Establishes the relocated worker grant program which requires the empire state development corporation to design and implement the relocated worker grant program which shall include a certification process to certify relocated workers and certify qualifying expenses for a reimbursement grant; defines terms; makes related provisions.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
7587
2023-2024 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
May 25, 2023
___________
Introduced by M. of A. ZINERMAN -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Economic Development
AN ACT to amend the economic development law, in relation to establish-
ing the relocated worker grant program
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The economic development law is amended by adding a new
2 article 27 to read as follows:
3 ARTICLE 27
4 RELOCATED WORKER GRANT PROGRAM
5 Section 490. Definitions.
6 491. Relocated worker grant program.
7 § 490. Definitions. As used in this article, the following terms shall
8 have the following meanings:
9 1. "Relocated worker" means an individual who:
10 (a) is a full-time employee of a business;
11 (b) becomes a full-time resident of this state on or after January
12 first, two thousand twenty-five; and
13 (c) relocates to an eligible location designated under this article.
14 2. "Qualifying expenses" means actual costs a relocated worker incurs
15 for one or more of the following that are necessary to perform their
16 employment duties:
17 (a) relocation to this State;
18 (b) computer software and hardware;
19 (c) broadband access or upgrade; and
20 (d) membership in a co-working or similar space.
21 3. "Eligible location" means every city with a population of more than
22 ninety thousand but less than three hundred thousand, as of the effec-
23 tive date of this subdivision.
24 § 491. Relocated worker grant program. 1. The empire state development
25 corporation shall design and implement the relocated worker grant
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02579-01-3
A. 7587 2
1 program, which shall include a certification process to certify relo-
2 cated workers and certify qualifying expenses for a reimbursement grant
3 under this section including but not limited to requiring:
4 (a) Proof of residence;
5 (b) Proof of employment; and
6 (c) Proof of purchases for qualifying expenses.
7 2. A relocated worker may be eligible for a reimbursement grant under
8 the program for qualifying expenses in the amount of not more than five
9 thousand dollars.
10 3. The department shall award grants under the program on a first-
11 come, first-served basis, subject to available funding as may be appro-
12 priated for this purpose.
13 4. The department shall:
14 (a) adopt procedures for implementing the program;
15 (b) promulgate a list of qualifying expenses including but not limited
16 to:
17 (i) hiring a moving company or renting moving equipment;
18 (ii) a down payment or security deposit for a residence;
19 (iii) software necessary to their employment;
20 (iv) computer and other technological equipment necessary to their
21 employment;
22 (v) fees or subscription costs related to internet access; and
23 (vi) fees related to securing a co-working space;
24 (c) promote awareness of the program, including through coordination
25 with relevant trade groups and by integration into the department's
26 economic development marketing campaigns; and
27 (d) adopt measurable goals, performance measures, and an audit strate-
28 gy to assess the utilization and performance of the program.
29 5. No later than one hundred eighty days after the effective date of
30 this section, the department shall submit a report to the governor, the
31 temporary president of the senate, and the speaker of the assembly
32 concerning the implementation of this section, including but not limited
33 to:
34 (a) a description of the procedures adopted pursuant to this section;
35 (b) the promotion and marketing of the program; and
36 (c) any additional recommendations for qualifying expenses or qualify-
37 ing workers that should be eligible under the program, and any recommen-
38 dations for the maximum amount of the grant.
39 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.