NYC Council Passes Horse-Carriage Phaseout Bill, Targeting June 2028

Published October 25, 2026.

New York | October 22, 2026

New York City's Council approved a horse-carriage phaseout bill on October 22, 2026, setting a June 1, 2028 target for ending regular operations. The Council reported 40 votes in favor of the measure, known as Romanch's Law. That vote did not immediately remove carriages from the streets.

As checked October 25, the legislative record still displayed the status “Enacted (Mayor's Desk for Signature),” with no enactment date or local law number. That mixed label should not be read as verified mayoral signature. The record establishes Council approval; this report does not establish final enactment.

The Council frames the bill as an animal-welfare, public-safety and worker-transition measure. Its announcement says owners could keep their horses and the administration would help identify humane placements. These are provisions of the proposed transition, not evidence that placements have already happened.

Beyond the Headlines

The transition has several deadlines, not just one

The legislative summary calls for a mayor-designated agency or agencies to establish an industry transition plan by April 1, 2027. It covers owners, drivers and other workers, including stable workers. That earlier deadline is significant: the transition is meant to be organized before operating licenses run out.

According to the Council, by June 1, 2027 owners would have to certify that licensed horses would not be transferred for slaughter, another carriage business or an inhumane purpose. Keeping a horse remains an option; the phaseout is not described as a requirement to surrender ownership.

The licensing cutoff follows in 2028. The legislative summary says active licenses would permanently expire May 31 and new licenses for carriage horses, cabs and drivers would be prohibited from June 1. The proposed text preserves a separate route for certain temporary events.

For workers, the Council describes employment referrals, career counseling, hiring fairs and educational opportunities. It also says the administration would consider compensation for businesses, licenses and equipment. A duty to consider a program does not promise a payment or specify its amount.

The next useful checks are therefore concrete: a final enactment record, the transition plan, and evidence of actual horse placements and worker support. Until those exist, neither a successful retirement program nor compensation should be reported as an accomplished result.

Sources & further reading

• New York City Council — October 22 Council announcement: horse-carriage vote and transition provisions.
• New York City Council — Intro 943-A legislative record: status, text and separate implementation deadlines.