Bill Text: NY S06344 | 2015-2016 | General Assembly | Introduced

New York Senate Bill 6344 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Directs the legislature to create an office of public advocate with the authority to bring civil action against the state or any of its departments, agencies or bureaus or its public authorities to protect the public's interest in the state's natural and cultural resources.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-04-06 - OPINION REFERRED TO JUDICIARY [S06344 Detail]

Download: New_York-2015-S06344-Introduced.html



                STATE OF NEW YORK
        ________________________________________________________________________
                                          6344
                    IN SENATE
                                       (Prefiled)
                                     January 6, 2016
                                       ___________
        Introduced  by  Sen. HOYLMAN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
          printed to be committed to the Committee on Judiciary
                    CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY
        proposing an amendment to section 4 of article 14 of  the  constitution,
          in relation to environmental protection
     1    Section  1. RESOLVED (if the Assembly concur), That section 4 of arti-
     2  cle 14 of the constitution be amended to read as follows:
     3    § 4. The policy of the state shall be  to  conserve  and  protect  its
     4  natural  and  cultural  resources  and  scenic  beauty and encourage the
     5  development and improvement of its agricultural lands for the production
     6  of food and other agricultural products. The legislature, in  implement-
     7  ing  this  policy, shall include adequate provision for the abatement of
     8  air and water pollution and of  excessive  and  unnecessary  noise,  the
     9  protection  of  agricultural  lands,  wetlands  and  shorelines, and the
    10  development and regulation of water resources  and  shall  establish  an
    11  office  of  public  advocate with the authority to commence civil action
    12  against the state or any of its departments, agencies or bureaus or  its
    13  public  authorities  to  protect  the  public's  interest in the state's
    14  natural and cultural resources.  The legislature shall  further  provide
    15  for  the acquisition of lands and waters, including improvements thereon
    16  and any interest therein, outside the forest preserve counties, and  the
    17  dedication  of  properties  so  acquired  or now owned, which because of
    18  their natural beauty, wilderness character, or geological, ecological or
    19  historical significance, shall be preserved and administered for the use
    20  and enjoyment of the people. Properties so  dedicated  shall  constitute
    21  the  state nature and historical preserve and they shall not be taken or
    22  otherwise disposed of except by law enacted by  two  successive  regular
    23  sessions of the legislature.
    24    § 2. RESOLVED (if the Assembly concur), That the foregoing be referred
    25  to  the  first  regular  legislative  session  convening  after the next
    26  succeeding general election of members of the assembly, and, in conform-
    27  ity with section 1 of article 19 of the constitution, be published for 3
    28  months previous to the time of such election.
         EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                              [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                                   LBD89059-01-5