[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6557361,"mediaKeyId","3298427-cb4ae125a03dc94169bccdeeb1a3ed45","parentId",3298427,"title","Assembly approves bill letting tenants install certain appliances if they meet code and have written consent","audioSeconds",4703,"startMs",3543000,"endMs",8246000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3298427-cb4ae125a03dc94169bccdeeb1a3ed45&start=3543&end=8246","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3298427-cb4ae125a03dc94169bccdeeb1a3ed45/thumbnail_3543000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6557361/New-York/Assembly-approves-bill-letting-tenants-install-certain-appliances-if-they-meet-code-and-have-written-consent","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6557361-f2b2f4d2cc555409956df192bb976775/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448107&Signature=gKw7m44PqTHVMoZdsakUf581QDZLAxneZUEOda5yVY~Wv6lkl1jrZEKpbdEViQQW0Ce7H0IEUy9iEz6FdX1x3Hnzb8apM9dp2LCoVl5Q0rlCNIzGomiME1apD1WHSVj5h20rl003LTLtZjz-YMO5dF8iEBz0R~TTh6AcGheDBauNnhJ5vXea~z-R~R5tlGBrnrBc5kkAVlmIzlVegzOUQ0007bl9-BzPozhulLalF0sV3Uag~AhPawCU5xaBd6EpitfCbNj-hFQM0S-Ewjw~R08q3ORu9q2o~UnRc1AvWVs8j5tmb2ETM2kTysCxgRMnUcAGjikahtWmZjAOaPkMrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New York Legislature","date","2025-05-13T00:00:00Z","article","The Assembly passed legislation to restrict landlords from denying residential tenants the right to install certain appliances and fixtures, so long as the items comply with applicable building codes and the tenant first obtains written consent from the landlord.

Sponsor Miss Rosenthal said the measure (Assembly No. 1865-A, calendar 88) would \"prohibit a landlord from restricting a residential tenant from installing appliances or fixtures if they comply with applicable building codes, and the tenant has sought and obtained written consent from the landlord.\" The bill passed the Assembly by a recorded tally of \"Ayes, 95; Nos, 50.\" It takes effect immediately under the bill's language.

Supporters framed the bill as a narrow consumer-protection measure for tenants who want to replace poorly functioning or inefficient appliances without creating additional landlord expense. Miss Rosenthal described typical examples: sometimes a tenant\u0000whose refrigerator is failing would prefer to buy a replacement that is more energy efficient or better suited to their needs and pay for installation rather than wait for a landlord replacement.

Opponents, led in debate by members representing property-owner interests, warned the bill could impose costs and risks on landlords and building infrastructure. Representative objections included the potential for electrical load issues in older housing stock, plumbing alterations, and disputes over who must store or restore a landlord's original appliance when a tenant departs. One critic summarized the concern: \"It boils down to the ability of a property owner to have control over their own property.\" (Mister Fitzpatrick)

Floor exchanges clarified scope and limits written into the bill. The statutory definition of \"appliances or fixtures\" in the bill is limited to a specific list: refrigerator, freezer, range (including cooktop or oven), built-in microwave oven, sink, faucet or shower head. The bill requires tenants to seek written consent from the landlord before installation and to either restore the unit to its prior condition at lease end or leave the tenant-installed item in place at no cost to the landlord.

Members questioned additional operational details not spelled out in the text: whether installers must be licensed or insured, who stores the landlord's removed appliance during the tenancy, and how landlords would be made whole if a tenant-installed item fails or causes damage. Sponsor Rosenthal said routine practicalities are often worked out between landlords and tenants and that the bill was intentionally narrow to encourage negotiation while protecting tenants who face poor or inefficient appliances.

Representative Bologna, explaining his negative vote, expressed skepticism the bill offered adequate protections for owners and raised examples such as water usage and building operations where tenant choices could create landlord costs. He called the bill \"1 of the most frustrating bills\" he had seen on the floor.

The Assembly recorded the final vote as Ayes 95, Nos 50. The bill's language provides for written consent, adherence to building code and a tenant responsibility to restore or leave the installed appliance at lease termination. The floor debate makes clear that members expect local implementation questions\u0000installers' insurance, storage arrangements, and dispute resolution\u0000to be resolved in practice or in future clarifying legislation.

Ending: With passage, tenants who meet the statutory conditions may install the enumerated appliances or fixtures with written landlord consent and building-code compliance; landlords retain the ability to deny installations that violate code or other legal provisions, while broader disputes over storage, liability and insurance remain topics for follow-up.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","New York Legislature - 5-13-25 Session - May 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Lawmakers passed an amendment to the Real Property Law allowing residential tenants to install specified appliances or fixtures if the items comply with building codes and the tenant obtained written consent. Debate centered on landlord control, infrastructure limits and liability.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature NY, New York","taxId",77685,"location","New York","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6557365,"Assembly extends Black Car Benefit Fund through 2028 amid debate over scope and oversight",1720,2456000,4176000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3298427-cb4ae125a03dc94169bccdeeb1a3ed45&start=2456&end=4176","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3298427-cb4ae125a03dc94169bccdeeb1a3ed45/thumbnail_2456000.jpg","/articles/6557365/New-York/Assembly-extends-Black-Car-Benefit-Fund-through-2028-amid-debate-over-scope-and-oversight","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6557365-6c986c8d508c0a7e43ded08cd53832cd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448107&Signature=gqnL5vjSeeWBeg9bww~87Q95DeB184d6biAPhNCqt4GRz1-nVQ3fXPrqbpwG90Kh53w18FC~Q~dpJvrYMwAlmmAyv3wJ8uH0AhoiQMZLHm0Pq5S8uV~goAVaNDTmuFZE~1AACOpOxqV90VnXnMUAngoDkznpVgq5PkxjFnm5RmBMtSecyclv9fqA2mfceZ4GfCiQ6g~KJ~hy7qltyryADG7Ia9c5vJCBt0ODQAgKLExxfs9QM3DW2kbBBFKuIy0MvKjqAubUIypDrcC5bQcLHz2Obs7524zMusMnjE7kALj0NTnoK19QhpLeQIoOdhNwnk~f1V-5KnHoasodA6TI2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Assembly on the floor advanced legislation to extend the New York Black Car Benefit Fund for three more years, keeping in place a small passenger surcharge that pays for workers\u0000compensation coverage and supplemental health services for black car, livery and ride-hail drivers.

The bill, Assembly No. 7928 (Rules Report 174), sponsored by Miss Cruz, passed in a near-party-line vote, with the clerk announcing \"Ayes, 142; Nos, 2.\" The law continues authorizing the fund\u0000\u0000and the existing passenger surcharge that supports it.

The bill matters because the fund fills a gap for drivers who are often classified as independent contractors and therefore may lack employer-provided benefits. Sponsor Miss Cruz summarized the program\u0000history on the floor: \"The Black Car Fund was created by New York State statute in 1999 to provide workers' compensation coverage to over a hundred thousand independent contractors drivers affiliated with over 500 member bases, including Uber and Lyft. Funded by passenger surcharge, it ensures drivers injured on the job receive benefit without taxpayer costs.\" She also described later why she supported the extension: \"The New York State Black Car Benefit Fund was created with a clear and meaningful purpose to provide workers' compensation coverage for black car drivers who are often classified as independent contractors and therefore not entitled to traditional employee benefits. This fund filled a critical gap, ensuring that drivers injured on the job had access to the care and support they needed. Over time, the fund has expanded to include additional benefits such as vision care and eyeglasses.\" (Miss Cruz, sponsor)

Debate focused on several recurring questions: what benefits the fund can pay for, who pays the surcharge, how eligibility is defined, and whether the legislature has sufficient oversight of the fund's finances. Opponents said expanded benefits go beyond the program\u0000\u0000original workers' compensation purpose and that the surcharge should be reexamined if surplus funds exist. Miss Giglio, explaining her negative vote, said she had sought but not received the fund's May 1 report and urged greater transparency: \"If that report is not available to the legislature, and I would feel much better if it was because we don't know what the surplus is in the account.\" (Miss Giglio)

Supporters argued the program is low-cost to riders and fills real gaps for drivers, citing mobile vision clinics and telemedicine services the fund has provided. Miss People Stokes framed the vote in terms of access to care: \"Access to health care is not free. It's not. And so until we get to a place in this country ... we will be paying for the employer's and employee's health care. That's the way it is.\" (Miss People Stokes)

Key details recorded on the floor and in questions from members:
- The fund was created by statute in 1999 primarily to secure payment of workers' compensation to black car operators under Article 6-F of the Executive Law. The sponsor noted that the program expanded in 2018\u0000and 2019 to add no-cost vision exams, a pair of eyeglasses per year when needed, telemedicine, and later additional benefits. The current extension would move the program's sunset to 2028.
- Passenger surcharge rates were discussed: the 1999 statutory surcharge was 2 percent; the current surcharge in practice was described on the floor as \"2% plus half a point\" (2.5%). Members disputed whether the board had changed rates in recent years and noted the fund's bylaws govern adjustments.
- Eligibility questions included how many hours a driver must work to qualify. One member asked whether drivers needed to work 40 hours per month to qualify; sponsor and other remarks made clear eligibility mechanics were part of the fund's rules and not changed by this extender bill.
- Annual reporting to the legislature and to the Department of State was discussed. A May 1 annual report is statutorily required; some members said they had difficulty obtaining the report and pressed for greater public transparency.

The Assembly recorded the final vote as: Ayes, 142; Nos, 2. The bill was passed and will remain in effect for the additional period specified in the text.

Proponents emphasized the fund\u0000\u0000paid from rider surcharges rather than general taxpayer revenue\u0000\u0000and defended modest, safety-related benefits such as vision care and telemedicine as directly connected to driver and public safety. Opponents warned of mission creep if broader medical benefits were funded through the surcharge without clearer legislative oversight or review of financial surpluses.

The extension is effective immediately under the bill's language. The legislation does not alter the statutory cap language for the surcharge; procedural questions about board authority to set rates and the content of the annual report were left as matters for oversight and future legislative hearings.

Votes and next steps: The extension passed on the floor and will proceed per the normal enrollment and finalization process. Lawmakers who asked for additional transparency said they would pursue copies of the fund's annual submission and consider follow-up oversight.

Ending: The debate underscored a longstanding policy tension: how to provide basic protections to drivers who are not treated as employees while keeping surcharges and fares affordable for riders. Members on both sides signaled willingness to revisit oversight and reporting requirements in future sessions.","The Assembly voted to extend the New York Black Car Benefit Fund\u0000\u0000program for three more years, continuing a passenger surcharge-funded fund that provides workers\u0000compensation and supplemental health benefits to livery and ride-hail drivers. Lawmakers debated eligibility, the surcharge rate and transparency of the fund's finances.","actionData","errors"]

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Assembly approves bill letting tenants install certain appliances if they meet code and have written consent

Assembly extends Black Car Benefit Fund through 2028 amid debate over scope and oversight