New York State SmartTranscripts:

[Senator Pete Harckham (Chair)]: Hey, good morning everybody. I am New York State Senator Pete Harckham. Welcome to the first standing committee meeting of the Environmental Conservation Committee. Joined by our ranking member, Senator Dan Stec. We're also joined by Senator May, Senator Spinoe, Senator Fahy. And I think that's it. And then we have voting sheets for other members. So we do have a quorum and we're joined staff wise today from counsel's office, Mike Press and Jose Antunez from finance, Malik Dare and Nicole Gotham. And then from my team, we have Marie Kelly, who is our committee coordinator. We have Sarah Perez, who is my office chief of administration. And then we have Carissa O'Donnell, who is our new legislative fellow. So if you don't know Carissa, you can introduce yourselves. You'll be working a lot with her. So last year we had a very productive year. We passed out over 100 bills from this committee. We have a good working group of senators. I think we have a nice style. We get everyone's questions answered. We debate in a, shall I say, cordial fashion, And when we have discord, it is not in a disagreeable manner. And so that's our goal this year is to have a very, very productive year. You know, we are seeing challenges in environmental policy coming from the federal level, which means we at the state level maybe have to pick up more of the slack and we will see what's in the next federal reconciliation budget, how that impacts our budget. But in the meantime, we have our work to do and that's what we can control and that's what we focus on. So I look forward to a productive year. And with that, I'll introduce our ranking member, Senator Stec.

[Senator Daniel G. Stec (Ranking Member)]: Thanks for the introduction and I agree. I think that this committee has done a lot of good work and I think we work well together. That's how it's supposed to be and it doesn't happen on its own. So I appreciate your leadership and participation of all of our colleagues. You know, big picture going forward this year that I wanted, you know, we've talked briefly and I want to put it out there for the committee. Don't know if it will necessarily pass through this committee, but the governor in the state of the state mentioned the closed prisons in the Adirondacks because they're in the Adirondacks or in a couple of cases, they're not inside the blue line, they're in what's called Forest Missouri Counties. It's in the case of Washington County and Saratoga County. There's a couple of closed prisons there that constitution amendments are required. And these are environmental concerns. This is obviously economic concerns. What do you do with the state land that used to be a prison that's in the Iowa Park? You know, we've worked on constitutional amendments before what the governor's proposed encompassing a few of them into one. I'd like to take that initiative and maybe add one or two more to it. You know, I think there's an opportunity of a discussion and to resolve an issue that requires constitution of it. So, you know, that would be a big picture hope that we get through this year, whether it's through this committee or or not. But and likewise, as we do in the past, just, you know, do the best we can for the environment and balancing all the realities of environmental needs against economic needs and the needs of our residents and, you know, people that are trying to make a living here. So I appreciate your work and look forward to a productive session with you.

[Senator Pete Harckham (Chair)]: And thank you, Senator. And I appreciate your your perspective on on especially things in the Adirondacks for folks watching at home, lot of environmental conservation law or rather a lot of things that happen in the Adirondack Park are subject to environmental conservation law, which is why it comes through this committee. We've been joined by Senator Hinchey. Thank you for joining us. Welcome. And I think with that, do we have another senator coming in? Yes. No. We have senator Cooper who is here for the next meeting. I am. Good morning, senator. But you're welcome to join us. You want me to interrupt? Great to see you. Please have a seat. We're honored to have you sir. Thank you. Thank you. Alright, so with that, let's get to our agenda. We have a 15 bill agenda. These are all repasses. We've all seen these before, there shouldn't be anything controversial here, but of course if members have questions, counsel is here to answer them. So our first bill, calendar two fifty two by Senator Martinez.

[Mike Press (Committee Counsel)]: It act to end the environmental conservation law in relation to wild or exotic animals.

[Senator Pete Harckham (Chair)]: Do we have questions, comments, concerns? Alright, do we have a motion? Nope. Alright, Senator May, we have a second. Senator Fahy, he's of Bynoe, thank you very much. All in favor, aye. Any without rec? Any opposed? Aye. All right, start the year off with a bang. All right, mixed bill, two seventy by Senator Harckham.

[Mike Press (Committee Counsel)]: Not to amend the environmental conservation law in relation to providing an exemption from requirements for the alienation of parkland renewable energy generating projects.

[Senator Pete Harckham (Chair)]: Alright, questions, comments, concerns? Alright, we have a motion. We have a motion, Senator Bynoe, seconded by Senator May. All in favor, aye. Aye. Alright, any without rec? Any opposed? All right, so that bill advances to the calendar. Next bill, six fifty nine by Senator Generis.

[Mike Press (Committee Counsel)]: Enact amending the environmental conservation law in relation to the general civil penalty.

[Senator Pete Harckham (Chair)]: All right, questions, comments, concerns? Do we have a motion? Senator Bynoe, seconded by Senator May and I also saw Senator Hinchey's hand there. Questions, comments, concerns? All in favor? Aye. Any without rec? Any nays? All right, one nay. That bill advances. Next is calendar eleven eighty seven by Senator Adabo.

[Mike Press (Committee Counsel)]: Next amend the environmental conservation law in relation to authorizing the installation of surveillance cameras. Questions, comments, concerns?

[Senator Pete Harckham (Chair)]: All right, we have a motion. Senator Fahy, do we have a second? Alright, Senator Bynoe, thank you very much. All in favor, aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any without a break? Alright, that advances to the calendar. Next, calendar 1919 by Senator Scufus.

[Mike Press (Committee Counsel)]: An act to amend the environmental conservation law in relation to providing free lifetime licenses for New York state's honorably discharged disabled veterans.

[Senator Pete Harckham (Chair)]: Alright, questions, comments, concerns? Alright, do we have a motion? Senator Hinchey, seconded by Senator May. All in favor? Aye. Any without a wreck? Any nays? Alright, that advances to the calendar. Next, 3179 A by Senator Sanders.

[Mike Press (Committee Counsel)]: Act to amend the environmental conservation law in relation to the definition of coal tar and its use in pavement products.

[Senator Pete Harckham (Chair)]: All right, questions, comments, concerns? All right, do we have a motion? We have a motion Senator Hinchey, seconded by Senator Bynoe. All in favor, aye. Aye. Any without rec? Any nays? So nay. Alright, one nay. So note, our next bill, calendar 3852B by Senator Hinchey.

[Mike Press (Committee Counsel)]: An act to amend the environmental conservation law in relation to the regulation of toxic substances and playground surfacing materials.

[Senator Pete Harckham (Chair)]: All right. Questions, comments, concerns? Do we have a motion? All right. We have two senators moving, so we'll take that as a motion and a second. Thank you. All in favor, aye. Aye. Any without rec? Any nays? All right, so that moves to the calendar. Our next calendar item, 4030A by Senator Fernandez.

[Mike Press (Committee Counsel)]: An act to amend the environmental conservation law in relation to emissions of toxic air contaminants. Alright, questions, comments, concerns?

[Senator Rachel May]: Move it.

[Senator Pete Harckham (Chair)]: We have a motion, thank you very much. We have two seconds. All in favor. Aye. Aye. Any without rec? Any nays? Opposed. Okay. So noted that one advances to the calendar. Our next bill four zero thirty three B. That's easy for me to say by Senator Harckham.

[Mike Press (Committee Counsel)]: An act amending environmental conservation law and the state finance law in relation to the disposition of certain fees and penalties.

[Senator Pete Harckham (Chair)]: All right. Questions, comments, concerns?

[Senator Rachel May]: Move it.

[Senator Pete Harckham (Chair)]: We have a motion, we have two seconds, thank you. All in favor, aye. Aye. Do we have any without rec? Any nays? All right, this is referred to findings. We then have 4300 and 69 by Senator Comery. And since the good senator is here, would you like to say a word on your bill or trust that we will pass it in good stead? I'll trust that you'll pass it in good Thank you sir. Questions, comments, concerns?

[Senator Rachel May]: I'll move it.

[Senator Pete Harckham (Chair)]: All right, we have a motion, we have three seconds. It's a very popular vote. All in favor? Aye. Any without Rick? Any nay? All right, that one is advanced. Our next bill, 4,513 by Senator Ramos.

[Mike Press (Committee Counsel)]: I'd like to amend the environmental conservation law in relation to requiring applicants for major projects located near disadvantaged communities to submit an enhanced public participation plan.

[Senator Pete Harckham (Chair)]: All right, do we have questions, comments, concerns? All right, do we have a motion? We have a motion, we have three seconds, thank you very much. All in favor? Aye. Any nays? Any without record? Alright, that bill advances to the county. Next is four fifty seven-four B by Senator May.

[Mike Press (Committee Counsel)]: An act to amend the environmental conservation law in relation to enacting the PFAS discharge disclosure act.

[Senator Pete Harckham (Chair)]: Alright, questions, comments, concerns?

[Senator Rachel May]: Can I make a

[Senator Pete Harckham (Chair)]: comment? Yes please.

[Senator Rachel May]: I just wanna say, DEC finally put out new guidance about PFAS disclosure in wastewater treatment. This bill is more comprehensive to every Speedy's permit holder in the state, so I still think we need this, and I appreciate you putting it on the agenda.

[Senator Pete Harckham (Chair)]: Agree, thank you.

[Senator Rachel May]: Move it.

[Senator Pete Harckham (Chair)]: We have a motion, we have a second. All in favor, aye. Aye. Any nays? Alright, this bill is advanced. Our next, 5,035 by Senator Scufus.

[Mike Press (Committee Counsel)]: The next amendment in the environmental conservation law in relation to waiving fishing hunting and trapping license fees for certain first responders.

[Senator Pete Harckham (Chair)]: All right, questions, comments, concerns?

[Senator Rachel May]: Move it.

[Senator Pete Harckham (Chair)]: We have a motion, we have a second. All in favor, aye. Aye. Any without Rick? Any nays? Alright, this bill advances. Next bill is 5,982 by Senator Hirckham.

[Mike Press (Committee Counsel)]: An act to amend the environmental conservation law in relation to authorizing the Department of Environmental Conservation to independently add to the list of prohibited and regulated invasive species on an emergency basis.

[Senator Pete Harckham (Chair)]: All right, questions, comments, concerns? All right, we have a motion, we have a motion, we have a second. All in favor, aye. Aye. Any without Rick? Any nays? All right, that advances to the calendar and our final bill for today is 7,551 by Senator Bynoe.

[Mike Press (Committee Counsel)]: An act to establish the bottle redemption task, bottle redemption fraud task force and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof.

[Senator Pete Harckham (Chair)]: All right, questions, comments, concerns?

[Senator Rachel May]: Move the bills.

[Senator Pete Harckham (Chair)]: We have a motion, we have a second. All in favor, aye. Any without rec? No. Right, one without rec, any nays? And that advances to the calendar. So that concludes our first Environmental Conservation Committee meeting of the year and I want to thank all the members and look forward to a very, very productive year. I will also ask if anybody has new bills or bills that you've done work on, please get that to our attention so, you know, we can give it the due diligence with the hopes that, you know, we can get those things moving through the works.

[Senator Rachel May]: Who's the best person to send those to?

[Senator Pete Harckham (Chair)]: You can send them to Marie Kelly from my team and then also Mike as well. And and we'll get moving. All right. Thank you, everybody.