NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Menin Backs ‘Romanch’s Law’ to Ban Central Park Horse‑Drawn Carriages, Cites Fatal Incident — Vote Date TBD

Speaker Adrence Menin announced on July 14, 2026 that she supports legislation called “Romanch’s Law” to ban horse‑drawn carriages in Central Park, and she said the bill will enter the City Council’s legislative process without a set vote date. Source: https://youtu.be/oKzzALqciXg&t=0

# What’s happening
– Speaker Adrienne Menin announced support for a carriage‑ban bill.
– The bill is identified in public materials as “Romanch’s Law.”
– No City Council vote date has been set; the bill will enter standard process.
Source: https://youtu.be/oKzzALqciXg&t=0; https://youtu.be/1n8JM7WYAtA&t=1181

# Why it matters
– Carriage drivers, stable workers, and their families could face job transitions.
– Central Park visitors, horses, and street safety could change under a ban or new rules.
Source: https://youtu.be/ZT4iSs9tqB4&t=4444; https://youtu.be/oKzzALqciXg&t=0

# Key details
– Announcement date: July 14, 2026, by Council Speaker Adrienne Menin in Central Park. Source: https://youtu.be/oKzzALqciXg&t=0
– Bill name: Romanch’s Law, described as legislation to ban horse‑drawn carriages. Source: https://youtu.be/oKzzALqciXg&t=0
– A competing bill, Intro 937, was introduced June 11, 2026 and proposes safety and operational reforms. Source (earlier coverage): https://youtu.be/ZT4iSs9tqB4&t=4611
– Intro 937 would allow horses to begin work at 7:00 a.m. and create a five‑member advisory board. Source (earlier coverage): https://youtu.be/ZT4iSs9tqB4&t=4684
– The ban proposal would require the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) to work with drivers on job transitions. Source (earlier coverage): https://youtu.be/ZT4iSs9tqB4&t=4444

Speaker Adrence Menin announced her support for a City Council bill she identified as a carriage ban while speaking in Central Park. She cited a recent fatal incident involving a visitor thrown from a horse‑drawn carriage as a reason for backing the ban. Source: https://youtu.be/oKzzALqciXg&t=0

**Adrienne Menin**
– Role or jurisdiction: Speaker of the New York City Council.
– Action taken or responsibility: Publicly announced support for a City Council bill to ban horse‑drawn carriages.
– Relevant numbers or dates: Announcement on July 14, 2026.
Source: https://youtu.be/oKzzALqciXg&t=0

The legislation Menin named as the ban is referred to in public materials and the speaker’s statement as “Romanch’s Law.” Menin said the city must begin a transition away from horse‑drawn carriages in Central Park and that the transition should protect workers and the horses. Source: https://youtu.be/oKzzALqciXg&t=0

**Romanch’s Law**
– Role or jurisdiction: Proposed municipal legislation before the New York City Council.
– Action taken or responsibility: Described publicly as a ban on horse‑drawn carriages in Central Park.
– Relevant numbers or dates: Announced supported by the speaker on July 14, 2026.
Source: https://youtu.be/oKzzALqciXg&t=0

In earlier Council proceedings, members presented two competing approaches: a ban proposal and a separate reform bill, Intro 937. Intro 937 was introduced at the Council’s June 11, 2026 stated meeting and focuses on operational safety measures rather than an immediate ban. Source (earlier coverage): https://youtu.be/ZT4iSs9tqB4&t=4611

**Intro 937**
– Role or jurisdiction: Council bill, described as a successor to Local Law 10 of 2010.
– Action taken or responsibility: Proposes safety reforms, route and hitching‑post studies, and an advisory board.
– Relevant numbers or dates: Introduced June 11, 2026; would allow horses to start work at 7:00 a.m. and create a five‑member board.
Source (earlier coverage): https://youtu.be/ZT4iSs9tqB4&t=4684

The ban proposal presented at the June 11 meeting would require the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) to coordinate transition support for carriage drivers into other jobs, though detailed program names, budgets, and timelines were not provided at that meeting. Source (earlier coverage): https://youtu.be/ZT4iSs9tqB4&t=4444

**Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)**
– Role or jurisdiction: City agency overseeing worker protections and business regulations.
– Action taken or responsibility: Named as the lead agency to work with drivers on transitions under the ban proposal.
– Relevant numbers or dates: Transition responsibility described in Council testimony on June 11, 2026.
Source (earlier coverage): https://youtu.be/ZT4iSs9tqB4&t=4444

No City Council vote date on the carriage ban has been announced. Menin said the bills will go through the Council’s standard legislative process, which includes committee referrals, public hearings, possible amendments, and then a floor vote if advanced. Source (earlier coverage): https://youtu.be/1n8JM7WYAtA&t=1181; https://youtu.be/ZT4iSs9tqB4&t=4684

Council offices and relevant committees will determine the schedule for public hearings and committee votes. The record available to date shows introduction and public statements but does not list committee referral dates or a calendar entry for a Council vote on the ban. Source (earlier coverage): https://youtu.be/ZT4iSs9tqB4&t=4684

Menin emphasized the need to protect workers and ensure a humane plan for the horses during any transition away from horse‑drawn carriages. She said she is “actively working on a plan” to guarantee employment opportunities in the hospitality industry for drivers but did not provide program details or a timeline in her public statement. Source: https://youtu.be/oKzzALqciXg&t=0

Next steps for readers who want to follow this: watch Council committee calendars for referrals and hearing notices, and monitor Council video briefings where sponsors and agencies provide testimony on the competing bills. At the time of Menin’s July 14 statement, the Council had not scheduled a vote on the ban. Source (earlier coverage): https://youtu.be/1n8JM7WYAtA&t=1181; https://youtu.be/ZT4iSs9tqB4&t=4684