BILL NUMBER: S8231
SPONSOR: RAMOS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend chapter 413 of the laws of 2003 amending the labor law
relating to the self-employment assistance program and other matters,
in relation to extending the effectiveness thereof
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The purpose of this bill is to extend to December 7, 2027, certain
provisions relating to the establishment and operation of the Self-Em-
ployment Assistance Program (SEAP).
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one would modify the expiration of relevant provisions from
December 7, 2025, to December 7, 2027.
Section two would set the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The Self-Employment Assistance Program has been extremely successful in
helping individuals who are likely to exhaust their regular unemployment
insurance benefits to develop and establish small businesses in New
York. Qualified individuals participate in a rigorous program that
consists of specific benchmarks they must comply with in order to stay
in the program. A participant must complete a minimum of twenty hours of
entrepreneurial training, meet a minimum of two times with a certified
business counselor, create a business plan and send periodic reports to
their Department of Labor coordinator. The success of this program is
evident. Over 4,000 jobs have been created and $16 million in state tax
revenue has been generated at no cost to the state. In an ongoing effort
to create and nourish job growth throughout the state, it is critical
that the Self-Employment Assistance Program be extended to afford
certain individuals collecting unemployment insurance benefits the
opportunity to take advantage of this program.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
Chapter 293 of the Laws of 2023
Chapter 653 of the Laws of 2021
Chapter 447 of the Laws of 2019
Chapter 180 of the Laws of 2017
Chapter 457 of the Laws of 2015
Chapter 57 of the Laws of 2013
Chapter 106 of the Laws of 2009
Chapter 200 of the Laws of 2007
Chapter 101 of the Laws of 2006
Chapter 413 of the Laws of 2003
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act would take effect immediately.