION OF THE RULES:]
>> I HAD TWO SUSPENSION TODAY, FIRST FROM CHAIR MEYERS WITH THE 2026 COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS.
>> THIS ITEM WILL BE RECEIVED AND FILED.
>> THE SECOND SUSPENSION FROM CHAIR MEYERS, THE TENTATIVE 2026 ERIE COMMUNITY COUNTY BUDGET HEARING. MADAM CLERK.
>> THIS ITEM BILL WILL BE RECEIVED AND FILED.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS.
[ COMMUNICATIONS FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS:]
COMMUNICATION 1E-1.>> MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.
WE HAVE A SECOND BY LEGISLATOR VINAL ON THE QUESTION.
>> THE MOTION CARRIES, THE ITEM IS APPROVED.
COMMUNICATION 1E-3, 2 THROUGH AND INCLUDING COMMUNICATION 1E-8 AS INDICATED.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE DEPARTMENT'S COMMUNICATION 1D-1 AS INDICATED.
COMMUNICATION OF 1D-2, MAJORITY LEADER.
>> MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION APPROVAL.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.
WE HAVE A SECOND BY LEGISLATIVE DUPRE ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> THE MOTION CARRIES, AND THE ITEM IS APPROVED.
COMMUNICATION 1D-3 AS INDICATED. CONTINUE ON.
[ COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE DEPARTMENTS: ]
[ COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PEOPLE AND OTHER AGENCIES: ]
COMMUNICATIONS FROM OTHER PEOPLE AND OTHER AGENCIES.COMMUNICATION 1M-1 AND COMMUNICATION 1M-2 AS INDICATED.
COMMUNICATION 1M-3. MAJORITY LEADER.
>> MOVE TO AMEND WHAT'S BEEN PASSED OUT.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION BY THE MAJORITY LEADER TO AMEND, WHAT'S BEEN PASSED OUT, AND WE HAVE A SECOND BY LEGISLATORS VINAL AND ST.
JEAN TARD ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> THE RESOLUTION IS BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.
I'M SORRY. I`LL JUST PROCEED FILLING. THANK YOU. MOVING ON.
COMMUNICATION 1M-3 PROCEED AND FILED AND PRINT AS AMENDED.
I WILL NOW OPEN UP THE FLOOR FOR OUR SECOND PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
PLEASE KEEP IN MIND DURING [INAUDIBLE] ASKING SPEAKERS TO KEEP THEIR COMMENTS RELATED TO ANY MATTER INVOLVING HEARING COUNT.
KEEP IN MIND ALL SPEAKERS ARE AWARDED TO THREE MINUTES.
THE CLERK WE'LL RING THE BELL AND YOU HAVE 30 SECONDS LEFT.
ARE THERE ANY SPEAKERS OR ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE WE BEGIN? IF NOT, DO WE HAVE ANYBODY WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK OR COMMENT? ONE MORE TIME, DO WE HAVE ANY SPEAKERS WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD? AT THIS TIME WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
CONTINUING ON WITH OUR AGENDA.
[ ANNOUNCEMENTS:]
ANNOUNCEMENTS. THE LEGISLATURE WILL CONDUCT COMMITTEE MEETINGS NEXT THURSDAY, JANUARY 15TH.THE SCHEDULE FOR THE NEXT SESSION WILL BE DISTRIBUTED.
THE NEXT SCHEDULE SESSION WILL BE THURSDAY, JANUARY 22ND.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS? PLEASE RISE FOR MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS.
[ MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS:]
I DID HAVE JUST ONE ANNOUNCEMENT.IF WE COULD AFTER THIS MEETING, WE'D LIKE TO GET A PICTURE WITH ALL THE LEGISLATORS UP HERE IN FRONT OF THE [INAUDIBLE] TO GET ONE WITH REPUBLICAN CONGRESS AND THE DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS, SO WE COULD JUST STICK AROUND FOR A MOMENT.
MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS. LEGISLATOR GREENE.
I'D LIKE TO ADJOURN IT`S UNFORTUNATELY BE OFF FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS I GUESS [INAUDIBLE] UNFORTUNATELY THE HOLIDAY SOME TIME SO I GOT FIVE INDIVIDUALS TODAY.
I'D LIKE TO ADJURE THE MEMORIES OF SKYLER WISE, MARY SHEEHAN, MARY BRAWORTH, ROBERT CLIFF, AND WENDY CHASER.
>> SORRY, FOR YOUR LOSS LEGISLATOR.
UNFORTUNATELY [INAUDIBLE] HAVE PASSED.
HAROLD J. HUTCHISON, US AIR FORCE VETERAN THAT WAS A DEDICATED MEMBER OF THE [INAUDIBLE] ALLIANCE AND ST. JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH OF DEP.
RICHARD BOLLMAN SENIOR, FORMER SUPERINTENDENT OF THE LANCASTER DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS.
NICHOLAS J SMITH, LONGTIME MEMBER AND CHIEF OF THE CRITTENDEN FIRE ARMY.
JEROME MINGLE, ERIC GUSTAVO, RANDY LIPPERT, AND VINCENT DELAY SENIOR. THANK YOU.
[00:20:03]
>> THANK YOU. I CLOSE IN MEMORY OF JOHN MET, WHO WAS THE WINCHESTER FIRE COMMISSIONER, ROB [INAUDIBLE] WHO WAS FATHER OF YOUR FRIEND AND DAVE.
>> SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS, SIR. MINORITY LEADER.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN I WOULD LIKE CHEER I MEMORY OF LINDA SUMMERVILLE WIFE OF JEFF SUMMERVILLE [INAUDIBLE] AND ALSO I WOULD LIKE TO CHEER MEMORY OF [INAUDIBLE] MY MOTHER IN-LAW [INAUDIBLE] 95 YEARS. THANK YOU.
>> SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. ANY OTHER [INAUDIBLE]? LEGISLATIVE BODY.
>> SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR THOSE WHO AGREE WITH THE LORD.
THANK YOU. THEN, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADJOURN.
>> MOTION TO ADJOURN BY THE MAJORITY LEADER, SECOND BY LEGISLATOR ST. JEAN TARD. ALL IN FAVOR.
>> OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES, WE STAND ADJOURNED. THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.