Legislative Session Update
As reported previously, the New York State Legislature concluded their legislative session on June 10 with their traditional flurry of legislative activity with 461 bills passing both houses during the final week.
As a point of reference, 892 bills passed both houses this session which began in January. Of the 892 measures, 652 have yet to be delivered to be Governor which is not atypical for this point in the year. We anticipate that most of these measures will be enacted into law with most of the vetoes occurring at the end of the year. It is unclear at this point what impact the pending investigations of the Executive Chamber will have if any on this process.
In a sign that the world is returning to some sense of normalcy, the State Capital is now open to the public.
June 22 was primary day in New York State. Due to the new ranked voting methodology, the winner in the NYC Democratic mayoral primary has not been declared but it appears that Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams is the favorite to occupy Gracie Mansion next January.
As an aside, every state legislator seeking local office in New York City lost on primary day.
In Buffalo, Democratic Social of America member India Walton decisively upset four-term Mayor Byron Brown in the Democratic primary. Ms. Walton is the overwhelming favorite to be the next Mayor of Buffalo.
Finally, State Senator Todd Kaminsky has announced his candidacy for Nassau County District Attorney.
Unlicensed Insurance Activity Results in Agent License Revocation and Large Fine By DFS
DFS revoked an agent’s license where it was found that, in or about August 2016, he allowed an unlicensed person to solicit from and/or negotiate with an insured on his behalf regarding two annuity contracts; the agent also failed to timely or sufficiently respond to the Department’s letters of inquiry.
A life broker paid a $500,000 fine where DFS found that during an eight-year period he paid commissions to unlicensed individuals to transact the business of insurance in New York.
State of Emergency Comes to an End
After approximately 15 months of operating under Executive Orders, Governor Cuomo announced that he would be letting the COVID-19 State of Emergency expire at midnight on June 24. On June 25 the Governor signed Executive Order 210, which rescinds Executive Orders 202 and all subsequent orders through 202.111 and Executive Order 205 – 205.3, which together contain a multitude of COVID-related directives and statutory waivers. Accordingly, all of the statutory flexibility that had been granted through executive order and any remaining “active” industry guidance issued by the Department of Health is suspended. The Governor has, however, reiterated that current CDC guidance, which, among other things, requires unvaccinated people to wear masks and social distance, still remains in effect. These rules apply to all people riding public transportation and also applies to those in health care settings, nursing homes, correctional facilities, and homeless shelters, and would be enforced by State and local departments of health.
