LEG A L DIVISIONS
Five Borough Taxi Legislation
Division attorneys worked closely with
the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC)
and the Mayor’s Of?ce to draft new State
legislation, and subsequently worked with
State of?cials on key amendments to it.
The legislation implements a new system
that enables for-hire vehicles to be licensed
to pick up passengers by hail in the outer
boroughs and northern Manhattan, providing
new transportation opportunities for millions
of New Yorkers. It will also enhance taxi and
limousine service for the disabled.
PHOTO: DIGITAL MAP, TIMES SQUARE
Expanded Home Heating Oil Regulations
In conjunction with the Environmental Law
Division, Legal Counsel attorneys helped
develop proposed new rules to reduce
emissions from the approximately 10,000
boilers in New York City that burn Numbers
4 and 6 oil, the dirtiest heating oil types
available in New York. The new regulations,
when fully implemented, will require that
all boilers in New York City burn low-sulfur
Number 2 oil or natural gas, reducing
the amount of ?ne particles emitted from
heating buildings.
LEGAL COUNSEL
CHIEF Stephen Louis
DEPUTY Martha Mann Alfaro
The Legal Counsel Division advises the Mayor, other elected
officials, and City agencies on a wide range of municipal law issues
and drafts and reviews City, State, and federal legislation. Recent
efforts have focused on such matters as improving transportation
services, building a greener and more environmentally
sustainable City, supporting information transparency and digital
innovations, and making government more efficient.
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Counsel on the City’s Digital Strategy
The Division advised the Mayor’s Of?ce
and the City’s Chief Digital Of?cer on the
creation of Road Map for the Digital City,
a comprehensive strategy to make New
York the nation’s leading digital city. The
plan provides a framework to enhance the
information exchange between government
and New Yorkers and promote the City’s tech
industry. On an ongoing basis, the Division
advises the Mayor’s Of?ce and the Chief
Digital Of?cer on the implementation of the
Road Map’s elements and partnerships with
major social media companies.
Consolidation of Administrative
Tribunal Hearings
With input from the Division, the Of?ce of
Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH)
gained increased oversight of hearings on
tickets issued to restaurant owners, taxi
drivers, and other City small businesses. An
executive order drafted by Division attorneys
and signed by the Mayor transferred
management of the administrative tribunals
of the Department of Health and Mental
Hygiene, and the TLC to OATH. OATH’s
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