Civic Agendas NYC
Bills › Int 0220-2026
Int 0220-2026-A Bill Enacted

A report and map of historical African American burial sites.

Where it stands: Became Local Law 2026/149 on Oct 10, 2026.

  1. Introduced
  2. Committee hearing
  3. Committee vote
  4. Council vote
  5. Mayor
  6. Law

Official summary

This bill would require the Department of Records and Information Services (DORIS), in consultation with other city agencies, organizations and experts, to provide a report to the public about historical African American burial sites. The report would be required to include a list of all known burial sites historically associated with formerly enslaved persons or historically African American communities citywide, along with certain information about each site. The report would also include a plan to locate any currently unmarked historical African American burial sites citywide. It would also include recommendations for the preservation or commemoration of the burial sites as well as recommendations for sources of potential resources or support to preserve the sites, including from state or federal historic preservation programs. This bill would also require DORIS to notify elected officials and community boards when a burial site has been located in their district. Finally, this bill would require DORIS to make educational materials available to City residents about the burial sites and develop and maintain an interactive online map of the burial sites.

Timeline

  1. Thu, Jan 29, 2026
    Introduced in the Council
    Formally read into the record at a Stated Meeting.
    City Council: “Introduced by Council”
  2. Thu, Jan 29, 2026
    Sent to committee
    Assigned to a committee, which must hold a hearing before any vote.
    City Council: “Referred to Comm by Council” · meeting
  3. Wed, May 13, 2026
    Public hearing: Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Relations
    Council members heard testimony from the public and city agencies.
    Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Relations: “Hearing Held by Committee” · meeting
  4. Wed, May 13, 2026
    Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Relations postponed a decision
    No vote yet; the item can come back at a later meeting.
    Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Relations: “Laid Over by Committee” · meeting
  5. Thu, Sep 10, 2026
    Public hearing: Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Relations
    Council members heard testimony from the public and city agencies.
    Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Relations: “Hearing Held by Committee” · meeting
  6. Thu, Sep 10, 2026
    Changes proposed
    A revised version was introduced in committee.
    Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Relations: “Amendment Proposed by Comm” · meeting
  7. Thu, Sep 10, 2026
    Text amended
    The committee adopted a new version (the letter after the bill number changes).
    Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Relations: “Amended by Committee” · meeting
  8. Thu, Sep 10, 2026 · version A
    Committee vote: approved
    Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Relations voted on it.
    Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Relations: “Approved by Committee” · meeting · roll call
  9. Thu, Sep 10, 2026 · version A
    Full Council vote: passed
    All 51 members could vote at a Stated Meeting.
    City Council: “Approved by Council” · meeting · roll call
  10. Thu, Sep 10, 2026 · version A
    Sent to the Mayor
    The Mayor has 30 days to sign or veto.
    City Council: “Sent to Mayor by Council”
  11. Sat, Oct 10, 2026 · version A
    Became law
    Enacted under the City Charter.
    Administration: “City Charter Rule Adopted”
  12. Tue, Oct 13, 2026 · version A
    Became law without signature
    The Mayor neither signed nor vetoed it in time.
    City Council: “Returned Unsigned by Mayor”

How members voted

City Council · Thu, Sep 10, 2026 · Pass
50 yes0 no0 abstain1 absent / excused
Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Relations · Thu, Sep 10, 2026 · Pass
7 yes0 no0 abstain0 absent / excused