Robert G. Ortt

Sponsored a law signed on August 29, 2019 that requires health insurers to report on how they cover mental health and substance use treatment compared with other medical care.

August 29, 2019Supports Healthcare Affordability

Source: nysenate.gov

Voted no on March 4, 2026 on the Climate Resilient New York Act, which sets up a state office to identify climate threats and plan for them. The Senate passed it 51 to 9.

March 4, 2026Opposes Environment and Public Health

Source: nysenate.gov

Voted no on May 7, 2024 on the Climate Change Superfund Act, which charges large fossil fuel companies to pay into a state fund for adapting to climate change. The Senate passed it 43 to 17.

May 7, 2024Opposes Environment and Public Health

Source: nysenate.gov

Sponsored a law signed on November 29, 2017 that counts geothermal heating and cooling systems as qualified energy efficiency services under state law.

November 29, 2017Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: nysenate.gov

Voted no on February 25, 2026 on the Anti-Waiver of Employment Rights Act, which bars employers from making workers sign away rights that state law gives them. The Senate passed it 47 to 11.

February 25, 2026Opposes Labor Rights

Source: nysenate.gov

Voted no on the Driver's License Access and Privacy Act on June 17, 2019, which let New Yorkers get a driver's license without proof of lawful immigration status. The Senate passed it 33 to 29.

June 17, 2019Opposes Immigration

Source: nysenate.gov

Voted no on the Clean Slate Act on June 9, 2023, which automatically seals certain criminal convictions. The Senate passed it 37 to 25.

June 9, 2023Opposes Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties

Source: nysenate.gov

Voted no on March 18, 2021 on a bill restricting the use of solitary confinement in New York prisons and jails and setting up other forms of separate housing. The Senate passed it 42 to 21.

March 18, 2021Opposes Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties

Source: nysenate.gov

Voted no on March 5, 2026 on a bill letting someone applying for a rent-regulated apartment see that apartment's full rent history first. The Senate passed it 38 to 21.

March 5, 2026Opposes Housing Affordability

Source: nysenate.gov

Sponsored a law signed on February 24, 2022 that set up a state task force on job opportunities for veterans.

February 24, 2022Supports Social Programs and Welfare

Source: nysenate.gov

Sponsored a law signed on November 11, 2021 that keeps unemployment benefits available to a person who leaves a job to move with a spouse transferred in military service.

November 11, 2021Supports Social Programs and Welfare

Source: nysenate.gov

Sponsored a law signed on December 7, 2018 setting rules for how hospitals discharge patients who have a mental health diagnosis.

December 7, 2018Supports Social Programs and Welfare

Source: nysenate.gov

Sponsored a law signed on August 21, 2017 that opened certain developmental disability services to dependents of military service members.

August 21, 2017Supports Social Programs and Welfare

Source: nysenate.gov

Voted no on June 2, 2026 on Francesco's Law, which sets criminal penalties for failing to store rifles, shotguns and handguns safely. The Senate passed it 41 to 20.

June 2, 2026Opposes Gun Control

Source: nysenate.gov

Voted no on July 1, 2022 at a special summer session on a bill rewriting New York's rules for firearm licenses and for carrying guns in public. The Senate passed it 43 to 20.

July 1, 2022Opposes Gun Control

Source: nysenate.gov

Voted no on May 22, 2025 on a law that protects doctors and patients in New York from out-of-state legal action over abortion care and gender-affirming care. The Senate passed it 37 to 20 and the governor signed it.

May 22, 2025Opposes Women's Reproductive Rights

Source: nysenate.gov

Voted no on the Reproductive Health Act on January 22, 2019, which set out abortion rights in New York state law. The Senate passed it 38 to 24.

January 22, 2019Opposes Women's Reproductive Rights

Source: nysenate.gov

Voted no on May 22, 2025 on a law that protects doctors and patients in New York from out-of-state legal action over abortion care and gender-affirming care. The Senate passed it 37 to 20 and the governor signed it.

May 22, 2025Opposes Civil Rights

Source: nysenate.gov

Voted no on the Medical Aid in Dying Act on June 9, 2025. The bill lets a terminally ill adult ask a doctor for medication to end their own life. The Senate passed it 35 to 27 and it later became law.

June 9, 2025

Source: nysenate.gov

Voted no on the Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act on March 30, 2021, the law that legalized marijuana for adult use in New York. The Senate passed it 40 to 23.

March 30, 2021

Source: nysenate.gov

Was re-elected leader of the New York Senate Republican conference in a unanimous vote of its members, announced on December 15, 2020.

December 15, 2020

Source: nysenate.gov

Sponsored a law signed on August 21, 2017 that created a mental illness anti-stigma license plate and a state fund fed by the fees it raises.

August 21, 2017

Source: nysenate.gov

A judge threw out the whole indictment against Ortt on June 27, 2017, ruling the evidence insufficient. He was never tried on the charges.

June 27, 2017

Source: wkbw.com

The New York attorney general announced a three-count felony indictment against Ortt on March 23, 2017. It accused him of filing false campaign paperwork to hide payments to his wife while he was mayor of North Tonawanda.

March 23, 2017

Source: ag.ny.gov