What's happening
This bill prohibits aircraft departing from New York airports from transporting lithium or lithium metal batteries as cargo, with limited exceptions for personal devices kept in the passenger cabin.
Why it matters
Flight safety concerns. The bill addresses the risk of fires or explosions linked to lithium and lithium metal batteries in airplane cargo holds, which have been implicated in several high-profile aviation incidents, potentially making flights departing from New York airports safer.
Impact on shipping and logistics. By banning these batteries as cargo, the legislation could disrupt supply chains for electronics manufacturers, retailers, and logistics companies that rely on air freight from New York, possibly leading to delays or increased costs for transporting devices and batteries.
Passenger convenience and compliance. Passengers will still be able to carry personal electronics (like phones, tablets, and laptops) with lithium batteries in the cabin, but cannot check them in luggage or place spare batteries in cargo, requiring travelers to be more mindful about packing and possibly resulting in stricter airport screening processes.
Potential for broader regulatory influence. If enacted, this state-level restriction could set a precedent or pressure for similar rules elsewhere, influencing national or international aviation safety standards regarding lithium battery transport.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Lithium Battery Air Transport
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
1 Multi-sponsor
History
- Enacting clause stricken
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4200
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 1, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. SEPULVEDA, COOK, MOSLEY -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. GALEF -- read once and referred to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the general business law, in relation to prohibiting the transport of lithium and lithium metal batteries on all aircraft
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The general business law is amended by adding a new section 244 to read as follows:
§ 244. Lithium battery ban. No aircraft departing from a New York airport shall be permitted to transport, as cargo, lithium or lithium metal batteries. Only lithium or lithium metal batteries in cellular devices or computers including tablets and laptops, shall be permitted on such aircraft under certain circumstances. Such circumstances include when the lithium or lithium metal battery remains in such device and is kept within the passenger cabin. No device containing a lithium or lithium metal battery shall be stored within the cargo hold or any other area of the aircraft.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08068-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.