Saints Put Their Passion into Legislation

Two Saints had a hand in drafting actual legislation during their New York State Assembly internships this spring.

Katie Bisset '26 and Ryan Clark '27 each took causes that are personally important to them and convinced the Assemblymembers in whose offices they served that new laws were needed to protect New Yorkers. Bisset helped draft bills on AI transparency, a waiting period for the purchase of firearms, and possession of flamethrowers. Clark helped write and gather support for a bill that would outlaw over-the-counter sale of a synthetic opioid.

Bisset interned for Assemblymember Charles Lavine (D-North Shore). Her timely AI Transparency Bill would establish disclosure requirements for AI-generated or materially AI-altered media depicting historically recognized human disasters when such media is publicly distributed. Flamethrower regulation would establish the crime of criminal possession of a flamethrower as a Class E felony.

But it was her interest in gun safety that was the most deeply personal - she is a survivor of the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting. (Read more here.) The 10-Day Waiting Period Bill would establish a 10-day waiting period for the purchase of any firearm in New York state. All three of the bills required thorough research led by Bisset, and had to pass review by Assembly staff.

"The process is lengthy - you really have to dive deep to gather the history and details on these issues so you can draft accurate legislation that will properly elevate your cause," she explained.

The three bills are currently in committee, a first step for discussion and revisions before being released to the Legislature for debate and a vote.

Clark interned last fall through Siena's Washington Semester Program, and enjoyed the legislative experience so much he re-upped for the spring to intern in Albany's Capitol. On his first day working for Assemblymember Jake Blumencranz (R-Oyster Bay), he came in with ideas for potential legislation, as well as a social media strategy for the office's entire operation.

The bill he researched and drafted proposes to ban the sale of synthetic kratom in New York, which is sold as a pain reliever at gas stations, convenience stores and smoke shops across the country. It's essentially a dangerous opioid that can give heroin-like highs and lead to addiction and death. A less potent natural form, however, has proven effective for PTSD, anxiety and addiction recovery.

"I wrote the legislation with these various factors in mind," Clark said. "Stopping deaths from a gas station-sold drug was my first priority, but I had to keep in mind the many people who rely on this product in its natural form for medical reasons."

A lobbying group representing natural kratom gave Clark's bill their approval, and suggested that it could be a national model for future kratom legislation. A bipartisan press conference for the bill will be held in Albany on May 26, at which Clark will speak. It is likely the bill will pass before the end of session, as it has been taken over by a member of the Assembly majority.

"I landed with an office that has treated me not as an intern but as an equal," he said. "These past few months have provided me with the most incredible opportunities to learn and grow."

Len Cutler, Ph.D., professor of political science, noted that it is unusual for undergraduate level interns to be this closely involved with researching and writing bills, and gathering support from other legislators.

"I am truly gratified that both Katie and Ryan were able to maximize their experience as interns," said Cutler. "This is all the more rewarding for both of them since they were entrusted to undertake the policy research and then draft the actual language that went into the bills with technical assistance from the Bill Drafting Commission. Kudos to both of them for making a difference in positively impacting our citizens of the Empire State."