Bill > S04085

This bill establishes a two-year universal basic income (UBI) pilot program in New York State designed to evaluate the economic and social impacts of providing direct cash payments to residents. The program will provide $7,200 annually to individuals and $14,400 to couples, targeting 10,000 participants who meet specific eligibility criteria, including being between 21-65 years old, having verifiable employment, and earning $35,600 or less annually. Participants can still receive other social services like SNAP and TANF, and the UBI payments will not affect their eligibility for these programs. One year after the program's conclusion, the state comptroller must produce a comprehensive report analyzing the pilot's effects, including impacts on participants' health, employment seeking behavior, socio-demographic information, fund allocation, potential cost savings, and recommendations for a potential statewide UBI program. The bill appropriates $288 million to fund the program, with money sourced equally from the state's general fund and stock transfer tax fund, and is set to take effect immediately while expiring five years after its start date.

Budget and Finance

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S4085