Legislative Bulletin: Assembly Returns to Albany for Two Days of Special Session
June 22, 2023
Special Edition for End of Special Session
Assembly Returns to Albany for Two Days of Special Session
As reported last week, the 2023 Legislative Session was scheduled to conclude on Thursday, June 8th; however, both houses of the Legislature continued their work into Saturday, June 10th. While the Senate concluded all of its work on June 10th, the Assembly had outstanding issues remaining. As a result, the Assembly returned to Albany this week for two days of a “special session”.
Fortunately for LeadingAge New York membership, the Assembly did not opt to pass any “priority oppose” legislation. In fact, there was no additional movement on any LeadingAge New York priority bills. Rather, the Assembly’s work involved passing bills related to banning wildlife hunting competitions, protections for abortion providers, and protections for tenants of rent stabilized apartments, among other issues. Some legislation that advocates had been watching closely, such as a bill that would expand subsidized health care coverage to include more New Yorkers regardless of their immigration status, did not ultimately get called up for a vote or passage. After closing remarks, the Assembly concluded all 2023 legislative work at approximately 8 p.m. last night.
Now that all legislative activity has concluded, LeadingAge New York will be switching its advocacy focus to state agencies and weighing in with the Governor’s office as priority bills get delivered for action. Over the coming months, all bills that were passed by both houses of the Legislature will be delivered to the Governor for action. The Governor will then sign, veto, and/or require chapter amendments for all legislation that has been advanced by the Legislature. LeadingAge New York will be certain to weigh in with our support, opposition, or concern as bills of relevance get delivered, and will keep members apprised of any additional action needed.
A sincere thank you to all LeadingAge NY members that have stayed engaged with us throughout this particularly long legislative cycle! We hope you found our coverage of the 2023 legislative session helpful and informative. LeadingAge New York’s Legislative Bulletins will return along with the Legislature in 2024!
2023 Comprehensive Legislative Bill Summary
Although the Assembly did indeed return to Albany this week for two days of a special legislative session, there was no additional movement to any of the bills marked as priority for LeadingAge New York and our membership. As a result, there are no changes to the comprehensive Legislative Bill Summary that was published by LeadingAge New York on June 16th.
During this year’s legislative session, LeadingAge New York tracked over 900 bills and deemed over 120 of those to be a “priority” based on their movement and potential impact or relevance to membership. Ultimately, of the 38 priority bills that were passed by both houses this year, LeadingAge New York supported 11 and opposed 2 – representing significant successes.
The legislative bill summary reviews top priority bills and where they landed, other relevant bills that were passed by both houses, and nearly one-hundred other priority bills that LeadingAge NY tracked and/or advocated on that did not pass both houses.
In reviewing the comprehensive bill summary, members are encouraged to consider how this information can be used to inform local advocacy over the coming months. Perhaps there are bills that you may ask your legislators to sign on to as a co-sponsor. Or perhaps there are bills you might urge your legislators to oppose if they come up again next year.
If you have any questions or concerns about the bills mentioned in this document or would like to discuss advocacy initiatives, please feel free to contact Sarah Daly at sdaly@leadingageny.org.
Participate in Summer PR and Advocacy Initiatives with Public Affairs Council!
While the 2023 Legislative Session has finally concluded, LeadingAge New York will be continuing our work in addressing public perceptions of long-term care and educating the general public and lawmakers of our sector’s challenges via the Public Affairs Council. The council plans to continue to meet once a month over the summer and fall to discuss and coordinate strategies to highlight all of the meaningful and amazing work done by not-for-profit/public long-term care providers, as well as why this work needs to be supported by state lawmakers and decision makers. Over the coming months, the council will be focusing on press, advertising, social media, and editorial opportunities.
As a reminder, the Public Affairs Council is an open group for any professionals of LeadingAge NY membership with an interest in these areas to join. If you or a colleague would like to be a member of this council but have not already signed-up, please be sure to REGISTER HERE to receive meeting invitations and updates. Below are the dates for the next three council meetings:
Upcoming Public Affairs Council Meetings
• July 27th at 3 PM
• August 24th at 3 PM
• September 21st at 3 PM
One Day Left! Applications for IGNITE Leadership Academy Due June 23rd
Last Chance! Tomorrow, June 23rd, marks the deadline for applications for the LeadingAge NY IGNITE Leadership Academy! LeadingAge New York is thrilled to resume this leadership development program in person for the 2023-24 year! During these challenging times, leaders need more support and resources than ever before. The program has been universally popular and beneficial for staff in all departments who show leadership potential. Please feel free to apply yourselves or nominate members of your teams.
IGNITE is a year-long professional development program designed to facilitate the development and growth of senior living leaders in the state. The experience provides participants with the tools they will need to be outstanding leaders in their organizations. It differs from an MBA-type program in that its focus is on teaching participants how their own thinking and values are key components to developing their own qualities of leadership. In addition, they acquire the tools to help them work with teams, build successful teams, and collaborate.
The program was established in 2013 and is modeled after the National LeadingAge Larry Minnix Leadership Academy. Graduates of the national program recognized that this valuable program was needed on the state level to inspire, nurture, and empower leaders from New York’s non-profit and public provider community. Only members of LeadingAge New York provider member organizations may apply for the program.
Applications for the 2023-2024 class is due on June 23rd. For more information about the program, click here. Anyone with questions about IGNITE can contact Nancy Caban at ncaban@leadingageny.org, or Diane Darbyshire at ddarbyshire@leadingageny.org. Both can be reached at 518-867-8383.
LeadingAge & LeadingAge New York Coronavirus Resources
LeadingAge NY continues to closely follow all COVID-19 news and we are doing our best to keep members informed of updates, recommendations and guidelines from the Department of Health (DOH).
LeadingAge NY and LeadingAge National Member resources are linked below.
LeadingAge NY Coronavirus Resources
LeadingAge NY COVID-19 Weekly Update calls – Mondays at 11 a.m. Click here to join the call from your computer, android or apple device. Or you can join the call by dialing in: 877 853 5257 (Toll Free); Webinar ID: 852 964 255.
LeadingAge National Coronavirus Policy Updates – Mondays and Wednesdays at 3:30 p.m. Past call recordings are available here and you can register here for future calls.
Contact: Sarah Daly; 518.867.8845; sdaly@leadingageny.org