New York City Council Stated Meeting: October 22, 2026

The New York City Council met for a Stated Meeting on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 1:30 PM in Council Chambers at City Hall. Majority Leader Shaun Abreu presided as President Pro Tempore. A quorum of 49 members was present. The meeting featured historic final votes on long-debated legislation, including the ban on horse-drawn carriages (Romanche's Law) and the Community Opportunity to Purchase Act (COPA), alongside numerous land use, finance, and policy items.

Consent Calendar

• The Council adopted the Minutes of the October 8 meeting and spread the invocation upon the record.
• Most items on the General Orders Calendar were approved en masse via a consent vote of 49-0. This included: Int. 0853-A (Special education study), Int. 0978-2026-B (SCRIE/DRIE income eligibility increase to $75,000), Res. 0666-A (BID expenditures), multiple tax exemption resolutions (Res. 0704, 0707-0708), land use actions (Res. 0709-0714 covering zoning and an Urban Development Action Area Project in Manhattan), Int. 0927-A (street renaming in Queens), Res. 0715 (appointment of Marricka Scott-McFadden as Bronx County Commissioner of Elections), and Int. 0296-2026-A (Gender-based violence data collection).
• Six high-profile items were removed from the consent calendar and received individual roll call votes.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public testimony was taken during the Stated Meeting, as only council members are permitted to speak during these sessions.

Discussion Items & Major Floor Debate

Horse-Drawn Carriage Ban (Int. 0943-2026-A / Romanche's Law)

• Amendment Debate: Councilmember Gennaro moved an amendment to extend the phase-out date to January 1, 2030, arguing the 18-month transition provided inadequate support for workers and owners. Councilmember Paladino argued the industry was being unfairly scapegoated and that the bill was rushed. Councilmember Morano spoke against the amendment, arguing that two decades of debate was sufficient and that a vote was needed now. Amendment Defeated 6-43-0.
• Final Vote: The bill prohibits new carriage horse licenses after June 1, 2028, requires a transition plan for workers (including job training and placement), and requires the humane disposition of horses (prohibiting slaughter). Passed 40-7-2.
  • In favor: Speaker Menin, Councilmember Marte (sponsor), De La Rosa, Feliz, Morano, Restler, Nurse, Wilson.
  • Opposed: Ariola, Felder, Gennaro, Paladino, Carr (Minority Leader), Riley, Vernikov.
  • Abstained: Farías, Zhuang.
  • Speaker Menin specifically thanked the family of victim Romanche Mahajan for their advocacy.

Community Opportunity to Purchase Act (COPA - Int. 0905-2026-A)

• COPA grants qualified nonprofits and community land trusts a "first look" and matching right on offers for certain distressed residential properties (4-100 units) to preserve affordable housing.
• Supporters (Councilmember Nurse, Menin, Cabán, Hudson, Joseph, Lee) emphasized its role as an anti-displacement tool against speculative investment. Councilmember Nurse noted the bill was significantly narrowed to target roughly 2,100 buildings.
• Opponents (Councilmembers Morano, Paladino, Carr, Ariola, Narcisse) argued it violates private property rights, creates legal uncertainty, and represents flawed housing policy. Councilmember Narcisse expressed concern about the long-term impact on property owners. Passed 38-9-2.
  • Abstained: Hanks, Narcisse.

SCRIE/DRIE Income Cap Increase (Int. 0978-2026-B)

• Raised the income eligibility cap for the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) and Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) from $50,000 to $75,000. Councilmember Farah Louis, the sponsor, described it as essential for allowing seniors and disabled New Yorkers to age in place. Passed via Consent Agenda.

Voting Rights in City Jails

• Int. 0786-2026-A (Ballot Curing): Requires the Department of Correction to review absentee ballots for errors before submission. Passed 42-7.
• Int. 0797-2026-A (Jail Voter Reporting): Requires annual demographic reporting on voter registration in jails. Passed 48-1.
• Public Advocate Jumaane Williams spoke in favor, highlighting the disenfranchisement of eligible voters (mostly pretrial detainees) on Rikers Island.

Land Use & Tax Exemptions

• LU 156 / Res 705-706 (Bronx Cluster): Approved tax exemptions for a cluster of properties. Councilmember Justin Sanchez abstained (48-0-1), citing over 500 housing violations in related buildings and arguing against tax breaks without stricter accountability.

Resolutions Adopted

• Res 0625-2026-B: Declared October as Reggaeton Heritage Month. (Voice vote).
• Res 0650-2026: Opposed federal rule changes reducing Head Start requirements. (Voice vote. Record indicates 5 members, including Minority Leader Carr, noted intent to vote no).

Introduction & Referral of New Legislation

• Over 30 new items were introduced and referred to committees. Highlights included:
  • Int. 1153 "Stop Super Speeders Bill" (Speed limiting devices for repeat offenders in school zones, sponsored by Santosuosso).
  • Int. 1137 (Business incubator pilot program for persons with disabilities, sponsored by Hanif).
  • Int. 1132 (Landmarks Preservation Commission public records portal, sponsored by Brewer).
  • Int. 1144 (Analysis of gender-based violence data, sponsored by Joseph).
  • Res 0687 (Call for state passage of Drag Racing and Speeding Enforcement Act).
  • Res 0693 (Moratorium on new data center permits).
• Five Mayoral nominations for the City Planning Commission (M0093-97) and one for Bronx Commissioner of Elections (M098) were referred to the Committee on Rules.

Key Outcomes

• Int 0943-2026-A (Horse Drawn Cab Ban): Adopted (40-7-2). Gennaro Amendment Defeated (6-43).
• Int 0905-2026-A (COPA): Adopted (38-9-2).
• Int 0978-2026-B (SCRIE/DRIE): Adopted (Consent Agenda).
• Int 0786-2026-A (DOC Ballot Curing): Adopted (42-7).
• Int 0797-2026-A (Jail Voter Registration): Adopted (48-1).
• Preconsidered Res 0695 (Budget Designations): Adopted (44-5).
• LU 156 / Res 705/706 (Bronx Tax Exemptions): Adopted (48-0-1).
• Res 0625-B & Res 0650: Adopted via voice votes.
• Adjourned: The meeting was adjourned to Thursday, November 12, 2026.