Week of January 20, 2025

This bill would ban the NYPD's Strategic Response Group from responding to protests and demonstrations, and would prohibit tactics like kettling, pepper spray, tear gas, and bicycle charges at First Amendment events. The department would also have to publicly report quarterly on all officer deployments to protests, including arrests, use of force, and complaints.

This bill would require ALL NYC restaurants to display sodium and added sugar warning labels on menu items, expanding current rules that only apply to large chains. Restaurants that fail to comply would face $200 fines. The goal is to help diners make healthier choices by clearly seeing which dishes are high in sodium and added sugar.

This bill would establish a city-funded legal services program providing free or low-cost divorce representation to low-income domestic violence survivors. Eligible survivors (earning up to 250% of federal poverty level) would receive either full ongoing legal representation or brief legal consultations through contracted nonprofits, with the city's Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence coordinating the program.

This bill would require all bicyclists in NYC to wear properly fitted and fastened protective helmets while riding. Violation would result in a civil penalty up to $50. The proposal aims to reduce head injury risk among cyclists.

This bill would require the city to establish and operate ferry service to LaGuardia and JFK airports by January 1, 2026, providing passengers and airport workers an alternative transportation option. The ferry system would connect to existing city ferry networks and coordinate with the Port Authority on fares and schedules.

This bill would require the city to notify community boards, council members, and borough presidents before renewing emergency shelter contracts in their districts. It would also give these local officials 90 days to submit advisory opinions to the comptroller on whether shelters should be renewed, and require the city to consult with all relevant agencies managing shelters.

This bill would require the city to establish at least one pet food pantry within 6 months, providing free pet food to low-income New Yorkers. The program aims to help pet owners afford food for their animals and potentially reduce pet surrenders to shelters, with the city reporting back in 18 months on whether to expand it citywide.

This bill would require the city to create an online portal where vulnerable and homebound New Yorkers can voluntarily register themselves to receive emergency outreach and support during crises like natural disasters or public health emergencies. The portal would complement existing agency lists and help ensure isolated residents aren't overlooked when the city mobilizes aid.

This bill proposes creating an interagency portal where NYC agencies can share street vending enforcement data, including violation history and license verification. The portal would help enforcement agencies coordinate inspections, track repeat violators, and reduce duplicative enforcement against street vendors.

This bill proposes requiring city agencies to distribute information about the disability rent increase exemption program to people with disabilities who receive benefits. Multiple agencies—including the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities, HPD, DCWP, and community boards—would be required to offer application materials in multiple languages to eligible residents.

This bill would allow doulas and licensed midwives to use an affirmative defense against parking tickets if they can prove they were making a house call to provide maternal health services at the time and location of the violation. The defense would only apply to 'no parking' sign violations, not other parking restrictions, and would take effect 90 days after passage.

This bill would require syringe service programs across NYC to provide participants with portable sharps disposal containers and guidance on safe needle disposal, and would mandate the city report every six months on needle collection efforts in public spaces. The goal is to reduce public health risks from discarded needles while supporting people who use drugs.

This is a call on New York State legislators to move animal cruelty laws from the Agriculture and Markets Law into the Penal Law and strengthen penalties. The resolution argues that codifying these laws in the Penal Code would make them more accessible to police, enable judges to impose consecutive sentences for multiple victims, and increase maximum prison time to align with other states like Pennsylvania.

This resolution asks Congress to pass a federal bill that would create $10 billion in annual tax credits to fund private school scholarships for up to 2 million students nationwide, including those in NYC. Supporters argue it would give families more educational options amid concerns about public school performance and student departures since COVID.

This resolution urges New York State to pass the PAWS Act, which would expand state vehicle laws to recognize pets as victims when drivers hit them without exercising proper care, and would increase penalties for hitting a pet and leaving the scene from roughly $100–$200 to $500–$750. The change aims to provide better legal recourse for pet owners and discourage hit-and-runs involving animals.

This bill proposes requiring the Department of Veterans' Services to study whether New York City could launch a pilot program offering reconsolidation of traumatic memories therapy—a treatment aimed at reducing PTSD symptoms in veterans. The study would assess clinical effectiveness, estimate eligible veterans, analyze costs, and identify funding sources, with recommendations due within 18 months.

This resolution urges New York State to pass a bill that would let NYC's nine specialized high schools (like Stuyvesant and LaGuardia) set their own admission standards instead of relying solely on the SHSAT standardized test. Supporters argue the current single-exam system excludes Black and Latinx students—who make up 62% of the school district but only 12% of specialized school admits—and perpetuates school segregation.

This bill would require Business Improvement District (BID) board members to give 30 days' notice before resigning. The notice requirement would be included in each BID's district plan. It aims to ensure stability and continuity in BID leadership.

This resolution calls on Congress to pass federal legislation that would give people legal rights to protect their voice and likeness from unauthorized AI-generated deepfakes. It's a non-binding statement supporting stronger protections against synthetic media misuse, complementing existing New York laws on deepfakes.

This resolution urges New York State to pass legislation creating guaranteed income programs—regular cash payments to low-income households, homeless shelter residents, and foster youth. The resolution cites research showing such programs help people cover basic needs and improve financial stability, and calls on the state to enact four specific bills currently pending in Albany.

This resolution asks New York State to create 'baby bonds'—$1,000 savings accounts for newborns in households earning $125,000 or less, managed by the state comptroller and accessible at age 18. The City Council argues the program would help address racial wealth gaps and give low-income families a foundation for education, homeownership, or starting a business.

This resolution urges Congress and the President to pass the American Opportunity Accounts Act, which would create a $1,000 federally funded savings account for every newborn, with additional annual deposits for lower-income families. Beneficiaries could access funds at 18 for education, homeownership, or investments. The resolution argues this federal policy could help close racial and economic wealth gaps.

This bill proposes to rename Murdock Avenue in Queens (between 180th Street and the block's dead end) to 'The Live End.' If passed, the city's official map would be updated to reflect the new street name.