New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York Assembly Bill A08856

Introduced
6/9/25  

Caption

Enacts the "mandatory arbitration & business licensing act"; provides that no state agency or local government shall issue or renew a covered license to any person that refuses to certify that such person will not, as the owner or operator of a business or provider of services in the state or a local government operating pursuant to such license; makes related provisions.

Impact

The enactment of A08856 could significantly affect state laws concerning business licensing and arbitration practices. It will prevent businesses from requiring arbitration clauses as a precondition for employment or consumer transactions, thereby making it easier for individuals to take legal action in cases of disputes. This potential shift prioritizes individual rights, possibly encouraging more open litigation in areas traditionally dominated by private arbitration, which has been criticized for often favoring businesses over individuals.

Summary

Bill A08856, known as the 'Mandatory Arbitration & Business Licensing Act' (MABLA), aims to amend New York’s general business law to restrict the ability of businesses to require employees or consumers to enter into mandatory arbitration clauses as a condition for employment or service provision. Specifically, the bill stipulates that no state agency or local government can issue or renew a business license for any entity that does not certify that it will not impose such arbitration requirements. This change is intended to enhance consumer and employee rights by increasing transparency and accessibility to judicial recourse in disputes.

Contention

Notably, the bill has sparked debate among stakeholders, including businesses, consumer rights advocates, and labor organizations. Proponents argue that scrapping mandatory arbitration enhances justice and equity by restoring the ability of employees and consumers to challenge unfair practices in court. However, opponents, particularly from the business community, express concern that this regulation could lead to increased litigation and operational burdens, possibly deterring new businesses from entering the market due to the heightened legal risk.

Companion Bills

NY S08126

Same As Enacts the "mandatory arbitration & business licensing act"; provides that no state agency or local government shall issue or renew a covered license to any person that refuses to certify that such person will not, as the owner or operator of a business or provider of services in the state or a local government operating pursuant to such license; makes related provisions.

Previously Filed As

NY A01916

Enacts the "small business fairness act" to permit a business that has been ordered to cease or limit operations pursuant to an executive order due to a declared state disaster emergency to continue or resume operations if the products sold or services offered by the business are also available at a business that has not been required to cease or limit operations by the executive order or an order of the health department.

NY A07733

Relates to consideration of the potential impacts of a proposed rule on small businesses and local governments; requires additional efforts to notify interested small businesses or local governments and/or organizations representing their interests of proposed rules.

NY A00557

Authorizes minors to operate temporary businesses operating for less than thirty days and generating less than five thousand dollars in profit per calendar year without certain licenses or permits; permits local government or law enforcement to require such temporary business to move if the location is determined to pose a substantial risk to health and safety.

NY S09951

Requires or allows licensing entities to suspend business licenses for certain businesses that are charged or convicted of wage theft; establishes reporting requirements for wage theft convictions.

NY A00417

Restricts the disclosure of personal information by businesses; provides that a business that retains a customer's personal information shall make available to the customer free of charge access to, or copies of, all of the customer's personal information retained by the business.

NY S03163

Restricts the disclosure of personal information by businesses; provides that a business that retains a customer's personal information shall make available to the customer free of charge access to, or copies of, all of the customer's personal information retained by the business.

NY S00283

Provides that the tax imposed upon the sales on goods or services purchased from businesses which employ twenty or less persons, are resident in this state, are independently owned and operated and not dominant in their field shall be two percent.

NY A02259

Provides that the tax imposed upon the sales on goods or services purchased from businesses which employ twenty or less persons, are resident in this state, are independently owned and operated and not dominant in their field, shall be two percent.

NY A00081

Provides that a state agency shall require a person that submits a bid or offer in response to a notice of procurement, or that proposes to renew an existing procurement contract with a state agency or proposes to assume the responsibility of a contractor pursuant to a procurement contract with a state agency or otherwise proposes to enter into a contract with a state agency with respect to a contract for commodities, services, construction, or contracts entered pursuant to section eight of the public buildings law or section thirty-eight of the highway law, to certify, at the time the bid is submitted or the contract is renewed or assigned, that the person or the assignee is not identified on a list that such person is doing business with or in the Russian federation and shall not be deemed a responsive bidder or offeror.

NY S02547

Establishes the New York first--shop local program to provide immediate assistance to small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak; defines terms; provides that such program shall identify eligible applicants and projects that promote local products and services by providing marketing and business assistance services; makes related provisions.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.