Relates to effectiveness of judgments entered by the New York City environmental control board; repealer

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Andrew Gounardes says this is needed

The New York City Environmental Control Board has jurisdiction over a number of rules and regulations related to protecting the public's health and safety and ensuring it has a clean environment. This can include violations such as dirty sidewalks, lack of sufficient refriger- ation in restaurants, and completing construction activities at imper- missible days or times. However, it also includes violations on build- ings including illegal conversions and lack of sufficient heating/cooling. Currently, the law states that a judgment made by the board pursuant to these issues is in effect for only eight years, after which the individual is no longer responsible for the fine or other judgment. This means that there is no holding building owners account- able for failing to meet quality of life standards for renters, tenants, and consumers. It is a struggle for many to find safe and habitable living conditions, and allowing individuals to skirt their responsibilities to keep their properties up to code is unacceptable. New Yorkers should have as much protection as possible and bad faith actors should be held accountable. In repealing the relevant subsection, this bill removes the statute of limitations on judgments by the Board so that negligent property owners and other individuals are forced to correct health and safety violations that remain after eight years.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.