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History
- Referred to transportation
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 the use of wood in subway and railroad tracks; prohibits the use of tropical hardwood
In Senate Committee · Rules · Sponsor Brian Kavanagh
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S7744
Title of bill
An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to the use of wood in subway and railroad tracks
Purpose
To eliminate the use of tropical hardwood for new or replacement subway and railroad track ties.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of the bill amends section 1209 of the public authorities law by adding a new subdivision 11-a which defines "tropical hardwood" and prohibits the procurement of tropical hardwood for new and replacement railroad and subway track ties.
Section 2 of the bill amends section 1265-a of the public authorities law by adding a new subdivision 6-a, which defines "tropical hardwood" and prohibits the procurement of tropical hardwood for new and replacement railroad and subway track ties.
Section 3 of the bill sets forth the effective date.
Justification
The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) currently uses timber cut from tropical rainforests for subway and railroad track ties because it is strong, durable, and rot resistant. However, the use of tropical hardwood has a detrimental effect on the environment. According to Rainforest Relief, "at least 50% of all species are found only in tropical rainforests" and the "Earth's rainforests are being destroyed at the rate of 1.5 acres per second worldwide" (Rainforest Relief, "Avoiding Unsustainable Rainforest Wood," 2007). New York State legislation prohibits the government procurement of certain species of tropical hardwoods, but entities have simply switched to wood from species not enumerated in the law. New York City is currently one of the largest purchasers of tropical hardwoods in the world.
Legislation
2012: A05580A (Kavanagh) - Corporations, Authorities and Commissions 2011: A05580 (Kavanagh) - Corporations, Authorities and Commissions 2010: A10503 (Kavanagh) - Ways and Means
Fiscal impact on the state
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.