Prohibits the purchase of single-use plastic bottles by the state and any governmental entity or political subdivision or public benefit corporation thereof except for when required by health requirements, emergencies, or when no other alternative is available or practicable.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A8826
SPONSOR: Rosenthal L TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the state finance law, in relation to prohibiting the
purchase of single-use plastic bottles by the state and any governmental
entity or political subdivision or public benefit corporation thereof
PURPOSE:
This legislation will affirm New York State's commitment to reducing
single-use plastic waste by prohibiting the state and any governmental
agency from purchasing single-use plastic bottles.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section one amends section 165 of the state finance law by adding a new
subdivision 2-a.
Section two establishes the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
Each year, approximately 15 million metric tons of plastic enter oceans
and waterways worldwide. Single-use plastic bottles are a major driver
of plastic pollution, with more than one million being purchased every
minute worldwide. Not only does the production of plastic bottles
further greenhouse gas emissions, only a fraction of bottles produced
are properly recycled and the rest enter our landfills and waterways
where they never fully break down. Over time, bottles and other plastic
products turn into microplastics, small particles that are now commonly
found in our food, rainwater, cosmetics and even people's bloodstream.
Unchecked plastic pollution harms our planet and the people and animals
who inhabit it. This legislation would ensure New York State does its
part in reducing plastic pollution by prohibiting the state and any
state agencies from purchasing single-use plastic bottles.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Undetermined.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
8826
IN ASSEMBLY
January 18, 2024
___________
Introduced by M. of A. L. ROSENTHAL -- read once and referred to the
Committee on Governmental Operations
AN ACT to amend the state finance law, in relation to prohibiting the
purchase of single-use plastic bottles by the state and any govern-
mental entity or political subdivision or public benefit corporation
thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Section 165 of the state finance law is amended by adding a
2 new subdivision 2-a to read as follows:
3 2-a. Prohibition on the purchase of single-use plastic bottles.
4 a. Except as provided in this subdivision, the state and any govern-
5 mental agency or political subdivision or public benefit corporation of
6 the state shall not purchase or obtain for any purpose any single-use
7 plastic bottles.
8 b. This subdivision shall not apply:
9 (i) when no other alternative is available or practicable;
10 (ii) when necessary to address health requirements and emergencies; or
11 (iii) when compliance with this subdivision would conflict with
12 contract requirements in existence as of the effective date of this
13 subdivision.
14 c. The attorney general shall investigate any violation of this subdi-
15 vision and provide a report to the governor, the temporary president of
16 the senate, and the speaker of the assembly.
17 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13488-02-3
