Permanently Banning Hydrofracking:
The Enacted Budget codifies Governor Cuomo's ban on the
Department of Environmental Conservation approving permits that would authorize
an applicant to drill, deepen, plug back or convert wells that use high-volume
hydraulic fracturing as a means to complete or recomplete a well. In addition,
it places a moratorium on future gelled propane hydrofracking applications
until the Department can conduct an analysis of the impacts of this completion
method. Gov. Cuomo says this will protect the health of New Yorkers and
ensuring permanently that "our environment is not harmed by this
practice."
Other highlights include:
Funding for State Police Hate Crimes Task Force: The
State Police Hate Crimes Task Force was established by the Governor in the 2018
to address the increase in bias-motivated threats, harassment and violence
throughout New York State. The FY 2021 Enacted Budget includes $2 million to
support the Task Force's ongoing work, and to bolster the monitoring of digital
media which promote violence, intolerance, selling of illicit substances and
terrorism.
Removing Guns from Domestic Abusers: The FY 2021
Enacted Budget authorize law enforcement to remove guns from the scene of a
domestic violence incident. It would
also establish a domestic violence misdemeanor to ensure abusers lose access to
firearms immediately upon conviction. Further, it would authorize law
enforcement officers to seize weapons from the home of an individual who
becomes subject to a protective order arising out of a domestic dispute.
Banning Fentanyl Analogs: The FY 2021 Enacted Budget
explicitly designates certain fentanyl analogs as controlled substances in New
York State. This gives police and law enforcement the authority to prosecute
the manufacturing, sale and distribution of these drugs to the fullest extent
of the law. The measure also gives the State Department of Health Commissioner
the authority to add additional analogs to the list of controlled substances,
enabling the State to stay in front of these deadly substances as they appear
on the market.
Adjustments to 2019 Criminal Justice Reform Law: The
budget also makes adjustments to the 2019 bail reform law that addressed
inequities in the criminal justice system. The budget clarifies the 2019 law to
make sure judges know all the options available to them with respect to
non-monetary conditions for release; enhances the options upon which a judge
can condition release, including mental health referrals and requirements to
attend counseling; and it adds several offenses that can be bail eligible,
including sex trafficking offenses, money laundering in support of terrorism in
the 3rd and 4th degree, child pornography offenses, repeat offenders, and those
who commit crimes resulting in death. Read more highlights HERE.
