[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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",6560556,"mediaKeyId","3327413-8d74aea9c5e306267cf87bb374584c22","parentId",3327413,"title","Assembly approves bill requiring MTA to notify riders of bedbug discoveries","audioSeconds",32,"startMs",5288000,"endMs",5320000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3327413-8d74aea9c5e306267cf87bb374584c22&start=5288&end=5320","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3327413-8d74aea9c5e306267cf87bb374584c22/thumbnail_5288000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6560556/New-York/Assembly-approves-bill-requiring-MTA-to-notify-riders-of-bedbug-discoveries","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6560556-148abfc7d6fead64c4a72ec230e51878/orig.mp4?Expires=1770772042&Signature=S7BVEs~LTioeZHtAoxt59Q9wxWJg~bheCpfZbU835kf2KTOFBYKMcyHqRydSOIWUH1-pznm950091fAo6cGdVOcfFc6HofLxIPs4cTbuFGmbUxZBl3PXfTLEy~EP-o4DK0QmU0bjfON1bPPdzRNC9OftTl4wglWRgSYDEiBaUUaWLBwtJbhQyWC60BCuGAO43H16OcBYvWbJG1qmbTF5SIYo~z4Zd7OtZ3-Y8ZYbVzExK5z-2HwxaTGSc4Uzmo0J3eLFilgUZp2y6EVvSkosckmdH9w7k-z1uRwJf2zTDcJSfbIIZwl-lDq8MCo~gCaYVqE-ur5SfAZ8FpSDX4f4Aw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New York Legislature","date","2025-05-15T00:00:00Z","article","The Assembly passed legislation requiring the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to inform customers within 24 hours when the authority discovers a bedbug infestation on subways, trains or buses. The bill passed 102–37.

Sponsor Assemblymember Colton said the MTA may use its existing notification systems — website notices, email or text alerts — to inform riders when a bedbug problem has been found and to update riders on remedial action. “This bill would require the MTA to inform customers of a bedbug infestation on any subways, trains, and buses within 24 hours of discovery,” Colton said on the floor.

Questioners pressed for detail about thresholds and specificity. Assemblymember Gandolfo asked who would report and verify an infestation and whether a single bedbug would meet the threshold; Colton responded the MTA would investigate complaints and that an ‘‘infestation’’ typically indicates more than one sighting and would be determined by MTA supervisors.

Members also asked how specific the notice must be. Colton said the MTA would have discretion over notice content and could, where feasible, identify a line or bus route; the bill does not mandate a precise car or vehicle identifier. Critics said that general notices on a website may not reach riders who used a particular vehicle and that the measure could give the MTA cover without meaningful rider protection.

Supporters argued the bill improves transparency and that the MTA already operates notification systems for delays and other service issues; the sponsor said the measure imposes minimal fiscal impact because it uses existing channels. Opponents warned that a broad notice could alarm riders and potentially depress ridership.

The vote was Ayes 102, Nays 37; sponsors said the act takes effect immediately. Supporters described the change as a modest transparency step; critics called for more-detailed reporting or broader public-health steps if evidence points to transmission on transit.

Votes at a glance: Assembly bill (calendar 108) — require MTA notification of bedbug infestations within 24 hours; outcome: passed, Ayes 102, Nays 37.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","New York Legislature - 5-15-25 Session - May 15, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Lawmakers passed a bill directing the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to notify customers within 24 hours when it discovers a bedbug infestation on trains, subways or buses. The bill drew questions about specificity, notification channels and potential rider impact.","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},6560561,"Assembly adds time-based restoration benchmarks to utility emergency plans",381,3459000,3840000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3327413-8d74aea9c5e306267cf87bb374584c22&start=3459&end=3840","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3327413-8d74aea9c5e306267cf87bb374584c22/thumbnail_3459000.jpg","/articles/6560561/New-York/Assembly-adds-time-based-restoration-benchmarks-to-utility-emergency-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6560561-27689ff765480d9938356af365e86825/orig.mp4?Expires=1770772042&Signature=Q1wBv4E-RpMek4XUegZh6yZ169dX6A6JP22YNr-YT4~xlQvm2yXJdUjsw85lZ5KwlO8EX~folVfc1mTQtgTaoP0PERG0TTTX4kjrfMzs3iXUlBkxMCobeJk3xm8s2NgFbsXSdho3Rqoz-fDEglI0436ciEJFPN8DckKmD78BIpeWUKBCYopXyT-6j~UOS-LcJTSs3vNBQ5GzlAe5R2LO2oT31NdMMCOSlGrTba1kmTVFpq5vJ1HxETSMDmdDkC9UgRQGd5RXGN62y9rJ-uWm7ZImwpTXACyfCMv-52PpDv3hawikUDHTEERjsNrtuBI4H~iBc~oQMvl7hwdID-8obg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Assembly passed legislation requiring utilities to include time-based restoration schedules and related staffing and equipment plans in emergency-response filings to the Public Service Commission (PSC). The measure passed 101–36 after extended debate over practicality, worker safety and ratepayer costs.

Assemblymember Otis, sponsor of the bill, said the change asks utilities to “support reasonably prompt restoration of service in the case of an emergency event” and to provide performance schedules based on 24‑hour restoration benchmarks. Otis said the intent is to encourage faster local mobilization and to reduce multi-day outages that leave customers without power for several days.

Supporters — including Assemblymember Shimsky, who said she had distributed water during a long early-voting line example — argued the state should press utilities to improve response times and to avoid outsourcing crews far from affected areas, which supporters said lengthens outages.

Opponents, led in floor debate by Assemblymember Walsh and others, warned the bill could impose generic or arbitrary benchmarks that fail to account for the widely varying nature of storms and damage. Walsh argued the PSC already has authority to investigate performance and levy fines, and that imposing time-based targets could be impractical or unsafe when roads are impassable or damage is severe.

The sponsor said the bill expressly allows the PSC to consider different kinds of storm events — “it is not a one-size-fits-all,” Otis said — and emphasized the measure leaves enforcement and fine authority with the PSC. Members discussed potential rate impacts and whether penalties would be borne by ratepayers or shareholders; Otis said the bill does not change existing penalty regimes.

The vote was Ayes 101, Nays 36. Supporters said the act takes effect immediately; opponents urged focusing on investments in storm hardening and resilience to prevent outages rather than relying on benchmarks alone.

Votes at a glance: Assembly bill (calendar 101) — amend Public Service Law to include time-based restoration benchmarks in utility emergency plans; outcome: passed, Ayes 101, Nays 36.","Lawmakers approved a bill directing utilities to include time-based restoration schedules in emergency-response plans submitted to the Public Service Commission. Supporters said benchmarks will encourage faster mobilization; critics warned the measure may be arbitrary and could raise costs.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6560566,"Assembly requires campaign websites to carry 'paid for by' disclosures",28,2910000,2938000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3327413-8d74aea9c5e306267cf87bb374584c22&start=2910&end=2938","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3327413-8d74aea9c5e306267cf87bb374584c22/thumbnail_2910000.jpg","/articles/6560566/New-York/Assembly-requires-campaign-websites-to-carry-paid-for-by-disclosures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6560566-6d7a8db5376bf005249eda702cdbddc3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770772042&Signature=B3UKPgLc1eiil3a-483T3qdSLg-XM5H-gbEVnB6GM8nVNeUPUNpWSm8xWZMEHNw7tlxOfeG9SCv8G3iEmdpBJaEkhs9Q11LaETsaHvZQya7FHq8lU4O43LuX2HY~L6636uMOpEOKE1JiTeAAy~IYZr1ley7KDso-oPYFm-6j5HeTJByyOCBY3s16l1iTM0bJajKh1Nz0rf7RR9okQcbhYayxx7cKdG2Tix5Lt4M0GE8E6DsXafoiYufTaXgD3fTb3e~HFRiMA8e0grTuiYC~vK35E-ybSZrT2L-Fd4j~DFAB6DWv9VXCarW7D2fq9Myf5SobJkAwjofYSoOdIAltHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Assembly passed legislation to require political committees to display a disclaimer identifying the committee responsible for any publicly accessible campaign website. The bill passed unanimously on the floor, Ayes 138, Nays 0.

Assemblymember McDonald explained the measure as a modernization of campaign disclosure rules. “The purpose of this bill is to require political committees to feature a disclaimer or disclosure identifying the political committee as responsible for any website,” McDonald said. He described the change as bringing state law into alignment with contemporary digital communications.

Members asked for technical clarifications about implementation. One question concerned whether placing the disclosure in a site header or footer would comply; the sponsor said yes, explaining that many sites use static headers and footers so a single update would appear on every page. The sponsor also said the statutory language will mirror federal law provisions and would cover candidate committees, parties and independent expenditure groups.

Supporters described the bill as providing clarity for voters and aligning disclosure rules across media. The measure requires the paid-for-by disclosure to appear on each page; the act will take effect on the 60th day after enactment.

Votes at a glance: Senate bill (calendar 92) — require paid-for-by disclosure on political websites; outcome: passed, Ayes 138, Nays 0.","The Assembly unanimously passed a bill requiring political committees to display a paid-for-by disclosure on public-facing websites. Sponsors said the measure modernizes transparency requirements to include web content; the change takes effect on the 60th day following enactment.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6560572,"Assembly repeals law banning 'line warming' after federal court ruling",55,885000,940000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3327413-8d74aea9c5e306267cf87bb374584c22&start=885&end=940","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3327413-8d74aea9c5e306267cf87bb374584c22/thumbnail_885000.jpg","/articles/6560572/New-York/Assembly-repeals-law-banning-line-warming-after-federal-court-ruling","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6560572-29568e5cbec69980abccb084203a8865/orig.mp4?Expires=1770772042&Signature=fjIY6uvkkumACM3EguUUttYK7sZmtDZik-xysE7mhDp0ygJ3dDdsBXsXeRbrK6ownnDFeQcTfJNKVDXBVi0Bc6mdof5xkRV8Nlfxub-XbaddYLENbLT3-PoUsj6g32jXOXUXSr9ZBaupbePM~kgTKP3WQOahkUqCiQya8aVnZykAnL8WLdIttEELG46YkGZcj67qp5FGtTifZGONiUBB0OhEn5l6serwLxwPYuLpoVL6O6tSy6FpmL0xI3SYgajbBYRw~hwNhvGlTrvfFRAWSiCteECQq5YpK0KfaaJeWSI6KpbbySfQGed7dei7QTXgYjuubWHxmufdoKRpHYuIHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The New York State Assembly on the floor passed legislation repealing section 17-140 of the Election Law, a decades-old provision that criminalized so-called “line warming” — the distribution of small items such as water or snacks to voters standing in line. The measure passed 91–46 after more than an hour of questions and debate.

Assemblymember Simon, the bill’s sponsor, said the repeal responds to a federal court ruling. “This bill repeals an out of date and unconstitutional line warming ban that criminalized the provision of food and water to voters waiting in line at the polls,” Simon said during floor debate, citing the decision in Brooklyn Branch of the NAACP v. Kosinski in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

The sponsor and supporters said the court found that the state lacked a compelling interest to prohibit nominal items that do not otherwise violate election law. Simon added that a full repeal avoids confusion for voters and election officials who might consult the statute without seeing the court decision.

Opponents pressed whether repeal would interfere with the 100-foot electioneering rule, which prohibits campaign materials or overt campaigning within 100 feet of a polling place. Assemblymember Jacobson and others asked whether volunteers or campaigns handing out labeled bottles or snacks could cause enforcement problems when items cross the 100-foot boundary. “I still have grave concerns over the 100-foot rule,” Jacobson said, urging clearer statutory guidance or training for election inspectors.

The sponsor and other proponents said repeal does not alter existing electioneering prohibitions and that election inspectors already remove visible campaign materials or ask voters to conceal them. “This legislation doesn't promote electioneering where it's prohibited now,” Assemblymember Walsh said after questioning the sponsor.

Members from both parties described prior incidents and enforcement practices; the sponsor acknowledged the provision had been enforced infrequently but pointed to the court ruling as the reason to remove the statute from the books.

The Assembly recorded the final vote as Ayes 91, Nays 46. Sponsors said the act would take effect immediately.

The bill’s text and debate repeatedly referenced the 100-foot rule and existing election-law sections that remain in force governing electioneering and conduct at polling places; proponents and opponents agreed enforcement and inspector training are the practical mechanisms to address boundary violations.

Votes at a glance: Assembly bill (calendar 70) — repeal of Election Law section 17-140; outcome: passed, Ayes 91, Nays 46.","The Assembly voted to repeal a provision of the Election Law that had criminalized providing food or water to voters waiting in line. Supporters said the statute was struck down as unconstitutional in federal court; opponents warned the repeal could create ambiguity around the 100-foot electioneering rule.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Assembly approves bill requiring MTA to notify riders of bedbug discoveries

Assembly adds time-based restoration benchmarks to utility emergency plans

Assembly requires campaign websites to carry 'paid for by' disclosures

Assembly repeals law banning 'line warming' after federal court ruling