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Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 54
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to governmental operations
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 59–2
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.42
- Referred to housing, construction and community development
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to governmental operations
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 56–3
Show 4 earlier actions
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.160
- Referred to housing, construction and community development
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.
Allows the placement of fresh cut evergreen trees in public buildings and governmental facilities
In Assembly Committee · Governmental Operations · Sponsor William Magee
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S478
Title of bill
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to certain uniform fire prevention and building code standards
Purpose
This legislation would allow the seasonal display of fresh cut Christmas trees and wreaths in public and government buildings.
Summary of provisions
Amends paragraph c of subdivision 4 of section 378 of the executive law.
Justification
When a fresh cut Christmas tree is properly cared for, it has a high degree of natural flame resistance due to its moisture content. The states of Wisconsin and Nebraska now allow the display of fresh cut Christmas trees in public buildings after having done extensive studies on the flammability of live trees. The Fire Commissioner of Canada, T.J. Dunfield, contended that a Christmas tree with its butt immersed in water will remain safe from ignition by a point source of heat for at least three weeks if installed reasonably fresh. A study in wisconsin showed that artificial trees will ignite faster than fresh cut trees. So much so, that an artificial tree must be sprayed with a flame retardant because it ignites faster and gives off toxic fumes when it is burning. Research in Kansas has shown that there has never been a fire caused by a fresh cut Christmas tree and the Connecticut Fire Marshal and Safety Bureau claims that when a Christmas tree is fresh it may not pose a fire hazard.
This legislation will allow the seasonal display of a decoration that has been shown not to be a fire hazard if taken care of properly The New York State Christmas Tree Growers Association reports that approximately 1400 tree growers, produce over 3,000,000 trees in New York State each year with annual sales of 72 million dollars The Christmas tree industry is an economic asset to New York State and trees should be allowed to be d1splayed 1n public and government buildings.
Legislative history
S.1755 of 2005/2006, S.308 of 2004, S.3838-A of 2002, S.703 of 2000, S.2773 of 1998, S.6495 of 1996, S.589 of 2007/2008, S.2945 of 2009/2010
Fiscal implications
None.
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.