New York State Policy Progress
Reprinted from Politico
BY ELEONORA FRANCICA NEW YORK STATE
PUBLISHED 4:20 PM ET MAY 23, 2023
ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURES PUSHED: Environmental advocates are pushing for a package of bills to ban toxic chemicals known as PFAS in some products as the final days of session tick down.
“I would like to see PFAS banned in every way, shape and form,” said Assemblymbmer Emily Gallagher (D-Brooklyn) at a press conference today with the JustGreen Partnership, a coalition coordinated by Clean and Healthy New York and WE ACT for Environmental Justice. “These are the forever toxins that are forever transforming our health and safety.”
The package of bills includes one to ban PFAS in anti-fogging sprays (S992) sponsored by Gallagher and another targeting the class of chemicals in menstrual products (S3529). Another takes a broader look and seeks to ban PFAS in cookware, textiles, ski wax, cleaning products and more (S5648). The coalition of environmental groups is also backing the “birds and bees” bill to ban a certain class of pesticides known as neonicotinoids (S1856), which faces staunch opposition from several agricultural industry groups.
That measure has passed the Assembly, but is expected to be amended in the Senate, according to Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (D-Manhattan). “We’ve got some concerns in our newly configured districts,” Hoylman said last week. He added that he was more hopeful it would get done this session than at the same time last year. The opposition from farmers resonates particularly with some lawmakers. “Listen to the farmers on that one,” Sen. John Mannion (D-Onondaga County) said last week when asked about the measure. “I’ve got a lot of them.”
Any potential amendments haven’t yet been circulated, teeing up an end-of-session crunch as supporters hope to see it move forward. The Business Council of New York State, Inc., also issued a memo of opposition on the bill today, highlighting concerns about farmers using more pesticides if those included in the bill, including applications for seed coating, are banned. — Marie J. French
