BILL NUMBER: S4691A
SPONSOR: CLEARE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to
prohibiting the sale and distribution of certain mercury-added lamps
 
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this bill is to prohibit the sale, offer for sale, or
distribution of mercury-added lamps beginning January 1, 2028.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
The purpose of this bill is to prohibit the sale, offer for sale, or
distribution of certain defined mercury-added lamps beginning January 1,
2028.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Certain types of lamps, such as household light bulbs or fluorescent
lights, contain mercury, a metallic chemical that is able to produce a
bright light when an electric current passes through. Mercury-added
lamps often contain several milligrams of mercury sealed inside glass
tubing. If such a lamp breaks or is disposed of improperly, mercury can
be released and pose a danger to both environmental and human health.
According to the World Health Organization, exposure to mercury can have
adverse effects on the nervous, digestive, and immune systems, as well
as the lungs, kidneys, skin, and eyes. It can also interfere with the
development of fetuses and children in their early life. Mercury can
contaminate the environment by accumulating in water and entering the
food chain through fish, shellfish, and other aquatic species.
Currently, there are a variety of mercury-free alternatives to mercury-
added lamps, including light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs. LED bulbs are
more cost-effective, efficient, and long-lasting than mercury-added
lamps. This bill would prohibit the sale, offer for sale, or distrib-
ution of mercury-added lamps beginning. January 1, 2026.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately, provided, however, that section
2 of this act shall take effect January 1st, 2028.

Statutes affected:
S4691: 27-2107 environmental conservation law
S4691A: 27-2101 environmental conservation law, 27-2107 environmental conservation law