A Letter from the Vice President of Government Advocacy & Executive Vice President
Dear Member,
With the conclusion of the 2025 New York Legislative Session, lawmakers have demonstrated that— despite the challenges and uncertainty surrounding federal funding and policymaking—New York remains dedicated to prioritizing investments in affordable housing, resilient infrastructure, and sustainable development as essential drivers of economic growth and community livability. With $100 million to the Childcare Construction Fund, $300 million towards the POWER UP electrification program, and billions assigned to strengthening public transportation and infrastructure development, the FY26 State Spending plan has demonstrated New York’s commitment to bolstering projects and initiatives that necessitate the participation of architects. With these shared priorities in mind, AIANYS utilized this sentiment as an opportunity for our members to demonstrate the indispensable value we bring to translating bold policy goals into New York’s Built Environment.
This message has been incorporated into AIANYS’s advocacy efforts as we pursue our legislative priorities. From meeting with lawmakers to promote legislation enacting a 10-year Statute of Repose to providing testimony in support of submitting letters of support to expand the use of Qualifications-Based Selection—AIANYS The American Institute of Architects has continued to highlight the intrinsic value of architects to in the built environment of New York as a central theme of our lobbying efforts.
At nearly 10,000 members strong, AIA New York State’s collective expertise in designing everything from homes and mixed-use developments to highways and transit hubs uniquely positions us to shape New York’s next chapter. AIANYS remains dedicated to advancing our shared legislative and regulatory objectives—ensuring that elected officials recognize architects not only as designers, but as strategic partners in building a more vibrant, affordable, and sustainable New York.
Thank you for your continued engagement and support.
Paul McDonnell, AIA Vice President/Government Advocacy
Georgi Ann Bailey, CAE, Hon. AIA Executive Vice President
2025 Advocacy Day
On May 7, 2025, against the backdrop of a busy legislative the session and state budget negotiations, our members convened face-to-face with 25 state legislators and their senior teams—articulating a passionate vision for our profession, advancing critical policy initiatives, and forging strategic partnerships to shape the future of architecture across New York. This year’s Advocacy Day was the first fully in-person Advocacy Day since 2019.
Advocates focused on four key bills from the 2025 AIANYS Legislative Agenda. These included enacting a 10-year Statute of Repose, advancing Qualifications-Based Selection for public design services, pursuing Indemnification Reform, and enhancing licensure verification procedures. Attendees highlighted not only the technical merits of each proposal, but also their broader impact on public safety, professional practice, and the future of New York’s built environment.
2025 Advocacy Day Participating Chapters
AIA Brooklyn
AIA Buffalo/Western New York
AIA Central New York
AIA Eastern New York
AIA Long Island
AIA New York Chapter
AIA Queens
AIA Rochester
AIA Southern New York
AIA Staten Island
AIA Westchester Hudson Valley
2025 Legislative Session in Review
The 2025 New York State Legislative Session officially concluded in the early hours of June 18th. Over the course of session, the Senate passed 1,743 bills while the Assembly passed 995 bills. In total, 856 bills passed both houses, with 722 currently awaiting action by the Governor.
Governor Hochul now has until the end of the calendar year to act on these measures. While the Legislature can technically transmit bills at any time, they typically hold delivery until requested by the Governor. Once a bill is formally delivered, the Governor has 10 days to take action.
Bills that extend expiring laws are generally delivered during the summer months. More complex or higher-profile bills are often
held for later in the year. In many cases, the Governor opts to sign thematic packages of legislation at press conferences that may align with calendar events or public awareness campaigns— for example, labor-related bills near Labor Day or environmental legislation during UN Climate Week.
Though the regular session has ended, legislative leaders have reiterated that they retain the option to return later in the year, if necessary—excluding any veto override efforts. That option may take on more relevance this year, as New York faces the potential for reduced federal funding under the proposed federal budget currently under consideration in Congress.
AIANYS Legislative Priorities
S.2146 COONEY / A.4907 PRETLOW – STATUTE OF REPOSE
AIANYS Position: Supports
This bill has long been a top legislative priority for AIANYS. It seeks to align New York with the 48 other states that have adopted a Statute of Repose—a legal protection that sets a 10-year limit after project completion for filing claims against design professionals (architects, engineers, etc.). Currently, New York and Vermont are the only states without such a limitation, leaving professionals indefinitely exposed to liability.
2025 Session Overview:
• Senate bill again made significant progress:
• Referred to Judiciary Committee in January
• Advanced to 1st and 2nd Report Calendars in late March
• Reached Third Reading and was committed to Rules on June 13, the day after session ended The Assembly action was referred to Higher Education Committee in February without further movement.
Status:
Senate: Committed to Rules
Assembly: Referred to Higher Education Committee
S.4577 COMRIE / A.5520 HYNDMAN – QUALIFICATIONS-BASED SELECTION (QBS) EXPANSION
AIANYS Position: Supports
This bill expands the use of Qualifications-Based Selection, a procurement method that prioritizes expertise over cost in selecting design professionals. The expansion would apply QBS to public authorities and public benefit corporations, promoting quality-driven public works.
2025 Session Overview:
The Senate version progressed steadily:
• Referred in February
• Reported and committed to Procurement and Contracts by May
In the Assembly, the bill was referred to the relevant committee in February but saw no movement afterward.
Status:
Senate: Reported and committed to Procurement and Contracts Committee
Assembly: Referred to Corporations, Authorities and Commissions Committee
A.7379 VANEL / S.4591 COONEY – INDEMNIFICATION REFORM
AIANYS Position: Supports
This bill seeks to prevent overly broad indemnification clauses in public contracts. It limits the liability of architects and engineers to only damages resulting from their own negligence or misconduct—protecting professionals from taking on undue legal risk in public work.
2025 Session Overview:
• The Senate version advanced through committee and was committed to Finance in late May
• The Assembly version was referred to Governmental Operations in March
Despite this progress, neither version reached the floor for a vote.
Status:
Senate: Reported and committed to Finance Committee
Assembly: Referred to Governmental Operations Committee
AIANYS Legislative Priorities
A.4680 EACHUS – EMERGENCY RESPONDER ACT
AIANYS Position: Supports
This bill proposes liability protections for design professionals and construction personnel who provide emergency services during declared disasters—similar to protections given to other first responders.
2025 Session Overview:
• Referred to Governmental Operations in February
• No Senate companion bill introduced
• No additional progress during session
Status:
Assembly: Referred to Governmental Operations Committee
A.7675 STERN / S.7217 MARTINEZ – PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION
AIANYS Position: Opposes
This bill allows local governments in Nassau, Suffolk, and Yonkers to issue building permits based solely on the certification of licensed professionals, bypassing building department reviews. AIANYS opposes the bill due to concerns over public safety, oversight, and professional accountability.
2025 Session Overview:
• Introduced in both chambers in April
• Referred to Local Government committees in both houses on the same day
• No further action taken
AIANYS has actively voiced opposition due to the bill’s broad scope, lack of uniformity, and potential for undermining code enforcement.
Status:
Introduced; awaiting action in both chambers.
Other AIANYS Priority Bills
A.8088 (BURDICK) / S.3590 (HARCKHAM)
Enacts the climate resilient New York act of 2025; establishes the office of resilience to assess and identify climate related threats.
• Assembly Last Action: Amended and Recommitted to Governmental Operations Committee
• Senate Last Action: Passed Senate; Assembly Referred to Governmental Operations Committee
A.483 (CLARK) / S.5392 (SCARCELLA-SPANTON)
Permits certain not-for-profit corporations engaged in engineering for certain conservation efforts to do business or provide professional engineering, land surveying or professional geology services in the state
• Assembly Last Action: Referred to Higher Education Committee
• Senate Last Action: Passed Senate, Assembly Referred to Higher Education Committee
A.5001 (BRONSON)
Relates to the cost effectiveness of consultant contracts by state agencies.
• Assembly Last Action: Referred to Governmental Operations
• Senate Last Action: N/A
A.2571 (MCDONALD) / S.260 (STAVISKY )
Relates to the practice of professional geology.
• Assembly Last Action: Amend and Recommit to Higher Education Committee
• Senate Last Action: Passed Senate, Assembly Referred to Higher Education Committee
A.5021 (HYNDMAN)
Enacts the New York state senior housing opportunities partnership act and establishes a state senior housing opportunities partnership authority.
• Assembly Last Action: Referred to Aging Committee
• Senate Last Action: N/A
A.5622 (EACHUS) / S.6482 (WEBB)
Relates to license requirements for professional geologists; repealer.
• Assembly Last Action: Passed Assembly
• Senate Last Action: Passed Senate, Assembly ordered to Third Reading
A. 5678 (LEVENBERG)
Increases to $50,000 the cost of the construction of a building, structure or public work, above which an engineer, land surveyor or architect must be utilized.
• Assembly Last Action: Referred to Higher Education Committee
• Senate Last Action: N/A
A.5713 (GIGLIO)
Requires professional engineers, land surveyors and professional geologists to report structural faults within forty-eight hours.
• Assembly Last Action: Referred to Higher Education Committee
• Senate Last Action: N/A
A.6063 (LUNSFORD) / S.4423 (HOYLMAN-SIGAL)
Provides for the types of damages that may be awarded to the persons for whose benefit an action for wrongful death is brought.
• Assembly Last Action: Passed Assembly
• Senate Last Action: Passed Assembly; Passed Senate, Assembly ordered to Third Reading
A.6529 (BRONSON)
Relates to fire suppression systems and licensing professionals to perform authorized work on fire suppression systems.
• Assembly Last Action: Referred to Economic Development Committee
• Senate Last Action: N/A
A.6529 (GRIFFIN)
Relates to additional apportionment of building aid for certain projects.
• Assembly Last Action: Referred to Education Committee
• Senate Last Action: N/A
A.6778 (ROMERO)
Enacts the “accessory dwelling unit incentive act”.
• Assembly Last Action: Referred to Housing Committee
• Senate Last Action: N/A
Budget
Five weeks past the April 1st deadline with a final price tag of $254 billion, the FY26 Budget received Governor Kathy Hochul’s signature on May 9th following extended negotiations. Now that it’s been signed into law, the FY26 spending plan is officially New York’s largest state budget in history.
HOUSING
Low-Income Housing Tax Credit
The annual State Low-Income Housing Credit (SLIHC) allocation will be doubled, increasing from $15 million to $30 million through 2029.
State Historic Tax Credit
The program will allow transferable credits and extend their applicability to affordable housing projects without regard to census-tract restrictions.
Pro-Housing Communities Fund
Up to $100 million is available to support infrastructure projects in municipalities certified under the Pro-Housing Communities initiative.
Support for First-Time Homebuyers
A total of $100 million will be allocated as follows:
• $50 million in capital to finance the construction of starter homes
• $50 million in grants for down-payment assistance
Child Care Construction Fund
$100 million is designated for the design, construction, and equipping of new or expanded childcare facilities, with an additional $10 million reserved for family-based childcare programs.
Child Care Substitute Pool
A $3 million investment will establish a statewide pool of substitute caregivers to enhance operational stability in childcare centers.
Institutional Real Estate Restrictions
A 90-day waiting period will be imposed before large investors may purchase one- to two-family homes, and depreciation and interest deductions on these properties will be limited.
WORKFORCE
Empire AI Consortium
$90 million in capital funding to increase the computing power of Empire AI, expand access for SUNY researchers, and support the addition of new members.
MWBEs in State Procurement
Increased the discretionary purchasing threshold from $750,000 to $1.5 million when buying from NYS Certified minority and women-owned businesses (MWBEs).
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
POWER
UP
New $300 million program, Promote Opportunity with Electric Readiness for Underdeveloped Properties (POWER UP) , to fund the proactive development of electric capacity to create powerready sites statewide.
Regional Economic Development Councils
$150 million for Regional Economic Development Councils (REDCs) projects to develop projects such as cultural venues, waterfront revitalization efforts, and mixed-use development projects.
(CAP) Initiative
$400 million Championing Albany’s Potential (CAP) Initiative to revitalize the downtown core of Albany.
TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
NYSDOT Capital Plan
$7 billion for New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Capital Plan.
MTA Capital Plan
Full funding for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) $68.4 billion 2025-29 Capital Plan.
Hudson Valley Rail Service
$25 million investment to plan, evaluate and design a set of Hudson Valley rail capital improvements between New York City and Poughkeepsie.
NFTA Capital Improvements
$26 million capital appropriation to the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) for infrastructure and resiliency improvements.
AIA New York State Board of Directors
Julian Misiurski III, AIA Bronx
Lindsay Schmidt, AIA Brooklyn
Gustavo Lima, AIA Buffalo/Western New York
Andrew Schuster, AIA Central New York
Casey Crossley, AIA Eastern New York
AIA New York State Executive Committee
Andrew Harding, AIA President
Jeffrey Pawlowski, AIA President-Elect
Willy Zambrano, FAIA Immediate Past President
Paul McDonnell, AIA VP/Government Advocacy
Sarah Drake, AIA VP/Education
Tonja Adair, AIA VP/Communications & Public Awareness
Caitlin Daly, AIA VP/Emerging Professionals
Victor Han, AIA Secretary
Jacob Rivalsi, AIA Treasurer
AIA New York State Staff
Georgi Ann Bailey, CAE, Hon. AIA Executive Vice President
Charlie White Director of Government Affairs
Cara Longobardi Director of Member Services
Ryan Rosenberg, AIA Long Island
Marilu Tibana, Assoc. AIA New York Chapter
Andrea Lamberti, FAIA New York Chapter
Kritika Dhanda, Assoc. AIA New York Chapter
Marjorie Goldberg, AIA Peconic
Jacqueline Velez, AIA Queens
Jay Woodcock, AIA Rochester
Patrick H. Flynn, AIA Southern New York
Olga Salnikova, Assoc. AIA Staten Island
Seth Wiley, AIA Westchester Hudson Valley
AIA New York State Government Affairs Legal Counsel
Richard E. Leckerling, Esq. Partner
Whiteman Osterman & Hannah LLP
Katherine B. Herlihy, Esq. Partner
Whiteman Osterman & Hannah LLP
Benjamin Eddy Director, Government Relations Whiteman Osterman & Hannah LLP
Hannah O’Neil Legislative Analyst Whiteman Osterman & Hannah LLP
Robin Styles-Lopez Director of Communications
Page Fronczek Director of Marketing
Peter Koniuto Director of Professional Development
Jenny Coye Executive Assistant
Kristen Rockmore Accounting and Records Assistant