What's happening
This bill requires the MTA and NYC Transit Authority to set industry certification standards for non-employee paint and coating work on elevated infrastructure.
Why it matters
Raises safety and quality standards for public infrastructure. By mandating industry-recognized certification (like SSPC QP-1/2/3 and NACE/NIICAP) for contractors working on elevated transit structures, the bill aims to ensure that only qualified professionals handle hazardous and technically demanding paint and coating jobs, potentially reducing risks of structural failure, corrosion, and accidents.
Protects public health and the environment. Requiring certified workers and adherence to strict standards for paint/coating removal and application helps prevent the release of toxic substances (like lead or other hazardous materials), minimizing the risk of exposure for workers, commuters, and nearby communities.
Levels the playing field for contractors. By specifying clear certification requirements, the bill may prevent unqualified or underqualified contractors from underbidding responsible firms, supporting fair competition and potentially improving labor practices and wages within the industry.
Could affect costs and timelines for MTA projects. Stricter standards and certification requirements may increase upfront costs for the MTA and its contractors (through training, certification, compliance), but may result in longer-lasting infrastructure and reduced maintenance needs over time.
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Who cares
MTA and New York City Transit Authority
They would have to issue regulations requiring quality management programs and specified industry standards for coating work by non-employees on bridges, trestles and elevated transit infrastructure.
Painting and coating contractors
Contractors seeking covered work would need quality management programs and compliance with the specified SSPC or NACE contractor certification standards.
Workers removing and applying coatings
Workers performing coating removal, surface preparation and application on authority property, facilities and assets would have to be certified under the NACE 13/ACS1 Standard.
Firms bidding on authority coating projects
The requirements would apply to projects and bids proposed on or after the effective date and contracts whose bids or proposals are submitted after that date.
Headline styles
Require Certified Bridge Workers
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Enacting clause stricken
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Safer Subway Paint Standards
In Senate Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Leroy Comrie
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1005
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by M. of A. MAMDANI -- read once and referred to the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
AN ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to requiring the metropolitan transportation authority and the New York city transit authority to implement certain standards pertaining to applying and removing coatings from bridges, trestles, elevated subway and railway tracks and stations
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 1266 of the public authorities law is amended by adding a new subdivision 20 to read as follows:
20. The authority shall promulgate regulations to require that all application and maintenance of paint and coatings on bridges, trestles, elevated subway tracks, elevated subway stations, elevated railway tracks and elevated railway stations performed by non-employees of the authority have a quality management program and meet applicable industry standards of the society for protective coatings painting contractor certification program to standards QP-1, QP-2, QP-3, or national association of corrosion engineers NIICAP AS1 and AS2. The removal, surface preparation, and application of all paint and coatings on authority property, facilities and assets shall be performed by certified workers in accordance with the NACE 13/ACS1 Standard.
§ 2. Section 1209 of the public authorities law is amended by adding a new subdivision 16 to read as follows:
16. The authority shall promulgate regulations to require that all application and maintenance of paint and coatings on bridges, trestles, elevated subway tracks, elevated subway stations, elevated railway tracks and elevated railway stations performed by non-employees of the authority have a quality management program and meet applicable industry standards of the society for protective coatings painting contractor
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00238-01-5
certification program to standards QP-1, QP-2, QP-3, or national association of corrosion engineers NIICAP AS1 and AS2. The removal, surface preparation, and application of all paint and coatings on authority property, facilities and assets shall be performed by certified workers in accordance with the NACE 13/ACS1 Standard.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to all projects and bids proposed on or after such date and to any contract for which bids or proposals are submitted after such date.
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.