New York Assembly Bill A10659

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/19/26
• Refer: 3/19/26

Caption

Requires the state comptroller and the attorney general to conduct an annual audit of the office of cannabis management

Summary

This bill requires annual independent audits of the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) by the state comptroller and the attorney general, with assistance from independent certified public accountants selected through a competitive process. The audits must follow generally accepted government auditing standards and evaluate the OCM’s internal controls, including whether those controls are functioning effectively and whether any weaknesses remain uncorrected. The audit reports must identify controls reviewed, weaknesses found, and recommended corrective actions, and significant or material weaknesses must be expressly reported. The bill also requires the comptroller, attorney general, and OCM to provide auditors access to relevant books and records, and it directs the comptroller and attorney general to make audit results and related management letters public. In addition to creating this new cannabis-law audit requirement, the bill amends the state finance law and executive law to align existing audit authority with the new annual OCM audit mandate. The measure takes effect immediately.

Impact

The bill would add a new statutory audit framework specifically for the Office of Cannabis Management, making annual internal-control audits mandatory rather than discretionary. It would amend the cannabis law, state finance law, and executive law to require the comptroller and attorney general to conduct or oversee these audits and to ensure public disclosure of the results. The OCM would be legally obligated to provide records to auditors, and the comptroller’s existing audit authority would be expressly preserved while adding this targeted annual review requirement.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee testimony or votes, the overall sentiment appears to be oversight-focused and reform-oriented, with the bill framed as a transparency and accountability measure. The proposal suggests concern about the adequacy of internal controls at the Office of Cannabis Management and seeks to strengthen public confidence in cannabis regulation through routine independent review. No opposing arguments or recorded vote history are available in the provided materials.

Contention

The main point of contention implied by the bill is whether the Office of Cannabis Management should be subject to a special annual audit requirement beyond the broader audit regime that already applies to state agencies and authorities. Supporters appear to favor stronger oversight, public reporting, and independent verification of internal controls, while any potential critics might object to added administrative burden, cost, or duplication of existing audit powers. Because there are no committee transcripts or votes provided, no specific named opponents or detailed objections are documented.