Senate Bill S1959

                                 BILL NUMBER:  S1959

 TITLE OF BILL :

An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to
authorizing local governments to require property owners to replace
trees which are removed

 PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL :

This bill allows local governments to adopt a local law or ordinance
requiring property owners to replace trees removed from their
property.

 SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS :

Any local government is authorized and empowered to adopt a local law
or ordinance requiring a property owner to plant trees in replacement
of trees removed from the property owner's property. Such local law or
ordinance many require the property owner to plant up to three trees
for each tree removed and may include property tax credits and
reasonable fines as determined by the municipality.

 EXISTING LAW :

This legislation will add a section to the Environmental Law to Title
              

15 - (91501 - 9-1503) REMOVAL OF TREES AND PROTECTED PLANTS to include
§ 9-1505

 JUSTIFICATION :

This legislation, "Kent's Law" as suggested by Kent Iarocci, resident
of Rye, New York plays an important role in protecting our environment
by providing for the replenishment of trees in a community. We hear
about what is commonly referred to as "Global Warming" and some
reports have shown a devastating effect of what only a few degrees
changing in temperature can do to life forms in our oceans. Our
communities must take ownership of this problem and search for ways to
help restore the eco-systems and environment that surrounds us
Increasing the number of trees will aid to filter the air, hence
producing a higher quality of oxygen while reducing atmospheric gases
such as carbon dioxide. It is also important to remember what is
commonly acknowledged as the "Greenhouse Effect".  The greenhouse
effect is the heating of the surface of our planet due to the presence
of increased atmospheric gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and
nitrous oxide absorb and then emits radiation whereby serving to
destroy the ozone layer. The destruction of the ozone layer reduces
the level of protection from ultraviolet radiation which all life
forms need to survive. The replenishing of trees aids to reverse the
adverse conditions brought on by the "Green House Effect" while also
making a community more physically appealing. This legislation will
also create jobs and tax revenue for local communities.

 PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

2011-2012 (Latimer) Referred to Environmental Conservation Committee
2013-2014 S2051 (Latimer) Referred to Environmental Conservation
Committee
2013-2014 - A6600 Abinanti referred to environmental conservation
2015-2016 - S2603 (Latimer) Referred to Environmental Conservation
Committee
2015-2016 - A963 Abinanti referred to environmental conservation

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

Nominal cost for income tax credits
 LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

None

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
Immediately.