New YorkA 30052025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Enacts into law major components of legislation necessary to implement the state public protection and general government budget for the 2025-2026 state fiscal year

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

37 provisions identified: 17 benefits, 4 costs, 16 mixed.

25-year pension for airport firefighters

Eligible airport firefighters can retire after 25 years with a pension equal to half their final average salary. Each year past 25 adds 1/60 of that salary. Current members may elect into the plan within one year after the law takes effect. Prior paid firefighter service counts toward creditable service.

Better disability for DEC and park police

Accidental disability for covered DEC and regional state park police matches other police plans: 75% of final average salary minus workers’ comp. Their disability coverage now follows the parity section, with an exception for those who entered service before September 1, 1997. A member disabled before being discontinued from service may apply for disability retirement within two years after discontinuance if other rules are met.

Full pensions after 22 years of service

The law sets normal retirement ages. General members reach normal age at 62. Police and fire members and some NYC plans reach normal age when they complete 22 years. NYC police pension fund members reach it at 20 years. Full service retirement is payable without regard to age after 22 years for the covered groups (20 years for NYC police pension fund members).

New 20- and 25-year police pensions

Beginning July 1, 2025, eligible state law enforcement titles get a 20‑year option: 50% of final average salary after 20 years, plus 1% per extra year up to 65%. Members who joined before January 9, 2010 can elect a 25‑year option: 55% at 25 years, plus 1% per extra year up to 65%. Members who joined on or after January 9, 2010 can elect the 20‑year plan; earlier members can file to elect coverage within one year.

Free sexual assault exams and higher aid

Hospitals must give sexual assault forensic exams without charging the survivor and bill the state office directly. Payment is capped at $800 for an exam without a kit, $1,200 with a kit, and $2,500 if the full HIV PEP is given. Providers must accept this as payment in full; no balance billing, deductibles, or coinsurance if private insurance is assigned. If you acted as a good samaritan and lost property, you can get up to $5,000 back. If a crime caused a death and you need immediate help, emergency burial awards are available up to $6,000 and are deducted from any final award or repaid if no final award is made.

Mandatory retirement now at 63

Members covered by the named retirement section must retire on December 31 of the year they turn 63. Some members who were in service on August 15, 2007 or August 31, 2025 may keep earlier retirement rights if they remain in service on those dates. The superintendent is not covered by this rule.

Outside income cap for legislators

Starting January 16, 2025, lawmakers’ outside earnings are capped at the same limit used for retired public workers. From January 1, 2027, a legislator must follow this cap to get their state salary and to vote. Some income does not count, like state pay, certain military pay, many retirement payments, investment income where their services are not a material factor, and pay for work done before those dates. If a lawmaker knowingly breaks the cap, the ethics commission can fine them up to $40,000 plus the value of any related gift or payment. No civil penalty applies for violations before January 1, 2027.

Higher debt cap for transit projects

Beginning July 1, 2025, the transit authority can have up to $30.5 billion in bonds, notes, and other obligations outstanding. This replaces earlier caps, including $27.5 billion and an earlier $21.5 billion effective July 1, 2024. The cap is a firm ceiling on total debt, with exceptions for certain refunding or repayment bonds and exclusions named in law. This lets the authority borrow more for projects while also limiting total outstanding debt.

FDNY disability no longer tied to SSDI

FDNY enhanced plan members can receive ordinary disability retirement even if they are not eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

Pension pay boost for NYPD ranks

Detectives, sergeants, and lieutenants who retire after three years in rank get an added amount in the salary used to compute pensions. With 25 years of service, 5% is added; with 30 years, 10%; with 35 years, 15%. Each added amount applies for two years in the pension calculation. You cannot also get the increase under section 14‑111.

School retirees can work and keep pension

Retired members rehired by a school district or BOCES can keep both pay and their pension through June 30, 2027. The extension takes effect immediately and ends on June 30, 2027.

Hospitals must offer HIV PEP after assault

Hospitals and ERs must offer the full HIV post‑exposure medicine when health guidelines say a significant exposure happened. They must tell victims that payment help may be available. With the victim’s consent, they must provide or arrange follow‑up medical visits for HIV PEP and related care.

Police hiring age raised to 43

Starting September 1, 2025, you can be up to 43 when you take the written exam to become a state police member or a police officer. You must meet all fitness and character rules. Up to six years of military service can be subtracted from your age for eligibility.

More oversight and cameras in prisons

The corrections department must give certain staff body cameras and keep them on during duty. Videos are saved at least 90 days, with limits on viewing strip‑search footage and notice required. The State Commission of Correction must inspect listed facilities at least once a year. The commission must also run a website and mail process to receive complaints and investigate conditions. Death‑review reports sent to state leaders may only be redacted for legally protected medical or behavioral health privacy.

State agencies’ gender-violence policies and training

Every state agency must adopt a workplace policy on gender‑based violence using the model policy. Each must name at least one domestic‑violence liaison and give annual training to covered staff in the statewide learning system. Agencies must report their policy and liaison to the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and share updates.

No abatements for parking or storage projects

Projects that include self‑storage, storage warehouses for consumers, or parking facilities cannot get construction benefits. A narrow exception allows parking tied to housing on a separate tax lot when that housing gets local housing agency financial help. The city defines what counts as a parking facility, self‑storage, storage warehouse, and financial assistance. No benefits are allowed for work under permits issued after April 1, 2029, or for permit‑free work that starts after that date.

New hiring and duty rules for correction officers

The state can hire correction officer trainees and officers who live outside the state. If you are 18–20 and took the exam within the set 60‑day window after a 90% staffing report, you can be appointed under this exception. Officers under 21 get added training and a mentor. Officers under 21 face limits: no firearms, no outside transports, no wall tower or arsenal duties, no unsupervised contact roles in the first 18 months, no outside hospital coverage, and no outside crew supervision.

Temporary workers comp payments without admission

Starting January 1, 2027, an employer who is unsure about workers’ comp liability can start paying wage and medical benefits for up to one year without admitting fault. The employer must send a board form to the worker and the board. It can stop by sending a termination notice within five days after the last payment. Payments end when one year passes, the employer contests the claim, or the board decides the case.

Worker protections and bidding rules on state projects

Construction under this law is a public work and must follow state labor rules and a project labor agreement. Contracts must meet goals for minority‑ and women‑owned businesses and, when federally funded, DBE rules. For smaller authorized projects under $25 million, agencies must do a feasibility study before using design‑build or construction‑manager‑as��constructor. Bidders must certify a written workplace policy on gender‑based violence. Public employees tied to the listed public works keep their jobs and benefits; agencies cannot displace them or shift their duties to contractors.

Audits and repayments for public campaign funds

The board must finish most audits within 1.5 years after the election, with extra time allowed for suspected fraud or crimes. It must audit every statewide participant and anyone who got $500,000 or more, and may pick up to one‑third more by lottery; names stay confidential unless wrongdoing is found. After debts are paid, participating committees must return leftover public funds; they can keep up to $50,000 of surplus that is not from public matching. Repayment is due within 27 days after debts are paid or by the final audit; if a campaign delayed the audit, unspent public funds become due at once.

Governor can close up to three prisons

Through March 31, 2026, the governor may close up to three prisons for efficiency. At least 90 days before any closure, the governor must notify Senate and Assembly leaders and list each facility with the number of incarcerated people and staff. Within 60 days after closures, the Commissioner must report in detail on staff relocation results.

Limits on Attorney General’s access

In civil enforcement cases, the Attorney General is not treated as having control over other agencies’ records or staff. Agencies keep their own documents and personnel unless separately obtained. This applies to current and future civil cases.

Remote court and counsel at arraignment

Courts may allow remote appearances in some criminal matters, with a record made and private lawyer‑client talks protected. No remote appearance is allowed for arraignments, pleas, sentences, witness testimony, or for jailed defendants, and people under 18 cannot appear remotely. These rules start 60 days after enactment and end on September 1, 2028. Courts must have a written plan so eligible defendants have counsel at arraignment in person or under the remote‑appearance rules, and arraignments cannot be delayed while checking eligibility. In certain mental‑hygiene cases, psychiatric examiners may testify remotely for good cause, with the same sunset.

Small-donor match rules and payments

Matchable donations must be $5 to $250 per election from New York residents (district residents for legislative races) and given by election day. Public funds are capped per office (for example, Governor and Lieutenant Governor together up to $3.5 million; State Senator up to $375,000; Assembly up to $175,000; small ballots start at $5,000 and can scale up to $15,000). To qualify, candidates must meet ballot and contribution thresholds, file on time (including an affidavit four months before a primary), usually be opposed in a general or special, and have no recent unpaid debts under similar programs. The board checks eligibility within four days and authorizes payment within two days after; early payments are limited to one‑quarter of the maximum until two weeks after the petition deadline unless a competitive opponent exists. Payments now follow the schedule in section 14‑205, and each candidate may have only one authorized committee per office and must notify the board before raising or spending.

New bidding rules for state projects

Agencies may award these contracts by best value and can use cost‑plus with a guaranteed maximum price, lump‑sum, or hybrid forms. They can keep open, public prequalified lists with at least five bidders, and denied firms can appeal. Contracts must require licensed pros to do and stamp regulated work, and staff must review contractors’ quality and compliance certifications. Responding to these procurements is not a violation of Education Law §6512. All covered projects must follow state environmental review rules and, when it applies, federal NEPA.

When agencies can use design-build

The law lets the state use alternative delivery like design-build or a construction manager-as-constructor on certain projects. DOT, Parks, or Environmental Conservation can use these only when a project is at least $10 million; CM-as-constructor needs at least $20 million. Some listed projects may use design-build at $5 million or more, and CM-as-constructor at $20 million or more. Projects at $25 million or more must have a project labor agreement; smaller projects need a feasibility study first. These powers start now and end three years later, but projects with RFQs already out for phases one and two can keep using these rules.

More workers' comp care from residents

Residents or fellows authorized under Education Law can treat injured workers in workers’ compensation cases when supervised by an authorized provider. Supervision must meet Education Law rules, and neither provider can be barred from treating workers’ comp claimants. This expands access to care for injured employees.

Juror pay set at $72 a day

Jurors receive $72 per day for each day they attend court. If your daily wages are less than $72, the state pays the difference for each day served. Employer withholding and offset rules still apply.

Protects some pay during jury duty

If your employer has more than 10 employees, it cannot withhold the first $72 of your daily pay for your first three days of jury service. Other lawful wage rules still apply.

More Court of Claims judges allowed

The governor may appoint up to 37 additional Court of Claims judges, up from 32. Appointments require Senate approval. These judges handle claims against the state.

Ten more NYC civil court judges

The law adds ten New York City Civil Court judges. Voters elect them on November 4, 2025, and terms start January 1, 2026. The law takes effect May 15, 2025.

Governor and lieutenant run as a pair

Designations and petitions for governor and lieutenant governor must be joint. Only joint pairs where the governor candidate got at least 25% of the vote at convention can demand a place on the primary ballot. Independent nominating petitions must also be joint.

NYC abatement rules change in 2026

Starting January 1, 2026, Governor’s Island is a special commercial abatement area and is not in the commercial exclusion area. Commercial projects inside the Manhattan commercial exclusion area remain ineligible for abatements. Developers must check the updated area rules when planning projects in Manhattan and on Governor’s Island.

Electronic-only state bidding allowed to 2027

From April 1, 2023 through March 31, 2027, state agencies can require bids to be sent only online and signed electronically. Agencies must show in the record that e-bidding gives a fair and equal chance and that signatures meet state technology law. This can speed bidding for some and make it harder for those without online access.

Campaign finance board setup and training

The Public Campaign Finance Board sits inside the State Board of Elections and adds three commissioners who are New York voters with five‑year terms and no recent party‑officer or lobbyist roles. They earn $350 per day for work, up to $25,000 per year, and vacancies must be filled in 30 days. The board must train and certify compliance officers and post a list every 30 days. The law also repeals a specific 2020 amendment that had changed campaign finance and a related tax check‑off.

One-year extension of article 5-A

Article 5‑A of the legislative law now expires on June 30, 2026, not June 30, 2025.

Streamlined rules for Governors Island area

When deciding the special designation for Governors Island, the commission now considers a shorter list of factors. It looks at whether the status is still needed to spur commerce, how dense current projects are, what is planned, and growth of emerging industries in the city.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Budget
Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 41 • No: 21

House vote • 5/7/2025

FLOOR Vote