S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                  1115

                       2011-2012 Regular Sessions

                            I N  S E N A T E

                             January 5, 2011
                               ___________

Introduced  by  Sens. PARKER, PERKINS -- read twice and ordered printed,
  and when printed to be committed to  the  Committee  on  Environmental
  Conservation

AN  ACT  to  amend  the  environmental  conservation law, in relation to
  establishing a permanent environmental justice advisory group  and  an
  environmental justice interagency coordinating council

  THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section 1. The environmental conservation law is amended by  adding  a
new article 48 to read as follows:
                               ARTICLE 48
                          ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
SECTION 48-0101. DECLARATION OF POLICY.
        48-0103. DEFINITIONS.
        48-0105. PERMANENT ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVISORY GROUP.
        48-0107. POWERS AND DUTIES.
        48-0109. AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES.
        48-0111. ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COUNCIL.
        48-0113. SEPARABILITY.
S 48-0101. DECLARATION OF POLICY.
  1.  IT  IS  HEREBY  DECLARED TO BE THE POLICY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
THAT ALL PEOPLE, REGARDLESS OF RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN OR
INCOME, HAVE A RIGHT TO FAIR TREATMENT AND MEANINGFUL INVOLVEMENT IN THE
DEVELOPMENT, IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT  OF  LAWS,  REGULATIONS  AND
POLICIES THAT AFFECT THE QUALITY OF THE ENVIRONMENT.
  2.  IT  SHALL  FURTHER  BE  THE  POLICY  OF THE STATE THAT NO GROUP OF
PEOPLE, INCLUDING A RACIAL, ETHNIC OR  SOCIOECONOMIC  GROUP,  SHOULD  BE
DISPROPORTIONATELY EXPOSED TO POLLUTION OR BEAR A DISPROPORTIONATE SHARE
OF  THE  NEGATIVE  ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES RESULTING FROM INDUSTRIAL,
MUNICIPAL OR COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS, OR THE EXECUTION OF FEDERAL,  STATE,
LOCAL OR TRIBAL PROGRAMS AND POLICIES.

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD01742-01-1
              

S. 1115                             2

  3.  IT  SHALL  FURTHER  BE  THE  POLICY  OF THE STATE THAT NO GROUP OF
PEOPLE, INCLUDING A RACIAL, ETHNIC OR SOCIOECONOMIC GROUP, SHOULD SUFFER
FROM INEQUITABLE ALLOCATION OF PUBLIC RESOURCES OR FINANCIAL  ASSISTANCE
FOR  ENVIRONMENTAL  PROTECTION  AND STEWARDSHIP, INCLUDING ENVIRONMENTAL
REMEDIATION,  POLLUTION  PREVENTION, OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION AND/OR OTHER
PROTECTION AND STEWARDSHIP ACTIVITIES.
  4. IT SHALL FURTHER BE THE POLICY OF THE STATE THAT OPPORTUNITIES  FOR
CITIZEN  INVOLVEMENT  IN THE DEVELOPMENT, IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT
OF LAWS, REGULATIONS AND POLICIES THAT AFFECT THE QUALITY OF  THE  ENVI-
RONMENT  BE  AS REFLECTIVE OF THE DIVERSITY OF INTERESTS AND PERSPECTIVE
FOUND WITHIN THE AFFECTED COMMUNITY  AS  POSSIBLE,  INCLUDING  THOSE  OF
RACIAL,  ETHNIC AND SOCIOECONOMIC GROUPS; THAT THEY BE PROVIDED AS EARLY
AS POSSIBLE IN THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS PRIOR TO THE SELECTION  OF  A
PREFERRED  COURSE OF ACTION BY FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL OR TRIBAL AGENCIES;
THAT THEY PROVIDE FULL, TIMELY AND ACCESSIBLE DISCLOSURE AND SHARING  OF
INFORMATION BY THE GOVERNMENT AGENCY OR AGENCIES INVOLVED, INCLUDING THE
PROVISION  OF TECHNICAL DATA AND THE ASSUMPTIONS UPON WHICH ANY ANALYSES
ARE BASED; AND THAT THEY ALLOW ALL PEOPLE, REGARDLESS  OF  RACE,  COLOR,
RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN OR INCOME, THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THEIR VIEWS
HEARD AND CONSIDERED, INCLUDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR TWO-WAY DIALOGUE.
S 48-0103. DEFINITIONS.
  AS USED IN THIS ARTICLE:
  1. "ADVISORY GROUP" MEANS THE PERMANENT ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVISORY
GROUP ESTABLISHED BY SECTION 48-0105 OF THIS ARTICLE.
  2. "AGENCY" MEANS ANY DEPARTMENT, BOARD, BUREAU, COMMISSION, DIVISION,
OFFICE,  COUNCIL,  COMMITTEE  OR  OFFICER  OF  THE  STATE, OR ANY PUBLIC
AUTHORITY OR PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION AT LEAST ONE OF WHOSE MEMBERS IS
APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
  3. "ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE" MEANS THE  FAIR  TREATMENT  AND  MEANINGFUL
INVOLVEMENT  OF ALL PEOPLE REGARDLESS OF RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, NATIONAL
ORIGIN OR INCOME WITH RESPECT TO  THE  DEVELOPMENT,  IMPLEMENTATION  AND
ENFORCEMENT  OF  LAWS, REGULATIONS AND POLICIES AFFECTING THE QUALITY OF
THE ENVIRONMENT.
  4. "FAIR TREATMENT" MEANS THAT NO GROUP OF PEOPLE, INCLUDING A RACIAL,
ETHNIC OR SOCIOECONOMIC GROUP, SHOULD BE DISPROPORTIONATELY  EXPOSED  TO
POLLUTION OR BEAR A DISPROPORTIONATE SHARE OF THE NEGATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL
CONSEQUENCES  RESULTING  FROM INDUSTRIAL, MUNICIPAL AND COMMERCIAL OPER-
ATIONS OR THE EXECUTION OF FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND TRIBAL PROGRAMS AND
POLICIES, AND FURTHER MEANS THAT NO SUCH GROUP OF PEOPLE  SHOULD  SUFFER
FROM  INEQUITABLE ALLOCATION OF PUBLIC RESOURCES OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND  STEWARDSHIP,  INCLUDING  ENVIRONMENTAL
REMEDIATION,  POLLUTION  PREVENTION,  OPEN  SPACE  ACQUISITION AND OTHER
PROTECTION AND STEWARDSHIP ACTIVITIES.
  5. "MEANINGFUL INVOLVEMENT" MEANS THE PROVISION OF  OPPORTUNITIES  FOR
CITIZEN  PARTICIPATION  IN DECISION MAKING THAT ARE AS REFLECTIVE OF THE
DIVERSITY OF INTERESTS AND PERSPECTIVE FOUND WITHIN THE AFFECTED  COMMU-
NITY  AS  POSSIBLE,  INCLUDING THOSE OF RACIAL, ETHNIC AND SOCIOECONOMIC
GROUPS; THAT ARE PROVIDED AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE IN  THE  DECISION  MAKING
PROCESS  PRIOR  TO  THE  SELECTION  OF A PREFERRED COURSE OF ACTION BY A
DECISION MAKING AGENCY OR AGENCIES; THAT PROVIDE FULL, TIMELY AND ACCES-
SIBLE DISCLOSURE AND SHARING OF INFORMATION BY THE GOVERNMENT AGENCY  OR
AGENCIES  INVOLVED,  INCLUDING  THE  PROVISION OF TECHNICAL DATA AND THE
ASSUMPTIONS UPON WHICH ANY  ANALYSES  ARE  BASED;  AND  THAT  ALLOW  ALL
PEOPLE,  REGARDLESS OF RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN OR INCOME,
THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THEIR  VIEWS  HEARD  AND  CONSIDERED,  INCLUDING
OPPORTUNITIES FOR TWO-WAY DIALOGUE.

S. 1115                             3

S 48-0105. PERMANENT ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVISORY GROUP.
  1. THE PERMANENT ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVISORY GROUP IS HEREBY ESTAB-
LISHED IN THE DEPARTMENT TO CONSIST OF FIFTEEN MEMBERS, AS FOLLOWS:
  (A) FIVE MEMBERS SHALL BE REPRESENTATIVES OF COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZA-
TIONS THAT ADVISE OR ASSIST MINORITY AND LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES ON ENVI-
RONMENTAL MATTERS.
  (B)  FOUR  MEMBERS  SHALL  BE  REPRESENTATIVES OF BUSINESSES THAT HOLD
PERMITS OR OTHERWISE OPERATE SUBJECT TO THIS CHAPTER.
  (C) TWO MEMBERS SHALL BE REPRESENTATIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
OFFICES OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
  (D) THE  REMAINING  MEMBERS  SHALL  BE  REPRESENTATIVES  OF  STATE  OR
NATIONAL  ORGANIZATIONS  PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION, RESEARCH-
ERS, EDUCATORS AND MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
  (E) ONE OF THE MEMBERS APPOINTED PURSUANT TO EACH OF  PARAGRAPHS  (A),
(B), (C) AND (D) OF THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE TEMPORARY
PRESIDENT  OF  THE  SENATE, AND ONE OF THE MEMBERS APPOINTED PURSUANT TO
EACH OF PARAGRAPHS (A), (B), (C) AND (D) OF THIS  SUBDIVISION  SHALL  BE
APPOINTED  BY  THE  SPEAKER  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY.  THE  REMAINING  MEMBERS
APPOINTED PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE  GOVER-
NOR.  THE  REPLACEMENT  OF  ANY  MEMBER  SHALL BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN THIS SECTION FOR APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS.
  2. (A) EACH MEMBER OF THE ADVISORY GROUP SHALL SERVE  FOR  A  TERM  OF
FOUR  YEARS  OR  UNTIL  HIS  OR  HER  SUCCESSOR  IS  APPOINTED. A MEMBER
APPOINTED TO FILL A VACANCY SHALL SERVE THE REMAINDER OF THE TERM OF THE
MEMBER HE OR SHE IS APPOINTED TO SUCCEED. THE MEMBERS  OF  THE  ADVISORY
GROUP  SHALL  RECEIVE  NO  COMPENSATION  FOR THEIR SERVICES BUT SHALL BE
REIMBURSED FOR THEIR EXPENSES ACTUALLY AND NECESSARILY INCURRED  IN  THE
PERFORMANCE OF THEIR DUTIES HEREUNDER.
  (B)  THE  ADVISORY  GROUP SHALL SELECT A CHAIR FROM AMONG THE MEMBERS.
THE ADVISORY GROUP SHALL MEET AS FREQUENTLY AS NECESSARY, BUT  NOT  LESS
THAN THREE TIMES PER YEAR. SUCH MEETINGS SHALL BE HELD AT SUCH LOCATIONS
AS  THE ADVISORY GROUP MAY DETERMINE. ALL SUCH MEETINGS SHALL BE SUBJECT
TO THE OPEN MEETINGS LAW. AT LEAST ONE MEETING ANNUALLY  SHALL  BE  HELD
JOINTLY  WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COUNCIL
ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION 48-0111 OF THIS ARTICLE. EACH MEMBER  OF
THE ADVISORY GROUP SHALL BE ENTITLED TO DESIGNATE IN WRITING A REPRESEN-
TATIVE  TO  ATTEND MEETINGS IN HIS OR HER PLACE AND TO VOTE OR OTHERWISE
ACT ON HIS OR HER BEHALF IN HIS OR HER ABSENCE.
  (C) STAFF SERVICES FOR THE ADVISORY GROUP SHALL BE PERFORMED,  INSOFAR
AS  PRACTICABLE,  BY PERSONNEL OF THE DEPARTMENT. THE ADVISORY GROUP MAY
REQUEST AND SHALL RECEIVE FROM ANY STATE AGENCY SUCH ASSISTANCE AND DATA
AS WILL ENABLE IT PROPERLY TO CARRY OUT  ITS  ACTIVITIES  HEREUNDER  AND
EFFECTUATE THE PURPOSES SET FORTH HEREIN.
S 48-0107. POWERS AND DUTIES.
  THE ADVISORY GROUP SHALL HAVE THE POWER AND DUTY TO:
  1.  ADOPT A MODEL ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE POLICY APPLICABLE GENERALLY TO
STATE AGENCIES THAT ENGAGE IN ACTIVITIES OR OPERATIONS THAT MAY  HAVE  A
SIGNIFICANT  EFFECT  ON  THE  ENVIRONMENT,  INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
THROUGH THE ADOPTION OF RULES  AND  REGULATIONS,  ISSUANCE  OF  PERMITS,
ACQUISITION  OR  MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTY, OR APPROVAL, FUNDING OR UNDER-
TAKING OF PROJECTS. SUCH POLICY SHALL BE ADOPTED NOT LATER THAN ONE YEAR
AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF  THIS  ARTICLE.  THE  ADVISORY  GROUP  SHALL
DEVELOP THE MODEL POLICY IN CONSULTATION WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF MINORI-
TY  AND  LOW-INCOME  COMMUNITIES,  REGULATED  PARTIES, THE ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COUNCIL AND OTHER  STATE  AGENCIES  AND
THE  PUBLIC  AND  SHALL  HOLD  A PUBLIC HEARING THEREON IN EACH JUDICIAL

S. 1115                             4

DEPARTMENT. NOTICE OF SUCH HEARINGS AND NOTICE OF THE  ADOPTION  OF  THE
MODEL POLICY SHALL BE PUBLISHED IN THE STATE REGISTER;
  2.  ADVISE  STATE  AGENCIES  OF  THEIR  RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER SECTION
48-0109 OF THIS ARTICLE;
  3. MONITOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE POLICIES OF STATE
AGENCIES, MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNOR,  LEGISLATURE  AND  STATE
AGENCIES  ON MEASURES TO IMPROVE SUCH POLICIES, AND REPORT NOT LESS THAN
ANNUALLY ON THE EXTENT TO WHICH AGENCIES  ARE  IN  COMPLIANCE  WITH  THE
REQUIREMENTS  OF  THIS ARTICLE AND OTHER STATE LAWS AND FEDERAL LAWS AND
REGULATIONS RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE;
  4. PROVIDE COMMENTS ON ANY PROPOSED RULE, REGULATION OR  POLICY  OF  A
STATE OR FEDERAL AGENCY RELATED TO ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE;
  5.  ACCEPT,  AS AGENT OF THE STATE, ANY GRANT INCLUDING FEDERAL GRANTS
OR ANY GIFT FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE. ANY MONIES SO RECEIVED MAY
BE EXPENDED BY THE ADVISORY GROUP TO  EFFECTUATE  ANY  PURPOSE  OF  THIS
ARTICLE, SUBJECT TO THE APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF THE STATE FINANCE LAW;
  6. CONDUCT PUBLIC HEARINGS WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTER WITHIN THE SCOPE
OF ITS FUNCTIONS, POWERS AND DUTIES;
  7.  ADOPT,  AMEND  AND  REPEAL  BY-LAWS GOVERNING ITS ORGANIZATION AND
OPERATION AND SUCH RULES AND REGULATIONS, CONSISTENT WITH THIS  ARTICLE,
AS IT DEEMS NECESSARY TO ADMINISTER THIS ARTICLE; AND
  8.  DO  ANY  AND  ALL  THINGS NECESSARY OR CONVENIENT TO CARRY OUT ITS
FUNCTIONS, POWERS AND DUTIES UNDER THIS ARTICLE.
S 48-0109. AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES.
  1. EACH STATE AGENCY THAT ENGAGES IN  ACTIVITIES  OR  OPERATIONS  THAT
HAVE  A SIGNIFICANT EFFECT ON THE ENVIRONMENT, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED
TO THROUGH THE ADOPTION OF RULES AND REGULATIONS, ISSUANCE  OF  PERMITS,
ACQUISITION  OR  MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTY, OR APPROVAL, FUNDING OR UNDER-
TAKING OF PROJECTS, SHALL BE GUIDED  IN  ITS  DECISION  MAKING  ON  SUCH
ACTIVITIES  OR  OPERATIONS BY AN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE POLICY. EACH SUCH
AGENCY SHALL ADOPT RULES AND REGULATIONS SETTING FORTH ITS ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE POLICY NOT LATER THAN SIX MONTHS AFTER THE ADOPTION OF  A  MODEL
ENVIRONMENTAL  JUSTICE  POLICY PURSUANT TO SECTION 48-0107 OF THIS ARTI-
CLE. THE AGENCY THEREAFTER SHALL COMPLY IN ALL RESPECTS WITH  THE  ENVI-
RONMENTAL  JUSTICE  POLICY  SET  FORTH  IN  ITS  RULES  AND REGULATIONS;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH  RULES  AND  REGULATIONS,
THE  AGENCY  SHALL  COMPLY  IN ALL RESPECTS WITH THE MODEL ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE POLICY.
  2. EACH STATE AGENCY SUBJECT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF
THIS SECTION SHALL:
  (A) APPOINT A STAFF MEMBER OF THE AGENCY  TO  SERVE  AS  ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE  COORDINATOR,  TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC ON THE POLI-
CIES, ACTIVITIES AND OPERATIONS OF THE AGENCY RELATED  TO  ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE  AND  TO  ACT  AS  LIAISON TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVISORY
GROUP;
  (B) NOTIFY THE ADVISORY GROUP OF THE APPOINTMENT OF  AN  ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE COORDINATOR; AND
  (C)  DEVELOP  AN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE TRAINING PLAN WHICH INCLUDE THE
PROVISION OF  WORKSHOPS  AND  WRITTEN  MATERIALS  TO  APPROPRIATE  STAFF
REGARDING ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGENCY'S ENVI-
RONMENTAL JUSTICE POLICY.
  3.  THIS  SECTION  SHALL APPLY TO ANY STATE AGENCY NOTWITHSTANDING ANY
EXEMPTION SUCH AGENCY MAY HAVE FROM OTHER LAWS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMIT-
ED TO ANY EXEMPTION FROM ARTICLE EIGHT OF THIS CHAPTER.
S 48-0111. ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COUNCIL.

S. 1115                             5

  1. THERE IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED AN  ENVIRONMENTAL  JUSTICE  INTERAGENCY
COORDINATING COUNCIL WHICH SHALL HAVE THE POWER AND DUTY TO:
  (A)  COORDINATE  THE ACTIVITIES OF AGENCIES REQUIRED TO ADOPT AN ENVI-
RONMENTAL JUSTICE POLICY PURSUANT TO SECTION 48-0109 OF THIS ARTICLE  IN
DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF SUCH POLICIES;
  (B) MAKE ANNUAL REPORTS TO THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE CONCERNING
THE  IMPLEMENTATION  AND  EFFECTIVENESS  OF AGENCY ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
POLICIES, INCLUDING THE ADEQUACY OF FUNDING AVAILABLE  AND  DIFFICULTIES
ENCOUNTERED; AND
  (C)  SERVE  AS  A  CLEARINGHOUSE FOR STATE AGENCIES AND THE PUBLIC FOR
INFORMATION ON ENVIRONMENTAL  JUSTICE  POLICIES,  ENVIRONMENTAL  JUSTICE
COORDINATORS IN STATE AGENCIES AND RELATED ACTIVITIES OF STATE AGENCIES,
AND  MAINTAIN  INFORMATION  SERVICES,  INCLUDING  BUT  NOT LIMITED TO AN
INTERNET SITE AND A TOLL-FREE TELEPHONE NUMBER, TO INFORM THE PUBLIC  ON
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE.
  2.  THE  ENVIRONMENTAL  JUSTICE COORDINATING COUNCIL SHALL INCLUDE THE
COMMISSIONER; THE COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT  OF  ECONOMIC  DEVELOP-
MENT;  THE  COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION; THE PRESI-
DENT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL FACILITIES CORPORATION; THE PRESIDENT  OF  THE
NEW  YORK  STATE ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY; THE CHAIRMAN
OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE POWER AUTHORITY OF
THE STATE OF NEW YORK; THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR  OF  THE  NEW  YORK  STATE
OFFICE OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ACADEMIC RESEARCH; OR THEIR DESIGNEES;
AND  EVERY  STAFF  MEMBER  CHOSEN BY AN AGENCY TO SERVE AS ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE COORDINATOR PURSUANT TO SECTION 48-0109  OF  THIS  ARTICLE.  THE
COUNCIL  SHALL CONSULT WITH THE PERMANENT ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVISORY
GROUP; REPRESENTATIVES OF MINORITY AND LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING
COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS THAT ADVISE OR ASSIST MINORITY AND LOW-IN-
COME COMMUNITIES ON ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS; REPRESENTATIVES OF BUSINESSES
THAT HOLD PERMITS OR OTHERWISE OPERATE SUBJECT TO THIS  CHAPTER;  REPRE-
SENTATIVES  OF  LOCAL  GOVERNMENTS;  REPRESENTATIVES OF LOCAL, STATE, OR
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION; RESEARCHERS
AND EDUCATORS; AND ANY OTHER PARTIES THE COUNCIL DEEMS APPROPRIATE.
  3. THE COORDINATING COUNCIL SHALL MEET AT LEAST  QUARTERLY  AND  SHALL
DESIGNATE  ONE  OF  ITS  MEMBERS  TO SERVE AS CHAIRPERSON AND ONE OF ITS
MEMBERS TO SERVE AS SECRETARY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND  DISSEMINATION  OF
MINUTES  AND  REPORTS.  ALL  SUCH  MEETINGS SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE OPEN
MEETINGS LAW. AT LEAST ONE MEETING ANNUALLY SHALL BE HELD  JOINTLY  WITH
THE  PERMANENT ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVISORY GROUP ESTABLISHED PURSUANT
TO SECTION 48-0105 OF THIS ARTICLE. EACH MEMBER  SHALL  BE  ENTITLED  TO
DESIGNATE  IN  WRITING A REPRESENTATIVE TO ATTEND MEETINGS IN HIS OR HER
PLACE AND TO VOTE OR OTHERWISE ACT ON HIS OR HER BEHALF IN  HIS  OR  HER
ABSENCE.
S 48-0113. SEPARABILITY.
  IF  ANY  CLAUSE,  SENTENCE, PARAGRAPH, SECTION OR PART OF THIS ARTICLE
SHALL BE ADJUDGED BY ANY COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION TO BE  INVALID,
THE JUDGMENT SHALL NOT AFFECT, IMPAIR OR INVALIDATE THE REMAINDER THERE-
OF,  BUT  SHALL  BE  CONFINED  IN ITS OPERATION TO THE CLAUSE, SENTENCE,
PARAGRAPH, SECTION OR PART THEREOF DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THE  CONTROVERSY
IN WHICH THE JUDGMENT SHALL HAVE BEEN RENDERED.
  S  2. This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeed-
ing the date on which it shall have become a law.