BILL NUMBER: S646

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 Section 1209 of the public authorities law
prohibiting the procurement of tropical hardwoods for new or replacement
subway and railroad track ties.

Section 2 of the bill amends Section 1265 of the public authorities law
prohibiting the procurement of tropical hardwoods for new or replacement
subway and railroad track ties.
              

Section 3 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 responsible
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:
2021-22: S2952 - REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION

2019-20: S2310 - REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION

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 thirtieth day after it shall have
become a law.