Creates the under-grounding of electrical power or telecommunications lines fund to provide for the purpose of moving overhead electrical power or telecommunications lines underground from monies appropriated, including, but not limited to, any funds supplied by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for disaster recovery and hazard mitigation which may be used for state infrastructure repair.
Summary
This bill would amend the state finance law to create a special revenue fund called the “under-grounding of electrical power or telecommunications lines fund.” The fund would be held in joint custody of the state comptroller and the commissioner of taxation and finance and would receive appropriations, including potentially federal FEMA disaster recovery and hazard mitigation funds that can be used for state infrastructure repair.
Money from the fund would be used to help move overhead electrical power lines and telecommunications lines underground. Counties, towns, and villages could apply for reimbursement to contract with utilities or telecommunications providers for this work, and local governments could also contribute a two-person crew and certain project equipment to assist with the undergrounding projects. The bill would take effect immediately if enacted.
Impact
The bill would add a new section 99-ss to the state finance law and establish a dedicated state fund for undergrounding utility and telecommunications infrastructure. It would create a mechanism for local governments to seek reimbursement for undergrounding projects and would authorize the use of certain federal disaster recovery and hazard mitigation funds for this purpose, potentially affecting how infrastructure repair and resilience dollars are allocated in New York. Counties, towns, villages, and utility or telecommunications providers would be the primary parties affected.
Sentiment
No committee transcript or recorded vote information is available, so there is no documented legislative debate or formal vote-based sentiment to assess. Based on the bill text alone, the proposal appears policy-driven and infrastructure-focused, with an emphasis on resilience and disaster mitigation rather than controversy in the available record.
Contention
The bill does not include any recorded discussion, amendments, or votes, so no specific points of contention are documented. Potential issues that could arise from the text include the use of FEMA-related funds for undergrounding projects, the cost and feasibility of converting overhead lines underground, and the division of responsibilities between local governments and utility or telecommunications providers, but these concerns are not reflected in the available legislative history.
Providing for licensure of electrical contractors, electricians and apprentice electricians; establishing the State Board of Electrical Licensure; providing for powers and duties of the board; establishing fees, fines and penalties; and making an appropriation.
Providing for licensure of electrical contractors, electricians, residential electricians, apprentice electricians and probationary electricians; establishing the State Board of Electrical Licensure; providing for powers and duties of the board; establishing fees, fines and penalties; and making an appropriation.
Relating to the maintenance of overhead electrical power lines associated with oil and gas development and production; authorizing an administrative penalty.