Labor & Employment (Unemployment) in New York

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7826: Relates to unemployment benefits for federal employees; presumptive eligibility for certain persons

This bill creates presumptive eligibility for unemployment benefits for federal employees terminated without a credible misconduct claim after January 20, 2025. It directly affects federal workers who lose their jobs under these conditions, automatically qualifying them for benefits unless the department reviews and denies their claim. The key provision requires state unemployment departments to treat such terminations as jobless due to no fault of the worker, streamlining the application process. The law expires on February 1, 2029, and applies only to terminations meeting the specified criteria.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Public Employees Unemployment

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 5, 2026

A 1058: Requires that the average annual wage and average weekly wage of the state of New York be adjusted for inflation each year

Requires that the average annual wage and average weekly wage of the state of New York, which determine the maximum cap for unemployment insurance benefits, be adjusted for inflation each year.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Minimum Wage Unemployment

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4858: Enacts the "regional labor protection act of 2025"

Enacts the "regional labor protection act" requiring the use of qualified local labor by contractors awarded projects in the construction of public works providing for the expenditure of state public money when the unemployment rate for construction workers is six percent or higher for three consecutive months.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Unemployment

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4287: Enacts the "Unemployment Insurance Liability Act"

Enacts the "Unemployment Insurance Liability Act"; requires that employers that have relocated out of New York State continue to contribute to the unemployment insurance fund when former employees of the employer are receiving benefits for two quarters; mandates that employers shall identify all employees being terminated as a result of the relocation and include the amount of weekly wages paid to such individuals as part of the final quarterly payroll report submitted to the department of insurance.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Unemployment

in committee · New York · Senate Jun 10, 2025

S 4511: Relates to the promotion of employment of people with disabilities

S 4511 establishes a 16-member task force within New York's Department of Labor to study and improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The task force, including representatives from state agencies, disability organizations, labor, business, and individuals with disabilities, will examine unemployment rates and review successful employment programs. It must submit recommendations within two years to increase "competitive integrated employment" (full-time jobs in regular workplaces) for people with disabilities, focusing on state agency hiring practices and public-private partnerships. The bill directly affects state agencies that hire workers and people with disabilities seeking employment, without creating immediate funding or new regulations.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Unemployment Tags People with Disabilities

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5351: Establishes the industry targeted unemployment task force

Establishes the industry targeted unemployment task force for the purpose of concentrating unemployment assistance, job training, and job development assistance during times of high unemployment to individuals who have previously been employed by an industry that is experiencing unemployment rates higher than the statewide average.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Unemployment Workforce Development

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 209: Establishes a Hire-Now tax credit

S 209 establishes a tax credit for businesses that create new full-time jobs in the state. It provides a credit equal to 6.85% of a new employee's gross wages (capped at $5,000 per employee annually for three consecutive years), with an additional $3,000 credit for hires who were receiving unemployment benefits during 2027-2028. The credit applies only to employees hired after July 1, 2026, who increase a business's total workforce above its 2025 employment level (defined as "base employment"). Businesses can use the credit to offset quarterly tax payments, and the credit cannot be claimed if other employment-based credits apply for the same hire.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Tax Incentives Unemployment

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 23, 2026

A 3451: Relates to the establishment of a wage data clearinghouse

This bill establishes a wage data clearinghouse to analyze existing unemployment insurance and labor data, aiming to evaluate workforce development programs and identify training gaps. It directs the labor commissioner to select an academic institution (with $600,000 in funding) to run the clearinghouse, using state/federal data while protecting personally identifiable information. The clearinghouse will produce reports for state agencies, employers, and educational providers to improve workforce training effectiveness, with annual evaluations required for the program.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Unemployment Workforce Development

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4268: Creates a jobs development incentive income tax credit available to employers who employ individuals previously receiving unemployment

This bill creates a $2,400 tax credit for employers who hire individuals who previously received unemployment benefits in New York State. To qualify, an employee must have received unemployment benefits for at least two months, be hired for the first time by the employer, work at least 30 hours per week, and remain employed for 24 consecutive months. The credit is claimed after the 24-month employment period ends and can offset up to the employer's annual income tax liability, with unused portions carried forward for five years. It directly affects employers seeking to hire from the state's unemployment pool and unemployed individuals who meet the benefit and employment criteria.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Tax Incentives Unemployment

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 829: Excludes unemployment compensation from state income tax

This bill amends the state tax law to exclude unemployment compensation from taxable income for state income tax purposes. It directly affects taxpayers who receive unemployment benefits by ensuring those payments are not counted when calculating their state income tax liability. The key provision adds a new tax law section effective January 1, 2025, specifically excluding unemployment compensation from taxable income calculations. The change applies to all taxpayers receiving unemployment benefits during taxable years starting in 2025. This is a straightforward policy adjustment to the tax code, not a procedural or commemorative measure.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Income Tax Unemployment

All labor & employment bills