New York City Council
Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection
Feb 11, 2025
·
01:00 PM
56 min
Summary
A hearing on consumer financial experiences in the retail industry, focusing on three proposed bills:
- Intro 374 to prohibit credit card minimum purchase requirements over $10
- Intro 1049 to require gas stations to disclose pre-authorization holds
- Intro 1097 to mandate acceptance of flexible benefit cards by certain retailers
Discussions covered enforcement of consumer protection laws, inspection strategies, complaint handling, and the potential impact of these bills on businesses and consumers, particularly low-income residents and seniors.
Features testimony from the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) and the public.
Meeting chapters
Read summaries and watch videos for short segments that matter to you.
Council Member Julie Menin provides opening remarks for the hearing on consumer financial experiences in retail
Council Member Julie Menin, chair of the Committee on Consumer and Worker protection, opens the hearing on consumer financial experiences in the retail industry. She introduces three bills to be …
0:00:33
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3 min
Council Member Kevin C. Riley's remarks on Intro 1097: Flexible benefit card acceptance
Council Member Kevin C. Riley delivers a statement in support of Intro 1097, which aims to require certain retailers to accept flexible benefit cards. He emphasizes the importance of this …
0:03:44
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106 sec
Council Member Christopher Marte's remarks on Intro 1097 regarding OTC card acceptance
Council Member Christopher Marte presents Intro 1097, which would require most businesses to accept OTC (Over-The-Counter) benefit cards. He explains the importance of these cards for seniors and people with …
0:05:36
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136 sec
DCWP Assistant Commissioner Carlos Ortiz Testifies on Consumer Protection and Proposed Legislation
Carlos Ortiz, Assistant Commissioner for External Affairs at the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), testifies before the City Council Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection. He provides …
0:08:40
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4 min
DCWP's inspection strategy and enforcement approach
Council Member Julie Menin inquires about DCWP's overall strategy for inspections of retail establishments. Carlos Ortiz explains that DCWP conducts both patrol inspections and inspections in response to complaints. He …
0:12:55
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82 sec
Changes in DCWP's approach to fines for small businesses
Council Member Julie Menin discusses the changes made to DCWP's approach to fines for small businesses since 2014. Carlos Ortiz responds by acknowledging the importance of rightsizing penalties and balancing …
0:14:18
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104 sec
Language access and violation cure opportunities in inspections
Council Member Julie Menin inquires about language access for inspectors and whether businesses are informed about opportunities to cure violations. Carlos Ortiz and Andrew Schwenk explain DCWP's approach to language …
0:16:03
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116 sec
Consumer notification of rights and complaint trends
Council Member Julie Menin inquires about DCWP's methods for notifying consumers of their rights and recent complaint trends. Carlos Ortiz and Andrew Schwenk provide information on outreach efforts and complaint …
0:17:59
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141 sec
Recent violation trends and focus areas
Council Member Julie Menin inquires about recent violation trends and focus areas for DCWP enforcement. Carlos Ortiz provides information on violation statistics and areas of increased focus. - Violations have …
0:20:20
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55 sec
Council Member Riley questions DCWP on OTC card acceptance and Intro 1097
Council Member Kevin C. Riley engages in a Q&A session with Carlos Ortiz from the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) regarding Intro 1097, which concerns the acceptance of …
0:21:19
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89 sec
Council Member Marte discusses OTC card acceptance and business implementation with DCWP
Council Member Christopher Marte engages in a Q&A session with Carlos Ortiz from the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) regarding the implementation of OTC card acceptance by businesses. …
0:22:52
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3 min
Introduction of Intro 1049 on pre-authorization holds for gas purchases
Council Member Julie Menin reads an opening statement from Majority Whip Brooks Powers introducing Intro 1049, which addresses pre-authorization holds at gas stations. The bill aims to require gas stations …
0:26:05
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125 sec
DCWP's willingness to work on implementation of Intro 1049
DCWP representatives express their willingness to work with the council on implementing Intro 1049, including discussions on bill amendments and rulemaking authority. - DCWP is open to collaborating on bill …
0:28:11
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34 sec
Potential expansion of pre-authorization hold disclosures to other industries
Discussion on the possibility of expanding Intro 1049 to require disclosure of pre-authorization holds across all industries where they are used, beyond just gas stations. - DCWP expresses openness to …
0:28:45
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67 sec
Protecting low-income New Yorkers from losing access to funds due to delayed hold releases
Discussion on additional measures to protect low-income New Yorkers from losing access to their funds due to delayed hold releases, especially those using government benefits. - DCWP emphasizes the need …
0:29:52
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80 sec
DCWP's process for escalating consumer complaints to investigations
DCWP representatives explain the process of how consumer complaints about violations of consumer protection law can escalate to investigations or broader enforcement actions. - Initial triage of complaints to determine …
0:31:14
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55 sec
DCWP's proactive investigations and major case settlements
DCWP representatives discuss recent proactive investigations and major case settlements in the consumer protection sphere. - Major settlement with 26 Motors, a secondhand auto dealer, securing $1.8 million in restitution …
0:32:09
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93 sec
Increase in tobacco and e-cigarette retail inspections, focusing on unlicensed cannabis stores
DCWP representatives discuss the significant increase in tobacco and e-cigarette retail inspections, particularly related to enforcement against unlicensed cannabis stores. - Response to the proliferation of smoke shops and businesses …
0:33:44
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122 sec
Enforcement of the cashless establishment ban
DCWP representatives explain their approach to enforcing the prohibition on cashless establishments in New York City. - Initial focus on education when the ban took effect in 2020 - Use …
0:35:47
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73 sec
Decrease in mediated consumer complaints since 2016
DCWP representatives address the observed decrease in mediated consumer complaints since 2016 and discuss potential factors contributing to this trend. - Acknowledgment of data differences making direct comparisons challenging - …
0:37:03
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19 sec
Introduction of DCWP's new online complaint portal
DCWP representatives discuss the implementation and benefits of their new online complaint portal, launched in July 2023. - Portal designed to improve accessibility for submitting consumer complaints - Individual modules …
0:37:23
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163 sec
Discussion on resources needed for consumer complaint mediation
Council Member Menin expresses concern about the decrease in mediated complaints and inquires about potential resource needs, while DCWP representatives respond cautiously. - Council Member suggests the decrease might be …
0:40:06
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70 sec
Concerns about signage requirements for Intro 374 on credit card minimum purchases
Discussion on DCWP's concerns about signage requirements in Intro 374 and existing regulations on credit card limitations and surcharges. - DCWP suggests incorporating Intro 374 prohibitions into existing disclosure requirements …
0:41:18
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3 min
Council Member Brewer discusses newsstand regulations and challenges with DCWP
Council Member Gale A. Brewer engages in a discussion with Carlos Ortiz from the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) about the current state and future of newsstands in …
0:44:44
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3 min
Testimony by Andrew Winakor, President of ProHealth Connect, on Flexible Benefit Card Acceptance
Andrew Winakor, President of ProHealth Connect, testifies in support of legislation mandating retailers to accept over-the-counter (OTC) and grocery benefit cards, also known as flexible benefit cards. He argues that …
0:50:17
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153 sec
Testimony by Ron Thomas, District Leader of Assembly District 65 Part B, on Over-the-Counter Bill
Ron Thomas, District Leader for Assembly District 65 Part B, testified in support of the over-the-counter bill, emphasizing its importance for aging and health-challenged constituents. He shared his personal experience …
0:52:56
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124 sec
Cost for businesses to accept flexible benefit cards
Council Member Christopher Marte inquires about the cost for businesses to accept flexible benefit cards as a form of payment. Andrew Winakor from ProHealth Connect explains that in most cases, …
0:55:06
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23 sec
Closing remarks and conclusion of the hearing
Council Member Julie Menin provides closing remarks for the hearing, ensuring all registered speakers have had the opportunity to testify. - She invites any missed speakers to notify the sergeant …
0:55:35
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24 sec