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History
- Opinion referred to judiciary
- To attorney-general for opinion
- Referred to judiciary
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.
Directs legislature to create office of public advocate
In Assembly Committee · Judiciary · Sponsor Kevin Cahill
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY proposing an amendment to section 4 of article 14 of the constitution, in relation to environmental protection
Purpose or general idea of bill
To establish an Office of Public Advocate with the authority to commence civil action against the state or any of its bodies and to protect the public interest in the state's natural and cultural resources.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 4 of Article 14 of the New York State Constitution is amended to include the establishment of an Office of Public Advocate with the authority to commence civil action against the state or any of its departments, agencies or bureaus or its public authorities to protect the public's interest in the state's natural and cultural resources. This section is further amended to include cultural resources as well as natural resources that shall be protected.
Justification
Protecting the environment has long been one of the major priorities of the legislature. With the adoption of Article 14 of the New York State Constitution, which enacted certain provisions toward forest and wildlife conservation, the State made a commitment to protecting and conserving the environment. By establishing a public advocate, the state would be able to strengthen its efforts to attain these environmental goals.
Compliance with environmental laws should be a basic expectation of the administration of the state of New York. The potential for civil action on the part of the public advocate would increase the attention of state bureaus and agencies to their environmental track records. Requiring these bureaus and agencies to be accountable to the office of public advocate will benefit both the environment and the public as a whole.
Prior legislative history
New Bill.
Fiscal implications
Not determined.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.