Enacts the NYCHA utility accountability act

Latest action Feb 25, 2026

Enacts the "NYCHA utility accountability act"; requires the NYCHA to provide a rent reduction to tenants who experience a disruption in utility service.

Not chosen yet

Where it stands

Out of committee and scheduled for a vote by the full chamber.

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

New York State Senate

Same as A5083, the matching bill in the Assembly.

Amends the Public Housing Law.

Committee

Housing · New York State Assembly

Also referred to Housing, Construction And Community Development · New York State Senate.

Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

To provide New York City Housing Authority ("NYCHA") tenants a prorated rental reduction for utility outages.

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

Recorded votes

Vote: Committee vote · Housing, Construction And Community Development
Senate Housing, Construction And Community DevelopmentFeb 24, 2026Result: passed
(8) (3) (0) (0)
Vote: Committee vote · Housing, Construction And Community Development
Senate Housing, Construction And Community DevelopmentMar 10, 2025Result: passed
(8) (3) (0) (0)

Cosponsors

Eddie Gibbs, Jessica Ramos and 7 more on Agora

Democratic9

See the full list on nysenate.gov

The sponsor's argument

Why Michael Gianaris says this is needed

NYCHA has a long and troubling history of failing to promptly resolve utility outages for which they must face repercussions. Throughout several cold months from 2017-2018, many NYCHA residents were without heat service. As a result, in 2020, Diamond v. New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) held that a class action lawsuit against NYCHA for rent abatements for the tenants that experienced loss of heating in their residences could proceed. Beginning September 23, 2020, residents of 1-04 Astoria Boulevard went without gas service until December 10, 2020. One month later, NYCHA still refused to comment as to when the service might be restored. Moreover, Woodside Houses residents experi- enced heat and hot water outages for years which was exacerbated as a result of Hurricane Ida in 2022. It is clear from the repeated depri- vation of essential utility services that NYCHA cannot be held account- able to correct such outages in a timely manner. While without service, tenants deserve to have their rent, which includes payment for utili- ties, reduced in a manner that reflects that loss.

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

Feb 25, 2026
Reported out of committee
REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE
NY Senate
Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO HOUSING
NY Assembly
Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO HOUSING, CONSTRUCTION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
NY Senate
Mar 10, 2025
Reported out of committee
REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE
NY Senate
Feb 12, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO HOUSING
NY Assembly

Show full history (1 earlier event)

Jan 8, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO HOUSING, CONSTRUCTION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
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 Nov 1, 2026. About our data

Read the record

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

Your position