What's happening
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to add protection of cultural resources and create a public advocate for environmental and cultural interests in New York.
Why it matters
Expands constitutional protection. to include not just natural, but also cultural resources—this means historic sites, artifacts, and other elements of New York’s cultural heritage would gain the same legal safeguarding as forests or waterways.
Mandates creation of an independent Office of Public Advocate. with the explicit authority to initiate lawsuits against state agencies and public authorities—empowering citizens’ interests to be formally and proactively represented in court over environmental and cultural resource issues.
Could lead to increased government accountability and transparency. , since the public advocate would act as a watchdog, potentially challenging state actions that threaten protected resources and ensuring that public interests are prioritized in state decisions.
Might influence land use, development, and preservation policies. by raising the legal standard for how both natural and cultural resources are treated—potentially slowing or altering projects that could harm these resources, and elevating the importance of preservation in state governance.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Create Public Advocate Office
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Multi-sponsors
History
- Opinion referred to judiciary
- To attorney-general for opinion
- Referred to environmental conservation
- Opinion referred to judiciary
- To attorney-general for opinion
- Referred to environmental conservation
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
166
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 9, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. CAHILL -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. COLTON, FINCH -- read once and referred to the Committee on Environmental Conservation
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY proposing an amendment to section 4 of article 14 of the constitution, in relation to environmental protection
Section 1. RESOLVED (if the Senate concur), That section 4 of article 14 of the constitution be amended to read as follows:
§ 4. The policy of the state shall be to conserve and protect its natural and cultural resources and scenic beauty and encourage the development and improvement of its agricultural lands for the production of food and other agricultural products. The legislature, in implementing this policy, shall include adequate provision for the abatement of air and water pollution and of excessive and unnecessary noise, the protection of agricultural lands, wetlands and shorelines, and the development and regulation of water resources and shall establish an office of public advocate with the authority to commence civil action against the state or any of its departments, agencies or bureaus or its public authorities to protect the public's interest in the state's natural and cultural resources. The legislature shall further provide for the acquisition of lands and waters, including improvements thereon and any interest therein, outside the forest preserve counties, and the dedication of properties so acquired or now owned, which because of their natural beauty, wilderness character, or geological, ecological or historical significance, shall be preserved and administered for the use and enjoyment of the people. Properties so dedicated shall constitute the state nature and historical preserve and they shall not be taken or otherwise disposed of except by law enacted by two successive regular sessions of the legislature.
§ 2. RESOLVED (if the Senate concur), That the foregoing be referred to the first regular legislative session convening after the next succeeding general election of members of the assembly, and, in conformity with section 1 of article 19 of the constitution, be published for 3 months previous to the time of such election.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD89002-01-9
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.