New YorkA 30002025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

STATE OPERATIONS BUDGET

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

150 provisions identified: 139 benefits, 5 costs, 6 mixed.

Donations fund patient supplies at hospitals

Donation accounts pay for patient supplies at state hospitals and homes. Batavia gets $50,000, Helen Hayes $35,000, Montrose $50,000, Oxford $200,000, and St. Albans $50,000. The money buys supplies and materials for patients at those facilities.

Funding for Helen Hayes Hospital services

The state funds services and expenses at Helen Hayes Hospital. Up to $273,846 may go to the state law office for the hospital’s collections unit. Spending follows a written plan by Health and approval by the Budget Director.

Funding to operate state veterans' homes

The state funds veterans’ homes: $39.663 million for NYC, $28.576 million for Oxford, $28.576 million for Lower‑Hudson Valley, and $18.117 million for Western NY. Up to $360,000 at NYC may fund a collections unit. It adds $200,000 for recruitment and retention and $50,000 for care and maintenance. Spending must follow state finance rules.

Keep Essential Plan coverage running

The state provides $95.343 million to run the Essential Plan. The money pays staffing and contracts so low‑income and uninsured adults keep their coverage. Funds may be transferred among Health Department accounts or to Health Research Inc. with required approvals.

Keeping Essential Plan and kids coverage funded

The state funds low-cost health coverage and its marketplace. It provides $95 million to run the Essential Plan and $32 million to plan and carry out health insurance reforms. It funds CHIP operations with line items for staff, operations, fringe benefits, and indirect costs. The law also lets the budget director move up to $1.1 million to support poison control center grants. This keeps enrollment and services running; it does not send checks to families.

More funding for kids' health coverage

The state receives $137.4 million in federal CHIP funds for children’s health insurance, including staff and operations. It also provides $18.507 million from the state HCRA fund, mostly for contracts. Money can pay past or future aid, so coverage and services keep running.

State funds employee and retiree health

The state contributes $5.921 billion for health insurance and the retiree health trust in 2025–26. It adds $773.854 million to a contingency reserve to keep coverage running if contracts end. Another $292.4 million is placed in the Health Insurance Reserve Receipts Fund to make required payments.

Upgrades to Medicaid computer systems

The law invests $202 million to run and replace Medicaid eligibility and claims systems. It also adds federal funds to improve electronic eligibility checks, overrides, and the main Medicaid management system. The budget director can move funds among agencies to keep work on track. This helps people get enrolled and get claims paid faster. It does not create new direct payments to households.

Rent help for renters and small landlords

The law funds emergency rental help. Renters with incomes up to 80% of area median can get up to 12 months of back rent and up to 3 months of future rent. A hardship fund can also help undocumented workers. Small landlords can get paid for arrears if the unit’s rent is at or below 150% of fair market rent and they tried to help the tenant apply for aid but could not complete it.

More aid for SUNY students

SUNY students get more financial help. $468.4 million in federal funds supports student aid, and $400 million supports Pell Grants. $72.64 million funds Educational Opportunity Programs and ATTAIN labs. $12 million supports ACE and ASAP at community colleges. $8 million goes to SEOG grants and $14 million to federal work‑study. $20 million supports TEACH grants. $1.3 million funds scholarships for disadvantaged students, and $100,000 supports a scholarship for students whose parents served in Iraq or Afghanistan. $4 million expands open educational resources to cut textbook costs. $2.75 million supports the Empire State Service Corps, with possible payments to community colleges.

SUNY employee health and retirement funded

The state transfers $1.99 billion to pay SUNY employee fringe benefits, including health insurance, pensions, Social Security, dental, vision, unemployment, and workers’ comp. It also sets aside $264.3 million for SUNY faculty TIAA/CREF retirement contributions from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026. These funds may only be used for these benefits.

More funding for State Police

The law boosts State Police operations. It provides $656.984 million for patrols and $272.145 million for criminal investigations. It adds $29.535 million for administration and $16 million for equipment. It funds $2 million to fight internet crimes against children. It also sets aside $3 million for counterterrorism work that can go to the State Police or Military and Naval Affairs.

Stabilizing prisons and inmate health

The law sets aside $535 million to stabilize the correctional system after the February 17, 2025 strike. Spending follows plans approved by the Budget Director and can be moved across agencies. It also funds $458.066 million for prison health care, including staff, supplies, and equipment. Some health funds may be transferred to the Health Department.

Support for local planning and Greenway

The Department of State’s Local Government and Community Services Program gets $100.872 million to support local services and staff. The Hudson River Valley Greenway Conservancy gets $546,000, and the Greenway Communities Council gets $245,000 for operations. The state also reappropriates $1.634 million for racing reform oversight and related costs.

Emergency funds for disasters and terror

The law sets aside large sums to handle disasters, terrorism, and emergencies. It includes a $2 billion state emergency account and a $7 billion federal emergency account. The Governor can move these funds to agencies under section 53 to meet urgent needs. The Comptroller credits federal disaster grants back to these accounts. Past Sandy recovery appropriations also remain available.

Homeland security and emergency response funded

The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services gets $165.3 million. The money supports disaster response, cyber incident work, counterterrorism, emergency management, and fire programs. The commissioner can send some grant funds to other agencies with budget director approval.

State audits and oversight stay funded

The state funds the Department of Audit and Control with $603.7 million. This pays for audits, accounting, and financial oversight. It helps keep public money tracked and bills paid.

State IT upgrades and finance system

The state funds major IT services and upgrades. It provides about $1.10 billion for statewide IT operations, $30 million for agency IT projects, and $35.3 million to build an integrated financial system. Contracts funded in other agencies shift to the central IT office. The financial system funding starts only after a joint plan by the budget director and state comptroller.

Tax filing, processing, and help funded

The law funds core tax services statewide. It provides $438.5 million for revenue operations, $67.5 million for tax department administration, and $25.7 million for banking and tax return processing. It sets $3.3 million for conciliation and mediation to help resolve disputes. It also funds local tax support and $88.0 million to run New York City income tax administration.

Cap on local costs for youth facilities

The law provides $171.856 million for the youth facilities program. The Budget Director can waive the 50% local share so all local districts together pay no more than $55 million in a year. For New York City to get waivers beyond its pro‑rata share, the city must sign an agreement for added investments and reporting. This lowers local fiscal burdens.

Major funding to run SUNY hospitals

SUNY hospitals at Stony Brook, Brooklyn, and Syracuse get $4.324 billion to run operations and patient care. The state adds $100 million for hospital activities supported by user fees. It also provides $312 million to pay SUNY hospitals’ health insurance premiums by March 31, 2026.

NYC must boost homeless services funding

Any waiver that lowers New York City’s required reimbursements must include an agreement for at least $440 million more in homeless help. The city pays $220 million directly and uses $220 million from estimated waiver savings. The city must send monthly reports and a year‑end report by March 31, 2026.

Funding for CUNY operations and upgrades

CUNY senior colleges receive $52.842 million for rentals, $78.628 million for utilities, and $1.063 billion for fringe benefits. If CUNY sells property in 2025–26, up to $60 million can cover that year’s college costs and reduce the state’s liability. The law reuses $50 million for one-time campus improvements with an approved plan. It adds $5 million for artificial intelligence projects at CUNY, also plan-approved.

Funding to run SUNY campus services

The state funds SUNY campus services paid by fees. $837.8 million supports user‑fee activities across campuses. Another $1.1 million backs one‑time transformational projects, including hiring new community college faculty and paying related fringe benefits under a budget‑approved plan.

Keeping unemployment checks and services running

The law funds unemployment insurance operations and solvency. It provides $383.8 million to run UI, job services, and IT upgrades. It pays $250 million in interest on federal unemployment loans so benefits keep flowing. It adds $16.2 million to the UI Control Fund, with up to $16 million credited as costs are incurred. Federal funds cannot be replaced or reduced with this money.

More funding to run CUNY campuses

The state boosts funding to run CUNY campuses. $12 million shifts from central administration to senior colleges, and $55.541 million is distributed under state law. $53 million hires new full‑time faculty. $187 million supports activities paid by tuition and fees, including dorm operations and liabilities from before July 1, 2025. Campuses also receive large, campus‑specific appropriations and $265 million plus $34 million in extra operating aid, allocated under budget‑approved plans.

More money for SUNY campuses

The law provides $391 million in extra operating help for SUNY state‑operated campuses and contract colleges. It adds $12.5 million for SUNY artificial intelligence programs, including $2.5 million for the Empire AI consortium. The Budget Director approves how operating funds are allocated. This supports campus services, research, and jobs.

More money for workers' comp benefits

The State Insurance Fund gets $699.006 million to pay workers’ compensation benefits and related costs. This supports injured workers and keeps the statewide program funded.

Special education and homeless student support

The law provides $61.7 million for services and administration under IDEA for preschool and school‑age children with disabilities. It adds $2 million to run grants for students experiencing homelessness under McKinney‑Vento. It funds $9.84 million to administer various education grants that support programs in schools.

State pays employee pensions and benefits

The state budgets $8.82 billion in 2025–26 for employee fringe benefits like health insurance, retirement, Social Security, and workers’ comp. It also sets aside $2.55 billion for pension fund contributions and $1.26 billion for the state’s Social Security share. The law adds $600 million for fringe benefits in mental hygiene agencies, which can be transferred among them. The Deferred Compensation Board receives $1.01 million to run deferred compensation programs.

Support for workers’ compensation system

About $231.7 million supports the Workers’ Compensation Program, including up to $4 million for fraud investigations. Another $9.59 million goes to the State Insurance Fund to pay state employee workers’ comp claims. This funding helps ensure injured workers get benefits and keeps the system running.

State technology and data upgrades

The state invests $125.345 million in centralized IT services, mostly for contracts, plus staff and benefits. It adds $25 million for data analytics, risk management, digital services, and process improvements. Money can be transferred to any agency to improve service delivery and fiscal operations.

Budget backstops and transfer authority

The state sets aside $500 million to replace federal grant money lost after audits so programs can keep running. When refunds or repayments come in, the Comptroller credits them back to the original budget line and reduces that year’s spending. The law also allows the Budget Director to move funds between certain appropriations, unless another law blocks it.

Big reserve to backstop insurance funds

The state sets aside $1.515 billion to keep certain insurance and trust funds solvent. For example, $190 million is earmarked for the State Insurance Fund. Money cannot be spent until the Budget Director issues a certificate of approval. Funds cannot be used if other non‑reserve assets are available.

Return health plan interest to CMS

The state pays $600 million to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This returns interest earned on the Basic Health Program Trust Fund. The amount can be adjusted by interchange with Health Department funds.

Medicaid spending cap; payments may change

The law caps state‑funded Medicaid spending at $33.417 billion from April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026. The Budget Director can adjust the cap for things like federal match changes or minimum wage increases. The Health Commissioner can change reimbursements or some benefits to stay within the cap. The state must post changes online and send reports to lawmakers, with 30 days’ notice unless there is a public health emergency.

Funds to run SNAP, school meals, HEAP

The State Education Department gets $31.1 million to run National School Lunch programs. New York sets aside $47.83 million to operate SNAP systems like EBT and benefit cards. It also provides $17 million to run the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). These funds keep core food and energy help working.

Funding to process disability benefit claims

The disability determinations office gets $216 million in federal funds for staffing and operations. The state also funds work with the Social Security Administration, including $600,000 for staff and $600,000 for contracts. This supports timely decisions for disability benefits and the state supplement.

Loan repayment for psychiatrists

New York funds loan repayment awards for psychiatrists. To qualify, you must hold a NY license and agree to work at least three years in OMH hospitals or programs in underserved areas. Up to $3 million is available, subject to budget approval and transfers.

More support for blind services and jobs

The state funds services and training for blind New Yorkers, including $8.562 million from the general fund. It can fund design and construction of vending stands for the blind, following budget and labor rules. Added accounts provide $543,000 (trust), $1,000,000 (federal), $950,000 (state), and $500,000 for related programs.

More support for refugee resettlement services

The state funds refugee resettlement programs. The budget director can move some funds to other agencies to deliver services. This supports housing, casework, and related help for new arrivals. It does not change immigration status rules.

Support to run homeless aid grants

The state funds administration of federal homeless support grants. The budget director can move money to the right accounts to keep services running. This helps shelters and services stay available for people in crisis.

Hiring more SUNY full-time faculty

The law provides $53 million to hire new full‑time faculty at SUNY campuses and community colleges. Some funds can pay related employee fringe benefits. Payments to community colleges are allowed through SUNY’s local assistance. SUNY’s board and chancellor oversee related actions.

More support for CUNY students

The state funds more help for CUNY students. $37.0535 million expands SEEK, including $1 million for federal work‑study matching. $1.7 million supports advising, counseling, and other student services, and $1.06 million provides extra tuition help, with $1.444 million to match financial aid. $8 million supports ACE and ASAP. $4 million expands free or low‑cost course materials. $1.43 million helps run campus child care, covering up to 65% of costs with required matching. It also funds language immersion, PSC awards, tuition reimbursement ($9 million), CUNY LEADS ($1.815 million), a pipeline program, and more mental health services ($2 million).

Training and labor programs for state employees

The state provides $51.7 million for labor‑management committees, training, and professional development for state employees. Some funds may be shared with other agencies. This supports skills, negotiated programs, and employee development.

Higher pay for medical care in mental health facilities

Providers who deliver non‑psychiatric medical care inside state mental health facilities can be paid up to 200% of the Medicaid rate. The Budget Director must approve these higher payments. This raises the cap on what providers can be paid for those services.

Crime tech, youth, and victim services funding

The state funds programs to reduce crime and help victims. It gives $3 million to the Office of Gun Violence Prevention. It sets aside $8.0 million for crime ID tech and $25 million for fingerprint and ID systems. It provides $4 million for juvenile justice programs and about $1.6 million for Violence Against Women services. Spending follows plans set by DCJS and approved where required.

Funding to run prisons and parole

The state funds key corrections programs. It provides $76.8 million for Correctional Industries and $742,000 for recycling in facilities. It provides $57 million to run commissaries and $8.3 million for the Parole Board. It also gives $7.1 million to improve correctional facilities.

Money for spill cleanup and clean air

The state funds pollution cleanup and prevention. It provides $19.7 million for oil and chemical spill cleanup and $2.1 million for spill prevention. It adds $4.8 million for waste management and cleanup, and $403,000 for clean air program work. DEC runs these programs and can share funds with other agencies in some cases.

More funding for environmental enforcement

The state funds environmental enforcement and public safety. It provides $24.4 million for enforcement staff, supplies, and equipment, plus $1.7 million from the Conservation Fund. It adds $314,000 from seized assets for enforcement needs. It also provides $1.1 million for fire suppression, homeland security, and other public safety activities. Seized‑asset funds can be moved among DEC accounts under an approved plan.

Targeted enforcement and regulation funds

The state funds focused enforcement. It provides $10.859 million to regulate and investigate Indian gaming. It gives $4.525 million to fight illegal cigarette trafficking. It sends $1 million plus two $750,000 lines for federal equitable sharing agreements to support law enforcement. It also provides $5 million to cover background check costs and past liabilities under Executive Law 228.

Upgrades to voting systems and access

The state funds election administration and access. It gives $14.5 million to the Public Campaign Finance Board and $16.8 million to regulate elections. It creates a new statewide voting and elections database with $2.5 million. It uses $806,000 in federal grants to improve electronic ballot transmittal for visually impaired voters, military members, and voters abroad. It also provides $7 million for election security, $6.5 million for HAVA work, and $1 million for HAVA matching, with Board approvals required for some contracts.

Child welfare system stays funded

The law funds the statewide child welfare computer system. It provides $12.5 million in state funds and $30.6 million in federal Title IV‑E funds. Spending plans need approval by the budget director. This keeps case tracking and safety checks running across the state.

Safer roads, transit, and rail funded

The state boosts transportation safety and planning. It funds $28.6 million for commercial vehicle safety and $8.28 million for truck safety at DOT. It provides $1.51 million to run heavy‑duty emissions inspections and supports rail safety staff and travel. Funds also cover transit planning, highway safety education, and MCTD transit oversight with $100,000 available for audits when needed.

Single contact center for taxes and benefits

The state funds one shared contact center for multiple agencies. It puts $54.4 million into a tax contact center and $5.34 million to plan the labor contact center. It also funds a human services contact center. The budget director can approve moving money across agencies to set this up. The goal is faster, simpler help for callers statewide.

More support to fight addiction

The law funds addiction treatment and monitoring. It provides $53 million for medication-assisted treatment for people in state custody. It funds about $517,000 to run the prescription drug monitoring program. It also funds administration of opioid settlement programs and allows contracts, with budget approval, to carry out those programs and to redesign community mental health financing. Funds must follow the statewide opioid settlement rules.

State backstop for mortgage programs

The state deposits $39.8 million into homeowner mortgage bond accounts. Another $22 million is available if the budget director certifies the mortgage agency needs help to meet bond obligations. Up to $15 million can also shore up the mortgage insurance fund reserve when certified. These steps support mortgage market stability.

Stronger housing enforcement and agency operations

DHCR gets $83,015,000 to run housing programs and staff. The law funds rent regulation enforcement and code enforcement to improve safety and protect renters. It also lets DHCR move money to reimburse state costs tied to reduced payments for New York City under prior law.

Better state tests and translations

The law provides $8.4 million to expand and print more forms of state tests and end stand‑alone multiple‑choice field tests. It adds $4 million to update the English learner test (NYSESLAT). It funds $500,000 to translate grades 3–8 ELA and math tests and the Regents exams. Spending follows a plan by the Education Commissioner and approval by the Budget Director.

Faster funding for senior colleges

The law makes $192.2 million available for senior college operations in the 2024–25 academic year. It does not raise the state’s net operating expense liability. It also updates budget rules to treat central and college appropriations as senior college funds, and treats money to individual colleges as program funds. This speeds up and clarifies how campuses get and use money.

HESC funding for student aid programs

The state funds Higher Education Services Corporation to run student aid programs. HESC receives $900,000 from the state, $4.3 million federal, and $52.309 million from other funds. Some federal dollars can be moved to other agencies with budget approval. The money supports administration, GEAR UP, and donor‑funded grants and awards.

Licensing funds and special education study

The state provides $61.759 million to run licensing and discipline for professions and to evaluate foreign and out‑of‑state medical schools. With Budget Director approval, some funds can support the Health Department’s work. It adds $150,000 for contracts tied to U.S. Department of Education work. The law also funds a study of new tuition‑rate methods for special education providers, focusing on sustainability, fewer appeals, standard rules, and a phase‑in. Any change needs Budget Director approval.

More funding for workforce and training programs

The law funds several programs to support jobs and training. It provides $10.15 million for the Workforce Innovation Center and $3.5 million for the Office of Just Transition. It gives $6.17 million to operate the Green Thumb Program. It creates a State Data Center at the Labor Department to share labor and economic data. It adds $200,000 to publish training materials and $4 million to match federal training funds for social services districts, with Budget Director plan approval required.

More money for workplace safety

The law provides $25.2 million for workplace safety training and enforcement. It also funds about $5.1 million to enforce labor rules on public works jobs. The money pays staff, contracts, travel, and equipment that support safer worksites and fair pay.

Support for blind and deaf schools

The Batavia School for the Blind receives $11.69 million for staff and operations. The Rome School for the Deaf receives $10.48 million for day‑to‑day services. Trust funds provide $50,000 for donor‑directed uses at the School for the Blind and $20,000 for the School for the Deaf. This keeps services running for students who rely on these schools.

Surplus reemployment funds for UI, training

When employer payments into the reemployment fund top $35 million in a year, the extra money supports unemployment insurance system upgrades, UI administration, and workforce training. The state can move funds to other agencies to deliver services. Workforce services are run with the State Workforce Investment Board.

Training funds for child and family services staff

Counties and voluntary agencies get reimbursed for trainee travel for OCFS training, up to OCFS travel guideline limits. The law provides $1.5 million in state match for federal training grants; it cannot be used for personal service and needs an approved plan. It adds $4 million for contractual services for training and development, also plan-approved. It funds $6.165 million for Youth Research Incorporated under agreement with OCFS.

Vocational rehab and supported jobs funding

Federal funds are reappropriated to run vocational rehabilitation and supported employment grants. This includes $63.44 million for personal service plus related costs, with Budget Director approval for any suballocations. The funding keeps employment services and administration going for people with disabilities.

Keep business licensing services running

About $76 million is reappropriated for Business and Licensing Services. It funds staff, systems, and operations that support licensing and filings. The budget also embeds standard money‑transfer authorities to manage these costs.

Cannabis and alcohol regulation funded

The state funds regulators for alcohol and cannabis. Alcoholic Beverage Control operations get $89.6 million. The Office of Cannabis Management gets $68.1 million, including money to expand drug recognition expert work. This supports licensing and enforcement in these markets.

More funding for food safety

The state provides $42.558 million in 2025–26 for consumer food services. It also provides $5.053 million for food testing, including pesticide checks and microbiology work. This funding supports inspections, data collection, and safer food.

Economic development and tourism funding

The law funds economic development administration and programs, including $21.815 million in state funds and $2 million in federal funds. Agencies can share or move this money to support local projects and businesses. It also allows transfers to local tourism matching grants with budget director approval.

Funding to run the State Fair

The law provides $30.923 million to operate the State Fair. It also allows up to $320,000 for the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County to run the milk bar. These funds support fair operations and vendors.

State recoups social service admin costs

OTDA reduces payments to social services districts to recover certain statewide costs. It recovers 100% of employment verification costs and 100% of electronic access fees to check federal status. It also recovers 50% of the non‑federal share of costs for the EBT and CBIC systems and for client notices and mail. For centralized child support collection, it recovers 50% of the non‑federal share and splits the bill across districts by volume or another approved method.

Some 2024 funds canceled early

When this law takes effect, it cancels 2024 budget lines that would have lapsed on March 31, 2026. Money under those lines is no longer available. Projects or agencies expecting those funds lose access to them.

Holdbacks allowed if $2B shortfall

If the state projects a $2 billion General Fund cash gap in 2025–26, the budget director can hold back some payments. The director should try to use the $2 billion transaction risk reserve first. Aid to families, debt service, federally protected, and court‑ordered payments are exempt. Legislative leaders must be notified, and the legislature has ten business days to act.

RFK bridge tolls covered for Ward’s Island staff

If you work at a Department of Mental Hygiene facility on Ward’s Island and drive to work, the state pays your RFK bridge tolls. The car must be used to commute to and from those specific facilities.

Radon tests and UV safety devices

The state funds a radon detection device program and an ultraviolet device safety program. Money pays for equipment, staff, and distribution. These programs provide safety devices and support local deployment.

Upgrades to welfare and child support systems

The state provides $13.383 million and $8.383 million for IT work on welfare, case management, and child support systems. Funds can also pay certain past IT bills. Money is released only after federal cost plans and a Budget Director‑approved spending plan. Better systems help benefits arrive on time.

Equipment loans for people with disabilities

The state provides $225,000 to run the Equipment Loan Fund for the Disabled. This supports access to adaptive equipment for eligible New Yorkers.

Free portable cribs for families

OCFS provides portable cribs under the Family and Children’s Services program. Total spending for these cribs is capped at $2 million statewide.

Grants to support poison control centers

The state provides up to $1.1 million in grants to poison control centers. The Budget Director can allow transfers within this cap. These centers give fast help in poisoning emergencies.

Support and oversight for senior living

The state provides $500,000 to improve care quality in adult homes. It also funds $147,000 to help set up and oversee continuing care retirement communities. These funds support safer, better‑run senior living options.

Support for OCFS training and travel

Counties and voluntary agencies can get travel reimbursement for employees who attend OCFS training, within OCFS travel limits. The state also provides $200,000 for OCFS to publish and sell training materials. These funds support workforce training, not household cash.

Extra merit pay for DOL staff

The Labor Commissioner can grant extra merit pay to staff funded by DVOP or LVER grants. The Budget Director must approve. Pay follows the grant’s performance rules and does not count toward retirement. This can raise take‑home pay for eligible staff.

Film and TV job training grants

The state creates a $4 million fund for film and TV job training grants. Money can be transferred to agencies like Empire State Development to recruit, train, and retain a diverse workforce.

More nursing seats at CUNY

The law funds expansion of CUNY nursing programs. $2 million plus another $1 million support program growth and related costs. Some funds can be moved to local assistance with budget approval.

State civil service exam fees waived

State civil service exam application fees are waived for exams held after July 1, 2023. The law sets aside $2.5 million to cover these costs. Job seekers pay no application fee for those exams.

Support for high school equivalency testing

The state funds administration of the high school equivalency exam. $4.368 million pays for staff, supplies, travel, contracts, and equipment. This supports testing statewide.

Help for small businesses and startups

The state funds SUNY Small Business Development Centers and the Open for Business program. These centers offer counseling, training, and other help to business owners and entrepreneurs. Funding also covers program staff.

Child and family services administration funding

The law gives $34.656 million to OCFS central administration. The budget director can move this money among OCFS operation accounts as allowed by law. It also provides $7.535 million for a Youth Research Incorporated contract tied to OCFS services.

Flexible use of settlements and refunds

The Department of Financial Services can transfer settlement funds to other state accounts for enforcement, with budget director approval. The State Comptroller can credit refunds, rebates, and reimbursements from prior-year spending back to the right funds to reimburse the 2025–2026 budget lines.

Funding for labor relations board

The law gives $6.663 million to the Public Employment Relations Board. The money pays for staff and operations to handle public-sector labor relations.

Funding for utility regulator operations

The law gives $17.814 million to the Department of Public Service. Major amounts include $9.679 million for regular staff pay and $6.373 million for fringe benefits. This supports utility regulation and department operations.

Funding shifts for safety and environment

The law reuses federal justice and air resources funds and sets detailed line items for staff and costs. It also lets up to $800,000 move to the Department of State for watershed planning and grants in the NYC watershed. These moves support public safety, air quality, and clean water work.

Funding to improve public defense

The Office of Indigent Legal Services gets $8.5 million. It pays for staff, contracts, and benefits to improve public defense. This helps low‑income people who rely on court‑appointed or publicly funded lawyers.

Funding to prevent hate and bias

The law gives $3.5 million to the Division of Human Rights to prevent hate and bias. The money pays for training, educational materials, outreach, conferences, and a prevention unit. Funds can move between state operations and local aid.

Gun violence research at SUNY funded

The state provides $1.0 million to the Regional Gun Violence Research Consortium at SUNY. The funds support research to study and reduce gun violence. The goal is safer communities.

More funding for fish and wildlife

The law funds fish, wildlife, marine, and forest work statewide. It provides $41.121 million in federal grants and $40.586 million from the Conservation Fund. It also gives $20.501 million for forest and land operations, $2.447 million for Lake George Park, and $350,000 to fight invasive species there. $2.5 million promotes hunting, fishing, and outdoor tourism. Smaller amounts support guides licensing, marine management, venison donations, and enforcement.

Oversight for disability and mental health

The law gives $62.335 million to the Justice Center for oversight of care and safety. The budget director can move funds among mental health and disability agencies to support this work. The state can also hire a vendor to help update and issue the Olmstead Plan to improve services for people with disabilities.

Parks agency and animal control funding

The Adirondack Park Agency gets $8.2 million to run its programs in 2025–26. The budget director may move up to $1.0 million to support a nonprofit that runs the state’s animal population control program. New York City also gets an amount equal to its spay/neuter revenues sent to the account.

Stronger election-law enforcement and tools

The state funds campaign finance compliance and enforcement. It provides $2.37 million for compliance and public education, and $2.55 million for investigations and referrals. It adds $1 million to buy or build enforcement software and $125,000 for enforcement contracts. This supports fair and legal elections.

Stronger ethics and justice oversight funding

The law funds key watchdogs. It gives $9.16 million to the ethics commission, including up to $200,000 for a public hotline and website to report violations. It funds the State Inspector General ($11.713 million), judicial and prosecutorial conduct commissions ($9.33 million and $3 million), and small amounts for judicial travel and screening committees. It supports the Financial Control Board ($3.497 million) and IOLA administration ($3.36 million). It also gives the Authorities Budget Office $3.83 million, including money for board training and a searchable incentives database.

Support for state and local programs

The law funds the Department of State’s administration ($9.34 million). It supports Appalachian Regional Grants (about $1 million), coastal and waterfront work ($4.5 million), and local government federal programs (about $1 million). It also reuses $500,000 for the Women’s Suffrage Commemoration Commission. Some funds can be moved to local governments or other agencies.

Support for state park stores and golf

The law funds state park retail stores, including $9.5 million for supplies and $800,000 for staff pay. It also lets the budget director move park golf course funds into capital project accounts to support upgrades. These changes back park operations and facilities, not direct household payments.

Support for utility reviews and Great Lakes

The state funds DEC’s work in utility regulation and Great Lakes protection. It provides $513,000 for DEC participation in state energy policy cases, treated as Department of Public Service expenses. It provides $1.18 million for Great Lakes projects and allows funds to go to other agencies, including SUNY.

Tax Department IT upgrades continue

The state reuses earlier funds to modernize Tax Department systems. It covers staff, contracts, and equipment. This keeps tax operations and services up to date.

Trafficked children get court protection

Family Court law now treats children who are sex‑trafficked or severely trafficked as abused. This expands who can get child‑protective help and court protection.

Upgrades for state IT and alerts

The New York Alert system gets $4 million, including $600,000 for staff and $3 million for contracts. The Office of Information Technology Services gets $61.221 million for equipment and contracts. The state also reuses $7.325 million to update agency data collection as required by law. Budget rules fold in OGS and IT transfer authority to move money where needed.

Utility, safety, and rights hotlines funded

The ethics commission can use up to $200,000 to run a public hotline and website to report public officers law violations, including sexual harassment by state employees. This is part of broader oversight funding in the law.

Waterfront Commission operations funded

The state funds the Waterfront Commission’s employer assessment work in the Port of New York. It includes $1.63 million for regular staff pay. This keeps oversight and assessment services running for waterfront employers.

Welfare Inspector General oversight funding

The Office of the Welfare Inspector General receives $1.389 million for operations. It also gets three $50,000 lines from equitable sharing and seized assets accounts to pay contractors. Funds can be moved between agencies by transfer. This supports audits and investigations of welfare programs.

Consumer help on energy and fuel

The state provides $1 million to advocate for consumers in energy markets before NYISO and FERC. Spending must follow a Department of Public Service plan approved by FERC. The budget director can also move up to $150,000 to buy motor fuel testing equipment. These steps support fair rates and fuel quality.

Funds to oversee funeral directors

The law sets aside $538,000 to run and oversee funeral directing programs. It pays for staff, contracts, equipment, and admin costs. This supports standards and consumer protection in funeral services.

More funding for child support services

The state provides $47.9 million for child support work. Money can be matched with federal funds and used for paternity outreach, bank matches, medical support, and collections. Some funds may reimburse other agencies under agreements. This helps parents get and enforce support orders.

More staff for veterans’ services

The law funds veterans’ services and benefit advising. It pays for staff, operations, and IT support. This helps veterans get help filing and securing the benefits they earned.

State benefit offices and hearings funded

The state funds daily operations and hearings for public benefit programs. It provides $57.7 million for administration and $39.4 million for hearings. These dollars pay for staff and contracts so appeals and services continue.

Support for transit and two airports

The state funds transit operations outside the MCTD and pays to operate Stewart and Republic airports. $100,000 is set aside for audits if the transportation commissioner requests them. Airport funds include $5.1 million for contracts plus staffing and benefits.

Support to run community action grants

The law provides $7.3 million to administer Community Services Block Grants. It pays for staff, benefits, and overhead. Funds can be moved to other agencies to run the program. These grants help low‑income households through community action agencies.

Water quality and weather alerts funding

The state funds clean water and weather communication work. It provides $1.02 million to run the water pollution control revolving fund. It also gives $1.5 million to the State Weather Risk Communication Center at SUNY Albany. These funds support safer water projects and clearer weather warnings.

Funding to run Secure Choice program

The state provides $3.035 million to administer the Secure Choice retirement savings program. This keeps enrollment and account services running for eligible workers and employers. Funds cover program staff, contracts, and technology.

Money for treasury and cash management

The state provides $1.5 million for cash management activities, including federal interest owed under the Cash Management Improvement Act and prior liabilities. It also provides $4.708 million for treasury investment and fiduciary services that manage public funds. Funds may be moved with Budget Director approval. These actions support stable handling of state money.

Improve patient safety and lab quality

The state funds $949,000 for the patient safety center. It provides $22.1 million for professional medical conduct oversight. It funds $16.1 million for clinical lab reference and accreditation and $4.0 million for environmental lab accreditation. These efforts improve care quality and testing standards across the state.

Keep SNAP and WIC funds flowing

The state lets certain appropriations be used with USDA Food and Nutrition Services reimbursements. Money can be moved with OTDA’s federal FNS funds, with federal and Budget Director approvals. This helps keep nutrition programs funded on time.

Planning and admin for health programs

The law funds a range of health program operations. It supports primary care planning, the certificate of need program ($8.2 million), and the medical indemnity fund ($1.5 million). It provides federal block grant funds for prevention and environmental health, and $1.5 million to run federal health education grants. It also funds $2.1 million to run the medical cannabis program and $321,000 to develop workers’ compensation hospital payment rates. Some funds can move between programs with budget approval.

Reserve for health emergency recovery

The law sets aside $23 million to help recover from public health emergencies. The money is held for use when additional federal funds become available. It pays for recovery work, not direct household checks.

Small grants for disability research

The state provides small research grants. It funds $22,000 for autism awareness and research, $149,000 for developmental disabilities genetic counseling and research, and $100,000 for Down’s syndrome research. These funds pay for contracts and research work, not direct payments to families.

Stronger checks on health spending

The state funds audits and oversight to protect health dollars. It provides $59 million for Medicaid audit and fraud prevention. It also funds $4.9 million for payor and provider audits, $2.8 million to run the HCRA pool, and $575,000 to audit hospital rule compliance. These actions protect programs and taxpayers, not direct household checks.

Training to prevent abuse and violence

The law sets minimum funding for prevention training. At least $257,000 must support domestic violence prevention, and up to $135,000 can fund a training contract. At least $359,000 must support child abuse prevention training. Spending for child abuse training needs a plan approved by the budget director. This builds training and prevention capacity.

Upgrades for child welfare and youth sites

The state funds the child welfare IT system, including $8.7 million for contracts and other line items. Money can be spent only after a budget-approved plan. It provides $315,000 for youth facility commissaries and $543,000 for vending, pensions, and food service work, with authority to move funds. It adds $1 million to study long-term child care funding options with stakeholders. These steps support safer, better-run services for children and youth.

Funding to run weatherization help

The law funds staff and costs to run low‑income weatherization grants. Money covers personnel, operations, and overhead. Agencies can move funds to carry out the program. Eligible families can still get energy‑saving help through these grants.

Career and technical education grants

The state funds administration of career and technical education grants, including Carl D. Perkins grants. $12.163 million supports these grants, and some funds may be shared with other agencies with budget approval.

Faster teacher certification processing

The state invests in faster teacher certification. Up to $2.65 million funds year three of TEACH system modernization, plus $4.599 million for related contracts. After completion, processing must meet targets: 4 weeks for in‑state program grads, 6 weeks for reciprocity, and 8 weeks for individual evaluations and certificate progression.

Fiscal help for Rochester schools

The state funds a fiscal consultant for the Rochester City School District. $150,000 pays for contractual services. The Commissioner of Education appoints the consultant to help manage the district’s finances.

Funds for tenured teacher hearings

The law provides up to $5.7 million to pay for services and costs of tenured teacher hearings under Education Law sections 3020‑a and 3020‑b. This funds hearing officers and related administration so cases can proceed.

Grants for state arts programs

The state funds the CHARM NY mural program with $1 million. It also funds the State of the Arts Fellowship with $500,000. Agencies can move or share these funds as allowed to run the programs.

More child care on SUNY campuses

SUNY gets $5.4 million to open or expand on‑campus child care centers. This creates more child care slots for students, staff, and campus families.

More school support and materials

The law funds $835,000 for the Office of Family and Community Engagement to help connect families and schools. It provides $1.5 million for the Office of Religious and Independent Schools. It adds $500,000 to create and share curriculum on Indigenous cultures and histories. It funds $250,000 for staff who support students with dyslexia and dysgraphia.

More transparency on federal school funds

The Education Commissioner must send federal spending plans and budgets to the Budget Director and key legislative chairs. It covers all federal funds the department manages, including state grants. This improves oversight of how federal education dollars are used.

Upgrade unemployment insurance systems

The state provides a one‑time $2.5 million to the Unemployment Insurance Renovation Fund. The money pays for services and expenses to update UI systems. This supports system upgrades, not direct payments to claimants.

Veterans education program funding

The state receives $2.221 million in federal funds for veterans’ education programs. It pays staff, non‑personal services, fringe benefits, and indirect costs. The money supports education services for eligible veterans.

Loan support for nonprofit groups

The state funds $150,000 to run a short‑term revolving loan program for eligible nonprofits. This pays for the administration that makes loans possible. Nonprofits apply under the program’s rules.

Milk producers security fund support

The state provides $1,366,000 to the Milk Producers’ Security Fund. Money pays program costs and administration up to actual expenses. This supports protections in the dairy supply chain.

Support for arts programs statewide

The Council on the Arts gets $7,983,000 for 2025–26. This includes $7,583,000 from the General Fund and $400,000 in federal funds. The money supports arts programming and agency administration.

More tax enforcement and assessments

The state spends $2.0 million on contractors to collect unpaid taxes. It funds highway use tax administration and detailed appraisals of utilities, railroads, and energy properties. Expect more activity to collect arrears and set assessed values. This mainly affects people and businesses that owe taxes or operate regulated assets.

State can bill NYC and districts

The law lets the state bill New York City and local districts for certain costs. It can charge NYC for shared space, training, and the Mapper system, with budget director approval. It also charges districts 100% of the cost for disability consult exams the state buys for them. These are costs to local agencies, not to families directly.

Support and safeguards in disability services

The state provides $6.26 million to carry out the 2022–2026 developmental disabilities plan. OPWDD can fund temporary operators, with Budget Director approval, to keep services running. If a facility director is a resident’s federal representative payee, the director can use the resident’s funds to pay for their care, under federal rules.

Stronger teacher training at CUNY

CUNY must improve its teacher training programs. The plan raises admissions standards, upgrades coursework, and adds more in‑school experience across programs. These changes use part of CUNY’s appropriation.

Budget office can consolidate services

The Division of the Budget gets $51.1 million for operations. The budget director can move funds to the Office of General Services to combine procurement, real estate, fleet, payroll, benefits, and grants work. Approvals must be filed with state auditors and legislative chairs.

Updated rules for moving state funds

Agencies get more flexibility to move money within certain budgets, with reporting and caps. DFS can shift up to $5 million a year between banking and insurance accounts and must report quarterly. Lottery administration funds cannot be moved outside lottery uses. Agencies can also align state appropriations with federal grant periods.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Budget
Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 40 • No: 22

House vote • 5/8/2025

FLOOR Vote