BILL NUMBER: S4060
SPONSOR: MAY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to enacting the climate
relocation planning and preparation act
 
PURPOSE:
To help the state prepare for the potential of internal migration of
people relocating due to climate change and disruption.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: adds a new article 43 to the executive law to instruct state
agencies to convene a working group to develop a strategy to prepare for
the eventuality of increased in-migration due to climate relocation and
asks the state's regional planning councils to develop a similar frame-
work in their service areas to encourage the same kinds of preparation.
Section 2 sets the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
It is an indisputable fact that our planet's climate is undergoing rapid
change and disruption. We see this in the headlines about extreme
storms, droughts, wildfires, melting glaciers, and disappearing species,
and in our own daily lives, with intense heatwaves, changing growing
seasons, and more. But the effects of climate change are not evenly
distributed across the globe. While some areas will become increasingly
challenging to live in due to the factors outlined above, there is an
expectation that some areas will be seen as more welcoming and viable
options for human settlement. Science writer David Pogue has described
Upstate New York as one of those places. In his book "How to Prepare for
Climate Change," Pogue describes several Upstate regions, including
Buffalo and Syracuse, as climate havens because of their proximity to
the Great Lakes and reduced vulnerability to other types of disasters
such as earthquakes, severe hurricanes, and wildfires. While climate
disruption remains unpredictable, it is likely that Pogue's analysis
will be accurate. As other parts of the country grow hotter, dryer, and
less hospitable, New York is likely to emerge as a desirable place to
relocate. According to Forbes, almost a third of people p lanning to
move in 2023 are citing worsening weather conditions as a reason to
relocate, and many others who have already relocated were influenced by
changing weather patterns. Drought and wildfires are substantial
contributors to this trend, a circumstance we are sadly unlikely to see
reversed any time soon. Climate relocation is already happening, and our
state should be prepared to welcome these new New Yorkers.
This legislation will encourage state and regional bodies to begin the
process of planning for such in-migration. It will operate at two
levels. First, a state-level interagency working group would be estab-
lished among the various executive agencies to develop a framework that
will address how climate relocation will interact with policy areas like
economic development, education, agriculture, public health, and our
natural resources, including what state resources may be needed. Second,
it asks the state's regional councils to undertake a similar approach
and develop a framework that is appropriate to their region. These
regional bodies are already engaged in the work of planning for issues
and needs in local areas, guided by local governments and stakeholders,
and have deep experience in and knowledge of their regions. The regional
councils will develop frameworks that consider in-migration and that
will prioritize specific projects and initiatives to develop or reacti-
vate regional infrastructure, as well as incorporate suggestions from
the state strategy as appropriate for their area. Taken together, a
state and regional framework will help the state be prepared and ready
to act as climate relocation ramps up.
 
FISCAL IMPACT:
Minimal
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024 - S.6106 (May) / A.6844 (Levenberg)
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.