What's happening
Writing a plain-English summary… Track this bill to get it by email.
Why it matters
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Sponsors
16 Co-sponsors
22 Multi-sponsors
- Robert Barra
- Nancy Calhoun
- Robert Castelli
- Gary Finch
- Earlene Hooper
- Rhoda Jacobs
- Susan John
- George Latimer
- William Magee
- David McDonough
- John McEneny
- Thomas McKevitt
- Marcus Molinaro
- Crystal Peoples-Stokes
- N. Nick Perry
- Audrey Pheffer
- Annette Robinson
- Michelle Schimel
- Albert A. Stirpe
- Fred Thiele
- David Townsend
- Harvey Weisenberg
History
- Referred to local governments
- Print number 7096a
- Amend and recommit to local governments
- Referred to local governments
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Expands the products which may be purchased for public use
In Senate Committee · Local Government · Sponsor Andrea Stewart-Cousins
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:A7096A
Title of bill
An act to amend the general municipal law, in relation to expanding the products which may be purchased for public use
Purpose or general idea of bill
Encourages the use of renewable energy by local governments.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 104-a of the General Municipal Law, as amended by chapter 468 of the laws of 1994, is amended so that the officer, board of agency of any political subdivision or of any district charged with the awarding of public contracts, may wherever renewable energy resources meet contract specification, and the price of such products is reasonably competitive, purchase such products.
Renewable energy resources shall mean solar, wind, photovoltaics, tidal, geothermal, fuel cell technologies, and low-impact, run-of-river hydro- electric generating equipment with capacity up to thirty megawatts with no new storage impoundment.
Reasonably competitive shall mean that the cost of the renewable energy resource does not exceed a cost premium of fifteen percent above the cost of a comparable product that is not a renewable energy resource.
Justification
Under the General Municipal Law, products which are brought for public use must be bought from the lowest bidder. However, under Section 104-a, recycled products can be purchased for public use even if they are not the lowest priced product. As the law currently stands, renewable energy is not included under Section 104-a. However, the aim of the original law was to promote environmentally friendly purchasing, or at minimum, not discourage the purchasing of environ- mentally friendly products, therefore it makes sense to include renewa- ble energy. Allowing localities to purchase renewable energy at a slightly higher premium, in lieu of cheaper but less ecologically sound forms of energy, is a logical continuation of the current state policy.
Prior legislative history
Similar to: A. 2162-A and S. 8565 of 2007/2008 A. 6571 and S. 4472-A of 2005/2006 A. 10421 and S. 6939-A of 2003/2004
Fiscal implications
Allows localities to purchase renewable energy. No fiscal impact upon the state.
EFFECTIVE DATE:, This act shall take effect on the first of5 January next succeeding the date on which it shall have become law, Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regu- lation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.