Directs the legislature to create office of public advocate with authority to bring civil action against the state or any of its agencies, bureaus or public authorities to protect the public's interest in state's natural and cultural resources.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
166
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
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
1 Section 1. RESOLVED (if the Senate concur), That section 4 of article
2 14 of the constitution be amended to read as follows:
3 § 4. The policy of the state shall be to conserve and protect its
4 natural and cultural resources and scenic beauty and encourage the
5 development and improvement of its agricultural lands for the production
6 of food and other agricultural products. The legislature, in implement-
7 ing this policy, shall include adequate provision for the abatement of
8 air and water pollution and of excessive and unnecessary noise, the
9 protection of agricultural lands, wetlands and shorelines, and the
10 development and regulation of water resources and shall establish an
11 office of public advocate with the authority to commence civil action
12 against the state or any of its departments, agencies or bureaus or its
13 public authorities to protect the public's interest in the state's
14 natural and cultural resources. The legislature shall further provide
15 for the acquisition of lands and waters, including improvements thereon
16 and any interest therein, outside the forest preserve counties, and the
17 dedication of properties so acquired or now owned, which because of
18 their natural beauty, wilderness character, or geological, ecological or
19 historical significance, shall be preserved and administered for the use
20 and enjoyment of the people. Properties so dedicated shall constitute
21 the state nature and historical preserve and they shall not be taken or
22 otherwise disposed of except by law enacted by two successive regular
23 sessions of the legislature.
24 § 2. RESOLVED (if the Senate concur), That the foregoing be referred
25 to the first regular legislative session convening after the next
26 succeeding general election of members of the assembly, and, in conform-
27 ity with section 1 of article 19 of the constitution, be published for 3
28 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