What's happening
This bill requires New York to pre-distribute potassium iodide for radiological emergencies up to 50 miles from nuclear sites and reimburse counties for purchases beyond 10 miles.
Why it matters
Expands preparedness coverage. By requiring potassium iodide (KI) to be pre-distributed up to 50 miles from nuclear facilities (instead of the current 10 miles), the bill significantly increases the geographic area where people would have immediate access to KI in case of a radiological emergency, potentially protecting many more residents.
Shifts financial burden to the state. Counties outside the current 10-mile planning zone would be reimbursed by New York State for KI purchases, reducing local financial strain and encouraging broader stockpiling and readiness.
Standardizes emergency protocols. The bill mandates the creation of clear standards and protocols for the pre-distribution of KI, which could lead to more consistent and effective emergency responses across different counties and agencies.
Prioritizes high-risk facilities and populations. By specifically targeting monitoring centers, primary hospital facilities, and state emergency management locations, the legislation ensures that critical infrastructure and first responders are better equipped to aid the public during a nuclear incident.
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
Distribute Potassium Iodide Statewide
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to veterans, homeland security and military affairs
- Referred to veterans, homeland security and military affairs
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.
Distribute Potassium Iodide Statewide
In Assembly Committee · Governmental Operations · Sponsor Marcos Crespo
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1035
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 6, 2017
Introduced by Sens. CARLUCCI, O'MARA, SAVINO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs
AN ACT relating to the distribution of potassium iodide in a radiological emergency
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The disaster preparedness commission shall revise the New York state radiological emergency preparedness plan to mandate the predistribution of potassium iodide to personnel monitoring centers, primary MS-1 hospital facilities, and state emergency management facilities located within a fifty mile radius of nuclear power sites for distribution to populations in the event of a radiological emergency. Outside of the current 10 mile radius, the state shall reimburse counties for the purchase of potassium iodide. The commission, in consultation with the department of health, shall develop a set of standards and protocols for pre-distribution of potassium iodide as provided in this act. The provision of this act shall be implemented within amounts made available by appropriation therefor.
§ 2. This act shall take effect April 1, 2018.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01828-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act relating to the distribution of potassium iodide in a radiological emergency
Purpose of bill
To update New York State's radiological emergency preparedness plan to increase the radius for pre-distribution of potassium iodide, and to ensure state reimbursement to counties.
Summary of provisions
Section 1. Directs the disaster preparedness commission to revise the New York State radiological emergency preparedness plan to mandate the pre-distribution of potassium iodide to personnel monitoring centers, primary MS-1 hospital facilities, and state emergency management facilities located within a fifty mile radius of nuclear power sites for distribution to populations in the event of a radiological emergency. Furthermore, this section states that the State shall reimburse Counties in the fifty mile radius for the pre-distribution of potassium iodide.
Read the full memo (640 words)
Section 2. Effective date
Justification
In 2001, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued emergency preparedness guidelines for responses to radiological incidents or nuclear releases, which is the current policy. Under these guidelines, states with a population within a 10-mile zone of commercial nuclear power plants are urged to consider including potassium iodide as a protective measure for the general public in the event of a severe nuclear power plant accident. A potassium iodide stockpile is maintained by the NRC and is made available to all such states.
The nuclear-reactor incidents at Three Mile Island (1979), Chernobyl (1986), and Fukushima (2011), as well as the leaks at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in Washington State (2013), however, demonstrate the urgency and concern over the possible hazards of ionizing radiation to the thyroid from radioactive Iodine-131, a byproduct from nuclear fission of Uranium-235. Although Iodine-131 occurs naturally in extremely miniscule amounts, exposure to large amounts, such as those resulting from a nuclear accident, leads to adverse health effects, including cancer of the thyroid Radioactive Iodine-131 is a primary health agent associated with nuclear accidents, and its plume radius can reach out as far as 300 miles from the site of the accident. Exposure to Iodine-131 can occur through inhalation, ingestion or epidermal contact.
Potassium Iodide, which is available in tablet or liquid form, is a non-radioactive salt of stable iodine that is used to protect against inhaled or ingested radioactive iodine in an emergency situation, Taking Potassium Iodide essentially blocks radioactive iodine from collecting in the thyroid, which significantly increases the future risk of developing thyroid cancer. Potassium Iodide causes the radioactive Iodine to pass through the body, which is much less harmful than radioiodine that collects in the thyroid.
As we learned from Poland in the immediate aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster, although there was widespread panic because of evacuation and sheltering in the days following the accident, Polish children were protected to a great degree because the Polish government had several days to react to the oncoming radioactive plume, Potassium Iodide was distributed to 95% of Polish children, and seven million doses were given to adults, accounting for 23% of the total population" Because of the Potassium Iodide prophylaxis of the general public, it was estimated that Poland was able to reduce the projected dose of radiation to individuals that were given Potassium Iodide within 24 hours by nearly 40%.
Clearly, the 10-mile Potassium Iodide distribution zone is insufficient. The American Thyroid Association advocates that Potassium Iodide tablets be part of an emergency plan in response to a radiological event, available within up to 200 miles of a nuclear power plant, and pre-distributed within 50 miles of a nuclear power plant By mandating expanded distribution of Potassium Iodide we will provide a great measure of security from nuclear power plant accidents and terroristic attacks involving so-called "dirty bombs" to our citizens.
Legislative history
2015-16: S1714B/A6231B - Finance/Ways and Means
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect April 1, 2018.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.