What's happening
This bill requires the New York Department of Health to review the EPA's contaminant candidate list every five years and report on possible new water protection regulations.
Why it matters
Ensures regular updates to water safety standards. by requiring New York’s Department of Health to systematically review emerging water contaminants identified by the EPA, potentially leading to quicker action on newly recognized threats.
Creates transparency and accountability. through mandatory public reporting and submission of findings to top state officials, making it easier for residents and legislators to track how potential hazards are being addressed.
Requires assessment of state resources and legislative needs. by obligating the Department to evaluate whether it has adequate funding, staffing, and authority to implement necessary protections, and to recommend further legislative or regulatory actions if current resources fall short.
Mandates timely initial action. by requiring the first contaminant review within one year, which could accelerate improvements to water quality protections compared to waiting for federal changes or crisis-driven responses.
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Who cares
New York State Department of Health
The department would have to review EPA’s contaminant candidate list within one year and at least every five years thereafter, decide whether regulations are warranted, and publish its findings.
Public drinking water suppliers
The reviews could lead to rules protecting water supplies and their sources from contaminants on EPA’s list, though the bill would not itself require those rules.
Operators of institutions, parks, reservations and posts
Their water supplies and sources within New York would fall within the scope of the department’s review of potential contamination protections.
Governor and legislative leaders
They would receive reports describing the department’s decision-making measures, assessing implementation resources and recommending legislation or other actions.
Headline styles
Review Water Contaminant List
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to health
- Referred to health
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.
Review Water Contaminant List
In Senate Committee · Health · Sponsor Brad Hoylman-Sigal
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
574
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 9, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. JAFFEE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Health
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to requiring the department of health to periodically review the United States environmental protection agency's contaminant candidate list, and make a determination whether the department of health should establish rules and regulations for the protection from contamination by any or all of the contaminants on the contaminant candidate list
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The public health law is amended by adding a new section 1100-b to read as follows:
§ 1100-b. Contaminant study. 1. The department shall, no less than once every five years, conduct a review of the most recent publication of the United States environmental protection agency's contaminant candidate list, and make a determination whether the department should establish rules and regulations for the protection from contamination by any or all of the contaminants on the contaminant candidate list of any or all public supplies of potable waters and water supplies of the state or United States, institutions, parks, reservations or posts and their sources within the state.
2. The department shall publish the findings of their periodic review on the department's website, and shall submit a written report to the governor, the speaker of the assembly, and the temporary president of the senate. Such report shall include:
(a) identification of the specific measures taken by the department to make a determination whether the department should regulate any or all of the contaminants on the contaminant candidate list;
(b) evaluation of the resources available to implement such regulations, and whether such resources are sufficient;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01814-01-7
A. 574 2
(c) recommendations for legislation or any other specific actions or changes needed to effectively implement the provisions of this section.
3. The first such review as required by this section shall take place within one year of the effective date of this section.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.