New YorkS 30012025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

LEGISLATURE AND JUDICIARY BUDGET

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

12 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 5 costs, 1 mixed.

State funding keeps New York courts running

For April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026, the law provides about $2.672 billion for court operations. It also carries forward $91.952 million in prior funding. Within the operating budget, trial courts receive about $2.227 billion, appellate courts $109.302 million, and the highest court $18.088 million. Appellate support receives $279.963 million, including $25 million for indigent legal services and $10 million for federal IV-E programs. Court administration receives $26.791 million; separate court employee benefit funding totals about $1.044 billion. The courts can spend up to $15 million of appropriated money on Center for Justice Innovation contracts. The courts’ chief administrator must approve that spending and file the approval with the state comptroller.

Courts receive technology and building funding

Beginning April 1, 2025, the law provides $50 million for court technology and building improvements. That includes $42 million for technology, $5 million for courthouse health and safety, and $3 million for renovation equipment. Unspent prior-year funding remains available: $29 million for technology, $5.5 million for health and safety, and $2.1 million for equipment. The law also preserves $2.3 million for First Department appellate facilities and $9.7 million for Second Department facilities. Another $2 million remains available to acquire and improve a court security training academy in Kings County. Each carried-forward amount remains limited to its stated purpose.

Funding supports criminal and local court workloads

Beginning April 1, 2025, the Criminal Caseload Reduction Program receives $47 million for budget year 2025–26. Another $94 million in unspent funding from two earlier budgets remains available for that same program. The law also provides $3 million for justice court assistance. These funds support courts, local governments, and program providers rather than direct household payments.

Legal aid funding for low-income residents

Beginning April 1, 2025, the law provides $150 million for civil legal services in budget year 2025–26. These services help low-income residents with matters such as eviction, family law, and benefits. The money supports legal service providers, not direct household checks. This funding provision does not set individual eligibility rules.

Local courthouse aid gets funding backstop

For April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026, the law provides $127.59 million for local court facilities aid. It also keeps $20 million in unspent prior-year aid available. If the aid fund cannot cover specified vouchers or transfers, the comptroller must transfer enough General Fund money when the courts’ chief administrator requests it. The carried-forward provision separately permits requested transfers when funds fall short, with a stated deadline of March 31, 2025. This funding supports local court facilities, not household checks.

State funds Senate and Assembly operations

For April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026, the Senate receives about $123.97 million for operations. The Assembly receives about $144.02 million, and its Ways and Means Committee receives about $7.495 million. Funding covers lawmakers’ salaries and allowances, staff, office costs, and student programs. Senate contract spending also covers childcare costs members incur while carrying out public duties. These are public operating expenses, not general household benefits.

Funding supports protection for lawyers’ clients

Beginning April 1, 2025, the Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection receives $10.861 million for the 2025–26 budget year. At the courts’ chief administrator’s request, the comptroller must transfer up to $3.75 million from the Attorney Licensing Fund. That transfer must occur by March 31, 2026. The law also directs all state receipts under Judiciary Law section 465(1) into the Attorney Licensing Fund. It does not set an individual client payment amount or eligibility formula.

Limits on New York City defense funding

Beginning April 1, 2025, the Office of Indigent Legal Services faces limits on a specified defense funding allocation. Payments to New York City require an agreement with the city. They cannot exceed what is needed to meet the court’s criminal defense caseload standards under Rule 127.7. This limits agency funding, not household payments.

Funding supports legislative staff and services

For 2025–26, the law provides about $19.856 million for bill drafting and $1.5 million for legislative computing. The legislative library receives about $1.021 million, the messenger service $1.161 million, and the health service $270,263. The Legislative Ethics Commission receives $484,711. The demographic research and reapportionment task force receives about $2.359 million for Senate, Assembly, and joint work. The law also provides $477,743 for the National Conference of State Legislatures; these funds support legislative work, not household benefits.

Funds support legislative chambers and information

For 2025–26, the Senate and Assembly each receive $50,000 for their recyclable materials, information services, and conference funds. Each chamber also receives $250,000 for restoration and related purposes supported by non-state grants. The restoration funding requires that non-state grant support. These appropriations fund legislative facilities and services rather than household payments.

Lieutenant Governor’s office receives operating funds

The law provides $351,329 for the Lieutenant Governor’s administration program. The funding covers April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026. It pays for state-office operations and does not create a household benefit.

Redistricting commission funded with pay limits

For April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026, the Independent Redistricting Commission receives $1.13 million. Within available funds, the chair can receive up to $10,000 in annual pay; each other member can receive up to $5,000. The commission must approve spending by an affirmative vote and make its spending decisions public. Its members, officers, and staff are treated as legislative employees under the referenced state personnel and financial disclosure rules.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Budget
Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 179 • No: 54

committee vote • 5/8/2025

Finance Committee Vote

Yes: 16 • No: 6

House vote • 5/8/2025

Assembly floor vote

Yes: 117 • No: 32

Senate vote • 5/8/2025

FLOOR Vote

Yes: 46 • No: 16

Actions Timeline

SIGNED CHAP.51
5/20/2025Senate
DELIVERED TO GOVERNOR
5/8/2025Senate
RETURNED TO SENATE
5/8/2025House
PASSED ASSEMBLY
5/8/2025House
MESSAGE OF NECESSITY - 3 DAY MESSAGE
5/8/2025House
ORDERED TO THIRD READING RULES CAL.186
5/8/2025House
SUBSTITUTED FOR A3001A
5/8/2025House
REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS
5/8/2025House
DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY
5/8/2025Senate
PASSED SENATE
5/8/2025Senate
MESSAGE OF NECESSITY - 3 DAY MESSAGE
5/8/2025Senate
ORDERED TO THIRD READING CAL.970
5/8/2025Senate
PRINT NUMBER 3001A
5/7/2025Senate
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO FINANCE
5/7/2025Senate
REFERRED TO FINANCE
1/22/2025Senate

Bill Text

Amendment A
5/7/2025
PDF
Original
1/22/2025
PDF

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