S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
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4773
2021-2022 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
February 8, 2021
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Introduced by M. of A. STERN -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Local Governments
AN ACT to amend the town law, in relation to providing guidance for the
legality of a local law, ordinance, rule or regulation of a town
relating to the regulations of vessels
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Subdivision 17 of section 130 of the town law is amended by
adding a new paragraph 3 to read as follows:
(3) WHENEVER THE LEGALITY OF A PROPOSED LOCAL LAW, ORDINANCE, RULE OR
REGULATION OF A TOWN IS BROUGHT INTO ISSUE BY THE LEGISLATIVE BODY OF A
CITY OR THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF A VILLAGE, AND SUCH ISSUE CONCERNS THE
RIGHTS OF A CITY OR VILLAGE PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION
FORTY-SIX-A OF THE NAVIGATION LAW, THE TOWN SHALL SEEK AN OPINION FROM
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL PRIOR TO THE ADOPTION OF THE LOCAL LAW, ORDINANCE,
RULE OR REGULATION. A CITY OR VILLAGE MAY PUT A TOWN ON NOTICE OF THEIR
CONCERNS RELATING TO THE LEGALITY OF A PROPOSED LOCAL LAW, ORDINANCE,
RULE OR REGULATION AS IT RELATES TO SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION FORTY-
SIX-A OF THE NAVIGATION LAW BY SENDING THE TOWN NOTICE VIA CERTIFIED
MAIL, OR HAND DELIVERING SUCH NOTICE TO THE OFFICE OF THE TOWN CLERK,
PRIOR TO THE ADOPTION OF SUCH LOCAL LAW, ORDINANCE, RULE OR REGULATION.
THE OPINION OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, IF ISSUED, SHALL NOT BE BINDING ON
THE TOWN, BUT SHALL BE USED FOR ADVISORY PURPOSES. IF NO OPINION IS
ISSUED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WITHIN SIXTY DAYS OF THE REQUEST FOR SUCH
OPINION BY A TOWN, THEN SUCH TOWN MAY PROCEED WITH THEIR CONSIDERATION
OF SUCH LOCAL LAW, ORDINANCE, RULE OR REGULATION, UNLESS THE ATTORNEY
GENERAL REQUESTS A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF ADDITIONAL TIME TO REVIEW THE
LEGALITY OF THE PROPOSAL. A TOWN SHALL NOT NEED TO REQUEST AN OPINION
FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IF THE IMPACTED VILLAGE OR CITY CONSENTS TO
THE ADOPTION OF THE PROPOSED LOCAL LAW, ORDINANCE, RULE OR REGULATION.
NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL PREVENT A VILLAGE OR CITY FROM PROCEEDING
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03817-01-1
A. 4773 2
WITH A CIVIL CAUSE OF ACTION AGAINST A TOWN IN RELATION TO THE RIGHTS OF
THE VILLAGE OR CITY PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION FORTY-SIX-A
OF THE NAVIGATION LAW. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL PROVIDE IMPUNITY TO
A TOWN WHICH IS FOUND BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION TO BE IN
VIOLATION OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION FORTY-SIX-A OF THE NAVIGATION
LAW.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.