All Roll Calls
Yes: 215 • No: 1
New YorkS 83832025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
Relates to terms and conditions of employment for members of certain collective negotiating units; appropriates funds
Sponsored By: Toby Ann Stavisky (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
9 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Continued survivor payment for graduate employees
The law continues a $50,000 benefit for a SUNY graduate employee unit member’s accidental on-the-job death. The death must occur on or after July 2, 2007, and a workers’ compensation accidental death benefit must be paid. The payment goes to the surviving spouse and children receiving that benefit, or to the employee’s estate. It is divided in the same proportions as the workers’ compensation benefit. Administration follows the labor agreement and depends on available state money.
Higher minimum pay for graduate assistants
The law sets annual stipend floors for full assistantships in the SUNY graduate employee unit. At University Centers and Health Science Centers, floors are $11,102 for 2023–24, $11,435 for 2024–25, and $11,778 for 2025–26. Beginning July 1, 2026, the floor is $18,000 at those campuses and $7,500 at Comprehensive Colleges. These floors apply to full assistantships, not all graduate students. SUNY can pay above the floors when money for pay and related benefits is available, as determined by the Comptroller.
Graduate employee bonuses with withholding authority
The law provides a one-time payment payable October 1, 2025, for SUNY graduate employee unit members. It pays $1,500 for full-time assistantships or $750 for less-than-full-time assistantships, without adding to base pay. Employees must be employed on October 1, 2025, and when paid. SUNY’s chancellor, budget director, and employee relations director can withhold some or all of a payment they find unwarranted or inappropriate.
Graduate employee raises with withholding authority
SUNY graduate employee unit members get 3% stipend increases for 2023–24, 2024–25, and 2025–26, rounded to the nearest dollar. Each starts with the payroll period whose first day is nearest October 1 of that year. Employees must be employed on the increase’s effective date and when paid. SUNY’s chancellor, budget director, and employee relations director can withhold some or all of an increase they find unwarranted or inappropriate. Payment can be delayed, but eligible employees receive back pay for covered service from July 2, 2023, until increases are first paid. The original effective dates still apply to job reclassifications and status changes; early payment creates no extra compensation rights.
Continued extra pay for selected graduate programs
The law continues two funds that support extra pay to recruit and retain graduate employees. One covers SUNY-selected doctoral programs; the other covers selected graduate degree programs at Comprehensive Colleges. Employees must have been employed on or after July 2, 2023, and remain employed when paid. Funding requires available state money and agreement between the bargaining parties; no individual payment amount is set. Both funds expire July 1, 2026.
Continued fee help for graduate employees
The law continues a fund to cover fees, including technology fees, for SUNY graduate employee unit members. Employees must have been employed on or after July 2, 2023, and remain employed when paid. Help depends on available state money and agreement between the bargaining parties. The law sets no individual assistance amount, and the fund expires July 1, 2026.
Continued location pay for graduate employees
The law continues location pay for SUNY graduate employees working in New York City or eligible downstate counties. Those counties are Suffolk, Nassau, Rockland, Westchester, Dutchess, Putnam, and Orange; agreements can define additional eligible areas. Employees must have been employed on or after July 2, 2023, and remain employed when paid. SUNY sets payment amounts, subject to available state money and agreement between the bargaining parties. The fund expires July 1, 2026.
Continued work-life support for graduate employees
The law continues work-life services and pre-tax programs for SUNY graduate employee unit members under their labor agreement. It also continues a professional development committee to review, recommend, and run programs. A joint labor-management advisory board continues studying and recommending work-life services and related programs. Support depends on available state money; work-life funding allocations and transfers between joint committees require mutual agreement. Program details and access follow the labor agreement, and these continuations expire July 1, 2026.
Funding graduate employee pay and settlements
The law makes its funding available for grievance and arbitration settlements and awards covered by the SUNY graduate employee agreement. It sets no award amount and guarantees no individual settlement payment. It appropriates $30.2 million for pay, other costs, and benefits, covering liabilities before or during the fiscal year starting April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026. It also provides $9.7 million across targeted programs for the fiscal year starting April 1, 2023, with liabilities covered through March 31, 2026. The Comptroller can make required payments, and the budget director can shift available state funds when existing funding is insufficient. Pay and benefit implementation requires available funding and a ratified, fully signed labor agreement. The Governor’s Office of Employee Relations must certify that agreement to the budget director and Comptroller before implementation. The law takes effect immediately and applies retroactively from July 2, 2023.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Toby Ann Stavisky
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
Robert Jackson
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 6/13/2025
Assembly floor vote
Yes: 136 • No: 0
Senate vote • 6/11/2025
FLOOR Vote
Yes: 58 • No: 1
committee vote • 6/9/2025
Rules Committee Vote
Yes: 21 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
SIGNED CHAP.181
6/26/2025SenateDELIVERED TO GOVERNOR
6/26/2025SenateRETURNED TO SENATE
6/13/2025HousePASSED ASSEMBLY
6/13/2025HouseORDERED TO THIRD READING RULES CAL.693
6/13/2025HouseSUBSTITUTED FOR A8799
6/13/2025HouseREFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS
6/11/2025HouseDELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY
6/11/2025SenatePASSED SENATE
6/11/2025SenateORDERED TO THIRD READING CAL.1673
6/9/2025SenateCOMMITTEE DISCHARGED AND COMMITTED TO RULES
6/9/2025SenateREFERRED TO FINANCE
6/6/2025Senate
Bill Text
Original
6/6/2025
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