What's happening
This bill amends the law to remove certain transportation projects from being subject to specific articles of the environmental conservation law.
Why it matters
Expands environmental oversight. By removing exemptions for certain transportation projects, the bill ensures that more projects must comply with state environmental conservation laws, meaning they will undergo more thorough environmental assessments.
Limits fast-tracking of projects. Transportation authorities and private entities will no longer be able to bypass key state-level environmental reviews simply because a federal environmental impact statement is required, potentially increasing project timelines.
May affect project costs and planning. The increased environmental review requirements could lead to higher costs and more complex planning processes for transportation projects, affecting how agencies and contractors approach project development.
Strengthens local and state environmental protections. By narrowing exemptions, the bill gives more power to state and local environmental regulations to influence transportation projects, potentially leading to outcomes more aligned with community and ecological concerns.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ease Environmental Rules for Transit
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
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.
Ease Rules for Transit Projects
In Assembly Committee · Corporations, Authorities And Commissions · Sponsor Fred Thiele
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
S. 4331 A. 5521
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
SENATE - ASSEMBLY
February 10, 2017
IN SENATE -- Introduced by Sen. LAVALLE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
IN ASSEMBLY -- Introduced by M. of A. THIELE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
AN ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to the applicability of certain provisions of the environmental conservation law with respect to transportation projects
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 11 of section 1266 of the public authorities law, as added by chapter 314 of the laws of 1981, is amended to read as follows:
11. No project to be constructed upon real property theretofore used for a transportation purpose, or on an insubstantial addition to such property contiguous thereto, which will not change in a material respect the general character of such prior transportation use, nor any acts or activities in connection with such project, shall be subject to the provisions of article [eight,] nineteen[, twenty-four or twenty-five] of the environmental conservation law, or to any local law or ordinance adopted pursuant to any such article. Nor shall any acts or activities taken or proposed to be taken by the authority or by any other person or entity, public or private, in connection with the planning, design, acquisition, improvement, construction, reconstruction or rehabilitation of a transportation facility, other than a marine or aviation facility, be subject to the provisions of article eight of the environmental conservation law, or to any local law or ordinance adopted pursuant to any such article if such acts or activities require the preparation of a statement under or pursuant to any federal law or regulation as to the environmental impact thereof.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06780-02-7
S. 4331 2 A. 5521
§ 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 authorities law, in relation to the applicability of certain provisions of the environmental conservation law with respect to transportation projects
Purpose
To provide better protection of New York State's natural resources by requiring certain public authorities to comply with specific articles of the Environmental Conservation Law with respect to transportation projects.
Summary of provisions
Subdivision 11 of Section 1266 of the Public Authorities Law is amended to require certain public authorities to comply with specific articles of the Environmental Conservation Law with respect to transportation projects.
Justification
Under Section 1266 of the Public Authorities Law, the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation Authority (MTA) is exempt from certain provisions of New York's Environmental Conservation Law, including, but not limited to, Article 8 (State Environmental Quality Review Act); Article 24 (Freshwater Wetlands Act), and Article 25 (Tidal Wetlands Act). These laws are in place to preserve and protect the State's natural resources. Being exempt from these provisions essentially allows the MTA to undertake projects of any magnitude without having to apply for or obtain permits or go through any environmental review process much like any other person or entity would have to. This legislation is needed to ensure that projects undertaken by the MTA for transportation purposes are environmentally sustainable and that the impacts on the State's natural resources are minimized.
Legislative history
2017: New Legislation
Fiscal implications
None to the State.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.