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S3932Senate2015-2016 Session

Enacts the "microbead-free waters act" to prohibit the sale of personal cosmetic products containing microbeads

Sponsor Thomas F. O'MaraSD-58+35 co-sponsorsAffects Environment & Energy
Status
Stricken
Impact
Pending
Passage
Pending

Bill progress

Step 2 of 7

In committee · Environmental Conservation

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History

  1. Recommit, enacting clause stricken
  2. Referred to environmental conservation
  3. Referred to environmental conservation

Full text

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Sponsor's memo

BILL NUMBER:S3932

Title of bill

An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to prohibiting the distribution and sale of personal cosmetic products containing microbeads

Purpose of bill

The bill would prohibit the sale of personal cosmetic products which contain microbeads.

Summary of provisions of bill

Section one of the bill provides the legislative intent of title 9 of article 37 of the environmental conservation law.

Section two amends article 37 of the environmental conservation law by adding a new title 9 which:

1. establishes the title of the Act as the "Microbead-free Waters Act";

2. defines the terms "microbead" and "personal cosmetic product";

3. prohibits the sale of personal cosmetic products which contain micro-beads;

4. vests all matters pertaining to microbeads in personal cosmetic products with the State; and

5. authorizes the Department of Environmental Conservation to promulgate rules and regulations to implement Title 9.

Section three amends section 71-3703 of the environmental conservation law to establish penalties for violations.

Section four is the effective date.

Justification

New York State has spent a tremendous amount of money to revitalize and redevelop its waterfronts. Recently, microbeads, a plastic product often measured to be as small as a grain of sand, have been found in high concentrations in New York's Great Lakes, as well as in the Finger Lakes and Mohawk River. The source of this pollution appears to be the sinks, bathtubs and showers in our own homes. Consumers using personal cosmetics that contain microbeads, like shampoos, soaps and toothpastes, are washing away what most believe are harmless consumer waste. Unfortunately, many of our wastewater treatment plants are unable, absent costly upgrades, to filter out these tiny plastics.

In response to this new source of pollution, some major corporations have pledged to phase out the use of microbeads in their personal cosmetic products. To this end, the Microbead-free Waters Act seeks to ensure all other personal cosmetic companies follow suit by

prohibiting the distribution, and sale of personal cosmetic products that contain microbeads.

Legislative history

This is new legislation.

Fiscal implications for state and local governments

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect January 1, 2016.

Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.