S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
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                                    166
 
                        2019-2020 Regular Sessions
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                              January 9, 2019
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by M. of A. CAHILL -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. COLTON,
   FINCH -- read once and referred  to  the  Committee  on  Environmental
   Conservation
 
             CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY
 
 proposing  an  amendment to section 4 of article 14 of the constitution,
   in relation to environmental protection

   Section 1. RESOLVED (if the Senate concur), That section 4 of  article
 14 of the constitution be amended to read as follows:
   §  4.  The  policy  of  the state shall be to conserve and protect its
 natural AND CULTURAL resources  and  scenic  beauty  and  encourage  the
 development and improvement of its agricultural lands for the production
 of  food and other agricultural products. The legislature, in implement-
 ing this policy, shall include adequate provision for the  abatement  of
 air  and  water  pollution  and  of excessive and unnecessary noise, the
 protection of agricultural  lands,  wetlands  and  shorelines,  and  the
 development  and  regulation  of  water resources AND SHALL ESTABLISH AN
 OFFICE OF PUBLIC ADVOCATE WITH THE AUTHORITY TO  COMMENCE  CIVIL  ACTION
 AGAINST  THE STATE OR ANY OF ITS DEPARTMENTS, AGENCIES OR BUREAUS OR ITS
 PUBLIC AUTHORITIES TO PROTECT  THE  PUBLIC'S  INTEREST  IN  THE  STATE'S
 NATURAL  AND  CULTURAL RESOURCES.  The legislature shall further provide
 for the acquisition of lands and waters, including improvements  thereon
 and  any interest therein, outside the forest preserve counties, and the
 dedication of properties so acquired or  now  owned,  which  because  of
 their natural beauty, wilderness character, or geological, ecological or
 historical significance, shall be preserved and administered for the use
 and  enjoyment  of  the people. Properties so dedicated shall constitute
 the state nature and historical preserve and they shall not be taken  or
 otherwise  disposed  of  except by law enacted by two successive regular
 sessions of the legislature.
   § 2. RESOLVED (if the Senate concur), That the foregoing  be  referred
 to  the  first  regular  legislative  session  convening  after the next
 succeeding general election of members of the assembly, and, in conform-
 ity with section 1 of article 19 of the constitution, be published for 3
 months previous to the time of such election.
              

 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD89002-01-9