NY State Senate Bill S8431A

Archive: Last Bill Status Via A10001 - Signed by Governor

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

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Actions

view actions (12)

	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Sep 23, 2022	signed chap.563 delivered to governor
May 25, 2022	returned to assembly passed senate 3rd reading cal.1443 substituted for s8431a
May 25, 2022	substituted by a10001b
May 23, 2022	ordered to third reading cal.1443 committee discharged and committed to rules
May 10, 2022	print number 8431a
May 10, 2022	amend (t) and recommit to environmental conservation
Feb 28, 2022	referred to environmental conservation

Votes

Bill Amendments

Original

A (Active)

Original

A (Active)

Co-Sponsors

S8431 - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A10001
Law Section:: Environmental Conservation

S8431 - Summary

Directs the department of environmental conservation, in consultation with the environmental justice interagency coordinating council and the climate justice working group, to conduct a study on the impacts of the urban heat island effect on disadvantaged communities.

S8431 - Sponsor Memo

 
BILL NUMBER: S8431

SPONSOR: PARKER
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act in relation to directing the department of environmental conser-
vation in conjunction with the environmental justice interagency coordi-
nating council to conduct a study on the disproportionate impact of
increased heat in primarily Black and Latino neighborhoods

 
PURPOSE:

The purpose of this bill is to amend the environmental conservation law
to require the Department of Environmental Conservation in conjunction
with the Environmental Justice Interagency Coordinating Council to
collect data on the disproportionate impact of increased heat in prima-
rily black and Latino neighborhoods and publish a report. With the goal
of advocating for and increasing tree equity and conscious urban land-
scaping in these communities.

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section one requires the Department of Environmental Conservation work
jointly with the Environmental Justice Interagency Coordinating Council
to conduct a study on the negative impact of heat on key health indica-
tors in primarily black and Latino neighborhoods. The study shall:
provide key definitions, identify the key health indicators and collect
data from residents on how they are being negatively impacted phys-
ically, compare the differences in average temperature in predominantly
black and/or Latino neighborhoods with those of predominantly white
neighborhoods, compare same health indicators with those of residents in
predominantly white neighborhoods, compare the differences between self-
reported mental health and black and Latino residents with that of white
residents and provide and correlation assessment, note the number of
trees in both neighborhood groups and provide an average disparity,
recommend an increase in / how to increase the amount of trees in black
and Latino neighborhoods and recommend an increase in further developing
greenspaces and urban landscaping in black and Latino neighborhoods
(i.e. parks, gardens, playgrounds etc.)

Section two sets forth the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

New York State is comprised of various cities that are susceptible to
increased heat. These urban areas are known as heat islands as they are
susceptible to the phenomenon known as Urban Heat Island effect.  Urban
Heat Island effect is a common phenomenon in cities. According to the
Buildings Journal, this occurs when "Pavements absorb and store solar
radiation, leading to a further increase in the surface tempera-
tures...heat absorbed by the black asphalt pavements is released into
the surrounding environment, leading to pavement rutting and UHI
effect."

Research done by UC Berkley found that, "blacks were 52% more likely
than whites to live in "urban heat islands" -- microclimates that can
get an extra 5 to 10 degrees warmer during heat waves -- and Latinos
were 21% more likely." (LA Times) It is important to outline the demo-
graphic of people experiencing UHI effect because it is accompanied by a
host of health related ailments including respiratory issues like asth-
ma, heat stroke and exhaustion, heat cramps, and general discomfort.

UHI puts neighborhoods impacted by it at a higher risk for these issues
because as heat is trapped in the ground during the day, the decline in
temperature as the sun goes down initiates its release at night. This
means that during the night when these neighborhoods should be getting a
reprieve from the heat, temperatures often remain as high as in the day.
This is particularly harmful because it exacerbates fatigue in relation
to sleep and rest. This can compound upon health issues and make them
worse at a quicker rate.

Furthermore, neighborhoods where the majority of residents are black and
Latino were also found to have a direct correlation to being low-income
and having residents with higher rates of comorbidities, the most preva-
lent of which being COPD and Hypertension. These comorbidities are
extremely likely to be exacerbated in highly heat permeated environments
and the socioeconomic status of these neighborhoods means they are less
likely to have AC or be able to sustain a high-energy bill for its
extended use throughout the summer months.

This bill and the ensuing study would highlight all of these issues
through a comprehensive assessment that would call for the implementa-
tion of more greenspaces in these environments and more trees as a way
to naturally combat the effects of UHI.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New Bill

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

TBD

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately

S8431 - Bill Text download pdf

 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   8431
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                             February 28, 2022
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen.  PARKER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Environmental Conservation
 
 AN ACT in relation to directing the department of environmental  conser-
   vation in conjunction with the environmental justice interagency coor-
   dinating  council to conduct a study on the disproportionate impact of
   increased heat in primarily Black and Latino neighborhoods
 
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1. The department of environmental conservation, in consulta-
 tion with the environmental justice  interagency  coordinating  council,
 shall  conduct a study on the effects of the urban heat island effect on
 majority Black and Latino neighborhoods in  urban  settings  within  the
 state that fit the description of heat islands.
   § 2. For the purposes of this study:
   (a)  Black  and  Latino  neighborhoods shall be characterized as those
 comprised of fifty-one percent or more of Black residents, Latino  resi-
 dents  or  a  combination  of  both.  The study shall analyze the health
 impacts of increased heat in these neighborhoods in comparison to  those
 of White neighborhoods.
   (b)  "urban heat island effect" means the phenomenon when pavement and
 other infrastructure absorbs and stores large quantities of solar  radi-
 ation during the day and releases it during the nighttime, leading to an
 increase in the surface temperatures of the immediate area.
   (c)  "heat  islands"  means  urbanized  areas  that  experience higher
 temperatures than outlying areas due to structures  such  as  buildings,
 roads,  and other infrastructure absorbing and reemitting the sun's heat
 more than natural landscapes such as forests  and  water  bodies.  Urban
 areas,  where  these  structures are highly concentrated and greenery is
 limited, become "islands" of higher temperatures  relative  to  outlying
 areas.
   § 3. The department of environmental conservation shall deliver to the
 governor,  the legislature, and make available to the public a report of
 its findings no later than eighteen months after the effective  date  of
 this act.
   § 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets

                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD14866-01-2

Co-Sponsors

S8431A (ACTIVE) - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A10001
Law Section:: Environmental Conservation

S8431A (ACTIVE) - Summary

S8431A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

 
BILL NUMBER: S8431A

SPONSOR: PARKER
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act in relation to directing the department of environmental conser-
vation in conjunction with the environmental justice interagency coordi-
nating council and the climate justice working group to conduct a study
on the impacts of the urban island effect on disadvantaged communities

 
PURPOSE:

The purpose of this bill is to amend the environmental conservation law
to require the Department of Environmental Conservation in conjunction
with the Environmental Justice Interagency Coordinating Council to
collect data on the disproportionate impact of increased heat in prima-
rily black and Latino neighborhoods and publish a report. With the goal
of advocating for and increasing tree equity and conscious urban land-
scaping in these communities.

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section one requires the Department of Environmental Conservation work
jointly with the Environmental Justice Interagency Coordinating Council
to conduct a study on the negative impact of heat on key health indica-
tors in primarily black and Latino neighborhoods. The study shall:
provide key definitions, identify the key health indicators and collect
data from residents on how they are being negatively impacted phys-
ically, compare the differences in average temperature in predominantly
black and/or Latino neighborhoods with those of predominantly white
neighborhoods, compare same health indicators with those of residents in
predominantly white neighborhoods, compare the differences between self-
reported mental health and black and Latino residents with that of white
residents and provide and correlation assessment, note the number of
trees in both neighborhood groups and provide an average disparity,
recommend an increase in / how to increase the amount of trees in black
and Latino neighborhoods and recommend an increase in further developing
greenspaces and urban landscaping in black and Latino neighborhoods
(i.e. parks, gardens, playgrounds etc.)

Section two sets forth the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

New York State is comprised of various cities that are susceptible to
increased heat. These urban areas are known as heat islands as they are
susceptible to the phenomenon known as Urban Heat Island effect.  Urban
Heat Island effect is a common phenomenon in cities. According to the
Buildings Journal, this occurs when "Pavements absorb and store solar
radiation, leading to a further increase in the surface tempera-
tures...heat absorbed by the black asphalt pavements is released into
the surrounding environment, leading to pavement rutting and UHI
effect."

Research done by UC Berkley found that, "blacks were 52% more likely
than whites to live in "urban heat islands" -- microclimates that can
get an extra 5 to 10 degrees warmer during heat waves -- and Latinos
were 21% more likely." (LA Times) It is important to outline the demo-
graphic of people experiencing UHI effect because it is accompanied by a
host of health related ailments including respiratory issues like asth-
ma, heat stroke and exhaustion, heat cramps, and general discomfort.

UHI puts neighborhoods impacted by it at a higher risk for these issues
because as heat is trapped in the ground during the day, the decline in
temperature as the sun goes down initiates its release at night. This
means that during the night when these neighborhoods should be getting a
reprieve from the heat, temperatures often remain as high as in the day.
This is particularly harmful because it exacerbates fatigue in relation
to sleep and rest. This can compound upon health issues and make them
worse at a quicker rate.

Furthermore, neighborhoods where the majority of residents are black and
Latino were also found to have a direct correlation to being low-income
and having residents with higher rates of comorbidities, the most preva-
lent of which being COPD and Hypertension. These comorbidities are
extremely likely to be exacerbated in highly heat permeated environments
and the socioeconomic status of these neighborhoods means they are less
likely to have AC or be able to sustain a high-energy bill for its
extended use throughout the summer months.

This bill and the ensuing study would highlight all of these issues
through a comprehensive assessment that would call for the implementa-
tion of more greenspaces in these environments and more trees as a way
to naturally combat the effects of UHI.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New Bill

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

TBD

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately

S8431A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  8431--A
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                             February 28, 2022
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by Sens. PARKER, CLEARE, HOYLMAN, KENNEDY, SEPULVEDA -- read
   twice and ordered printed, and when printed to  be  committed  to  the
   Committee  on Environmental Conservation -- committee discharged, bill
   amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said  commit-
   tee
 
 AN  ACT in relation to directing the department of environmental conser-
   vation in conjunction with the environmental justice interagency coor-
   dinating council and the climate justice working group  to  conduct  a
   study  on  the  impacts  of  the  urban island effect on disadvantaged
   communities
 
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1. The department of environmental conservation, in consulta-
 tion with the environmental justice interagency coordinating council and
 the climate justice working group, shall conduct a study on the  impacts
 of  the urban heat island effect on disadvantaged communities. The study
 shall at  a  minimum,  identify  urban  disadvantaged  communities  with
 concentrations  of heat islands, include recommendations on how to iden-
 tify, prevent and address adverse health and environmental impacts  from
 urban heat island effects, and include existing and/or recommended fund-
 ing  available  to  address  such  impacts, including but not limited to
 projects eligible pursuant to paragraph e of subdivision  1  of  section
 58-0703 of the environmental conservation law.
   § 2. For the purposes of this study:
   (a)  "Disadvantaged communities" shall mean communities that are iden-
 tified pursuant to section 75-0111  of  the  environmental  conservation
 law.
   (b)  "Urban heat island effect" means the phenomenon when pavement and
 other infrastructure absorbs and stores large quantities of solar  radi-
 ation during the day and releases it during the nighttime, leading to an
 increase in the surface temperatures of the immediate area.
   (c)  "Heat  islands"  means  urbanized  areas  that  experience higher
 temperatures than outlying areas due to structures  such  as  buildings,
 roads,  and other infrastructure absorbing and reemitting the sun's heat
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.

                                                            LBD14866-04-2
 S. 8431--A                          2
 
 more than natural landscapes such as forests  and  water  bodies.  Urban
 areas,  where  these  structures are highly concentrated and greenery is
 limited, become "islands" of higher temperatures  relative  to  outlying
 areas.
   § 3. The department of environmental conservation shall deliver to the
 governor,  the  legislature, and post on its public website, a report of
 its findings no later than eighteen months after the effective  date  of
 this act.
   § 4. This act shall take effect immediately.

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The New York State Senate

senate Bill S8431A

Sponsored By

Archive: Last Bill Status Via A10001 - Signed by Governor

Your Voice

Actions

Votes

May 25, 2022 - floor Vote

Floor Vote: May 25, 2022

May 23, 2022 - Rules committee Vote

Rules Committee Vote: May 23, 2022

Bill Amendments

Co-Sponsors

S8431 - Details

S8431 - Summary

S8431 - Sponsor Memo

S8431 - Bill Text download pdf

Co-Sponsors

S8431A (ACTIVE) - Details

S8431A (ACTIVE) - Summary

S8431A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

S8431A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments

senate Bill S8431A

Share this bill

Sponsored By

Archive: Last Bill Status Via A10001 - Signed by Governor

Your Voice

Actions

Votes

May 25, 2022 - floor Vote

Floor Vote: May 25, 2022

May 23, 2022 - Rules committee Vote

Rules Committee Vote: May 23, 2022

Bill Amendments

Co-Sponsors

S8431 - Details

S8431 - Summary

S8431 - Sponsor Memo

S8431 - Bill Text download pdf

Co-Sponsors

S8431A (ACTIVE) - Details

S8431A (ACTIVE) - Summary

S8431A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

S8431A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments