BILL NUMBER: S2384
SPONSOR: SKOUFIS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the economic development law, in relation to the eligi-
bility criteria for the excelsior jobs program act
 
PURPOSE:
This bill is to amend the economic development law for the surrender of
all previous state subsidies issued to a business entity that is found
to have violated any worker protection and environmental laws and regu-
lations.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Amends subdivision 6 of section 353 of the economic develop-
ment law for the surrender of all previous state subsidies issued to a
business entity that is found to have violated any worker protection and
environmental laws and regulations.
Section 2: Sets effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
In New York State, the Excelsior Jobs program encourages businesses to
expand and relocate to New York by granting them tax breaks and credits.
However, due to lacking clear eligibility criteria for the program, some
businesses have received public money and violated worker and environ-
mental protection laws. A recent example was an Amazon warehouse in
Staten Island. The company was just found to have illegally fired a
worker for speaking out at that Staten Island warehouse two years ago.
At the same time, the state and local governments have directed roughly
$387 million to the company in direct public subsidies and guarantees.
Moreover, the company has been using union-busting practices for a long
time.
Due to the issue related to the Excelsior jobs program, this legislation
shall not just end but also claw back all tax breaks and credits for any
company under the Excelsior jobs program engaged in violation of the
worker protection and environmental laws and regulations.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
Senate
2021: N/A
2022: S8891,Referredto Commerce, Economic Development,
2023: S1143,Reportedand Committed to Finance
2024: S1143,Reportedand Committed to Finance
Assembly
2021: N/A
2022: A10003, Referred to Economic Development
2023: A8327, Referred to Economic Development
2024: A8327, Referred to Economic Development
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S2384: 353 economic development law, 353(6) economic development law