Albany, NY – The 2026 Legislative Session in Albany began today January 7th, 2026. Following a year defined by bringing home resources and legislative accomplishments to the Mohawk Valley, investments and policies that have served to expand educational, financial, health & mental health benefits and opportunities for veterans and first responders, empower our local businesses while protecting consumers, strengthen our schools, increase public safety, and revitalize our communities, Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon (D-119) is proud to announce her legislative priorities for 2026. “As we begin a new Session, while I realize we are faced with many challenges, I will continue to
champion and advocate for the needs of the Mohawk Valley and the vital resources that our businesses and residents deserve. I will continue to be your voice,” said the Assemblywoman.
Focused on policies designed to bolster protections for our law enforcement and first responders, strengthen public safety, improve healthcare access, strive for affordability, address gaps in children services and the on-going youth crisis, and support local small businesses, Buttenschon added: “My commitment has always been to amplify the voices of our communities. We face unique challenges here in the Mohawk Valley, and I will continue to collaborate with local leaders, state officials, and our residents to bring home meaningful resources and solutions to our region.” Among Assemblywoman Buttenschon’s legislative priorities for the new session:
● A.4330: It is imperative that those responsible for furthering the deadly opioid crisis are held accountable. This legislation will ensure that anyone who knowingly exposes another person to fentanyl, including law enforcement officers, will face charges of felony assault in the first degree.
● A.1075A: It is essential that we protect the youth of New York State, and we can do this through this legislation by holding our youth accountable and removing firearms from their possession. Currently under “Raise the Age” legislation, in order for an adolescent to be held accountable for illegally possessing a firearm, it is required for the adolescent to physically “display” the weapon. This requirement is incredibly hard to gather evidence for, making this a difficult crime to prosecute. This bill would remove the requirement to have an adolescent “display” a loaded firearm, instead requiring simple physical custody in
order for them to illegally possess it.
● A.6210: The childcare industry is struggling immensely due to staffing shortages and a lack of funding for the career. There are childcare buildings across the state that are empty because they cannot staff the building. These staffing shortages are due in part to the needed experience an individual must have in order to be a qualified hire. When completing educational requirements to be certified for this type of work, many individuals are required to complete some sort of internship/experiential learning program. However, this valuable educational component does not translate to the “experience” requirement to be a qualified
hire. This legislation seeks to remove the experience requirement to be classified as a qualified childcare instructor, in hopes of alleviating staffing shortages in the industry.
● A.5213: There is a growing and unmet need for mental health, behavioral conditions, and developmental disability services for the elementary students of New York. Medical experts, educators, and parents agree our children are in crisis, but are at a loss of how best to assess and address their needs. This bill will establish a community stakeholder committee to examine appropriate and effective screening methods and interventions for children with a developmental disability, mental health or behavioral conditions and other educational support for students in kindergarten through grade 5.
● A.708: In response to workforce and volunteer shortages among the state’s emergency medical service providers, this bill, by establishing reciprocity between national and state emergency medical technician (EMTs) licensing requirements, would work to alleviate the current resource strain by enabling nationally licensed EMTs to, at no cost, fee, or further examination requirements, practice in New York State.
● A.9383: New York is facing an increasing shortage of general/family physicians. One of the reasons for the increasing trend is that the cost of doing business in the state is exceedingly prohibitive. This bill would allow physicians looking to establish a doctors’ office in the field of primary care services to access the START-UP NY program, which helps new and expanding businesses through tax-based incentives and academic partnerships. Expanding the START-UP NY program to include primary care services will increase access to primary care physicians in otherwise underserved areas of the state. Furthermore, as Chair of the Assembly Standing Committee on Small Business, Buttenschon reaffirmed her
commitment to supporting small & local businesses, stating; “Our small businesses are the backbone of our local economies. As Chair of the Small Business Committee, I will strive to ensure they have the support and resources needed to thrive, grow, and continue their crucial contributions to the vitality of our communities,” Buttenschon added “I will
continue to work with my colleagues to identify areas where we can relieve some of the burdens faced by small businesses, and push meaningful policy to further support them.”
As the cornerstone of her efforts, Assemblywoman Buttenschon invites the residents of the 119th District to continue to share their priorities and concerns throughout the legislative session. For more information or to share your thoughts, please contact Assemblywoman Buttenschon’s Utica District Office at (315) 732-1055.
About Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon
Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon proudly represents New York’s 119th Assembly District, encompassing the cities of Utica and Rome as well as surrounding towns in Oneida County. A lifelong educator and former Dean of Public Service and Emergency Preparedness at Mohawk Valley Community College, she brings decades of experience advocating for equity, access, and opportunity across public health, education, and emergency services.
In the Assembly, she serves as Chair of the Committee on Small Business and as a member of the Agriculture, Education, Higher Education, and Veterans’ Affairs Committees, where she champions bipartisan solutions to improve quality of life. Her work reflects a steadfast commitment to ensuring that every family in her district and beyond can live with dignity, support, and a voice in their future.
