Technology

passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 4, 2026

A 3058: Promotes consumer choice by requiring manufacturers of digital electronic equipment to provide retail sellers with a one through ten repair score that will be displayed to consumers at point of sale

Promotes consumer choice by requiring manufacturers of digital electronic equipment to provide retail sellers with a repair score that will be displayed to consumers at point of sale.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires repair scores for digital equipment to promote consumer choice, aligning with regulating tech companies for consumer protection.85% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7788: Establishes cryptocurrencies as a form of payment for state agencies

This bill allows New York state agencies to accept cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum as payment for fees, fines, taxes, and other obligations owed to the state. It directly affects individuals and businesses paying state charges, as well as state agencies managing payments. Key provisions require state agencies to establish agreements with cryptocurrency issuers detailing terms, allow service fees up to transaction costs, and treat crypto payments as conditional until fully processed. The bill does not change existing debts or obligations but adds crypto as an optional payment method under specific contractual terms.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly allows state agencies to accept cryptocurrencies, advancing digital payment technology adoption and expanding state use of emerging tech.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Emerging Technology

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8356: Expands the New York opportunity promise scholarship to include all SUNY and CUNY approved programs which award certain associate's degrees

This bill expands New York's Opportunity Promise Scholarship to cover all SUNY and CUNY associate's degree programs that lead to high-demand careers, directly affecting students enrolled in these specific programs. It specifies fields like nursing, cybersecurity, engineering, and green energy as eligible, with the list updated annually by the Department of Labor before each fall term. The change ensures students in approved associate's programs at SUNY/CUNY community colleges or campuses can access the scholarship without restrictions based on program type. The policy takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands state scholarship funding for associate's programs, increasing government spending on education without tax changes.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands scholarship coverage to all SUNY/CUNY associate's programs in high-demand fields (nursing, cybersecurity, etc.), increasing access to higher education for students.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly includes 'green energy' as an eligible field for scholarships, directly advancing renewable energy workforce development through education funding.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands scholarships for high-demand fields (nursing, cybersecurity, etc.) aligned with Department of Labor's annual updates, improving workforce readiness for labor market needs.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExplicitly lists cybersecurity as an eligible field for scholarship coverage, directly advancing technology education in a high-demand sector.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Renewable Energy Cybersecurity

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8435: Enacts the "safekeeping and access to video evidence (SAVE) act"

This bill requires New York local governments (including cities, towns, school districts, and public authorities) to retain security video recordings from public spaces and official interactions for at least 15 months. It mandates secure storage to prevent tampering or deletion, ensures recordings are accessible to officials handling public records requests, and extends retention during legal claims. The law does not require installing cameras, force longer retention, or override existing public access rules. It specifically applies to recordings from public areas (streets, parks, transit) and interactions involving police, fire, or healthcare services.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates secure retention of video evidence to prevent tampering, enhancing transparency and accountability in criminal investigations and legal proceedings.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires secure storage of public video evidence to prevent tampering, enhancing data integrity and privacy protections for recorded data.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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passed · New York · Senate May 12, 2026

S 8483: Prohibits online retailers from basing prices on certain criteria

This bill prohibits online retailers from setting different prices based on a customer's device hardware (like battery life or age), software, or physical location. It directly affects online stores that adjust prices using these factors when a customer shops through their device. Retailers may still adjust prices for legitimate reasons like local costs, real-time demand surcharges for immediate services, or physical store location differences due to taxes. The law does not restrict general discounts, coupons, or public promotions that don't rely on device-specific data.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits price discrimination based on device hardware/location, regulating tech companies for consumer protection in digital markets.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1027: Relates to web-based videoconferencing of public meetings

S 1027 updates rules for local government meetings held via videoconference. It requires most public bodies (like city councils and county boards) to have at least some members physically present for quorum, while allowing remote participation for specific reasons like disability or illness. The bill mandates closed captioning, real-time public access to meetings, clear public notice about virtual options, and posting recordings online within five business days. It also creates a municipal fund to support hybrid meeting infrastructure. These changes apply to all local governments in New York State that hold public meetings.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates closed captioning, real-time access, and recordings for videoconferencing meetings, promoting accessibility and digital equity in public participation.75% confidence

Tags Local Government

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 11, 2026

A 6031: Establishes the biometric identifier privacy act

Establishes the biometric identifier privacy act; requires private entities in possession of biometric identifiers or biometric information to develop a written policy establishing a retention schedule and guidelines for permanently destroying biometric identifiers and biometric information when the initial purpose for collecting or obtaining such identifiers or information has been satisfied or within three years of the individual's last interaction with the private entity, whichever occurs first.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires private entities to establish biometric data retention/destruction policies, directly protecting user privacy through data handling regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4655: Relates to the sale of digital electronic equipment and providing diagnostic and repair information

Modifies what qualifies as an original equipment manufacturer and the manufacture date when hardware must comply with the right to repair law; repeals certain limitations on the right to repair law.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens consumer right to repair by repealing limitations on diagnostic/repair information access, advancing digital rights and tech access92% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5668: Relates to liability for misleading, incorrect, contradictory or harmful information provided to a user by a chatbot

Imposes liability for misleading, incorrect, contradictory or harmful information to a user by a chatbot that results in financial loss or other demonstrable harm.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill imposes liability on chatbot providers for harmful misinformation causing financial harm, aligning with consumer protection regulations in tech policy.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Social Media

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passed · New York · Senate May 12, 2026

S 4413: Relates to deletion of a consumer's financial information after cancellation of an automatic renewal or continuous service

Requires a business to delete a consumer's financial information after cancellation of an automatic renewal or continuous service, unless such consumer has affirmatively consented to retention of such financial information; requires such business to notify such consumer of such deletion.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires deletion of consumer financial data after service cancellation, directly enhancing data privacy protections per topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection

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