Advocacy Alert: Hochul Blocks Crypto, Vetoes Duplicative Reporting Bill
Governor Kathy Hochul recently acted on two significant pieces of legislation.
Advocacy Win: Hochul Vetoes Duplicative Reporting Bill
Governor Hochul vetoed legislation that would have imposed duplicative reporting requirements on employers. The BNP vocally opposed this legislation and is pleased the Governor heeded our advice.
Currently, large employers are required to submit an EEO-1 report to the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Through the EEO-1 report, employers submit demographic workforce data, including data on race, ethnicity, sex, and job categories, to the EEOC. This data is analyzed by the EEOC for troubling disparities, but the information is not public.
However, this legislation would have required EEO-1 filers to submit the same information to the New York State Department of State, which would then be published on the state website.
The BNP made clear to the Governor that this added reporting requirement would be duplicative, unnecessary, and costly to the state.
While the BNP has been a leader in helping employers diversify their workforce, this legislation would have simply resulted in added paperwork for employers – not meaningful change. Hochul concurred in her veto message, noting: “it would place an enormous burden on the Department of State to duplicate work already being done successfully by the federal government.”
Hochul Signs Crypto Moratorium
The Governor signed into law a two-year moratorium on cryptocurrency mining. Mining is an energy-intensive process in which computer networks validate cryptocurrency transactions. While technology is essential to the newest trend in the financial world, environmentalists took issue with the amount of emissions generated by the process. The moratorium will be in effect for two years, during which the state will study and develop regulations and guidelines for mining.
The BNP opposed this legislation and urged the Governor to veto it.
More Bills to Come
Since Governor Hochul has until the end of the year to sign or veto bills, she has treaded very carefully this year, opting to wait on most legislation until after her election. Now that she has been reelected, expect a flurry of activity between now and the New Year. As the Governor makes decisions on various bills, the BNP will keep you updated.
Related Posts
9.6.23 Advocacy Alert: Preparing for Pay Transparency
Blog Back to Our Blog Blog Categories This month, a new law regarding pay transparency will take effect in New York. All employers should prepare to comply with this law. Get answers to frequently asked questions below. What does the law require? The law requires employers to disclose the compensation (salary or wage) or range of compensation…
Advocacy Alert: State Legislature Ends Session
The New York State Legislature gaveled out for the final time of the 2023 legislative session. Although a special session is possible before the end of the year, no major legislative push is expected.
Although much of the most impactful legislation being debated was tabled until next year, many important bills were passed in the waning days of session.
Advocacy Alert: End of Session: What We’re Watching
All eyes are on Albany as the Legislature enters the final two weeks of the 2023 legislative session. Amid the hundreds of bills that will pass in the coming days, the BNP is keeping an eye on the following issues:
Advocacy Alert: NYS Budget
State lawmakers recently approved the 2023 state budget. In total, the budget will spend $229 billion – a record amount and a 33% increase in spending since 2019.