GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS UPDATE
MARCH 2026

NYECA Monitoring State Budget Negotiations as Legislature Prepares One-House Proposals

The 2026 legislative session is now fully underway in Albany, and the focus has shifted from the Governor’s Executive Budget to the legislature’s next major milestone in the process. Both the Senate and Assembly are expected to release their respective one-house budget proposals during the week of March 9. These one-house bills outline each chamber’s priorities and proposed modifications to the Governor’s spending plan and accompanying Article VII policy language.

Release of the one-house budgets begins the most intensive phase of budget negotiations among the Governor, Senate, and Assembly. Differences between the three proposals are reconciled through conference committees and leadership negotiations ahead of the April 1 budget deadline. NYECA is closely reviewing draft language and engaging with key legislators to ensure that construction industry priorities and concerns are addressed as negotiations progress.

We will provide detailed analysis once the one-house bills are introduced and budget conference reports become available.

SEQRA Reform – A Hot Budget Topic

NYECA is closely monitoring proposals to reform the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), which governs environmental review procedures for public and private development projects across New York State. Discussions this year have centered on streamlining review timelines, clarifying litigation standards, limiting duplicative environmental assessments, and addressing perceived abuse of the SEQRA process that can delay infrastructure, housing, and commercial construction projects.

Given SEQRA’s direct impact on project feasibility, permitting timelines, and overall development costs, any statutory amendments could materially affect contractors, project owners, and public authorities. NYECA is reviewing draft language and will assess implications for the electrical contracting industry as formal bill language advances, and we watch to see whether the reform proposal makes it into the final budget.

NYECA Monitoring New York City Council Legislation

In addition to state-level activity, NYECA is closely tracking 2026 legislation introduced by the New York City Council that affects licensing requirements, construction safety mandates, apprenticeship standards, prevailing wage obligations, and reporting requirements for contractors operating in New York City. The City Council continues to introduce bills impacting workforce compliance, site safety enforcement, and administrative oversight by the Department of Buildings. While most bill still remain in committee, we are evaluating proposals that could increase compliance costs or operational burdens on union electrical contractors, and watching for new bill introductions.

NYECA Priority Bill Status Update

Priority Bills Moving

  • S.172-A (Ramos) / A.9571 (Bronson) – Relates to increasing short-term disability benefits.
    • Amended 1/14/26. Amendments pertain to date changes and are substantively identical to last year’s bill. NYECA is working to oppose.
    • Passed Senate Labor; in Senate Finance.
    • In Assembly Labor Committee.

Signed Into Law

  • A.5405 (Hunter)/S.5655 (Ryan) – Compliance with the statutory requirement of a maximum 5% retainage in construction contracts. PRIORITY SUPPORT
    • Chap. 654
  • S.8833 (Jackson) / A.9464 (Bronson) – Relates to the inclusion of certain off-site custom fabrication as public work for the purposes of payment of prevailing wage. PRIORITY OPPOSE – CHAPTER AMENDMENT
    • Passed both houses; Governor signed into law; Chapter 20.
    • On 2/27 NYECA met with the NYS Department of Labor to discuss issues with implementation.
  • S.8752 (Scarcella-Spanton) / A.9454 (Barrett) – Requires contractors and subcontractors performing construction work for covered renewable energy systems to have apprenticeship agreements.
    • Chapter amendment; Governor signed into law; Chapter 37.
  • S.8761 (Comrie) / A.9457 (Rajkumar) – Relates to certain conditions for a grant of permission for access to adjoining property to make improvements or repairs.
    • Passed both houses; Governor signed into law; Chapter 44.
  • S.8774 (Ramos) / A.9463 (Bronson) – Relates to the issuance of temporary elevator mechanic licenses during shortages, continuing education for certain elevator and accessibility lift licensees, and the use of unlicensed elevator mechanics;
    • Chapter amendment; Governor signed into law; Chapter 63.
  • S.8795 (Comrie) / A.9466 (Bronson) – Extends paid family leave benefits to certain construction employees.
    • Passed both houses; Governor signed into law; Chapter 72.

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.