NY State Senate Bill 2019-S7951A

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Higher Education Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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Date of Action	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Mar 12, 2020	print number 7951a
Mar 12, 2020	amend (t) and recommit to higher education
Mar 04, 2020	referred to higher education

Bill Amendments

Original

A (Active)

2019-S7951 - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Higher Education
Law Section:: Education Law
Laws Affected:: Add §7307-a, Ed L

2019-S7951 - Summary

Requires license revocation for architects for the preparation of plans or drawings for structures which violate provisions of state or local laws regarding the illegal conversion of dwellings.

2019-S7951 - Sponsor Memo

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S7951

SPONSOR: GOUNARDES
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the education law, in relation to penalties imposed upon
architects relating to illegal conversion of dwellings

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

This bill prohibits architects from assisting in the illegal conversion
of real property, buildings and multiple dwellings. It also creates a
penalty schedule for architects who do assist in the process of illegal-
ly converting a building or multiple dwelling.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section one of the bill adds a new section to the Education Law, 7307-a,
to establish penalties for architects that prepare or direct the prepa-
ration of working drawings, plans or specifications for any illegal
change to the structure of a building in violation of any state or local

law, ordinance, code, rule or regulation. Upon a finding that an archi-
tect has violated the provisions of this section, the State Board for
Architecture shall impose a fine of ten thousand dollars for a first
violation and a fine of fifteen thousand dollars for a second violation.
Upon a third violation of this section, the Board shall revoke the
license of the architect.

Section three of the bill provides the effective date as immediately.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Illegal home conversion is a systemic issue in our State and often
plagues communities with vulnerable, low-income families seeking housing
in an unaffordable market. Illegally converted dwellings create a safety
hazard for these families occupying the dwelling, their neighbors and
for first responders in the event of an emergency that requires entry
into the dwellings.

While enforcement efforts are pursued by many law enforcement agencies
in the State, the issue of illegal home conversions and the substandard
conditions faced by many fearful tenants remain. In some cases, many
landlords or building owners find that the costs associated with being
caught for such violations are a cost of doing business.

To more aggressively discourage participation in the process of illegal-
ly converting a building, the Legislature needs to deter professionals
required to make structural changes to buildings by setting a schedule
of penalties.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

2019-S7951 - Bill Text download pdf

                            
 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   7951
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                               March 4, 2020
                                ___________
 
 Introduced by Sen. GOUNARDES -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Higher Education
 
 AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to penalties imposed upon
   architects relating to illegal conversion of dwellings
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

   Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 7307-a
 to read as follows:
   § 7307-A. PENALTIES RELATING TO WORK INVOLVING ILLEGAL  CONVERSION  OF
 DWELLINGS. NO ARCHITECT SHALL PREPARE OR DIRECT THE PREPARATION OF WORK-
 ING  DRAWINGS,  PLANS OR SPECIFICATIONS FOR ANY CHANGE IN THE STRUCTURAL
 PARTS OR EXISTING FACILITIES OF ANY BUILDING, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED
 TO, THE SUBDIVISION OF ROOMS, OR ERECTION OR DEMOLITION OF WALLS, OR THE
 MOVING OF ANY BUILDING FROM ONE LOCATION OR POSITION TO  ANOTHER,  WHICH
 SHALL  RESULT IN THE ILLEGAL CONVERSION OF SUCH DWELLING IN VIOLATION OF
 ANY STATE OR LOCAL LAW, ORDINANCE, CODE OR RULE OR  REGULATION  RELATING
 TO  REAL  PROPERTY, BUILDINGS OR MULTIPLE DWELLINGS. UPON A FINDING THAT
 AN ARCHITECT HAS VIOLATED THE PROVISIONS  OF  THIS  SECTION,  THE  STATE
 BOARD FOR ARCHITECTURE SHALL IMPOSE A FINE OF TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR A
 FIRST  VIOLATION  AND  A  FINE  OF FIFTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR A SECOND
 VIOLATION. UPON A THIRD VIOLATION  OF  SUCH  SECTION  SUCH  BOARD  SHALL
 REVOKE THE LICENSE ISSUED UNDER THIS ARTICLE.
   § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
 
 
 
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD15612-01-0

2019-S7951A (ACTIVE) - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Higher Education
Law Section:: Education Law
Laws Affected:: Add §7307-a, Ed L

2019-S7951A (ACTIVE) - Summary

Requires license revocation for architects for the preparation of plans or drawings for structures which violate provisions of state or local laws regarding the illegal conversion of dwellings.

2019-S7951A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S7951A

SPONSOR: GOUNARDES
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the education law, in relation to the penalty imposed
upon architects relating to illegal conversion of dwellings

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

This bill prohibits architects from assisting in the illegal conversion
of real property, buildings and multiple dwellings. It also creates a
penalty schedule for architects who do assist in the process of illegal-
ly converting a building or multiple dwelling.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section one of the bill adds a new section to the Education Law, 7307-a,
to establish penalties for architects that prepare or direct the prepa-
ration of working drawings, plans or specifications for any illegal
change to the structure of a building in violation of any state or local

law, ordinance, code, rule or regulation. Upon a finding that an archi-
tect has violated the provisions of this section, the State Board for
Architecture shall revoke the license of the architect.

Section one of the bill provides the effective date as immediately.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Illegal home conversion is a systemic issue in our State and often
plagues communities with vulnerable, low-income families seeking housing
in an unaffordable market. Illegally converted dwellings create a safety
hazard for these families occupying the dwelling, their neighbors and
for first responders in the event of an emergency that requires entry
into the dwellings.

While enforcement efforts are pursued by many law enforcement agencies
in the State, the issue of illegal home conversions and the substandard
conditions faced by many fearful tenants remain. In some cases, many
landlords or building owners find that the costs associated with being
caught for such violations are a cost of doing business.

To more aggressively discourage participation in the process of illegal-
ly converting a building, the Legislature needs to deter those profes-
sionals who are involved in the process to make structural changes to
buildings.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

2019-S7951A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                            
 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  7951--A
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                               March 4, 2020
                                ___________
 
 Introduced by Sen. GOUNARDES -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed  to  be  committed  to  the  Committee  on Higher Education --
   committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as  amended  and
   recommitted to said committee
 
 AN  ACT  to  amend the education law, in relation to the penalty imposed
   upon architects relating to illegal conversion of dwellings

   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 7307-a
 to read as follows:
   §  7307-A.  PENALTY  RELATING  TO WORK INVOLVING ILLEGAL CONVERSION OF
 DWELLINGS. NO ARCHITECT SHALL PREPARE OR DIRECT THE PREPARATION OF WORK-
 ING DRAWINGS, PLANS OR SPECIFICATIONS FOR ANY CHANGE IN  THE  STRUCTURAL
 PARTS OR EXISTING FACILITIES OF ANY BUILDING, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED
 TO, THE SUBDIVISION OF ROOMS, OR ERECTION OR DEMOLITION OF WALLS, OR THE
 MOVING  OF  ANY BUILDING FROM ONE LOCATION OR POSITION TO ANOTHER, WHICH
 SHALL RESULT IN THE ILLEGAL CONVERSION OF SUCH DWELLING IN VIOLATION  OF
 ANY  STATE  OR LOCAL LAW, ORDINANCE, CODE OR RULE OR REGULATION RELATING
 TO REAL PROPERTY, BUILDINGS OR MULTIPLE DWELLINGS. UPON A  FINDING  THAT
 AN ARCHITECT HAS VIOLATED THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION THE STATE BOARD
 FOR ARCHITECTURE SHALL REVOKE THE LICENSE ISSUED UNDER THIS ARTICLE.
   § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
 
 
 
 
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD15612-02-0

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Senate Bill S7951A

Sponsored By

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Higher Education Committee

Actions

Bill Amendments

2019-S7951 - Details

2019-S7951 - Summary

2019-S7951 - Sponsor Memo

2019-S7951 - Bill Text download pdf

2019-S7951A (ACTIVE) - Details

2019-S7951A (ACTIVE) - Summary

2019-S7951A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2019-S7951A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments

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Sponsored By

Andrew Gounardes

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Higher Education Committee

Actions

Bill Amendments

2019-S7951 - Details

2019-S7951 - Summary

2019-S7951 - Sponsor Memo

2019-S7951 - Bill Text download pdf

2019-S7951A (ACTIVE) - Details

2019-S7951A (ACTIVE) - Summary

2019-S7951A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2019-S7951A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments