BILL NUMBER: S215
SPONSOR: JACKSON
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public buildings law, in relation to providing
access to clean water for public employees
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To ensure that all public employees working in state-owned office build-
ings have access to clean, safe drinking water in an environmentally
sustainable manner.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 adds a new Section 148 to the public buildings law requiring
the commissioner of general services to ensure clean and safe drinking
water is provided in easily accessible locations in all state-owned
public buildings under the supervision and control of the commissioner,
and specifying that drinking water must be supplied using water jug
dispensers or filtered water bottle-filling stations, in a manner best
suited to reduce the use of single-use plastics.
Section 2 is the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Public employees deserve access to clean drinking water as a basic amen-
ity in their workplaces. Ensuring such access not only promotes health
and wellness but also aligns with New York State's broader commitment to
environmental sustainability. By reducing reliance on single-use plastic
water bottles, this legislation contributes to reducing plastic waste,
reducing carbon emissions resulting from the production of single-use
plastic bottles and decreasing the state's overall carbon footprint
The implementation of water jug dispensers or filtered water bottle-
filling stations in state-owned office buildings will provide a cost-ef-
fective and sustainable solution to advance the state's environmental,
climate and public health goals.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
This is a new bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Minimal. Potential savings in long-term waste management costs due to
reduced single-use plastic bottle consumption.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect 180 days after becoming law.