Bill > S08615

This bill establishes an Election Security Navigator Program within the New York State Board of Elections to help local election boards improve their cybersecurity, physical preparedness, and public confidence in election integrity. The program will be led by a director with expertise in election cybersecurity and will provide voluntary assistance to local boards of elections, including conducting risk assessments, facilitating information sharing about election threats, providing training and guidance, helping local boards access cybersecurity resources and funding opportunities, and developing a student program in partnership with the State University of New York. The program will be funded with an annual budget of at least $3 million, with the ability to seek additional federal and private funding. The state board of elections will conduct a needs-based assessment, develop regulations through a public hearing process, and submit an annual report to state leadership detailing the program's activities, performance metrics, identified risks, and recommendations. The bill aims to address resource constraints and technical staffing limitations in New York's decentralized election administration system by providing coordinated state support to safeguard election systems against growing cybersecurity threats and potential operational disruptions.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S8615