Senate Consumer Protection Committee advances 12 bills to first reading, debates AI disclosure and rental rules

The New York State Senate Committee on Consumer Protection, chaired by Sen. Rachel May, advanced 12 bills to first reading at its sixth and final meeting of the 2025 legislative session, debating measures that span antitrust, AI disclosure in advertising, right to repair, utility rate notices and rental‑housing protections.

"Good afternoon, everybody. I am senator Rachel May, chair of the senate committee on consumer protection, and this is our sixth and final meeting of the 2025 legislative session," May said at the start of the session.

The bills moved by voice vote or unanimous consent; several generated extended discussion. Committee members raised questions about implementation burdens for local broadcasters and small businesses in a bill requiring disclosure when advertisements use computer‑generated or modified voices and images, and expressed concern about liability and enforcement for a rental‑safety measure that would restrict reuse of damaged helmets.

Votes at a glance

- S.335 (sponsor: not specified in transcript) — amends the general business law regarding practices that establish or maintain monopolies or monopsonies and authorizes a class action remedy under state antitrust law. Outcome: reported to first reading; vote recorded as "all ayes."

- S.704 (sponsor: Krueger) — New York Gift Certificate Scam Prevention Act (amend general business law). Outcome: reported to first reading; committee chair called it "a really good bill."

- S.1228B (sponsor: not specified in transcript) — requires advertisements to disclose use of a synthetic formula (computer‑generated or modified voices/images), with exemptions for expressive works (motion pictures, TV, streaming, video games). Outcome: reported to first reading after questions about scope and enforcement; committee recorded some members as "AWR" (agreement with reservation).

- S.4655 (sponsor: Fady) — amends the general business law to require sale of digital electronic equipment be accompanied by diagnostic and repair information (right to repair). Outcome: reported to first reading.

- S.4989 (sponsor: Harcombe) — requires utility service providers to disclose planned rate increases to consumers within a specified timeframe (amends public service, general business and public authorities laws). Outcome: reported to first reading.

- S.5597 (sponsor: May) — expands warranty protections (existing lemon law) to include certain commercial vehicles. Outcome: reported to first reading; Sen. Weber recorded as voting no.

- S.5655 (sponsor: Chris Ryan) — void provisions in construction contracts that unreasonably withhold payment; reported to first reading.

- S.6722 (sponsor: Baskin) — amends definition of "protected consumer" to include 16‑ and 17‑year‑olds; reported to first reading.

- S.6985 (sponsor: May) — requirements for the rental of homes (general business law). Outcome: reported to first reading after committee members flagged implementation and liability concerns.

- S.7494 (sponsor: Gineris) — government response to insider fraud and trading act: amendments to general business, financial services, state finance and executive laws to strengthen whistleblower incentives and protections related to securities fraud. Outcome: reported to first reading; Sen. Weber recorded as opposed.

- S.7727 (sponsor: Stufus) — requires certain non‑licensed professionals to disclose information regarding risks. Outcome: reported to first reading.

- S.7821 (sponsor: May) — prohibits sale of children's products, mattresses and upholstered furniture containing fiberglass unless prominently labeled. Outcome: reported to first reading; Sen. Weber recorded as "AWR."

Discussion highlights and committee process

Committee members repeatedly asked for clarification about how bills would be implemented at the local level. On the synthetic‑advertising disclosure bill (S.1228B), members asked whether standard photo editing and short radio spots would be covered and whether the burden to verify disclosures would fall on local broadcasters and newspapers. A committee counsel answered that expressive works (motion pictures, TV, streaming, video games) are exempted, and that the committee would "look into" whether the verification burden could be shifted to advertisers.

On the rental‑safety bill (S.6985), members worried that requiring businesses to replace or refuse reuse of damaged helmets could create liability for the business owner and raise enforcement questions; sponsors said the measure was intended to empower consumers to return damaged helmets without penalty and that further drafting could address those concerns.

Several bills were described briefly on the floor as "new bills" or as clarifying existing consumer protections; committee members frequently moved and seconded measures by voice. Where individual roll‑call votes or exact tallies were not provided in the transcript, the committee recorded outcomes as "reported to first reading" and noted any named dissents or reservations (for example, Sen. Weber recorded as opposed on S.7494 and as "nay" on S.5597).

Why it matters

The measures brought forward affect a wide range of consumer protections — from how consumers pursue antitrust claims to whether consumers can know when an ad uses synthetic media, how readily electronics can be repaired, and what warnings appear on consumer goods. Several bills would change obligations on businesses and local media outlets; committee discussion repeatedly returned to how enforcement and verification would work in practice.

What's next

Each bill advanced by the committee is now placed on the Senate calendar for first reading. Committee members said they expect to continue refining the bills where members indicated concerns during debate.