Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.
On October 22, 2026, the New York City Council's Committee on Health, chaired by Councilmember Lynn Schulman, voted on Proposed Introduction 943-A (Int 0943-2026), sponsored by Councilmember Christopher Marte. The legislation would prohibit the operation of horse-drawn cabs after June 1, 2028, require the humane disposition of carriage horses, and mandate a transition plan for the industry to be developed by the Mayor and published by April 1, 2027. The committee approved the bill by a vote of 6-3. The vote followed a previous nine-hour public hearing held in July 2026 and was motivated in part by the death of carriage driver Ramanch Mahajan earlier in the year.
Good morning, and welcome to today's New York City Council vote for the Committee on Health. Ladies and gentlemen, at this time, we please as you do silence all electronic devices. Moving forward, no one is so approached the front day as chair. You may begin. Good morning. I am Councilmember Lynn Shulman, Chair of the New York City Council's Committee on Health. Thank you all for coming. We are joined today by Councilmembers De La Rosa, Narcis, Marte, Epstein, Ariola, Janeiro, Felder, and Wilson. Today, the committee is voting on proposed introduction 943A, sponsored by Councilmember Christopher Marte, in relation to prohibiting the operation of horse-drawn cabs and establishing a horse-drawn cab industry transition plan. I understand that for many, this may be an emotional day. However, we must keep these proceedings civil and respectful. I want to remind everyone that this is a government proceeding and that decorum shall be observed at all times. Council members who wish to speak on the bill will have three minutes to speak. No public testimony will be accepted during this proceeding. Members of the public shall remain silent at all times. Introduction 943A would prohibit the issuance of new horse carriage operator licenses after June 1st, 2028, along with prohibiting the operation of horse-drawn cabs after that date. It would require the humane disposition of carriage horses, including prohibiting their sale or transfer for slaughter or for use in another horse-drawn cab business. And finally, the bill requires the mayor to develop and implement a holistic horse-drawn cab industry transition plan. This plan is to be published and implemented by April 1st, 2027, and as Speaker Julie Menon announced last week, the council will work with the administration and other stakeholders to ensure this transition plan meets the needs of those impacted. Over the past months, people and organizations on all sides of this debate have weighed in on the legislation before us today and have shared their visions for the future of this industry. I want to thank everyone that participated in this robust and necessary process. We have listened carefully to every stakeholder, drivers and owners, advocates, residents, and businesses, and we have strived to understand every perspective. This past July, this committee held a nine-hour hearing on this legislation, giving everyone who wanted to be heard the opportunity to testify. The bill before us today thoughtfully reflects that input. Tragedies like the death of Ramanch Mahajan are impossible to ignore. In response to that, preventable loss of human life, this council, under Speaker Julie Menon's leadership is taking action. It's time to chart a new path forward. This legislation is about public safety, is about the well-being of the horses, and it is about the well-being of the workers and owners. This bill carefully balances each of those considerations and paves the way towards a fair, just and safe transition. I want to thank the committee staff, Christopher Pepe, Joshua Newman, Elizabeth Artst and Valeria Lazario Rodriguez for the hard work in preparing for this vote, as well as my team, Jonathan Boucher, my chief of staff, Kevin MacAlliar, my legislative director, and Sammy New, my communications director. I also want to thank the speaker and her staff as well as Councilmember Marte for their leadership. In closing, I want to remind everyone that this is a government proceeding and that decorum shall be observed at all times. Council members who wish to speak on the bill will have three minutes to speak. No public testimony will be accepted during this proceeding. Members of the public shall remain silent at all times. I will now turn it over to Councilmember Marte for a brief statement. Good morning, everyone. It was started to address one specific issue, the conditions of the carriages, horse carriages in New York City. Now we are here nearly two centuries later to complete this mission. Throughout this throughout these years, our city has evolved. Milkmen no longer deliver milk to our doors. Construction companies don't sell or use asbestos. Paint companies don't sell lead paint. With every generation, we let go of the past and embrace the future. Despite these changes to industries, New York has not just survived but thrive. We are the city we are today because we have evolved with the times, and our job as legislator is to guide New York through these evolutions. We've seen the pose, the endless comments on social media, the constant calls and emails we have received from constituents.