Directs the metropolitan transportation authority and the New York city transit authority to rename the 116th Street - Lexington Avenue subway station to the 116th Street - Tito Puente station.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A10504
SPONSOR: Gibbs TITLE OF BILL:
An act directing the metropolitan transportation authority and the New
York city transit authority to rename the 116th Street - Lexington
Avenue subway station to the 116th Street - Tito Puente station; and
providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill would rename the station at the corner of 116th Street and
Lexington Avenue after Tito Puente
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one directs the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the
New York City Transit Authority to rename the 116th Street - Lexington
Avenue subway station to the 116th Street - Tito Puente station.
Section two establishes the effective date.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION (IF APPLICABLE):
N/A
JUSTIFICATION:
Tito Puente was raised in East Harlem and became one of the most accom-
plished 'and widely recognized musicians in the history of Latin music.
Born in New York City on April 20, 1923, to Puerto Rican parents, Puente
helped bring the sound and culture of El Barrio to audiences around the
world through his work as a percussionist, composer, arranger, and band-
leader. Over the course of a distinguished career, he made major
contributions to mambo, Latin jazz, and Afro-Caribbean music, earning
international acclaim and numerous honors. Known as the "King of Latin
Music" and the "King of Mambo," Puente left an enduring mark on both the
musical world and the Puerto Rican cultural identity of East Harlem. He
passed away on May 31, 2000, leaving behind an extraordinary artistic
and cultural legacy.
This legislation would honor Tito Puente's life, achievements, and
enduring connection to East Harlem by designating the 116th Street
station as the 116th Street-Tito Puente station. As a son of El Barrio
whose music reflected the pride, rhythm, and cultural richness of the
neighborhood, Puente brought international recognition to the community
that shaped him. Renaming this station would serve as a public tribute
to his contributions and would ensure that his legacy remains permanent-
ly associated with the neighborhood he so powerfully represented
throughout his life and career.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
Minimal
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed
repealed after the signs and any other items are accurately updated.
The chief executive officer of the metropolitan transportation authority
or president of the New York city transit authority shall notify the
legislative bill drafting commission upon the completion of such updates
in order that the commission may maintain an accurate and timely effec-
tive data base of the official text of the laws of the state of New York
in furtherance of effectuating the provisions of section 44 of the
legislative law and section 70-b of the public officers law.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
10504
IN ASSEMBLY
March 6, 2026
___________
Introduced by M. of A. GIBBS -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
AN ACT directing the metropolitan transportation authority and the New
York city transit authority to rename the 116th Street - Lexington
Avenue subway station to the 116th Street - Tito Puente station; and
providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Upon a determination by the metropolitan transportation
2 authority or the New York city transit authority that sufficient funds
3 have been committed to it specifically for such purpose, the metropol-
4 itan transportation authority, the public benefit corporation created by
5 section 1263 of the public authorities law, and the New York city trans-
6 it authority, the public benefit corporation created by section 1201 of
7 the public authorities law, shall use such specifically committed funds
8 to rename the 116th Street - Lexington Avenue subway station on the IRT
9 Lexington Avenue line of the New York city subway to the 116th Street -
10 Tito Puente station. The metropolitan transportation authority shall
11 ensure that all signs and any other items issued by the metropolitan
12 transportation authority are updated to accurately reflect the new name
13 of the station.
14 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be
15 deemed repealed after the signs and any other items are accurately
16 updated. The chief executive officer of the metropolitan transportation
17 authority or president of the New York city transit authority shall
18 notify the legislative bill drafting commission upon the completion of
19 such updates in order that the commission may maintain an accurate and
20 timely effective data base of the official text of the laws of the state
21 of New York in furtherance of effectuating the provisions of section 44
22 of the legislative law and section 70-b of the public officers law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD15096-01-6
