Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign bills A.9390-B/S.9082-A, which would help protect property owners, tenants, and occupants from property adjusters in the immediate aftermath of damaging event.

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Res. No. 398 ..Title Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign bills A.9390-B/S.9082-A, which would help protect property owners, tenants, and occupants from property adjusters in the immediate aftermath of damaging event. ..Body By Council Members Schulman, Louis, Nurse, Brooks-Powers, Brewer, Aldebol and Morano Whereas, According to the New York City Mayor's Office to Protect Tenants, as of 2023 there were 3,705,000 total housing units located in the City with 1,109,000 owner-occupied and 2,324,000 renter-occupied; and Whereas, According to the Preliminary 2026 Mayor's Management Report, there were 20,180 structural residential fires during Fiscal Year 2025; and Whereas, Structural fires as well as natural disasters and other property damaging events can place a devastating emotional and financial burden on homeowners, especially those who are displaced; and Whereas, This type of disaster was evident on January 9, 2022, during a high-rise residential fire at the 19-story Twin Parks North West apartment building in the Fordham section of the Bronx resulting in the deaths of 17 individuals and dozens of displaced residents; and Whereas, Furthermore, there have been numerous weather-related events that have impacted the City including, Hurricane Ida in 2021 and numerous severe storms during 2023 and 2024, which produced heavy rainfall leading to major flooding throughout the boroughs, all of which resulted in hundreds of residents being displaced; and Whereas, Following fires, floods, storms, and other destructive occurrences, property owners and renters frequently feel exposed, confused, and under considerable emotional and financial pressure; and Whereas, Often times, after a structural fire or natural disaster, a homeowner is approached by a public adjuster offering assistance with an insurance claim and recovery of funds; and Whereas, According to New York State, a public adjuster is any person, firm, association or corporation who acts on behalf of an insured in negotiating the settlement of a claim or claims for loss or damage to property of the insured; and Whereas, New York State Assemblymember Sam Berger introduced A.9390-B and New York State Senator Jamaal T. Bailey introduced companion bill S.9082-A, which both would help protect individuals who own or rent property while dealing with insurance claims during a damaging event; and Whereas, A.9390-B/S.9082-A defines damaging event as "any natural or human-made occurrence that results in damage to residential or commercial property"; and Whereas, A.9390-B/S.9082-A would amend the New York State Insurance Law by prohibiting public adjusters from contacting property owners, tenants, and occupants within forty-eight hours after a damaging event to property; and Whereas, A.9390-B/S/9082-A would help create a period for those effected individuals to collect themselves and make informed financial decisions; and Whereas, A.9390-B/S/9082-A creates a stabilization period that benefits all residential and commercial property owners, tenants, and occupants; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign bills A.9390-B/S.9082-A, which would help protect property owners, tenants, and occupants from property adjusters in the immediate aftermath of damaging event. WJH LS 21632 3/10/26

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