BILL NUMBER: S257
SPONSOR: MARTINEZ
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act in relation to authorizing a study on lithium-ion battery fires
and prevention
 
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this legislation is to authorize the department of fire
prevention and control to conduct a study on lithium-ion battery fires
and prevention.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1. authorizes the department of fire prevention and control to
conduct a study on lithium-ion battery fires.
Section 2. instructs the department of fire prevention and control to
report its findings to the governor and legislature.
Section 3. is the enacting clause.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
In recent years, the issue of lithium-ion battery fires has stormed to
the forefront. These fires are extremely dangerous and require a
substantial amount of time and effort to be extinguished. Just this past
year, there were multiple instances of severe fires in New York City
that originated from lithium-ion batteries. These types of fires are a
new phenomenon that must be carefully studied to help create a better
system for handling lithium-ion battery fires.
A study on Lithium-ion battery fires would supply necessary data to help
better prevent and handle these fires. This data would also better serve
our firefighters who handle the challenging task of extinguishing lithi-
um-ion battery fires. Overall, a study would help improve public safety
and the prevention of property damages.
The issue of Lithium-ion battery fires is also extremely time sensitive.
More products with these batteries as their primary power source are
produced every day. Especially in the automotive industry, where now
more than ever vehicles use lithium-ion batteries as a power source. In
a future where more New Yorkers own and drive vehicles powered by lithi-
um-ion batteries, there is potential for more dangerous and more fatal
fires caused by accidents.
Through this study, research will be conducted on various methods of
prevention to achieve solutions on the issue of lithium-ion battery
fires. The study will also include potential recommendations to current
building codes to be better protected from these dangerous fires.
Through these actions, along with others outlined in the bill, we can
help combat lithium-ion battery fires.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Minimal.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.