NY State Senate Passes Five Harckham Sponsored Bills

Albany, NY – Five different bills introduced and sponsored by New York State Senator Pete Harckham were approved in the State Senate today. The legislation addresses important issues regarding support for solar energy projects, fighting food insecurity, preventing animal cruelty and more.

“The changing needs and concerns of our communities often require legislative assistance,” said Harckham, “and I appreciate the consideration and support my Senate colleagues have given these bills during their approval process.”

The five newly passed bills include:

S.6553C authorizes the Town of Yorktown to alienate certain parklands—in this case a portion of the property located within Granite Knolls Park—and lease it to HESP Solar LLC for the construction of a solar energy power plant and electric vehicle charging stations.

S.6307 extends the guaranteed recovery of energy performance contracts costs for energy savings (from projects like solar panel module systems) to 25 years for school districts in the state, up from 18 years, which will increase energy efficiency and reduce costs.

S.6018B extends the end date through 2022 for a law that facilitates the donation of food from supermarkets to food relief organizations and diverts edible excess food from landfills.

S.6327 relaxes a residency requirement in Putnam County so that interested individuals who live in adjacent counties can serve as peace officers on the county’s Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

S.7114 designates the pedestrian bridge across the Taconic State Parkway, in the Town of Yorktown, as the “Atomic Veterans Memorial Bridge.”