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A 8138

Repeals article 2 of the general business law relating to the sabbath

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Alex Bores

Repeals Article 2 of the General Business Law, removing state Sabbath restrictions and giving counties and businesses greater Sunday operating flexibility.

REFERRED TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
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Bill Summary · A 8138

Summary of Bill A 8138 — Repeals Article 2 of the General Business Law Relating to the Sabbath

Overview

  • Bill number: A 8138
  • Title: Repeals article 2 of the general business law relating to the sabbath
  • Sponsor: Alex Bores (primary)
  • Introduced: May 1, 2025
  • Status: Referred to the Assembly Committee on Economic Development
  • Related companion: S 7886 (companion in the Senate)

What the bill would do

  • The bill would repeal Article 2 of the General Business Law that concerns the Sabbath. In practical terms, this means removing the state-level sabbath provisions that regulate or restrict certain business activities on Sundays as currently codified in that article.
  • By repealing the article, the state would no longer maintain the statutory framework that governs Sabbath-related business restrictions under General Business Law Article 2. No additional provisions are listed in the summary to replace it.

Key provisions (as implied by the bill’s title)

  • Repeal of Article 2: Abolishment of the entire General Business Law Article 2 (the Sabbath-related provisions).
  • No new substitutes specified: The available information does not indicate accompanying replacement rules or transitional provisions beyond the repeal.

Who would be affected

  • Businesses: Potentially greater flexibility to operate on Sundays if the sabbath restrictions are removed.
  • Employees and workers: Indirect effects related to changes in Sunday operations (e.g., scheduling, hours) though the bill text provided does not specify workforce protections or changes.
  • Religious groups and communities: Possible impact on religious observance considerations tied to “blue laws” or Sunday-specific restrictions; the repeal would remove the state’s Sabbath restrictions, not impose new protections.
  • Local governments: Any existing local ordinances aligned with or constrained by the state sabbath article could be affected or rendered moot to the extent the state law previously set a floor or framework.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Committee action: The bill has been referred to the Assembly Committee on Economic Development.
  • Status in Legislature: Referred; typical next steps include committee review, potential amendments, and a floor vote in the Assembly. If passed, the bill would need to be considered by the Senate (and approved by both houses) and then sent to the governor for signature or veto.
  • Companion legislation: A 8138 has a Senate companion, S 7886, indicating concurrent consideration in both chambers.

Potential implications and considerations

  • The repeal would eliminate the statutory basis for Sabbath-related restrictions within the General Business Law, likely increasing or formalizing business operating options on Sundays under state law.
  • Policymakers and stakeholders may weigh implications for commerce, workers, and religious observance practices, as well as any possible alignment with or divergence from local blue laws.
  • The bill’s ultimate impact will depend on how other state or local regulations interact with the repeal and whether any new protections or exemptions are subsequently enacted.

Notes

  • Information provided is based on the bill’s title and the summary details available. For a complete understanding, the full text of A 8138 and any fiscal notes or committee reports should be reviewed once released.

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

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