New York Passes Legislature Making 50% VLT Legal, Updating Current Law
New York Passes Legislature Making 50% VLT Legal, Updating Current Law
New York Passes Legislature Lowering Allowable VLT to 50%
Washington, D.C. – June 3 2026 – For years, New York has maintained one of the nation’s most restrictive automotive window tint laws-a standard that many drivers, dealers, and window film professionals have argued is outdated compared to laws in most other states. As lawmakers have worked to modernize New York’s tint regulations, the International Window Film Association (IWFA) has played a significant role in educating policymakers and advocating for balanced legislation that promotes both the safety and the health of the state’s population.
Over the past several legislative sessions, multiple iterations of window film bills have been introduced in Albany seeking to adjust New York’s law to one more in line with most states in the country. The bill would allow window film with a VLT of 50% on the driver’s side, rear, and back glass of automobiles. These bills were held up for either lack of legislative support, political differences, or sometimes something as simple as the session ending.
For the past seven years, the IWFA has been working with Statewide Public Affairs in Albany, New York in their efforts to advance the bill to the floor in both chambers. Earlier this year, the bill passed the Transportation Committee in the Assembly and was immediately sent to the full Assembly where it was approved. Almost two months ago, the Senate Transportation Committee passed the bill and sent it to be put on the agenda calendar for a full Senate vote. and onto the floor. We are very happy to announce that yesterday evening, Tuesday, June 2nd, the bill also passed the Senate and will now be sent to Governor Hochul to be signed into law.
IWFA Executive Director Darrell Smith was elated at the news of the bills passing, stating “This marks the end of a long road in New York. The amount of time and energy the Association has poured into this initiative have not gone unnoticed, and the people of New York now have a law that benefits them instead of restricting them. We want to thank Member of Assembly Karines Reyes and Senator Jeremy Cooney for leading the charge in both houses, as well as Statewide Public Affairs for their hard work on getting this across the finish line.” In addition, support letters from the Skin Cancer Foundation, the Police Conference of New York, and the NY State Police Benevolent Association were instrumental in adding importance to the need for this legislation.
The ongoing discussion surrounding New York’s tint law demonstrates how an industry organization can contribute constructively to the legislative process. The passage of this bill highlights the importance of modernizing laws as industry continues to innovate and make films that are far higher performing than the films in use when these restrictive laws were originally written.
About The International Window Film Association
The International Window Film Association (IWFA) is a nonprofit industry body of window film dealers, distributors, and manufacturers that facilitates the growth of the window film industry through education, research, advocacy and public awareness. When you look for window film, look for the IWFA logo. Follow along for news from the IWFA on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.