S 8050: Prohibits a developer from using or displaying the seal of an architect or landscape architect on the developer's plans unless such architect or landscape architect has overseen and approved the development and creation of the plans; provides penalties for violation; and provides an enforcement mechanism.

  
  STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 8050 2025-2026 Regular Sessions  IN SENATE May 15, 2025 ___________ Introduced by Sen. COMRIE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Consumer Protection AN ACT to amend the general business law, in relation to imposing penal- ties on developers who fraudulently use architect seals The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem- bly, do enact as follows: 1 Section 1. The general business law is amended by adding a new section 2 392-k to read as follows: 3 § 392-k. Fraudulent use of an architectural seal. 1. No developer may 4 use or display the seal of an architect or landscape architect licensed 5 in this state on the developer's plans unless such architect or land- 6 scape architect has overseen and approved the development and creation 7 of the plans. 8 2. a. A developer that violates the provisions of this section shall 9 be liable for a fine of three hundred thousand dollars per violation; 10 provided, however, that if the violation involved plans for a project at 11 which a person suffered serious injury or death as a result of a defect 12 in the design of such plans, the developer shall be liable for a fine of 13 five hundred thousand dollars per violation. 14 b. A developer that violates the provisions of this section shall be 15 prohibited from being awarded any state or municipal contract and shall 16 be ineligible to claim any state or municipal tax benefits or credit 17 otherwise available to a developer. 18 3. Whenever there shall be a violation of this section, the attorney 19 general, in the name of the people of the state of New York, or a city 20 corporation counsel on behalf of the locality, may bring an action in 21 the supreme court or federal district court to enjoin and restrain such 22 violations and to obtain restitution and damages. 23 4. All moneys collected from fines imposed under this section shall be 24 deposited to the credit of the general fund. 25 § 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall 26 have become a law. EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. LBD04459-01-5