BILL NUMBER: S883
SPONSOR: MAY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to
declaring the waters of the state as public trust resources
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill declares the waters of the State to be public trust resources.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS: This bill amends § 15-0103 of the environmental
conservation law by adding a new subdivision 13 to declare that all
waters of the state are deemed to be public trust resources.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
It is in the best interest of the State that provisions are made for the
regulation and supervision of activities that may deplete, defile,
damage, or otherwise adversely affect the waters of the State and land
resources associated therewith. The declaration of the State's water as
a public trust resource will explicitly state the obligation of New York
State to preserve this valuable public natural resource for the use and
enjoyment of present and future inhabitants and for the protection of
the environment.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024: S.5813 (May) I A.4602 (Glick)
2021-22: A.3928 - Referred to Environmental Conservation Committee
2019-20: A.2751 - Referred to Environmental Conservation Committee
2017-18: A.1494 - Referred to Environmental Conservation Committee
2015-16: A.2765 - Referred to Environmental Conservation Committee
2013-14: A.6104 - Referred to Environmental Conservation Committee
2011-12: A.9410 - Referred to Environmental Conservation Committee
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.