NY State Senate Bill 2025-S8615

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Rules Committee

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

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Date of Action	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Dec 12, 2025	referred to rules

2025-S8615 (ACTIVE) - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Rules
Law Section:: Election Law
Laws Affected:: Add §3-113, El L

2025-S8615 (ACTIVE) - Summary

Establishes an election security navigator program within the state board of elections to provide assistance for local boards of elections in mitigating cybersecurity threats, improving physical and operational preparedness, and enhancing public confidence in the integrity of elections.

2025-S8615 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S8615

SPONSOR: GONZALEZ
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the election law, in relation to establishing the
election security navigator program

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

This bill would create an election security navigator program within the
New York State Board of Elections to provide technical assistance,
training, and coordination for local boards of elections in preparing
for and mitigating cyber, physical, operational, and informational
threats to election infrastructure

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1. Legislative findings and declaration.

Section 2. The election law is amended to add a new section 3-113.

Subdivision 1 provides definitions.

Subdivision 2 establishes the election security navigator program within
the state board of elections and sets out the functions, duties, and
powers of the program.

Subdivision 3 sets out the process for the design of the election secu-
rity navigator program.

Subdivision 4 requires that regulations be promulgated to establish the
election security navigator program, and public hearings be held for
comment on such regulations.

Subdivision 5 institutes annual reporting on the activities and perform-
ance of the election security navigator program.

Subdivision 6 outlines the funding mechanisms available to support the
election security navigator program.

Section 3. Severability clause.

Section 4. Effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

As threats to election infrastructure grow increasingly complex, ranging
from ransomware and cyberattacks to foreign disinformation campaigns and
threats to poll workers, New York must continue to act proactively to
protect the integrity of its democratic processes.

While large jurisdictions may have internal technology staff or vendor
agreements sufficient to meet the growing needs of election cybersecuri-
ty, many small and rural counties lack the resources to address these
ballooning challenges. This legislation establishes a support framework
modeled on successful navigator programs in other states, leveraging
trained personnel to assist local boards with preparedness, response,

and resiliency. Such navigator programs have been recognized as a
national best practice for modern election infrastructure security.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

2025-S8615 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   8615
 
                        2025-2026 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                             December 12, 2025
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by Sen. GONZALEZ -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules
 
 AN ACT to amend the  election  law,  in  relation  to  establishing  the
   election security navigator program
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. Legislative findings and declaration. The legislature here-
 by finds that New York's elections are administered by  a  decentralized
 network  of  state  and  county  boards of elections, many of which face
 resource constraints and limited technical staffing capacity.  In  light
 of   growing   cybersecurity   threats,   sophisticated   disinformation
 campaigns, and physical threats to election  infrastructure  and  opera-
 tional  disruptions, coordinated state support is necessary to safeguard
 New York's election systems. To ensure that local  boards  of  elections
 receive  technical  guidance, training, and response assistance tailored
 to their specific vulnerabilities and resource levels,  the  legislature
 declares  that  the  public  interest requires that a dedicated election
 security navigator program  be  established  with  funding  adequate  to
 support  the  maximum number of county boards of elections who seek such
 support.
   § 2. The election law is amended by adding a new section 3-113 to read
 as follows:
   § 3-113. ELECTION SECURITY NAVIGATOR PROGRAM. 1. FOR THE  PURPOSES  OF
 THIS SECTION:
   (A)  "NAVIGATOR  PROGRAM"  SHALL  MEAN THE ELECTION SECURITY NAVIGATOR
 PROGRAM ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION.
   (B) "PROGRAM DIRECTOR"  SHALL  MEAN  THE  DIRECTOR  OF  THE  NAVIGATOR
 PROGRAM.
   2. (A) THERE IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED WITHIN THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS
 AN  ELECTION  SECURITY NAVIGATOR PROGRAM. THE HEAD OF SUCH PROGRAM SHALL
 BE THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR WHO SHALL BE APPOINTED BY  THE  STATE  BOARD  OF

  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD13952-02-5

 S. 8615                             2
 
 ELECTIONS.  THE  PROGRAM  DIRECTOR  SHALL  HAVE  EXPERTISE  IN  ELECTION
 CYBERSECURITY, OPERATIONAL SECURITY, AND PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT.
   (B)  THE  NAVIGATOR PROGRAM SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING FUNCTIONS, POWERS
 AND DUTIES:
   (I) PROVIDE ASSISTANCE ON  A  VOLUNTARY  BASIS  FOR  LOCAL  BOARDS  OF
 ELECTIONS  IN  MITIGATING  CYBERSECURITY THREATS, IMPROVING PHYSICAL AND
 OPERATIONAL PREPAREDNESS, AND ENHANCING PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN THE  INTEG-
 RITY OF ELECTIONS;
   (II)  DEVELOP AND OPERATE THE NAVIGATOR PROGRAM BASED ON A SYSTEM THAT
 PRIORITIZES REQUESTS FOR ALLOCATION OF  SERVICES  THAT  CONSIDERS  LOCAL
 BOARDS  OF ELECTIONS' NEED, RISK, AND AVAILABLE RESOURCES, AS DETERMINED
 BY THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS;
   (III) EMPLOY OR CONTRACT ELECTION SECURITY NAVIGATORS TO CARRY OUT THE
 FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES OF THE NAVIGATOR  PROGRAM  WITH  RESPECT  TO  LOCAL
 BOARDS  OF  ELECTIONS  AND  LOCAL  JURISDICTIONS  AND SERVE AS A LIAISON
 BETWEEN THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS,  LOCAL  JURISDICTIONS,  AND  LOCAL
 BOARDS OF ELECTIONS;
   (IV)  FACILITATE  INFORMATION  SHARING  BETWEEN  THE  STATE  BOARD  OF
 ELECTIONS,  LOCAL  JURISDICTIONS,  AND  LOCAL  BOARDS  OF  ELECTIONS  ON
 ELECTION THREATS, VULNERABILITIES, AND INCIDENT REPORTS;
   (V)  CONDUCT  OR  COORDINATE  ONGOING  RISK  ASSESSMENTS  FOR ELECTION
 OFFICES AND INFRASTRUCTURE;
   (VI) ASSIST WITH INCIDENT RESPONSE PLANNING, CONTINUITY OF  OPERATIONS
 PLANNING, AND TABLETOP EXERCISES;
   (VII)  PROVIDE TRAINING AND STANDARDIZED GUIDANCE MATERIALS TO SUPPORT
 LOCAL PREPAREDNESS;
   (VIII) COORDINATE ACCESS TO APPROPRIATE AND TRUSTWORTHY INTERNATIONAL,
 FEDERAL, STATE, MULTI-STATE, AND PRIVATE  CYBERSECURITY  RESOURCES  THAT
 CURRENTLY EXIST OR HAVE YET TO BE FORMED;
   (IX) ASSIST LOCAL BOARDS OF ELECTIONS IN APPLYING FOR FUNDING OPPORTU-
 NITIES OR DEPLOYING AVAILABLE FUNDS RELATED TO ELECTION SECURITY INCLUD-
 ING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, FEDERAL GRANTS UNDER THE HELP AMERICA VOTE ACT,
 THE HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM, AND THE STATE AND LOCAL CYBERSECUR-
 ITY GRANT PROGRAM; AND
   (X)  DEVELOP  AN ELECTION SECURITY NAVIGATORS STUDENT PROGRAM IN PART-
 NERSHIP WITH THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK.
   3. NO LATER THAN  THREE  MONTHS  AFTER  THE  EFFECTIVE  DATE  OF  THIS
 SECTION,  THE  STATE  BOARD  OF  ELECTIONS SHALL COMMENCE THE PROCESS OF
 DESIGNING THE ELECTION SECURITY NAVIGATOR PROGRAM THROUGH A  NEEDS-BASED
 ASSESSMENT CONSIDERING:
   (A) STATE ELECTION SECURITY SUPPORT AND SERVICES;
   (B) THE CAPABILITIES AND NEEDS OF LOCAL JURISDICTIONS AS REGARDS LOCAL
 BOARDS  OF  ELECTIONS, INCLUDING THE NEEDS FOR: CYBERSECURITY EXPERTISE,
 INCIDENT RESPONSE COORDINATION, INCIDENT RESPONSE PLAN DEVELOPMENT,  AND
 EXERCISES THAT INCLUDE INCIDENT RESPONSE SCENARIOS;
   (C)  DIRECT  CONSULTATION WITH A REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE OF LOCAL BOARDS
 OF ELECTIONS; AND
   (D) CONSULTATION WITH:
   (I) THE STATE OFFICE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES;
   (II) THE STATE DIVISION OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY SERVICES;
   (III) CURRENT AND  FORMER  STAFF  OF  THE  FEDERAL  CYBERSECURITY  AND
 INFRASTRUCTURE SECURITY AGENCY;
   (IV)  OFFICIALS ADMINISTERING ELECTION CYBERSECURITY PROGRAMS IN OTHER
 STATES; AND
   (V) PRIVATE SECTOR, NON-PROFIT, AND  ACADEMIC  EXPERTS  IN  CYBER  AND
 ELECTION SECURITY.
 S. 8615                             3
 
   ANY  INFORMATION  CONTAINED  IN A NEEDS-BASED ASSESSMENT FOR ANY LOCAL
 BOARD OF ELECTIONS OR LOCAL JURISDICTION CONDUCTED UNDER  THIS  SUBDIVI-
 SION  SHALL  BE  KEPT  CONFIDENTIAL  AND SHALL NOT BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR
 DISCLOSURE OR INSPECTION UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION LAW  UNLESS  A
 SUBPOENA  OR  OTHER  COURT ORDER DIRECTS THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS OR
 RELEVANT LOCAL BOARD OF ELECTIONS TO RELEASE SUCH ASSESSMENT.
   4. (A) NO LATER THAN THREE MONTHS AFTER THE COMPLETION  OF  THE  NEEDS
 ASSESSMENT  PURSUANT  TO  SUBDIVISION  THREE  OF THIS SECTION, THE STATE
 BOARD OF ELECTIONS SHALL PROMULGATE REGULATIONS ESTABLISHING THE NAVIGA-
 TOR PROGRAM WITH THE FUNCTIONS, POWERS AND DUTIES AS SET FORTH IN SUBDI-
 VISION TWO OF THIS SECTION.
   (B) THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS  SHALL  CONDUCT  NO  FEWER  THAN  TWO
 PUBLIC  HEARINGS  TO  ELICIT  COMMENT AND FEEDBACK ON THE PROPOSED REGU-
 LATION ESTABLISHING THE NAVIGATOR PROGRAM,  WITH  ONE  HEARING  HELD  IN
 ALBANY  AND  AT  LEAST  ONE HELD IN NEW YORK CITY. BEFORE FINALIZING THE
 REGULATIONS ESTABLISHING THE NAVIGATOR PROGRAM, THE BOARD  OF  ELECTIONS
 SHALL  CONSIDER  THE COMMENTS AND FEEDBACK RECEIVED, MODIFY THE PROPOSED
 REGULATION  AS  APPROPRIATE  IN  LIGHT  OF  THE  COMMENTS  AND  FEEDBACK
 RECEIVED, AND ISSUE A REPORT INDICATING THE MANNER IN WHICH IT RESPONDED
 TO  THE COMMENTS RECEIVED BEFORE FINALIZING ITS REGULATIONS ESTABLISHING
 THE ELECTION SECURITY NAVIGATOR PROGRAM.
   5. (A) THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS  SHALL  PUBLISH  ON  ITS  PUBLICLY
 AVAILABLE WEBSITE AND SUBMIT TO THE GOVERNOR, THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF
 THE  SENATE, AND THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY, AN ANNUAL REPORT REGARDING
 THE ACTIVITIES  AND  PERFORMANCE  OF  THE  ELECTION  SECURITY  NAVIGATOR
 PROGRAM  NO  LATER  THAN  MARCH  FIRST  OF EACH YEAR. THE CONTENT OF THE
 REPORT SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
   (I) AGGREGATE PERFORMANCE METRICS;
   (II) SERVICES PROVIDED;
   (III) THE TYPES OF EXISTING AND EMERGING RISKS IDENTIFIED;
   (IV) ANY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHANGES TO STATE STATUTES OR  REGULATIONS
 AFFECTING THE NAVIGATOR PROGRAM; AND
   (V)  ANY  BUDGETARY  REQUESTS  OR  OTHER  CHANGES TO NAVIGATOR PROGRAM
 FINANCING.
   (B) IN THE ANNUAL REPORT PROVIDED PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION, BEGIN-
 NING WITH THE REPORT COVERING THE SECOND YEAR OF THE PROGRAM, THE  STATE
 BOARD  OF  ELECTION  SHALL  REPORT ON PROGRESS IN DEVELOPING AN ELECTION
 SECURITY NAVIGATORS  STUDENT  PROGRAM  IN  PARTNERSHIP  WITH  THE  STATE
 UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK.
   6. (A) THE NAVIGATOR PROGRAM SHALL BE FUNDED THROUGH A SEPARATE GENER-
 AL BUDGET ALLOCATION TO THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS IN AN AMOUNT SUFFI-
 CIENT  TO  PROVIDE  ASSISTANCE  TO  THE  LOCAL  BOARDS OF ELECTIONS. THE
 PROGRAM DIRECTOR SHALL ANNUALLY SUBMIT A BUDGET REQUEST  FOR  AN  AMOUNT
 NOT LESS THAN THREE MILLION DOLLARS, ADJUSTED ANNUALLY FOR INFLATION.
   (B)  THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS SHALL BE AUTHORIZED TO APPLY FOR AND
 RECEIVE ADDITIONAL FEDERAL AND PRIVATE SOURCES OF FUNDING AND MAY  ENTER
 INTO  AGREEMENTS WITH FEDERAL AND STATE AGENCIES TO FACILITATE AND CARRY
 OUT THE FUNCTIONS, POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE NAVIGATOR PROGRAM.
   § 3. Severability. If any clause,  sentence,  paragraph,  subdivision,
 section  or part of this act shall be adjudged by any court of competent
 jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgment shall not affect,  impair,  or
 invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in its operation
 to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section or part thereof
 directly  involved  in the controversy in which such judgment shall have
 been rendered. It is hereby declared to be the intent of the legislature
 that this act would have been enacted even if  such  invalid  provisions
 S. 8615                             4
 
 had not been included herein. The provisions of this act shall be sever-
 able  and  if  any  portion  thereof or the applicability thereof to any
 person or circumstance shall be held to be  invalid,  the  remainder  of
 this act and the application thereof shall not be affected thereby.
   § 4. This act shall take effect immediately.

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Senate Bill S8615

Sponsored By

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Rules Committee

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2025-S8615 (ACTIVE) - Details

2025-S8615 (ACTIVE) - Summary

2025-S8615 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2025-S8615 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

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Sponsored By

Kristen Gonzalez

Current Bill Status - In Senate Committee Rules Committee

Actions

2025-S8615 (ACTIVE) - Details

2025-S8615 (ACTIVE) - Summary

2025-S8615 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2025-S8615 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments