Senate Housing Committee advances eight bills, including demolition and ADU measures

The State Senate Committee on Housing, Construction and Community Development, chaired by State Senator Brian Kavanaugh, on April 28 reported eight bills to the Senate floor after a morning session that included brief discussion on several measures.

The measures the committee advanced would: (1) require additional evidence that an owner is ready to build before a landlord may refuse a lease renewal for a building slated for demolition (S.2134, Krueger); (2) expand the real property tax assessment exemption for living quarters for a parent or grandparent to include some preexisting units (S.2291, Harcombe); (3) require New York City’s Department of Buildings to independently confirm that no tenants occupy certain properties before approving demolition or substantial alteration permits (S.3877, Boyle/Siegel); (4) permit air‑impermeable insulation in unvented attics and enclosed rafter assemblies for building decarbonization purposes (S.5940, sponsor listed in committee); (5) require local code enforcement to provide complainants a copy of a compliance order when a complaint leads to an order (S.6368, sponsor listed in committee); (6) amend laws governing actions on subordinate bonds or notes (S.6971, sponsor listed in committee); (7) set standards for the design and construction of all‑gender bathrooms in New York City (S.7131A, May); and (8) require compensation for required code enforcement personnel training (S.7159, Cleare/clear in committee record).

Committee members moved and seconded each bill, and the clerk recorded votes or reservations where noted. Several items drew brief questions about implementation and fiscal impacts from committee members; where members asked about costs or regulatory overlap, sponsors and the chair said those issues could be addressed with the sponsor or in subsequent rule‑making. Several votes recorded abstentions or “AWR” remarks by named senators in committee. All eight bills were reported to the floor for further consideration.

Why it matters: The package touches on housing production, tenant protections and local code enforcement capacity. Measures that tighten verification before demolition or expand incentives for accessory dwelling units aim to affect how and whether existing housing stock is altered or preserved. Changes to code enforcement and training pay relate to local governments’ ability to inspect and enforce housing and fire codes.

What happened on key measures

S.2134 (Krueger) — amend the administrative code of New York City to require that a building owner demonstrate readiness to build before refusing to renew a lease for a building to be demolished. Motion to report from Senator Jackson; second from Senator Cleare/Cleer. No negative votes recorded; bill reported.

S.2291 (Harcombe) — expand applicability of an assessment exemption to encourage living quarters for parents or grandparents, including some preexisting units. Motion from Senator May; second from Senator Cleare. Bill reported.

S.3877 (Boyle/Siegel) — require New York City Department of Buildings to confirm independently that properties are tenant‑free before issuing demolition or substantial alteration permits. Motion from Senator Brisport; second from Senator Cleare. Committee members noted the bill focuses on verifying tenant status rather than changing the existing permit requirement; bill reported.

S.5940 (executive law amendment on unvented attics) — allows certain air‑impermeable insulation in unvented attic and rafter assemblies to aid building decarbonization. Motion from Senator Bismarck; second from Senator May. A notation of “AWR” was recorded from Senator Helming during the vote; bill reported.

S.6368 (requiring complainants get a copy of compliance orders) — discussed at length in committee; see separate article on that discussion. Motion to report made and seconded; AWRs from some members were recorded during the vote; bill reported.

S.6971 (real property actions and civil practice law changes regarding subordinate bonds/notes) — motion to report made; second recorded; AWRs noted; bill reported.

S.7131A (May) — establish standards for design and construction of all‑gender bathrooms in New York City. Motion and second recorded; the transcript notes a “Nay” from the minority present and the bill was reported.

S.7159 (code enforcement training compensation) — would require employers to compensate personnel for required code enforcement training. Committee members questioned which employer would pay, how costs would be allocated for shared officers in rural municipalities and whether any state fiscal would accompany the measure. Motion and second were recorded; an AWR was noted from Senator Helming; bill reported.

Next steps: All eight bills were reported out of committee to the Senate floor. Committee members and sponsors indicated follow‑up conversations and possible clarifying language or regulatory guidance could follow as bills proceed through the legislative process.