2021 Annual Report — New York State Assembly Standing Committee on Small Business
Summary
The 2021 Annual Report of the New York State Assembly Standing Committee on Small Business, chaired by Albert A. Stirpe, Jr., with a transmittal letter to Speaker Carl E. Heastie dated December 15, 2021. The letter says pandemic recovery programs totaled approximately $1.5 billion, including the $800 million Small Business Recovery Grant Program. The report notes that the Committee reported eight bills favorably in the 2021 session, and its budget section lists $800 million for the grant program, $600 million for a State Small Business Credit Initiative program, $25 million for the New York Restaurant Resiliency Grant Program, $100 million for NY Theater tax credits and $35 million for Restaurant Return to Work tax credits. Appendices list the 2021 summary, chapters of 2021 and additional bills reported.
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“2021 Annual Report — New York State Assembly Standing Committee on Small Business.”
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ANNUA L
R E POR T
202 1
CARL E. HEASTIE, SPEAKER
ALBERT A. STIRPE, JR., CHAIR
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY
COMMITTEE ON SMALL BUSINESS
THE ASSEMBLY
CHAIR
STATE OF NEW YORK Small Business
ALBANY COMMITTEES
Agriculture
Alcoholism & Drug Abuse
Economic Development, Job Creation,
Commerce and Industry
ALBERT A. STIRPE, JR. Higher Education
Assemblyman 127th District
December 15, 2021
Honorable Carl Heastie, Speaker
New York State Assembly
Legislative Office Building, Room 932
Albany, New York 12248
Dear Speaker Heastie:
I am pleased to submit the 2021 Annual Report of the Assembly Standing Committee on
Small Business. Throughout the 2021 Legislative Session, the Committee remained dedicated to
addressing the needs of small businesses by passing legislation designed to aid them in light of
the current challenging marketplace.
This past session, the Small Business Committee worked to ensure the needs of New
York small businesses were met given the unique challenges presented by the pandemic.
Pandemic Recovery Programs totaled approximately $1.5 billion, including the $800 million
Small Business Recovery Grant Program. Looking ahead, in hopes that the challenges brought
by the height of the pandemic are behind us, the Committee looks forward to focusing on
maintaining small businesses and preparing for post-pandemic recovery. The Committee has
addressed pandemic-related challenges in addition to its typical work on legislation designed to
stimulate small and entrepreneurial business growth, help small businesses to prevent pollution,
promote minority- and women-owned business development, and provide available resources for
these entrepreneurs.
The Committee will continue to examine the full range of issues affecting the needs of
small businesses. I join my colleagues in commending you for your continued commitment to
supporting small businesses. The Committee looks forward to a productive legislative session of
persistent efforts so that we can continue to rebuild and create a healthy environment for small
business prosperity across New York State.
Sincerely,
Al Stirpe, Chair
Committee on Small Business
DISTRICT OFFICE: 7293 Buckley Road, Suite 201, N. Syracuse, New York 13212 • 315-452-1115, FAX 315-452-1119
ALBANY OFFICE: Room 622, Legislative Office Building, Albany, New York 12248 • 518-455-4505, FAX 518-455-5523
EMAIL: stirpea@nyassembly.gov
1
2021
ANNUAL REPORT
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY
STANDING COMMITTEE ON SMALL BUSINESS
Al Stirpe
Chairman
Committee Members
Majority Minority
José Rivera David DiPietro
Victor Pichardo Kieran Michael Lalor
Carrie Woerner Marjorie Byrnes
Diana Richardson Brian Manktelow
Inez Dickens
Billy Jones
Taylor Darling
Catalina Cruz
Chantel Jackson
Sarah Clark
Jenifer Rajkumar
Staff
Giovanni Warren, Assistant Secretary for Program and Policy
Patrick Totaro, Associate Counsel
Matthew Richmond, Analyst
Nicole VanAuken, Program and Counsel Secretary
Justin Perkins, Committee Clerk
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION, COMMITTEE JURISDICTION AND ACTIVITY .............................4
II. 2021-2022 SMALL BUSINESS BUDGET OUTCOME .......................................................5
III. ISSUES BROUGHT THROUGH COMMITTEE IN 2021
A. REGULATORY REFORM ..............................................................................................7
B. BUSINESS ASSISTANCE ................................................................................................7
IV. HEARINGS ..............................................................................................................................8
V. OUTLOOK FOR 2022..............................................................................................................9
APPENDIX A: 2021 SUMMARY SHEET ................................................................................10
APPENDIX B: CHAPTERS OF 2021........................................................................................11
APPENDIX C: ADDITIONAL BILLS REPORTED IN 2021 ................................................12
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I. INTRODUCTION, COMMITTEE JURISDICTION AND ACTIVITY
New York’s small business sector continues to prove itself to be the cornerstone of the State’s economy, which has
been pushed to its limits through the COVID-19 Pandemic that ravaged the State this year. Small businesses are
defined in State law as those employing 100 or fewer people. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce,
over 632,000 enterprises qualify as small businesses under New York State law, comprising 96 percent of the
State’s established firms. The small business sector in New York includes industries such as construction, retail,
technology-related and health care services among many others, with a large share of owners from New York’s
minority and female community.
The pandemic dealt a deep and comprehensive blow to our small businesses. We continued our efforts from last
year to keep as many small businesses open as possible. This year we also started to look beyond survival and
towards recovery. The Committee has shifted its priority to helping small businesses get back on their feet and get
their employees back to work. Additionally, the Committee continues to promote existing financial assistance
programs and legislation to improve access to credit and technical services for small businesses and Minority- and
Women-owned Business Enterprises.
The Committee works closely with a number of State agencies and entities to ensure they are serving the needs
of the small business community, including the Department of Economic Development and the Empire State
Development Corporation, which are the State’s chief economic development entities. The Committee also
provides oversight of the Small Business Development Centers Program.
During the 2021 Legislative Session, the Standing Committee on Small Business reported eight bills favorably.
In addition, a number of bills that were important to small businesses, but were referred to other committees,
became law with the assistance and input of the Small Business Committee.
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II. 2021-2022 SMALL BUSINESS BUDGET OUTCOME
The Committee on Small Business supported key initiatives to boost New York’s economy, create jobs, and
facilitate opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs. The following are budget highlights that affect
small businesses in New York State:
Pandemic Recovery Programs
o $800 million for the Small Business Recovery Grant Program, which will provide support for
small businesses negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic;
o $600 million in federal revenue funds for a State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI)
program, which would provide a mechanism to ensure federal aid is effectively distributed to
small businesses negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic;
o $25 million for the New York Restaurant Resiliency Grant Program which provides grants to
restaurants that offer meals to people in distressed or underrepresented communities;
o $100 million for NY Theater tax credits; and
o $35 million for Restaurant Return to Work tax credits.
University-Based Programs
o $13.55 million for the 15 existing Centers for Advanced Technology (CATs), which collaborate with
New York companies on the development of new technologies and products and create new
businesses and high-quality jobs throughout the State; and
o $9.85 million for the 11 existing Centers of Excellence, which collaborate with New York companies
in commercializing scientific discoveries in fields such as nanoelectronics, bioinformatics, photonics,
environmental systems, wireless applications and information technology.
o Additional COE funding:
$375,000 for the creation of the Clarkson – SUNY ESF Center of Excellence in Healthy
Water Solutions;
$1 million for the Center of Excellence in Precision Responses to Bioterrorism and Disaster
at New York Medical College;
$110,944 for Cornell University’s Center for Excellence in Food and Agricultural Innovation
in Geneva; and
$800,000 for the SUNY Albany Center of Excellence in the Data Science in Atmospheric
and Environmental Predictions and Innovation.
o $3 million for SUNY Polytechnic Institute College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering and
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute focus centers.
Business Assistance
o $13.5 million for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program;
o $5 million for the High Technology Matching Grants Program;
o $5 million for the New York State Innovation Hot Spots/ New York State Incubators;
o $1.76 million for the Entrepreneurial Assistance Program (EAP);
o $1.382 million for the Technology Development Organizations;
o $1.495 million for the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Program;
o $2 million for the Minority- and Women-Owned Business Development and Lending Program and
for Minority- and Women-Owned Business Development;
o $921,000 for the Industrial Technology Extension Service Program; and
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o $343,000 Science and Technology Law Center.
Commerce, Regional Economic Development, Trade and Tourism
o $150 million for the Regional Economic Development Councils (REDCs);
o $100,000 for Adirondack North Country, Inc;
o $150,000 for the Association of Community Employment Programs;
o $50,000 for the Bayside Business Association;
o $25,000 for the Bronx Cooperative Development Initiative;
o $550,000 for the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation;
o $500,000 for the Brooklyn Alliance;
o $300,000 for the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce;
o $50,000 for the Buffalo Niagara International Trade Gateway Organization;
o $75,000 for the Capital Region Chamber of Commerce;
o $25,000 for the Douglaston Local Development Corporation;
o $50,000 for the Flatbush Development Corporation;
o $700,000 for the Center State Corporation for Economic Opportunity (CEO) Program;
o $50,000 for the Floral Park Bellerose Indian Merchants Association Inc;
o $50,000 for the Flushing Business Improvement District;
o $100,000 for the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce;
o $25,000 for the Haitian-American Business Network;
o $25,000 for the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce;
o $165,000 for the Kingsbridge, Riverdale, Van Cortlandt Development Corporation;
o $275,000 for the North Country Chamber of Commerce;
o $500,000 for the Queens Chamber of Commerce;
o $100,000 for the Queens Economic Development Council;
o $50,000 for the Staten Island Development Council;
o $100,000 for Syracuse Jazzfest Productions;
o $40,000 for the Orange County Chamber of Commerce;
o $50,000 for the Sunnyside Shines Business Improvement District;
o $200,000 for Urban Upbound;
o $20,000 for Women’s Enterprise Development Center, Inc; and,
o $40,000 for the New York Women’s Chamber of Commerce;
ARTICLE VII PROPOSALS
o The Legislature approved a proposal to extend the Urban Development Corporation’s authority to
administer the Economic Development Fund from July 1, 2021 until July 1, 2022.
o The Legislature approved a proposal to extend the Urban Development Corporation’s general loan
powers from July 1, 2021 until July 1, 2022.
o The Legislature included a new proposal for direct grants and technical assistance to small
businesses, micro-businesses and for-profit arts and cultural entities through the COVID-19
Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant program. The grant program will give priority to socially
and economically disadvantaged business owners, minority- and women-owned business enterprises,
service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, and businesses located in
communities that were economically distressed prior to the pandemic (Note: Empire State
Development opened the application portal on June 10, 2021).
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III. ISSUES BROUGHT THROUGH COMMITTEE IN 2021
A. REGULATORY REFORM
Program List for Small Businesses
(A.983, Stirpe; Chapter 17, Laws of 2021)
This law amends Chapter 339 of the laws of 2021 clarifying the agency coordinating the list of programs
available to assist small businesses; providing additional information based off business entity type and size
and; change the implementation date to July 1, 2021.
Annual Guide for Small Businesses
(A.6503, Stirpe; Passed the Assembly)
This bill would require the Secretary of State to compile and publish a guide for small businesses that would
outline the statutory and regulatory changes made in the prior year in plain and commonly understood terms;
this guide would be posted annually on January 31 of each year on the Department of State’s website.
Small Business Advisory Panel
(A.7501, Stirpe; Chapter 163 of the Laws of 2021)
This law extends the advisory panel on employee-owned enterprises within the Department of Economic
Development until October 1st, 2023 in order to make recommendations on State laws and programs to support
and promote employee-owned enterprises in New York.
B. BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
Micro-Business Transfer of Ownership
(A.6286, Stirpe; Reported to Ways & Means)
This bill would make worker cooperatives formed upon the transfer of ownership of an existing micro-business
eligible to apply to receive assistance under the Economic Development Fund. This bill would allow for the
existence of viable micro-businesses to be sustainable upon the sale or transfer of ownership and assist worker
ownership of such business to support their communities.
Small Business Environmental Fund
(A.6483, Stirpe; Reported to Ways & Means)
This bill would create a Small Business Environmental Fund to assist small businesses in leveraging capital
loans from financial institutions for the purpose of complying with environmental laws or preventing pollution.
In addition, this bill also sets forth provisions relating to execution and terms of the loans, origination fees
payable to the Environmental Facilities Corporation, administration and promotion of the fund, and annual
reporting of the fund’s performance by the Environmental Facilities Corporation.
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Expansion of Urban Development Corporation Act
(A.3160, Kim; Reported to Ways & Means)
This bill would expand the eligibility criteria of the Economic Development Fund to provide assistance
opportunities to small businesses engaged in dry cleaning or appearance enhancement businesses which engage
in the practice of nail specialty to make capital improvements through grants and flexible financing programs.
Specifically, eligible uses of the financial assistance would include the purchase and installation of non-
perchlorethylene machines and sprinkler systems by dry cleaning businesses, and capital improvements and
upgrades to mechanical ventilation systems by appearance enhancement businesses which practice nail
specialty, to ensure that both types of businesses comply with federal, state, and local codes and regulations.
Small Business Regulatory Relief
(A.7500, McDonald; Chapter 752 of the Laws of 2021)
This law extends for an additional three years, through December 20, 2024, the authorization for small
businesses to be offered “cure periods” by state agencies when small businesses have for the first time violated
an agency rule or regulation in lieu of imposing penalties. In addition, this bill would establish an annual report
to be managed by the Division of Small Business to show the usage of this program by state agencies. By
providing greater opportunity for correction and access to information, this bill would strengthen the
relationship between small businesses and New York State.
New York State Innovative Energy and Environmental Technology Program
(A.4874 Pichardo; Reported to Ways & Means)
This bill would create the New York State Innovative Energy and Environmental Technology Program to award
grants of up to $100,000 for the purposes of spurring innovative energy and environmental technology
development and commercialization.
IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS/ROUNDTABLES
Small business owners can provide valuable information to public policy discussions, hearings, and
roundtables. By having these forums, the Small Business Committee can focus its energy on legislation that will
benefit the State as a whole.
Hearing on Budget Oversight
On November 16, 2021, the Assembly Standing Committee on Agriculture, Assembly Standing
Committee on Small Business, Assembly Task Force on Food, Farm and Nutritional Policy, Assembly
Subcommittee on Agricultural Production and Technology, Assembly Subcommittee on Agriculture Economic
Development and Farmland Protection, and Assembly Subcommittee on Micro Business held a joint hearing on
the impact and implementation of the State Budget for agriculture. The Committees focused on the overall
impact and implementation of the 2021-2022 State Budget, particularly as it related to assisting small- and
medium-sized farms and related small businesses to compete in the state, national and international
marketplace.
On December 13, 2021, the Assembly Standing Committee on Economic Development, Job Creation,
Commerce and Industry, Assembly Standing Committee on Labor, Assembly Standing Committee on Higher
Education Assembly Standing Committee on Small Business, and Assembly Commission on Skills
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Development and Career Education held a joint hearing on the impact and implementation of the State Budget
as it relates to the funding and administration of workforce development programs administered by various
State entities. The Committees heard testimony regarding the effectiveness of workforce development programs
funded through the 2021-2022 State Budget and any recommendations to ensure such programs meet the needs
of businesses and current and potential workers as the State’s economy recovers from the COVID pandemic.
V. OUTLOOK FOR 2022
It will be a long road to recovery, but the Small Business Committee’s support for New York’s small
businesses is steadfast. The Committee will continue its work to address the needs of small businesses,
minority- and women-owned business enterprises (MWBEs), and veteran-owned businesses, creating a
supportive environment that encourages their growth, expansion, and stability right here in New York. The
priorities of the Committee include increasing access to capital, the expansion of MWBEs, supporting the
development and commercialization of innovative new technology, workforce development, contracting with
State and local governments, energy assistance, veterans’ business assistance, immigrant-owned business
assistance and helping small businesses recover from the effects of the pandemic and come back stronger.
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APPENDIX A
2021 SUMMARY SHEET
Summary of Action on All Bills
Referred to the Committee on
SMALL BUSINESS
Final Action Assembly Senate Total
Bills Bills
Bills Reported With or Without Amendment
To Floor: Not Returning to Committee (Favorable) 4 4
To Ways and Means 4 4
To Codes
To Rules
To Judiciary
Total 8 8
Bills having Committee Reference Changed
To…
To…
To…
To…
Total
Senate Bills Substituted or Recalled
Substituted
Recalled
Total
Bills Defeated in Committee
Bills Held for Consideration, Roll-Call Vote
Bills Never Reported, Died in Committee 15 15
Bills Having Enacting Clauses Stricken
Motions to Discharge Lost
Total Bills in Committee 23 23
Total Number of Committee Meetings Held 4
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APPENDIX B
Chapters of 2021
ASSEMBLY BILL SENATE BILL
CHAPTER DESCRIPTION
(SPONSOR) (SPONSOR)
This bill amends provisions made in
Chapter 339 of the Laws of 2020 by
clarifying the agency coordinating the list of
A.983 S.889 programs available to assist small
17
(Stirpe) (Kaplan) businesses; providing additional information
based off business entity type and size and;
change the implementation date to
July 1, 2021.
This bill amends the expiration date of the
163 A.7501 S.6679 Advisory Panel on Employee-Owned
(Stirpe) (May) Enterprises from October 1, 2021 to October
1, 2023.
This bill extends the cure period on
regulatory fines for small businesses for
three years to December 20, 2024. In
A.7500 S.6642-A
752 addition, this bill would establish an annual
(McDonald) (Kaplan)
report to be managed by the Division of
Small Business to show the usage of this
program by New York State Agencies.
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APPENDIX C
Additional Bills Reported in 2021
ASSEMBLY BILL
LAST ACTION DESCRIPTION
(SPONSOR)
This bill would create the New York State
Innovative Energy and Environmental
A.4874 Referred to Ways & Technology Program that will award grants
(Pichardo) Means for the purpose of energy and environmental
technology development and
commercialization.
This bill would expand the eligibility of the
Urban Development Corporation Act to allow
A.3160 Referred to Ways &
dry cleaning businesses and nail salons to
(Kim) Means
make capital improvements through grants
and flexible financing programs.
This bill would make worker cooperatives
formed upon the transfer of ownership of an
A.6286 Referred to Ways &
existing micro-business eligible to apply to
(Stirpe) Means
receive assistance under the Economic
Development Fund.
This bill would create a Small Business
Environmental Fund to assist small businesses
A.6483 Referred to Ways &
in leveraging capital from financial
(Stirpe) Means
institutions for the purpose of complying with
environmental laws or preventing pollution.
This bill would require the Secretary of State
to compile and publish a guide for small
businesses that would outline the statutory and
A.6503 regulatory changes made in the prior year in
Passed the Assembly
(Stirpe) plain and commonly understood terms; this
guide would be posted annually on January 31
of each year on the Department of State’s
website.
12
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