BILL NUMBER: S5334

SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:  An act to enact the New York state drinking water bill
of rights

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

This bill declares as state policy that every New York State resident
has the right to safe, clean, affordable and accessible water for human
consumption, cooking, and sanitary purposes and that this policy must be
considered by agencies when establishing policies or regulations perti-
nent to the use of water.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 of the bill states that this act shall be known and may be
cited as the "New York state drinking water bill of rights".

Section 2 subdivision (a) declares as state policy that every New York
State resident has the right to safe, clean, affordable, and accessible
              

water adequate for human consumption, cooking, and sanitary purposes.

Subdivision (b) requires all relevant agencies, including the department
of health, department of environmental conservation and department of
public service, to consider this policy when revising, adopting, or
establishing polices, regulations, and grant criteria when they are
pertinent to the uses of water described in this section.

Section 3 is the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

The people of the State of New York, consistent with the policy
expressed in the Water Resources Law, Environmental Conservation law
Section 15-0105, by this legislation establishes a drinking water bill
of rights for all New York State residents.

Access by our residents to clean, adequate, and affordable water is in
jeopardy. Tainted drinking water continues to be in the forefront of the
news. Cash strapped municipalities nationwide, including in New York,
are under pressure to privatize their water systems. The control of
water by private companies, including access and cost, is a threat to
the protection and management of water resources sustainability.

Clean, adequate and affordable water should be available to all of our
residents. This is threatened by privatization and the lack of a clear
policy on the right to clean water. This legislation will establish this
individual right as the policy of the State.

This policy must be considered by all relevant agencies when revising,
adopting, or establishing polices, regulations, and grant criteria
pertinent to the uses of water described in this act.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2017-18: A6803 referred to health

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.