S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
1242
2021-2022 Regular Sessions
I N S E N A T E
January 8, 2021
___________
Introduced by Sen. MAY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Finance
AN ACT to amend the labor law, in relation to enacting the "New York
21st century civilian conservation corps act" as a means of providing
gainful employment to unemployed and underemployed residents of the
state; and making an appropriation therefor
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The labor law is amended by adding a new article 34 to read
as follows:
ARTICLE 34
NEW YORK 21ST CENTURY CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS ACT
SECTION 960. SHORT TITLE.
961. ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS.
962. ADMINISTRATION OF CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS.
963. PROJECT SUBMISSION AND APPROVAL.
§ 960. SHORT TITLE. THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE KNOWN AND MAY BE CITED AS
THE "NEW YORK 21ST CENTURY CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS ACT".
§ 961. ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS. 1.
ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE. IN ORDER TO RELIEVE THE ACUTE CONDITION OF
WIDESPREAD DISTRESS AND UNEMPLOYMENT EXISTING IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK
AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE RESTORATION OF DEPLETED NATURAL RESOURCES IN THE
STATE AND THE ADVANCEMENT OF AN ORDERLY PROGRAM OF USEFUL PUBLIC WORKS,
THE COMMISSIONER, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE OFFICE OF PARKS, RECREATION
AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION, THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION,
THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND MARKETS, AND THE CANAL CORPORATION,
MAY ESTABLISH AND OPERATE A CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS TO EMPLOY RESI-
DENTS OF THE STATE, WHO ARE OTHERWISE UNEMPLOYED OR UNDEREMPLOYED, IN
THE CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE, AND CARRYING ON OF WORKS OF A PUBLIC
NATURE IN CONNECTION WITH:
(A) THE FORESTATION OF LANDS BELONGING TO THE STATE;
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06477-01-1
S. 1242 2
(B) THE PREVENTION OF FOREST FIRES, FLOODS, AND SOIL EROSION;
(C) PLANT PEST AND DISEASE CONTROL;
(D) THE CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE, OR REPAIR OF PATHS, TRAILS, AND
FIRE-LANES IN THE STATE PARK SYSTEM, PUBLIC LANDS, AND OTHER LANDS UNDER
THE JURISDICTION OF THE STATE;
(E) URBAN FORESTRY AND GREENING, INCLUDING TREE PLANTING, GARDENING
PROJECTS, AND WATER MANAGEMENT PROJECTS IN URBAN AREAS; AND
(F) SUCH OTHER WORK ON STATE LAND, LANDS ADMINISTERED OR OWNED BY
MUNICIPALITIES OF THE STATE AND PRIVATE OR FEDERAL LAND WHERE SUCH WORKS
ARE DEEMED TO BE IN THE INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC, THAT THE COMMISSIONER
DETERMINES TO BE DESIRABLE.
2. ROLE OF STATE AGENCIES. TO OPERATE THE CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS,
THE COMMISSIONER, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE OFFICE OF PARKS, RECREATION
AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION, THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION,
THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND MARKETS, AND THE CANAL CORPORATION,
MAY UTILIZE THE SERVICES OF EXISTING STATE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES.
3. INCLUSION OF OTHER LANDS. THE COMMISSIONER MAY EXTEND THE ACTIV-
ITIES OF THE CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS TO LANDS OWNED BY A POLITICAL
SUBDIVISION OF A STATE AND LANDS IN PRIVATE OWNERSHIP, BUT ONLY FOR THE
PURPOSE OF CONDUCTING SUCH KINDS OF COOPERATION WORK AS ARE OTHERWISE
AUTHORIZED BY LAW IN PREVENTING AND CONTROLLING FOREST FIRES AND THE
ATTACKS OF FOREST TREE PESTS AND DISEASES AND SUCH WORK AS IS NECESSARY
AND IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST TO CONTROL FLOODS.
4. CONTRACT AUTHORITY. FOR THE PURPOSE OF CARRYING OUT THIS ACT, THE
COMMISSIONER MAY ENTER INTO SUCH CONTRACTS OR AGREEMENTS WITH STATES AS
MAY BE NECESSARY, INCLUDING PROVISIONS FOR UTILIZATION OF EXISTING STATE
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCIES.
5. ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY. THE COMMISSIONER, OR THE HEAD OF ANY
DEPARTMENT OR AGENCY AUTHORIZED BY THE COMMISSIONER TO CONSTRUCT ANY
PROJECT OR TO CARRY ON ANY PUBLIC WORKS UNDER THIS ACT, MAY ACQUIRE REAL
PROPERTY FOR SUCH PROJECT OR PUBLIC WORK BY PURCHASE, DONATION, CONDEM-
NATION, OR OTHERWISE.
6. TRAINING PROGRAM. THE COMMISSIONER, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE OFFICE
OF PARKS, RECREATION AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION, THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVI-
RONMENTAL CONSERVATION, THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND MARKETS, AND
THE CANAL CORPORATION, AND IN COOPERATION WITH THE SUNY COLLEGE OF ENVI-
RONMENTAL SCIENCE AND FORESTRY, SHALL DEVELOP AND ADMINISTER A TRAINING
PROGRAM TO PROVIDE MEMBERS OF THE CORPS WITH THE SKILLS, TRAINING AND
EDUCATION NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT.
7. COORDINATION WITH NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATIONS. IN CARRYING OUT THE
PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT, THE CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS MAY WORK IN
ASSOCIATION AND COORDINATE PROJECTS WITH NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATIONS
WHICH ARE SIMILARLY SITUATED IN THEIR MISSION AND PURPOSE.
§ 962. ADMINISTRATION OF CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS. 1. EMPLOYMENT
PREFERENCE. PERSONS EMPLOYED IN THE CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS SHALL BE
RESIDENTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. THE EMPLOYMENT IN THE CIVILIAN
CONSERVATION CORPS SHALL REQUIRE THE EMPLOYMENT OF PERSONS RESIDING IN
UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES. IF THE COMMISSIONER DETERMINES THAT
AMOUNTS APPROPRIATED TO CARRY OUT A CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS UNDER
THIS ACT FOR A FISCAL YEAR WILL BE INSUFFICIENT TO EMPLOY ALL OF THE
RESIDENTS OF THE STATE DESCRIBED IN SECTION NINE HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE OF
THIS ACT WHO ARE SEEKING OR LIKELY TO SEEK EMPLOYMENT IN THE CIVILIAN
CONSERVATION CORPS AND CONTINUE THE EMPLOYMENT OF CURRENT EMPLOYEES WHO
DESIRE TO REMAIN IN THE CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS, THE COMMISSIONER
SHALL EMPLOY ADDITIONAL PERSONS IN THE CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS IN
THE FOLLOWING ORDER OF PREFERENCE:
S. 1242 3
(A) UNEMPLOYED VETERANS OF THE ARMED FORCES AND UNEMPLOYED MEMBERS OF
THE RESERVE COMPONENTS OF THE ARMED FORCES.
(B) UNEMPLOYED RESIDENTS WHO HAVE EXHAUSTED THEIR ENTITLEMENT TO UNEM-
PLOYMENT COMPENSATION.
(C) UNEMPLOYED RESIDENTS, WHO IMMEDIATELY BEFORE EMPLOYMENT IN THE
CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS, ARE ELIGIBLE FOR UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION
PAYABLE UNDER ANY STATE LAW OR FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION LAW,
INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION OR EXTENDED COMPENSATION UNDER
SUCH LAWS.
(D) OTHER RESIDENTS DESCRIBED IN SECTION NINE HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE OF
THIS ACT.
2. HOUSING AND CARE OF EMPLOYEES. THE COMMISSIONER MAY PROVIDE HOUSING
FOR PERSONS EMPLOYED IN THE CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS AND FURNISH THEM
WITH SUCH SUBSISTENCE, CLOTHING, MEDICAL ATTENDANCE AND HOSPITALIZATION,
AND CASH ALLOWANCE, AS MAY BE NECESSARY, DURING THE PERIOD THEY ARE SO
EMPLOYED.
3. TRANSPORTATION. THE COMMISSIONER MAY PROVIDE FOR THE TRANSPORTATION
OF PERSONS EMPLOYED IN THE CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS TO AND FROM THE
PLACES OF EMPLOYMENT.
4. NON-DISCRIMINATION. IN EMPLOYING RESIDENTS FOR THE CIVILIAN CONSER-
VATION CORPS, NO DISCRIMINATION SHALL OCCUR IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE AND
FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT LAW; EXCEPT THAT NO INDIVIDUAL UNDER CONVICTION FOR
CRIME AND SERVING SENTENCE THEREFORE SHALL BE EMPLOYED UNDER THE
PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT.
§ 963. PROJECT SUBMISSION AND APPROVAL. 1. RECEIPT AND SELECTION OF
PROJECTS. THE CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS SHALL:
(A) RECEIVE PROJECT PROPOSALS SUBMITTED BY STATE DEPARTMENTS AND AGEN-
CIES PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (A) OF SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS SECTION; AND
(B) SELECT PROJECT PROPOSALS THAT MEET THE CRITERIA PURSUANT TO PARA-
GRAPH (B) OF SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS SECTION.
2. SUBMISSION OF PROJECT PROPOSALS. (A) NOT LATER THAN THIRTY DAYS
AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ARTICLE, AND SUBSEQUENTLY AT SUCH TIMES
AS THE CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS SHALL REQUEST, THE COMMISSIONER, IN
CONSULTATION WITH THE OFFICE OF PARKS, RECREATION AND HISTORIC PRESERVA-
TION, THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION, THE DEPARTMENT OF
AGRICULTURE AND MARKETS, AND THE CANAL CORPORATION SHALL SUBMIT
PROPOSALS TO THE CORPS FOR PROJECTS WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF EACH SUCH
COMMISSIONER OR OTHER ADMINISTRATOR THAT SATISFY THE CRITERIA DESCRIBED
IN PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SUBDIVISION.
(B) ANY PROJECT TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS
SHALL MEET THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:
(I) THE PROJECT SHALL PRODUCE A HIGHER NUMBER OF EMPLOYEE HOURS FOR
CORPS MEMBERS;
(II) THE PROJECT IS WITHIN THE SCOPE OF TRAINING PROGRAMS ALREADY
AVAILABLE TO OR THAT CAN BE MADE READILY AVAILABLE TO CORPS MEMBERS; AND
(III) THE PROJECT WOULD PROVIDE A CONTINUING CONTRIBUTION TO ECONOMIC
GROWTH, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH, FLOOD AND FIRE PREVENTION, OR SUSTAINABIL-
ITY ONCE IT HAS BEEN COMPLETED.
3. NATURE OF PROJECTS. PROJECTS UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL INCLUDE THOSE
PROJECTS SET FORTH IN SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION NINE HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE
OF THIS ACT.
4. APPROVAL OF PROJECTS. THE CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS SHALL APPROVE
THOSE PROPOSALS WHICH ARE SUBMITTED PURSUANT TO AND MEET THE CRITERIA
SET FORTH IN SUBDIVISION TWO OF THIS SECTION AND SHALL PROVIDE FUNDING
FOR SUCH PROJECTS FROM AMOUNTS APPROPRIATED FOR THE PROGRAM.
S. 1242 4
5. RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROJECTS. AN ELIGIBLE DEPARTMENT THAT HAS
SUBMITTED A PROJECT PROPOSAL PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (A) OF SUBDIVISION
TWO OF THIS SECTION SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION AND
COMPLETION OF SUCH PROJECT.
6. CONTRACTS. AN ELIGIBLE DEPARTMENT SHALL BE A PARTY TO ANY CONTRACT
THAT GOVERNS A PROJECT APPROVED AND FUNDED IN ANY MANNER UNDER THIS
SECTION. DEPARTMENTS MAY CONTRACT WITH PRIVATE CORPORATIONS HAVING TAX
EXEMPT STATUS UNDER SECTION 501 (C) (3) OF THE UNITED STATES INTERNAL
REVENUE CODE AND PRIVATELY HELD BUSINESSES FOR PART OR ALL OF AN
APPROVED PROJECT SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE PROGRAM.
7. REPORTS. NOT LATER THAN SIX MONTHS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS
SECTION, AND BIANNUALLY THEREAFTER ON JUNE THIRTIETH AND DECEMBER THIR-
TY-FIRST OF EACH YEAR, THE CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS SHALL SUBMIT A
REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE WHICH INCLUDES:
(A) THE NUMBER OF PROJECT PROPOSALS SUBMITTED TO THE CIVILIAN CONSER-
VATION CORPS;
(B) THE NUMBER OF PROJECTS APPROVED BY THE PROGRAM DURING THE REPORT-
ING PERIOD;
(C) THE NUMBER OF PROJECTS COMPLETED BY THE DATE OF THE REPORT; AND
(D) WITH RESPECT TO EACH APPROVED PROJECT, A PROJECT DESCRIPTION THAT
INCLUDES INFORMATION ABOUT WHETHER THE PROJECT IS COMPLETE AND SUCH
OTHER INFORMATION AS THE CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS DETERMINES APPRO-
PRIATE.
8. AUDITS. THE OFFICE OF THE COMPTROLLER SHALL CONDUCT AN ANNUAL AUDIT
OF:
(A) THE PERFORMANCE AND ACTIVITIES OF THE CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS;
(B) THE PERFORMANCE AND COMPLETION OF PROJECTS; AND
(C) THE PERFORMANCE OF THE ELIGIBLE AGENCIES WITH RESPECT TO SUCH
PROJECTS.
§ 2. The sum of forty million dollars ($40,000,000), or so much there-
of as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated to the department of
labor out of any moneys in the state treasury in the general fund to the
credit of the state purposes account, not otherwise appropriated, and
made immediately available, for the purpose of carrying out the
provisions of article 34 of the labor law, as added by section one of
this act. Such moneys shall be payable on the audit and warrant of the
comptroller on vouchers certified or approved by the commissioner of
labor in the manner prescribed by law.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall
have become a law.