Hochul orders agencies to use AI to find and cut outdated rules

In short: Gov. Kathy Hochul is telling New York State agencies to modernize government by identifying outdated rules and using AI to help find them faster.

What happened

Gov. Kathy Hochul’s 2026 State of the State agenda includes a statewide push to “speed up government” by cutting outdated and unnecessary regulations that slow down services.

She directed all state agencies to look for regulations that are obsolete. She also opened a 30 day call for ideas from local governments, community groups, businesses, and residents on where to cut red tape, meaning steps and paperwork that can make simple tasks take longer.

Hochul’s plan uses new technology, including artificial intelligence. Here, AI means software that can scan large amounts of text quickly, like a helper that flips through a huge rulebook and puts sticky notes on pages that look outdated. The AI would flag items in state regulations, reports, and policies for staff to review.

The state has already started rolling out changes through an initiative called EXPRESS NY. Officials announced 50 actions across 22 agencies to modify or eliminate rules and policies. Examples include removing a 1950s rule that required restaurants to get a special permit for women to work after midnight, and dropping oddly specific paperwork requirements for truck and bus operators.

Why it matters

If the review works, everyday interactions with the state could take less time and cost less, from permits to basic forms. It could also mean some long-standing requirements, including boards or councils that no longer have a clear purpose, get updated or removed after review.

Source: NYTimes