Speaker Menin outlines provisions of Romancia's law

Romant's law will do justice to this effort in more ways than one.

It sets a June 2028 phase-out deadline, which supports the principles of public safety so that Romant is the last soul that we lose to this industry.

It is going to ensure that the horses themselves receive humane treatment wherever they go next.

Requiring certification that horses will not be transferred for slaughter.

But it does, and I want to be clear about this, and this is very important, it allows the horse owners to keep their horses if they choose, because that is very important.

And we heard powerful testimony at our hearing on that topic.

And it is going to support the transition for the more than 150 active horse carriage drivers, helping them to find new jobs over the next two years.

And that is incredibly important.

This city council beefed up the worker protection language because we want to ensure

that we are working to make sure that these workers have meaningful, gainful employment.

Under the bill, it includes providing civil service trainings, career counseling, assistance, accessing education, referrals to other...

employment opportunities and this City Council will work very closely with the administration to ensure that those workers have those jobs because that's what they deserve.

Because whether they're medallion owners, which we also want to protect, based in the stables or driving the carriages themselves, these workers all call our city home and they deserve to keep working, growing and thriving in our city.

The bill also requires the administration to consider establishing a compensation program, and the council is very committed to working with the administration throughout this transition period.

Passing this law proves not simply that we are committed to making our city safer and more livable for residents, tourists, and animals alike.

It proves that we can live up to the commitments that we make.