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 whether state regulations are needed.
Why it matters
Ensures that New York regularly assesses emerging water contaminants. by mandating a review of the EPA’s contaminant candidate list every five years, the bill aims to keep state regulations up-to-date with the latest national science and threats to drinking water.
Increases transparency and accountability. the Department of Health must publish its findings online and submit detailed reports to top state officials, making the decision-making process around water safety more open to public and legislative scrutiny.
Requires consideration of resources and legislative needs. the bill mandates that the Department’s reports include evaluations of whether it has enough resources to regulate new contaminants and recommend any additional legislation or measures needed, potentially influencing future budgets and laws.
Speeds up initial action. the first review must happen within one year, prompting immediate assessment of current water safety concerns rather than waiting for the five-year cycle to begin.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Review Water Contaminant List
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
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 Assembly Committee · Health · Sponsor Ellen C. Jaffee
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
134
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 4, 2017
Introduced by Sens. HOYLMAN, SQUADRON -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed 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
S. 134 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.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
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
Purpose or general idea of bill
Requires the department of health to review the United States environmental protection agency's contaminant candidate list, and establish rules and regulations.
Summary of specific provisions
Section one of the bill amends the public health law by adding a new section 1100-b and provides language to that section.
Section two sets forth the effective date of the bill.
Justification
The increased human production of chemicals over the last century has challenged the ability of New York State to ensure the safety and quality of drinking water. The United States Environmental Protection Agency maintains a contaminant candidate list (CCL) of drinking water contaminates that are either known to occur or anticipated to occur, but which are not currently regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Recent cases of water contamination have occurred across New York State involving chemicals, like Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), that are on the EPA's CCL, but which are not regulated in relation to drinking water at either the federal or state level.
In order to protect the health and safety of New Yorkers, this bill would require the department of health to periodically review the EPA's CCL and to produce a publically accessible report about whether any or all of the contaminants listed should be regulated in New York state. Such a report would also require a further assessment of the resources available to implement any new rules or regulations.
Prior legislative history
S.8186 of 2016 (Hoylman): Died in Rules
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.