NYC Council passes bills to crack down on helicopter tours, add new gender option to city documents

The City Council passed a slew of bills Thursday — including one that would ban noisy non-essential helicopter flights from city heliports following the horrific crash in the Hudson that killed a family of tourists and another to add a new gender ID to city documents. 

The two bills easily passed the Democratic-majority council but still need Mayor Eric Adams’ signature to become laws.

A proposal aimed at cracking down on tour and commuter helicopters passed near unanimously — just two weeks after a couple and their three young kids visiting from Spain and a Navy veteran pilot all died when their chopper broke apart and plunged into the Hudson River.

Intro 26-A would prohibit such “non-essential” choppers that fail to meet FAA noise standards from using two city heliports at East 34th Street and Wall Street, beginning in late 2029.

The bill passed 46-1-1 with Republican Councilwoman Inna Vernikov voting against and Democratic Councilman Simcha Felder abstaining. 

“Intro 26 is a bold step toward a healthier, quieter, and more equitable city,” said Majority Leader Amanda Farias, who sponsored the bill. 

“For far too long, non-essential helicopter flights have disrupted daily life and endangered the well-being of New Yorkers. This bill uses the City’s authority over our heliports to phase out the noisiest, most outdated aircraft, while making space for safer, cleaner, electric aviation.”

Meanwhile, Intro 246-A, which would add the gender “X” to city documents, where such information is requested, passed despite conservative backlash.

The bill, sponsored by Democratic councilmember Crystal Hudson, would require any agency that provides social services to add the new gender identifier as an option to applicable documents. 

The legislation — which was introduced in a group of bills to protect the rights of trans and gender non-conforming New Yorkers — passed 41-5-2, with Republicans Vernikov, Joann Ariola, Vickie Paladino, Kristy Marmorato and Democrat Bob Holden voting “no,” and Felder and Democrat Darlene Mealy abstaining.

“Let me be clear, I am not here to judge how consenting adults choose to live their lives, but don’t bring that agenda into our public schools, our libraries and public spaces, and don’t force it onto our children,” Vernikov said about the bill.

Lefty council members hit back at her comments on LGBTQ folk, including openly gay councilman Erik Bottcher.

“They’re not … going out, trying to recruit other people. It’s a vicious, vicious stereotype,” the Democrat shot back. 

The package of LGBTQ bills was introduced as the Trump administration “threatens trans and gender non-confirming New Yorkers,” council members said.

Adams did not immediately respond to a request for comment on his view of the bills.