STATE or Ne:w YoRK

EXECUTIVE CHAMBER
ALBANY 12224

VETO #

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July 8, 2015

TO THE ASSEMBLY:
I am returning herewith, without my approval, the following bill:
Assembly Bill Number 7629, entitled:
"AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to the
powers of the commissioner of the department of environmental
conservation"
NOT APPROVED
This bill would amend the Environmental Conservation Law 3-030 I (4) to require the
Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to consider compliance
with federal and state environmental laws, regulations and pelTnits when resolving disputes
between municipalities.
First, this bill is overbroad, in that it applies to any dispute between municipalities, not
merely disputes in which past environmental compliance is a relevant factor. In addition, this
bill is duplicative, as the DEC Commissioner already has authority to consider past
environmental compliance in cases where it is warranted. Finally, this bill could potentially
penalize a municipality for environmental compliance problems far in the past and attributable to
prior administrations, regardless of whether the current administration is in full eompliance with
the law. Accordingly, I am compelled to veto this bill.
The bill is disapproved.

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