BILL NUMBER: S7303
SPONSOR: GALLIVAN
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to establishing the
drinking water quality institute and providing for its duties
 
PURPOSE:
Establishes the Drinking Water Quality Institute to make recommendations
to the department of health relating to ensuring the safety of potable
water.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one amends article two of the public health law by adding a new
title VII providing for the creation of the Drinking Water Quality
Institute within the Department, consisting of 15 members, which will be
required to make recommendations to the department on issues regarding
the state's water quality. Section one also provides guidelines as to
when the Institute shall meet, the ability of members of the Institute
to receive compensation and the Institute's duty to report to the legis-
lature no later than one year following the creation of the Institute
and annually thereafter.
Section two provides an immediate effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
After hearing the concerns raised at the public hearings held across the
state on water quality and contamination, it has become clear that water
quality has become an emerging concern for all New Yorkers and something
must be done to address this issue. There is a need for a clear and
accountable process to address water contamination throughout the state
and while the Executive's establishment of a Rapid Water Quality
Response Team is a start, there is still a much broader need for an
independent entity charged specifically with focusing on the clean
drinking water needs of the state. Similar to the Institute established
in New Jersey, which has been successful in recommending maximum contam-
inate levels and requiring testing to protect its state's drinking
water, this body would be composed of public health experts, scientists,
water purveyors and the Commissioners of the DEC and the DOH. Pulling
together these experts to focus solely on the state's drinking water
quality issues is a common sense approach to moving the state forward
and ensuring we make sound, informed decisions regarding drinking water
quality.
The Institute would be charged with recommending protocol and state
specific standards for unregulated contaminants that are more stringent
than those under federal law or EPA health advisories by establishing
maximum levels for contaminants of concern, and developing a list of
contaminants for which testing is required by all public water suppli-
ers. In addition, the Institute would be charged with, among other
things, establishing a clear notification process for municipalities and
state agencies, which must include clear and concise documents to be
utilized to inform and guide the public regarding water quality issues
and actual or potential threats and conducting scientific studies or
scientific based research as well as conducting public outreach. More-
over, the institute would be charged with ensuring state officials are
educated and aware of the most up-to-date scientific research regarding
water quality and contamination.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24: S.121/A.7299 Referred to Health
2021-22: S.2641 Referred to Health
2019-20: S.5874 Referred to Health
2017-18: S.3773/A.5473 Reported to finance/referred to health
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Minimal costs to the state.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
The act shall take effect immediately.