FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 31, 2026

Contact: Press Office

DOF COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCES 30-DAY REVIEW TO INCREASE COLLECTIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOARD (ECB) DEBT

City Pursuing Innovative Strategies to Recover Millions in Unpaid Civil Fines Designed to Protect New Yorkers’ Quality of Life

DOF has projected collection of $70.1 million in FY26

New York, N.Y. – Today, Department of Finance Commissioner Richard Lee announced a comprehensive 30-day review aimed at identifying ways to increase the agency’s collection of outstanding Environmental Control Board (ECB) judgment debt. This debt stems from violations issued by various City agencies, from noncompliance with building codes, to illegal idling and other infractions.

“ECB judgment debt represents a significant source of revenue collected by the Department of Finance and plays a vital role in supporting essential City services that New Yorkers rely on every day,” said DOF Commissioner Richard Lee. “That is why we are undertaking a thorough review of our past practices and current processes to ensure we are maximizing collections in the most effective, efficient, and equitable way possible. In short, we are strengthening our approach to more effectively recover funds owed to the City from violations that have gone into judgment.”

As of October 2025, the outstanding balance of ECB judgment debt identified as potentially collectible was $573 million; however, this figure does not represent a guaranteed collection amount, and recovery of any portion of this balance is expected to take place over several years due to legal, financial, and administrative constraints associated with judgment enforcement. As part of this review, DOF is actively analyzing this balance to determine what share is realistically collectible and over what timeframe.

An additional $744 million is currently deemed uncollectible, as DOF is unable to recover these debts from individuals and businesses for various reasons, including those who have passed away, gone out of business, filed for bankruptcy, relocated outside the City, or faced significant financial hardship. For all of FY26, DOF had projected collection of $70.1 million, but will strengthen collection efforts by prioritizing high-value cases and pursuing payment from the City’s most persistent offenders to exceed that amount by the end of the fiscal year. While DOF does not expect projected collections to change substantially this year, this review will work to increase collections in years to come.

As part of its 30-day review, DOF will identify new strategies to hold the worst offenders accountable, focusing specifically on how to pursue a portion of the $573 million identified as potentially collectible. This includes tasking dedicated collection specialists to aggressively pursue high balance accounts over the next few weeks. DOF will also expand enforcement tools and ensure the agency has the necessary authority to pursue debts owed by negligent landlords. Together, these efforts will help improve collection rates while maintaining fairness and consistency in the process.

Additionally, DOF is pursuing innovative and targeted strategies to expand collections through special initiatives. These efforts include: Partnering with the Department of Buildings (DOB) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) to enforce license and permit suspensions, requiring licensees and permit holders to satisfy outstanding ECB judgment debt before applying for or renewing credentials; converting DOB-issued ECB judgments into property liens to strengthen enforcement and improve recovery rates, and implementing targeted outreach efforts, including specialized mailings, to encourage payment and increase compliance.

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