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2025 New York State Legislative Session
End-of-Year Legislative Wrap-Up
During the 2025 New York State Legislative Session, the Lower Hudson Education Coalition (LHEC) actively monitored more than 600 bills with potential implications for public school districts across the Lower Hudson region. LHEC evaluated legislation affecting school governance, elections, fiscal stability, safety, curriculum, liability exposure, and district operations.
Outlined below is a summary of key legislation on which LHEC took positions during the session, including final legislative outcomes. This review reflects enacted laws, vetoed bills, and measures that raised significant concerns for school districts. As always, LHEC’s advocacy is guided by member input and a commitment to protecting local control, fiscal stability, and student well-being.
Legislation Supported by LHEC
(All enacted and signed into law)
LHEC supported the following measures, all of which were signed into law, reflecting successful advocacy on issues important to school districts:
Amistad Commission Transfer
S.3161 (Jackson) / A.5468 (Taylor) — Chapter 542
- Transfers the Amistad Commission from the Department of State to the State Education Department, better aligning its work with curriculum development and educational oversight.
Absentee Ballots for School Elections
S.2589 (Mayer) / A.5301 (Woerner) — Chapter 541
- Clarifies acceptable reasons for absentee voting in school districts without poll registration, improving access and consistency in school elections.
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(See LHEC's letter of support.)
Voting Disruption Due to Disasters
S.3735 (Mayer) / A.5302 (Woerner) — Chapter 547
- Authorizes the Commissioner of Education to permit additional school budget voting days when emergencies or disasters disrupt scheduled votes.
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(Read LHEC's letter of support.)
Mt. Vernon School Speed Zone Pilot
S.5646A (Bailey) / A.8446A (Pretlow) — Chapter 482
- Establishes a pilot program authorizing up to 20 school-zone speed cameras to enhance student safety in the City of Mt. Vernon.
Child Abuse Settlements and Debt Issuance
S.6372 (Mayer) / A.7631 (Lunsford) — Chapter 553
- Permits school districts to consider child sexual abuse judgments or settlements when issuing debt, allowing repayment over up to 30 years to reduce fiscal disruption.
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(Read LHEC's letter of support.)
Annual Organizational Meetings
S.6737 (Fahy) / A.4683 (Paulin) — Chapter 515
Physical Therapy Assistants in Schools
S.8251 (Stavisky) / A.8478 (Valdez) — Chapter 148
- Extends authority allowing physical therapy assistants to provide services in public and private K-12 schools.
Greenburgh North Castle UFSD and Rising Ground Affiliation
S.8273 (Stewart-Cousins) / A.8682 (Shimsky) — Chapter 179
- Authorizes property use and affiliation changes for this special act school district.
Legislation of Concern to LHEC
LHEC raised concerns regarding the following measures due to potential fiscal, administrative, or liability impacts on school districts:
Water Safety Information Requirement
S.1349C (Cleare) / A.3515C (Bichotte Hermelyn) — Chapter 419
- Requires districts to provide water safety information at enrollment, raising concerns regarding administrative burden and the expansion of district responsibilities.
Active-Duty Property Tax Exemption
S.2068A (Scarcella-Spanton) / A.6579 (Stern) — Signed with Chapter Amendment
- Establishes a property tax exemption for active-duty service members who served in a combat zone. The bill required a chapter amendment to address structural deficiencies and prevent local governments from having to choose between overlapping exemptions, while ensuring eligible service members are not disadvantaged.
Wrongful Death Damages Reform
S.4423 (Hoylman-Sigal) / A.6063 (Lunsford) — Vetoed
Legislation Neutral or Under Review
LHEC monitored the following proposals, with outcomes noted:
Jack Reid Law: Protect All Students Act
S.4544B (Hoylman-Sigal) / A.5403A (Solages) — Chapter 480
- Expands requirements for anti-bullying policies, reporting procedures, and guidance addressing peer harassment and discrimination.
Freedom to Read Act
S.1099 (May) / A.7777 (Simone) — Vetoed
- Would have required school library systems to adopt policies affirming librarians’ authority to curate developmentally appropriate materials. The Governor cited concerns that unclear language could create confusion regarding existing obligations and roles.
Senior Citizen Property Tax Exemption Expansion
S.5175A (Comrie) / A.3698A (Weprin) — Chapter 581
- Increases income eligibility thresholds for senior homeowners, with potential downstream impacts on school district revenues.
Cardiac Emergency Response Plans
S.5539A (Baskin) / A.785A (Solages) — Chapter 189
- Requires cardiac emergency protocols to be included in all school safety plans.
Center for Dyslexia and Dysgraphia
S.5569 (Fahy) / A.2687 (Carroll) — Chapter 615
- Establishes a center within NYSED to support training, instruction, and resources related to dyslexia and dysgraphia.
Recess Survey (Grades K–6)
S.8377A (Mayer) / A.8727A (Jackson) — Vetoed
- Would have directed NYSED to survey recess practices in public and charter schools. The Governor cited administrative burden and unbudgeted costs.
Additional Legislative Positions Taken by LHEC
Attorney General Powers
S.8411 (Skoufis) / A.8869 (Romero) — Opposed
- Relates to certain expanded powers of the Attorney General. LHEC opposed the measure due to concerns regarding its potential implications for school districts and local governance.
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(Read LHEC's memo of opposition.)
Looking Ahead
As the Legislature prepares for the 2026 session, LHEC will continue to advocate for policies that strengthen public education.
Wishing peace and joy to you and yours this holiday season.
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