NY State Senate Bill 2023-S7259A

Senate Bill S7259A

Vetoed By Governor

2023-2024 Legislative Session

Establishes a fiscal cliff task force to conduct a study on fiscal cliffs in the state's public assistance programs and to make recommendations related thereto

download bill text pdf

Archive: Last Bill Status Via A7424 - Vetoed by Governor

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Vetoed By Governor
Signed By Governor

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Actions

View Actions

	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Nov 17, 2023	tabled vetoed memo.62
Nov 13, 2023	delivered to governor
Jun 07, 2023	returned to assembly passed senate 3rd reading cal.1545 substituted for s7259a
Jun 07, 2023	substituted by a7424a
Jun 01, 2023	ordered to third reading cal.1545 committee discharged and committed to rules
May 22, 2023	print number 7259a
May 22, 2023	amend and recommit to social services
May 19, 2023	referred to social services

Votes

- Jun 7, 2023 - Floor Vote
  A7424
  
  61
  
  Aye
  
  0
  
  Nay
  
  0
  
  Absent
  
  2
  
  Excused
  
  0
  
  Abstained
  - - Floor Vote: Jun 7, 2023
      
      aye (61)
      
      Addabbo Jr.
      
      Ashby
      
      Bailey
      
      Borrello
      
      Breslin
      
      Brisport
      
      Brouk
      
      Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick
      
      Chu
      
      Cleare
      
      Comrie
      
      Fernandez
      
      Gallivan
      
      Gianaris
      
      Gonzalez
      
      Gounardes
      
      Griffo
      
      Harckham
      
      Helming
      
      Hinchey
      
      Hoylman-Sigal
      
      Jackson
      
      Kavanagh
      
      Kennedy
      
      Krueger
      
      Lanza
      
      Liu
      
      Mannion
      
      Martinez
      
      Martins
      
      Mattera
      
      May
      
      Mayer
      
      Murray
      
      Myrie
      
      O'Mara
      
      Oberacker
      
      Ortt
      
      Palumbo
      
      Parker
      
      Persaud
      
      Ramos
      
      Rhoads
      
      Rivera
      
      Rolison
      
      Ryan
      
      Salazar
      
      Sanders Jr.
      
      Scarcella-Spanton
      
      Sepúlveda
      
      Serrano
      
      Skoufis
      
      Stavisky
      
      Stec
      
      Stewart-Cousins
      
      Tedisco
      
      Thomas
      
      Walczyk
      
      Webb
      
      Weber
      
      Weik
      
      excused (2)
      
      Cooney
      
      Felder
  Jun 1, 2023 - Rules Committee Vote
  S7259A
  
  20
  
  Aye
  
  0
  
  Nay
  
  1
  
  Aye with Reservations
  
  0
  
  Absent
  
  0
  
  Excused
  
  0
  
  Abstained
  - - Rules Committee Vote: Jun 1, 2023
      
      aye (20)
      
      Addabbo Jr.
      
      Bailey
      
      Breslin
      
      Comrie
      
      Fernandez
      
      Gallivan
      
      Gianaris
      
      Griffo
      
      Helming
      
      Kennedy
      
      Krueger
      
      Liu
      
      Mayer
      
      O'Mara
      
      Ortt
      
      Parker
      
      Sepúlveda
      
      Stec
      
      Stewart-Cousins
      
      Thomas
      
      aye wr (1)
      
      Lanza

Bill Amendments

Original

A (Active)

2023-S7259 - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A7424
Law Section:: Social Services

2023-S7259 - Summary

Establishes a fiscal cliff task force to conduct a study on fiscal cliffs in the state's public assistance programs and to make recommendations related thereto.

2023-S7259 - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S7259

SPONSOR: PERSAUD
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act establishing a fiscal cliff task force to conduct a study on
fiscal cliffs in the state's public assistance programs and to make
recommendations related thereto; and providing for the repeal of such
provision upon expiration thereof

 
PURPOSE:

This bill would establish a fiscal cliff taskforce to conduct a study on
fiscal cliffs in the state's public assistance programs and to make
recommendations related thereto; and providing for the repeal of such
provision upon expiration thereof.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

This act establishes a fiscal cliff task force consisting of twenty
members including two members appointed by the temporary president of
the senate, one member appointed by the minority leader of the senate,

two members appointed by the speaker of the assembly, one member
appointed by the minority leader of the assembly, five members appointed
by the governor, three local social services district commissioners
appointed by the governor, the commissioner of the office of temporary
and disability assistance or his or her designee, the commissioner of
health or his or her designee, the commissioner of the department of
labor or his or her designee, and the commissioner of the office of
children and family services and his or her designee.

The taskforce shall meet at least quarterly at the call of the chair.
The taskforce shall conduct a study on the fiscal cliffs in the state
including, but not limited to, various public assistance programs, tax
credits and other programs or services provided by the state which are
tied to income.

The taskforce shall also recommend ways to reduce and or eliminate such
fiscal cliffs.

The taskforce shall make a preliminary report to the governor and the
legislature of its findings, conclusions, recommendations, and activ-
ities already undertaken by the taskforce by January 1, 2024, and a
final report by September 1, 2024. The taskforce shall subsequently
report legislative proposals as it deems necessary to implement such
recommendations.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Many public assistance programs based on income eligibility inadvertent-
ly create a fiscal cliff, where a small increase in their earned income
results in a disproportionate decrease in the recipient's benefits. When
a person's income level reaches those thresholds, they cannot afford to
earn more, whether through additional benefits or salary, because the
loss in benefits exceeds their incremental increase in their income. As
a result of these fiscal cliffs, New York State spends billions of
dollars for public assistance programs that inadvertently trap millions
of people in poverty.

These fiscal cliffs affect multiple programs. For example, a three
person family loses their eligibility for Medicaid when they earn
$30,630, loses their eligibility for SNAP benefits when their earned
income exceeds $34, 548, loses eligibility for Home Energy Assistance
Program (HEAP) benefits once they earn $55,296, and loses eligibility
for childcare when they earn $64,090.

The taskforce created by this legislation would address these issues and
make recommendation on strategies and legislation needed to
reduce/eliminate these fiscal cliffs.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPACT ON THE STATE:

No fiscal implications for state or local government.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:.
This act shall take effect immediately.

2023-S7259 - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   7259
 
                        2023-2024 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                               May 19, 2023
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen. PERSAUD -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Social Services
 
 AN ACT establishing a fiscal cliff task force  to  conduct  a  study  on
   fiscal  cliffs  in  the state's public assistance programs and to make
   recommendations related thereto; and providing for the repeal of  such
   provision upon expiration thereof
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. (a) There is hereby established a fiscal cliff  task  force
 to  study  fiscal  cliffs  in the state's public assistance programs and
 make recommendations on how to reduce and eliminate such fiscal  cliffs.
 For  the  purposes of this section, the term "fiscal cliff" shall mean a
 sudden decrease in public benefits that can occur with a small  increase
 in earnings.
   (b)  (i)  The  task  force  shall consist of nineteen members, each to
 serve for a term  ending  December  31,  2024.  Such  members  shall  be
 appointed  as follows:   two members shall be appointed by the temporary
 president of the senate; one member shall be appointed by  the  minority
 leader  of  the senate; two members shall be appointed by the speaker of
 the assembly; one member shall be appointed by the  minority  leader  of
 the  assembly;  five  members  shall be appointed by the governor; three
 local social services district commissioners or their  designees  having
 relevant  experience in administering public benefits shall be appointed
 by the governor, of which one district shall have five million  or  more
 inhabitants;  the commissioner of the office of temporary and disability
 assistance or his or her designee; the commissioner of health or his  or
 her  designee;  the  commissioner  of taxation and finance or his or her
 designee; the commissioner of the department of  labor  or  his  or  her
 designee; the commissioner of the office of children and family services
 or his or her designee.  Appointments shall be made within sixty days of

  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD10565-03-3
 S. 7259                             2

 
 the effective date of this section. Vacancies in the task force shall be
 filled in the manner provided for original appointments.
   (ii) All appointments shall be coordinated to ensure geographic repre-
 sentation from the entire state.
   (iii) The task force shall elect a chair, vice-chair, and other neces-
 sary officers from among all appointed members.
   (iv)  A majority of the members of the task force then in office shall
 constitute a quorum for the transaction of business or the  exercise  of
 any  power or function of the task force. An act, determination or deci-
 sion of the majority of the members present during  the  presence  of  a
 quorum  shall  be  held to be the act, determination, or decision of the
 task force.
   (v) The task force shall meet at least quarterly at the  call  of  the
 chair.  Meetings may be held via teleconference. Special meetings may be
 called by the chair at the request of a majority of the members  of  the
 task force.
   (vi) Members of the task force shall receive no compensation for their
 services  but  shall be reimbursed for their actual expenses incurred in
 the performance of their duties in the work of the task force.
   (c) The task force shall:
   (i) conduct a study on the fiscal cliffs  in  the  state.  Such  study
 shall  include,  but  not be limited to: public assistance programs; the
 supplemental  nutrition  assistance  program  (SNAP);  the  home  energy
 assistance program (HEAP); housing assistance; the child care tax credit
 and  other  tax  credits; the school tax relief program (STAR) and other
 real property tax credits and reductions; Medicaid; NY state of  health,
 the  official  health  plan  marketplace;  child  care subsidies tied to
 income; cash benefits; effective tax rates; and  any  other  program  or
 service provided by the state or any political subdivision thereof which
 is tied to income;
   (ii)  study the causes and reasons why fiscal cliffs occur to individ-
 uals on public benefits, including but not limited  to,  the  impact  of
 current  public  assistance  programs  monetary allotments, asset tests,
 asset limits, and income disregards, as well as  how  minimum  wage  and
 other earnings may impact those receiving public benefits; and
   (iii)  recommend ways to reduce and/or eliminate fiscal cliffs includ-
 ing, but not limited to, recommending program and policy  modifications,
 amendments  to the law, including but not limited to possible changes in
 calculating and paying the earned income tax credit or other  tax  cred-
 its, changes to the New York codes, rules and regulations, and any other
 recommendation the task force deems appropriate.
   (d) The task force may, as it deems appropriate, request that studies,
 surveys,  or  analyses relating to the task force's powers and duties be
 performed by any state department, commission, agency or public authori-
 ty. All state departments, commissions, agencies or  public  authorities
 shall  provide  information  and advice in a timely manner and otherwise
 assist the task force with its work.
   (e) The office of temporary and disability  assistance  shall  provide
 staff  services  to the task force and such other administrative assist-
 ance as may be necessary for the task force to  carry  out  its  duties,
 functions and powers.
   (f) The task force shall make a preliminary report to the governor and
 the legislature of its findings, conclusions, recommendations and activ-
 ities  already  undertaken  by the task force, not later than January 1,
 2024, and a final report of its findings,  conclusions,  recommendations
 and  activities  already  undertaken  by  the task force, not later than
 S. 7259                             3
 
 September  1,  2024  and  shall  submit  with  its  reports  legislative
 proposals as it deems necessary to implement its recommendations.
   §  2.  This  act  shall take effect immediately and shall expire three
 years after it  shall  have  become  a  law  when  upon  such  date  the
 provisions of this act shall be deemed repealed.

co-Sponsors

2023-S7259A (ACTIVE) - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A7424
Law Section:: Social Services

2023-S7259A (ACTIVE) - Summary

Establishes a fiscal cliff task force to conduct a study on fiscal cliffs in the state's public assistance programs and to make recommendations related thereto.

2023-S7259A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S7259A

SPONSOR: PERSAUD
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act establishing a fiscal cliff task force to conduct a study on
fiscal cliffs in the state's public assistance programs and to make
recommendations related thereto; and providing for the repeal of such
provision upon expiration thereof

 
PURPOSE:

This bill would establish a fiscal cliff taskforce to conduct a study on
fiscal cliffs in the state's public assistance programs and to make
recommendations related thereto; and providing for the repeal of such
provision upon expiration thereof.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

This act establishes a fiscal cliff task force consisting of twenty
members including two members appointed by the temporary president of
the senate, one member appointed by the minority leader of the senate,

two members appointed by the speaker of the assembly, one member
appointed by the minority leader of the assembly, five members appointed
by the governor, three local social services district commissioners
appointed by the governor, the commissioner of the office of temporary
and disability assistance or his or her designee, the commissioner of
health or his or her designee, the commissioner of the department of
labor or his or her designee, and the commissioner of the office of
children and family services and his or her designee.

The taskforce shall meet at least quarterly at the call of the chair.
The taskforce shall conduct a study on the fiscal cliffs in the state
including, but not limited to, various public assistance programs, tax
credits and other programs or services provided by the state which are
tied to income.

The taskforce shall also recommend ways to reduce and or eliminate such
fiscal cliffs.

The taskforce shall make a preliminary report to the governor and the
legislature of its findings, conclusions, recommendations, and activ-
ities already undertaken by the taskforce by January 1, 2025, and a
final report by September 1, 2025. The taskforce shall subsequently
report legislative proposals as it deems necessary to implement such
recommendations.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Many public assistance programs based on income eligibility inadvertent-
ly create a fiscal cliff, where a small increase in their earned income
results in a disproportionate decrease in the recipient's benefits. When
a person's income level reaches those thresholds, they cannot afford to
earn more, whether through additional benefits or salary, because the
loss in benefits exceeds their incremental increase in their income. As
a result of these fiscal cliffs, New York State spends billions of
dollars for public assistance programs that inadvertently trap millions
of people in poverty.

These fiscal cliffs affect multiple programs. For example, a three
person family loses their eligibility for Medicaid when they earn
$30,630, loses their eligibility for SNAP benefits when their earned
income exceeds $34, 548, loses eligibility for Home Energy Assistance
Program (HEAP) benefits once they earn $55,296, and loses eligibility
for childcare when they earn $64,090.

The taskforce created by this legislation would address these issues and
make recommendation on strategies and legislation needed to
reduce/eliminate these fiscal cliffs.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPACT ON THE STATE:

No fiscal implications for state or local government.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:  This act shall take effect immediately.

2023-S7259A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  7259--A
 
                        2023-2024 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                               May 19, 2023
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen. PERSAUD -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Social Services -- commit-
   tee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and  recom-
   mitted to said committee
 
 AN  ACT  establishing  a  fiscal  cliff task force to conduct a study on
   fiscal cliffs in the state's public assistance programs  and  to  make
   recommendations  related thereto; and providing for the repeal of such
   provision upon expiration thereof
 
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1.  (a) There is hereby established a fiscal cliff task force
 to study fiscal cliffs in the state's  public  assistance  programs  and
 make  recommendations on how to reduce and eliminate such fiscal cliffs.
 For the purposes of this section, the term "fiscal cliff" shall  mean  a
 sudden  decrease in public benefits that can occur with a small increase
 in earnings.
   (b) (i) The task force shall consist  of  nineteen  members,  each  to
 serve  for  a  term  ending  December  31,  2025.  Such members shall be
 appointed as follows:  two members shall be appointed by  the  temporary
 president  of  the senate; one member shall be appointed by the minority
 leader of the senate; two members shall be appointed by the  speaker  of
 the  assembly;  one  member shall be appointed by the minority leader of
 the assembly; five members shall be appointed  by  the  governor;  three
 local  social  services district commissioners or their designees having
 relevant experience in administering public benefits shall be  appointed
 by  the  governor, of which one district shall have five million or more
 inhabitants; the commissioner of the office of temporary and  disability
 assistance  or his or her designee; the commissioner of health or his or
 her designee; the commissioner of taxation and finance  or  his  or  her
 designee;  the  commissioner  of  the  department of labor or his or her
 designee; the commissioner of the office of children and family services
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD10565-04-3

 S. 7259--A                          2
 
 or his or her designee.  Appointments shall be made within sixty days of
 the effective date of this section. Vacancies in the task force shall be
 filled in the manner provided for original appointments.
   (ii) All appointments shall be coordinated to ensure geographic repre-
 sentation from the entire state.
   (iii) The task force shall elect a chair, vice-chair, and other neces-
 sary officers from among all appointed members.
   (iv)  A majority of the members of the task force then in office shall
 constitute a quorum for the transaction of business or the  exercise  of
 any  power or function of the task force. An act, determination or deci-
 sion of the majority of the members present during  the  presence  of  a
 quorum  shall  be  held to be the act, determination, or decision of the
 task force.
   (v) The task force shall meet at least quarterly at the  call  of  the
 chair.  Meetings may be held via teleconference. Special meetings may be
 called by the chair at the request of a majority of the members  of  the
 task force.
   (vi) Members of the task force shall receive no compensation for their
 services  but  shall be reimbursed for their actual expenses incurred in
 the performance of their duties in the work of the task force.
   (c) The task force shall:
   (i) conduct a study on the fiscal cliffs  in  the  state.  Such  study
 shall  include,  but  not be limited to: public assistance programs; the
 supplemental  nutrition  assistance  program  (SNAP);  the  home  energy
 assistance program (HEAP); housing assistance; the child care tax credit
 and  other  tax  credits; the school tax relief program (STAR) and other
 real property tax credits and reductions; Medicaid; NY state of  health,
 the  official  health  plan  marketplace;  child  care subsidies tied to
 income; cash benefits; effective tax rates; and  any  other  program  or
 service provided by the state or any political subdivision thereof which
 is tied to income;
   (ii)  study the causes and reasons why fiscal cliffs occur to individ-
 uals on public benefits, including but not limited  to,  the  impact  of
 current  public  assistance  programs  monetary allotments, asset tests,
 asset limits, and income disregards, as well as  how  minimum  wage  and
 other earnings may impact those receiving public benefits; and
   (iii)  recommend ways to reduce and/or eliminate fiscal cliffs includ-
 ing, but not limited to, recommending program and policy  modifications,
 amendments  to the law, including but not limited to possible changes in
 calculating and paying the earned income tax credit or other  tax  cred-
 its, changes to the New York codes, rules and regulations, and any other
 recommendation the task force deems appropriate.
   (d) The task force may, as it deems appropriate, request that studies,
 surveys,  or  analyses relating to the task force's powers and duties be
 performed by any state department, commission, agency or public authori-
 ty. All state departments, commissions, agencies or  public  authorities
 shall  provide  information  and advice in a timely manner and otherwise
 assist the task force with its work.
   (e) The office of temporary and disability  assistance  shall  provide
 staff  services  to the task force and such other administrative assist-
 ance as may be necessary for the task force to  carry  out  its  duties,
 functions and powers.
   (f) The task force shall make a preliminary report to the governor and
 the legislature of its findings, conclusions, recommendations and activ-
 ities  already  undertaken  by the task force, not later than January 1,
 2025, and a final report of its findings,  conclusions,  recommendations
 S. 7259--A                          3
 
 and  activities  already  undertaken  by  the task force, not later than
 September  1,  2025  and  shall  submit  with  its  reports  legislative
 proposals as it deems necessary to implement its recommendations.
   §  2.  This  act  shall take effect immediately and shall expire three
 years after it  shall  have  become  a  law  when  upon  such  date  the
 provisions of this act shall be deemed repealed.

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