2023 Annual Report — New York State Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Job Creation, Commerce and Industry
Summary
The 2023 Annual Report of the New York State Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Job Creation, Commerce and Industry, chaired by Harry B. Bronson, with a transmittal letter to Speaker Carl Heastie dated December 15, 2023. The letter says the 2023 session was challenging because of the continued impact of the pandemic and rising inflation, and that the enacted SFY 2023-24 budget provided a $180.36 million investment for the Office of Workforce and Economic Development at Empire State Development. The report lists committee members and staff, describes committee jurisdiction and FY 2023-24 budget initiatives, and closes with a chapters and vetoes table that covers bills on broadband and adult-use cannabis licensing.
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“2023 Annual Report — New York State Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Job Creation, Commerce and Industry.”
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NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY
Carl E. Heastie, Speaker
Harry B. Bronson, Chair
2 0 2 3 A N N U A L R E P O R T
COMMITTEE ON
Economic Development, Job Creation,
Commerce and Industry
mber 15, 20
CHAIR
THE ASSEMBLY Economic Development, Job Creation,
Commerce and Industry Committee
STATE OF NEW YORK
COMMITTEES
ALBANY Rules
Ways and Means
Labor
HARRY B. BRONSON Education
Assemblymember
138th District Assembly’s Legislative Liaison to
the Finger Lakes Regional
Economic Development Council
December 15, 2023
Honorable Carl Heastie
Speaker of the New York State Assembly
Legislative Office Building, Room 932
Albany, NY 12248
Dear Speaker Heastie:
With this letter, I am submitting the Annual Assembly Standing Committee on Economic
Development, Job Creation, Commerce and Industry report for the 2023 Legislative Session.
The 2023 Legislative Session has been challenging due to the continued public health and
economic impact of the pandemic and challenges associated with the pressure of rising inflation.
In this context and to address these issues for our New York families, the Committee reviewed
and participated in enactment of the SFY 2023-24 budget process and worked on legislation that
impacts State and local economic development, promotes job opportunities and addresses
inequities within our economy.
The enacted budget provided a $180.36 million investment for the new Office of Workforce and
Economic Development at Empire State Development that was created in 2022. This
organizational approach with corresponding funding recognizes that workforce development and
economic development are mutually dependent. The funding will provide resources to: leverage
Empire State Development’s relationships with employers to help identify employer needs;
develop tailored regional training strategies based on those needs; support programs to train New
Yorkers in the skills necessary to succeed in in-demand fields; and make targeted investments in
teachers, healthcare workers, apprenticeships and internships, mental health professionals, and
caregivers.
The Committee will continue our focus on what can be done to support businesses and the
workforce they employ. The priority focus areas of the Committee during the next session, both
legislatively and budgetary will include promoting job opportunities for our families as well as
measures that seek to ensure the economy is both equitable and inclusive of those individuals
that have historically been left on the economic sidelines, especially those from marginalized
communities. Rising inflation has a disproportional impact on the unskilled labor force, women,
underserved, or otherwise marginalized communities who have historically been on the
economic sidelines, the Committee will work to address this inequity.
On behalf of myself and the members of the Committee, I wish to thank you for supporting our
efforts to encourage economic development and job opportunities across New York State. With
your continued leadership New Yorkers can look forward to a productive session in the coming
year.
Sincerely,
Harry Bronson
Member of Assembly
Chair, Assembly Standing Committee on Economic
Development, Job Creation, Commerce and Industry
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2023 Annual Report
New York State Assembly
Committee on Economic Development, Job Creation,
Commerce and Industry
Harry B. Bronson, Chair
Committee Members
Majority Minority
Christopher Friend, Ranking Member
William Magnarelli
Angelo Morinello
Donna Lupardo
John Lemondes
Al Stirpe
Eric Brown
Alicia Hyndman
Anil Beephan
Billy Jones
Brian Maher
Steve Stern
Michael Novakhov
Marianne Buttenschon
Sam Pirozzolo
Taylor Darling
Patricia Fahy
Patrick Burke
Jennifer Lunsford
Gina Sillitti
Yudelka Tapia
Nikki Lucas
Brian Cunningham
Tony Simone
John Zaccaro, Jr.
Staff
Fletcher Whyland, Assistant Secretary for Program and Policy
Debra Jenkins, Principal Analyst
Jared Bove, Counsel
Jennifer Skoog-Harvey, Chief of Staff
Allan Richards, Legislative Director/ Committee Clerk
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION: COMMITTEE JURISDICTION ……………………………… ……….5
II. FY 2023-24 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BUDGET INITIATIVES …………….………6
III. IMPROVING NEW YORK’S ECONOMY AND CREATING JOBS……………………..14
IV. PUBLIC OUTREACH …………………...……………………………….……………..21
V. OUTLOOK FOR 2024………………………………………………………………….……22
APPEDDIX A: 2023 SUMMARY OF ACTION ON ALL BILLS …………………….………23
APPENDIX B: 2023 BILLS CONSIDERED ………………………………………….……….24
APPENDIX C: 2023 CHAPTERS/VETOES..……………………….………………….………25
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I. INTRODUCTION: COMMITTEE JURISDICTION
The Assembly Standing Committee on Economic Development, Job Creation, Commerce and
Industry is responsible for legislation that affects economic development and business regulation
throughout the State. The Committee also provides oversight of the State’s various economic
development agencies, authorities and programs that notably impact the State’s overall economy.
The Committee’s primary responsibility effects business and industries that are subject to the
Economic Development, General Business, Unconsolidated Laws, Alcohol and Beverage
Control, and Cannabis Laws.
The Committee interacts with many State agencies, economic development organizations and
other groups and associations on these important issues. The State agencies include the
Department of Economic Development, the Urban Development Corporation, the Job
Development Authority, the Department of State, the State Liquor Authority, and the Office of
Cannabis Management. The Committee works with numerous organizations that support
economic development throughout the State, including not-for-profit local development
corporations, economic development agencies, not-for-profit foundations, colleges and
universities, Chambers of Commerce, Unions and Small Business Development Centers. The
Committee also provides oversight of policies related to the sale of alcoholic beverages and
adult-use cannabis, and the licensing, registration, and regulation of a broad spectrum of
industries associated with the production, distribution and sale of alcoholic beverages and adult-
use cannabis.
The Committee currently has two Subcommittees that are tasked with providing more in-depth
analysis on specific subject areas, which helps the committee better understand and respond to
related legislation and policy proposals. The Subcommittee on Occupational Licenses focuses on
reviewing and examining occupational licenses in relation to the licensing process, fee structure,
educational requirements, and other aspects of these licenses as well as the contribution of these
occupations to the State’s economy. The Subcommittee on Export Trade provides insight about
New York’s international and domestic export experiences and how to bolster future expansion
of New York State business exports. Currently, these Subcommittees are Chaired by Members of
Assembly Gina Sillitti and Marianne Buttenschon, respectively.
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II. FY 2023-24 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BUDGET INITIATIVES
Empire State Development and Department of Economic Development
The Committee has long advocated for policies that support and promote economic development
and job creation within the State. The New York State Budget provides funding for economic
development programs through allocations to the Department of Economic Development and the
Urban Development Corporation (doing business as Empire State Development). Funding
through these programs is typically provided in the form of loans, grants, tax credits and other
financial assistance to local governments, businesses, higher education institutions and not-for-
profit corporations to develop stable and growing regional economies. In the enacted State Fiscal
Year (SFY) 2023-2024 budget, the Committee supported key initiatives to boost New York’s
economy, create jobs and facilitate opportunities for all business sectors in the State in an
equitable and inclusive manner.
The enacted State Budget provided an All Funds appropriation of $107.3 million, an increase of
$4.4 million over the Executive proposal, for the Department of Economic Development.
Further, the budget provided an All Funds appropriation of $1.58 billion, an increase of $292.3
million over the Executive proposal, for the Urban Development Corporation. The following are
highlights of some of the programs that are funded to promote economic development and
businesses in New York via the State Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Budget:
• Workforce Development
o $2 million for the Empire State Entertainment and Diversity Training.
o $400,000 for the establishment of a pilot entrepreneurship training grant program.
o $180.360 million to support the new Office of Workforce and Economic
Development at Empire State Development to provide resources to: leverage Empire
State Development’s relationships with employers to help identify employer needs;
develop tailored regional training strategies; support programs to train New Yorkers
in the skills necessary to succeed in in-demand fields; and make targeted investments
in teachers, healthcare workers, apprenticeships and internships, mental health
professionals, and caregivers. The following is a breakdown of this allocation:
▪ $47 million for the program to related to financial burden relief for healthcare
workers;
▪ $39 million for caregiver flexibility for direct care workers;
▪ $30 million for the Teacher Residency Program;
▪ $10 million for Expansion of Alternative Teacher Certification;
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▪ $10 million for internships at the State University of New York (SUNY) and
the City University of New York (CUNY);
▪ $8 million for the program aimed at upskilling school para-professionals;
▪ $5.3 million for the expansion of psychiatric rehabilitation services at the
Office of Mental Health;
▪ $5 million for apprenticeships at SUNY and CUNY;
▪ $2.4 million for the Diversity in Medicine Program;
▪ $1 million for the expansion of the SUNY Pre-Medical Opportunities
Program;
▪ $160,000 for employment and training programs at the Office for People With
Developmental Disabilities; and
▪ $22,500,000 for loans, grants, and costs associated with raining capacity
expansion for statewide institutions.
• University-Based Programs:
o $15.03 million in total support for the Centers for Advanced Technology (CATs).
The CATs collaborate with New York companies on the development of new
technologies and products and create new businesses and high-quality jobs
throughout the State;
o $14 million in total support for each of the Centers of Excellence (CoEs). The CoEs
collaborate with New York companies in commercializing scientific discoveries in
fields such as nanoelectronics, bioinformatics, photonics, environmental systems,
wireless applications, and information technology;
Also, the following additional CoE programs received funding as follows:
▪ $1 million to the University at Albany CoE in data science in atmospheric
and environmental prediction and innovation
▪ $1 million to New York Medical College to create and operate a CoE in
Precision Responses to Bioterrorism and Disaster
▪ $1 million to the Clarkson - SUNY ESF CoE in Healthy Water Solutions
o $1.503 million for SUNY Polytechnic Institute College of Nanoscale Science and
Engineering and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Focus Center;
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o $1.503 million for Rensselaer Polytechnical Institute Focus Center;
o $1 million University of Rochester Laser Energetics Program;
o $2.7 million for Small Business Development Centers; and
o $1 million for Stony Brook Medicine’s National Cancer Institute.
• General Economic Development:
o $400 million for the New York Works Economic Development Fund;
o $50 million for the Restore New York Communities Initiative;
o $45 million for economic development initiatives of the State for promoting
tourism and expanding business investment and job creation and retention;
o $26.18 million for the Empire State Economic Development Fund;
o $15 million for the Market New York Program; and
o $7.5 million for retention of professional football in western New York.
• Business Assistance:
o $15.470 million for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program;
o $12 million for the High Technology Matching Grants Program which includes
Security Trough Advanced Technology (START) initiative, the Small Business
Innovation Research (SBIR) program, and the Small Business Technology Transfer
(STTR) 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 (TDO);
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;
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o $343,000 Science and Technology Law Center; and
o $3.404 million for the Urban and Community Development Program.
• Commerce, Regional Economic Development, Trade and Tourism:
o $130 million for the redevelopment of the Bronx’s Hunts Point Produce Market;
o $30 million for the replacement of absorption chillers in the central chiller plant
SUNY Albany;
o $24 million for FeedMore Western New York;
o $19 million for the redevelopment of Monument Square in the City of Troy;
o $10 million for the redevelopment of Victory Mills in Saratoga County;
o $7.5 million for the American Museum of Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender History
and Culture;
o $7.5 million for the Dominican American Cultural Center;
o $5 million for the Pace University Performing Arts Center;
o $5 million for arts and cultural venues of ALIVE! Downtowns;
o $1 million for a statewide study of public and private museums;
o $700,000 for CenterState CEO;
o $650,000 for the Brooklyn Alliance, Inc.;
o $650,000 for the Queens Chamber of Commerce;
o $250,000 for the Adirondack Sports Council;
o $100,000 for the Adirondack North Country Association;
o $750,000 for the Rochester-Monroe Anti-Poverty (RMAPI) Initiative;
o $150,000 for the Historic Hudson Hoosick Rivers Partnership;
o $50,000 for the Hampton Bays Chamber of Commerce;
o $50,000 for the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation;
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o $225,000 for the North Country Chamber of Commerce;
o $150,000 for Harlem Week, Inc.;
o $75,000 for the People's Theatre Project;
o $375,000 for the New York Medical College BioInc;
o $100,000 for the Brooklyn Neighborhood Improvement Association;
o $100,000 for the Queens Economic Development Council;
o $140,000 for the Kingsbridge Riverdale Van Cortlandt Development Corp.;
o $150,000 for the Association of Community Employment Programs;
o $150,000 for the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce;
o $150,000 for the Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance;
o $700,000 for the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation; and
o $100,000 for the Buffalo Niagara Partnership.
Reginal Economic Development Councils
The 10 Regional Economic Development Councils (REDCs) of New York State, which include
community, business, academic leaders, and members of the public in each region, use their
knowledge and understanding of local priorities and assets to help direct state investment in
support of job creation and economic growth. REDCs have developed and implemented
comprehensive Strategic Plans for their respective regions and regularly issue updated plans.
These plans play an important role in determining how millions of dollars in existing economic
aid are awarded through the State’s Consolidated Funding Application (CFA).
o $150 million for REDC grants program.
o $200 million for a seventh round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) to be
used to revitalize downtowns areas in each of the 10 economic regions of the State.
Funds are to be distributed as follows:
▪ $100 million for main street redevelopment programs; and
▪ $100 million for the NY Forward grant program to support redevelopment
in smaller and more rural areas.
• Other notable NYS Budget related to economic development:
o $455 million for Renovation of Belmont Park Racetrack
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Article VII – Economic Development
In the 2023-2024 enacted State budget, the Legislature:
• The Legislature modified the Executive proposal to increase the Excelsior Linked Deposit,
by increasing the maximum loan amount from $2 million to $4 million and the lifetime cap
from $2 million to $6 million.
• The Legislature modified the Executive proposal to extend the general loan powers of the
Urban Development Corporation by providing a one-year extension to July 1, 2024.
• The Legislature modified the Executive proposal to extend the authorization of the Urban
Development Corporation to administer the Economic Development Fund by providing a
one-year extension to July 1, 2024.
• The Legislature modified the Executive proposal to establish a matching grant program for
small businesses who have been awarded funds under the federal Small Business Innovation
Research or Small Business Technology Transfer programs by increasing grant amounts,
authorizing Empire State Development (ESD) to issue a commitment letter to those seeking
a federal grant and to provide businesses with assistance to access the entire suite of all ESD
grant, lending and financing programs as well as business mentoring and related services.
• The Legislature added a statewide study of public and private museums.
• The Legislature added a new Pilot Entrepreneurial Training Grants Program. This program
will provide grants to entrepreneurs and small businesses of at least $5,000 up to $25,000.
Eligible businesses would have to successfully complete the Entrepreneurial Assistance
Center training program to qualify for a grant. This pilot program would sunset after two-
years.
• The Legislature modified and enhanced the Film Tax Credit as follows: extended the
program for an additional five years; increased the annual aggregate cap from $420 million to
$700 million, beginning in tax year 2024; increased the annual post-production credit amount
from $25 million to $45 million; increased in the credit for qualified expenses from 25
percent to 30 percent; included “Above the Line” salaries of writers, directors, and other such
professionals in the calculation of the credit; included language to allow non-wage
production costs within the enhanced portion of the Upstate credit computation, for certain
productions with a minimum budget of $500k and shot principally Upstate; amended
language to remove the current $5 million annual aggregate cap for the Enhanced Upstate
portion; included language to allow qualified relocation costs to be included in the
calculation of the credit, to the extent such costs do not exceed $6 million; and included
language to allow for a certain re-branded variety show to be eligible for the credit.
• The Legislature modified the Executive proposal to extend the Application Deadline for
COVID-19 Capital Costs Tax Credit Program from March 31, 2023, to September 30, 2023.
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Under this program, small businesses with $2.5 million or less of gross receipts are eligible
for a credit of 50 percent of their qualifying costs, up to $25,000, with a minimum credit of
$1,000.
• The Legislature modified the Executive proposal to create a Tax Credit for Childcare
Creation program which establishes a two-year, $25 million refundable tax credit program
for certain businesses that create or expand childcare slots for the children of their
employees, by making a technical correction to a reference of law. The program will be
available for eligible businesses statewide and would be administered by the Office of
Children and Family Services.
• The Legislature modified the Executive proposal to authorize the City of New York to
provide a tax credit for certain small- and medium-sized businesses that operate in the
biotechnology industry, by making conforming changes to the City of New York’s
Administrative Code and other technical changes. The City of New York previously offered
a tax credit for biotechnology companies, which expired in 2019. This proposal would
reinstate that authorization for three years, through 2025.
• The Legislature modified the existing the New York City Musical and Theatrical Production
Tax Credit, to: extend the $3 million per production cap to productions that have their first
performance prior to January 1, 2025, extension of the initial application deadline to June 30,
2025, increase of the overall cap from $200 million to $300 million, provide a technical
correction to ensure that successful production companies are required to make contributions
to the New York State Council on the Arts Cultural Programs until December 31, 2027, and
to allow certain Off-Broadway productions with budgets of atleast $750,000 to be eligible for
a credit up to $350,000.
• The Legislature rejected the Executive proposal to establish a cosmetology trainee program.
• The Legislature rejected the Executive proposal to rebrand the START-UP NY program as
EPIC.
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New York State Liquor Authority and Office of Cannabis Management
• The enacted 2023-24 State Fiscal Year Budget provided the Division of Alcohol Control
with an All Funds appropriation of $83.2 million, a decrease of $29.2 million or 26 percent
below the SFY 2022-23 level. The Division includes the State Liquor Authority (SLA) and
the Office of Cannabis Management, the respective entities charged with enforcing the
provisions of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law and Cannabis Law in New York State.
Article VII – Alcohol Beverage Control and Cannabis
• Cannabis
o The Legislature included language to provide the Office of Cannabis Management
and the Department of Taxation and Finance with expanded enforcement
authority over illegal and legal adult-use cannabis businesses. The language also
includes enhanced civil penalties for people found possessing large amounts of
illicit cannabis for sale in a commercial setting.
• Alcohol Beverage Control
o The Legislature modified the Executive proposal to extend temporary retail
permits for one year.
o The Legislature included language to amend the Alcoholic Beverage Production
Credit amounts for wine and liquor with the intent to provide parity to the various
small producers of these New York State beverages.
o The Legislature rejected the Executive proposal to direct the State Liquor
Authority (SLA) to review and re-write the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law.
o The Legislature rejected the Executive proposal to authorize the State Liquor
Authority to issue temporary permits to applicants with pending wholesale license
applications.
o The Legislature rejected the Executive proposal to issue pending applications for
permission to make a corporate change to be deemed approved if the State Liquor
Authority does not act within 90-days.
o The Legislature rejected the Executive proposal to allow a State Liquor Authority
license applicant to submit a required notice to a municipality and an application
to the SLA on the same day.
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III. IMPROVING NEW YORK’S ECONOMY AND CREATING JOBS
The Committee plays an important role in facilitating economic development policy in
the State with an overarching objective to ensure an equitable and inclusive economy. The
State’s role should be to partner with local governments and the private sector to grow regional
economies and to focus its incentives to support clusters such as emerging high-technology
industries in New York. The Committee supports legislation that focuses economic development
efforts toward assisting companies that retain and create jobs and contribute to the economic
stability and revitalization of communities across New York. Companies that seek and receive
State financial assistance should commit to retain or create jobs in their communities. Where
appropriate, the State should seek to leverage resources and help emerging industries, thereby
supporting the growth of specialized clusters in growing fields of employment.
The Committee’s primary responsibility in the area of the Alcoholic Beverage Control
(ABC) Law is to ensure the safe and lawful manufacturing, distribution and sale of alcoholic
beverages in the State. In addition, the Committee has recognized the changing market for
alcohol products in relation to agri-business and tourism. New York State has committed to
utilizing New York’s farm products to produce alcoholic beverages and encourage the expansion
of local craft beverage markets.
The Committee’s responsibility related to the Cannabis Control law is still evolving as
adult-use cannabis is a new industry in New York State. The Committee’s role is to review bills
related to manufacturing, distribution, and retail sale of adult-use cannabis in New York.
The Committee will continue its review of the ABC and Cannabis Law to ensure the law
is supporting a market that functions best, and in a balanced manner, for consumers and
businesses. The Committee will review legislation that ensures communities have adequate
information and notice as they make decisions about the future of cannabis, alcoholic beverage
manufacturing businesses and retail establishments located in their neighborhoods.
The following is a list of significant legislation worked on the Committee in 2023:
• Helping 9/11 Victims
A.75-B, Sayegh, Chapter 364 of the Laws of 2023
This law requires the Department of Economic Development (DED), in consultation with the
Department of Labor and any other appropriate State or municipal entities, to adopt rules and
regulations to necessary to promote notification and awareness to businesses and their past
and present employees of their potential eligibility for compensation from the September
Eleventh Victim Compensation Fund and the World Trade Center Health Program. This law
also provides DED with authorization to consult with the Special Master of the federal funds
relating to providing notification to businesses and their employees.
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• Human Trafficking Awareness Curriculum
A.616, Jean-Pierre, Chapter 12 of the Laws of 2023
This law reflects a change to the effective date from 30-days to 180-days that human
trafficking awareness curriculum will be included in alcohol training awareness programs
approved by the State Liquor Authority.
• Clarifying Qualifying Uses of Minority- and Women-Owned Business Development
Lending Program
A.968, Bichotte Hermelyn, Chapter 25 of the Laws of 2023
This law makes technical changes and clarifies that the Minority- and Women-Owned
Business Development and Lending Program may only be used to refinance existing
commercial or business debt.
• Assisting a Business in Onondaga County
A.2884, Magnarelli, Chapter 379 of the Laws of 2023
This law authorizes the State Liquor Authority to issue an on-premise liquor license to a
business located in Onondaga County that is within 200 feet of a religious institution.
• Authorizing Alcoholic Beverages Prepared Using Pressurized Draft System
A.2902, Cunningham, Chapter 522 of the Laws of 2023
This law authorizes the preparation and on-premise consumption of alcohol beverages that
are dispensed and served via a pressurized draft system.
• Ensuring Release of Retainage Fees for Subcontractors
A.4167, Hunter, Chapter 657 of the Laws of 2023
This law provides for the release of retainage fees from a contractor to a subcontractor upon
substantial completion of a project as described in the terms of a contract and to set retainage
fees at a maximum of five percent of a contracted sum.
• Providing Information Human Trafficking Victims
A.4264, Paulin, Chapter 492 of the Laws of 2023
This law requires truck stops to provide informational signage related to services available to
human trafficking victims in public lactation rooms.
• Expanding Allowable Gift and Promotional Items for Retailers for Off-Premise
Consumption
A.6050-A, Bronson, Chapter 526 of the Laws of 2023
This law authorizes wholesalers and retailers for off-premise consumption to transport and
sell gift and promotional items as well as glasses associated with the consumption of distilled
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spirits. This law defines gift and promotional items as complimentary and directly
associated with the sale of wine or distilled spirits they are gifting or promoting and shall
mean: (i) items that are de minimis in value, but in no instance shall merchandise be valued
at more than fifteen dollars in total; (ii) items that are imprinted with the wine or spirits brand
logo on the gift or promotional item; and (iii) items that are included as part of a
manufactured pre-sealed package with the wine or distilled spirit that is being gifted or
promoted. Further, for the purposes of this law, gift or promotional items shall not include
any food, non-alcoholic beverage, or other drink or food mix, nor shall these items be offered
for sale to the public as individual items.
• Assisting a Business in Suffolk County
A.6085-A, Brown, K, Chapter 396 of the Laws of 2023
This law authorizes the State Liquor Authority to issue an on-premise liquor license to a
business located in Suffolk County that is within 200 feet of a religious institution.
• Expanding Brewer License Duration
A.6134, Clark, Chapter 523 of the Laws of 2023
This law changes the license duration of brewers, farm brewers and restaurant-brewer
licenses from one-year to three-years.
• Assisting a Business in Orange County
A.6751, Jacobson, Chapter 406 of the Laws of 2023
This law authorizes the State Liquor Authority to issue an on-premise liquor license to a
business located in Orange County that is within 200 feet of a religious institution.
• Assisting a Business in Kings County
A.6793, Bichotte Hermelyn, Chapter 408 of the Laws of 2023
This law authorizes the State Liquor Authority to issue an on-premise liquor license to a
business located in Kings County that is within 200 feet of a religious institution.
• Changes Reference for the Definition of Certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned
Business Enterprise
A.6903, Stern, Chapter 409 of the Laws of 2023
This law makes a technical reference change related to the definition of "Certified Service-
Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Enterprise" from the now repealed Executive Law § 369-
1 and § 369-I to Article 3 of the Veterans' Service law which became effective on April 1,
2023.
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• Requiring Cosmetology Education to Include All Hair Types
A.6927-A, Solages, Chapter 664 of the Laws of 2023
This law requires the Department of State to promulgate regulations to require
cosmetologists and natural hair stylists to receive education related to all hair types including,
but not limited to, various curl patterns, hair strand thicknesses, and volume of hair. This law
also requires the licensure examination to include questions on all hair types and textures.
• Expanding the Hours of Sunday Sale of Beer
A.6941, Bronson, Chapter 524 of the Laws of 2023
This law repeals a section of Alcoholic Beverage Control Law that restricts the sale of beer
by licensed off-premise retailers between the hours of 3 a.m. and 8 a.m. on Sundays and
make conforming technical changes.
• Assisting a Business in Nassau County
A.7073, Curran, Chapter 413 of the Laws of 2023
This law authorizes the State Liquor Authority to issue an on-premise liquor license to a
business located in Nassau County that is within 200 feet of a religious institution.
• Assisting a Business in Queens County
A.7113, Mamdani, Chapter 457 of the Laws of 2023
This law authorizes the State Liquor Authority to issue an on-premise liquor license to a
business located in Queens County that is within 200 feet of a school.
• Assisting a Business in Queens County
A.7275, Vanel, Chapter 416 of the Laws of 2023
This law authorizes the State Liquor Authority to issue an on-premise liquor license to a
business located in Queens County that is within 200 feet of a religious institution.
• Extends the Advisory Panel on Employee-Owned Enterprises
A.7292, Stirpe, Chapter 159 of the Laws of 2023
This law extends for one year the advisory panel on employee-owned enterprises which is
tasked with reporting and making recommendations on how best to support such businesses
and promote the formation and growth of new employee-owned enterprises in New York
State.
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• Providing a Tied-House Exemption of SUNY Broome County Community College and
Cornell University's New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
A.7293, Bronson, Chapter 713 of the Laws of 2023
This law provides a tied house exemption to the ABCL normally prohibiting a manufacturer
or wholesaler and a retailer from having an interest in each other’s business for SUNY
Broome County Community College and Cornell University's New York State College of
Agriculture and Life Sciences located in Ithaca and the New York State Agricultural
Experiment Station located in Geneva, New York.
• Authorizing Expanded Sunday Hours at Wine and Liquor Stores
A.7305, Cunningham, Chapter 525 of the Laws of 2023
This law expands Sunday hours for retail off premise consumption licensees to from 10:00
a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
• Improving High Speed Broadband
A.7333, Bronson, Vetoed
This bill would require the Department of Economic Development to provide annual
reporting on high-speed broadband internet service. This bill would also add access to high-
speed broadband internet service as a grant consideration for projects under the Urban and
Community Development Grant Program and RESTORE-NY Grant Program.
• Extends Authorization for One-Year Conditional Adult-Use Cultivator Licenses And
Conditional Adult-Use Processor Licenses
A.7430, Peoples-Stokes, Chapter 135 of the Laws of 2023
This law provides a one-year extension to the conditional adult-use cultivator licenses and
conditional adult-use processor license from June 1, 2023, to June 1, 2024.
• Strategic Investment Workforce Development
A.336, Bronson, Ways and Means Committee
This bill would create the strategic investment workforce development program and would
have the Urban Development Corporation collaborate with the Department of Labor, the
Department of Economic Development, the State University of New York, the City
University of New York and the State Education Department to identify the training needs of
employers, employees and perspective employees, as well as identify areas of the state where
there is a shortage of skilled workers and identify ways to strengthen prospective employees.
18
• Adds Distributed Ledger Technology to the Excelsior Jobs Program
A.1052, Vanel, Ways and Means Committee
This bill would add " distributed ledger technology" into the definitions of businesses
engaged in "financial services data centers or financial services customer back-office
operations" and "software development" within the Excelsior Jobs Program.
• Investing in Public Housing Though Excelsior Jobs Program
A.1361, Joyner, Ways and Means Committee
This bill would amend the Excelsior Jobs Program to establish community significant
projects as eligible to receive Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits if associated costs
were incurred by a business improving spaces in public housing developments.
• Establishes Who Pays for False Alarms
A.2477, Bronson, Passed Assembly
This bill would provide definitions for the terms “alarm system,” “false alarm,”
“municipality,” and “alarm system company.” This bill would also establish that a
municipality to enact, adopt, or enforce any ordinance, resolution, or regulation requiring any
alarm system company to pay for or be responsible for any fines, fees, or other penalties
relative to false alarms only when the false alarm is attributed to a deficiency in the alarm
system or an error of the alarm system company or central station. Finally, this bill would
shield alarm system companies from liability and civil penalties in the event of a false alarm
that is not attributable to a deficiency in the installation or equipment installed.
• Authorizes Mobile Barber Shops
A.2785-A, O'Donnell, Rules Committee
This bill would repeal the prohibition against itinerant barber shops and authorize the
licensing of mobile barber shops in the State.
• Establishing Public Convenience, Advantage, and Interest Standards
A.3231, Epstein, Assembly 3rd Reading Calendar
This bill would establish a consistent standard with respect to the factors that may be
considered by the State Liquor Authority (SLA) when determining whether public
convenience, advantage, and interest will be promoted by the grant of a specific on-premises
liquor license to a particular applicant. The bill would also require that before issuing a
license within 500 feet of three or more existing licensed establishments, the SLA consider
any formal communication received from the municipality or community board.
19
• Ensuring Technical Assistance in Minority Communities
A.5648, Cook, Ways and Means Committee
This bill would require an evaluation study to be performed on programs overseen by the
Urban Development Corporation (UDC) and any other programs funded with State money
that provide technical assistance services to communities with predominantly minority
populations. Further, this bill would require the UDC to partner with not-for-profit
organizations to provide technical assistance if any gaps in coverage are found in minority
communities.
• Expanding the Definition of Zone Pricing
A.5698, Thiele, Codes
This bill would clarify the definition of zone pricing and expand the prohibition on zone
pricing to cover dealers of retail motor fuel. The bill would also authorize a wholesaler or
dealer to bring an action in court to enjoin a violation of zone pricing.
• Ensuring Community Board Comments are Included in Public Records
A.5856, Glick, Assembly 3rd Reading Calendar
This bill would require the New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) to create a standardized
form that a municipality or community board may use to provide comments on the renewal
of a license. Any comments made by municipalities or community boards would become part
of the record in the renewal application proceedings and used by the SLA when making a
renewal decision.
20
IV. PUBLIC OUTREACH
• Adult-Use Cannabis Banking
On May 11, 2023, the Committees on Banks and Economic Development held a Public
Hearing to examine how to establish a legal framework in providing banking services to
adult-use cannabis businesses in New York State.
This hearing sought to provide Committee Members with information related to the
challenges and barriers to providing banking services to legal adult-use cannabis businesses
and examine pathways to allowing banking services to the burgeoning cannabis industry in
New York.
• Oversight of Economic Programs funded in the enacted 2023-2024 State Budget
On October 26, 2023, the Committees on Economic Development and Small Business held a
hearing to examine the impact and effectiveness of the economic development programs
funded in the enacted 2023-2024 State Budget.
This hearing sought to provide Committee Members with information related to the
effectiveness of State funded economic development programs as they relate to promoting an
equitable and inclusive economy and ensuring that such programs are meeting the needs of
businesses, the workforce, and communities historically or currently disproportionately
impacted by economic pressures. The hearing also examined how programs can be improved
to provide a greater economic impact across the State and enhance their impact in promoting
equitable and inclusive policies.
21
V. OUTLOOK FOR 2024
During the 2023 Legislative Session, the Committee oversaw the continued re-opening of New
York’s Economy from the pandemic and continues to monitor and access the issues facing
businesses in all sectors as they resume their core business operations, including new
recessionary pressures. While great strides have been made in keeping business whole and
operational, it is essential that the Committee continues to help businesses succeed, support job
opportunities and in doing so help New York families and communities in which these
businesses operate.
During the 2024 Session, the legislative and budgetary focus for the Committee on Economic
Development will include developing approaches that recognize economic development and
workforce development are interconnected and mutually dependent. The focus will also include
measures to ensure economic development that is both equitable and inclusive of those
individuals historically left on the economic sidelines, especially those from marginalized
communities. Committee priorities will include:
• Expanding and improving workforce development strategies within economic policy
and oversight of the funds allocated for workforce development in the SFY 2023-2024
enacted budget. To this end, the Committee will focus on expanding work training and
employment programs, as well as coordinating workforce development throughout State
policy development, implementation, and funding. To ensure that existing State
programs, across agencies and other State entities, are coordinated, promoted and
accessible to employers and workers. Importantly, we will work to ensure workforce
development strategies are aligned with job availability as well as meeting industry
needs;
• Continuing to examine existing State economic development programs and incorporate
inclusive workforce development policies that are not just about counting job numbers
but creating opportunities for true career development and up-skilling those that are
unemployed or underemployed as well as aligning funding priorities with the needs of
those individuals by supporting additional funding for apprenticeships, skills training,
and other career pathways to enhance their skills and give them the ability to thrive
economically;
• Improving transparency through committee’s oversight role. The Committee is
responsible for legislation that affects economic development and business regulation
throughout the State but also has an oversight role of the State’s various economic
development agencies, authorities, and programs that notably impact the State’s overall
economic health; and
• Providing oversight of the new adult-use cannabis industry in New York State,
especially related to reviewing the evolving regulatory structure necessary to implement
the licensure of the manufacturing, distribution, and retail sale of adult-use cannabis.
22
APPENDIX A
2023 SUMMARY OF ACTION ON ALL BILLS REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, JOB CREATION, COMMERCE, AND INDUSTRY
TOTAL NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEETINGS HELD 6
2023 SUMMARY SHEET
Assembly Senate Total
BILLS REPORTED FAVORABLE TO Bills Bills
Codes 2 0 2
Judiciary 0 0 0
Ways and Means 7 0 7
Rules 17 0 17
Floor 6 0 6
TOTAL 32 0 32
COMMITTEE ACTION
Held For Consideration 0 0 0
Defeated 0 0 0
Enacting Clause Stricken 3 0 3
REMAINING IN COMMITTEE 149 16 165
BILLS REFERENCE CHANGED TO
Ways and Means
4 0 4
Banks 1 0 1
TOTAL 5 0 5
23
APPENDIX B
COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, JOB CREATION, COMMERCE
AND INDUSTRY
2023 Bills Considered (Chapters/Vetoes are included in Appendix C)
Last
Assembly Assembly Description
Assembly
Bill # Sponsor
Action
Referred to This bill would create the strategic investment
A.336 Bronson Ways and workforce development program.
Means
Referred to
This bill would add distributed ledger technology to the
A.1052 Vanel Ways and
Excelsior Jobs Program.
Means
Referred to This bill would allow businesses investing in public
A.1361 Joyner Ways and housing to qualify to benefits though Excelsior Jobs
Means Program.
Passed This bill would clarify who is responsible to pay 1st
A.2477 Bronson responders if a business has a false alarm.
Assembly
This bill would repeal the prohibition against itinerant
Rules
A.2785-A O'Donnell barber shops and authorize the licensing of mobile
Committee
barber shops in the State.
This bill would Establish Public Convenience,
3rd Reading
A.3231 Epstein Advantage, And Interest Standards when considering a
Calendar
State Liquor Authority license application.
This bill would require an evaluation study to be
performed on programs overseen by the Urban
Referred to
Development Corporation (UDC) and any other
A.5648 Cook Ways and
programs funded with State money that provide
Means
technical assistance services to communities with a
predominantly minority populations.
This bill would clarify the definition of zone pricing
Referred to
A.5698 Thiele and expand the prohibition on zone pricing to cover
Codes
dealers of retail motor fuel.
This bill would require the New York State Liquor
3rd Reading Authority (SLA) to create a standardized form that a
A.5856 Glick
Calendar municipality or community board may use to provide
comments on license the renewal of a license.
24
APPENDIX C
COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, JOB CREATION, COMMERCE
AND INDUSTRY
2023 Chapters/Vetoes
Assembly Assembly
Chapter # Description
Bill # Sponsor
This law provides for 9/11 Victim
A.75-B Sayegh Chapter 364
notification of potential federal assistance.
This law extends the effective date of the
A.616 Jean-Pierre Chapter 12 State Liquor Authority Human Trafficking
Awareness Curriculum must begin.
This law clarifies the qualifying uses of
Bichotte
A.968 Chapter 25 Minority and Women-Owned Business
Hermelyn
Development Lending Program.
This law authorizes alcoholic beverages
A.2902 Cunningham Chapter 522
prepared using pressurized draft system.
This law authorizes the State Liquor
Authority to issue an on-premise liquor
A.2884 Magnarelli Chapter 379 license to a business located in Onondaga
County that is within 200 feet of a religious
institution.
This law provides for the release of retainage
fees from a contractor to a subcontractor
upon substantial completion of a project as
A.4167 Hunter Chapter 657
described in the terms of a contract and to set
retainage fees at a maximum of five percent
of a contracted sum.
This law requires truck stops to provide
informational signage related to services
A.4264 Paulin Chapter 492
available to human trafficking victims in
public lactation rooms.
This law authorizes wholesalers and retailers
Chapter 526 for off-premise consumption to transport and
A.6050-A Bronson sell gift and promotional items as well as
Message No. 11 glasses associated with the consumption of
distilled spirits.
This law authorizes the State Liquor
Authority to issue an on-premise liquor
A.6085-A K. Brown Chapter 369 license to a business located in Suffolk
County that is within 200 feet of a religious
institution.
25
This law changes the license duration of
A.6134 Clark Chapter 523 brewers, farm brewers and restaurant-brewer
licenses from one-year to three-years.
This law authorizes the State Liquor
Authority to issue an on-premise liquor
A.6751 Jacobson Chapter 406 license to a business located in Orange
County that is within 200 feet of a religious
institution.
This law authorizes the State Liquor
Authority to issue an on-premise liquor
Bichotte
A.6793 Chapter 408 license to a business located in Kings County
Hermelyn
that is within 200 feet of a religious
institution.
This law makes a technical reference change
related to the definition of "Certified
Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business
A.6903 Stern Chapter 409 Enterprise" from the now repealed Executive
Law § 369-1 and § 369-I to Article 3 of the
Veterans' Service law which became
effective on April 1, 2023.
This law requires the Department of State to
promulgate regulations to require
cosmetologists and natural hair stylists to
A.6927-A Solages Chapter 664 receive education related to all hair types
including, but not limited to, various curl
patterns, hair strand thicknesses, and volume
of hair.
This law repeals a section of Alcoholic
Beverage Control Law that restricts the sale
A.6941 Bronson Chapter 524 of beer by licensed off-premise retailers
between the hours of 3 a.m. and 8 a.m. on
Sundays.
This law authorizes the State Liquor
Authority to issue an on-premise liquor
A.7073 Curran Chapter 413 license to a business located in Nassau
County that is within 200 feet of a religious
institution.
This law authorizes the State Liquor
Authority to issue an on-premise liquor
A.7113 Mamdani Chapter 457
license to a business located in Queens
County that is within 200 feet of a school.
This law authorizes the State Liquor
Authority to issue an on-premise liquor
A.7275 Vanel Chapter 416 license to a business located in Queens
County that is within 200 feet of a religious
institution.
26
This law extends for one year the advisory
panel on employee-owned enterprises which
is tasked with reporting and making
A.7292 Stirpe Chapter 159 recommendations on how best to support
such businesses and promote the formation
and growth of new employee-owned
enterprises in New York State.
This law provides a tied house exemption to
SUNY Broome County Community College
and Cornell University's New York State
A.7293 Bronson Chapter 713 College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
located in Ithaca and the New York State
Agricultural Experiment Station located in
Geneva, New York.
This law expands Sunday hours for retail off
premise consumption licensees to from 10:00
A.7305 Cunningham Chapter 525 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Currently, Sunday hours
authorized for wine and liquor stores are
from noon 9:00 p.m.
This bill would require the Department of
Economic Development to provide annual
reporting on high-speed broadband internet
service. This bill would law also add access
A.7333 Bronson Vetoed
to high-speed broadband internet service as a
grant consideration for projects under the
Urban and Community Development Grant
Program and RESTORE-NY Grant Program.
This law provides a one-year extension to the
Peoples- conditional adult-use cultivator licenses and
A.7430 Chapter 135
Stokes conditional adult-use processor license from
June 1, 2023, to June 1, 2024.
27
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