Senate bill · S9816 (2025-26)
Enacts the "BEAMS" act
New York State Senate
Same as A9093, the matching bill in the Assembly.
Sponsor: Peter Oberacker (State Senator, District 51, Republican/Conservative)
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From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Oct 21, 2026. About our data
Summary
Enacts the "brightness emission analysis for motorist safety (BEAMS) act" which requires the department of transportation with participating institutions conduct a study on LED headlights.
Summary from NY Open Legislation. How we handle summaries
Purpose, from the sponsor's memo
This legislation directs state agencies and academic partners to conduct a comprehensive study of the impacts of LED headlights on motorist safe- ty, including glare intensity, health effects, and roadway safety risks, in order to develop recommendations and inform state and federal policy.
Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)
Where it stands
Assigned to a committee for review.
- Introduced
- In committee
- Up for a vote
- Passed one chamber
- Passed
- Enacted
Committee
Transportation · New York State Assembly
Also referred to Transportation · New York State Senate.
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Cosponsors
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Read on NY Senate (opens in a new tab)- Republican9
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The sponsor's argument
Why Peter Oberacker says this is needed
While LED headlights are designed to improve visibility for drivers, they may cause unintended hazards for oncoming motorists, including temporary blindness, vision impairment, and potential long-term eye health risks. Complaints regarding excessive headlight brightness and glare have risen across New York State and nationwide, raising concerns about roadway safety. This bill ensures that New York conducts an inde- pendent, evidence based study to better understand these impacts and develop solutions. The findings of the study will guide state-level policy decisions, strengthen advocacy for federal standards, and improve roadway safety for all motorists.
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
- May 27, 2026
Held for Consideration in Transportation
HELD FOR CONSIDERATION IN TRANSPORTATION
NY Assembly
- Apr 6, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION
NY Senate
- Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION
NY Assembly
- Sep 12, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION
NY Assembly
Read the record
- Read on NY Senate (opens in a new tab) The official record on nysenate.gov.