Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim January 2025, as Radon Awareness Month in the State of New York
Assembly Resolution 27 is a memorializing resolution that asks Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim January 2025 as Radon Awareness Month in New York State, in line with National Radon Action Month. The resolution explains that radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas found in soil, detectable only through testing, and identifies it as a major public health hazard linked to lung cancer. It emphasizes that testing is the only way to determine exposure risk and notes federal recommendations to test homes below the third floor.
The resolution also references New York’s prior action in Chapter 414 of 2018, which recognized radon dangers and created a Radon Task Force. It cites the Task Force’s 2023 final report, which called for better interagency coordination, public education and outreach, prevention programs, and possible training, education, and licensing of radon service providers. The measure itself does not change statutory law or create new regulatory requirements; it is a nonbinding request for a gubernatorial proclamation and a public awareness observance.
This resolution has no direct legal effect on state statutes, regulations, or agency authority. Its practical impact is to encourage public awareness of radon risks, promote testing and mitigation, and reinforce existing state attention to radon through the earlier task force and related public health efforts. The affected parties are primarily New York residents, homeowners, landlords, tenants, schools, and radon testing or mitigation professionals who may be influenced by increased awareness and outreach.
The overall sentiment reflected in the bill text is strongly supportive and preventive, with a public health focus. The resolution frames radon awareness as an important and urgent issue, citing lung cancer risks and the need for greater education and action at local, state, and national levels. No opposition, dissent, or recorded negative vote is provided in the available context.
No specific contention is shown in the available materials, and there are no committee transcripts or votes indicating disagreement. The only implied policy issue is the extent to which New York should expand education, coordination, and possible licensing for radon service providers, as referenced in the task force report. However, the resolution itself does not resolve those policy questions; it simply urges a proclamation and broader awareness.