ADVOCACY

NYSBA's Legislative Agenda

New York is facing a housing shortage that impacts quality of life and makes it harder to attract people, jobs, and commerce. Despite creating 1.2 million jobs in the past decade, only 400,000 housing units were built, driving up prices and inflation. Rising shelter costs are making it increasingly difficult for families to afford homes. To address this, NYSBA stands ready to help build more attainable housing. We offer a five-point housing plan to tackle shelter inflation and ease the affordability crisis by removing barriers to new construction.

Click here to view NYSBA's five-point plan.

Gas Ban/Electrification

Starting December 31, 2025, electrification mandates for new residential buildings up to seven stories will take effect, which bans the use of all fossil fuel-burning equipment like gas fireplaces, gas stoves, and even the use of propane. This mandate impacts builders and developers statewide, affecting thousands of new homes across ongoing and upcoming projects.

NYSBA advocates for the grandfathering of projects that have already commenced, have received site plan approval, or have expended funds toward infrastructure, ensuring continuity with initially planned energy sources beyond the implementation date.

NYSBA Comments on Energy Conservation

The Grandfathering in All-Electric Act S.685 Martinez/A.6327 Woerner

Fire Sprinkler Mandate

We are pleased to share with you NYSBA's Housing and Feasibility of Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems Study, an important resource that will guide our future efforts in fire safety and sprinkler mandates in new homes. We would like to thank NAHB's State and Local Issues Fund Committee and the NYSBA Research and Education Foundation for their financial assistance in funding the study.

Click below to access NYSBA's Housing and Feasibility of Residential Fire Sprinklers Systems Study:

Talking Points Against Mandatory Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems in NYS

NYSBA's Letter Opposing to Mandatory Automatic Fire Sprinkler Installation

DEC Wetlands Protection Rules

The 2022 New York State budget included a law that expanded the mapped wetland area from 1.2 million to 2.2 million acres. This change lowers the threshold for what qualifies as a wetland as well as other significant changes. These new regulations will severely impact the home building industry.

NYSBA Comments to NYS DEC on Proposed Wetlands Regulations (Part 664)

NYSBA Comments to NYS DEC on Proposed General Permit GP-0-25-006

NYSBA commissioned the Wetlands Impact Map Study, which was conducted by Davey Resource Group. The study has proven to be a valuable resource in NYSBA’s discussions with state legislators and coalition partners as we work to draft legislation addressing the overreach and negative impacts of the new wetlands law—particularly its implications for future development and the availability of urgently needed housing.

A presentation of the study was featured during NYSBA’s March 18 Legislative Reception and can be accessed at the link below.

NYSBA DEC Wetlands Map Impact Presentation

To learn more about New York’s Freshwater Wetland Regulatory Changes, click the links below to access the PowerPoint slides created by Terresa Bakner, Esq., Partner at Whiteman, Osterman & Hanna LLP, as well as a recording of the webinar where she presents and discusses the material.

View the Presentation Slides

Watch the Webinar Recording (Passcode: BuildersVoice25!)

Promoting Housing

Governor Hochul’s “Pro-Housing Community Program” Has Committed $650 Million Towards Incentivizing Municipalities To Increase Their Housing Production. Learn about this program by visiting the New York State website for Home and Community Renewal: New York State Home and Community Renewal Pro-Housing Community Program

These are NYSBA's ideas for Building on Governor Hochul’s Pro-Housing Program to Address New York’s Housing Crisis

The following list of zoning reforms can be used as a reference to engage directly with town and planning boards, encouraging them to make these changes which could decrease cost and increase production of housing: Zoning Reform Ideas to Address Local Housing Crisis

Good Cause Eviction (GCE) Law for Upstate Municipalities

As we saw Good Cause Eviction pass in the NY State budget last month, albeit only in New York City, it was left up to all other municipalities to opt in. NYSBA has put together the following Talking Points to help landlords build a cohesive argument against adopting Good Cause Eviction in upstate New York municipalities.

Talking points for upstate New York landlords lobbying against municipalities opting into the Good Cause Eviction (GCE) law.