S8046A

Senate Print 8046A, sponsored by Senator Bynoe and relating to amendments to the Emergency Tenant Protection Act, was laid aside during floor consideration on Calendar Number 605. Sen. Lanza requested the procedural action, which was granted by Acting President Cooney. The bill did not advance to a vote.

The New York State Senate passed legislation on Friday to strengthen oversight of individual apartment improvement claims in rent-regulated housing outside New York City, approving Senate Print 8046A by a vote of 42-18. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Bynoe, would require the Department of Housing and Community Renewal to conduct physical inspections of a sample of units when landlords claim improvement costs to justify rent increases, with a focus on detecting willful overcharging. The measure would require DHCR to audit up to 5 percent of such applications outside the city, with an estimated cost of $5 million in additional funding. Sen. Kavanagh praised the bill as a modest response to documented fraud in individual apartment improvement applications, noting that roughly 120-140 such applications occur annually outside New York City. However, Sen. Martins opposed the measure, arguing that DHCR lacks sufficient resources to implement it effectively. He noted the agency's current budget of $5.6 million supports approximately 20 personnel handling inspections statewide, and questioned whether the estimated $5 million in additional funding would be adequate or whether resources would be diverted from enforcement in New York City, where 1.2 million rent-stabilized units exist. Martins also called for broader reconsideration of landlord-tenant policies he contends have made it difficult for property owners to maintain buildings. The bill had previously passed the Housing Committee and received bipartisan support in both houses.

The New York State Senate passed legislation to amend the Emergency Tenant Protection Act on a roll call vote of 45-14. The bill, sponsored by Senator Bynoe and designated as Senate Print 8046A with Calendar Number 1851, was approved without floor debate. Fourteen senators voted in opposition, including Senators Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber and Weik. The measure takes effect immediately upon enactment.