Economic aid for NY towns with closed colleges
Summary
New York State has enacted S08777, directing the Department of Economic Development to provide assistance to municipalities where a college or university has closed. The bill was signed into law on March 27, 2026, having passed unanimously in both chambers (56-0 in Senate, 142-0 in Assembly).
What changed
The legislation establishes a new state program requiring the Department of Economic Development to offer support services to municipalities impacted by college or university closures. The bill identifies these closures as events causing economic disruption to local communities and directs state-level economic development resources toward affected towns.
Municipalities experiencing college closures should coordinate with the Department of Economic Development to access available assistance programs. The Department will determine implementation timelines and specific program details. There are no compliance deadlines or penalties associated with this legislation for private entities.
What to do next
- Municipalities affected by college closures should contact the Department of Economic Development to inquire about available assistance programs
- Local governments should document economic impacts from college closures for potential state support
- State agencies should await Department of Economic Development guidance on program implementation
Source document (simplified)
ChangeBridge / New York / S08777 Signed by Governor S08777 S Signed by Governor 2026-03-27
Directs the department of economic development to provide certain assistance to municipalities in which a college or university has closed.
Bill Details
State New York
Session 2025-2026 General Assembly
Chamber Senate
Official Source www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S8777
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Sponsors
Rachel May (Sen - D)
Action History
2026-03-27 S SIGNED CHAP.91 2026-03-20 S DELIVERED TO GOVERNOR 2026-02-26 A returned to senate 2026-02-26 A passed assembly 2026-02-25 A vote reconsidered - restored to third reading 2026-02-25 A passed assembly 2026-02-25 A ordered to third reading rules cal.88 2026-02-25 A substituted for a9430 2026-01-29 A referred to governmental operations 2026-01-29 S DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY 2026-01-29 S PASSED SENATE 2026-01-20 S ORDERED TO THIRD READING CAL.71 2026-01-08 S REFERRED TO RULES
Votes
2026-01-20 Senate Rules Committee Vote Yea: 19 Nay: 0 2026-01-29 Senate Floor Vote - Final Passage Yea: 56 Nay: 0 2026-02-25 Assembly Floor Vote - Final Passage Yea: 142 Nay: 0
Committee Referrals
2026-01-08 S Rules 2026-01-29 A Governmental Operations
Bill Text Versions
2026-01-08 Introduced Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
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