2025 NY Legislative Scorecard

A1962, known as "Francesco's Law," introduces tougher rules for the safe storage of guns. If someone storing a firearm—such as a rifle, shotgun, or handgun—knows a minor (under 18) or a prohibited person could access it and they do, it's a crime. The bill categorizes offenses by severity: A regular failure is a violation, a repeat offense is a class B misdemeanor, reckless storage is a class D felony, and causing death is a class C felony. It also requires offenders to receive safe-storage materials and mandates that the state's Office of Gun Violence Prevention include data on child injuries or deaths from unsafe storage in their annual report.

The New York State Assembly passed A1962 on June 11, 2025 by a vote of 93 to 46. We have assigned pluses to the nays because the fundamental right of the American people to keep and bear arms is protected by the U.S. Constitution, particularly in the Second, Ninth, and 10th Amendments, and should not be infringed. A1962 is a gross infringement on this right, as it imposes burdensome government mandates on how firearms must be stored in private homes, effectively limiting the ability of law-abiding citizens to access their firearms quickly for self-defense. Additionally, it removes reasonable exemptions and penalizes responsible gun owners with unnecessary regulations, further eroding individual freedoms under the guise of safety.

A4040 amends New York's Executive Law to officially include the "disparate impact" standard in the state's Human Rights Law related to housing. This means housing practices can now be legally challenged—not only when discrimination is intentional, but when neutral policies disproportionately harm protected groups—unless the policy is truly necessary and no less-discriminatory alternative exists. The measure ensures New Yorkers retain strong protections even if federal fair-housing rules are weakened.

The New York State Assembly passed A4040 on June 6, 2025 by a vote of 95 to 46. We have assigned pluses to the nays because by enshrining the "disparate impact" standard into law, the state creates classes of citizens and grants them unequal treatment under the law, in direct violation of the 14th Amendment's guarantee of equal protection. Additionally, this bill contradicts the Declaration of Independence, which affirms that "all men are created equal" and endowed by their Creator with unalienable rights. True equality, as ordained by God, demands that every individual be judged by the same standard—not by shifting categories defined by government. Furthermore, A4040 violates the free market and property rights secured by the Fifth and Ninth Amendments, compelling private-property owners to bear government-imposed burdens and regulations that interfere with voluntary exchange and contractual liberty—protections reinforced by Article I, Section 10 of the U.S. Constitution. By dictating outcomes rather than protecting rights, the measure undermines both economic freedom and the God-given right of individuals to dispose of their property as they see fit.

S1218 requires every state agency in New York that awards contracts to create a three‑year growth plan aimed at increasing the participation of minority- and women-owned business enterprises (MWBEs) in contracts and subcontracts. Each plan must be included in the agency's annual report to the governor and legislature, starting from September 15, 2020, and should analyze areas such as the agency's use of discretionary procurement, debriefs for unsuccessful MWBE bidders, the use of Empire State Development resources, and how to reduce contract-waiver usage. The goal is to systematically boost MWBE opportunities in state contracting.

The New York State Assembly passed S1218 on May 29, 2025 by a vote of 144 to 2. We have assigned pluses to the nays because by mandating state agencies to prioritize contracts based on race or gender rather than on work quality, cost, and merit, S1218 violates the 14th Amendment's guarantee of equal protection under the law. It also contradicts the Declaration of Independence, which affirms that "all men are created equal" and endowed by their Creator with unalienable rights. True God-given equality requires that individuals compete on the same standard—not be granted government favoritism through classifications of race or sex. Moreover, this bill undermines the free market by forcing agencies to substitute identity-based quotas for open competition, thereby inflating costs and ultimately burdening taxpayers to fund already unconstitutional programs and services.

A136 would allow a mentally competent adult with a terminal illness and a doctor's prognosis of six months or less to request and self-administer medication to peacefully end his or her life. The bill establishes "safeguards"—including dual oral and written requests, physician consultations, witness requirements, the right to withdraw consent at any time, and documentation standards—and provides legal protections for healthcare providers acting in "good faith."

The New York State Assembly passed A136 on April 29, 2025 by a vote of 81 to 67. We have assigned pluses to the nays because the right to life is a fundamental, God-given, unalienable right, as affirmed in the Declaration of Independence and protected by the Fifth and 14th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Allowing any erosion of this right sets a dangerous precedent that undermines the sanctity of life. By granting the government the authority to sanction assisted suicide, A136 distorts the proper role of government—which is to secure life and liberty, not to legitimize death as a "treatment." Such laws also open the door to coercion, abuse, and devaluation of the elderly, disabled, and vulnerable, undermining the equal protection owed to every individual.

A2565 establishes the New York Electronic Communications Privacy Act (NYECPA). It mandates that government agents must obtain a search warrant before accessing electronic device data—whether searching devices physically or accessing communications electronically. Warrants must be specific and, except in emergencies, must provide notice to the individual. Government agencies are required to report annually to the Attorney General on these actions and face enforcement measures for noncompliance.

The New York State Assembly passed A2565 on March 26, 2025 by a vote of 93 to 56. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because this bill affirms the Ninth Amendment's recognition of unenumerated natural rights—including the right to privacy—and upholds the Fourth Amendment's guarantee "to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures." By requiring warrants based on probable cause, oath or affirmation, and particular description, A2565 reinforces protections that the Founders viewed as essential to liberty. Additionally, it also pushes back against the dangerous precedent set by the federal Patriot Act, which eroded these safeguards by expanding surveillance powers, lowering standards of proof, authorizing secret FISA court warrants, and permitting "sneak and peek" searches without timely notice to individuals.