New York Senate Bill S07159

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/3/25
• Refer: 4/3/25
• Report Pass: 4/28/25
• Refer: 1/7/26
• Report Pass: 2/4/26

Caption

Provides for compensation for required code enforcement personnel training at a rate set by the secretary of state.

Summary

S07159 amends the New York Executive Law to require that code enforcement personnel be compensated for any training they are required to complete under section 376-a. The bill directs that the payment rate be set by the Secretary of State, and it establishes a floor: the training pay may not be less than the employee’s regular rate of pay or any higher rate provided in a collective bargaining agreement. The measure is aimed at ensuring that local code enforcement staff are not expected to complete mandatory training on their own time without pay. It applies only to training required by law and is subject to available appropriations, meaning implementation depends on funding being provided for that purpose. The bill would take effect 90 days after becoming law, with any necessary rules or regulations authorized to be adopted in advance of that date.

Impact

The bill would amend section 376-a of the Executive Law by adding a new subdivision requiring paid training time for code enforcement personnel. It would affect municipalities and other employers of code enforcement staff by creating a state-law compensation requirement for mandatory training, while preserving any more favorable wage terms in collective bargaining agreements. The Secretary of State would gain authority to set the applicable training pay rate, and the provision would operate only to the extent funds are appropriated.

Sentiment

The available voting history suggests generally favorable support for the bill. It was reported favorably from committee and later received strong committee approval, including a 10-1 vote in April 2025 and a 10-0 vote in February 2026. No committee transcript excerpts were provided, so the record shows broad support but does not capture detailed debate or public testimony.

Contention

The main potential point of contention is fiscal: the bill is expressly subject to appropriations, indicating concern about the cost of paying employees for required training. Another possible issue is administrative discretion, since the Secretary of State would set the rate, though the bill limits that discretion by requiring pay at least equal to the regular rate or any applicable collective bargaining rate. The lone negative vote in the earlier committee action suggests at least some disagreement, but no transcript is available to identify the specific objection.