Bill > A00315

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment that would require the state legislature to provide funding to reimburse local governments (specifically cities, counties, towns, and villages) for the costs of implementing new state-mandated programs or expanding existing programs. Under this amendment, when the state passes a law that requires a locality to start a new program or increase services, the legislature must establish procedures to allocate funds to cover those associated expenditures. The bill includes an important caveat that this reimbursement requirement would not apply if federal reimbursement or matching funds are available and the state funding would disqualify or impair the municipality's ability to receive those federal funds. The legislature would retain discretion in determining whether to provide state funding for federal programs implemented by municipalities. The proposed amendment would take effect after voter approval and would be published for three months before the next general election, with the amendment being formally referred to the first regular legislative session following that election.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A315