Situation Report | December 27, 2021
Over the holiday weekend, Governor Hochul released Executive Order 11, which includes a number of efforts to address the latest COVID-19 Omicron variant and surge in cases.
Under the EO, local governments are allowed to lift an in-person renewal requirement for property tax exemptions for low-income senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
Local governments may also automatically renew 2022 benefits for all property owners who received the benefit in 2021 unless the locality has reason to believe an individual has changed their primary address, added another owner to the deed, transferred the property to a new owner, or passed away.
The EO also permits certified clinical laboratories to use out-of-state facilities for New Yorkers’ COVID-19 testing to mitigate testing capacity issues.
Finally, the EO also grants the state Senate and Assembly the discretion to meet remotely, consistent with legislation passed in September that currently applies to other public bodies, to meet remotely. The law allows public bodies to meet remotely but requires the contents of the meetings to be publicly available.
The Legislature is expected to convene Monday, January 10, 2022 to begin the Legislative Session.
State of the State Address Canceled
In keeping with COVID-19 guidelines, Governor Hochul also announced that the annual State of the State Address will no longer take place in-person on January 5. It would have been the first time in a decade the annual address was held back in the Assembly Chamber. It remains uncertain if the Governor will address the public with an outline of her Executive Budget Proposal.
Legislative Update
Throughout the last month, the Legislature has sent hundreds of bills in batches the Governor’s office for her approval or veto. A large number of bills remain on the Governor’s desk, awaiting action. Governor Hochul has until midnight, New Years Eve, to decide on the bills, otherwise they are automatically pocket vetoed.
As it relates to the home care industry, Governor Hochul approved the following bills:
- Reimagining Long Term Care Task Force (A.3922-A (Cruz)/S.598-B (May): The bill creates a Task Force made up of 26 stakeholders, including executive and legislative appointments, as well as community stakeholders, including HCA and other associations, chaired by the Director of Aging. The Task Force will examine the challenges and issues generated by the COVID-19 pandemic, infection control protocols, enforcement, staffing and visitation bans at long term care facilities, to inform future emergencies.
- Investing in Care Act (A.6590-B (Kelles)/S.4651-B(May)): This bill mandates the Commissioner of Economic Development to study, develop and propose how to implement a long term strategy to support the growth of the caregiving industry in New York State, including the home care industry. The strategy will then be based on an analysis of financial support for the growth of caregiving industry businesses and non-profits; workforce development, recruitment and retention needs, and innovation and new modes of caregiving delivery.
The new laws are effective immediately.
For questions or concerns about this legislation, please contact HCA’s Director for Advocacy and Public Policy Alyssa Lovelace.