Source: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2015/s1525/amendment/original
Timestamp: 2020-06-05 20:19:26
Document Index: 48211867

Matched Legal Cases: ['Art 48', '§48', '§ 48', '§ 48', '§ 48', '§ 48', '§ 48', '§ 48', '§ 48', '§ 48']

NY State Senate Bill S1525
senate Bill S1525
Creates a permanent environmental justice advisory group
Get Status Alerts for S1525
Jan 13, 2015 referred to environmental conservation
S1525 (ACTIVE) - Details
Add Art 48 §§48-0101 - 48-0113, En Con L
2009-2010: S6316, A8490
2011-2012: S1115, A947
2013-2014: S1629, A3569
2017-2018: S3110, A2234
2019-2020: S2385, A1564
S1525 (ACTIVE) - Summary
Creates a permanent environmental justice advisory group; provides that the function of the group is to ensure that no group of people, including a racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic group, bears a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, municipal, and commercial operations or the execution of federal, state, local, and tribal programs and policies; empowers that advisory group to adopt a model environmental justice policy applicable to state agencies, and to monitor agencies on compliance with such policies; specifies responsibilities of state agencies… (view more) establishes an environmental justice interagency coordinating council.
S1525 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo
BILL NUMBER:S1525
relation to establishing a permanent environmental justice advisory
group and an environmental justice interagency coordinating council
This bill would establish a Permanent Environmental justice Advisory
Group within the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and an
Environmental Justice Interagency Coordinating Council, and would
require state agencies to adopt and abide by effective environmental
This bill adds a new Article 48 to the Environmental Conservation law
entitled "Environmental Justice":
§ 48-0101 sets forth a declaration of policy regarding environmental
justice, affirming that all New Yorkers, regardless of race, color,
religion, national origin of income, have a right to fair treatment
and meaningful involvement in the development, implementation and
enforce-bent of laws, regulations and policies that affect the quality
§ 48-0103 provides definitions for "advisory group" (the permanent
environmental justice advisory group created in § 48-0105), "agency"
(any department, board, bureau, commission, division, office, council,
committee or officer of the state, or any public authority.or public
benefit corporation at least one of whose.  members is appointed by
the governor), and "environmental justice" (the fair treatment and
meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color;
religion, national origin or income with respect to the establishment
of environmental policies). 'Definitions are also provided for two
phrases used in the latter ("fair treatment" and "meaningful
involvement"),
§ 48-0105 establishes a permanent environmental justice advisory group
within the DEC. The advisory group shall be comprised of five members
representing community-based organizations that assist minority and
low-income communities on environmental matters, four representatives
of business, two local government environmental officials and four
members drawn from national or state environmental organizations,
researchers, educators and the general public. Provisions for
appointment, terms and organization of the advisory group are set
forth. The advisory group shall meet at least three times a year in
compliance with the Open Meetings Law.
§ 48-0107 sets forth the following powers and duties of the advisory
*adopt a model environmental justice policy applicable generally to
state agencies that engage in activities that may have a significant
effect on the environment. The model policy shall be developed within
one year and after public hearings in each judicial department;
*advise agencies of their responsibilities under § 48-0109, monitor
agency compliance with environmental justice policies, make
recommendations to improve such policies, and report at least annually
on agency compliance; and
*comment on rules, regulations and policies relating to environmental
justice, accept grants or gifts and use them to effectuate Article 48,
conduct public hearings, adopt bylaws, rules and regulations and do
any and all things necessary and convenient to the exercise of its
§ 48-0109 specifies the responsibilities of state agencies that engage
in activities that may have a significant effect on the environment.
Each agency is required to adopt regulations setting forth its
environmental justice policy within six months after the adoption of
the model policy by the advisory group and comply in all respects with
its adopted policy. In the absence of such regulations, the agency
must comply with-the model policy. Agencies are required to designate
a staff member as environmental justice coordinator and to provide
training in environmental justice through workshops and written
materials. This section applies to an agency notwithstanding any
exemption it may have from the State Environmental Quality Review Act
(SEQRA) or other laws.
§ 48-0111 establishes an Environmental Justice Interagency
Coordinating Council, comprised of the heads of DEC, the Department of
Transportation, the Power Authority and other agencies that engage in
activities that impact the environment, or their designees, along with
the agency staff designated as environmental justice coordinators. The
council has the power and duty to coordinate the environmental justice
activities of the State, report annually of the effectiveness of
agency 'environmental justice policies, and serve as a clearinghouse
on environmental justice and maintain information services including a
website and a toll-free hotline.
Environmental justice is a concept of extreme importance to New
Yorkers who reside or work in or near communities with large minority
populations or with large numbers of low income residents. All too
often these communities have suffered from disproportionate levels of
pollution and have not received a fair share of environmental
In 1999, DEC received a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency to develop a comprehensive environmental justice program and
policies, and shortly thereafter convened an environmental justice
advisory group. In January of 2002, the advisory group issued its
report -"Recommendations for the New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation Environmental Justice Program." In march,
2003, DEC adopted a policy on "Environmental Justice and Permitting'
but took no action on several of the advisory group's other
recommendations. This bill would implement the recommendation of the
advisory group to continue a permanent advisory group structure,
ensure that actions of agencies to address environmental justice.
These statutory provisions will ensure that New York State continues
to move forward and improve its overall policies on environmental
justice and will help the members of minority and low-income
communities in their efforts to make their neighborhoods more livable.
2013-2014 Referred to Environmental Conservation
A.8805-A (2004) -passed Assembly, referred to Senate Rules
A.4190 (2005-06) - passed Assembly, referred to Senate Environmental
A.2003 (2007-8) -passed Assembly, referred to Senate Rules
A.8490 (2009) - passed Assembly, referred to Senate Environmental
A.947 (2011) passed Assembly, referred to Senate Environmental
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL.GOVERNMENTS:
First of January next succeeding the date on which it becomes a law.
S1525 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf
establishing  a  permanent environmental justice advisory group and an
environmental justice interagency coordinating council
new article 48 to read as follows:
SECTION 48-0101. DECLARATION OF POLICY.
48-0103. DEFINITIONS.
48-0105. PERMANENT ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVISORY GROUP.
48-0107. POWERS AND DUTIES.
48-0109. AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES.
48-0111. ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COUNCIL.
48-0113. SEPARABILITY.
S 48-0101. DECLARATION OF POLICY.
1. IT IS HEREBY DECLARED TO BE THE  POLICY  OF  THIS  STATE  THAT  ALL
PEOPLE,  REGARDLESS OF RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN OR INCOME,
HAVE A RIGHT TO FAIR TREATMENT AND MEANINGFUL INVOLVEMENT IN THE  DEVEL-
OPMENT, IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF LAWS, REGULATIONS AND POLICIES
THAT AFFECT THE QUALITY OF THE ENVIRONMENT.
2.  IT  SHALL  FURTHER  BE  THE  POLICY  OF THE STATE THAT NO GROUP OF
PEOPLE, INCLUDING A RACIAL, ETHNIC OR  SOCIOECONOMIC  GROUP,  SHOULD  BE
DISPROPORTIONATELY EXPOSED TO POLLUTION OR BEAR A DISPROPORTIONATE SHARE
OF  THE  NEGATIVE  ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES RESULTING FROM INDUSTRIAL,
MUNICIPAL OR COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS, OR THE EXECUTION OF FEDERAL,  STATE,
LOCAL OR TRIBAL PROGRAMS AND POLICIES.
LBD01356-01-5
S. 1525                             2
3.  IT  SHALL  FURTHER  BE  THE  POLICY  OF THE STATE THAT NO GROUP OF
PEOPLE, INCLUDING A RACIAL, ETHNIC OR SOCIOECONOMIC GROUP, SHOULD SUFFER
FROM INEQUITABLE ALLOCATION OF PUBLIC RESOURCES OR FINANCIAL  ASSISTANCE
FOR  ENVIRONMENTAL  PROTECTION  AND STEWARDSHIP, INCLUDING ENVIRONMENTAL
REMEDIATION,  POLLUTION  PREVENTION, OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION AND/OR OTHER
PROTECTION AND STEWARDSHIP ACTIVITIES.
4. IT SHALL FURTHER BE THE POLICY OF THE STATE THAT OPPORTUNITIES  FOR
CITIZEN  INVOLVEMENT  IN THE DEVELOPMENT, IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT
OF LAWS, REGULATIONS AND POLICIES THAT AFFECT THE QUALITY OF  THE  ENVI-
RONMENT  BE  AS REFLECTIVE OF THE DIVERSITY OF INTERESTS AND PERSPECTIVE
FOUND WITHIN THE AFFECTED COMMUNITY  AS  POSSIBLE,  INCLUDING  THOSE  OF
RACIAL,  ETHNIC AND SOCIOECONOMIC GROUPS; THAT THEY BE PROVIDED AS EARLY
AS POSSIBLE IN THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS PRIOR TO THE SELECTION  OF  A
PREFERRED  COURSE OF ACTION BY FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL OR TRIBAL AGENCIES;
THAT THEY PROVIDE FULL, TIMELY AND ACCESSIBLE DISCLOSURE AND SHARING  OF
INFORMATION BY THE GOVERNMENT AGENCY OR AGENCIES INVOLVED, INCLUDING THE
PROVISION  OF TECHNICAL DATA AND THE ASSUMPTIONS UPON WHICH ANY ANALYSES
ARE BASED; AND THAT THEY ALLOW ALL PEOPLE, REGARDLESS  OF  RACE,  COLOR,
RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN OR INCOME, THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THEIR VIEWS
HEARD AND CONSIDERED, INCLUDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR TWO-WAY DIALOGUE.
S 48-0103. DEFINITIONS.
1. "ADVISORY GROUP" MEANS THE PERMANENT ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVISORY
GROUP ESTABLISHED BY SECTION 48-0105 OF THIS ARTICLE.
2. "AGENCY" MEANS ANY DEPARTMENT, BOARD, BUREAU, COMMISSION, DIVISION,
OFFICE,  COUNCIL,  COMMITTEE  OR  OFFICER  OF  THE  STATE, OR ANY PUBLIC
AUTHORITY OR PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION AT LEAST ONE OF WHOSE MEMBERS IS
3. "ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE" MEANS THE  FAIR  TREATMENT  AND  MEANINGFUL
INVOLVEMENT  OF ALL PEOPLE REGARDLESS OF RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, NATIONAL
ORIGIN OR INCOME WITH RESPECT TO  THE  DEVELOPMENT,  IMPLEMENTATION  AND
ENFORCEMENT  OF  LAWS, REGULATIONS AND POLICIES AFFECTING THE QUALITY OF
4. "FAIR TREATMENT" MEANS THAT NO GROUP OF PEOPLE, INCLUDING A RACIAL,
ETHNIC OR SOCIOECONOMIC GROUP, SHOULD BE DISPROPORTIONATELY  EXPOSED  TO
POLLUTION OR BEAR A DISPROPORTIONATE SHARE OF THE NEGATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL
CONSEQUENCES  RESULTING  FROM INDUSTRIAL, MUNICIPAL AND COMMERCIAL OPER-
ATIONS OR THE EXECUTION OF FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND TRIBAL PROGRAMS AND
POLICIES, AND FURTHER MEANS THAT NO SUCH GROUP OF PEOPLE  SHOULD  SUFFER
FROM  INEQUITABLE ALLOCATION OF PUBLIC RESOURCES OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND  STEWARDSHIP,  INCLUDING  ENVIRONMENTAL
REMEDIATION,  POLLUTION  PREVENTION,  OPEN  SPACE  ACQUISITION AND OTHER
5. "MEANINGFUL INVOLVEMENT" MEANS THE PROVISION OF  OPPORTUNITIES  FOR
CITIZEN  PARTICIPATION  IN DECISION MAKING THAT ARE AS REFLECTIVE OF THE
DIVERSITY OF INTERESTS AND PERSPECTIVE FOUND WITHIN THE AFFECTED  COMMU-
NITY  AS  POSSIBLE,  INCLUDING THOSE OF RACIAL, ETHNIC AND SOCIOECONOMIC
GROUPS; THAT ARE PROVIDED AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE IN  THE  DECISION  MAKING
PROCESS  PRIOR  TO  THE  SELECTION  OF A PREFERRED COURSE OF ACTION BY A
DECISION MAKING AGENCY OR AGENCIES; THAT PROVIDE FULL, TIMELY AND ACCES-
SIBLE DISCLOSURE AND SHARING OF INFORMATION BY THE GOVERNMENT AGENCY  OR
AGENCIES  INVOLVED,  INCLUDING  THE  PROVISION OF TECHNICAL DATA AND THE
ASSUMPTIONS UPON WHICH ANY  ANALYSES  ARE  BASED;  AND  THAT  ALLOW  ALL
THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THEIR  VIEWS  HEARD  AND  CONSIDERED,  INCLUDING
OPPORTUNITIES FOR TWO-WAY DIALOGUE.
S. 1525                             3
S 48-0105. PERMANENT ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVISORY GROUP.
1. THE PERMANENT ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVISORY GROUP IS HEREBY ESTAB-
LISHED IN THE DEPARTMENT TO CONSIST OF SEVENTEEN MEMBERS, AS FOLLOWS:
(A) FIVE MEMBERS SHALL BE REPRESENTATIVES OF COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZA-
TIONS THAT ADVISE OR ASSIST MINORITY AND LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES ON ENVI-
RONMENTAL MATTERS.
(B)  FOUR  MEMBERS  SHALL  BE  REPRESENTATIVES OF BUSINESSES THAT HOLD
PERMITS OR OTHERWISE OPERATE SUBJECT TO THIS CHAPTER.
(C) TWO MEMBERS SHALL BE REPRESENTATIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
OFFICES OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
(D) THE  REMAINING  MEMBERS  SHALL  BE  REPRESENTATIVES  OF  STATE  OR
NATIONAL  ORGANIZATIONS  PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION, RESEARCH-
ERS, EDUCATORS AND MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
(E) ONE OF THE MEMBERS APPOINTED PURSUANT TO EACH OF  PARAGRAPHS  (A),
(B), (C) AND (D) OF THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE TEMPORARY
PRESIDENT  OF  THE  SENATE, AND ONE OF THE MEMBERS APPOINTED PURSUANT TO
EACH OF PARAGRAPHS (A), (B), (C) AND (D) OF THIS  SUBDIVISION  SHALL  BE
APPOINTED BY THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY.  ONE MEMBER SHALL BE APPOINTED
BY  THE  MINORITY LEADER OF THE SENATE AND ONE MEMBER SHALL BE APPOINTED
BY THE MINORITY LEADER OF THE ASSEMBLY.  THE REMAINING MEMBERS APPOINTED
PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION SHALL BE APPOINTED  BY  THE  GOVERNOR.  THE
REPLACEMENT  OF  ANY  MEMBER  SHALL BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS
CONTAINED IN THIS SECTION FOR APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS.
2. (A) EACH MEMBER OF THE ADVISORY GROUP SHALL SERVE  FOR  A  TERM  OF
FOUR  YEARS  OR  UNTIL  HIS  OR  HER  SUCCESSOR  IS  APPOINTED. A MEMBER
MEMBER HE OR SHE IS APPOINTED TO SUCCEED. THE MEMBERS  OF  THE  ADVISORY
GROUP  SHALL  RECEIVE  NO  COMPENSATION  FOR THEIR SERVICES BUT SHALL BE
REIMBURSED FOR THEIR EXPENSES ACTUALLY AND NECESSARILY INCURRED  IN  THE
(B)  THE  ADVISORY  GROUP SHALL SELECT A CHAIR FROM AMONG THE MEMBERS.
THE ADVISORY GROUP SHALL MEET AS FREQUENTLY AS NECESSARY, BUT  NOT  LESS
THAN THREE TIMES PER YEAR. SUCH MEETINGS SHALL BE HELD AT SUCH LOCATIONS
AS  THE ADVISORY GROUP MAY DETERMINE. ALL SUCH MEETINGS SHALL BE SUBJECT
TO THE OPEN MEETINGS LAW. AT LEAST ONE MEETING ANNUALLY  SHALL  BE  HELD
JOINTLY  WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COUNCIL
ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION 48-0111 OF THIS ARTICLE. EACH MEMBER  OF
THE ADVISORY GROUP SHALL BE ENTITLED TO DESIGNATE IN WRITING A REPRESEN-
TATIVE  TO  ATTEND MEETINGS IN HIS OR HER PLACE AND TO VOTE OR OTHERWISE
ACT ON HIS OR HER BEHALF IN HIS OR HER ABSENCE.
(C) STAFF SERVICES FOR THE ADVISORY GROUP SHALL BE PERFORMED,  INSOFAR
AS  PRACTICABLE,  BY PERSONNEL OF THE DEPARTMENT. THE ADVISORY GROUP MAY
REQUEST AND SHALL RECEIVE FROM ANY STATE AGENCY SUCH ASSISTANCE AND DATA
AS WILL ENABLE IT PROPERLY TO CARRY OUT  ITS  ACTIVITIES  HEREUNDER  AND
EFFECTUATE THE PURPOSES SET FORTH HEREIN.
S 48-0107. POWERS AND DUTIES.
THE ADVISORY GROUP SHALL HAVE THE POWER AND DUTY TO:
1.  ADOPT A MODEL ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE POLICY APPLICABLE GENERALLY TO
STATE AGENCIES THAT ENGAGE IN ACTIVITIES OR OPERATIONS THAT MAY  HAVE  A
SIGNIFICANT  EFFECT  ON  THE  ENVIRONMENT,  INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
THROUGH THE ADOPTION OF RULES  AND  REGULATIONS,  ISSUANCE  OF  PERMITS,
ACQUISITION  OR  MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTY, OR APPROVAL, FUNDING OR UNDER-
TAKING OF PROJECTS. SUCH POLICY SHALL BE ADOPTED NOT LATER THAN ONE YEAR
AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF  THIS  ARTICLE.  THE  ADVISORY  GROUP  SHALL
DEVELOP THE MODEL POLICY IN CONSULTATION WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF MINORI-
TY  AND  LOW-INCOME  COMMUNITIES,  REGULATED  PARTIES, THE ENVIRONMENTAL
S. 1525                             4
JUSTICE INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COUNCIL AND OTHER  STATE  AGENCIES  AND
THE  PUBLIC  AND  SHALL  HOLD  A PUBLIC HEARING THEREON IN EACH JUDICIAL
DEPARTMENT. NOTICE OF SUCH HEARINGS AND NOTICE OF THE  ADOPTION  OF  THE
MODEL POLICY SHALL BE PUBLISHED IN THE STATE REGISTER;
2.  ADVISE  STATE  AGENCIES  OF  THEIR  RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER SECTION
48-0109 OF THIS ARTICLE;
3. MONITOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE POLICIES OF STATE
AGENCIES, MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNOR,  LEGISLATURE  AND  STATE
AGENCIES  ON MEASURES TO IMPROVE SUCH POLICIES, AND REPORT NOT LESS THAN
ANNUALLY ON THE EXTENT TO WHICH AGENCIES  ARE  IN  COMPLIANCE  WITH  THE
REQUIREMENTS  OF  THIS ARTICLE AND OTHER STATE LAWS AND FEDERAL LAWS AND
REGULATIONS RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE;
4. PROVIDE COMMENTS ON ANY PROPOSED RULE, REGULATION OR  POLICY  OF  A
STATE OR FEDERAL AGENCY RELATED TO ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE;
5.  ACCEPT,  AS AGENT OF THE STATE, ANY GRANT INCLUDING FEDERAL GRANTS
OR ANY GIFT FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE. ANY MONIES SO RECEIVED MAY
BE EXPENDED BY THE ADVISORY GROUP TO  EFFECTUATE  ANY  PURPOSE  OF  THIS
ARTICLE, SUBJECT TO THE APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF THE STATE FINANCE LAW;
6. CONDUCT PUBLIC HEARINGS WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTER WITHIN THE SCOPE
OF ITS FUNCTIONS, POWERS AND DUTIES;
7.  ADOPT,  AMEND  AND  REPEAL  BY-LAWS GOVERNING ITS ORGANIZATION AND
OPERATION AND SUCH RULES AND REGULATIONS, CONSISTENT WITH THIS  ARTICLE,
AS IT DEEMS NECESSARY TO ADMINISTER THIS ARTICLE; AND
8.  DO  ANY  AND  ALL  THINGS NECESSARY OR CONVENIENT TO CARRY OUT ITS
FUNCTIONS, POWERS AND DUTIES UNDER THIS ARTICLE.
S 48-0109. AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES.
1. EACH STATE AGENCY THAT ENGAGES IN  ACTIVITIES  OR  OPERATIONS  THAT
HAVE  A SIGNIFICANT EFFECT ON THE ENVIRONMENT, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED
TO THROUGH THE ADOPTION OF RULES AND REGULATIONS, ISSUANCE  OF  PERMITS,
TAKING OF PROJECTS, SHALL BE GUIDED  IN  ITS  DECISION  MAKING  ON  SUCH
ACTIVITIES  OR  OPERATIONS BY AN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE POLICY. EACH SUCH
AGENCY SHALL ADOPT RULES AND REGULATIONS SETTING FORTH ITS ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE POLICY NOT LATER THAN SIX MONTHS AFTER THE ADOPTION OF  A  MODEL
ENVIRONMENTAL  JUSTICE  POLICY PURSUANT TO SECTION 48-0107 OF THIS ARTI-
CLE. THE AGENCY THEREAFTER SHALL COMPLY IN ALL RESPECTS WITH  THE  ENVI-
RONMENTAL  JUSTICE  POLICY  SET  FORTH  IN  ITS  RULES  AND REGULATIONS;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH  RULES  AND  REGULATIONS,
THE  AGENCY  SHALL  COMPLY  IN ALL RESPECTS WITH THE MODEL ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE POLICY.
2. EACH STATE AGENCY SUBJECT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF
(A) APPOINT A STAFF MEMBER OF THE AGENCY  TO  SERVE  AS  ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE  COORDINATOR,  TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC ON THE POLI-
CIES, ACTIVITIES AND OPERATIONS OF THE AGENCY RELATED  TO  ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE  AND  TO  ACT  AS  LIAISON TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVISORY
(B) NOTIFY THE ADVISORY GROUP OF THE APPOINTMENT OF  AN  ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE COORDINATOR; AND
(C)  DEVELOP AN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE TRAINING PLAN WHICH INCLUDES THE
PROVISION OF  WORKSHOPS  AND  WRITTEN  MATERIALS  TO  APPROPRIATE  STAFF
REGARDING ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGENCY'S ENVI-
RONMENTAL JUSTICE POLICY.
3.  THIS  SECTION  SHALL APPLY TO ANY STATE AGENCY NOTWITHSTANDING ANY
EXEMPTION SUCH AGENCY MAY HAVE FROM OTHER LAWS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMIT-
ED TO ANY EXEMPTION FROM ARTICLE EIGHT OF THIS CHAPTER.
S. 1525                             5
S 48-0111. ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COUNCIL.
1.  THERE  IS  HEREBY ESTABLISHED AN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE INTERAGENCY
COORDINATING COUNCIL WHICH SHALL HAVE THE POWER AND DUTY TO:
(A) COORDINATE THE ACTIVITIES OF AGENCIES REQUIRED TO ADOPT  AN  ENVI-
RONMENTAL  JUSTICE POLICY PURSUANT TO SECTION 48-0109 OF THIS ARTICLE IN
DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF SUCH POLICIES;
(B) MAKE ANNUAL REPORTS TO THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE CONCERNING
THE IMPLEMENTATION AND EFFECTIVENESS  OF  AGENCY  ENVIRONMENTAL  JUSTICE
POLICIES,  INCLUDING  THE ADEQUACY OF FUNDING AVAILABLE AND DIFFICULTIES
(C) SERVE AS A CLEARINGHOUSE FOR STATE AGENCIES  AND  THE  PUBLIC  FOR
INFORMATION  ON  ENVIRONMENTAL  JUSTICE  POLICIES, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
COORDINATORS IN STATE AGENCIES AND RELATED ACTIVITIES OF STATE AGENCIES,
AND MAINTAIN INFORMATION SERVICES,  INCLUDING  BUT  NOT  LIMITED  TO  AN
INTERNET  SITE AND A TOLL-FREE TELEPHONE NUMBER, TO INFORM THE PUBLIC ON
2. THE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COORDINATING COUNCIL  SHALL  INCLUDE  THE
COMMISSIONER;  THE  COMMISSIONER  OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOP-
MENT; THE COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION;  THE  PRESI-
DENT  OF  THE ENVIRONMENTAL FACILITIES CORPORATION; THE PRESIDENT OF THE
NEW YORK STATE ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY;  THE  CHAIRMAN
OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE POWER AUTHORITY OF
THE  STATE  OF  NEW  YORK;  THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NEW YORK STATE
OFFICE OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ACADEMIC RESEARCH; OR THEIR DESIGNEES;
AND EVERY STAFF MEMBER CHOSEN BY AN AGENCY  TO  SERVE  AS  ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE  COORDINATOR  PURSUANT  TO  SECTION 48-0109 OF THIS ARTICLE. THE
COUNCIL SHALL CONSULT WITH THE PERMANENT ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE  ADVISORY
GROUP; REPRESENTATIVES OF MINORITY AND LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING
COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS THAT ADVISE OR ASSIST MINORITY AND LOW-IN-
COME COMMUNITIES ON ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS; REPRESENTATIVES OF BUSINESSES
THAT  HOLD  PERMITS OR OTHERWISE OPERATE SUBJECT TO THIS CHAPTER; REPRE-
SENTATIVES OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS; REPRESENTATIVES  OF  LOCAL,  STATE,  OR
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION; RESEARCHERS
AND EDUCATORS; AND ANY OTHER PARTIES THE COUNCIL DEEMS APPROPRIATE.
3.  THE  COORDINATING  COUNCIL SHALL MEET AT LEAST QUARTERLY AND SHALL
DESIGNATE ONE OF ITS MEMBERS TO SERVE AS  CHAIRPERSON  AND  ONE  OF  ITS
MEMBERS  TO  SERVE AS SECRETARY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND DISSEMINATION OF
MINUTES AND REPORTS. ALL SUCH MEETINGS SHALL  BE  SUBJECT  TO  THE  OPEN
MEETINGS  LAW.  AT LEAST ONE MEETING ANNUALLY SHALL BE HELD JOINTLY WITH
THE PERMANENT ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVISORY GROUP ESTABLISHED  PURSUANT
TO  SECTION  48-0105  OF  THIS ARTICLE. EACH MEMBER SHALL BE ENTITLED TO
DESIGNATE IN WRITING A REPRESENTATIVE TO ATTEND MEETINGS IN HIS  OR  HER
PLACE  AND  TO  VOTE OR OTHERWISE ACT ON HIS OR HER BEHALF IN HIS OR HER
S 48-0113. SEPARABILITY.
IF ANY CLAUSE, SENTENCE, PARAGRAPH, SECTION OR PART  OF  THIS  ARTICLE
PARAGRAPH,  SECTION OR PART THEREOF DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THE CONTROVERSY