Council also overrode veto of legislation to create a legal framework for city’s gender-motivated violence survivors to seek accountability 

City Hall, NY – Today, the New York City Council voted to override 17 mayoral vetoes by former Mayor Eric Adams of bills that strengthen worker protections, increase housing affordability and opportunities for homeownership, and create a legal framework for survivors to seek accountability for gender-motivated violence. The legislation was passed by the Council in late 2025.

Expanding Licensing and Resources for Street Vendors

Since 1979, general vending licenses to sell non-food goods or services have been capped at 853 total licenses, while over 10,000 applicants remain on a waitlist. For mobile food vending (MFV) before 2021, only several thousand licenses were made available. Due to these limits, an underground market for legacy permit holders to illegally rent their permits to new vendors for thousands of dollars per year developed. The following legislative package reforms the street vending system to bring more vendors into compliance and provides support for the community.

Introduction 431-B, sponsored by Council Member Pierina Ana Sanchez, would expand business licensing for food and general vendors by making 2,200 additional supervisory license applications available to prospective mobile food vendors annually from 2026 until 2031, and 10,500 new general vending licenses in 2027. It would also expand street vendor training and increase inspections of street vendor set-ups to ensure compliance with new requirements.

“Today, New York City is finally reforming its street vending system in a way that works for everyone,” said Council Member Pierina Ana Sanchez. “By overriding the veto on Int. 431-B, we are replacing decades of dysfunction with a system that is more just for vendors, more predictable and fair for brick-and-mortar businesses, and that delivers more orderly shared spaces for all New Yorkers. For the first time, this system will offer real access to licenses and meaningful consequences for bad actors—what many believed was impossible. This victory belongs to the people who refused to give up: the indefatigable staff and members of the Street Vendor Project; the brick-and-mortar business owners, BIDs, supermarkets, bodegas, and restaurants who kept showing up to hard meetings; the agency staff who understand that dignity and order must go hand in hand.

“I am also deeply grateful to our Speaker, Julie Menin, for her leadership in getting this historic reform across the finish line,” added Council Member Sanchez. “As the daughter and granddaughter of street vendors, this historic moment is deeply personal. We will continue the fight: to ensure the new Administration fully implements the law and these reforms deliver on their promise.”

Introduction 1251-A, sponsored by Council Member Amanda Farías, would authorize the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) to issue license applications to mobile food and general vendors until the licenses issued reaches the capped amount specified in Introduction 431-B, as not every license application results in a license issued.

“Introduction 1251 is a key part of the Council’s street vendor reform package and is about making sure the law actually works as written,” said Council Member Amanda Farías. “Under existing law, supervisory and general vending license applications do not always result in licenses being issued, creating unnecessary delays and growing waiting lists for working people trying to earn a living. Former Mayor Adams vetoed this bill at the eleventh hour, prioritizing inaction over opportunity. By overriding that veto, we are ensuring DOHMH and DCWP can issue licenses up to the number already authorized by law—so access to lawful work isn’t denied because of bureaucratic failure.”

Introduction 408-A, sponsored by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, would create a Division of Street Vendor Assistance within the Department of Small Business Services (SBS) to assist street vendors. The Division would provide resources and connect services and resources to entrepreneurs interested in street vending opportunities, and report annually on assistance efforts.

“Street vendors provide some of the most affordable options for New Yorkers facing an increasingly unaffordable city, and by vetoing the street vendor reform package on his way out the door, the former mayor denied New York City’s smallest businesses the support they need to survive and thrive,” said Public Advocate Jumaane Williams. “In speaking with vendors about the barriers they face, it’s clear we can do more, and an office dedicated to street vendor assistance — which my bill creates — will help these entrepreneurs navigate obstacles to licensing, inconsistency in enforcement, and regulations that make it near-impossible to operate in a successful and sustained way. I thank the new Speaker and Council for voting to override the former mayor’s callous, careless vetoes and bringing about the progress he aimed to deny.”

Preventing Wrongful Deactivations for Drivers and Delivery Workers

Introduction 276-A, sponsored by Council Member Shekar Krishnan, would prohibit high-volume for-hire vehicle services from deactivating drivers, unless due to just cause, a bona fide economic reason, or if required to by law.

“Today we proved to the nation that workers can dream bigger, fight the hard fights, and win,” said Council Member Shekar Krishnan. “Uber and Lyft opened up their billion-dollar war chests to fight against this legislation, spreading fear to New Yorkers because they know that today’s victory and overriding the corrupt former Mayor’s veto will inspire a movement of workers across the country demanding more. No longer can Uber and Lyft hold the fear of unfair firings over the heads of almost 100,000 drivers in New York City.”

Prioritizing Greater Affordability for Housing and Homeownership

Affordable housing that is subsidized by the City has become increasingly less affordable to New Yorkers. Opportunities for affordable homeownership have dwindled, with only about 2% of HPD’s new construction during the past five years being homeownership units, as the City has lost tens of thousands of Black homeowners. The Council’s bills address these gaps in housing affordability for New Yorkers within the City’s current policies and programs.

Introduction 958-A, sponsored by former Speaker Adrienne E. Adams, would approximately double the production of affordable homeownership opportunities financed by the City by requiring that at least 4 percent of all newly constructed affordable units be for homeownership.

Introduction 1443-A, sponsored by Council Member Sandy Nurse, would require that, starting July 1, 2027, 50% of newly constructed rental units financed by the City be affordable for very low-income households, and at least 30% for extremely low-income households.

“Countless New York City families are living paycheck to paycheck, on the brink of homelessness while still working a full-time job,” said Council Member Sandy Nurse. “When our city uses public dollars to create housing, it should have these New Yorkers in mind. The veto override of my bill, Intro 1443, will ensure that families can stay in our city and out of the shelter system by guaranteeing we prioritize building housing that is affordable to very-low income households.”

Aland Etienne Safety & Security Act

Inspired by the heroic efforts of Aland Etienne, who was guarding the lobby of 345 Park Avenue when he was fatally shot by a gunman, the following legislation would enhance benefits and support for security guards in the city.

Introduction 1391-A, sponsored by former Speaker Adrienne E. Adams, would direct security guard employers to provide their security guard employees with minimum wage, paid vacation time, and supplemental benefits that meet or exceed required compensation for private sector security guards engaged on New York City public building service contracts in excess of $1,500.

Creating Legal Framework for Survivors to Seek Accountability for Gender-Motivated Violence

In 2000, the Council passed the Gender Motivated Violence Act to give survivors the right to bring a civil suit against individuals who committed acts of gender-motivated violence. The law was updated in 2022 to, among other things, include liability for parties that participated in the crime. Last summer, certain survivors’ claims were determined by a court to not be covered by the existing law. The following legislation creates a new cause of action, laying out a legal framework to give survivors an avenue to accountability and resolution of their lawsuits.

Introduction 1297-A, sponsored by Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, would create a civil cause of action for crimes of violence motivated by gender that occurred prior to January 9, 2022. Any person claiming to be injured by a party who commits, directs, enables, participates, or conspires in the commission of a crime of violence motivated by gender may bring a civil claim against that party. The claims brought under this law must commence within 18 months of the effective date of the local law. Any person who brought a claim between March 1, 2023, and March 1, 2025, that meets the requirements of a cause of action under this law may amend or refile their claim to add a cause of action under this section.

“The New York City Council has a responsibility to protect survivors and ensure our laws cannot be weakened by ambiguity or technical loopholes,” said Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers. “Intro. 1297 restores the full promise of the Gender-Motivated Violence Act and makes clear that no institution is above accountability. Today’s veto override affirms that this Council stands with survivors and will not allow access to justice to be taken away.”

Reducing Inequities from Lack of Transparency in the Sale of Co-Ops

Introduction 1120-B, sponsored by Council Member Amanda Farías, would set timelines for decisions regarding the sale of co-op apartments, requiring the co-op to acknowledge receipt of application materials within 15 days and provide notice of whether it has consented to the sale within 45 days after the application is complete.

“I sponsored Introduction 1120-B to bring clarity and accountability to the cooperative sale and purchase process,” said Council Member Amanda Farías. “For too long, buyers have been left without any response at all—creating uncertainty and allowing discriminatory practices to persist. On his last day in office, former Mayor Adams vetoed this bill despite its broad Council support, choosing to protect a broken status quo instead of transparency in housing. By overriding that veto, we are restoring enforceable timelines, clear communication standards, and accountability through HPD—without disrupting cooperative governance—and doing what we were elected to do: legislate fairness in the housing market.”

Establishing Lien Sale Reforms to Prioritize Community and Housing Stability with Debt Collection

The following bills seek to shift the City from the current practice of selling liens to a Delaware-based trust to instead use a New York City-established land bank. The City-established land bank would prioritize community needs, avoid unnecessary displacement of homeowners, and ensure tax delinquent properties are returned to productive use, while allowing the City to efficiently collect outstanding municipal debts. These bills were based on the work of the Temporary Task Force on Tax Liens, which was the product of the Council’s previous reforms.

Introduction 570-B, sponsored by Council Member Gale A. Brewer, would create a New York City land bank, pending state approval, to acquire and manage vacant, abandoned, tax-delinquent, and foreclosed properties. The land bank would be able to purchase and enforce tax liens bought from the City in a way that promotes the preservation of homeownership and home equity, prevention of displacement, and putting properties to productive community use.

“This veto override affirms the City Council’s commitment to reforming the lien sale while preventing displacement and ensuring foreclosed properties are put to the most productive use,” said Council Member Gale A. Brewer. “Current revenue from the lien sale will stay intact, and the City will continue to collect outstanding municipal debts. I am proud of this legislation and thank my colleagues for supporting it—again.”

Introduction 1407-A, sponsored by former Speaker Adrienne E. Adams, would authorize the City to sell tax liens to a City land bank. The bill also requires the Department of Finance to condition that no purchaser of a tax lien may foreclose on a lien for class one residential property (typically one- to three-family homes) until one year after the date of the sale. Lien purchasers would also be required to regularly notify property owners of amounts owed.

Introduction 1419-A, sponsored by Council Member Sandy Nurse, would require the Commissioner of Finance to report annually on properties encumbered by chronically unresolved tax liens that remain unsatisfied for 36 months or more after being sold, and provide annually a list of these properties to heads of agencies charged with property-related enforcement.

Introduction 1420-A, sponsored by Council Member Sandy Nurse, would require the Commissioner of Finance to require purchasers of tax liens to make best efforts to transfer the liens to the City land bank upon certain triggering events.

“Today, we put the final nail in the coffin of Guiliani’s cruel privatized debt collection system that has harmed countless Black and Brown homeowners across our communities,” said Council Member Sandy Nurse. “By overriding the vetoes on the Council’s package of bills to overhaul this system, we take a compassionate approach and shift the tax lien sale process towards a more democratic, more transparent model that prioritizes tax enforcement while supporting struggling homeowners on the edge of falling into foreclosure.”

Improving Public Safety by Strengthening Accountability and Transparency

Introduction 125-A, sponsored by former Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala, would require that in most circumstances, the NYPD must obtain the consent of a parent, legal guardian, or attorney before collecting a DNA sample from a minor.

Introduction 1412-A, also known as the Safer Sanctuary Act, sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán, would bar federal immigration authorities from maintaining offices on land under the New York City Department of Correction’s (DOC) jurisdiction. It would also amend the City’s sanctuary laws to account for current federal immigration enforcement practices.

“We are at a crossroads. The brutal assault on Minnesota is just the beginning. The Safer Sanctuary Act was precisely designed to protect New York City from the Trump-Vance administration’s authoritarianism,” said Council Member Tiffany Cabán. “This law ensures our sanctuary city laws protect New Yorkers regardless of which agency is enacting the horrific Trump-Vance agenda — be it the FBI, the IRS, United States Marshals, or DHS. It also bars any future mayor from reestablishing an ICE office in our jails. Overriding this veto demonstrates that the City Council stands with the people of New York City and the people of Minnesota.
 In the memories of Renee Good, Alex Pretti, Keith Porter, Silvero Villegas-Gonzalez, Jaime Alanís Garcia, and every person who has lost their life in ICE custody, we override this veto.”

Establishing a Grace Period for Certain Supplemental Sanitation Service Providers

Introduction 1279-B, sponsored by former Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala, would establish a grace period before the full enforcement of rules issued by the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) prohibiting supplemental sanitation service providers from placing refuse or recycling by public litter baskets.

Strengthening Rules to Address Conflicts of Interest and Misconduct in City Contracting

Introduction 479-A, sponsored by Council Member Julie Won, would require the City Chief Procurement Officer to establish standards and procedures for contractors to determine the existence of conflicts of interest and misconduct concerning city contracts valued over $100,000.

“We’ve seen corruption, nepotism, and bribery happen again and again in city contracting. Int. 479 will strengthen integrity in City procurement by proactively identifying and disclosing conflicts of interest and serious misconduct for contracts that are $100,000 or more,” said Council Member Julie Won. “Creating uniform standards, mandatory reporting, and public accountability will protect taxpayer dollars and weed out problematic contractors that have been allowed to fly under the radar for too long.”

Rules, Privileges, Elections, and Standards and Ethics

Preconsidered Resolution to amend the Standing Committees of the Council.

Preconsidered Resolution to amend the membership of Committees, Subcommittees, and Task Forces.

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