Kathy Hochul in NY legislative records

On Drugs: Allow cannabis cultivation in New York prior to legal sales

J&G Law (in favor): This license establishes a "fast-track" path for existing NYS hemp farmers to apply for a conditional license to grow adult-use cannabis in the 2022 growing season prior to opening of all adult-use licenses to the public, which likely will not occur until at least late 2022 or early 2023.

Rep. Mike Lawler (in opposition): Between 2019 and 2022 there has been a nearly sixfold increase in calls for marijuana related to children and teens 19 or younger and a ninefold increase among those five or younger. We must tackle the cannabis crisis that is poisoning our youth.

Legislative outcome Passed Senate 50-13-2 on Feb/15/22; Passed Assembly 98-44-8 on Feb/16/22; Signed by Governor Kathy Hochul on Feb/22/22.

On Gun Control: Prevent handguns from being turned into machine guns

Everytown for Gun Safety (in favor, 10.9.2024) Legislation to update New York's landmark gun industry accountability law to explicitly require firearm manufacturers to take steps to ensure their handguns cannot be easily turned into machine guns with Glock switches.

Oregon NPR (opposing view, May 18 2024) [A spokesman for] NSSF, the firearm industry trade association, says the legislation appears to be directed at Glock. But it "would essentially ban not just Glocks, but nearly all striker-fired handguns," because of its vague language, he says. He notes that many police departments--including NYC's--use Glocks because of their reputation for reliability. He says if Glock is forced to retool its semi-automatic pistols, that reliability could be compromised.

Legislative outcome Passed Senate 48-13-2 on Jun/6; Passed Assembly 97-44-9 on Jun/8; signed by Gov. Hochul on Oct/9/24.

On Immigration: Regulate for-profit bond companies focusing on immigrants

North Star Fund (in favor, Apr 12, 2023): We join in celebrating the Break the Shackles coalition's 2022 victory! The coalition and its allies advocated for and secured passage of the Stop Immigration Bond Abuse Act (SIMBAA) to protect immigrants formerly detained in New York from exploitative for-profit bond companies.

Legislative outcome Passed Senate 48-15-2 on Jun/1/22; Passed Assembly 99-45-6 on Jun/4/22; Signed by Governor Kathy Hochul on Dec/9/22.

On Civil Rights: Establish LGBT Bill of Rights for adult care facilities

Leading Age NY summary May 20, 2024: A new law reinforcing prohibitions against discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status takes effect on May 28th. The law requires nursing homes and adult care facilities to post a notice about the facilities' policies of non-discrimination on these grounds.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 55-7-1 on Jun/6/23; passed Assembly 142-2-8 on Jun/9/23; Signed by Governor Kathy Hochul on Nov/30/23.

On Drugs: Enact the Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act

ACLU-NY summary Mar 31, 2021: Under the MRTA, adults 21 and older will be able to legally possess, transport, purchase, consume, and share up to three ounces of marijuana. The bill removes marijuana and marijuana products from the state Controlled Substances Act, legalizes private cultivation of up to six plants, and eliminates most existing misdemeanors and felonies related to marijuana from the state penal law.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 40-23-0 on Mar/30/21; passed Assembly 94-56-0 on Mar/30/21; signed by Governor Kathy Hochul on Mar/31/21.

On Gun Control:

Everytown for Gun Safety summary 10.9.2024: Update New York's gun accountability law to explicitly require firearm manufacturers to take steps to ensure their handguns cannot be easily turned into machine guns with Glock switches.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 48-13-1 on Jun/6/24; passed Assembly 97-44-9 on Jun/8/24; Signed by Governor Kathy Hochul on Oct/9/24.