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History
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Referred to environmental conservation
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.
Relates to mercury-added consumer products; repealer
In Assembly Committee · Environmental Conservation · Sponsor Ellen C. Jaffee
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S8123
Title of bill
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to mercury-added consumer products
Purpose or general idea of bill
The purpose of this bill is to prohibit the sale of certain mercury added consumer products.
Summary of specific provisions
Section one amends section 27-2101 of the Environmental Conservation Law to prohibit, after January 1, 2011, the sale or distribution of mercury sphygmomanometer, mercury wetted reed relays, mercury flame sensors, mercury thermometers, or mercury thermostats (except those used by blind or visually impaired persons) This section also grandfathers in products containing mercury or mercury components made before January 1, 2011.
Section two authorizes the department to grant waivers from these provisions upon application by the manufacturer. The waiver issued will describe how the manufacturer will ensure that a system exists for the proper collection, transport, and processing of the mercury-added consumer product at the end of its useful lifespan.
The application by the manufacturer will include information that demon- strates that there are: no comparable non-mercury alternatives; that the use of the mercury-added product provides a net-benefit to the environ- ment, public health or safety when compared to the non-mercury alterna- tive, and other factors.
This section also require the manufacturer to notify the regional multi-state clearing house of its request for a waiver, and to provide the clearinghouse with the information of its waiver application.
Waivers will be granted for two years, though the department may renew a waiver for up to an additional two years if the manufacturer continues to meet the requirements of the waiver.
Section three contains the effective date.
Justification
Mercury has been proven to impair brain development. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that between 300,000 and 630,000 infants each year are born in the united States with mercury levels high enough to be associated with IQ loss.
When products containing mercury are discarded, they often enter the waste stream, polluting soil, drinking water sources, and aquatic habi- tats. In rivers and the ocean, mercury bioaccumlates.
This bill would protect the environment and public health by prohibiting the sale of certain products that contain mercury, and ensuring that such products are properly disposed of when they are no longer in service.
Prior legislative history
This is a new bill.
Fiscal implications
None to the State.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.