New York Assembly Bill A04087

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/31/25
• Refer: 1/31/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Relates to the development of a scannable code that links to translations of work zone and truss type construction signs.

Summary

This bill would require the New York State Department of Transportation, working with the Secretary of State and other relevant agencies, to develop a scannable code for work zone signs and signs warning of truss-type construction. When scanned by a smartphone, tablet, or similar device, the code would open a link that identifies the user’s location and displays the sign’s contents in the most commonly spoken language within a ten-mile radius, other than English or Spanish. The bill also requires that the translated content be accessible for work zone signs and truss-construction warning signs. In addition, beginning one year after the effective date, work zone signs in areas with residential housing or where pedestrians are reasonably expected must be printed in both English and Spanish and include the scannable code. The same one-year phase-in applies to truss-type construction warning signs, which must also be printed in English and Spanish and include the code. The bill amends both the Transportation Law and the Executive Law, and it takes effect one year after becoming law, with immediate authorization for any needed rulemaking.

Impact

The bill would amend section 22 of the Transportation Law and section 382-a of the Executive Law, expanding existing work zone safety and truss-construction warning requirements to include bilingual signage and a QR-style scannable code linked to translated information. It would affect the Department of Transportation, local agencies, contractors, and owners or operators of commercial and industrial structures with truss construction, while also creating new compliance obligations for signage design and implementation.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee discussion or votes in the provided materials, the measure appears to be framed as a public-safety and accessibility bill rather than a controversial policy change. Its stated purpose suggests support for clearer communication in work zones and emergency-response settings, especially for non-English speakers. No formal vote history or transcript evidence is available here to indicate opposition or support levels.

Contention

The main potential points of contention are practical and administrative rather than ideological: how the translation system would determine the “most commonly spoken language” within a ten-mile radius, how accurate and current the location-based translations would be, and what costs or burdens would fall on DOT, local governments, contractors, and building owners. There may also be questions about whether requiring English, Spanish, and additional language access on signs is feasible in all settings, especially for emergency and construction signage where space and standardization matter.