Week of January 26, 2026

This proposed bill would require contractors providing human services for the city to pay workers wages matching what the city pays employees in comparable positions. The city comptroller would set these 'required wages' annually, and all city contracts would need to budget for these rates plus fringe benefits before being awarded. Contractors would face audits and record-keeping requirements to ensure compliance.

This proposed bill would add 'poverty' and 'any lawful source of income' as protected classes under NYC's anti-discrimination law, making it illegal for employers, employment agencies, and labor unions to discriminate based on someone's economic status or how they earn money. It would also extend these protections to access to public accommodations and training programs.

This bill would require the city to guarantee an after-school program slot for every student who requests one, starting by September 2024. It also mandates annual reporting on progress toward universal after-school access, including costs, enrollment numbers, and demographic data—with reporting requirements ending once the goal is fully achieved.

This bill proposes to create a universal youth employment program that would guarantee summer or part-time jobs to every young person ages 14–21 who wants one. The city would partner with private and public employers, identify barriers like transportation or childcare, and connect youth with resources to overcome them.

This proposed bill would require the city to automatically enroll eligible New Yorkers in city benefit programs—like SNAP, housing assistance, or other aid—without requiring them to apply. The city would use tax records and other data to identify eligible people, send them notice, and let them opt out if they choose. The aim is to reduce barriers to benefits that many people qualify for but never claim.

This proposed bill would ban residential building owners from using facial recognition and other biometric technologies to identify tenants or guests. It would also tighten rules on what personal data smart access systems (like keyless entry) can collect from residents, requiring explicit written consent and limiting data to only what's necessary for building entry.

This bill would prohibit creditors from discriminating when issuing credit and require them to transparently disclose how they calculate interest rates for borrowers. The goal is to prevent discriminatory lending practices and give New Yorkers more clarity on why they're offered specific loan terms.

This bill would ban unauthorized GPS tracking and similar surveillance technology on people and their property without consent. The proposal aims to protect New Yorkers' privacy from illegal location monitoring, which can endanger domestic violence survivors, activists, and other vulnerable groups.

This bill proposes to regulate how NYPD uses Tasers and other conducted electrical weapons. The Public Advocate introduced it to establish rules around when and how officers can deploy these devices, affecting police accountability and public safety practices citywide.

The City Council approved a tax break modification for Penn South, a 2,280-unit cooperative housing development in Chelsea. A recent state law change lowered the minimum tax payment requirement for such developments, and this resolution updates Penn South's agreement with the city to reflect that change, reducing their tax obligation from 10% to 5% of annual rent and carrying charges (or a 2000-2001 baseline amount, whichever is lower) through 2057.

A committee hearing was held this week on a bill that would establish a commission to review and recommend salary changes for NYC's elected officials—including the mayor, city council members, comptroller, public advocate, borough presidents, and district attorneys. The commission would be appointed every four years and submit recommendations within 60 days; the Council would then decide whether to approve any pay changes. The bill was laid over after the hearing, meaning committee members want more time to consider it.

The Committee on Mental Health and Substance Use held a hearing this week on a bill requiring the city's Department of Health to publish annual reports on suicide deaths and youth suicide-related behavior, broken down by age, race, borough, and other demographics. The bill passed committee and now goes to the full City Council for a vote.

The Committee on Contracts held a hearing this week on a bill that would require the city to create one searchable online database showing all major government contracts from start to finish. The portal would display procurement plans before they're released, bid documents and deadlines when posted, and final contract details including spending and subcontractors—all updated within 30 days of each procurement event.

The Sanitation Committee held a hearing this week on a bill that would require food vendors, kiosks, and other city concessionaires to keep the sidewalks and streets around their structures clean. Violators would face steep fines—up to $3,500 for repeat offenses—and the bill would take effect 90 days after passage.

A committee held a hearing this week on a pilot program to use power-washing machines to clean sidewalks in commercial areas across the city. The Department of Sanitation would test the program in at least one location per borough (5+ contiguous blocks each) and report back by December 2027 on whether to expand it citywide.

A hearing was held this week on a bill that would restructure New York City's youth board by reducing its size from 28 to 20 members, requiring that young people ages 16-24 make up a meaningful portion of the board, and establishing clearer reporting requirements. The bill would also give the City Council Speaker equal appointment power with the Mayor and create annual accountability reports to the Council.

The Health Committee held a hearing this week on a bill that would give NYC city employees up to 5 paid days off for bone marrow donation and up to 20 paid days off for living organ donation. The bill also creates a voluntary honor roll recognizing city employees who donate. The committee laid the bill over without voting.

The Committee on Health held a hearing this week on a bill requiring the city Department of Health to create and post clear written guidance on how to get permits for child care programs. The guidance must explain all required licenses and approvals, show the order to obtain them, and be available in multiple languages on the city website.

The Committee on Contracts held a hearing this week on a bill that would tighten oversight of emergency city contracts. The bill requires agencies to notify the City Council within 15 days after awarding emergency contracts (instead of whenever practicable) and submit contracts to the Comptroller for audit review within the same timeframe. It also limits emergency contract terms to 60 days unless the agency explains in writing why a longer term—up to 270 days maximum—is necessary.

The Committee on Contracts held a hearing this week on a bill that would increase criminal penalties for contractors who lie on city bids and require more detailed tracking of subcontractors. The bill raises fines from $1,000 to up to $25,000 and prison time up to 6 months for false statements, and creates a new requirement for contractors to disclose subcontractor ownership, addresses, alternative business names, and whether they're minority- or women-owned businesses.

The Transportation Committee held a hearing this week on a bill that would let community organizations request extended hours for the city's Open Streets program during holidays and busy pedestrian periods like Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Fourth of July, Labor Day, and Halloween. The bill would amend city law to create a formal process for these "special activation" requests, though the final decision rests with the Department of Transportation.

The Committee on Education held a hearing this week on a bill requiring the city to publish monthly reports on how quickly and completely it pays early childhood care and education providers. The bill would mandate transparency on payment delays, partial payments, and unpaid invoices—giving parents and providers visibility into reimbursement processing times.

This bill would require NYC's Administration for Children's Services (ACS) to give parents a verbal explanation of their rights when first contacted about a child abuse or maltreatment investigation. Parents would be informed they can refuse searches, decline to answer questions, request legal help, and learn details about allegations. ACS would have to document that this information was provided.

This proposed bill would require the city to study and report on how social media affects the mental health of young New Yorkers. The city would need to collect data, analyze trends, and make recommendations based on findings—giving the Council and public concrete information about this growing public health concern.

This proposal would prohibit NYC from denying crime victim services to people based on gang affiliation. Currently, some crime victims may be excluded from city services due to perceived or actual gang involvement. The bill aims to ensure all crime victims—regardless of background—can access support like counseling, emergency assistance, and legal aid.

This proposed bill would create a city financial assistance program providing up to $10,000 per person to help low-income seniors (age 60+) and people with disabilities install home safety modifications like grab bars, handrails, ramps, and stair lifts. The goal is to reduce fall risk and help older adults and disabled New Yorkers live independently longer in their own homes.

This bill would require the city to launch a grab-and-go meal program at older adult centers within 180 days, offering freshly prepared meals for seniors 60 and older. Centers could voluntarily participate, and the city would provide signage to inform seniors about the program.

This proposal would require the city to study whether raised crosswalks, raised intersections, and speed-reducing features could be installed near schools to improve pedestrian safety. The study would examine feasibility and costs, helping the city determine if these traffic-calming measures are practical for protecting students.

This proposed bill would modify rental assistance eligibility rules to include street homeless individuals. Currently, rental assistance programs often have requirements that exclude people living on the streets; this bill aims to remove those barriers and make it easier for this vulnerable group to access housing support.

This bill would require NYC buildings to provide at least one gender-neutral bathroom facility alongside separate men's and women's bathrooms. It would amend the city's plumbing and building codes to mandate gender-neutral toilet facilities in assembly spaces (like venues and stores) and allow them to count toward overall bathroom requirements.

This bill would require the city to create a free technical support program specifically for older adults, offering help with computers, phones, telehealth navigation, and device support. The program would be available in all designated citywide languages to ensure access across NYC's diverse senior population.

This proposed bill would ban the sale and rental of Class 3 e-bikes (electric bicycles capable of speeds up to 28 mph) in New York City. Violators would face civil penalties up to $2,000 per violation. The bill aims to address safety concerns around high-powered e-bikes on city streets.

This proposal would require certain employers to give workers paid time off for preventative medical screenings like cancer screenings, blood pressure checks, and colonoscopies. The bill aims to remove scheduling barriers that keep workers from getting routine health care.

This bill would require the NYPD to create guidance for officers to divert young people to community-based organizations instead of making arrests. The department would need to report quarterly on how many youth are diverted by precinct, broken down by age, race, gender identity, and the type of offense involved.

This bill proposes to ban developers who receive city financial assistance from restricting pet ownership in rental units they build. The measure aims to expand housing options for pet owners, who often struggle to find apartments that allow animals in NYC.

This proposal would require the Department of Housing Preservation and Development to inspect tenant-reported housing violations within 30 days and establish a clear process for follow-up inspections, phone/text outreach, and multilingual notices. It aims to ensure housing complaints are actually investigated and resolved rather than languishing unaddressed.

This bill would require the Department of Correction to return ALL unused commissary funds in cash to people when they're released from custody, rather than the current system that limits immediate cash withdrawals to $200. It aims to ensure formerly incarcerated people get their money back quickly and without fees as part of their discharge process.

This bill would require building owners to give tenants at least 14 days' advance notice before starting major construction work, and to notify tenants in neighboring buildings on the same block. Owners would have to include details like work type, dates, hours, and contractor contact info, and file a copy with the city's Office of the Tenant Advocate. The goal is to give renters time to prepare for disruptions from construction.

This bill proposes to set qualifications for workers who inspect and maintain fire and smoke dampers and smoke control systems in buildings. It would establish professional standards to ensure these critical safety devices are properly serviced by qualified technicians.

This bill proposes to expand access to rapid self-testing kits for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) across New York City. By making these tests more widely available, the proposal aims to increase early detection and reduce stigma around STI screening, helping residents identify infections quickly and seek treatment.

This bill would allow homeowners to rent out basement apartments in one- and two-family homes, provided they obtain proper city certificates of occupancy. Currently, cellars in such buildings cannot legally be used as living spaces. The proposal aims to increase housing supply while maintaining safety standards through official approval.

This bill proposes to require cooperative housing corporations to disclose financial information to people considering buying into a co-op apartment. Currently, co-op boards can limit what financial details they share with prospective buyers, which can hide problems like deferred maintenance or cash flow issues. The requirement would give buyers crucial information to make informed decisions before purchasing.

This proposal would require construction sites in NYC to post information about wage theft protections and worker rights. The bill aims to inform workers about what constitutes wage theft and where to report violations, helping protect construction workers from wage exploitation.

This bill proposes a pilot program through the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene that would offer free mental health services—including therapy, psychiatric assessments, and medication management—to children for up to one year after they return home from foster care removal. The city would evaluate after one year whether to expand or make the program permanent.

This bill would require the city's housing portal to list vacant affordable housing units and notify interested applicants when openings match their preferences. It aims to make the process for renting previously-occupied affordable units more transparent and accessible to residents seeking affordable housing.

This bill would require the Department of Housing Preservation and Development to set up free, in-person assistance centers in public spaces (libraries, community centers, recreation facilities) across all community districts to help New Yorkers apply for affordable housing through the city's portal. Staff or volunteers would provide hands-on support with applications, document preparation, and appeals, with services offered weekly in multiple languages.

This bill would require the Department of Education to provide information about how schools comply with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The proposal aims to increase transparency and accountability around disability accommodations in NYC public schools.

This bill would require the city to regularly report detailed crime statistics from homeless shelters to the City Council and public. It aims to increase transparency about safety conditions in shelters, a key concern for both residents and shelter operators.

This proposal would require the city to develop a college admissions counseling program to help high school students navigate the application process. The program aims to increase college access and completion, particularly for students who may lack family experience with higher education.

This proposed bill would require the NYC Department of Correction to provide videoconferencing services for people held in city jails, likely to facilitate legal consultations, family visits, or court proceedings. The measure aims to improve access and communication for incarcerated individuals while potentially reducing transportation costs and security risks associated with in-person visits.

This proposal would raise the threshold for shutting down a commuter van service, requiring more violations before the city can revoke their operating license. The change would make it harder for the city to penalize van operators, potentially affecting safety oversight of these informal transit services used by many outer-borough residents.

This proposed bill would require distressed property consultants to disclose their fees and services upfront to homeowners facing foreclosure, and would mandate that the city provide foreclosure prevention education to at-risk homeowners. The bill aims to protect vulnerable New Yorkers from predatory practices while connecting them with legitimate help.

This proposal would require NYC's 311 customer service center to accept service requests and complaints through video calls, in addition to phone and online options. The change aims to improve accessibility for deaf, hard-of-hearing, and other residents who may have difficulty using traditional phone-based reporting.

This proposal would require the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) to report details about complaints it rejects due to lack of jurisdiction, and would mandate the NYPD to notify complainants when cases are transferred to them and to report annually on how those cases are handled. Currently, rejected complaints often disappear from public view.

The City Council approved amendments to its internal rules this week that reorganize and clarify the jurisdictions of its standing committees. The changes rename some committees, adjust which city agencies fall under each committee's oversight, and create new committees like 'Combat Hate' to address emerging policy priorities.

The City Council approved changes to committee memberships this week, reassigning Council Members to different committees. This resolution shuffles who sits on committees like Aging, Health, Public Safety, and Transportation—a routine annual housekeeping matter that determines which lawmakers oversee which policy areas.

This resolution urges New York State to create a state-run homeowners insurance program as a backup option for residents who can't get coverage in the private market. NYC homeowners face soaring premiums (up 18–26% since 2018) and sharp increases in policy non-renewals, leaving many underinsured or uninsured.

This resolution calls on the MTA to provide bus and subway announcements in the four most commonly spoken languages in NYC, in addition to English. Nearly two million New Yorkers have limited English proficiency, and multilingual announcements would improve transit access and safety for non-English speakers.

This resolution calls on President Trump to reverse federal workforce layoffs and budget cuts affecting agencies like the Department of Education, FDA, CDC, and NIH. The city notes that roughly 46,000 federal employees work in NYC, and cuts to education, health, and consumer protection agencies would harm students, public health, and New Yorkers' access to vital services.

This resolution urges New York State lawmakers to pass legislation that would protect residents of ground lease cooperatives—buildings where shareholders pay rent to a landowner—by capping annual rent increases at 3% or inflation (whichever is higher) and giving co-ops the right to renew leases and buy the underlying land. Over 10,000 NYC households live in these buildings, many facing potential rent hikes of 600% or more when leases expire, threatening affordability and property values.

This resolution calls on the New York State Legislature to amend the state constitution to allow 16-year-olds to vote in state and local elections. The proposal aims to expand voter participation among younger residents who are affected by local policy decisions on education, transportation, and housing.

This resolution proposes to designate butterfly milkweed as New York City's official wildflower. The designation is largely symbolic and does not create new legal obligations or change city policy.

This resolution urges the New York State Legislature and Governor to pass a state bill that would require prisons and jails to house incarcerated people consistent with their gender identity and ensure respectful treatment during searches and access to gender-affirming care. The bill aims to reduce sexual assault and violence against transgender and gender-nonconforming people in custody, who currently face disproportionately high rates of abuse.

This bill would require the city's sanitation department to study whether New York could mandate household textile recycling—collecting used clothes, fabrics, and similar materials from residents. The study would examine the environmental benefits, costs, market demand, and whether the city would need to build its own textile recycling facility or work with private companies.

This proposal would require the Department of Buildings to report on cases where violations are dismissed or delayed by the city's administrative court system. The report would help the City Council understand how many violations are being adjudicated and what happens to them.