New York City Council 
Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection 

Thank you, Chair Epstein and members of the committee, for the opportunity to testify on Int. 518 which would require the licensing of last-mile facilities. The Partnership for New York City mobilizes private sector resources and expertise to advance New York City’s standing as a global center of economic opportunity, upward mobility, and innovation. We are a nonprofit organization whose members are preeminent business leaders and companies that support nearly one million jobs in New York City and deliver approximately $263 billion in economic output. 

The Partnership opposes Int. 518. While we share the Council’s commitment to safe workplaces, economic opportunity, and environmental sustainability, Int. 518 would have far‑reaching and unintended consequences that would push last-mile facilities out of the city, undermine our delivery infrastructure, harm small businesses and workers, and increase costs for consumers throughout New York City. 

Last‑mile facilities are essential to daily life and the city’s economy. On an average day in 2024, one‑third of adult New Yorkers received a package, with 2.5 million packages delivered citywide. Nearly 78% of New Yorkers shop online in a week, relying on fast, affordable delivery for groceries, medicine, and other necessities. These facilities help keep goods accessible and affordable for households across all income levels. 

Int. 518’s strict licensing requirements, prohibitions on contracted delivery work, and mandates for direct employment would upend established business models. It would create extraordinary operational uncertainty for last‑mile businesses. The city’s ability to close a last-mile facility on short notice would expose businesses to the risk of shutdown for an unknown amount of time. This creates an unacceptable level of risk and would push many businesses to relocate outside the city. 

This bill would have substantial compliance costs, including reduced operational flexibility and significant administrative burdens. These costs would ultimately be passed on to consumers, increasing the price of everyday goods at a time when New Yorkers are already facing rising expenses. 

Int. 518 would also harm small and minority-owned businesses and their employees. The last mile-delivery companies who service last-mile facilities are largely local, minority-owned, and family-owned small businesses. This bill would put them out of business, reducing the number of opportunities for the 59% of New York City adults without college degrees for whom these jobs represent access to stable employment, competitive wages, and scheduling flexibility. 

Finally, Int. 518 conflicts with the city’s environmental and sustainability objectives. Increasing regulatory and operational costs for last-mile facilities will encourage them to relocate outside the city. This would force delivery vehicles to travel further distances, increasing traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions. 

Last‑mile delivery facilities are essential to New York City’s economic vitality and environmental objectives. Int. 518 would destabilize this system. We hope you will reject this legislation. 

Thank you.