What's happening
This bill expands the definition of "water quality improvement projects" to include constructing public water mains for residents with contaminated drinking water.
Why it matters
Addresses urgent public health concerns. by making it easier for towns to fund new water mains and connections when residents’ drinking water is contaminated by toxic chemicals, hazardous substances, or emerging contaminants—problems increasingly identified in many communities.
Expands local government flexibility. in using existing water quality improvement funds, allowing municipalities to respond more directly to drinking water crises rather than being limited to traditional water pollution projects.
Targets equity for affected communities. by ensuring that residents currently exposed to unsafe water sources are prioritized for infrastructure investments, not just areas seeking environmental upgrades or economic development.
Creates a clearer legal basis. for towns to act swiftly in contamination emergencies, potentially reducing bureaucratic delays that can leave residents exposed to hazardous drinking water for extended periods.
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Expand Water Project Definition
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Substituted by S7853A
- Rules report cal.339
- Reported
- Reported referred to rules
- Reported referred to ways and means
- Print number 9979a
- Amend and recommit to local governments
- Referred to local governments
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.
Expand Water Project Definition
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Kenneth P. LaValle
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
S. 7853--A A. 9979--A Cal. No. 945
SENATE - ASSEMBLY
March 5, 2018
IN SENATE -- Introduced by Sen. LAVALLE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Local Government -- reported favorably from said committee, ordered to first and second report, ordered to a third reading, passed by Senate and delivered to the Assembly, recalled, vote reconsidered, restored to third reading, amended and ordered reprinted, retaining its place in the order of third reading
IN ASSEMBLY -- Introduced by M. of A. THIELE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Local Governments -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the town law, in relation to the definition of a water quality improvement project
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph (e) of subdivision 1 of section 64-e of the town law, as added by chapter 551 of the laws of 2015, is amended to read as follows:
(e) "Water quality improvement project" means: (1) wastewater treatment improvement projects; (2) non-point source abatement and control program projects developed pursuant to section eleven-b of the soil and water conservation districts law, title 14 of article 17 of the environmental conservation law, section 1455b of the federal coastal zone management act, or article forty-two of the executive law; (3) aquatic habitat restoration projects; (4) pollution prevention projects[, and]; (5) the construction of public water mains and connections to provide drinking water to inhabitants whose drinking water supply has been contaminated by toxic chemicals as defined in section 37-0301 of the environmental conservation law, hazardous substances as defined in section 40-0105 of the environmental conservation law or emerging contaminants as defined in section eleven hundred twelve of the public health law; and (6) the operation of the Peconic Bay National Estuary Program, as designated by the United States Environmental Protection
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD14806-03-8
S. 7853--A 2 A. 9979--A
Agency. Such projects shall have as their purpose the improvement of existing water quality to meet existing specific water quality standards. Projects which have as a purpose to permit or accommodate new growth shall not be included within this definition.
§ 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.