An act to amend the General Business Law, in relation to the Attorney General's ability to protect New Yorkers from unfair, deceptive and abusive business practices; and to repeal certain provisions of such law relating thereto.
The Assembly passed a chapter amendment to legislation expanding the Attorney General's consumer protection authority under the General Business Law (A09444/S08811), significantly scaling back the original bill passed in June 2025. The amendment, negotiated with Governor Hochul to avoid a veto, preserves existing case law on the consumer-oriented standard developed over 50 years, limits standing to traditional consumer injury standards, extends the business response period from five to ten days, and clarifies that private rights of action apply only to deceptive acts. Sponsor Asm. Lasher emphasized the amendment still represents the first significant expansion of New York's Consumer Protection Law in 40 years, though he expressed reservations about preserving the consumer-oriented standard, which he argued was created by courts rather than statute. The Business Council, which opposed the original legislation, supported the amended version. Asm. Walsh noted the changes make the bill more palatable to business concerns, while Asm. Molitor warned the amendment improperly delegates legislative authority to federal statute and case law. The Majority Conference voted in favor; the Minority Conference voted generally in opposition but allowed members to vote individually.
An act to amend the General Business Law, in relation to enacting the 'Fostering Affordability and Integrity through Reasonable (FAIR) Business Practices Act'
The Assembly passed the FAIR Business Practices Act (A08427-A/S08416), a landmark modernization of New York's consumer protection law that for the first time in 55 years expands the Attorney General's enforcement authority beyond deceptive practices to include unfair and abusive business practices. Sponsored by Assemblyman Lasher, the bill adopts definitions drawn from federal law—the Federal Trade Commission standard for unfairness (in place since 1980) and the Consumer Financial Protection Act's definition of abusive practices (2010)—making the standards familiar to businesses already operating under federal law. Lasher cited real New York cases involving insurance companies denying coverage, fraudulently inducing consumers with limited English proficiency, negligent claims handling, and backdating policies—all instances where relief was denied under the current statute. The bill does not affect individual New Yorkers' existing limited right to sue. Assemblywoman Walsh raised concerns about the subjectivity of the "abusive" definition and whether the bill grants excessive discretion to the Attorney General, but Lasher argued the approach mirrors federal practice and that 42 other states already prohibit unfair practices.
An act to amend the General Business Law in relation to unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices
The Assembly passed legislation expanding the Attorney General's authority to prosecute unfair, deceptive, or abusive business practices, removing the current "consumer-oriented" limitation that courts have imposed over 45 years. Sponsor Asm. Lasher argued the bill clarifies existing AG authority and relies on well-settled Federal Trade Commission definitions to protect consumers and small businesses. Opponents, led by Asm. Walsh and Asm. Ra, contended the measure grants excessive discretion to the AG and extends enforcement beyond consumer transactions into business-to-business disputes using vague standards. Asm. Molitor raised constitutional concerns, arguing the bill violates the state constitution by referencing Federal case law without statutory definition. The Majority Conference voted in favor while the Minority Conference opposed the measure. A party vote was requested. The bill passed on June 17, 2025.
An act to amend the General Business Law, in relation to enacting the "Fostering Affordability and Integrity through Reasonable (FAIR) Business Practices Act"
Charter revision commission ballot proposals
The Assembly passed a bill sponsored by Asm. Simone allowing multiple charter revision proposals to appear on the same ballot and permitting entities beyond the mayor—including the New York City Council—to submit ballot questions. The bill directly addresses the mayor's 'bumping' power, which allows the mayor to prevent other proposals from appearing on ballots. Simone argued prior mayors have abused this power to suppress City Council proposals, citing a recent example of a proposal to confirm commissioners. Supporters including Asm. Weprin and Asm. Glick contended the bill restores balance of power and checks against executive overreach. Opponents including Asm. Tannousis, Asm. Yeger, and Mr. Lasher argued the bumping power is necessary to prevent chaos from an irresponsible City Council and warned the bill will lead to ballot confusion and litigation similar to California's referendum system. The Republican Conference voted against the bill. Asm. Yeger explained his vote in opposition, urging colleagues to help preserve New York City from chaos.
Charter revision commission ballot proposals
The Assembly passed a bill sponsored by Asm. Simone allowing multiple charter revision proposals to appear on the same ballot and permitting entities beyond the mayor—including the New York City Council—to submit ballot questions. The bill eliminates the mayor's 'bumping' power, which allows the mayor to prevent other proposals from reaching voters. Simone argued prior mayors have abused this power to block legitimate City Council proposals, citing a recent example of the mayor bumping a proposal to confirm commissioners. Opponents including Asm. Tannousis, Asm. Yeger, and Asm. Lasher contended the bumping provision serves as a necessary check on a potentially irresponsible City Council, prevents ballot confusion, and that eliminating it will lead to litigation and more referenda similar to California's experience. Supporters including Asm. Weprin, Asm. Carroll, and Asm. Glick argued the bill restores democratic balance and prevents executive overreach. The Republican Conference opposed the bill while the Democratic Majority supported it.
An act to amend the Executive Law, in relation to codifying the disparate impact standard in the Human Rights Law
The Assembly passed legislation codifying the disparate impact standard in New York's Human Rights Law, ensuring state protections against housing discrimination remain strong regardless of federal action. Sponsored by Assemblyman Lasher with support from Assemblywoman Wright, the bill incorporates language almost verbatim from federal fair housing regulations. Lasher explained the measure addresses potential changes at the federal level, citing the Supreme Court's Loper Light decision and a recent executive order targeting disparate impact liability. The bill was supported by members citing New York's civil rights history and the need to protect against modern redlining and discriminatory lending practices, such as the 2014 Evans Bank case in Buffalo where only 0.36 percent of mortgage applications came from African-American applicants in targeted neighborhoods. The Republican Conference generally opposed the measure, though some members were permitted to vote yes at their seats.
An act to amend the Public Health Law, in relation to establishing a State Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Motor Neuron Disease (MND) Registry
An act to amend the Real Property Tax Law, in relation to increasing the amount of the childcare center tax abatement for certain properties in a city having a population of one million or more
An act to amend the Executive Law, in relation to codifying the disparate impact standard in the Human Rights Law
An act to amend the Executive Law, in relation to codifying the disparate impact standard in the Human Rights Law
An act to amend the Executive Law, in relation to codifying the disparate impact standard in the Human Rights Law
An act to amend the General Obligations Law, in relation to the liability of a grantee or assignee for deposits made by tenants upon conveyance of rent-stabilized dwelling units
The Assembly passed legislation extending security deposit protections to rent-stabilized tenants in New York City that were previously granted to market-rate tenants under the 2019 Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act. The bill requires landlords to collect no more than one month's rent as a security deposit and return it unless there are itemizable damages or repairs needed. Landlords must provide itemized statements for any withheld portions and are subject to punitive damages of up to twice the deposit amount for willful violations. Sponsor Assemblyman Lasher argued the protections are reasonable and have caused no problems for market-rate tenants over several years, while opponents expressed concern about potential burdens on landlords in a state already facing high business costs.
An act to amend the General Obligations Law, in relation to the liability of a grantee or assignee for deposits made by tenants upon conveyance of rent-stabilized dwelling units
The Assembly passed legislation on May 27 extending security deposit protections to rent-stabilized tenants in New York City. The bill, sponsored by Assemblyman Lasher, applies provisions from the 2019 Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act—which have governed market-rate rentals for six years—to rent-stabilized housing. The protections require landlords to collect no more than one month's security deposit, provide itemized statements for any withheld amounts, and conduct inspections documenting the property's condition before and after tenancy. Lasher argued the provisions have caused no reported problems for market-rate tenants and should be harmonized for rent-stabilized tenants, who are traditionally better protected by law. Assemblywoman Walsh opposed the expansion, citing concerns that the 2019 provisions were burdensome to landlords. The bill passed on a party-line vote, with the Majority voting affirmatively and the Minority Conference voting in the negative.
Department of Environmental Conservation authority to manage weakfish
An act to amend the Labor Law, in relation to providing protections for telecommunications tower technicians
An act to amend the Family Court Act, in relation to findings in child abuse or neglect proceedings in family court
The Assembly passed a chapter amendment to the Family Court Act (A4045/S789) that refines warnings judges must give to parents in child abuse and neglect proceedings. Sponsor Asm. Lasher said the amendment ensures judges provide accurate, comprehensible warnings consistent with 2022 changes to the Social Services Law by allowing judges flexibility in exact wording while maintaining precision. The amendment does not change underlying sealing timelines or which employers can access State Central Registry records. Assemblywoman Walsh questioned the broader 2020 budget provision allowing neglect indications to be sealed after eight years, arguing it undermines child protection, but acknowledged the chapter amendment itself does not alter those rules. The bill passed with Lasher voting affirmatively.
An act to amend the Family Court Act, in relation to findings in child abuse or neglect proceedings in family court
Source: Official NY Assembly floor session transcripts (Granicus). AI-processed. Includes sessions from 2023 onward where transcripts are available.