Bill > A01909

This bill establishes a Rural Remote Recruitment Program in New York designed to incentivize remote workers to relocate to rural areas with low population density. The program offers monetary incentives of up to $26,000 to eligible participants, which includes a relocation incentive of up to $15,000, a homebuyer incentive of up to $10,000, up to $1,000 for travel reimbursement, and an additional $10,000 for current remote workers already residing in rural areas. To be eligible, applicants must be at least 18 years old, work full-time remotely, be eligible to work in the U.S., and commit to living in a designated rural area (defined as a city, town, or village with fewer than 250 people per square mile in a county with less than 300,000 residents) for at least 24 months. The program involves a competitive application process where participants must submit proof of income, residency, and tax compliance. Payments are structured in installments contingent upon meeting program requirements, with the first payment of $7,000 upon acceptance, additional payments at one-year and contract-end milestones, and a potential homebuyer reimbursement. The Department of Economic Development will coordinate with the Department of Labor to manage the program, and an annual report will be published detailing program participation, benefits, and rural population impact, with the first report due by June 30, 2027.

Business and Industry

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A1909