NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A9058A
SPONSOR: Wright TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in
relation to requiring biannual certification of cooling towers
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this bill is to protect seniors, individuals and families
from bacterial outbreaks, such as legionnaires, that start within and
are spread via cooling towers.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1. Amends the New York City Administrative Code to require bian-
nual certification of cooling towers.
Section 2. Requires owners of towers to notify and remediate maintenance
deficiencies and serious health threats as soon as possible within a
certain time frame.
Section 3. Increases the fine for violation and the amount of time
owners are required to maintain records on inspections and tests
performed on the cooling tower.
JUSTIFICATION:
As of August 6th, 2025 3 people have died and 70 have been seriously
harmed by an outbreak of Legionnaires Disease in Harlem, that originated
in Cooling Towers, which it is predisposed to do. Given the number of
outbreaks over the years, further regulations and inspections are
warranted. This legislation takes five meaningful measures to stop the
spread and instance of legionnaires.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Minimal.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Ninety days after it shall have become a law except for the amendments
requiring the owners to notify and remediate maintenance deficiencies
and serious health threats as soon as possible, that would take effect
in 30 days.
