The Chamber celebrates major political victory: discovery reforms included in State budget

May 8, 2025 – The Manhattan Chamber of Commerce today hailed the inclusion of critical discovery reforms in the recently passed New York State budget, signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul. The Chamber actively advocated for these reforms, recognizing their vital importance to the business community and the broader justice system, particularly in addressing unintended consequences of earlier changes.

The enacted reforms represent a crucial fix to issues that arose following the 2019 discovery law changes. While those reforms aimed to improve fairness, they unfortunately led to a growing problem where criminal defendants were able to avoid accountability and have cases dismissed based on technicalities related to the discovery process, rather than the merits of the evidence. These outcomes undermined public safety and created uncertainty.

The Manhattan Chamber of Commerce worked diligently alongside a broad coalition of stakeholders to highlight the need for these targeted adjustments. We emphasized how the previous issues impacted the business environment and the overall sense of security in our communities. The inclusion of these necessary fixes in the final budget agreement is a testament to that persistent advocacy.

"This is a significant victory for the Manhattan business community and for common-sense reform in New York State," said Jessica Walker, President and CEO of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce. "We are incredibly grateful to Governor Hochul and the State Legislature for recognizing the urgent need to refine the discovery laws. For too long, we saw cases compromised and accountability evaded due to technicalities stemming from the 2019 changes. These new reforms will bring much-needed balance, efficiency, and fairness back to the legal process, ensuring that justice is served based on the evidence, not procedural loopholes. This is a crucial step for public safety and for a predictable legal environment that benefits everyone."

The Chamber's advocacy efforts included direct engagement with lawmakers, participation in press conferences and coalition meetings, and public statements emphasizing the negative impact of the previous discovery rules on the justice system, businesses, and the economy.

The inclusion of these necessary reforms in the state budget demonstrates the power of focused advocacy and the importance of the business community's voice in shaping state policy. The Manhattan Chamber of Commerce remains committed to working with elected officials to advance policies that foster a favorable business climate and support economic growth across New York City and State.