WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

S 10643

Relates to labor peace agreements and the cannabis industry wage board; repealer

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jessica Ramos

Creates a state wage board to study and set cannabis industry wages, increases licensee transparency, and strengthens labor peace, equity, and license oversight.

RETURNED TO SENATE
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 10643

Overview

Bill S 10643 (New York, 2025-2026) introduces changes to the cannabis law and the labor law related to labor peace agreements, license oversight, and the creation of a state cannabis industry wage board. It also repeals a prior provision related to labor peace agreements. The act aims to affect license certification, ongoing conditions of licensure, transparency of ownership and compensation, and the establishment of a wage-setting process for cannabis industry workers.

Main purpose and intent

  • Strengthen and codify requirements around labor peace agreements and labor relations as part of cannabis licensing and registration.
  • Create a formal mechanism (cannabis industry wage board) to study, recommend, and potentially set minimum wages for cannabis industry workers.
  • Increase transparency in ownership structures and compensation data for cannabis licensees.
  • Provide a process to review licensee market share impacts on social equity, small businesses, distressed farmers, supply, and competition, with potential license modifications to address inequities.
  • Align wage-related policy with broader labor and public-interest considerations, while preserving existing worker protections and avoiding detrimental impacts on current labor agreements.

Key provisions and changes

  1. Repeal

  2. Subdivision 29 of section 3 of the cannabis law is repealed.

  3. License review and modifications (cannabis law §10(24))

  4. Two years after the first retail sale, the cannabis wage industry board must review licenses with substantial market share to assess impact on:

    • Social equity license inclusion
    • Fairness for small businesses
    • Distressed farmers
    • Adequate cannabis supplies
    • Prevention of dominant marketplace participation

  5. The board may modify license terms to better achieve these goals; licensees can appeal for a formal hearing.

  6. Reviews must consider violations of state labor law and labor peace agreements.

  7. An existing collective bargaining agreement cannot be infringed or voided if a licensee’s market share is reduced.

  8. License applicant disclosures (cannabis law §35(1)(a) amended)

  9. Adds new information requirements for applicants:

    • For-profit status, identity and ownership details of officers/directors, and any members of the applicant.
    • For each listed individual or entity:
    • Ten-year management/ownership positions in cannabis businesses (≥10% interest).
    • History of felonies, license suspensions, or penalties related to cannabis licenses.
    • Any other information the board reasonably requires.

  10. Additional qualification standards (cannabis law §35(1)(a) amended)

  11. Adds good moral character and reiterates labor peace agreement considerations as part of registration conditions, with ongoing material conditions modified accordingly.

  12. Repeals previous explicit reference to labor peace agreement maintenance as an ongoing condition in certain subsections, while keeping related safeguards.

  13. Renewal criteria (cannabis law §35(6)(a)) and suspension/termination (cannabis law §35(7))

  14. Renewal decisions may consider compliance with state laws and public-interest factors, including whether there is an excess of registered organizations in a given area.

  15. Previously explicit grounds related to labor peace agreements in renewal are revised; other grounds for refusal or suspension may apply, including cross-jurisdictional violations.

  16. Labor law reference (labor law §64(1)(i) renamed)

  17. Replaces the direct requirement of a labor peace agreement with a consideration of whether applicants have a construction union agreement for construction-related licensed facilities when there are 25+ employees.

  18. Repeal and new data disclosure (cannabis law §66 and new §66(5))

  19. Repeals §66(5) and adds a new disclosure requirement:

    • Full ownership structure of the licensee and any management service agreements.
    • Public reporting on:
    • The salary/hourly pay ranges for each job title.
    • The average hours scheduled or offered per position.

  20. Information to be publicly posted on the agency’s website.

  21. Creation of a cannabis industry wage board (new §§ 665)

  22. Establishes a three-member wage board:

    • One representative from the NY licensed cannabis industry
    • One representative from the NY AFL-CIO
    • One public member appointed by the commissioner (chair)

  23. First hearing required by March 1, 2027; no salary, but travel expenses reimbursed.

  24. Quorum: two-thirds of board members.

  25. Authority to hold public hearings, issue subpoenas, and take depositions; shall determine procedures independently of common procedural rules.

  26. Required minimum three in-state hearings with bilingual accessibility (Spanish; interpreter for other languages as needed).

  27. Board to publish a report with wage recommendations by December 31, 2027, covering:

    • Minimum hourly wages by occupation (cultivation, processing/packaging, distribution, retail/delivery)
    • Potential classifications and an industry-wide minimum wage
    • Recommendations must be adopted by a majority of the board

  28. Recommendations are non-diminishing to existing rights and protections for cannabis workers.

  29. The commissioner must respond under existing wage-related law and may reconvene or appoint a new wage board to implement or adjust recommendations.

Who and what would be affected

  • Cannabis licensees and applicants: subject to revised qualification, disclosure, and renewal criteria; potential license modifications under market-share reviews; increased transparency of ownership and compensation data.
  • Labor unions and workers: creation of a wage board aimed at addressing compensation standards in the cannabis industry; potential future wage adjustments.
  • Social equity and small business interests: explicit consideration in license reviews to prevent market dominance and preserve equitable access.
  • Public: new wage data transparency on licensees’ ownership and pay scales; publicly accessible through the licensing agency website.
  • Government bodies: Cabinet/commissioner oversight for license approvals, renewals, and wage board administration; annual reporting and compliance requirements.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date: immediate for most provisions; sections 7-a and 8 take effect January 31, 2027.
  • Wage board first hearing due by March 1, 2027; three in-state public hearings required with multilingual accessibility.
  • Wage board report deadline: December 31, 2027.
  • Subsequent compliance and potential regulatory actions governed by existing sections of the cannabis and labor laws.

Summary

S 10643 seeks to intensify oversight of cannabis licensing with a focus on labor peace agreements, transparency of ownership and compensation, and equity in market participation. It creates a state wage board to study and propose industry-wide wages, requiring inclusive public hearings and bilingual accessibility. It also expands disclosure requirements for licensees and broadens the framework for license renewal and potential modifications to address social equity and labor standards, while aligning with existing labor and regulatory structures.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.