What's happening
This bill requires the state Office of Parks to review and oversee New York City's tree policies, maintenance, and related liabilities.
Why it matters
Increases state-level oversight of NYC’s tree policies. , potentially leading to more standardized or improved practices for tree maintenance and care across the city.
Directs state attention to liability issues. such as injuries or property damage from city-owned trees—which could result in clearer processes for residents to address grievances or seek compensation.
Gives the state Office of Parks broad authority to review “any other matters” it deems necessary. , opening the door for potential recommendations or changes beyond just tree maintenance, possibly affecting broader urban environmental policies.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Review NYC Tree Policies
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 14
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to cultural affairs, tourism, parks and recreation
- Referred to cultural affairs, tourism, parks and recreation
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 NYC Tree Policies
In Assembly Committee · Tourism, Parks, Arts And Sports Development · Sponsor Nily Rozic
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4332
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 7, 2019
Introduced by Sen. COMRIE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation
AN ACT in relation to requiring the office of parks, recreation and historic preservation to review the policies of the department of parks and recreation of the city of New York regarding trees and tree maintenance
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Notwithstanding any other rule, regulation or policy to the contrary, the office of parks, recreation and historic preservation shall review and provide oversight to the department of parks and recreation of the city of New York in relation to city-owned trees, tree maintenance, care and cultivation of such trees, liability in case of personal or property injury by such trees, and any other matters the office of parks, recreation and historic preservation deems necessary.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06111-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act in relation to requiring the office of parks, recreation and historic preservation to review the policies of the department of parks and recreation of the city of New York regarding trees and tree maintenance
Purpose
To require the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to review the policies of the Department of Parks and Recreation of the city of New York regarding trees and trees maintenance.
Summary of provisions
Section I of this bill states that notwithstanding any other rule, regu- lation or policy to the contrary, the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) shall review and provide oversight to the Department of Parks and Recreation of the city of New York in relation to city-owned trees, tree maintenance, care and cultivation of such trees, and any other matters the OPRHP deems necessary.
Section II sets forth the effective date.
Justification
For years there has been an increasing number of serious injuries and deaths resulting from falling trees in New York City parks. For example, in Bryant Park on September 4, 2015 a large tree branch fell on top of five people, injuring three of them seriously. In 2013, a young woman, Yingyi Li-Dikov 6 months pregnant with her first child, was killed when she was struck by a falling tree in Kissena Park in Queens. Between 2010 and2013 there were at least 4 deaths that resulted from diseased or damaged trees that had fallen.
Public properties belonging to the city of New York are home to thou- sands of trees in varying states of health. The city is responsible for maintaining these trees so that they remain healthy and do not pose extraordinary dangers to public safety and property. Due to widespread concerns that New York City's policies on the care and maintenance of trees is not sufficient to protect the public from unsafe trees, and to ensure that taxpayer dollars are being spent in the most efficient and effective manner, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation should be granted regulatory authority to investi- gate the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation's policies on tree maintenance.
This bill would authorize the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to exercise oversight of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation concerning the care and maintenance of city trees.
Legislative history
2018: A001335 (Rozic) - Environmental Conservation 2016: A105897 (Rozic) - Environmental Conservation
Fiscal impact on the state
To be determined.
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.