Cuomo Moves Deadline to Decide on N.Y. Independent Contractor Bill

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) has used a legislative loophole to extend the time he has to consider a bill that would redefine trucking independent contractors under state law.

Since both houses of the state Legislature passed the bill in the summer, Cuomo normally would have to sign or veto it by Dec. 31, the New York Post reported. But on that day, he instead formally requested the bill from the Legislature, moving the deadline to Feb. 13.

If Cuomo does not sign the bill by then, it would be considered a “pocket signature” and become law.

The trucking industry and the Teamsters union support the bill, known as the Fair Play Act. It is meant to protect truck drivers from carriers who incorrectly treat them as independent contractors, while setting clear guidelines for the first time for which drivers can be contractors.