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James F. Gennaro
District 24QueensDemocrat

James F. Gennaro

NYC Council Member · Since 2022

District profile →Legistar Official site

What This Office Can Do

  • Proposes and votes on city laws
  • Approves or rejects the city budget
  • Holds agencies accountable through public hearings
  • Directs discretionary funds to local projects

Background

James "Jim" F. Gennaro is a Democratic member of the New York City Council representing the 24th Council District, where he chairs the Committee on Environmental Protection, Resiliency & Waterfronts. He served his first terms from 2002 to 2013 and returned in 2021. He is most closely associated with nationally-acclaimed environmental lawmaking, having authored more than 50 laws covering a wide range of issues.

Policy Priorities

  • Environmental Protection & Emissions Accountability — Has been the guiding hand of environmental policy in NYC since returning in 2021, focusing on holding the city accountable to its stated emissions goals.
  • Storm Resiliency — Pushing for greater storm resiliency in the face of more frequent superstorms.
  • Tobacco & Public Health — Authored and passed the first-in-the-nation 'Tobacco 21' law in 2013, raising the age of sale of tobacco products and e-cigarettes to 21, which was adopted as national policy in 2020.
  • Domestic Violence Protections — Authored laws increasing protections for women against domestic violence.
  • Consumer Protection — Authored laws protecting consumers from unscrupulous bankruptcy counselors.
  • Public Safety & Dangerousness Standard — Has been one of the strongest voices on the council calling on the state to institute a dangerousness standard for the courts to stem rising crime.

Issue Stances

Sourced from public statements, council votes, and news coverage via AI research. Verify with primary sources.

Issue Stances

🌱
ClimateStrong environmental leadershipChairs the Committee on Environmental Protection, Resiliency & Waterfronts. Focuses on holding the city accountable to its emissions goals and pushing for greater storm resiliency in the face of more frequent superstorms.
⚖️
Criminal JusticeAdvocate for court dangerousness standardHas been one of the strongest voices on the council calling on the state to institute a dangerousness standard for the courts in order to stem the rising tide of crimes the city is facing.
🕊️
Israel & GazaStrong pro-Israel; opposes two-state solutionJames Gennaro attended the October 2023 Kew Gardens pro-Israel vigil and is one of the councils most vocal pro-Israel voices. He publicly rebutted calls for a two-state solution and argued Gaza was converted into a strategic base for Hamas after Israels withdrawal.

Legislative Record

200Bills Sponsored
40Introduced
Int 0819-2026Introduced

Freight rail expansion

Apr 16, 2026In Committee
Int 0792-2026

Prohibited synthetic food dyes in food purchased by city agencies

Mar 26, 2026In Committee
Int 0795-2026

A Local Law in relation to requiring the installation of outdoor drinking fountains in parks under the jurisdiction of the department of parks and recreation and in other public places

Mar 26, 2026In Committee
Res 0351-2026

Resolution to recognize the contributions of the federal Endangered Species Act to the natural environment of New York City

Mar 10, 2026Updated
Int 0736-2026Introduced

The removal of solid waste and recyclable materials and reducing distribution of single-use items at street activities, and to repeal section 16-326 of such code, relating to definitions applicable to sponsor responsibilities concerning solid waste and recyclable materials at street events

Mar 10, 2026In Committee
Int 0730-2026Introduced

Requiring water quality testing and the posting of water quality testing results online

Mar 10, 2026Enacted
Int 0699-2026

Standards and reporting regarding indoor air quality in schools within the city school district

Feb 24, 2026In Committee
Int 0692-2026

A Local Law in relation to workforce stabilization payments for school paraprofessionals, and providing for the repeal thereof

Feb 24, 2026In Committee
Track all NYC legislation →View voting history →

Conduct & Ethics

2007COIB Fine · $2,000

Case 2003-785 — NYC Conflicts of Interest Board enforcement action.

Data sourced from NYC Legistar, NYC Campaign Finance Board, NYC Conflicts of Interest Board, and curated public records. This page is a permanent record of James F. Gennaro's service in District 24.