New York Senate Bill S02244

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/16/25
• Refer: 1/16/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Prohibits any local police department, county sheriff's office, the division of the state police or any agency that employs a peace officer in this state from participating in the 1033 federal excess property program for the purposes of receiving lethal or offensive weapons.

Summary

S02244 would amend the New York Executive Law to bar local police departments, county sheriff’s offices, the Division of State Police, and any other state agency employing peace officers from participating in the federal 1033 excess property program when the purpose is to receive lethal or offensive weapons. The bill directs the Division of Criminal Justice Services to define what counts as “lethal or offensive weapons” through rulemaking. The bill also requires the state, working with the Attorney General and the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, to coordinate the return or disposal of weapons already obtained through the program. An exception is created for New York City, which could retain such weapons for counterterrorism purposes if approved by the division in consultation with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The division would also have to publish an annual public report on statewide participation in the program.

Impact

This bill would significantly restrict law enforcement access to military-style equipment obtained through the federal 1033 program, while preserving a narrow counterterrorism exception for New York City. It would affect local police, county sheriffs, the State Police, and other agencies employing peace officers by prohibiting future acquisition of lethal or offensive weapons through the program and requiring existing items to be returned or disposed of. It would also impose new administrative duties on state agencies to define covered weapons, manage disposal, and report annually on participation.

Sentiment

Based on the bill’s sponsorship and the absence of recorded opposition in the provided materials, the measure appears to reflect a reform-oriented, public-accountability approach to police militarization and surplus weapons transfer. The bill’s structure suggests support for limiting law enforcement access to offensive weaponry while allowing a limited security-based exception for New York City. No committee debate or vote history was provided, so there is no documented recorded sentiment from hearings or floor action in the supplied context.

Contention

The main point of contention is likely the scope of the prohibition on federal surplus weapons for law enforcement, especially whether agencies should be allowed to receive items considered necessary for officer safety, tactical response, or emergency preparedness. Another likely issue is the New York City counterterrorism exception, which creates a carveout that may be viewed either as a practical security measure or as an inconsistency with the bill’s broader divestment goal. The bill also leaves the definition of “lethal or offensive weapons” to agency rulemaking, which could draw concern over how broadly or narrowly the restriction is implemented.