Albany Update 03.23.2026
In this issue ...
- Governor Hochul Holds Rally to Highlight Auto Insurance Proposals
- NYIA Budget Materials on Auto Proposals
- NYIA Engages with Executive on Proposed Changes to WC Fee Schedules
- Business Council Launches New Website on Affordable Legislation
- WCB Proposes Regulations to Allow Payment Without Accepting Liability
- WCB Delays Launch of New RFA-2 eForm
- Con Edison Contacts NYIA Regarding Micromobility
- NYIA Requests Feedback on ExpressNY Proposals
- Bills on the Move
Governor Hochul Holds Rally to Highlight Auto Insurance Proposals
On Wednesday, NYIA attended Governor Hochul’s rally to highlight the auto insurance proposals that were included in the Executive Budget. The Governor was joined by several business and community leaders and spoke strongly in support of these proposals and promoting affordability for all New Yorkers. She also called out lawyers and doctors who are fraudulently exaggerating claims and suing for injuries that never existed. NYIA is encouraged to see the Governor’s unyielding attention to these proposals as we continue to work with a broad group of stakeholders to see them across the finish line.
NYIA Budget Materials on Auto Proposals
NYIA has compiled several materials on the auto insurance proposals put forward in the executive budget. We have shared these with other stakeholders groups and have been providing them to legislators during our meetings. If there are additional materials we should be aware of, please feel free to share them with the group. We will share any additional documents as they become available as well. If you have questions, please contact Kaitlyn Flynn, at kflynn@nyia.org.
Resource Documents:
Addressing Fraud, Abuse & Excessive Litigation in New York
NICB NY Auto Fraud and Crime Handouts
CBC Testimony in Support of Auto Proposals
Resource Websites:
New York Alliance Against Insurance Fraud
Protecting American Consumers Together
NYIA Engages with Executive on Proposed Changes to WC Fee Schedules
NYIA has been engaged with DFS and the Governor’s Office on the proposed changes to the Workers Compensation fee schedules. NYIA’s comment letter on the proposal was submitted last week, which outlined concerns with increased costs, claims handling, and clarity on several procedure codes. We have shared this feedback with DFS and the Governor’s Office and highlighted that these changes will impact both workers compensation and no-fault which uses the same fee schedules. Among other items, we also noted that previously DFS delayed implementation of amended fee schedules for no-fault as their assessment indicated there would be profound cost implications.
Business Council Launches New Website on Affordable Legislation
The Business Council of New York State has launched a new website to track proposed legislation and assess its impact on affordability for consumers, workers and businesses. The platform evaluates public policy proposals based on factors such as household costs, taxes, housing, energy expenses, job growth and overall business costs. It includes a legislative tracker that reviews bills through an affordability lens and explains their potential economic impact. The site is designed as an educational resource for the public, policymakers, and stakeholders. It also features updates on affordability-related issues and resources focused on economic competitiveness and cost-of-living trends.
WCB Proposed Regulation to Allow Payment Without Accepting Liability
Governor Kathy Hochul signed an amendment to Workers’ Compensation Law Section 21-a last year to allow payers to provisionally pay for medical care under this section without admitting liability. This law takes effect January 1, 2027, and the Workers Compensation Board (WCB) has proposed a regulation to conform the current regulation to the statute, and permit payers to provisionally pay for medical care. Comments can be submitted to regulations@wcb.ny.gov until May 17, 2026. If you would like NYIA to submit comments on your behalf, please contact Staci at ssteinfeld@nyia.org by May 4, 2026.
WCB Delays Launch of New RFA-2 eForm
The WCB is rolling back the launch of the new Request for Further Action by Insurer/Employer (RFA-2) eForm to address unforeseen technical issues related to eCase stability and payer access to the new eForm within certain cases. The Board has reverted to accepting paper RFA-2 forms as well as the previous online version, ERFA-2. If you have any questions, please contact outreach@wcb.ny.gov or call (877) 632-4996.
Con Edison Contacts NYIA Regarding Micromobility
Con Edison is currently conducting research on how e-bikes and e-bike charging may impact insurance rates in New York City. As part of this effort, they are seeking to connect with insurance industry professionals working in the micromobility space. If you are interested in either being connected with Con Edison or talking with NYIA as we engage with them further, please contact Kaitlyn Flynn at kflynn@nyia.org.
Con Edison will also be hosting an in-person event for electric micromobility operators, building decisionmakers, businesses, EV developers, and other interested stakeholders, and welcomes participation from insurance professionals interested in learning more about the industry. The event will take place on Wednesday, April 29 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. near Penn Station (exact location provided upon RSVP). Attendees will hear from industry leaders on e-bike fire safety, permitting processes, and best practices for installing e-bike charging infrastructure. To learn more and register, click here.
NYIA Requests Feedback on ExpressNY Proposals
NYIA is requesting feedback for a planned submission as part of Governor Hochul’s ExpressNY effort to identify outdated or excessive regulations for reform. While NYIA has previously submitted feedback as part of an effort this past fall with state agencies, we also want to submit in relation to this most recent collection effort. The deadline to submit proposals through the ExpressNY portal is Friday, April 3, 2026. If you have proposals you would like NYIA to submit on your behalf, please submit all comments to Maddie Durant at mdurant@nyia.org by Friday, March 27, 2026.
Bills on the Move
Several bills progressed through the legislature this past week. If you have any questions on these pieces of legislation, please contact Staci at ssteinfeld@nyia.org.