Provides protections for telecommunications tower technicians

Latest action Dec 19, 2025

Provides protections for telecommunications tower technicians, including requiring certain trainings during work hours without a loss of pay; requires certain reporting by bidders for telecommunication contracts.

Not chosen yet

Where it stands

Signed into law.

Introduced
In committee
Up for a vote
Passed one chamber
Passed
Enacted

New York State Senate

Same as A4938, the matching bill in the Assembly.

Passed as A4938, the matching Assembly bill.

Amends the Labor Law.

Committee

Labor · New York State Assembly

Also referred to Labor · New York State Senate.

Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

This bill requires tower services contracts between private entities and New York State or any of its agencies to require certified safety train- ings for tower climbers, as well as share details about the private entity's contractors and subcontractors.

Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)

Recorded votes

Vote: Committee vote · Rules
Senate RulesJun 9, 2025Result: passed
(20) (1) (0) (0)
Vote: Floor vote
NY SenateJun 9, 2025Result: passedSenate vote on A4938, the matching Assembly bill.
(61) (1) (0) (1)

Cosponsors

Al Taylor, Andrew Gounardes and 55 more on Agora

Democratic43
Republican14

Show all 57 on Agora

See the full list on nysenate.gov

The sponsor's argument

Why Rachel May says this is needed

Tower climbing is an essential yet dangerous job. Between 2003 and 2022, 166 workers in the cell tower industry died on the job, but there are few regulations and safety standards in place. Additionally, the wireless tower labor market is characterized by a multi-layered contracting structure lacking transparency that leaves workers largely removed from the profitable wireless carriers and wire- less tower owners. This can weaken employer accountability for ensuring safe conditions, impacting both workers and the public. Tower climbers' jobs are essential. Not only do they provide essential work for the cell service New Yorkers rely on every day, but for reli- able 911 emergency services. Many of these towers are state assets or on state-owned land, and New York State has the responsibility to ensure high quality labor standards and protection of publicly owned assets. Similar legislation and regulations have been passed to increase trans- parency, including in New York City, Chula Vista, and San Diego.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.

Full history

Dec 19, 2025
Approval MEMO.34
APPROVAL MEMO.34
NY Assembly
Dec 19, 2025
Signed
SIGNED CHAP.652
NY Assembly
Dec 8, 2025
Sent to the executive
DELIVERED TO GOVERNOR
NY Assembly
Jun 9, 2025
In committee
COMMITTEE DISCHARGED AND COMMITTED TO RULES
NY Senate
Jun 9, 2025
Ordered to Third Reading CAL.1682
ORDERED TO THIRD READING CAL.1682
NY Senate

Show full history (9 earlier events)

Jun 9, 2025
Passed a chamber
PASSED SENATE
NY Senate
Jun 9, 2025
Substituted
SUBSTITUTED BY A4938
NY Senate
May 5, 2025
Sent to the executive
DELIVERED TO SENATE
NY Assembly
May 5, 2025
Passed a chamber
PASSED ASSEMBLY
NY Assembly
May 5, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO LABOR
NY Senate
May 1, 2025
Advanced to Third Reading CAL.114
ADVANCED TO THIRD READING CAL.114
NY Assembly
Apr 30, 2025
Reported out of committee
REPORTED
NY Assembly
Feb 10, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO LABOR
NY Assembly
Jan 22, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO LABOR
NY Senate

About this record

Summary: The summary comes from NY Open Legislation, the New York State Senate's public record. For more, see How we handle summaries.
Cosponsors: The list shows the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.
Party colors: Parties are shown in the same neutral colors.
Source: From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Oct 21, 2026. About our data

Read the record

Read on NY Senate (opens in a new tab) The official record on nysenate.gov.

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