BILL NUMBER: S2310

SPONSOR: KAVANAGH
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to the use of
wood in subway and railroad tracks

 
PURPOSE:

To require that tropical hardwoods or tropical hardwood products that
the state purchases are from sustainably managed forests.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 of the bill amends subdivision 1 of section 165 of the state
finance law, adding six new paragraphs that set forth legislative defi-
nitions.

Section 2 of the bill amends paragraph (a) of subdivision (2) of section
165 of the state finance law, which currently prohibits the purchase of
              

tropical hardwood products, by adding that governmental agencies in the
state shall also seek to maximize the use of environmentally preferable
materials by any legal means.

Section 3 amends section 165 of the state finance law by adding a new
section 2-a which allows for the Governor to direct the appropriate
agency or department to create a list of eligible forest certifiers and
chain of custody certifiers and empowers the designated agency to
promulgate rules and regulations on eligibility requirements.

Section 4 amends subdivision (2) of section 165 of the state finance law
by adding a new paragraph (e) which allows for local governments to
adopt measures which are more restrictive than the provisions of this
section.

Section 5 of the bill sets forth the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

The state should encourage the use of alternative building materials
such as reclaimed wood, particle board from agricultural residue and
recycled plastic. Forests play a vital role in regulating the global
climate, purifying the air and protecting watersheds. Throughout the
world, communities depend upon healthy forests for their economic value.
The purchasing restrictions currently placed on the state are minimal.

New York currently uses timber cut from tropical and temperate rainfor-
ests in a range of products including park benches and boardwalks. New
York is therefore contributing to the global deforestation of the
world's ecosystem. Requiring that the state purchase wood which derives
from a sustainably managed forest provides a much more rebponsible
approach by ensuring forests will not be destroyed in the process.

 
FISCAL IMPACT ON THE STATE:

None.

 
FISCAL IMPACT ON LOCALITIES:
None.

 
IMPACT ON REGULATION OF BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS:

None.

 
IMPACT ON FINES, IMPRISONMENT, FORFEITURE OF RIGHTS, OR OTHER PENAL
SANCTIONS:

None.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2018:S7148- REFERRED TO FINANCE

2017:A8583- stricken

2016:A5839- referred to governmental operations

2015:A5839- referred to governmental operations

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundredth and eightieth day after
it shall have become a law.