Establishes the climate relocation planning and preparation act to prepare state government and regional planning councils for the possibility of increased in-migration to New York state due to climate change.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A272
SPONSOR: Levenberg TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to enacting the climate
relocation planning and preparation act
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The purpose of this legislation is to help the State prepare for the
potential of internal migration of people relocating due to climate
change and disruption.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Amends the Executive Law by adding a new Article 43 that
creates the Climate Relocation Planning and Preparation Act. Included in
this legislation are definitions for the following terms "department",
"regional planning council" and "climate relocation". It also estab-
lishes the New York State Climate Relocation Planning and Preparation
Working Group to develop a strategy to help prepare for the possibility
of increased in-migration due to climate relocation, and asks the
state's regional planning councils to develop a similar frame-work in
their service areas to encourage the same kinds of preparation.
Section 2 sets the effective date.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION (IF APPLICABLE):
Not application at this time.
JUSTIFICATION:
It is an indisputable fact that our planet's climate is undergoing rapid
change and disruption. We see this in the headlines about extreme
storms, droughts, wildfires, melting glaciers, and disappearing species,
and in our own daily lives, with intense heatwaves, changing growing
seasons, and more. But the effects of climate change are not evenly
distributed across the globe. While some areas will become increasingly
challenging to live in due to the factors outlined above, there is an
expectation that some areas will appear to be a more welcoming and
viable option for human settlement. Science writer David Pogue has
described Upstate New York as one of those places. In his book "How to
Prepare for Climate Change," Pogue describes several Upstate regions,
including Buffalo and Syracuse, as climate havens because of their prox-
imity to the Great Lakes and reduced vulnerability to other types of
disasters such as earthquakes, severe hurricanes, and wildfires. While
climate disruption remains unpredictable, it is likely that Pogue's
analysis will be accurate. As other parts of the country grow hotter,
dryer, and less hospitable, New York is likely to emerge as a desirable
place to relocate. According to Forbes, almost a third of people plan-
ning to move in 2023 are citing worsening weather conditions as a reason
to relocate, and many others who have already relocated were influenced
by changing weather patterns. Drought and wildfires are substantial
contributors to this trend, a circumstance we are sadly unlikely to see
reversed any time soon. Climate relocation is already happening, and our
state should be prepared to welcome these new 'New Yorkers'.
This legislation will encourage state and regional bodies to begin the
process of planning for such in-migration. It will operate at two
levels. First, a state-level interagency working group would be estab-
lished among the various executive agencies to develop a framework that
will address how climate relocation will interact with policy areas like
economic development, education, agriculture, public health, and our
natural resources, including what state resources may be needed. Second,
it asks the state's regional councils to undertake a similar approach
and develop a framework that is appropriate to their region. These
regional bodies are already engaged in the work of planning for issues
and needs in local areas, guided by local' governments and stakeholders,
and have deep experience in and knowledge of their regions. The regional
councils will develop frameworks that consider in-migration and that
will prioritize specific projects and initiatives to develop or reacti-
vate regional infrastructure, as well as incorporate suggestions from
the state strategy as appropriate for their area. Taken together, a
state and regional framework will help the state be prepared and ready
to act as climate relocation ramps up.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
A.6844 and S.6106 of 2023/2024
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
The fiscal implications associated with the passage of this legislation
are expected to be minimal.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
