BILL NUMBER: S7458
SPONSOR: HARCKHAM
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend chapter 550 of the laws of 2013 amending the environ-
mental conservation law relating to establishing the mercury thermostat
collection act, in relation to the effectiveness thereof
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The purpose of this bill is to extend the mercury thermostat collection
act.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 of the bill would extend, until January 1, 2025, the mercury
thermostat collection program, established under Title 29 of Article 27
of the Environmental Conservation Law.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Mercury is a naturally occurring element that can be highly toxic to
humans, depending on its chemical form. Through environmental processes,
mercury cycles between elemental, inorganic, and organic forms. Improper
disposal of mercury-containing devices such as mercury thermostats, can
result in increased amounts of mercury being deposited in the environ-
ment. Mercury containing thermostats can contain between three and four
grams of elemental mercury, because of this relatively large amount of
mercury per device, proper collection and disposal of mercury thermo-
stats must be a priority. The existing mercury thermostat collection
program is set to expire on January 1, 2024, this bill would extend that
by one year.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2013: Chapter 550
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None to the state.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.