May 2022
Weekly Report for May 27, 2022
REALTORS® – Take action to urge lawmakers to lift ban on telemarketing
NYSAR continues to urge state lawmakers to pass legislation (S.7656/A.8662) which would make technical amendments to current law in order to allow for telemarketing activities during declared states of emergency. Lawmakers are scheduled to conclude their legislative session next week. Please urge lawmakers to pass this important bill – Take Action here.
“Good cause” eviction bill continues to face strong opposition
Opponents of “good cause” eviction legislation are keeping the pressure on elected officials as they enter the final week of the 2022 legislative session. NYSAR continues to partner with other real estate and business organizations across the state in order to educate lawmakers and members of the public on the harmful impacts “good cause” eviction legislation would have on housing, development, and property owners. Read more here.
Reasonable Modification and Accommodation Law now in effect
The NYS Division of Human Rights published final regulations on May 18, 2022, adding 9 NYCRR 466.15 that provides guidance for compliance for licensees and landlords. The regulations include definitions, examples of reasonable modifications and accommodations as well as a sample copy of the notice. The law and regulation also require real estate licensees and landlords to provide a notice that sets forth the rights a disabled individual has with regard to requesting reasonable modifications or accommodations to or in the “housing accommodation.” The notice must be provided at “first substantive contact” with a prospective tenant (Note: The same as the Agency Disclosure Form and the Housing and Anti-Discrimination Disclosure Form.) Brokers are also responsible for posting of the notice conspicuously at all real estate offices and on their websites. NYSAR has developed two notices where the managing agent information is known and where the managing agent information is unknown. For more information and to access NYSAR’s sample notices, click here.
Court finalizes new State Senate and Congressional maps
A court released final maps for New York’s 26 congressional and 63 state Senate districts in the midnight hour on Saturday morning. Democrats currently hold 19 of New York’s 27 congressional seats, and now face the prospect of highly competitive primaries in seats that previously sparked little competition. You can find a detailed analysis of the new maps here.
Weekly Report for May 20, 2022
Call for Action – NYSAR continues to urge lawmakers to fix telemarketing ban
NYSAR continues to urge state lawmakers to pass legislation (S.7656/A.8662) which would make technical amendments to current law in order to allow for telemarketing activities during declared states of emergency. The bill was NYSAR’s top issue discussed with lawmakers during our Lobby Day last week. Several months ago, NYSAR also organized a coalition effort to help advocate for the bill. Take Action here.
Call for Action – Oppose Good Cause Eviction
Take Action here -The state Legislature is considering passage of “Good Cause Eviction” legislation, which would restrict the ability of a landlord to evict a tenant, even in cases where their lease has expired so long as the tenant continued to pay rent. The bill (S.3082/A.5573) would also effectively cap annual rent increases to 3% or 1.5 times the CPI for most rental properties statewide with four units or more, unless the landlord is able to prove before a judge that an increase above that threshold is necessary or reasonable. Urge your state lawmakers to oppose “Good Cause Eviction” legislation by filling out the petition here. This petition is part of NYSAR’s coalition efforts to oppose “Good Cause Eviction” as we partner with other real estate and business groups across the state.
New State Senate and Congressional maps released
On Monday, court-appointed redistricting specialist Jonathan Cervas filed his redrawn district maps for State Senate and U.S. Congress. The court is set to finalize the new maps on Friday, May 20. The Primary Election for State Senate and Congressional races is set for August 23. A separate Primary Election is set for June 28 for State Assembly and statewide offices, however Governor Hochul and the State Legislature are considering combining both primaries into the August 23 date. Read more on the impact of the new maps here.
Weekly Report for May 13, 2022
NYSAR President Jennifer Vucetic testifies before Climate Action Council
On Wednesday, May 11, NYSAR 2022 President Jennifer Vucetic testified at a public hearing (view transcript here) before the New York State Climate Action Council to express NYSAR’s concerns with specific recommendations to reduce carbon emissions, including prohibiting natural gas in new construction and banning new natural gas service to existing buildings beginning in 2024, prohibiting traditional heating and cooling system replacements beginning in 2030, and prohibiting gas appliance replacements beginning in 2035. NYSAR is deeply concerned that the Council’s recommendations on electrification would negatively impact property owners and worsen housing affordability in the state. You can find more information here.
NYSAR Lobby Day draws hundreds of REALTORS® to Albany
On Tuesday, May 10, hundreds of REALTORS® from across the state converged on Albany during NYSAR’s annual Lobby Day to advocate on critical REALTOR® issues and legislation, including removing the ban on telemarketing during states of emergency, opposition to “good cause eviction” and the All-Electric Building Act, and support for transparency and fairness in cooperative housing. NYSAR 2022 President Jennifer Vucetic and Assemblyman John McDonald of the Capital Region delivered opening remarks, while NYSAR Director of Government Affairs Mike Kelly provided an overview of legislative issues. Video and additional content from the day will be posted on NYSAR’s website and NYSAR’s Facebook page. Anyone who has not filled out your Lobby Day expense reimbursement form, please do so here.
NYSAR continues to urge lawmakers to fix telemarketing ban
NYSAR continues to urge state lawmakers to pass legislation (S.7656/A.8662) which would make technical amendments to current law in order to allow for telemarketing activities during declared states of emergency. The bill was NYSAR’s top issue discussed with lawmakers during our Lobby Day earlier this week. Several months ago, NYSAR organized a coalition effort to help advocate for the bill. You can Take Action here.
Weekly Report for May 6, 2022
Talking Points available for NYSAR Lobby Day – Tuesday May 10
NYSAR’s Lobby Day is this Tuesday, May 10, 2022, beginning at 8 a.m. at the Empire State Plaza, Meeting room 6 in Albany. Talking points on this year’s top issues can be found here. Assemblymember John McDonald (D-Albany) will be our guest speaker. Identification and proof of vaccination or proof of a negative Covid test (home tests not allowed within the past 48 hours is required to access the State Capitol Building.
Governor Hochul names Antonio Delgado Lieutenant Governor
On Tuesday, following necessary action by the State Legislature, Governor Kathy Hochul named Rep. Antonio Delgado as New York’s next Lieutenant Governor to fill the vacancy left by Brian Benjamin’s resignation following his arrest on federal bribery charges. In taking the position, Delgado will resign from his upper Hudson Valley Congressional seat at an undetermined time expected later this month. A special election would likely need to be held within 50 days of Delgado’s resignation from Congress. Read more here.