New York Senate Bill S05079

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/18/25
• Refer: 2/18/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Requires TNC passengers, prior to using a digital network, to acknowledge a legal notice that states: "IF YOU CLICK HERE, YOU GIVE UP YOUR RIGHT TO SUE US IN COURT".

Summary

S05079 would amend the New York Vehicle and Traffic Law to require transportation network company (TNC) passengers to see and acknowledge a legal notice before using the company’s digital network. The notice must state, in conspicuous red bold type, that by clicking through the notice the passenger gives up the right to sue the company in court. The acknowledgment would be required at registration and again each time the passenger attempts to access the network thereafter. The bill is narrowly focused on disclosure and user acknowledgment in the TNC context, such as ride-hailing platforms. It does not itself create or define a new arbitration system, but it is designed to make passengers affirmatively recognize a waiver of court access before using the service. The measure would take effect immediately if enacted.

Impact

If enacted, the bill would add a new consumer-notice requirement to section 1692 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law governing transportation network companies. TNCs operating in New York would need to modify their apps or digital platforms to display the specified warning and obtain repeated passenger acknowledgment, likely affecting user onboarding, login flows, and terms-of-service presentation. The practical effect would be to strengthen the visibility of liability-waiver language and potentially reduce passengers’ ability to later challenge dispute-resolution provisions in court.

Sentiment

No committee transcript or vote record is available, so there is no documented legislative debate or recorded sentiment in the materials provided. Based on the bill text alone, the proposal appears to favor TNC companies by emphasizing notice of litigation rights waiver, while also aiming to ensure passengers are clearly informed before proceeding. The absence of recorded discussion means support or opposition cannot be reliably characterized from the available record.

Contention

The main point of contention is likely to be whether the required notice is a fair consumer disclosure or an overly coercive waiver of legal rights. Consumer advocates could object that the language is stark, repetitive, and may pressure riders into surrendering access to the courts without meaningful choice, while TNCs or supporters may argue that it improves transparency and reduces later disputes over arbitration or liability terms. Because no hearings, transcripts, or votes are provided, specific positions by legislators or stakeholders are not documented in the record supplied.