Prohibits restaurants in certain cities from serving water except upon request

Title of bill

An act to amend the general business law, in relation to serving water to patrons in restaurants in certain cities

Purpose

This bill directs that restaurants in cities of a population of a million or more shall be prohibited from serving water except upon request.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 of this bill states the legislative intent. The legislature recognizes that drinking water is an essential resource and it should be conserved whenever possible. This legislation encourages consumers and commercial establishments to conserve water.

Section 2 amends the general business law by adding a new section 399-bb. This section stipulates that any restaurant in a city with a population of a million or more shall be prohibited to serve drinking water to any patron unless requested by the patron. For the first violation, the court shall issue a warning. A civil penalty of not more than $500 shall be issued for the second violation and not more than $1,000 for the third and subsequent violations. The term "restaurant" applies to coffee shops, cafeterias, luncheonettes, diners, short order cafes, fast food establishments, and eateries. Catering and banquet halls shall be exempt from the provisions of this bill.

Section 3 is the enacting clause. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall become law.

Justification

This bill recognizes the importance of water conservancy and encourages commercial establishments and consumers to conserve water wherever and whenever possible. Even in these times of plenty, water should be conserved in the event that clean drinking water should become a scarce resource. Too often water is unnecessarily wasted.

Legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall become law.