What's happening
This bill prohibits New York from paying for travel to states where for-profit businesses can use religious freedom as a legal defense against discrimination claims.
Why it matters
Limits state-funded travel to certain states. By prohibiting reimbursement for travel to states where for-profit businesses can use religious freedom as a legal defense against discrimination claims, New York is using its financial power to protest laws it views as enabling discrimination—potentially impacting where state employees can travel for official business.
Signals New York’s stance on civil rights. This law positions New York as actively opposing states that, in its view, prioritize business religious rights over anti-discrimination protections, making a public statement about the values the state wants to support.
Includes exceptions for critical needs. The bill allows for travel if it is necessary for law enforcement, contractual obligations, or public safety, ensuring essential state functions are not disrupted by the prohibition.
Could influence interstate relations and policy. By financially boycotting certain states, New York joins a broader movement of states leveraging travel bans to pressure policy changes elsewhere, which may affect intergovernmental cooperation and spur legal or political responses.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban State Travel to Discriminatory States
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
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History
- Referred to ways and means
- Referred to ways and means
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Ban State Travel Reimbursements
In Senate Committee · Finance · Sponsor Michael Gianaris
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5024
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 6, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. O'DONNELL -- read once and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means
AN ACT to amend the state finance law, in relation to prohibiting the payment of any claim for travel to, from and/or within certain states that allow for profit businesses to assert a right of free exercise of religion
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 109 of the state finance law is amended by adding a new subdivision 2-a to read as follows:
2-a. The comptroller shall not draw his or her warrant for the payment of any claim or voucher submitted for any expense, including the payment of any per diem allowance, incurred for any travel to, from and/or within any state which, by law, authorizes for profit businesses to invoke the free exercise of religion as a defense to a cause of action commenced by an individual, group of individuals or non-governmental entity for wrongful discrimination. The prohibition established in this subdivision shall not apply to any travel which is necessary to enforce any provisions of law of this state, to comply with any contractual obligation of the state or to protect public safety.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07249-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.