NEW YORK — The New York City Council had a busy day Tuesday, passing a slew of new laws affecting everything from legally purchasable pets in all five boroughs to idling vehicles, restrooms in parks, transparency ticket prices and more.
Here’s a look at some of the more notable bills, all of which await Mayor Eric Adams’ signature and will go into effect at various times once that happens. Get more details on these and other items on the board’s agenda here.
You cannot buy guinea pigs from pet stores.
Pet stores are now banned from selling guinea pigs in all five boroughs, under a law sponsored by Vice President Diana Ayala. However, you can still adopt them from city animal shelters and rescue groups.
Why the ban on pet stores? People got them as comfort animals during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, found they were a lot of work and started abandoning them in droves, according to reports.
A report by The CITY cited Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC) data showing that shelters received triple the number of guinea pigs in the 30-month period ending December (900) compared to the year preceding the start of the pandemic (300) . Ayala, whose motion was approved by a 42-7 vote, said people were dumping their unwanted pets in public places.
The ban takes effect 30 days after Adams signs it. Beyond sales, pet stores will not even be able to give away guinea pigs.
“Banning the sale of guinea pigs in pet stores will help ease the adoption of the large number of guinea pigs abandoned in recent years, giving New Yorkers and guinea pigs the lifelong friend they both deserve,” said Ayala.
‘Don’t stop:’ NYC idling slowed to 1 minute near schools and parks
It is part of the council’s overall effort to tackle climate change and is one of many related new measures being adopted. The bill, sponsored by Councilwoman Alexa Aviles, limits idling time for vehicles near or in New York City parks to one minute, which climate scientists say will help promote an air pure around these public spaces.
It enacts the same idling restriction near any New York City public school and any non-public school serving K-12 students. School bus idling is a little different. See invoice details here. It was passed by a vote of 42 to 6 and takes effect 90 days after the mayor signs it into law.
Aviles called the bill “common sense.”
“Skipping Intro 606 will do more to protect our children from the harmful impact of car exhaust and particulates, as well as prevent the exacerbation of asthma symptoms in children with this disease,” he said. he declares. “We must always work to put the health of our residents and our children first, not just in April, but all the time.”
No more “bait and trade” ticket prices
With the memory of the Taylor Swift and Ticketmaster debacle still fresh in the minds of many, and the fallout involving the company that continues to unfold around other artists, lawmakers are taking action to protect New Yorkers from tariffs. surprises.
One way to do this would be a bill that would require disclosure of the full price of tickets whenever they are displayed in paid event advertisements. Under the bill, sponsored by Councilman Justin Brannan, ads must display the full price, including taxes and fees, rather than just the base cost. Brannan says the bill is especially important as concert season and outdoor sporting events ramp up with improving weather.
“Whether you’re going to see The Cure or attend a Mets game, these ticket companies need to stop scamming fans,” Brannan said. “By requiring vendors to advertise tickets with all fees in advance, my bill will end the era of bait and change ticket price advertising. Do not advertise $20 tickets when you’re done paying all sorts of surprise fees which actually cost $50.”
Violations will carry penalties ranging from $0 for first-time offenders up to $500.
This bill was passed unanimously (49-0) and comes into force 180 days after the mayor signs it into law. Read the full text.
Family-Friendly Bathrooms in NYC Parks
This is the nightmare of many parents. You are in a public park in the city, enjoying the good weather, you need to change your baby’s diaper and A) The public toilets in the park are inexplicably closed; B) It’s disgusting; C) No changing table or D) Something else. A bill passed Tuesday targets Option C on that list.
Sure, that’s a while away, but as of December 2027, all restrooms in city-run parks must have changing tables, which means parents won’t have to use their changing tables. portable to change children’s diapers on the sidewalk, or picnic table for longer. Half of this work must be completed by the end of 2025, two-thirds by December 2026.
Currently, less than half of the roughly 1,400 parks under the city’s jurisdiction have changing rooms, says City Councilman Rafael Salamanca, sponsor of the bill, which he says prevents young families from pulling the weight. best of the parks.
Salamanca points out that these family bathrooms are now needed in new or recently renovated public buildings where goods are sold and in places such as theaters, bowling alleys, museums and shopping malls.
“The only place they’re not needed: New York Park restrooms,” he said. “Despite being a place where families spend much of their time, the lack of diaper changing stations has led parents to change their children’s diapers at the benches and equipment in the park, on their knees, or even on the ground, all of which are unsanitary places.”
This law goes into effect immediately after it is signed by Adams. It is now on your desk, having been unanimously approved.