What's happening
Writing a plain-English summary… Track this bill to get it by email.
Why it matters
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to rules
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the general municipal law, in relation to biodiversity in planting projects
Purpose or general idea of bill
The purpose of this bill is to ensure genetic biodiversity in replant projects to prevent future threat of disease or environment loss.
Summary of specific provisions
Section one of the bill amends section 96-b of the general municipal law to amend subdivision I and add a subdivision 3 to recognize the importance of genetic biodiversity in communities and require that local planting projects follow the 10-20-30 rule to plant no more than ten percent of any one species, twenty percent of any one genus, or thirty percent of any one family.
Section two establishes the effective date.
Justification
Increasingly, the devastating effects of the emerald ash borer species have been reported and documented since its first discovery in 2002 in Michigan. New York is home to an estimated 900 million ash trees, which play a structural roles in the various ecosystems around the state and whose loss would lead to environment eradication. The critical nature of ensuring genetic biodiversity in the environment has been recognized throughout the country as well as around the world. Genetic diversity is achieved by genetic variation within as well as between populations and guarantees a defense to harmful or invasive species. The healthier an ecosystem is, the better it can withstand and recover from a variety of disasters.
At this point, with the risk of emerald ash borer to New York ash trees well documented, the DEC maintains a statewide watch of infection sites as well as quarantine areas. With the implementation of a defensive planting plan, municipalities will be able to replant communities and have a fighting chance in avoiding other invasive species. The 10/20/30 rule ensures that a healthy amount of diversity is present by following a plan of no more than ten percent of any one species, twenty percent of any one genus, or thirty percent of any one family.
Finally, this bill would not be effective until the latter of January 1, 2019 or 270 days after signed into law to allow regional tree nurseries the time to supply the variety of saplings that municipalities may need.
Prior legislative history
None.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the latter of January 1, 2019 or 270 days after signed into law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.