What's happening
This bill creates a temporary commission to study and report on the environmental and health effects of 5G wireless technology in New York.
Why it matters
Broad expert input and public engagement. The commission will include representatives from public health, environmental sciences, the wireless industry, and the business community, and will hold at least four public hearings across New York. This means the study will likely capture a wide range of perspectives and concerns, including those of ordinary citizens.
Focus on both health and environmental impacts. The commission will examine not just human health effects but also possible environmental consequences from exposure to radio frequency radiation across a wide spectrum (300 kHz to 100 GHz), including the infrastructure changes required for 5G (like many small cell antennas).
Potential policy and regulatory impact. The commission is tasked with making legislative recommendations based on its findings, which could influence future regulation of wireless technology, public health standards, or even halt or modify the rollout of 5G infrastructure in New York depending on the conclusions.
Comparison with international standards. By specifically investigating how U.S. wireless radiation exposure guidelines compare to those of other countries, the commission could highlight gaps or areas where New York (or the U.S. as a whole) may be lagging behind global best practices, potentially shaping future safety standards.
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Who cares
Wireless carriers and equipment manufacturers
The commission would include an industry representative and receive industry testimony while examining the health and environmental effects of 5G and earlier wireless technologies.
New York health, environmental conservation and information technology agencies
Their leaders or designees would serve on the commission and help develop findings and recommendations for possible legislation.
Medical and scientific experts
The commission would receive their testimony and examine peer-reviewed research on wireless radiation’s potential effects on health, biological systems and the environment.
Residents concerned about 5G deployment
At least four public hearings in different regions of the state would provide opportunities to weigh in on the technology’s potential health and environmental effects.
Headline styles
Study 5G Health Impacts
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to governmental operations
- Referred to governmental operations
Full text
3 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1113
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 9, 2025
Introduced by M. of A. SEAWRIGHT, LEE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations
AN ACT establishing a commission to study the environmental and health effects of evolving 5G technology; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Legislative intent. The legislature finds that fifth generation, or 5G, wireless technology is intended to greatly increase device capability and connectivity. Therefore, the legislature finds a commission is needed to examine the advantages and risks associated with 5G technology, with a focus on its environmental impact and potential health effects on citizens of our state.
§ 2. Commission. There is hereby established a temporary commission, to be known as the "commission to study the environmental and health effects of evolving 5G technology" (hereinafter "the commission"), for the purpose of studying the environmental and health effects of evolving wireless technologies, including fifth generation or "5G" technology, including the use of earlier generation technologies.
§ 3. Membership. (a) The commission shall consist of fifteen members to be appointed as follows:
(1) Four individuals with an expertise on issues related to 5G technology, including, but not limited to an expertise in public health, the environment, or the effects of wireless radiation, to be appointed by the temporary president of the senate.
(2) Four individuals with an expertise on issues related to 5G technology, including, but not limited to an expertise in public health, the environment, or the effects of wireless radiation, to be appointed by the speaker of the assembly.
(3) One member from the public with expertise in the biological effects of wireless radiation, to be appointed by the governor.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01023-01-5
(4) One member representing the business community, to be appointed by the governor.
(5) One member of the state medical society who specializes in environmental medicine and is familiar with electromagnetic radiation, to be appointed by the governor.
(6) One member of the cell phone/wireless technology industry, to be appointed by the governor.
(7) The commissioner of the department of health of the state of New York or their designee.
(8) The chief information officer of the office of information technology services or their designee.
(9) The commissioner of the department of environmental conservation or their designee.
(b) Vacancies in the membership of the commission shall be filled in the manner provided for original appointments.
(c) A chair and vice-chair of the commission shall be elected by a majority of its members, all members being present. Eight members of the commission shall constitute a quorum for the purposes of conducting business of the commission.
(d) The commission shall hold at least four public hearings in different regions of the state which shall commence no later than 90 days after the effective date of this act.
(e) Membership on the commission shall not constitute a public office.
(f) The members of the commission shall receive no compensation for their services, but shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties pursuant to this act.
§ 4. Duties and scope of inquiry. The commission shall:
(a) Examine the health and environmental impacts of exposure to wireless radio frequency radiation emitted by waves in the 300 kilohertz (kHz) - 100 gigahertz (GHz) range.
(b) Assess the short and long-term health and environmental impacts of exposure to 5G technology, which requires small cell antennas to be placed in close proximity to each other at telephone pole height from the ground and will operate in conjunction with the existing 3G and 4G technology infrastructure.
(c) Receive testimony from the medical community including but not limited to experts in public health, epidemiology and oncology, the scientific community including but not limited to biologists, physicists and electrical engineers, the wireless technology industry including but not limited to, wireless manufacturers and purveyors, as well as other organizations and members of the public with an interest in the deployment of 5G technology.
(d) Consider the following questions:
(1) What peer-reviewed human, animal and cell studies are available and what do they show regarding the potential effects of pulsed wireless radiation on biological systems, human health and behavior, or the environment?
(2) What are other countries setting as wireless radiation human exposure guidelines and how do they compare to such guidelines in the United States?
§ 5. Reporting. (a) The commission shall prepare and publish an interim report and a final report of its findings and recommendations. The reports shall provide any recommendations for proposed legislation developed by the commission.
(b) The commission shall submit the interim report required under subdivision (a) of this section to the speaker of the assembly, the minority leader of the assembly, the temporary president of the senate, the minority leader of the senate and the governor on or before June 1, 2026, and shall submit the final report required under subdivision (a) of this section to the speaker of the assembly, the minority leader of the assembly, the temporary president of the senate, the minority leader of the senate and the governor on or before December 31, 2026.
§ 6. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed December 31, 2026.
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.