Provides for interest to be recovered upon a sum awarded in certain circumstances

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Catalina Cruz

A 320 lets interest accrue on sums awarded in civil cases, increasing total awards for plaintiffs and costs for defendants; defines rate, start date, and rules.

REFERRED TO CODES

Overview

Bill number: A 320

Title: Provides for interest to be recovered upon a sum awarded in certain circumstances

Status: Referred to Codes (House: New York Assembly)

Introduced: January 8, 2025

Primary sponsor: Catalina Cruz

Related/companion or prior-session bills: S 6449 (companion), A 4849, A 436 (prior-session), S 8615 (prior-session)

Purpose and intent

Based on the title, A 320 seeks to authorize the recovery of interest on sums awarded in certain circumstances. The bill’s text would specify the exact circumstances under which interest may be recovered (e.g., on judgments or awards in civil actions) and establish the mechanics for how interest is calculated and added to the awarded amount. The overarching intent appears to be to ensure that awards reflect not only the principal amount but also the cost of time value or delayed payment in specified situations.

Key provisions (as implied by the title; exact text not provided)

The bill would authorize or require recovery of interest on sums awarded in particular scenarios.

It would define the scope of “sum awarded” (e.g., court judgments, settlements, or other awards) and the qualifying circumstances for interest.

It would likely specify:

The interest rate or a method to determine it
When interest begins to accrue (e.g., from the date of judgment, date of injury, or date of payment default)
Any limits, exemptions, or special rules (e.g., for certain types of cases, government actions, or administrative determinations)
How interest interacts with principal awards, settlements, or fee-shifting provisions

Administrative or enforcement details (e.g., collection remedies, distribution of recovered interest)

Note: The excerpt provided does not include the full text, so the precise provisions, rates, thresholds, and exceptions are not specified here. The sections above describe typical elements such a bill would address.

Who would be affected

Plaintiffs and claimants receiving sums awarded in covered proceedings could see the total award increased by interest amounts.

Defendants in those proceedings may face higher total obligations when interest is recoverable.

Judicial and administrative bodies would implement the new rules on accrual, calculation, and collection of interest.

Potential impact on settlement negotiations and case valuations in relevant civil matters.

Procedural and timeline notes

The bill has been introduced and immediately referred to the Codes Committee, where it will be reviewed, possibly amended, and debated.

The listing of related bills (A 4849, A 436; S 6449 companion; S 8615) suggests a broader interest in aligning NY law on interest recovery across sessions and counterparts.

Next steps for readers

Monitor the bill’s text and committee notes for exact definitions, rates, and exceptions.

Review amendments or fiscal notes that may affect state or local finances and enforcement.

Compare with related bills (S 6449 and companion bills) to understand how different chambers or sessions approach the issue.

Bill