Governor Hochul Unveils 50 Actions to Reduce Bureaucracy in New York

Governor Kathy Hochul revealed a comprehensive plan comprising 50 initiatives aimed at cutting red tape and fees, ultimately helping residents navigate state government more easily.

On Monday, she detailed efforts to simplify the license renewal process for a variety of professions, including barbers, cosmetologists, real estate agents, notaries, and security personnel, among others regulated by the Department of State.

“I think everyone would agree that government ought to serve the people, not hinder them. Bureaucratic obstacles only waste time and resources,” Hochul commented, noting that her reforms could impact around 800,000 New Yorkers.

“After hearing from New Yorkers directly, we’re moving to eliminate unnecessary regulations, enhance housing and infrastructure, streamline access to healthcare, and reduce burdensome fees, all in the interest of creating a more effective government,” she added.

Among other significant changes:

• The Department of Health revised requirements for nursing homes, removing the need for them to contribute 25% equity in construction efforts, thus facilitating upgrades and new builds.
• The highways authority has done away with permit requirements for internal advertising.
• The $25 application fee to obtain licenses for “leash tracking” or hunting dogs will be eliminated for recreational hunters.
• The deposit requirement for shipping manufactured homes that are 14- to 16-feet wide has been scrapped, making delivery more affordable.
• Commercial scale or meter application fees have been lifted by the Department of Agriculture and Markets.
• Duplicate administrative requirements in the Medicaid program for healthcare providers have been removed.

Additionally, some outdated regulations have been entirely eliminated.

For instance, the Department of Mental Health is doing away with COVID-19 vaccination mandates for staff in facilities overseen by the Office of Mental Health, as the pandemic is now largely under control.

Hochul emphasized that easing these regulations would benefit over 1.5 million New Yorkers, including families, small businesses, and workers, leading to an estimated savings of a million hours through reduced reporting demands and streamlined processes.

The EXPRESS NY initiative, first introduced during the 2026 State of the State Address, is projected to save residents “tens of millions of dollars” by cutting unnecessary fees and compliance burdens.

As she gears up for re-election this fall, Hochul will be vying for a second four-year term against Republican contender Bruce Blakeman, the Nassau County Executive.