Enacts the lead pipe replacement act

Showing the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.

• Democratic27
• Republican7

This bill has cosponsors from more than one party.

Shown in neutral colors by design; Agora is non-partisan.

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Gustavo Rivera says this is needed

There is no safe level of lead in drinking water. Even low levels of lead exposure are linked to speech and hearing loss, lower IQ, and neurological problems in children. Adults can also experience increased risk of high blood pressure, cardiovascular problems, and kidney damage from lead exposure. Lead poisoning disproportionately harms low-income communities and communities of color. Lead service lines are the greatest contri butor to lead in drinking water. These water pipes connect the water mains under our streets to a building's internal plumbing, and pose a risk of leaching a dangerous neurotoxin into drinkingwater. While the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) banned the installation of new lead service tines in 1986, New York still has an estimated 500,000 lead service lines deliv- ering drinking water to millions of New Yorkers across the state. Due to our old housing stock and the prevalence of local codes permitting, encouraging, or requiring the use of lead material, New York has the 5th highest number of lead service lines in the nation. In November 2024, the US EPA finalized the landmark Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI), which require water utilities nationwide to replace all lead service tines under their control by November 1, 2037. Impor- tantly, EPA left several issues as to the implementation of these regu- lations for the states to address: The Lead Pipe Replacement Act creates the most equitable and efficient program in the nation to get the lead out of drinking water. The bill codifies the requirement to replace all lead pipes in New York, protect- ing it from any potential rollback by the 119th Congress and the Trump administration, and addresses key gaps in EPA's LCRI. Specifically, the bill requires water utilities to replace all lead pipes - regardless of the ownership status - at no cost to customers, saving economically- struggling New Yorkers thousands of dollars while creating thousands of well-paying union jobs. Significant state and federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Clean Water Infrastructure Act, and other sources is available to ensure this work is affordable for water utili- ties. Every New Yorker deserves lead-free drinking water. The Lead Pipe Replacement Act recognizes that lead service lines pose a public health emergency and that it is in the public interest that all lead service lines are replaced as soon as possible. This bill will ensure that New York leads the nation in getting the lead out of drinking water.

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.