Relates to enacting the "environmentally conscious purchasing act"; prohibits state agencies and political subdivisions from purchasing single-use plastic products; defines terms; provides exceptions for medical reasons and garbage collection.
Summary
S03904 would create the “environmentally conscious purchasing act” and add a new restriction to the State Finance Law limiting what the state and other public entities may buy. The bill defines a broad category of “single-use plastic products,” including plastic bags, cling film packaging, non-recyclable plastic bottles, straws, disposable plates and cups, cutlery, stirrers, packaging rings, and styrofoam food-service items, while also allowing the Office of General Services, in consultation with the Department of Environmental Conservation, to identify additional products covered by the ban.
Under the bill, state agencies, political subdivisions, and public benefit corporations would generally be prohibited from purchasing or obtaining these items for any purpose. The measure includes exceptions for plastic straws needed for medical reasons, plastic bags used for garbage collection, and single-use plastic medical equipment. It would take effect immediately and direct the Attorney General to investigate violations and report them to state leadership.
Impact
The bill would amend section 165 of the State Finance Law by adding a new subdivision that changes procurement rules for state and local public entities. It would impose a statewide purchasing ban on specified single-use plastic and styrofoam products, affecting agencies, municipalities, and public benefit corporations, while preserving limited exemptions for medical and sanitation-related uses. It also assigns enforcement and reporting responsibilities to the Attorney General and gives OGS and DEC authority to identify additional covered products.
Sentiment
The available record shows no committee transcript or vote history, so there is no documented debate or recorded floor sentiment to assess. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears to reflect an environmental and waste-reduction policy approach, with a focus on reducing public-sector reliance on disposable plastics while preserving narrow exceptions for health and operational needs.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided materials. Potential areas of dispute, based on the bill’s structure, would likely include the scope of the purchasing ban, the inclusion of styrofoam and packaging materials, the authority of OGS and DEC to expand the list of prohibited products, and whether the exceptions for medical and garbage-collection uses are sufficient for public operations and accessibility needs.
Same As
Relates to enacting the "environmentally conscious purchasing act"; prohibits state agencies and political subdivisions from purchasing single-use plastic products; defines terms; provides exceptions for medical reasons and garbage collection.
Relates to enacting the "environmentally conscious purchasing act"; prohibits state agencies and political subdivisions from purchasing single-use plastic products; defines terms; provides exceptions for medical reasons and garbage collection.
Repeals law prohibiting sale or distribution of single-use plastic carryout bags, single-use paper carryout bags, polystyrene foam food service products, and single-use plastic straws.
Repeals law prohibiting sale or distribution of single-use plastic carryout bags, single-use paper carryout bags, polystyrene foam food service products, and single-use plastic straws.