BILL NUMBER: S4230

SPONSOR: KENNEDY
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to establish an extreme weather preparedness task force; and
providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

This bill would establish the Extreme Weather Preparedness Task Force to
evaluate the state's and counties' ability to handle extreme weather
events across the state, with the exception of those counties contained
within the City of New York and would require at least one public hear-
ing for the purpose of soliciting public comment.

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section 1 establishes the task force and lays out its duties, which
shall include evaluating the equipment and emergency plans of the state;
evaluating the equipment and emergency plans of individual munici-
palities; evaluating utility and telecom companies' ability to handle
              

extreme weather emergencies; evaluating transit and transportation
networks' ability to handle extreme weather; evaluating the
use/deployment of the National Guard in previous emergencies; evaluating
the use of wireless emergency alerts in the case of extreme weather
emergencies; making recommendations on equipment that municipalities
should have to deal with winter emergencies; and making recommendations
based on its findings on how to improve emergency weather preparedness
in the state, both statewide and within counties.

Section 2 establishes the membership of the task force.

Section 3 establishes the chairperson of the task force, establishes
their lack of compensation, and provides exceptions for necessary and
actual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

Section 4 provides authorization for the task force to hold public hear-
ings and meetings, consult with organizations and educational insti-
tutions, or other government entities or individuals in order to accom-
plish its duties, including at least one public hearing for the purpose
of soliciting public comment.

Section 5 provides for a report that will be issued by the task force no
later than six months after the effective date.

Section 6 establishes the effective date and expiration date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Over the past decade, extreme weather events have become more common in
New York State, including but not limited to blizzards, tropical storms,
and seiches. These extreme weather events have led to loss of life and
significant property damage due to snow, wind, extreme cold, and flood-
ing. These events include Tropical Storm Fred in 2021, Tropical Storm
Isaias in 2020, and a dangerous windstorm in 2019 that caused more than
$15 million in damage to an important breakwall along the Buffalo inner
harbor, among many others.

Recently, in December 2022, a historic blizzard hit the Buffalo Metro
Region. The blizzard, which lasted for multiple dates, had wind gusts of
nearly 80 miles per hour, dropped up to four feet of snow on the region,
which then drifted into massive piles that quickly covered vehicles,
vents, electric substations, and more, knocked out power to tens of
thousands of homes and places of business, and, tragically, led to the
deaths of at least 47 individuals from a variety of causes. In addition
to this horrific loss of life, tens of thousands were left without elec-
tricity in the midst of extreme cold temperatures, and at least two of
the warming centers set up in the City of Buffalo for residents also
lost power.  Travel was next-to-impossible, with whiteout conditions
continuing for dozens of hours upon end, and, for the first time in its
history, the Buffalo Fire Department was, for a period of time, unable
to respond to any emergency calls.

While storms of this magnitude were previously considered to be genera-
tional storms that occur only once or twice a century, climate change is
unfortunately making them much more common. As a result, New York State
must review and enhance its emergency preparedness for these types of
storms. The Extreme Weather Preparedness Task Force will undertake a
detailed review of the state of extreme weather preparedness in New York
State and its counties outside of New York City, solicit public input
through a mandated public hearing, and will within six months provide a
report and recommendations.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This law shall take effect immediately after it shall become a law.