Technology

passed · New York · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 1336: Relates to enacting the "N.Y. state digital equity plan act"

Relates to enacting the "N.Y. state digital equity plan act"; requires the division of broadband access to develop a state digital equity plan to increase broadband access to underserved populations by January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExpands broadband access to underserved populations, directly advancing digital equity under technology policy as per bill's explicit mandate.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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passed · New York · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 681: Relates to fingerprinting or mandatory iris and retina scanning of employees

S 681 prohibits most private employers from requiring fingerprinting or mandatory iris/retina scans as a condition of hiring or continued employment. It directly affects private-sector workers and employers, with key exceptions for state/municipal employees, public hospitals, medical colleges affiliated with public hospitals, and private hospitals. The bill amends labor law to make this prohibition explicit and takes effect immediately upon enactment. It does not apply to government workers or healthcare facilities receiving public funding.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits private employers from mandatory biometric scans, protecting workers' privacy rights and limiting employer overreach in hiring practices.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill prohibits private employers from mandating biometric data collection (fingerprints/iris scans), directly protecting employee data privacy per topic description.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3109: Establishes the "broadband deployment assistance act"

Establishes the "broadband deployment assistance act"; requires that substantially similar permits for broadband deployment be processed together at the same time and on an expedited basis; defines terms; authorizes municipalities to simultaneously process certain broadband permit applications that are substantially similar.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyStreamlines broadband permit processing to accelerate deployment, directly expanding internet access infrastructure per bill's expedited permit requirements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4655: Relates to the sale of digital electronic equipment and providing diagnostic and repair information

Modifies what qualifies as an original equipment manufacturer and the manufacture date when hardware must comply with the right to repair law; repeals certain limitations on the right to repair law.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens consumer right to repair by repealing limitations on diagnostic/repair information access, advancing digital rights and tech access92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2355: Relates to attachments to utility poles for broadband service

Relates to attachments to utility poles for broadband service; provides that for a broadband internet provider that does not provide regulated telephone service, a pole owner shall not require such broadband internet provider to obtain a certificate of public convenience and necessity as a condition to making attachments to utility poles solely owned or jointly-owned by the pole owner.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRemoves certificate requirement for broadband pole attachments, facilitating faster deployment of internet infrastructure and expanding access.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4902: Requires cell towers to be equipped with a back-up power source in case of a power outage

This bill requires owners and operators of large outdoor cell towers (called "macro cell tower sites") in New York to install backup power systems capable of maintaining service for at least 72 hours during power outages. It applies to new installations and replacements of existing backup systems, but does not require updates to towers already equipped with backup power before the law takes effect. The backup systems must use renewable energy, fuel cells, or energy storage, excluding rooftop, small cell, or indoor antenna systems. The law takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates renewable energy use for cell tower backup systems, advancing clean energy infrastructure and aligning with renewable energy promotion indicators.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyEnsures continuous cell service during outages, supporting reliable internet access infrastructure through backup power requirements for cell towers.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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signed · New York · Senate Dec 19, 2025

S 7599: Relates to automated decision-making by government agencies

Regulates automated decision-making by government agencies; requires agencies to conduct impact assessments; requires disclosure of automated decision-making tools utilized by governmental agencies.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires impact assessments and disclosure of government AI tools, strengthening data privacy oversight and transparency in automated decision-making.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · New York · Senate Dec 19, 2025

S 4505: Relates to warning labels on certain social media platforms

Requires warning labels on social media platforms which provide an addictive feed, autoplay, infinite scroll, like counts, and/or push notifications; directs the commissioner of mental health to design the warning label.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires warning labels for addictive social media features to protect users, aligning with consumer protection regulations in digital rights.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · New York · Senate Dec 19, 2025

S 6953: Relates to the training and use of artificial intelligence frontier models

The RAISE Act establishes safety requirements for developers of powerful artificial intelligence models, known as "frontier models." A frontier model is defined as one trained with over 10^26 computational operations (costing more than $100 million) or a distilled version costing over $5 million. Large developers must implement documented safety protocols to prevent "critical harm," defined as events causing death, serious injury to 100+ people, or $1 billion in damages from AI misuse. The bill also defines key terms like "safety incident" and outlines remedies for violations, focusing on risk mitigation rather than restricting AI development.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill S 6953 establishes safety requirements for developers of powerful AI models to prevent critical harm, regulating tech companies for public protection.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · New York · Senate Dec 11, 2025

S 8391: Relates to the right of publicity

Relates to the right of publicity; amends the definitions of "deceased performer", "deceased personality" and "digital replica" in relation to the right of publicity; relates to the use of a deceased performer's digital replica without authorization by the applicable right holder.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill regulates unauthorized use of digital replicas (technology) to protect right of publicity, directly addressing digital rights and preventing misuse of digital representations.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology