It’s a holiday tradition in New York.
Each year, Empire State governors find themselves staring down a pile of bills they must act on before December runs out. It’s legislation that state lawmakers approved earlier in the year that hasn’t yet been approved or vetoed for one reason or another.
Such is the case again this year.
Gov. Kathy Hochul has until the end of this week to sign or veto more than 85 bills that are currently on her desk awaiting her decision, including measures that would ban noncompete agreements and move many local elections — though not New York City’s — to even-numbered years.
She also has another five bills that require her action by the end of the year, though the state constitution does provide her the opportunity to buy herself an additional 30 days to decide.
Here’s a look at some of the bigger pieces of legislation Hochul still has to act on:
The Grieving Families Act
What it would do: The bill, which Hochul could delay a decision on until late January, would make it easier for family members of deceased New York residents to sue for damages when their loved one was killed due to negligence.
New York’s current law, which dates back to 1847, doesn’t allow family members to sue for pain and suffering caused by a wrongful death. Instead, they can only sue for “pecuniary” damages — quantifiable economic losses, such as lost income. For small children, elderly people or those with low incomes, that leaves little for surviving family members.
Hochul vetoed a prior version of the bill in January of this year, suggesting lawmakers failed to properly consider the potential consequences of the measure, such as a possible spike in insurance rates.
Lawmakers made changes they hope will sway the governor, including limiting the list of people eligible to sue to partners, children, siblings and other similarly close family members.
If Hochul signs the new bill, it would allow those family members to seek compensation for things like…
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