Addabbo Bill to Combat Illegal Dumping Approved by NYS Senate

Recently, the New York State Senate passed legislation S.1552, sponsored by Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr., to combat illegal dumping. The bill allows local sanitation departments to install and use surveillance cameras to identify and impose a financial penalty against individuals who illegally dump garbage in public places.

“Many responses to my 2023 community questionnaire specified illegal dumping as a major contributing factor in lowering the quality of life in our neighborhoods,” Addabbo said. “It continues to be a serious sanitation and quality of life issue resulting in odor issues and presenting environmental problems, both locally and statewide. My bill doesn’t just help to identify and impose a fine on offenders but also creates a deterrent to future litterers. This legislation will help ensure our neighborhoods remain aesthetically beautiful and environmentally safe for all to enjoy,” added Addabbo.

Illegal dumping has presented a serious sanitation and quality of life issue in our neighborhoods. Presently, individuals are dumping household trash inside and next to trash bins on the sidewalk, which causes odor issues and presents a serious quality of life issue within the community. Addabbo’s bill would allow any municipal agency with local sanitation authority to install security cameras to help identify, deter, and fine offenders. If approved by the Assembly and signed into law by the Governor, the law would go into effect immediately.

“This bill is certainly constituent-driven. It was born out of many complaints to my office, filed by residents who are frustrated with unwanted community dumping and debris,” concluded Addabbo.

 The bill is under consideration by the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee after passing the Senate.