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- Referred to judiciary
- Referred to judiciary
Companion bill
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Prohibits inclusion of non-disclosure agreements in settlements of hydraulic fracturing actions when there is evidence of threat to public health or safety
In Assembly Committee · Judiciary · Sponsor Linda Rosenthal
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S4630
Title of bill
An act to amend the civil practice law and rules, in relation to the settlement of causes of action relating to hydraulic fracturing
Purpose
To prohibit inclusion of non-disclosure agreements in settlements of hydraulic fracturing actions when there is evidence of threat to public health or safety.
Summary of specific provisions
The bill would prohibit the inclusion of any non-disclosure agreement in a settlement relating to hydraulic fracturing where the facts disclosed in the action relate to a public health or safety threat. Further, the bill would prohibit the court from approving or allowing a settlement of such action that includes a non-closure agreement until the court has reviewed all facts in the case with regard to a threat to public health or safety.
Justification
Because of the nature of hydraulic fracturing, it is likely that legal actions relating to this activity involve the impact of toxic chemicals used in the process of fracturing as well as the storage, transportation and disposal of such fluids. These chemicals may have a significant impact on public health and safety during the actual hydro-fracturing activity (e.g. contamination of solid and groundwater), transport of (racking fluids to the site and transport/disposal of waste fluids. It is important that any information revealed in a legal action that could threaten public health or safety be generally available to the public, as it may be relevant to other actions relating to hydraulic fracturing.
Prior legislative history
A10630, 2011-12.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act would take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.