Committee on Small Business Meeting - June 30, 2026: Votes on Security Assistance and Grille Repeal
Committee on Small Business Meeting - June 30, 2026
The New York City Council Committee on Small Business, chaired by Councilmember Shanel Thomas-Henry, met on June 30, 2026, to vote on two proposed introductions: Int. No. 553-A (Small Business Protection Act) and Int. No. 910-A (repealing security grille visibility requirements). Both bills were approved, with Int. 553-A passing 6-1 and Int. 910-A passing unanimously 7-0.
Discussion Items
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Int. No. 553-A – Small Business Security System Assistance: Proposed by Councilmember Felice, this bill would establish a program to provide financial assistance to small retail businesses for purchasing and installing security system technology, including cameras and plexiglass. Councilmember Felice emphasized that small businesses are the heart of the economy and need protection from public safety threats. The bill aims to help businesses afford security upgrades.
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Int. No. 910-A – Repeal of Security Grille Visibility Requirements: Proposed by Councilmember Stevens, this bill repeals the requirement from Local Law 75 of 2009 that mandated 70% visibility for security grilles on certain buildings by July 1, 2026. Chair Thomas-Henry noted that the original law aimed to address graffiti but lacked outreach, causing surprise for businesses facing a looming deadline. The repeal relieves businesses from costly unplanned compliance.
Key Outcomes
- Int. No. 553-A was approved by the committee with a vote of 6 in favor (Thomas-Henry, Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Maloney, Morano, Salaam) and 1 against (Santosuosso). No abstentions.
- Int. No. 910-A was approved unanimously with a vote of 7 in favor (all members present, including Santosuosso). No abstentions.
- Both bills were adopted and will proceed to the full City Council.
No public testimony or consent calendar items were presented.
Meeting Transcript
This hearing is now called to Councilmember. Oh, good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the New York City Council vote for the Committee on Small Business. At this time, I'd like to remind everyone to please silence all devices. Chair, we are ready to begin. This hearing is now called to order. Good morning, everyone. I am Councilmember Chanel Thomas Henry, Chair of the Committee on Small Business. Thank you to my colleagues. Councilmember Maloney, Councilmember Salam, Councilmember Felice, Councilmember Brooks Powers, and Councilmember Morano. And Councilmember Hanif on Zoom. Today we are voting on two pieces of legislation. Proposed introduction 553A from Councilmember Felice and proposed introduction 910A from Councilmember Stevens. Proposed introduction 553A would establish a small retail business security system to provide financial assistance to owners of small retail businesses that would reduce the cost of purchasing and installing security system technology. This city depends on its small businesses. They serve as unofficial safe spaces or community centers. They become part of our routines, they are comfort in our lives. So when this critical space, when these critical spaces are subjected to violence and theft, that is not only a disruption to the business and its owner, but to the surrounding community. Councilmember Felice's bill would create an opportunity for businesses to equip their spaces with security features that empower and protect their workplaces. Proposed introduction 910A resolves a looming concern for New York City small businesses. In 2009, the council passed local law 75, which required security grills outside certain businesses to have 70% visibility. Although the intention of the original bill sought to address graffiti concerns, this bill's implementation delay to July 1st, 2026, and subsequent lack of outreach by city agencies resulted in businesses across the city being completely surprised by the upcoming deadline. Businesses have dealt with so much over the past six years, and local law 75 would have put numerous businesses out of compliance or forced a business to quickly replace their grill, adding significant unplanned costs. We've heard these concerns, and therefore introduction 910A would repeal the requirement originally set out in local law 75 of 2009. That as of July 1st, 2026, all security grills installed in group B or M buildings, permit visibility of at least 70% of the area covered by the grill. I want to thank Tyler Walls, Rebecca Barilla, and Austin Malone from Central Staff for their support, as well as my own staff, Franklin Richards, Sierra Smith, and Derek Slaughter, and everyone working in the background to help make this hearing possible. At this time, I will now turn it over to Councilmember Felice for some words. Thank you so much, Chair. So thankful that we are finally voting for the Small Business Protection Act. Small businesses are the heart of our economy. Small business owners work hard to support their family and to support their community. They create local jobs and they make communities vibrant. We must protect them from the public safety threats that can hurt their ability to operate. We must ensure that they have the tools to deter conduct that could harm their workers and their business. Thankful that we're finally voting for the Small Business Protection Act, which will help ensure the city can provide them with direct assistance. Help them cover costs related to security technology, including cameras, plexiglass for bodegas, and more. Small businesses work hard, and this will ensure that we're helping protect their hard work. We're also sending a very clear message that when it comes to the safety issues that they've consistently raised, our city is listening. Uh thank you and I encourage everyone to support this bill. Thank you so much, Chair. Thank you, Councilmember Felice. I will now call on the clerk to call the roll. And also, we have been joined by Councilmember Santos Woso on Zoom. Matthew DeStefano, committee clerk, committee on small business. All items are coupled. Chair Thomas Henry. Aye. Brooks Powers. I vote aye. Hanif.
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