Provides that N.Y. city shall require qualified manholes to contain locking devices

Title of bill

An act to amend the public service law, in relation to providing for municipalities to require qualified manholes to contain locking devices

Purpose or general idea of bill

This bill would amend the public service law to require qualified manhole to contain locking devices in a city with a population of one million or more.

Summary of specific provisions

§1 of this bill amends the public service law is amended by adding a new section 73.

Section 73 establishes definitions for terms such as qualified manhole and self contained independent manhole barrier locking device.

Subsection two states that a city having a population of one million or more shall require all qualified manhole located within such city to contain a self contained independent manhole barrier locking device.

Subsection three states that nothing contained in this section shall be construed to restrict the power of any county, city of less then one million in population, town or village, or any district, agency, board, body or commission thereof to adopt and enforce local laws that comply with the provisions set forth in this section.

Justification

Its important that critical infrastructure such as utilities be kept safe from tampering or sabotage. This bill mandates that manholes be secured with available market technology thus protecting critical subterranean infrastructure and key resources in the City of New York.

Prior legislative history

New Bill.

Fiscal implications

Minimal

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the 120th day after it shall have become a law.