A few Legislative Updates, from NYBA Lobbyist Jim Hedrick:

"Updating NYBA on a couple of bills that have passed one chamber and are scheduled for committee hearing in the opposite chamber. 

HB 1085 is through the House unanimously and I expect it to become law, largely as described below. I expect SB 5192 to become law as well.

HB 1085 Reducing Plastic Pollution, Passed House on a 97-0 vote.

Public hearing in the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee on Friday,  March 10 @ 8:00am

The bill changes the law starting January 1, 2024, a person may not sell, distribute, install, or arrange for the installation of overwater structures containing expanded or extruded plastic foam, or of expanded or extruded foam blocks or floats used in overwater structures, unless the foam is fully enclosed and contained in a shell of concrete, aluminum, steel, or .15 inch-thick plastic. Floating homes and floating on-water residences are excluded from these restrictions, but docks, floats, walkways, and other accessory overwater structures associated with floating homes or on- water residences are subject to these restrictions. Ecology may adopt rules to implement, administer, and enforce these requirements. Persons in violation of these requirements are subject to civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation, with penalties appealable to the PCHB.

SB 5192 Administrative Law Judges / Derelict Vessel Appeals, Passed Senate on a 47-0 vote.

Public hearing in the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on Friday, March 10 3/10 @ 10:30am. The bill authorizes administrative law judges (ALJs) to substitute for pollution control hearings board members in deciding derelict vessel appeals."