Advocacy

On June 24th, Governor Cuomo announced the end of the COVID-19 State of Emergency, thus ending the associated emergency executive orders. This means that for the time being, remote notarization is no longer authorized, and the notary rules revert to the pre-pandemic state. However, the legislature recently passed a Big I NY-supported bill to allow remote notarization on a permanent basis. That bill has not yet been sent to the Governor, and once it is signed as anticipated, it will take effect in 120 days.We do not have an exact timeframe as to when the bill will be sent to the governor and signed, but…

The New York Assembly and Senate adjourned early this morning, dropping the gavel on the 2021 legislative session. Barring a special session, the legislature will not return to Albany until January 2022. This year's session was dominated by challenges and many new dynamics: the pandemic, multiple scandals rocking the Governor, and significant power gains by the Democrats following the 2020 elections, resulting in 2/3rds supermajorities in both houses. Big I NY has your back in Albany, and this year truly underscored the value of a strong defense, with an unprecedented number of harmful bills advancing, and in some cases passing. The passage of the NY…

​Legislative session is scheduled to adjourn next Thursday, with only four session days remaining. However, four days is an eternity in Albany, and anything can happen. Bills can be introduced and passed in a matter of only hours. This is the most important and tense time at the Capitol, and the time when your team in Albany fights hardest for you!This week, Big I NY kicked off Single Payer Action Week, recruiting dozens of agents to participate in meetings with key Senators who are swing votes on the bill. Read the recap here.Our legislation to make the auto photo inspection optional has advanced to the Assembly…