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Senate Consumer Protection committee reports five consumer bills to calendar in first 2025 meeting
Summary
At its first meeting of the 2025 session, the Senate Standing Committee on Consumer Protection reported five bills—on infant walkers, junk fees, pay-for-delay pharmaceutical arrangements, coerced debts, and contract cancellation—to the Senate calendar or to committee, with limited debate and several recorded reservations from committee members.
The Senate Standing Committee on Consumer Protection reported five consumer-related bills to the Senate calendar or to committee during its first meeting of the 2025 session, Chair Senator Rachel May said. The measures address product safety, disclosure of mandatory fees, certain pharmaceutical manufacturer arrangements, a private right of action for coerced debts, and methods for canceling contracts.
The committee’s ranking member said the panel must balance consumer protections with the need to avoid creating an environment that drives businesses out of New York and reduces employment. “I think we do important work on behalf of consumers throughout New York State,” the ranking member said, adding that the committee should consider the impact of regulation on businesses and jobs.
Most bills were advanced with brief procedure and little debate. Several items were described as having passed the full Senate in 2024; the committee formally reported them to first reading on the calendar or, in one instance, referred the measure to the Judiciary Committee for further consideration.
Senate Bill 123, sponsor listed in the meeting as Senator Clear, would amend the General Business Law to prohibit the sale of infant walkers in certain settings. A motion to report the bill was moved and seconded; the committee adopted the motion by voice vote and the bill was reported to first reading on the calendar.
A bill addressing mandatory “junk fees” (bill number not specified in the transcript) — intended to require consumers see the full price before reaching payment — was presented as having passed the Senate in 2024. A motion to report the measure was moved and seconded; the committee agreed by voice vote and the bill was reported to first reading on the calendar.
Senate Bill 488, sponsored in the meeting by Senator Fernandez, would require prescription drug manufacturers to notify the Attorney General of arrangements between manufacturers that delay the introduction of generic drugs (commonly called “pay-for-delay” arrangements). The ranking member raised concerns that the legislation could have unintended consequences that might itself delay generic entry and said they would speak to the sponsor about possible technical changes. Senator Bill Weber registered a negative vote on this item as recorded in the meeting transcript. Despite reservations, the committee reported the bill to first reading on the calendar.
Senate Bill 1353, sponsor listed as Senator Collier in the meeting, would amend the General Business Law to establish a private right of action for claims arising from coerced debts. A motion to report was moved and seconded. The committee recorded opposition from Senator Weber and forwarded the measure to the Judiciary Committee for further review.
Senate Bill 2149 (sponsor identified in the meeting as Senator Conrady) would amend the General Business Law to address methods for canceling contracts. A motion to report the bill was moved and seconded; the motion carried by voice vote and the bill was reported to first reading on the calendar, with Senator Weber recorded as registering an AWR (as recorded in the transcript).
The meeting concluded after the legislative business. Committee staff present during the meeting included Amy Gunnels, Corey Mosher and Steve Gamache from the chair’s team, and central staff Nairam Kasu, Obin Lati and Grace Filipkowski.
Votes at a glance
- SB 123 (prohibit sale of certain infant walkers) — Motion to report to first reading carried by voice vote; mover/second not specified in transcript; outcome: reported to first reading on the calendar. - Junk-fees bill (mandatory disclosure of added fees) — Bill number not specified; motion to report to first reading carried by voice vote; outcome: reported to first reading on the calendar. - SB 488 (notify Attorney General of pay-for-delay arrangements) — Motion to report to first reading carried; Ranking Member expressed concerns about unintended consequences; Senator Bill Weber recorded a "nay" vote; outcome: reported to first reading on the calendar. - SB 1353 (right of action for coerced debts) — Motion to report moved and seconded; Senator Bill Weber registered opposition; outcome: referred to the Judiciary Committee. - SB 2149 (methods for canceling contracts) — Motion to report to first reading carried by voice vote; Senator Bill Weber recorded AWR; outcome: reported to first reading on the calendar.
The transcript records limited floor debate on individual bills; where committee members raised substantive questions (notably on SB 488) the concerns focused on potential unintended market effects and technical fixes. Several measures were noted in the meeting as having already passed the Senate in 2024 and were being processed for Senate calendar placement in the 2025 session.
