Gov. Kathy Hochul has unveiled 50 steps her administration says will reduce red tape and eliminate unnecessary fees, part of a broader effort to make it easier for New Yorkers to navigate state government.
On Monday, Hochul said the state will streamline license renewal applications for barbers, cosmetologists, real estate professionals, notaries, security guards and other workers licensed through the Department of State.
The changes are expected to impact about 800,000 New Yorkers, according to the governor.
“The purpose of government should be to work for the people, not against them, and every New Yorker can agree that bureaucratic obstacles stand in the way, wasting time and money,” Hochul said.
“After hearing directly from New Yorkers, we’re cutting red tape, making it easier to build housing and infrastructure, access healthcare, and cut down on burdensome fees and paperwork — delivering a more efficient government for every New Yorker,” she added.
Additional initiatives are also part of the plan:
- The Health Department reducing the requirement for nursing homes to contribute 25% equity to construction projects, making it easier to building and modernize their facilities across the state.
- The Thruway Authority will eliminate the permitting requirement for on-premises advertising
- — Repealing a $25 application fee recreational hunters have to pay for “leashed tracking” or hunting dog licenses
- Eliminating a $25,000 bonding requirement for transporting manufactured homes between 14- and 16-feet wide, making it easier and more affordable to deliver prefabricated homes throughout New York.
- The Department of Agriculture and Markets repealed a $100 application fee for the use of a commercial weighing or measuring device in New York State.
- Eliminating duplicate paper work requirements in the Medicaid program for health care providers
Some rules were obsolete and were taken off the books.
For example, the Office of Mental Health reform will repeal regulations regarding COVID-19 vaccination requirements for staff in OMH facilities. The pandemic subsided years ago and the rules are no longer appropriate for the current public health landscape.
Hochul claimed more than 1.5 million New Yorkers across the state including families, small businesses, and workers will benefit by reducing rules and regulations.
She estimated the changes will save residents 1 million hours in time by cutting unnecessary reporting requirements, digitizing paperwork and streamlining training.
“Tens of millions of dollars” for New Yorkers will be slashed in unnecessary fees and compliance costs, according to the EXPRESS NY (Expediting Processes and Regulations to Enable Streamlined Services) initiative first announced in her 2026 State of the State address in January.
The Democratic governor is seeking re-election this fall to a second full, four-year term. She faces off against Republican gubernatorial nominee Bruce Blakeman, the Nassau County executive.
