BILL NUMBER: S3408
SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to
requiring air quality monitoring for certain major mass transportation
projects
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To provide for regular monitoring of air quality at and around the site
of all major mass transportation construction projects to be performed
by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends the Environmental Conservation law by adding a new
section 19-0322 that requires the DEC to monitor, analyze and report on
the air quality at and around any mass transportation construction
project.
Section 2 sets-the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Mass transit construction projects are critical for maintaining, improv-
ing and expanding our transportation infrastructure, but the effect of
these projects on the residents and businesses in the surrounding commu-
nity must be considered. Currently, there is no requirement for air
quality monitoring of any kind at these construction sites. While many
agencies and contractors have voluntarily implemented monitoring ,based
on community concerns, that voluntary action is not guaranteed. Communi-
ties shouldn't have to depend on their ability to negotiate with agen-
cies and contractors to ensure the protection of their air quality.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2024: S2431 Comrie/ A4762 Epstein- Died in Senate Finance
2022: S5591 Comrie
2017-2018: A4174 referred to Environmental Conservation
2015-2016: A7658 referred to Environmental Conservation
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None to the state.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
180 days after becoming ,law.