Asm. Stefani Zinerman — The Commons Gallery

Stefani Zinerman represents AD-56, a heavily Democratic Brooklyn district with a D+78 registration lean — 80.4% of registered voters are Democrats against just 2.8% Republican — and has run uncontested in every general election since first winning the seat in 2021; the district carries a base lean of D+86 and rates Safe D across all modeled electoral environments. The district is majority-minority, with 49.8% Black and 21.2% Hispanic residents, a 26.6% poverty rate, a median household income of $74,677, and an exceptionally low homeownership rate of 20.6%, reflecting its dense urban character. In the 2025 session, Zinerman sponsored 51 bills, with her heaviest focus in Public Health (5 bills), Vehicle and Traffic (4 bills), and Economic Development, Real Property, and State Finance (3 bills each). Cannabis regulation accounted for 2 sponsored bills, with floor activity on cannabis dispensary proximity standards reflecting direct engagement with Office of Cannabis Management compliance disputes affecting over 100 licensed dispensaries.AI

Vulnerability Index AD-56

Base lean: D+86

Favorable D

Safe D

Neutral

Safe D

Favorable R

Safe D

Limited contested election data — registration lean used as primary signal
Ran uncontested in most recent election

Scenario model: ±5pt national environment shift applied to district base lean (D+86). Base lean blends voter registration (40%) with recent contested general election margins (60%), using up to the last 4 general elections with margins under 40 points. Ratings: Safe D/R = 15+ pts, Likely = 8–14 pts, Lean = 3–7 pts, Toss-up = within 2 pts. Generic ballot from Silver Bulletin (Nate Silver), as of 5/1/2026. Not a prediction — reflects structural competitiveness under different cycle environments.

Electoral History AD-56

General Elections

Year	Winner	Runner-up	Margin
2024	Stefani L. Zinerman 100.0% (37,956)	Uncontested	—
2022	Stefani L. Zinerman 100.0% (25,154)	Uncontested	—
2020	Stefani L. Zinerman 100.0% (45,103)	Uncontested	—
2018	Tremaine S. Wright 100.0% (36,519)	Uncontested	—
2016	Tremaine S. Wright 100.0% (41,836)	Uncontested	—
2014	Annette M. Robinson 98.0% (14,648)	Garnsey Lee Alston 2.0% (306)	96.0pts
2012	Annette M. Robinson 98.6% (36,891)	Francenia Sims-Hall 1.4% (510)	97.2pts
2010	Annette M. Robinson 97.7% (17,705)	Garnsey Lee Alston 2.3% (425)	95.4pts
2008	Annette M. Robinson 98.5% (30,911)	Henry C. Snead, Sr. 1.5% (477)	97.0pts
2006	Annette M. Robinson 100.0% (12,785)	Uncontested	—
2004	Annette M. Robinson 97.5% (27,146)	Mayra Radden 2.5% (704)	95.0pts
2002	Annette M. Robinson 97.3% (14,642)	Stanley Kinard 2.7% (402)	94.6pts
2000	Albert Vann 96.1% (23,415)	Aaron Bramwell 2.0% (487)	94.1pts
1998	Albert Vann 95.4% (14,717)	Richard Taylor 2.4% (376)	93.0pts
1996	Albert Vann 95.1% (18,754)	Ernestine M. Brown 3.9% (765)	91.2pts

Primary Elections

Year	Winner	Runner-up	Margin
2020 (Democratic)	Stefani L. Zinerman 57.0% (10,171)	Justin Cohen 43.0% (7,665)	14.0pts
2016 (Democratic)	Tremaine S. Wright 59.0% (3,876)	Karen Z. Cherry 41.0% (2,698)	18.0pts

Special Elections

Year	Winner	Runner-up	Margin
2002	Annette M. Robinson 85.5% (2,177)	Arthur Bramwell 9.7% (246)	75.8pts

Source: NYS Board of Elections certified results. ⚡ = margin under 10 pts. District history reflects 2022 redistricted boundaries.

Voter Registration

80%

17%

Dem 80.4% Rep 2.8% Ind/Other 16.8%

District 56 Profile

Population 145,408

Median income $74,677

Median rent $1,873

Homeownership 20.6%

Education (BA+) 43.3%

Poverty rate 26.6%

Uninsured rate 6.6%

Unemployment rate 9.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2024).

Demographics

White 22.1%

Black 49.8%

Hispanic 21.2%

Asian 4.2%

Median age 34.0

Foreign born 21.3%

Limited English households 4.3%

Veterans 1.6%

Disability rate 13.3%

Commute Mode

Drive alone 14.3%

Public transit 50.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2024). Race and ethnicity figures may not sum to 100% — Hispanic/Latino is an ethnicity category that overlaps with racial groups.

Legislative Activity (2025–2026)

51

25

Years in office 5

Bill sponsorship from NYS Open Legislation API. Joint hearing appearances from NYS Senate hearing transcripts.

Floor Session Activity 2025–2026

A08447-A PASSED 2026-03-09

An act to amend the Elder Law, in relation to establishing an Elder Financial Exploitation Public Awareness Campaign

The Assembly passed A08447-A, which requires the Office for the Aging to develop a public awareness campaign on financial exploitation of the elderly. Assemblymember Walsh expressed strong support, noting that financial exploitation of elderly constituents is a serious problem that generates significant constituent complaints. She stated the bill passed unanimously last year and expressed hope for similar support this year, though she noted there is currently no Senate companion bill.

A06617-A PASSED 2026-02-26

An act directing the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to rename the Utica Avenue Subway Station to the Malcolm X Boulevard/Utica Avenue station

The Assembly passed A06617-A, sponsored by Assemblymember Zinerman, directing the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to rename the Utica Avenue Subway Station to the Malcolm X Boulevard/Utica Avenue station. The bill takes effect immediately and was advanced on consent without debate.

A09465 / S02709 PASSED 2026-02-25

An act to amend the State Finance Law, in relation to protections for telecommunications tower technicians

A10140 2026-02-11

An act to amend the Cannabis Law, in relation to the location of adult-use retail dispensaries near schools and houses of worship

The Assembly debated A10140, sponsored by Assemblywoman Zinerman, which clarifies how cannabis dispensaries must measure their distance from schools (500 feet) and houses of worship (200 feet) under state law. The bill addresses confusion from the Office of Cannabis Management regarding measurement methodology and aims to allow social equity licensees with established locations to operate without relocation. Debate revealed ongoing concerns about the cannabis law's implementation. Assemblymember Tannousis, who opposed the original legalization, criticized OCM for allowing a cannabis shop to open within 500 feet of a nursery school in his district, arguing OCM failed to recognize the facility as a protected institution. Assemblywoman Zinerman clarified that daycare centers fall under the Office of Children and Families rather than education law definitions used by OCM. Assemblymember Pirozzolo questioned whether the bill's definitions adequately protect preschools and daycare facilities, arguing that if the legislature intended to protect children, such facilities should be explicitly included. Zinerman maintained the bill only clarifies existing measurement rules and does not address definitional issues, which she said are already established in law.

A05906-B PASSED 2026-02-11

Cannabis regulatory clarification — measurement standards for dispensary proximity to schools and houses of worship

The Assembly passed legislation on Feb. 11 correcting regulatory guidance from the Office of Cannabis Management that retroactively deemed over 100 licensed cannabis dispensaries non-compliant with proximity requirements to schools and houses of worship. Sponsor Assemblywoman Zinerman's bill (A05906-B) clarifies that distance measurements run center-door-to-center-door at 500 feet from schools and 200 feet from houses of worship, restoring consistency with the original Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act. The bill protects businesses that received written state confirmation and invested capital in good faith. Supporters, including Assemblyman Dais and Mrs. Peoples-Stokes, emphasized OCM's rigorous age-verification safeguards exceed those of liquor retailers and that the cannabis industry generates tax revenue and economic opportunity for justice-involved individuals. Opponents including Assemblywoman Walsh and Assemblyman Slater criticized the bill as special treatment unavailable to other regulated industries, questioned the cannabis program's overall implementation, and objected to the compressed legislative timeline. The bill passed on a party-line vote with the Minority Conference voting in the negative, though individual members were permitted to vote affirmatively at their seats.

A05588 PASSED 2025-06-17

Historic Homeownership Rehabilitation Credit expansion

A06617-A PASSED 2025-06-16

An act directing the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to rename the Utica Avenue subway station to the Malcolm X Boulevard/Utica Avenue Station; and provides for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof

The Assembly passed legislation renaming the Utica Avenue subway station in Brooklyn to the Malcolm X Boulevard/Utica Avenue Station. Asm. Zinerman, the bill's sponsor, explained her vote by noting the renaming honors Malcolm X on what would have been his 100th birthday and is long overdue. While Bedford-Stuyvesant residents successfully renamed Reid Avenue to Malcolm X Boulevard in 1985, the MTA station at that intersection continued to bear only the name Utica Avenue for nearly four decades. Zinerman credited the December 12th Movement and community organizer Kazembe Batts for the effort. She framed the renaming as honoring the enduring connection between Brooklyn and Harlem as pillars of Black culture, resistance, and excellence.

A06617-A / S06617 LAID ASIDE 2025-06-13

An act directing the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to rename the Utica Avenue Subway Station to the Malcolm X Boulevard/Utica Avenue Station; and provides for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof

A01096-B PASSED 2025-05-20

An act to amend the General Business Law, in relation to the disclosure of pricing changes for online grocery delivery and online pick-up services

The Assembly passed A01096-B, sponsored by Asm. Magnarelli and others, requiring online grocery delivery platforms and food retailers to disclose whether their prices are higher or lower than in-store prices. The bill mandates platforms post a pricing policy on their website or landing page indicating price differences, with a link to the retailer's website for consumer verification. The Department of State will promulgate regulations to implement the law. During debate, Assemblywoman Walsh questioned whether item-by-item price comparisons would be required, and Magnarelli clarified the bill requires only a general higher-or-lower disclosure, not individual product comparisons. Walsh noted the bill does not address other fees such as delivery charges or fuel surcharges, but acknowledged it serves consumer protection by alerting shoppers to price differences before purchase.

A01241-A PASSED 2025-05-15

An act to repeal Section 17-140 of the Election Law relating to furnishing money or entertainment to induce attendance at polls (line-warming ban)

The Assembly passed A01241-A, sponsored by Asm. Simon, repealing Section 17-140 of the Election Law, which had criminalized providing food and water to voters waiting in polling lines. The repeal follows a May 30th federal court ruling (Brooklyn Branch NAACP v. Kosinski) that found the line-warming ban unconstitutional, with no compelling state interest in the prohibition. The bill allows distribution of nominal-value items such as water and snacks to voters on line, addressing concerns about long polling lines that can discourage voting participation. Debate centered on enforcement concerns regarding the 100-foot electioneering rule, with opponents worried that campaign-branded items could inadvertently be carried into polling places by voters. Sponsor Simon and supporters argued the 100-foot rule remains independently enforceable and that concerns are no different from existing prohibitions on campaign buttons or literature. The Republican Conference voted in opposition; the Majority Conference voted in favor with allowances for individual exceptions. Vote tallies were not announced in the transcript.

A06868 PASSED 2025-03-25

An act to amend the Labor Law, in relation to the civil penalties for violations of child labor laws

The Assembly passed A06868, legislation increasing civil penalties for violations of child labor laws. The bill, sponsored by Assemblymember Hooks in her first bill passage, received support from members including Assemblymember Palmesano, who voted affirmatively while calling for broader attention to child labor in global supply chains.

A05572 PASSED 2025-02-26

An act to amend the Public Health Law, in relation to organ donation registration through a patient-facing portal; and to amend a chapter of the Laws of 2024 amending the Public Health Law relating to allowing patients to register in the 'Donate Life Registry' through their electronic health records

A00923 PASSED 2025-02-11

An act to amend the General Business Law, in relation to requiring retailers of micromobility devices, bicycles with electric assist and limited use motorcycles powered by lithium-ion batteries, and lithium-ion batteries intended for use in such devices or bicycles to provide customers with an operating manual.

The Assembly passed A923, sponsored by Assemblymember Zinerman, requiring retailers, manufacturers, distributors, and assemblers of electric bicycles, e-scooters, and limited-use motorcycles powered by lithium-ion batteries to provide customers with operating manuals in at least three commonly spoken languages in New York State. The bill aims to prevent fires and injuries from improper battery handling and storage. Debate focused on implementation challenges, particularly how retailers would verify manual inclusion in sealed shipments and how liability would be assigned across the supply chain. Assemblymember Gandolfo suggested placing the requirement solely on manufacturers to avoid compliance confusion. Assemblymember Palmesano opposed the bill, raising concerns about lithium-ion battery sourcing, noting that 70 percent of cobalt is extracted in the Democratic Republic of Congo using child labor and that lithium mining in South America contaminates water sources. He called for sourcing materials domestically before advancing EV mandates. Assemblymember Chang supported the bill but requested amendments to include occupancy capacity information and expand language requirements to include Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese. The Minority Conference voted generally in the negative; the Majority Conference voted in favor.

A02432 / S5081-C PASSED 2025-02-04

An act to amend the Labor Law, in relation to reducing work-related musculoskeletal disorders; establishing the Warehouse Worker Injury Reduction program

A02433 PASSED 2025-02-04

An act to amend the Labor Law, in relation to payroll records submitted by contractors and subcontractors for public work contracts and extending the date the Department of Labor shall be required to develop and implement an online database of electronic certified payroll records

A00923 LAID ASIDE 2025-01-22

Retailers of micromobility devices and lithium-ion batteries; operating manual requirements

A10541 / S09837 PASSED 2024-06-10

An act to amend the Election Law, in relation to curing ballots

The Assembly passed legislation to streamline the absentee ballot cure process by providing postage-paid return envelopes and allowing electronic submission via email. Sponsored by Assemblywoman Zinerman, A10541 aims to help voters correct defective ballots—such as missing signatures—within the allowed cure window. The bill is designed to accommodate voters with disabilities, elderly voters, and deaf/blind voters. Zinerman stated that postage costs are covered within the State Board of Elections budget, not charged to municipalities. Assemblyman Norris opposed the measure, citing concerns about costs to local boards of elections, voter responsibility for proper submission, and security risks of email-based signature verification without original documents. The Republican Conference opposed the bill; the Democratic majority supported it. The bill takes effect September 1, 2024.

A10541 / S09837 PASSED 2024-06-07

An act to amend the Election Law, in relation to curing ballots

The Assembly passed legislation to expand ballot curing procedures for absentee voters. Assemblywoman Zinerman's A10541 (S09837) would require boards of elections to provide postage-paid return envelopes for voters to submit affirmation forms correcting defective ballots, and would allow electronic submission via email. The bill aims to help voters with disabilities, elderly voters, and deaf/blind voters correct simple errors such as missing signatures within the allowed cure window. Sponsor Zinerman argued the measure is a common-sense accommodation for 21st-century voting, with costs absorbed by the State Board of Elections budget rather than municipalities. Assemblyman Norris opposed the bill, citing concerns about costs to local election boards already stretched thin processing thousands of ballots, questions about voter responsibility, and security risks of accepting scanned email signatures without original document verification. The Democratic Conference supported the measure; Republicans were generally opposed.

A10541 / S09837 PASSED 2024-06-07

An act to amend the Election Law, in relation to curing ballots

The Assembly passed legislation to streamline the absentee ballot cure process by providing voters with postage-paid return envelopes and allowing electronic submission via email. Sponsor Assemblywoman Zinerman said the measure accommodates voters with disabilities, elderly voters, and deaf/blind citizens, and noted the cost is covered within the existing State Board of Elections budget rather than imposing new costs on municipalities. Assemblyman Norris opposed the bill, citing concerns about costs to local boards of elections, voter responsibility for proper ballot submission, and security risks of email-based signature verification without original documents. The Republican Conference opposed the measure; the Democratic majority supported it. The bill takes effect September 1, 2024.

A10409 PASSED 2024-06-04

An act to amend Chapter 427 of the Laws of 2017 amending the State Technology Law relating to the creation of a State Information Technology Innovation Center, in relation to the effectiveness thereof

The Assembly passed A10409, extending the State Information Technology Innovation Center created under 2017 law. Assemblyman Blumencranz raised transparency concerns, noting that reports on the center have been unavailable to the public since 2019 and questioning whether legislators had sufficient information to vote. Assemblywoman Zinerman, the sponsor, defended the extension as necessary to allow proper implementation in a rapidly evolving technological landscape, particularly regarding AI. She pledged that reports would eventually be published. The bill passed despite the transparency concerns raised.

S07503-B / A1910-B 2024-06-04

An act to amend the General Business Law, in relation to requiring retailers of micro mobility devices, bicycles with electric assist and limited use motorcycles powered by lithium-ion batteries, and lithium-ion batteries intended for use in such devices or bicycles to provide customers with an operating manual

A10409 PASSED 2024-06-04

An act to amend Chapter 427 of the Laws of 2017 amending the State Technology Law relating to the creation of a State Information Technology Innovation Center, in relation to the effectiveness thereof

The Assembly passed A10409, extending the State Information Technology Innovation Center created under 2017 law. Assemblywoman Zinerman sponsored the bill as a measure to allow proper implementation of a 21st-century agency to address technological advancement and artificial intelligence. Assemblyman Blumencranz raised transparency concerns, noting that a required report on the center has not been publicly available since 2019. Zinerman responded that reports will eventually be published and that the extension ensures the center can operate correctly.

S07503-B / A1910-B 2024-06-04

An act to amend the General Business Law, in relation to requiring retailers of micro mobility devices, bicycles with electric assist and limited use motorcycles powered by lithium-ion batteries, and lithium-ion batteries intended for use in such devices or bicycles to provide customers with an operating manual

A02588 PASSED 2024-06-03

Retail Worker Safety Act

The Assembly passed the Retail Worker Safety Act (A02588) on June 3, sponsored by Assemblywoman Reyes, requiring retail establishments with 10 or more employees to develop workplace violence prevention plans and provide de-escalation training to all employees at hire and annually. The bill sparked sharp debate between supporters who emphasized emergency preparedness and worker safety in light of incidents like the Tops supermarket shooting, and opponents who argued it imposes regulatory burdens on small businesses without addressing retail theft—the underlying cause of much retail violence. Republicans generally opposed the measure, with critics including the National Federation of Independent Businesses and the Business Council. Supporters countered that the bill focuses on worker safety, not theft, and that preparedness training is essential in modern times. The bill passed with party-line voting, with the Democratic majority supporting it and Republicans largely opposed.

A02588 PASSED 2024-06-03

Retail Worker Safety Act

The Assembly passed the Retail Worker Safety Act (A02588), sponsored by Assemblywoman Reyes, requiring retail establishments with 10 or more employees to develop workplace violence prevention plans and provide de-escalation training to workers. The bill mandates training on emergency procedures, active shooter response, and use of panic buttons and alarms. Supporters, including Mrs. Peoples-Stokes, argued the legislation addresses real threats of workplace violence and active shooters, citing the Tops supermarket shooting and constituent demand for emergency preparedness. Opponents, led by Assemblyman Goodell, contended the bill ignores the root cause of retail violence—retail theft—and imposes costly compliance burdens on small businesses already struggling with $4.4 billion in annual losses to shoplifting. Critics also objected to the bill's application to farm stands and part-time summer workers. The Republican Conference opposed the legislation while the Majority Conference supported it. The bill passed with party-line voting, though specific vote totals were not announced in the transcript.

Source: Official NY Assembly floor session transcripts (Granicus). AI-processed. Includes sessions from 2023 onward where transcripts are available.

Bill Focus Areas 2025–2026

bills

Grouped by law section from sponsored Assembly bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation API.

Lobbying Activity

No lobbying disclosures on record for this member in the available dataset (JCOPE filings targeting Assembly members).

Source: NY Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government via data.ny.gov.