Labor & Employment

passed both · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 10643: Relates to labor peace agreements and the cannabis industry wage board; repealer

This bill modifies regulations for the cannabis industry in New York to strengthen labor standards and market oversight. It requires new and renewing license applicants to sign labor peace agreements with unions, making the maintenance of these agreements a condition for certification and registration. The legislation also establishes a new Cannabis Industry Wage Board to set fair wages and working conditions, while giving the state board authority to review licenses and modify terms if large market players hinder social equity goals. Additionally, the bill mandates that applicants disclose detailed ownership structures and salary information to promote transparency and accountability within the industry.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates labor peace agreements and establishes a wage board to strengthen worker rights and fair wages.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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signed · New York · Assembly Jun 5, 2026

A 11534: Provides for compensation and other terms and conditions of employment of certain state officers and employees; appropriation

Provides for compensation and other terms and conditions of employment of certain state officers and employees; authorizes funding of joint labor-management committees; implements agreements between the state and an employee organization; makes an appropriation therefor (Part A); provides for the salaries of certain state officers and employees excluded from collective negotiating units; makes an appropriation therefor (Part B).

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly authorizes funding and makes appropriations for state officer and employee compensation, directly advancing the budget topic.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill funds state employee compensation, authorizes joint labor-management committees, and implements collective bargaining agreements.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

passed both · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 8451: Enacts the New York fundamental artificial intelligence requirements in (FAIR) news act

Enacts the "New York fundamental artificial intelligence requirements in (FAIR) news act"; provides transparency requirements for news media content composed, authored, or otherwise created through generative AI.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly mandates workplace protections for news media workers, directly advancing labor & employment protections in the specified sector.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates AI oversight, fairness disclosures, and workplace protections for news media, regulating AI systems to protect workers and consumers per FAIR Act requirements.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 4, 2026

A 11560: Enacts the responsible data center development act

Places a one year moratorium on the issuance of data center permits; requires utilities to establish an independent classification of service for large data centers; sets energy efficiency goals for data centers; provides for benefits for host communities; sets labor standards for the construction of data centers.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill imposes a moratorium on data center permits and sets efficiency goals, restricting energy infrastructure development.80% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly sets labor standards for data center construction, directly strengthening worker protections.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill promotes responsible data center development through energy efficiency, labor standards, and community benefits.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 4, 2026

A 9581: Requires covered businesses to annually report to the department of labor regarding the impact of artificial intelligence on hiring and the nature of artificial intelligence use

Requires covered businesses to annually report to the department of labor regarding the impact of artificial intelligence on hiring and the nature of artificial intelligence use for the previous year; requires the department of labor to file an annual report on the impact of artificial intelligence on hiring and the nature of artificial intelligence use in the state; establishes penalties for covered business that fail to submit such reports.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates AI hiring impact reporting to protect workers from potential discrimination and inform future labor protections, aligning with worker rights advancement.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates AI impact reporting for transparency in hiring/business practices, aligning with regulatory oversight for responsible tech use as per indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 4, 2026

A 7833: Relates to workplace safety equipment for social services employees

Requires every city or county social services district to provide a wearable or mobile phone-based panic button to each employee whose job responsibilities necessitate direct interaction with clients in a client's home.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires panic buttons for social services workers in client-facing roles, directly enhancing workplace safety protections for employees.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 8239: Relates to procedures for issuing safety and health rules

Removes certain provisions regarding public hearing and notice requirements prior to issuing safety and health rules, and notice requirements after issuing safety and health rules.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentRemoves public hearing/notice requirements for safety rules, weakening procedural safeguards that protect workers' safety standards and transparency in rulemaking.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 4, 2026

A 6950: Enacts "the construction reporting pay act"

Enacts "the construction reporting pay act"; provides that each laborer, worker or mechanic in the employ of a contractor who by request or permission of an employer reports for work on any day shall be paid no less than four hours at the prevailing rate of wages.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnsures workers get paid 4 hours if reporting for work, protecting wage rights and preventing unpaid time through mandatory minimum pay.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 172: Increases short-term disability benefits

This bill increases short-term disability and family leave benefits for eligible New York workers. It phases in higher weekly benefit rates (from 50% to 67% of average weekly wage) and extends maximum benefit periods (from 8-10 weeks to 12 weeks) over time, starting in 2018. These changes apply to employees taking leave for disability or qualifying family care needs under New York's workers' compensation law. The bill requires employers to maintain health benefits during leave and prohibits retaliation for taking leave. The superintendent of financial services may delay benefit increases if needed to maintain program stability.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases weekly disability benefits (50%→67% wage) and extends leave periods (8-10→12 weeks), expanding worker benefits under New York's workers' comp law.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 4473: Clarifies that the statutory damages available for certain wage violations are not punitive in nature and are designed to compensate workers

Clarifies that the statutory damages available for certain wage violations are not punitive in nature and are designed to be liquidated damages rather than penalties or to compensate workers for the employer's failure to prevent wage theft and for the harm to employees that results from such failure.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentClarifies statutory damages as compensatory for wage theft, directly protecting workers' rights and ensuring fair compensation for employer violations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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