Relates to definition of tropical hardwoods for purposes of state purchasing restrictions

1 Co-sponsor

• Carl L. Marcellino

BILL NUMBER:S302

Title of bill

An act to amend the state finance law, in relation to the definition and purchase of tropical hardwoods

Purpose

To require that tropical hardwoods or tropical hardwood products that the state purchases are from sustainably managed forests.

Summary of specific provisions

Amends section 165 of the state Finance Law to prohibit the state (and any governmental agency or political subdivision or public benefit corporation of the state) from purchasing tropical hardwood except if they are certified as sustainably forested by a forest certifier.

Current law prohibits the state from purchasing tropical hardwoods or tropical hardwood products. However, the state may purchase this type of wood if it is purchased from a sustained managed forest. There is no definition of sustained managed forest in law. This bill defines sustained managed forest and sets forth guidelines that forest certifiers must abide by. In addition the wood must be certified by a chain or custody certifier in order to verify where the wood originated. The Governor shall develop a list of eligible forest certifiers and chain of custody certifiers.

This legislation would also allow any government to further restrict the use of tropical hardwoods or any wood product.

Justification

The state should encourage the use of alternative building materials such as reclaimed wood, particle board from agricultural residue and recycled plastic. Forests play a vital role in regulating the global climate, purifying the air and protecting watersheds. Throughout the world, communities depend on healthy forests for their economic value. The purchasing restrictions currently placed on the state are minimal. New York currently uses timber cut from tropical and temperate rainforests in a range of products including park benches and boardwalks. New York is therefore contributing to the global deforestation of the world's ecosystem. Requiring that the state purchase wood which devices from a sustainable managed forest provides a much more responsible approach by ensuring forests will not be destroyed in the process.

Prior legislative history

S.7677 of 2008 S.999 of 2009/10: Referred to Environmental Conservation S.3308 of 2011/12: Referred to Environmental Conservation

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.