What's happening
This bill requires utility companies to remove and dispose of all debris from tree or vegetation work on private property at their own expense.
Why it matters
Shifts cleanup responsibility to utilities. The bill ensures that utility companies, not property owners, must manage and pay for all debris removal after tree or vegetation work related to power lines. This means homeowners won’t be left with unexpected cleanup duties or costs following utility work.
Environmental impact and waste management. By requiring utilities to process woodchips and haul debris for composting, recycling, or lumber sales, the law could reduce illegal dumping and encourage more environmentally conscious disposal methods.
Potential for increased utility costs. Utilities absorbing these new responsibilities and expenses could potentially pass these costs on to ratepayers, affecting utility bills for all customers.
Improved property owner relations. By mandating thorough debris removal, the bill addresses common complaints about leftover mess and damage after utility maintenance, improving the experience for residents and potentially preventing disputes.
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Who cares
Utility corporations
They would have to arrange and pay for complete removal of debris from vegetation they trim, prune or cut on private property to service or protect supply or delivery lines or systems.
Private property owners
They would be entitled to complete removal, at the utility’s expense, of debris resulting from this utility work on their property.
Woodchip processors, composters and timber haulers
The required cleanup would include woodchip processing and/or hauling downed trees or branches to be composted, recycled or sold as tree-length lumber.
Headline styles
Require Utilities Remove Tree Debris
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to energy and telecommunications
- Referred to energy and telecommunications
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
981
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by Sen. ROLISON -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Energy and Telecommunications
AN ACT to amend the public service law, in relation to requiring utility corporations to remove debris attributable to servicing or protection of delivery lines or systems
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The public service law is amended by adding a new section 119-e to read as follows:
§ 119-e. Removal of timber. A utility corporation that trims, prunes or cuts trees, bushes or other vegetation on private property in connection with the servicing or protection of the supply or delivery lines or systems of the utility shall arrange for the complete removal from the private property of the debris that results from such actions. Such removal shall include woodchip processing and/or hauling downed trees or branches to be composted, recycled or sold as tree length lumber. The cost of such removal shall be borne by the utility corporation.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01596-01-5
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 service law, in relation to requiring utility corporations to remove debris attributable to servicing or protection of delivery lines or systems
Purpose
To require utility companies to fully remove loose timber from a work- site.
Summary of provisions
Section 1: The public service law is amended by adding a new section 119-d to read as follows: Removal of timber. A utility corporation that trims, prunes or cuts tress, bushes or other vegetation on private prop- erty in connection with the servicing or protection of the supply or delivery lines or systems of the utility shall arrange for the complete removal from the private property of the debris that results from such actions. Such removal shall include woodchip processing and/or hauling downed trees or branches to be composted, recycled or sold as tree length lumber. The cost of such removal shall be borne by the utility corporation.
Section 2: This act shall take effect immediately.
Justification
During the devastating July 2023 Hudson Valley flooding, timber that was swept away in the rush of water caused significant damage to property and local infrastructure.
The timber had been cleared by a utility company and under current law these entities are not required to remove the debris. This legislation establishes a requirement for the complete removal of downed trees to protect homeowners and public assets such as culverts from potential incidental damage during future floods.
Legislative history
2023 - 24 S7741: Referred to Energy and Telecommunications
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.