Assembly Member Stacey Pheffer Amato, who represents southeast Queens, has taken a significant legislative step to address safety concerns associated with lithium-ion batteries in New York state.
Amato sponsored and passed legislation earlier this month that would prohibit the sale of lithium-ion batteries–used by e-bikes, mopeds and other micromobility devices– unless such batteries are manufactured in accordance with certain national standards and specifications. Violators would face penalties ranging from $500 to $1,000.
The bill, A.4938, is about to go before the state senate, which passed the same piece of legislation in 2023, when it failed to get passed by the assembly. The senate bill is sponsored by Manhattan legislator Liz Krueger, with Queens legislators John Liu, Jessica Ramos and Mike Gianaris among the senate lawmakers co-sponsoring it.
