A strengthening of protections for commercial and residential tenants will be part of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's State of the State agenda, he announced on Friday. 

One proposal would codify an existing executive order that extends the statewide moratorium on commercial evictions to May 1 for tenants who have had a COVID-related financial hardship. 

Another measure would codify and extend a separate order that bans fees for late or missed rent payments during the pandemic. Tenants facing a hardship due to the pandemic can use their security deposit as a payment. 

State lawmakers approved and Cuomo signed into law last month a measure that expands and broadens residential tenant protections in order to stave off evictions during the crisis.

"COVID-19 has produced enormous hardship for homeowners and commercial and residential tenants as we implement restrictions necessary to protect the public health, and we owe them safety from eviction until they are able to get back on their feet," Cuomo said. 

"That's why we're proposing new legislation to continue to protect small businesses and commercial tenants and further extend existing relief for residents that I have provided by Executive Order. The pandemic shouldn't get in the way of our ability to provide space for our businesses and roofs over our heads, and this assistance will foster a faster and stronger recovery when we finish defeating COVID."