Technology

passed both · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 9408: Relates to a prohibition on chatbot toys

This bill prohibits the manufacture, sale, and distribution of chatbot toys within the state, directly affecting toy manufacturers, sellers, and distributors. It defines a chatbot toy as any children's toy that includes an artificial intelligence companion and bans all commercial activities related to these products. Enforcement is handled by the state attorney general, who can seek court orders to stop violations and impose civil penalties of up to fifteen thousand dollars per day without needing to prove that a specific person was harmed. The law includes a five-year expiration clause, meaning it would automatically end five years after it takes effect.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill prohibits chatbot toys and directs study on risks, limiting technology adoption and innovation in this sector.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Mar 19, 2026

A 10645: Relates to the publication of information on public meetings

Relates to the publication of information on public meetings; requires the office of information technology services to develop a mobile application and website to publish information on every public meeting held by a state or local public body; requires public bodies to report such meetings to the office of information technology services.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill requires IT services to develop mobile app and website for public meeting information, expanding digital access and transparency through technology implementation.75% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Mar 6, 2026

A 10501: Relates to criminal impersonation by electronic communication and emergency disclosure of caller-identification routing information

Establishes the crimes of criminal electronic impersonation and aggravated criminal electronic impersonation; requires certain voice-over internet, call-routing and electronic communication services to preserve certain call routing and originating connection records and to provide such records to law enforcement upon request.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens criminal justice by establishing new crimes for electronic impersonation and requiring service providers to preserve records for law enforcement, enhancing investigation capabilities.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens cybersecurity by establishing crimes for electronic impersonation and requiring service providers to preserve call records for law enforcement, protecting against digital fraud.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · New York · Senate Mar 3, 2026

S 9340: Extends the period of probable usefulness of broadband and related telecommunications infrastructure

This bill, known as the Municipal Broadband Financing Modernization Improvement Act of 2026, changes how long local governments can claim broadband infrastructure remains useful for financing purposes. It directly affects municipalities that build or upgrade internet networks by extending the official "probable usefulness" period from ten years to thirty years. The key provision amends the Local Finance Law to allow these infrastructure projects to be financed over a longer timeframe, which could impact how loans are structured and repaid. The change takes effect immediately upon passage and applies to broadband and telecommunications infrastructure acquired, constructed, or replaced under existing municipal laws.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill extends financing period for broadband infrastructure, enabling municipalities to fund essential public services over longer timeframe, promoting fiscal management and infrastructure investment.75% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill extends financing period for broadband infrastructure, directly supporting internet access expansion and digital equity by enabling municipalities to build more sustainable networks.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

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in committee · New York · Senate Mar 4, 2026

S 9352: Establishes a tax on video streaming services; and establishes the media arts technology and education fund

Establishes a tax on video streaming services; provides that the revenue from the tax is to be used to ensure that every resident in the state has access to modern communications networks; establishes the media arts technology and education fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a tax on video streaming services to fund modern communications networks and education, increasing state revenue for public services.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill funds modern communications network access for all residents, promoting digital equity and expanding internet access.85% confidence

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 9643: Relates to banning the use of biometric identifying technology in schools

This bill prohibits public and nonpublic schools, including charter schools, from purchasing or using biometric identifying technology like facial recognition for most purposes. The law allows exceptions for fingerprinting prospective employees to comply with education laws, logging into digital devices for academic use, and identifying employees who have provided written consent or whose unions have consented. The bill requires the director of the state education department to prepare a detailed report analyzing privacy risks, civil rights impacts, security effectiveness, data retention, breach risks, costs, and other factors before any such technology can be authorized for school use. This report must be made public and shared with state leaders while seeking feedback from teachers, parents, safety experts, and privacy advocates through public hearings.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill protects student privacy by restricting biometric technology use in schools, enhancing educational environment safety and data protection85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts use of biometric technology in schools, limiting adoption of facial recognition and other identifying tech despite exceptions for employee verification.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Consumer Data Protection Emerging Technology

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in committee · New York · Senate Mar 31, 2026

S 9642: Limits robocalls to state residents and requires telephone service providers to offer free call mitigation technology to telephone customers

This bill, known as the robocall prevention act, restricts the use of automatic dialing devices and prerecorded voice calls to residents of New York State and requires telephone service providers to offer free call mitigation technology to their customers. The law defines a robocall as any call made using an automatic dialing device or artificial voice to a state telephone number and allows such calls only for emergency purposes, with the recipient's prior express consent, or by labor organizations to their members. Telephone service providers must provide technology that identifies and blocks unwanted robocalls while permitting calls from law enforcement and public safety entities. The bill also mandates that robocalls using prerecorded voices must identify the caller at the beginning and end of the message, prohibits the use of random or sequential number generators for dialing, and bans the transmission of misleading caller identification information with intent to defraud.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill protects consumers from intrusive robocalls and requires providers to offer free mitigation technology, enhancing digital rights and consumer protection.85% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Mar 3, 2026

S 9339: Protects library access to electronic literary materials

This bill protects library access to electronic books and digital audiobooks by prohibiting restrictive clauses in contracts between publishers and libraries. It directly affects public libraries, school libraries, academic institutions, and other library types by banning terms that limit lending, loan periods, interlibrary loans, or the use of security measures for digital materials. The law declares contracts containing these prohibited provisions unenforceable and allows libraries, borrowers, or the attorney general to seek legal remedies, including civil penalties for violations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill protects library access to electronic materials, expanding educational resources and access for students and institutions.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill protects library access to electronic materials by banning restrictive contract clauses, promoting digital equity and expanding access to digital resources.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries

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in committee · New York · Assembly Mar 2, 2026

A 10364: Relates to the use of telematics systems by automobile insurers

This bill requires automobile insurers and third-party telematics vendors to disclose how they use technology that monitors driving behavior to determine insurance rates and discounts. It mandates that companies explain how their algorithms connect specific data points to risk, publicly share their scoring methods, and report on testing to prevent discrimination against protected groups. The law also gives consumers the right to request access to their collected driving data in a readable format and prohibits insurers from using this information for purposes other than underwriting. Additionally, the bill bans unfair discrimination based on race, gender, religion, and other protected characteristics when using telematics data.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill protects consumer data privacy and digital rights by requiring transparency in telematics data usage and preventing discriminatory algorithms.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection

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in committee · New York · Assembly Mar 30, 2026

A 10758: Requires bike shares to equip all bicycles with electric assist with speed and location tracking technology

Requires bike shares to equip all bicycles with electric assist with speed and location tracking technology and to revoke customer account if such customers ride over the speed limit or against the flow of traffic.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill mandates location tracking technology and imposes penalties, restricting user privacy and limiting technology use freedom.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances transportation safety through electric assist and tracking technology while promoting sustainable transportation via bike share improvements85% confidence

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure

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