What's happening
This bill creates the Safe and Healthy Homes Commission to review and recommend improvements for enforcing New York's fire and building codes.
Why it matters
Brings together a diverse group of experts. (including inspectors, fire safety professionals, legal experts, and engineers) to ensure a well-rounded approach to evaluating fire and building code enforcement, potentially leading to more practical and effective recommendations.
Facilitates government accountability and transparency. by requiring the commission to conduct public hearings and issue a comprehensive report to both the governor and legislature, encouraging concrete follow-up actions.
Enables direct access to state resources and data. , giving the commission significant authority to gather information from state and local agencies, which could uncover systemic issues or obstacles in current enforcement practices.
Time-limited focus creates urgency and prioritization. , as the commission has only two years to deliver actionable recommendations, potentially accelerating reforms to improve the safety of New York’s residential and commercial buildings.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Create Housing Safety Commission
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 39
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to housing, construction and community development
- Referred to housing, construction and community development
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.
Create Housing Safety Commission
In Assembly Committee · Governmental Operations · Sponsor Michael DenDekker
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5587
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
May 8, 2019
Introduced by Sen. SKOUFIS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Housing, Construction and Community Development
AN ACT establishing the Safe and Healthy Homes Commission to evaluate how the administration and enforcement of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code can be enhanced or assisted by the State Legislature and any agency of New York State; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. A commission, to be known as the Safe and Healthy Homes Commission, is hereby created to evaluate how the administration and enforcement of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, hereinafter referred to as the "Uniform Code", can be enhanced or assisted by the State Legislature and any agency of New York State.
§ 2. The commission shall be composed of ten members, appointed as follows: two members shall be appointed by the governor; two members shall be appointed by the speaker of the assembly; two members shall be appointed by the minority leader of the assembly; two members shall be appointed by the temporary president of the senate; and two members shall be appointed by the minority leader of the senate. The commission shall be chaired by a person chosen by a majority vote at the first meeting of the commission. The vice-chairperson of the commission shall be appointed by the chairperson. Vacancies in the membership of the commission shall be filled in the manner provided for original appointments.
§ 3. The commission shall be made up of at least one member with an extensive background in the inspection of commercial and residential properties pursuant to the Uniform Code, at least one member with an extensive background in fire prevention and safety, at least one attorney or retired judge with extensive experience in the adjudication of
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11561-01-9
S. 5587 2
code violations, and at least one engineer who specializes in building safety.
§ 4. The members of the commission shall receive no compensation for their services, but shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties hereunder. To the maximum extent feasible, the commission shall be entitled to request and receive and shall utilize and be provided with such facilities, resources, and data of any court, department, division, board, bureau, commission, or agency of the state or any political subdivision thereof as it deems necessary or desirable to carry out properly its powers and duties hereunder.
§ 5. For the accomplishment of its purposes, the commission shall be authorized and empowered to undertake any studies, inquiries, surveys or analyses it may deem relevant in cooperation with or by agreement with any other public or private agency. The commission shall meet and hold public hearings or private meetings within or without the state, and shall have all the powers of a legislative committee pursuant to the legislative law.
§ 6. The commission shall report its findings, conclusions and recommendations to the governor and the legislature no later than one year after the effective date of this act.
§ 7. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed two years after such date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act establishing the Safe and Healthy Homes Commis- sion to evaluate how the administration and enforcement of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code can be enhanced or assisted by the State Legislature and any agency of New York State; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
Purpose
To establish a state commission to evaluate the administration and enforcement of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code and whether the State Legislature or any agency of the state can enhance or assist said enforcement and administration
Summary of provisions
Section 1: Establishes the Safe and Healthy Homes Commission and states the mandate for the Commission
Section 2: States that the Commission shall be composed of 10 members and provides a process for appointing members and selecting a chair and a vice-chair.
Section 3: Requires specific qualifications for four of the 10 members.
Section 4: States that members of the Commission shall receive no compensation for their services. Defines powers of the Commission.
Section 5: Further outlines the Commission's powers.
Section 6: Mandates that the Commission shall report its findings, conclusions, and recommendations to the governor and the legislature no later than one year after the effective date of this act.
Section 7: Effective date.
Justification
Currently, municipalities across New York State are struggling to adequately enforce the Uniform Code and individuals are living in struc- turally unsafe homes. Lack of accountability and oversight, insufficient funding, and minimal public awareness regarding tenant rights hinder the effectiveness of enforcing the Uniform Code. With an emphasis on public safety, the Safe and Healthy Homes Commission will be able to study the difficulties in administering and enforcing the Uniform Code as well as determine any legislative or regulatory recommendations for further action. This bill would allow the Commission to conduct a statewide evaluation into the efficiency and effectiveness of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code ("Uniform Code"), with the end goal of ensuring that every New York resident is confident that their home is structurally safe and that every first responder can safely and efficiently complete their efforts.
Legislative history
None.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed two years after such date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.