Which bills could pass now that the budget is done?

New York finally has a budget, but there is still over a month left to go in the legislative session. State lawmakers covered a lot in the $254 billion spending plan, from public safety to education and housing. But other policy issues still remain on the docket.

Lawmakers are concerned about criminal justice reform, immigration issues, healthcare, climate policy and other issues as session days tick away. What they will manage to get to after New York’s budget odyssey is anyone's guess.

Criminal Justice

Following the deaths of state prison inmates Robert Brooks and Messiah Nantwi, there has been a renewed push to increase oversight of state prisons and create pathways for the earlier release of some inmates. 

The Earned Time Act, which would give people in prison more chances to shave time off their sentences via education, job training and good behavior, didn’t make it into the final budget, but lawmakers plan to push for its passage during the remainder of session. 

Advocates are also pushing for the Elder Parole bill, which would allow state prison inmates over 55 who have served more than 15 years of their sentence to apply for parole. The legislation has majority support in the state Senate.

Progressive lawmakers have been seeking to add members to the state Commission of Corrections, which has the power to inspect and close facilities, but the legislation is being held up in the Assembly. 

Medical Aid in Dying

After years of debate, legislation that would allow terminally ill patients to end their lives with the help of a physician is picking up steam, having finally passed the Assembly earlier this year. Some lawmakers are still divided over the legislation’s morals, but state Senate bill sponsor Brad Hoylman-Sigal thinks that he’ll have the votes in his chamber, should state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins allow it to come to a vote.

Immigration

In response to President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, immigrant rights advocates are pushing for the New York For All Act, which would prevent state and local officials from collaborating with ICE. There’s also a push for the Dignity Not Detention Act, which would stop any entity in the state from owning or operating immigration detention facilities. 

Climate

The Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act is getting renewed attention this year after passing the state Senate in 2024. The bill, which would require companies to reduce the amount of packaging in their products while covering the costs of recycling and discarding waste, has drawn intense lobbying from the chemical industry. 

The NY HEAT Act remains a sticking point this year after once again being left out of the state budget. It would end the 100-foot rule where utilities need to run hookups to buildings within 100 feet of existing gas lines. Environmentalists see it as necessary to wean the state off its reliance on fossil fuels, while critics think it will increase the costs for rate-payers. 

Federal Cuts

There isn’t yet any clarity on what exactly the federal budget will mean for New York, but the state Legislature and governor are fully prepared to return to Albany this summer and adjust the state budget to reflect changes in federal spending. More than $90 billion of the state's funding comes from D.C., and cuts to that funding may require adjustments to state services.

As part of the final state budget, the Legislature also gave the governor limited authority to slash state programs if the state’s revenue decreases by $2 billion or more.