S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
2324
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
January 16, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. EPSTEIN, LUPARDO, GLICK, STIRPE, FALL, LEVENBERG,
LUNSFORD, ZACCARO, DINOWITZ, KELLES, CLARK, GONZALEZ-ROJAS, DAVILA,
K. BROWN -- read once and referred to the Committee on Consumer
Affairs and Protection
AN ACT to amend the general business law, in relation to allowing
certain reusable beverage containers in sports venues
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The general business law is amended by adding a new section
391-r to read as follows:
§ 391-R. REUSABLE BEVERAGE CONTAINERS IN SPORTS VENUES. 1. FOR
PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, THE FOLLOWING TERMS SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING
MEANINGS:
(A) "REUSABLE BEVERAGE CONTAINER" MEANS A DRINKING VESSEL THAT IS
COMPOSED PRIMARILY OF ALUMINUM OR STAINLESS STEEL, AND IS DESIGNED AND
MANUFACTURED TO BE CAPABLE OF MULTIPLE REUSES, INCLUDING A BOTTLE OR
CUP.
(B) "SPORTS VENUE" MEANS A BUILDING, STRUCTURE, OR PLACE IN WHICH
PROFESSIONAL OR COLLEGIATE SPORTING COMPETITIONS ARE HELD.
2. A SPORTS VENUE SHALL NOT PROHIBIT AN INDIVIDUAL ATTENDING ANY
PROFESSIONAL OR COLLEGIATE SPORTING COMPETITION IN SUCH SPORTS VENUE
FROM BRINGING A REUSABLE BEVERAGE CONTAINER INTO THE SPORTS VENUE;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER:
(A) A SPORTS VENUE MAY REQUIRE THAT REUSABLE BEVERAGE CONTAINERS BE
EMPTY UPON ENTERING THE SPORTS VENUE;
(B) A SPORTS VENUE MAY REQUIRE THAT THE REUSABLE BEVERAGE CONTAINER
NOT CONTAIN A CAP; AND
(C) A SPORTS VENUE MAY RESTRICT REUSABLE BEVERAGE CONTAINERS CAPABLE
OF HOLDING MORE THAN TWENTY-FOUR FLUID OUNCES.
3. ANY SPORTS VENUE THAT VIOLATES THIS SECTION OR ANY RULE PROMULGATED
PURSUANT THERETO SHALL BE LIABLE FOR A CIVIL PENALTY NOT TO EXCEED FIVE
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06229-01-5
A. 2324 2
HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR THE FIRST VIOLATION, AND SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS
FOR ANY SUBSEQUENT VIOLATION.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after
it shall have become a law.
Please support this bill! Many people want to do the right thing, bring their own container to get water, or buy hot or cold beverages at the event. We especially don't want to put hot beverages tea, coffee, cider, etc in plastic lined paper cups to have a microplastic broth!
I'm hopeful that my representatives will even support a requirement for all restaurants, cafes, sporting venues any place selling beverages, being required to CHARGE a minimum of say 25¢ for each disposable cup or container for beverage or food. Just like with banning plastic bags, there was a lot of fear-mongering, but the world didn't end. Shifting the culture to people not expecting to get their own bag, or cup, or dinner take out container for free would push millions of people daily to bring their own. BYOCup, Mug, Container... For the people who already do this, we need support from politicians! It's time for a shift of culture to being less disposable!