S 6997 New York Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Relates to enforcement of pole attachment safety and quality

S 6997 requires utility companies and contractors to electronically submit detailed information about pole attachments (including equipment ownership, work dates, and contractors) to a central database. It creates a public complaint system for safety issues like unsafe attachments or violations of industry standards, with inspectors required to investigate within two weeks. Violations can result in fines up to $50,000 for repeat offenses, and the commission must publish semiannual lists of repeat violators. The bill also adds new disclosure requirements for contractors working in public rights-of-way when applying for permits.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
Jun 2025
Senate Passage
Jun 2025
Assembly Passage
Jun 2025
Signed into Law
Dec 2025
Introduced Mar 28, 2025 Signed Dec 19, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

S6997 S6997A · 5 edits
MODERATE
This bill was amended to add more sponsors and update its legislative status after committee review. The substantive changes include expanding the types of violations that can be reported, adding a remedy period before fines are imposed, changing the update deadline for permit changes from 24 hours to five business days, and clarifying that fines apply only after violations are confirmed rather than immediately upon complaint.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on pole attachment safety and quality enforcement, but the enforcement timeline was modified to give utilities time to fix violations before penalties apply.
ENFORCEMENT

Added a one-week remedy period before fines are imposed, allowing utilities to fix violations before penalties apply.

Clarified that fines apply only after violations are confirmed by the commission, not immediately upon complaint submission.

TIMELINE

Changed the deadline for updating permit information from 24 hours to five business days.

REQUIREMENT

Added new violation types including improper equipment movement and one-touch make-ready regulations.

Expanded required information to include estimated completion dates and other commission-deemed necessary details.

Floor votes · Senate Jun 6, 2025 · Assembly Jun 17, 2025

How they voted

503
Passed · 10 other
Total votes 63
Jun 6, 2025
D Democratic41
34 Yea 7
82% Yea
R Republican22
16 Yea 3 Nay 3
72% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
16
Key actions
5
Committee
4
Amendments
2
Dec 19, 2025
Signed into law
SIGNED CHAP.700
upper
Jun 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
PASSED ASSEMBLY
lower
Jun 6, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO CODES
lower
Jun 6, 2025
Upper · Passed
PASSED SENATE
upper
May 29, 2025
Committee
COMMITTEE DISCHARGED AND COMMITTED TO RULES
upper
May 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
PRINT NUMBER 6997A
upper
May 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO FINANCE
upper
May 13, 2025
Committee
REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE
upper
Mar 28, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO ENERGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
upper
1 primary · 18 co-sponsors

Sponsors