Establishes a task force on tree maintenance and safety in the city of New York and provides for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof

Section 2 of this bill describes the composition of the task force, which shall consist of eleven members to be appointed as follows: Three members appointed by the New York State Arborists; Two members appointed by New Yorkers for Parks; Two members appointed by Park Advocates; One member appointed by the temporary president of the Senate; One member appointed by the speaker of the Assembly; and two members appointed by the Governor.

Section 3 of this bill states that members shall receive no compensation for their services, but shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties pursuant to this act.

Section 4 of this bill states that the task force shall be entitled to request and receive resources and data of any department, division, board, bureau, commission, district or agency of the state or any political subdivision thereof as it may reasonably request to properly carry out its powers and duties pursuant to this act.

Section 5 of this bill requires the task force to submit, within eighteen months of the effective date of this act, a report of its findings, conclusions and recommendations to the Governor, temporary president of the Senate, speaker of the Assembly, minority leader of the Senate and minority leader of the Assembly. It also states that the report shall include legislative proposals deemed necessary to implement its recommendations.

Section 6 of this bill states that this act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed 18 months after such date or on the date the report is submitted, whichever shall be later; provided that the task force on tree maintenance and safety in the city of New York shall notify the legislative bill drafting commission upon the submission of such report in order that the commission may maintain an accurate and timely effective data base of the official text of the laws of the state of New York in furtherance of the effectuating the provisions of section 44 of the legislative law and section 70-b of the public officers law.

Justification

For years there has been an increasing number of serious injuries and deaths resulting from falling trees in New York City. For example, in Bryant Park on September 4, 2015 a large tree branch fell on top of five people, injuring three of them seriously. In 2013, a young woman, Yingyi Li-Dikov--6 months pregnant with her first child, was killed when she was struck by a falling tree in Kissena Park in Queens. Between 2010 - 2013 there were at least 4 deaths that resulted from diseased or damaged trees that had fallen.

Public properties belonging to the city of New York are home to thousands of trees in varying states of health. The city is responsible for maintaining these trees so that they remain healthy and do not pose extraordinary dangers to public safety and property.

Due to widespread concerns that New York City's policies on the care and maintenance of trees is not sufficient to protect the public from unsafe trees, and to ensure that taxpayer dollars are being spent in the most efficient and effective manner, a task force should be created to investigate the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation's policies on tree maintenance and safety.

This bill would create a task force on tree maintenance and safety in the city of New York to examine, evaluate, accept public comment and make recommendations concerning the adequacy of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation's policies for tree maintenance and the status and safety of trees within the city of New York.

Legislative history

New Bill.

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed 18 months after such date or on the date the report is submitted, whichever shall be later; provided that the task force on tree maintenance and safety in the city of New York shall notify the legislative bill drafting commission upon the submission of such report in order that the commission may maintain an accurate and timely effective data base of the official text of the laws of the state of New York in furtherance of the effectuating the provisions of section 44 of the legislative law and section 70-b of the public officers law.