Selected Consumer Victories

2005 NYPIRG successfully advocates for the Appliance and Equipment Energy Efficiency Standards Act, which saves consumers and municipalities money on their energy costs, cuts power plant pollution, reduces our reliance on foreign oil, and diminishes the likelihood of summer blackouts and brownouts by easing the burden on New York's power grid. NYPIRG also supports legislation that requires private and public agencies to notify consumers when there has been a breach of financial or private databases that puts them at an increased risk of identity theft. Additionally, NYPIRG successfully lobbies for legislation that requires the state to post pharmacies' prescription drug prices on the Internet, making it easier for New Yorkers without insurance coverage for prescription drugs to save money.

2002 NYPIRG successfully advocates for legislation that provides new protections for health care whistleblowers and stops legislation that would have drastically weakened oversight of physicians. NYPIRG also successfully lobbies in support of legislation that curbs predatory lending practices.

2001 NYPIRG successfully advocates for legislation that helped expand New York's health surveillance system by tracking injuries and diseases treated in hospital emergency rooms. The bill was a top priority of asthma activists.

2000 NYPIRG supports unprecedented legislation which requires fire-safety standards for all cigarettes sold in New York State. NYPIRG's efforts result in an improved Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), increasing the maximum TAP award to $5,000, increasing the family income eligibility to $80,000 per year, and eliminating the 90% cap on the maximum amount of the award.

1999 NYPIRG successfully fights to increase medical coverage for the uninsured using the first $900 million payment of the state's settlement of tobacco litigation and by doubling cigarette excise tax.

1998 Consumer protections for hearing aid purchases are dramatically overhauled and strengthened

1995 Consumers win victories through a prohibition on merchant's use of social security numbers written on the backs of checks as proof of consumer's identification; extension of New York's anti-ticket scalping law; and allowance for a 3-day "cooling off" period after making certain credit card purchases via phone.

1994 NYPIRG adds key consumer protections to a banking deregulation bill. The bill protects consumers who lease cars, sets up a credit card information hotline to help consumers compare credit cards, and requires banks to provide inexpensive "lifeline" account services.

1992 NYPIRG champions the creation of the Citizens Utlity Board (CUB) designed to provide a consumer voice to utility decision making.

1991 NYPIRG supports legislation that makes it easier for consumers to collect small claims judgements.

1989 NYPIRG wins a 2 year extension of the Item Pricing Law.

1988 NYPIRG secures passage of a federal law limiting the number of days that financial institutions can place holds on checking account funds. NYPIRG also helps organize a veto of legislation might have increased milk prices.

1987 NYPIRG fights against an effort to end credit card grace periods.

1983 The Lemon Law is passed, which requires manufacturers to replace or refund the money for certain defective vehicles. NYPIRG helps create a small claims court for homeowners to challenge their property tax assesment.

1981 NYPIRG secures passage of the Utility Bill of Rights to provide users with various protections.

1980 The Private Right of Action Law, which allows consumers to sue businesses for false advertising, is passed with NYPIRG's support.

1979 Important Small Claims Court reforms are enacted with NYPIRG's support.

1978 NYPIRG defeats product liability legislation that would have limited consumers' rights to financial compensation for injuries caused by defective products.

1977 The Plain English Law, which requires that all contracts for goods and services under $50,000 be written in non-technical language, is one of NYPIRG's victories this year.

1976 NYPIRG wins passage of the Item Pricing Law, which requires that most foods sold in supermarkets bear price tags, and establishes Small Claims Court Action Centers to counsel consumers on their legal rights.

1975 The Hearing Aid Sales Practice Act, which requires prescriptions for the sale of hearing aids to prevent consumer fraud, is adopted.