Business & Consumer Affairs | 2026 NYS Legislative Agenda
Modernize Electronic Transactions
New York has long stood out as the only state that hasn’t adopted the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA), leaving its signature law—the Electronic Signatures and Records Act (ESRA)—at odds with national and international standards. Legislation proposed by the City Bar provides comprehensive amendments to ESRA, bringing it into line with UETA by codifying critical provisions on electronic delivery, signature attribution, error correction, automated transactions, document retention, and control over digital negotiable instruments.
This alignment will eliminate legal uncertainty stemming from overlaps with federal E-SIGN law, unlock opportunities for blockchain and distributed ledger innovation, and reduce compliance costs for businesses and consumers alike. As New York strives to reclaim its leadership in digital commerce, these updates will ensure the state’s legal framework supports—not impedes—technological advancement and market competitiveness. *City Bar Proposal*
– New for 2026 –
Strengthen Flex Rating for For-Hire Vehicle Insurance
Following legislative changes in the 2025–26 State Budget that introduced flex rating for for-hire vehicle insurance, confusion persists over whether insurers need prior approval for unchanged rate filings—and whether the mechanism applies to premium decreases. The City Bar has proposed a legislative fix that clarifies that only initial filings and actual rate changes trigger Department of Financial Services approval requirements, and expressly incorporates premium reductions into the flex rating framework.
By resolving ambiguities around notice obligations and approval timelines, this amendment would restore insurers’ ability to respond nimbly to market shifts, eases regulatory friction on carriers and state regulators, and ensures consumers receive clear and consistent communication about rate changes. *City Bar Proposal*
– New for 2026 –