Bill

A 386

Requires the sanitation department of the city of New York to provide a photograph of the materials, condition or situation alleged to constitute the violation

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Simcha Eichenstein and 1 co-sponsor

NYC DSNY must attach a photo showing the alleged violation with enforcement notices, boosting transparency for violators and the public about enforcement claims.

REFERRED TO CITIES

WeVote Research Nonpartisan

Bill Summary · A 386

Summary: New York Assembly Bill A 386

Overview

A 386 would require the New York City Department of Sanitation to provide a photograph showing the materials, condition, or situation alleged to constitute a violation. The bill is currently in the Assembly Committee on Cities (referred to Cities) after being introduced on January 8, 2025.

Purpose and Intent

To enhance transparency and documentation in enforcement actions by requiring photographic evidence to accompany allegations of violations.
Aims to clarify or substantiate what is alleged to be in violation, potentially aiding recipients of notices and the public in understanding the basis for enforcement.

Key Provisions (as stated)

The NYC Department of Sanitation would be required to provide a photograph illustrating the materials, condition, or situation alleged to constitute the violation.
The provision appears to apply in the context of enforcement actions or notices where a violation is alleged; the summary provided does not specify the exact procedural timing (e.g., when the photo must be provided or how it is delivered).

Note: The precise statutory language (timelines, format, access, privacy protections, and duplication of photos) is not included in the summary provided.

Who Is Affected

Primary: New York City Department of Sanitation (NYC DSNY), as the agency responsible for enforcement and notification.
Violators or recipients of DSNY notices of violation or enforcement actions, who would receive photographic documentation supporting the allegations.
The general public may also gain greater visibility into specific enforcement claims through the photos.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Status: Referred to the Assembly Committee on Cities (referral indicates the bill is at the early stage of the legislative process and has not yet advanced to floor consideration).
Introduced: January 8, 2025.
Legislative actions listed show the same “REFERRED TO CITIES” action on the same date, indicating no additional committee movements are documented in the provided material.
Related/Companion Bills:
- A 5623, A 7298, A 2378, A 244 (prior-session versions)
- S 6602 (companion in the Senate)
- These related measures suggest ongoing interest in photographic or additional documentation requirements across sessions.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

Pros: Improves transparency, provides concrete evidence for violations, potentially reduces disputes about what constitutes a violation.
Cons/Questions: How and when photographs must be produced; whether photos would be publicly accessible or restricted; privacy and safety considerations if photos capture individuals or sensitive locations; potential administrative burden on DSNY to collect and provide images; funding or resource implications for agency staff and technology needs.
Relationship to Related Bills: The presence of companion and prior-session bills indicates ongoing legislative interest in documenting enforcement actions with photographs.

Bottom Line

A 386 introduces a straightforward documentation requirement intended to bolster the evidentiary basis for NYC sanitation violations by requiring photographs. As the bill is in early committee stages, its fate will depend on committee consideration, potential amendments, and broader legislative action.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.