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History
- Print number 5307a
- Amend and recommit to consumer protection
- Referred to consumer protection
- Referred to consumer protection
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.
Prohibits a manufacturer from labeling or advertising a nonwoven disposable product for sale as a flushable without prior approval
In Assembly Committee · Consumer Affairs And Protection · Sponsor William Colton
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the general business law, in relation to prohibiting a manufacturer from labeling or advertising a nonwoven disposable product for sale as a flushable without prior approval
Purpose or general idea of bill
To prohibit companies from labeling or advertising that nonwoven disposable products for sale as flushable, when these products may not be flushable and which can cause damage to sewer infrastructure by clogging the system up.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1. The general business law is amended by adding a new section 391-v.
Section 1. Paragraph (a) of subsection 1 of section 391-v defines the term advertised in the context of the section 391-v.
Section 1. Paragraph (b) of subsection 1 of section 391-v defines the term flushable in the context of the section 391-v.
Section 1. Paragraph (c)of subsection 1 of section 391-v defines the term label in the context of section 391-v.
Section 1. Paragraph (d)of subsection 1 of section 391-v defines the term nonwoven disposable product in the context of section 391-v.
Section 1. Subsection 2 of section 391-v defines the prohibitions and the regulatory agency responsible for regulating the measures defined.
Section 1. Subsection 3 of section 391-v defines the penalties associated with those found in violation of the prohibitions put in place, and the process by which penalties are recovered.
Section 1. Subsection 4 of section 391-v discusses the limitations of the law
Section 2. The effective date
Justification
Over the past year the sewer systems in municipalities across this state, and around the country, have been plagued by cloggings of their sewer system. This is a result of companies that advertise or label moist toilet wipes, and other nonwoven products, as flushable, when they instead cause damage to sewer systems.
This issue was also studied by Consumer Reports, which showed that some products, which claimed to be flushable, failed to disintegrate in water after 10 minutes, compared to a few seconds for a piece of toilet tissue.
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection Deputy Commissioner Vincent Sapienza stated that as a result of the labeling and advertising, it was causing problems for the agency. According to Bloomberg News, New York City spent more than $18 million over a five year period on equipment problems caused by these products. This department also supports the idea of banning "flushable" marketing.
Considering the fact that this issue is only growing and becoming more systemic, it's time that action be taken to prevent the issue from growing, and consuming more funds from already strained budgets across the state.
Prior legislative history
2015:(S.5307/A.7043) Referred to consumer protections.
Fiscal implications
To be determined
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.