What's happening
This bill bans the use of tropical hardwoods for new or replacement subway and railroad track ties in New York.
Why it matters
Helps combat deforestation and climate change. by reducing demand for tropical hardwoods, which are often harvested from vulnerable old-growth forests critical to global carbon storage and biodiversity.
Encourages the use of more sustainable materials. in New York’s transit infrastructure, potentially spurring innovation in alternative track tie materials and supporting more environmentally responsible supply chains.
Aligns public procurement with conservation goals. , leveraging New York’s purchasing power to discourage destructive logging practices in tropical regions, which can have far-reaching environmental and social impacts.
Sets a precedent for other states and sectors. to follow, potentially influencing broader shifts toward sustainable sourcing standards beyond just railroad and subway infrastructure.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Tropical Wood Track Ties
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 26
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2310
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 24, 2019
Introduced by Sen. KAVANAGH -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to the use of wood in subway and railroad tracks
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 1209 of the public authorities law is amended by adding a new subdivision 11-a to read as follows:
11-a. (a) The authority shall not procure tropical hardwoods for new or replacement subway and railroad track ties.
(b) For purposes of this subdivision, "tropical hardwood" shall include any and all hardwood, scientifically classified as angiosperm, that grows in any tropical moist old growth/primary forest between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.
§ 2. Section 1265-a of the public authorities law is amended by adding a new subdivision 6-a to read as follows:
6-a. (a) The authority shall not procure tropical hardwoods for new or replacement subway and railroad track ties.
(b) For purposes of this subdivision, "tropical hardwood" shall include any and all hardwood, scientifically classified as angiosperm, that grows in any tropical moist old growth/primary forest between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02452-01-9
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 use of wood in subway and railroad tracks
Purpose
To require that tropical hardwoods or tropical hardwood products that the state purchases are from sustainably managed forests.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of the bill amends subdivision 1 of section 165 of the state finance law, adding six new paragraphs that set forth legislative defi- nitions.
Section 2 of the bill amends paragraph (a) of subdivision (2) of section 165 of the state finance law, which currently prohibits the purchase of tropical hardwood products, by adding that governmental agencies in the state shall also seek to maximize the use of environmentally preferable materials by any legal means.
Section 3 amends section 165 of the state finance law by adding a new section 2-a which allows for the Governor to direct the appropriate agency or department to create a list of eligible forest certifiers and chain of custody certifiers and empowers the designated agency to promulgate rules and regulations on eligibility requirements.
Section 4 amends subdivision (2) of section 165 of the state finance law by adding a new paragraph (e) which allows for local governments to adopt measures which are more restrictive than the provisions of this section.
Section 5 of the bill sets forth the effective date.
Justification
The state should encourage the use of alternative building materials such as reclaimed wood, particle board from agricultural residue and recycled plastic. Forests play a vital role in regulating the global climate, purifying the air and protecting watersheds. Throughout the world, communities depend upon healthy forests for their economic value. The purchasing restrictions currently placed on the state are minimal.
New York currently uses timber cut from tropical and temperate rainfor- ests in a range of products including park benches and boardwalks. New York is therefore contributing to the global deforestation of the world's ecosystem. Requiring that the state purchase wood which derives from a sustainably managed forest provides a much more rebponsible approach by ensuring forests will not be destroyed in the process.
Fiscal impact on the state
None.
Fiscal impact on localities
None.
Impact on regulation of businesses and individuals
None.
Impact on fines, imprisonment, forfeiture of rights, or other penal sanctions
None.
Legislative history
2018:S7148- REFERRED TO FINANCE
2017:A8583- stricken
2016:A5839- referred to governmental operations
2015:A5839- referred to governmental operations
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the one hundredth and eightieth day after it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.