Relates to the regulation of exhaust gas cleaning systems on vessels and provides enforcement mechanisms and remedies for violations; relates to the powers of the department of environmental conservation.
This bill would add a new section to the Navigation Law to regulate exhaust gas cleaning systems, often referred to as scrubbers, on vessels operating in New York’s navigable waters. It would prohibit these systems from discharging wash water or other output into state waters or air except when necessary for safety, require overboard discharge valves to be sealed while in state waters, and ban the use, sale, or physical offering for sale of such systems in New York.
The bill also requires vessel owners applying for or renewing boat registration certificates to disclose whether a vessel has an exhaust gas cleaning system and certify that it will not be used in New York waters. The Department of Environmental Conservation would be authorized to inspect vessels for compliance, adopt implementing rules and standards, and withhold registration or renewal if the device is being used in violation of the law. Violations would carry civil fines of up to $25,000 per violation, and repeated violations could become misdemeanors. The bill also imposes strict liability for cleanup costs and a broad range of damages tied to any discharge.
In addition to the Navigation Law changes, the bill amends the Environmental Conservation Law to expressly give DEC authority to monitor vessel exhaust gas cleaning systems and establish related regulations. The measure would take effect 90 days after becoming law, and it would create a new enforcement framework for marine pollution control focused on scrubber discharges.
The overall sentiment reflected in the bill text is strongly protective of water quality and environmental enforcement, with no recorded committee debate or votes available in the provided materials. Because there are no transcripts or voting records, there is no documented opposition or support to gauge beyond the bill’s clear regulatory intent.
The main point of contention likely would be the breadth of the prohibition and enforcement tools: the bill would effectively ban scrubber use and sales in New York, impose strict liability, authorize inspections, and allow registration denial. Those provisions could affect vessel owners, maritime operators, marine equipment sellers, and port-related businesses, while environmental advocates would likely view the measure as a pollution-prevention and public health safeguard.
The bill would add new vessel-specific restrictions to the Navigation Law and expand the Department of Environmental Conservation’s authority under the Environmental Conservation Law. It would create enforceable state standards governing exhaust gas cleaning systems on vessels, including disclosure requirements tied to boat registration, inspection authority, penalties, and strict-liability remedies for discharges. The measure would directly affect vessel operators on New York waters, marine equipment sellers, and any parties responsible for scrubber-related discharges or cleanup costs.
No committee transcript or vote record is provided, so there is no formal legislative debate to summarize. Based on the text alone, the bill reflects a strong environmental protection posture and a willingness to use significant penalties and administrative controls to prevent marine pollution. The available context suggests a regulatory, enforcement-oriented approach rather than a compromise measure.
The likely points of contention are the bill’s broad prohibition on exhaust gas cleaning systems, the ban on their sale in New York, and the strong enforcement mechanisms, including vessel inspections, registration withholding, large fines, misdemeanor exposure for repeat violations, and strict liability for damages. Supporters would likely emphasize water quality, pollution prevention, and accountability for marine discharges, while opponents could argue that the bill is overly restrictive, burdensome for maritime operators, and potentially disruptive to shipping and port operations.