2023 New York State Legislative Agenda Release

As part of its ongoing policy work at the local, state and federal levels, the New York City Bar Association has released its 2023 New York State Legislative Agenda. The Agenda is rooted in the City Bar’s mission to equip and mobilize the legal profession to practice with excellence, promote reform of the law, and uphold the rule of law and access to justice in support of a fair society and the public interest. The agenda focuses on positions relevant to the current legislative debate or of particular importance to the City Bar, as well as legislative proposals drafted by our committees. The City Bar’s committees generate dozens of reports over the course of each legislative session and this agenda represents only a portion of those positions. For a full directory of City Bar reports, including positions on regulatory changes and our federal and international work, please visit our website. 

Following are the Agenda items for 2023:

THE JUDICIARY, THE PROFESSION AND THE FAIR, EFFECTIVE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE

• Support Adequate Funding for Civil Legal Services in the FY 2024 Judiciary Budget
• Increase the Rates Paid to 18-b Attorneys
• Simplify New York State’s Courts through Restructuring
• Reform and Modernize the Administration of Class Action in New York’s Courts
• Permit Nonresident Attorneys to Practice in New York without Maintaining a Physical Office in the State

GOOD GOVERNMENT

• Raise and Reset Expectations About State Ethics Enforcement in New York 
• Election Law Enforcement Reform

CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM

• Enact the Second Chance Amendment
• Enact the Clean Slate Act
• Enact the Rap Music on Trial Bill 
• Clarify Registration Requirements for Individuals Convicted of Level One Sex Offenses from Out of State

HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS

• Expand the Right to Counsel for Tenants Facing Eviction Statewide
• Provide Internet Access to Individuals Living in Temporary Housing throughout New York State
• Increase Public Assistance Benefits

CIVIL RIGHT AND EQUAL PROTECTION

• Applauding Second Passage of the New York Equality Amendment 
• Reform “Qualified Immunity” to Ensure Accountability for Civil Rights Violations 
• Protect Children During Custodial Police Interrogation 
• Enact the Anti-Harassment in Reporting Bill

BUSINESS AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS

• Require a Personal Financial Literacy Course in State High Schools 
• Regulate the Use of Noncompete Agreements for Lower-Salary Employees 
• Support Long-established Practices of Business-to-Business Arbitration Proceedings 
• Recommended Modifications to the Twenty-First Century Anti-Trust Act

Access the Legislative Agenda here: http://bit.ly/3I16f1w