Prevents an increase in vehicular lane capacity of highways within two hundred feet of certain public housing facilities, in areas with high rates of asthma, and in environmental justice communities.
Impact
If enacted, S09593 would amend the New York highway law, reinforcing regulations that prevent highway expansions in sensitive areas. This legislation is designed to alleviate health disparities and curb environmental harm resulting from increased vehicular traffic. Moreover, it mandates a rigorous safety and alternatives analysis prior to any potential project waiver that may contradict its provisions, ensuring that communities are considered in transportation planning efforts.
Summary
S09593, also known as the 'Stop Highway Community Harm Act', aims to prohibit increasing vehicular lane capacity on highways located within two hundred feet of public housing facilities or areas identified as environmental justice communities. The bill is a response to the adverse impacts that highway expansions have historically had on marginalized communities, particularly those suffering from high rates of asthma and other health issues associated with pollution. It highlights the detrimental legacy of urban planning decisions that have disproportionately affected Black and Brown neighborhoods.
Contention
Debate around S09593 is likely to center on balancing infrastructure development with community health considerations. Proponents argue that limiting expansions will protect vulnerable populations from ongoing environmental and public health issues, while critics may contend that such restrictions could hinder necessary transportation improvements. The bill reflects a broader discussion about transportation equity and responsible urban planning, raising further questions about how infrastructure projects should be managed in relation to public health needs.
Prevents an increase in vehicular lane capacity of highways within two hundred feet of certain public housing facilities, in areas with high rates of asthma, and in environmental justice communities.
Relates to increasing the class for certain vehicular crimes and enacting Kane's law; increases the class of vehicular manslaughter in the first and second degrees, aggravated vehicular homicide, and aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree.
Prohibits licensees from placing a storefront within five hundred feet of certain areas including child day care centers, or public parks and playgrounds.
Directs the department of environmental conservation to develop and implement a tree planting pilot program in the ten zip codes in the state with the highest incidence of asthma.
Provides that in the siting of new electric transmission facilities, including high-voltage transmission lines, the following corridors shall be utilized in the following order of priority in accordance with feasibility of economic and engineering considerations, reliability of the electric system and the protection of the environment: existing utility corridors; highway (interstate, freeway and state trunk) and railroad corridors; recreational trails, to the extent that the facilities may be constructed below ground and that the facilities do not significantly impact environmentally sensitive areas; and new corridors; provides that the commissioner of transportation shall engage in coordination activities with a utility or transmission line developer to review requested highway corridors for possible permitted locations of transmission lines.
Prohibits the aerial and ground application of malathion and certain pyrethroid-based insecticides within one hundred feet of any school, day care center or park.