NYECA Introduces Legislation to Reduce Workers’ Compensation Board Annual Assessments
Bill Would Reduce Costs to Electrical Employers Self Insurance Safety Plan
NYECA has introduced legislation that would reduce the annual assessments that the Electrical Employers Self Insurance Safety Plan (EESISP) pays to the Worker’s Compensation Board. At our request Assemblyman Harry Bronson (D-Rochester), Chairman of the powerful Assembly Labor Committee, has agreed to sponsor and introduce A.8900, which went live in the legislature on June 16, 2025. This comes after NYECA’s attempt informally to negotiate a reduction in these onerous annual assessments directly with the Board, to no avail. We are also presently talking with Senator Jessica Ramos (D-Queens), Chairwoman of the Senate Labor Committee, about Senate introduction.
Since 2005 EESISP has paid the Workers’ Compensation Board at least $151 million in mandatory annual assessments which are used to fund the operations of the Board. But by operating a self-funded plan that also utilizes an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) process, EESISP relies minimally, if at all, on Workers’ Compensation Board resources. Yet, it still pays annual assessments as if it were fully part of that system. This strikes NYECA as very unfair, and a waste of EESISP resources.
NYECA’s position, which we have expressed to both the Board and the legislature, is that self-insured employers that have adopted ADR programs operating almost completely outside the workers’ compensation system, such as EESISP, should not be liable for annual operating assessments at the same rate as those employers and traditional plans which fully rely upon the resources of that system, yet present law makes no distinction between the two. Continued imposition of these annual assessments is therefore not only unfair, but it also jeopardizes the financial viability of EESISP. This legislation is therefore necessary to provide equitable relief to self-insured employers who have adopted an ADR program in New York, such as EESISP.
NYECA originated, drafted and introduced this bill to support EESISP. Over the next several months we will secure Senate introduction and attempt to continue our discussions with the Board. If those continue to be unfruitful, next session (January) we will immediately lobby to enact this legislation which would mandate a significant reduction in these annual assessments.
NYECA Monitoring NYC Mayoral Race for Impact on Construction Industry
With Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the NYC mayoral primary, all eyes now shift to the general election. In addition to Mamdani, the general election includes Curtis Sliwa (R), as well as independent campaigns from Mayor Eric Adams, former assistant US Attorney Jim Walden, and a round two with Andrew Cuomo. In this five-way race, the three independent campaigns all agree that the only way to beat Mamdani is for two of the candidates to drop out and endorse the third. However, any agreement ends there, as all three independent candidates argue that they are the one who should remain in the race.
Here are brief summaries of key points in each candidates’ proposals on construction and housing:
Mamdani proposes a comprehensive city plan and a $100 billion commitment over ten years to build 200,000 units of public housing: https://www.zohranfornyc.com/policies/housing-by-and-for-new-york
Mayor Adams is running on his current “City of Yes” policy, as well as proposals to convert vacant commercial properties into affordable housing and streamline the approval process for housing development. https://eric2025.com/#policies
Sliwa proposes repealing the “City of Yes” and restoring local zoning control and converting vacant commercial spaces into housing. https://www.sliwafornyc.com/affordablenyc
Cuomo’s housing plan includes ensuring the 485-x tax abatement program sufficiently incentivizes new development and leveraging $5 billion in a joint state-city program as well as NYC retirement funds to fund affordable housing. https://www.andrewcuomo.com/issues
Walden’s proposes adding 50,000 units of housing annually, through rolling back ineffective incentives, expediting the conversion of vacant, “zombie”, and foreclosed properties, and partnering with REBNY to create a single agency responsible for approving projects. https://jimfornyc.com/commitments/housing-plan/
NYECA will continue to carefully monitor the New York City races, with an eye towards outreach and relationships building with newly elected officials.
If you have any questions or would like additional information on any New York State or New York City legislative matter, including copies of any legislation or regulations mentioned in this article, please contact Peter Rescigno or NYECA lobbyist Perry Ochacher at (914) 319-9173.