In the News-New York State
NYS Department of Labor Announces New Registry for Contractors and Subcontractors that Engage in Public Work & Covered Private Projects
The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) this week announced a new law for contractors and subcontractors. Effective December 30, 2024, those who submit bids or perform construction work on public projects or certain private projects will be required to register with NYSDOL.
Contractors must register before submitting any new bids or beginning work on a covered project starting December 30, 2024. Subcontractors need to register before starting new work on a covered project on or after that date. NYSDOL encourages all contractors and subcontractors to register as soon as possible to obtain a Certificate of Registration, to avoid potential delays in the bidding process or project schedules.
To register, contractors and subcontractors must apply through NYSDOL’s Contractor Registry portal via NYSDOL’s Management System for Protecting Worker Rights (MPWR) on the Department’s website. All applications must be submitted electronically, and fees must be paid by credit card.
If approved, a Certificate of Registration will be issued electronically. Contractors and subcontractors are encouraged to download and print the certificate.
Registration is not valid until a Certificate of Registration has been issued, which could take several weeks. Incomplete or inaccurate applications could result in delays. If an application is not approved, contractors and subcontractors will be notified through the portal prior to an unfitness determination. Registrants will have the opportunity to address the issue causing the potential unfitness determination or request a hearing within 30 days of notification.
Each registration certificate is valid for two calendar years from the date of issuance. Contractors and subcontractors must renew their registration at least 90 days before their current registration expires. They can access their Certificate of Registration or check the status of an application at any time through the Contractor Registry portal. For more information about the New York State Contractor Registry, visit the NYSDOL website.
New York Announces Regulations Requiring
Notification of 9/11-Related Benefits
The New York State Department of Economic Development has introduced proposed regulations under the 9/11 Notice Act, aimed at addressing a critical gap in awareness of September 11th-related benefits. These measures require businesses to notify employees and former employees who worked in impacted areas of their potential eligibility for compensation and health programs. This legislation reflects the growing recognition of the long-term health challenges faced by 9/11 survivors and workers.
Closing the Awareness Gap for 9/11 Victims
While first responders have been the focus of outreach for programs such as the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) and the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP), many office, retail, and other non-first responder workers remain unaware of their eligibility. These programs provide critical resources for those suffering from cancer, lung disease, and respiratory conditions linked to toxic exposure in the aftermath of the attacks.
The numbers speak volumes: Over 80% of eligible first responders have applied for benefits, yet fewer than 8% of office and retail workers have done so. This trend, seen firsthand by Pitta & Baione LLP, which represents over 10,000 victims of 9/11 and their families, underscores the critical need for increased awareness and outreach. The 9/11 Notice Act, signed into law in 2023, aims to address this disparity by mandating notification to affected individuals, ensuring no one is left without access to the benefits they deserve.
Key Details of the Empire State 9/11 Notice Program
The proposed regulations outline clear steps for businesses to notify eligible employees who worked in areas affected by 9/11 between September 11, 2001, and July 31, 2002:
- Notification Requirements:
Notices must be sent via email, text, postal mail, or fax. Businesses are also encouraged to post notifications on social media and workplace platforms to ensure comprehensive outreach. - Areas Covered:
- New York City Disaster Area: Includes Lower Manhattan below Houston Street and parts of Brooklyn within 1.5 miles of the World Trade Center site, such as Dumbo and Brooklyn Heights.
- New York City Exposure Zone: Covers Lower Manhattan below Canal Street, extending to Clinton Street and the East River, along with barge routes and the Fresh Kills landfill.
- Recordkeeping Obligations:
Employers must retain documentation of notifications for at least three years.
The language of the regulation also references “proximity” to affected areas, leaving room for interpretation that may apply to workers who traveled to these zones for business.
What This Means for Employers
The 9/11 Notice Act is already in effect, with final regulations expected after the close of the public comment period on December 30, 2024. Until then, employers are advised to begin reviewing employment records and drafting notifications to ensure compliance. The state has provided a detailed toolkit to assist businesses in this effort.
Our affiliated firm, Pitta & Baione LLP, a law firm exclusively dedicated to 9/11 victims, strongly supports these regulations as a vital step in protecting workers and addressing the lasting health impacts of September 11th. As advocates for those affected, we stand ready to assist businesses and labor leaders in navigating these new requirements and ensuring that no eligible worker is left behind.
Bills Delivered to the Governor
A860 – Sponsored by AM Gibbs/Senator Cleare — Authorizes the Department of Economic Development to give a preference to any tourist promotion agency that is promoting the sport of stickball.
A1035B – Sponsored by AM Bichotte Hermelyn/Senator Parker — Prohibits the use of social media websites for the purpose of debt collection.
A5311 – Sponsored by AM Zebrowski/Senator May — Relates to code enforcement training programs for code enforcement personnel.
A7532B – Sponsored by AM Solages/Senator Mayer — Requires that all industrial development agency membership include at least a representative of a local labor organization and a either a representative of a school board or a superintendent of a school district.
A7563B – Sponsored by AM Pheffer Amato/Senator Gounardes — increase the in-service death benefit for New York City Transit Authority employees in the 25-Year/Age 55 Retirement Plan in Tiers 4 and 6 to be the value of the pension reserve (assuming single life allowance) as if the member had retired on the date of their death.
A8913 – Sponsored by AM Epstein/Senator Thomas — Relates to creating a private education debt registry.
A8939B – Sponsored by AM Bronson/Senator Ramos — Prevents the displacement of call center workers who provide call center services for the government in certain circumstances.
A9232B – Sponsored by AM Weinstein (MS)/Senator Hoylman-Sigal — Permits surviving close family members of wrongful death victims to recover compensation for grief and anguish caused by the decedent’s death.
S612D – Sponsored by AM Jacobson/Senator Mayer — Prohibits conflicts of interest among board of elections employees.
S885C – Sponsored by AM Fahy/ Senator Hinchey — Creates a registration system for short term rentals in New York State and allows for the collection of sales tax & applicable occupancy tax generated from such rentals to the state and localities.
S895B – Sponsored by AM Lee/Senator Hoylman-Sigal — Requires social media companies, as defined, to post their terms of service and to submit reports to the Attorney General on their terms of service and content moderation policies and outcomes.
S1267A – Sponsored by AM McDonald/Senator Breslin — Requires a utilization review agent to follow certain rules when establishing a step therapy protocol.
S2659B -Sponsored by AM Sayegh/Senator Comrie — Provide that consumer reporting agencies that experience a data breach must disclose such breach within 30 days.
S3065B – Sponsored by AM Bronson/Senator Ramos – Expands public employer workplace violence prevention training to include bullying.
S5081C – Sponsored by AM Bronson/Senator Ramos — Establishes the warehouse worker injury reduction program.
S6584C – Sponsored by AM Gonzalez-Rojas/Senator Gianaris — Relates to the collection of certain demographic information by certain state agencies, boards, departments and commissions.
S6955A – Sponsored by AM Peoples-Stokes/Senator Hinchey — Provides that certain purchase contracts to purchase food can be awarded to a qualified bidder who fulfills certain standards when such bid is not more than 10% higher than the lowest responsible bidder.
S9032A – Sponsored by AM McMahon/Senator Ryan — Relates to use of an affirmation of truth of statement in an administrative proceeding.
S9273 – Sponsored by AM Fahy/Senator Breslin — Authorizes the county of Albany to levy hotel and motel taxes on short-term rentals.
In the News-New York City
Mayor Adams Announces Proposals to Review Immigration Policies
New York City Mayor Eric Adams yesterday announced a set of proposals to protect longtime New Yorkers, immigrants, and asylum seekers from violent, repeat offenders following a “productive” initial conversation with the federal government’s incoming “border czar,” Tom Homan, and Biden administration official Kenneth Genalo at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The proposals — which, according to the Mayor, will continue to be updated and informed in collaboration with local, state, and federal government partners, law enforcement, advocates, and the immigrant community — include:
- Continuing to advocate for bipartisan, comprehensive immigration reform, which includes a national resettlement strategy, work authorization and legal pathways for asylum seekers already in cities, funding for municipalities, and securing of the border.
- Exploring lawful processes to remove from New York City individuals who have been convicted of a major felony and lack legal status to remain in the United States.
- Encouraging immigrant New Yorkers to come forward if they have been a victim of a crime or witnessed a crime without fear of deportation.
- Establishing a “Safe Communities Working Group,” consisting of local, state, and federal officials, immigrant community stakeholders, legal experts, and faith and business leaders to make recommendations on new policy interventions to keep both longtime New Yorkers and immigrants safe.
- Launching an awareness campaign to combat misinformation and to encourage immigrants and asylum seekers to continue to feel safe engaging with essential city services, including public schools, hospital systems, and public safety agencies.
The Mayor added that a major topic of conversation at the meeting with federal officials included the 500,000 migrant children who have come into the United States with sponsors but whose location is currently unknown.
At a news conference that followed the hour-long meeting with Homan, Mayor Adams said he was considering an executive order to “unravel” confusing rules and policies for how New York City can work with federal immigration authorities, according to published reports.
“I’m going to use my executive power to go after dangerous people who are committing violence acts as migrants and asylum seekers,” the Mayor said.
Briefs
Governor Hochul Announces $40 Million Available for New Construction of Affordable Homes Across Upstate New York
Governor Kathy Hochul this week announced that a new state affordable housing program, Block-By-Block, is accepting applications to support the new construction of affordable homes in five Upstate cities. The program is making $40 million available to nonprofit organizations who will develop new homes on vacant or underutilized lots. The program is expected to create new single- and two-family homes in Albany, Binghamton, Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse.
Block-By-Block, administered by New York State Homes and Community Renewal, provides up to $300,000 in subsidy for the construction of a single-family home and $400,000 for a two-family home. The subsidy will enable the construction of new homes in existing neighborhoods and ensure that homes can be sold at an affordable purchase price to buyers who earn up to 60 percent of the Area Median Income.
Nonprofits may apply to redevelop between four and 10 vacant or underutilized lots and priority will be given to applications proposing to build on contiguous lots or lots located on the same block.
Governor Hochul Signs Legislation to Require Health Insurers to
Cover EpiPens
Governor Kathy Hochul yesterday signed legislation that will reduce the costs of epinephrine auto-injector (“EpiPen”) devices for consumers with commercial health insurance. Chapter 553 will require health insurers to cover EpiPens and places a cap on the amount consumers will be required to pay out-of-pocket at $100. It was sponsored by Senator Gustavo Rivera and AM Danny O’Donnell.
According to the Governor, the cost of EpiPen devices has far outpaced the rate of inflation, with some reports citing a 600% increase in price since the medication was first acquired by Mylan in 2007. While EpiPens once cost $60 per device, they can now sell for upwards of $600 for a pack of two pens. Epi-Pens have a relatively short shelf-life, expiring after 12 months on average, requiring those in need to purchase the medication repeatedly. Adding to their expense, users of Epi-Pens are also advised to carry two devices at all times, as a single dose of epinephrine may not be enough to treat a serious allergic reaction.
First Proposal of 2025 State of the State:
Governor Hochul Proposes Sending
8.6 Million New Yorkers an Inflation Refund Check
As her first proposal for the 2025 State of the State, Governor Kathy Hochul this week proposed New York State’s first-ever Inflation Refund, which would deliver about $3 billion in direct payments to around 8.6 million New York taxpayers statewide in 2025. This new refund would send a payment of $300 to single taxpayers who make up to $150,000 per year, and a payment of $500 for joint tax filers making up to $300,000 per year.
“It’s simple: the cost of living is still too damn high, and New Yorkers deserve a break,” Governor Hochul explained.
Department of Commerce Awards CHIPS Incentives for
New York Projects
The Biden-Harris Administration announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce awarded Micron Technology up to $4.6 billion in direct funding under the CHIPS Incentives Program’s Funding Opportunity for Commercial Fabrication Facilities. This funding will support the first step in Micron’s plan to invest approximately $100 billion in New York.
Micron is working on a 1,400-acre mega campus to make dynamic random-access memory chips (DRAM) in central New York state. The Department will disburse the funds based on Micron’s completion of project milestones.
Also this week, the U.S. Commerce Department finalized a $1.5 billion government subsidy for GlobalFoundries (GFS.O), to expand semiconductor production in Malta, New York and Vermont.
The binding contract for New York-based GlobalFoundries, the world’s third-largest contract chipmaker, finalizes a preliminary award announced in February. GlobalFoundries will invest $13 billion over the next 10 plus years in its U.S. manufacturing sites, including plans to build a new fab in Malta, New York. New York state has also committed to providing another $550 million in support.
“GF’s essential chips are at the core of U.S. economic, supply chain and national security,” said GF CEO Thomas Caulfield, calling the state and federal funding key “to ensure our customers have the American-made chips they need to succeed and win.”
Mayor Adams Announces Kate Smith as Executive Director of the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City
New York City Mayor Eric announced the appointment of Kate Smith as the executive director of the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City.
Smith brings more than 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. Before joining the Mayor’s Fund, Smith was the executive director at Runway of Dreams, an organization that empowers people with disabilities, and she spent seven years at the American Red Cross as director of individual giving and foundation partnerships. Prior to the American Red Cross, Smith worked at the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy as director of institutional advancement and at the Guggenheim Museum,
Smith earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology at Trinity College-Hartford and a Master’s degree in Education at the University of Michigan.
Mayor Adams Announces New Charter Revision Commission to
Tackle the City’s Housing Crisis
New York City Mayor Eric Adams this week announced the appointment of a Charter Revision Commission (CRC) — under chair Richard R. Buery, Jr., CEO of Robin Hood — that will be tasked with reviewing the New York City Charter and determining how to make New York City’s municipal government more transparent and responsive in promoting fair housing across the five boroughs.
Sharon Greenberger, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater New York, will serve as vice chair, and Leila Bozorg, New York City executive director of housing, will serve as secretary of the CRC. Mayor Adams also proposed that the Commission appoint Alec Schierenbeck, general counsel to First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer, to serve as its executive director.
The Mayor’s new 14-member commission will look into proposing ballot questions for the November 2025 ballot that would amend the City Charter to help “combat the city’s generational housing crisis,” according to a press release from Mayor Adams’ office. The Commission appointment follows the City Council passage of the Mayor’s “City of Yes” plan that seeks to boost housing production across the five boroughs.
2025 Legislative Calendar
New York State Legislative Session Calendar
January – June 2025
The New York State legislative session calendar establishes a schedule for the 2025 legislative session and provides dates important to the legislative process. The session calendar is intended to afford Members flexibility in conducting legislative business in Albany and planning activities within their home districts. The session calendar will foster orderly and timely consideration of legislation. Unforeseen events may require modification of the session calendar.
Coming Up
New York State
Monday, December 16th
Public Hearing: Supervised Visitation Programs in New York State,
Assembly Standing Committee on Judiciary/Children and Families,
Roosevelt Hearing Room C, Legislative Office Building, Albany, 11 a.m.
Tuesday, December 10th
Cannabis Control Board Meeting,
Empire State Plaza Concourse, Meeting Room 3, Albany, 11 a.m.
Metropolitan Transit Authority: Congestion Pricing Webinar, 6 p.m.
Wednesday, December 18th
Public Hearing: NYSERDA Spending and Program Review,
Assembly Standing Committee on Energy,
Hamilton Hearing Room B, Legislative Office Building, Albany, 11 a.m.
Public Hearing: Veterans’ Benefit Claims Representation,
Assembly Standing Committee on Veterans’ Affairs/Local Governments,
Roosevelt Hearing Room C, Legislative Office Building, Albany, 1 p.m.
Thursday, December 19th
Public Hearing: Joint Bidding,
Assembly Standing Committee on Cities,
Assembly Hearing Room, 250 Broadway, 19th Floor, New York, 10 a.m.
Public Hearing: Videoconferencing by the Legislature,
Senate Investigations and Government Operations & Assembly Government Operations Committees
Hamilton Hearing Room B, Legislative Office Building, Albany, 10 a.m.
Public Hearing: Equine Doping
Assembly Standing Committee on Racing and Wagering,
Roosevelt Hearing Room C, Legislative Office Building, Albany, 10 a.m.
New York City
Monday, December 9th
Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection, Council Chambers – City Hall, 1 p.m.
Tuesday, December 10th
Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations,
Council Chambers – City Hall, 10 a.m.
Wednesday, December 11th
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Council Chambers – City Hall, 10 a.m.
Thursday, December 12th
Committee on Children and Youth, Committee Room – City Hall, 10 a.m.
Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises, 250 Broadway – Committee Room, 14th Floor, 11 a.m.
Committee on Civil and Human Rights, Committee Room – City Hall, 1 p.m.
Monday, December 16th
Committee on Public Housing, Committee Room – City Hall, 10 a.m.
Committee on Public Safety, Council Chambers – City Hall, 10 a.m.
Committee on Economic Development, Committee Room – City Hall, 1 p.m.
Tuesday, December 17th
Committee on Finance, Council Chambers – City Hall, 10 a.m.
Committee on Contracts. Council Chambers – City Hall, 10 a.m.
Committee on General Welfare, Council Chambers – City Hall, 10 a.m.
Committee on Oversight and Investigations, Council Chambers – City Hall, 10 a.m.
Committee on Environmental Protection, Resiliency and Waterfronts, City Hall, 10 a.m.
Committee on Land Use, 250 Broadway – Committee Room, 16th Floor, 12 p.m.
Wednesday, December 18th
Committee on Fire and Emergency Management, Committee Room – City Hall, 10 a.m.
Committee on Veterans, Council Chambers – City Hall, 1 p.m.
Thursday, December 19th
Committee on Finance, Committee Room – City Hall, 10:30 a.m.
City Council Stated Meeting, Council Chambers – City Hall, 1:30 p.m.
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