S 115 New York Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Relates to increasing access to resources for culturally diverse arts and culture organizations that advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion, racial and social justice, and cultural preservation

Summary

Increases access to resources for culturally diverse arts and culture organizations that advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion, racial and social justice, and cultural preservation.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

Assembly Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 8, 2025 Last action Mar 5, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

S115 → S115A · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends New York's arts and cultural affairs law to update the composition and appointment criteria for the Council on the Arts, requiring regional representation across the state's ten regions, and adds a new subdivision to the council's general powers and duties. The changes modernize the council's structure to better reflect geographic diversity and expand its authority to include oversight of new cultural initiatives.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of the Council on the Arts by adding a requirement for regional representation and updating the legal framework governing its powers and duties.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement that the Council on the Arts must include at least one member from each of the ten regions of New York State, as defined by the Empire State Development Corporation, to ensure geographic diversity in council composition.

Updated the legal citation for the council's governing section from chapter 205 of the laws of 2008 to chapter 629 of the laws of 2024, reflecting recent legislative changes.

Added a new subdivision 11 to Section 3.05 of the arts and cultural affairs law, expanding the council's general powers and duties to include oversight of additional cultural initiatives.

TECHNICAL

Updated bill numbering from S 115 to S 115-A and revised committee reporting status to reflect favorable committee action and passage by the Senate.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 3, 2025

How they voted

44–17

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 63

Mar 3, 2025

D Democratic41

39 Yea 2

95% Yea

R Republican22

5 Yea 17 Nay

77% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Mar 5, 2026

Committee

REFERRED TO TOURISM, PARKS, ARTS AND SPORTS DEVELOPMENT

lower

Mar 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

PASSED SENATE

upper

Jan 7, 2026

Committee

REFERRED TO CULTURAL AFFAIRS, TOURISM, PARKS AND RECREATION

upper

Apr 8, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO TOURISM, PARKS, ARTS AND SPORTS DEVELOPMENT

lower

Apr 8, 2025

Upper · Passed

REPASSED SENATE

upper

Apr 1, 2025

Upper · Passed

AMENDED ON THIRD READING 115A

upper

Mar 3, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO TOURISM, PARKS, ARTS AND SPORTS DEVELOPMENT

lower

Mar 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

PASSED SENATE

upper

Jan 8, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO CULTURAL AFFAIRS, TOURISM, PARKS AND RECREATION

upper

1 primary · 7 co-sponsors