Bill > A06949

This bill prohibits public food service establishments in New York from automatically providing certain food service items like utensils, condiments, napkins, and extra eating containers to customers unless specifically requested. The legislation defines key terms such as "public food service establishment" (which includes restaurants, cafes, food trucks, and grocery stores) and "customer" (individuals purchasing food for take-out, drive-thru, or delivery). Establishments must provide only the exact types and amounts of items that a customer expressly requests, though they are not mandated to provide these items at all. The bill includes enforcement provisions with a warning for the first violation and potential civil penalties up to $100 for subsequent violations in the same calendar year. Notably, the law will not apply to cities with over one million residents that already have similar local regulations. The bill aims to reduce unnecessary waste from automatically distributed food service items and will take effect one year after becoming law. Any civil penalties collected will be deposited into the state's environmental protection fund, supporting the bill's underlying environmental conservation goals.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A6949