149 Main Street • Setauket, NY 11733 • 631-751-3094 • englebrights@nyassembly.gov

Dear Neighbor:

This edition of my Community Report includes up-dates on legislation passed during this session and other items of interest to our community.

I hope you find this newsletter informative and useful. My staff and I are available to assist you in my district office located at 149 Main Street in Setauket, by phone at 631-751-3094, or by email at englebrights@nyassembly.gov. For your conve-nience, my office also provides complimentary no-tary public service and senior citizen cards.

Sincerely,

Steve Englebright

Highlights of the 2017 Legislative SessionThe following Englebright measures passed the Legislature this year:

F a l l 2 0 1 7 L e g i s l a t i v e U P D A T E

ASSEMBLYMAN Steve Englebright

Bob de Zafra: Civic Champion and Environmental Hero Long-time civic leader, Bob de Zafra of Se-tauket passed away on October 10 at age 85 and leaves behind a legacy of advocacy that will be remem-bered for decades. Bob worked to preserve our area’s charac-ter and history and was instrumental in rehabilitating historic buildings, establishing green spaces, and fighting overdevel-opment. He was a genuine civic hero of the first order.

Bob made his mark on the world on both a local and global level. His work as an atmospheric physicist at Stony Brook University and his research at the South Pole, Antarctica, and Greenland in the 1980s helped confirm that chlorofluo-rocarbons, used in refrigerants and as propellants in aerosol cans, were causing chemical reactions in the atmosphere that depleted ozone. As a direct result of his research, trea-ties were signed to phase out ozone-depleting chemicals worldwide.

First-time Homebuyer Program Chapter 128 of 2017Young working families have a hard time trying to meet the costs associated with the purchase of their first home. This legislation will make it easier for families to move from renter to homeowner. The law allows local governments to grant first-time home buyers of newly constructed homes a five-year property tax exemption starting at 50 percent in the first year and decreasing at a rate of 10 percent per year over the next four years. Suffolk County and the Town of Brookhaven have authorized the tax incentive.

Port Jefferson Free Library Now Eligible for Low-cost FinancingChapter 41 of 2017Introduced at the request of the Trustees of the Port Jefferson Free Library, this new law enables the Library to be eligible for financing through the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York. The Dormitory Authority’s excellent credit rating enables it to borrow capital funds at lower interest rates and therefore saves taxpayers money.

Bi-Partisan Push for Pine Barrens Expansion (Englebright A7722/LaValle S6157-B)Awaiting the Governor’s signatureAssemblyman Steve Englebright and Senator Ken LaValle have passed companion bills in their respective houses to incorporate parts of the National Grid Shoreham/Wading River and Mastic Woods properties in the Pine Barrens Region. This legislation

would expand the core preservation area of the central Pine Bar-rens through the inclusion of the two environmentally sensitive areas located adjacent to the central Pine Barrens boundary plac-ing an additional 1,000 acres of pristine land within the Pine Bar-rens Core Preservation Area.

Septic System Replacement Fund for Nitrogen Removal Chapter 363 of 2017The 2017 State Budget authorized the creation of a Septic Sys-tem Replacement Fund to incentivize the replacement of failing septic systems and the installation of more effective systems such as advanced nitrogen removal systems. The Fund would provide reimbursement to homeowners eligible to participate in the pro-gram. This new measure allows septic contractors, upon receipt of written authorization from eligible homeowners, to receive reimbursement directly. Such direct reimbursement would help maximize participation by reducing a homeowner’s out-of-pocket expenses.

Recycling in State Parks Chapter 312 of 2017New York State’s Parks will now lead by example with a new measure that requires the collection of recyclable materials such as plastics, metals, paper, and glass by the Office of Parks. Under this new law all state parks, state historic sites, and state recre-ational facilities will establish recycling programs. State assis-tance will be available to support municipalities who establish and implement recycling programs to collect these recyclable materials.

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Recycling programs will reduce the cost of waste management for these facilities by reducing the amount of garbage gen-erated as well as being an opportunity to educate park visitors about how individ-uals can make a difference in improving the environment.

Protecting the Horseshoe Crab in Long Island Waters(Englebright A8184-A/LaValle S6682) Awaiting the Governor’s signatureMany Long Islanders are familiar with horseshoe crabs as they come to our shores to spawn in early summer. What most people don’t know is that these un-usual creatures are a keystone species in the marine ecosystem because their eggs are a critical food source for migrating shorebirds including the threatened Red knot. Often referred to as living fossils, horseshoe crabs have changed little in the last 445 million years.

Current state law allows for the harvest of horseshoe crabs for use as bait in the taking of whelk and American eel. How-ever, the Atlantic States Marine Fisher-ies Commission’s stock assessments report indicates that the NY region con-tinues to see a decrease in horseshoe crab numbers. New legislation authored by Assemblyman Englebright would require the state DEC to cooperate and assist counties, towns and villages that want to ban catching horseshoe crabs on municipal property.

Cleaner Burning Bioheat Fuel to be added to Heating Oil Chapter 315 of the Laws of 2017Lawmakers passed legislation that would require all heating oil used in Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester coun-ties to contain at least five percent bio-diesel, or B5. This measure will reduce particulate matter and greenhouse gases from the burning of heating oil. Using the cleaner fuel may also reduce burner maintenance costs.

New Laws from the 2017 Legislative SessionClosing the E-Cigarette Loophole Chapter 335 of 2017This new law bans the use of electronic cigarettes under the Clean Indoor Air Act. Electronic cigarettes, commonly known as e-cigarettes, are electronic devices that deliver nicotine to the user. These devices do not contain tobacco. Rather, they heat up liquid nicotine and emit vapor. Testing performed by the FDA found that electronic cigarettes can be dangerous as users inhale car-cinogens and other toxic chemicals. The CDC reports the use of electronic ciga-rettes among middle school and high

Get a Free Home Energy AuditAssemblyman Steve Englebright supports the work of Long Island Green Homes, a non-profit partnership of Towns and community-based organi-zations that connect homeowners with local, certified contractors who as-sess their home for free to identify money-saving and energy efficient im-provements. Average savings for Long Islanders who have gone through the program is about $1,000 per year, and only projects that have been determined to pay for themselves in savings are recommended. To sign up for your free home energy audit today, visit www.longislandgreen-homes.org or call 1-800-567-2850.

Highlights of the 2017 Legislative Session ...continued

Protecting our Drinking Water (Englebright A2623/LaValle S3213) Awaiting the Governor’s signatureLong Island’s population of approximately three million people receives its drinking water from a sole source aquifer. Although Long Island’s well-drained soil helps ensure a plen-tiful groundwater supply, this same quality allows contaminants to easily leach into the aquifer system.

Composting on a backyard scale is entirely wholesome. However, research indicates that composting on an industrial scale requires precautions. Recent studies highlight the po-tential for significant adverse water quality impacts as a result of large compost and mulch facilities. This legislation will protect water quality by ensuring that environmental pro-tections are in place. The bill which has passed both houses of the state legislature would apply to large-scale debris and composting facilities. It will require water testing, imper-meable liners, setbacks, dust and odor suppression, and fire risk management.

Love Long Island’s Water by Using Environment-Friendly Lawn CareAssemblyman Englebright supports the new I Love Long Island campaign and its goal of increasing aware-ness of how easy actions everyone can take in the care of lawns can help pro-tect our ground and surface waters. The program asks homeowners to switch from high nitrogen, water-soluble products to low nitrogen (10% maximum), non-water

soluble versions as well as reducing chemical pesticides and herbicides on our lawns. By changing the way we care for our lawns we can significantly reduce harmful im-pacts to our groundwater and our harbors and bays. For more information go to: www.ilovelongisland.org. Pictured from left to right: Patricia Woods of Grassroots Environmental Education; Assemblyman Englebright; Legislator Kara Hahn; and Sarah Meyland of Water for Long Island.

school students more than doubled from 2011 to 2012. Closing the e-cigarette loophole by including it in the Clean Indoor Air Act will help protect every New Yorker’s right to enjoy indoor public spaces free from the intrusion of e-cigarette vapor.

Homeowner Association Accountability and TransparencyChapter 343 of 2017There are a number of neighborhoods in the 4th Assembly district that have Homeowners Associations (HOA). A HOA is a legal organization established by a real estate developer for the purpose of developing and managing a community of homes, town homes and/or condominium units. HOAs are governing bodies with bylaws that residents agree to fol-low when they purchase property. The individual owner in a HOA has the opportunity to become involved and participate in the on-going affairs of the community and share in the responsibility of assuring that the association’s actions conform to the by-laws.

This new law allows resident members of homeowners associations access to books and records related to member dues to ensure that HOAs operate in an open and transparent manner and are accountable to their members.

New Laws for Veterans Waiver of NY State Civil Service Application Fees for Veterans Chapter 404 of 2017Veterans who have honorably served our country deserve to have every opportunity afforded to them when they return home and search for employment. Waiving the state application fee for taking civil service examinations is one way that New Yorkers can show our collective gratitude for their service and encourage veterans to enter state civil service.

New Distinctive License Plates Available for Veterans Conspicuous Service Cross License Plates Chapter 232 of 2017Authorizes the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue distinc-tive license plates for those veterans who have received the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross medal.

Distinctive License Plates for Members of AMVETS Chapter 105 of 2017Authorizes the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue distinc-tive license plates for those veterans who are members of the AMVETS organization.

Distinctive License Plates for Service in Iraq or Afghanistan Chapter 107 of 2017Authorizes the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue distinc-tive license plates for those veterans who served in the Iraq War or Afghanistan War.

New York Buy American Act (A8427A/S6639A) Awaiting Governor’s SignatureThis bill would require several state authorities and agencies, including the New York State Department of Transportation, to buy steel and iron products from companies based in the United States. The bill has passed both the Assembly and the Senate and needs only the signature of Gov-ernor Cuomo to become law.

This bill ensures that all state contracts over one million dollars awarded for the construction, repair, or maintenance of any New York State bridg-es or roads use materials (specifically iron, steel, and concrete) made in the United States. Recognizing that the U.S. economy and the general welfare of the people of the United States are inseparably linked, the NY Legislature took a stand to back U.S. workers through ensuring our taxpayer dollars are going to American made iron, steel, and concrete.

Great Communities have Great LeadersAssemblyman Englebright met with James Freeman and Leonard Gibbs of Gordon Heights during the summer to hear about their work in the Gordon Heights community. In October we spent the afternoon with James touring the Granny Road Park, the St. Mi-chaels Recreation and Youth Center, and the PSEG substation con-struction site that will make Gordon Heights more storm resilient.

New Laws from the 2017 Legislative Session ...continued

Long Overdue: Child Marriage Now Outlawed in NYSChapter 35 of 2017Child marriage is a practice most of us thought was a thing of the past. This year New York State took critical steps to make perception a reality by abolishing any possibility of marriage for 14-, 15- and 16-year-olds. The measure raises the age of consent to marry from 14-years-old to 18-years-old. The new law prohibits anyone under the age of 17 from getting married unless a judge determines that a 17-year-old individual is entering into the marriage of his or her own free will, that they are not being compelled by force, fraud, or coercion, and that the marriage will not endanger their mental, emotional, or physical safety.

Ride-sharing Comes to New YorkNYS has authorized ride sharing statewide. The new law and regulations will provide a fair and safe ride sharing system that will benefit our local communities.

Passengers can expect:• The fare or estimated fare be provided on the ride

sharing app to the customer before the ride begins;

• The app to display: – A photo of the driver;

– Make, model and color of the vehicle;

– The vehicle’s license plate number.

• Additional consumer protections:

– Ride sharing vehicles must display a prominent emblem to verify to passengers the company they work for; and

– Ride sharing companies will have to provide vehicle li-ability insurance for $1.25 million whenever a passenger is being driven and must provide workers’ compensation coverage for their drivers.

Companies are also required to adopt anti-discrimination policies for all passengers, including those with disabilities.

Assemblyman Englebright was honored to speak at the Veter-ans Memorial Ceremony on Memorial Day following the Se-tauket Memorial Day Parade. Following the ceremony, from left to right: Jack Kefalis, Carlton “Hub” Edwards, Assembly-man Englebright, and James Edwards.

ASSEMBLYMAN Steve

Englebright

Legislative Update• Fall 2017 •

New York State Assembly, Albany, NY 12248 PRSRT STD.U.S. POSTAGE

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Weekdays 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.149 Main Street East Setauket, NY 11733631-751-3094

You will need to present your driver’s license to get notary ser-vice. Special traveling Notary Service provided for homebound residents in the 4th Assembly District. Call 631-751-3094 or email englebrights@nyassembly.gov to set up an appointment.

New Laws for Volunteer Firefighters and First RespondersThese laws recognize our responsibility to give back when our volunteer firefighters

fall ill or give their life as a result of their service.

Hometown Hero Raises Funds for Neighbors in Need

Stony Brook resident Kenny Rogers volunteers with Open Door Exchange (ODE)–a furniture bank outreach program of the Setauket Presbyterian Church that provides gently-used furniture free of charge to Long Island families in need.

The ODE does not accept donations of used mattresses for health reasons but they do have a fund to purchase new mattresses for families in need of beds. When Kenny learned that there were over 177 people on the waiting list of the ODE, he decided to do something to shorten the wait.

On September 25, 66-year-old Kenny Rogers embarked on a 277-mile walking trip dubbed Miles for Mattresses to raise funds and awareness. He began his trek at a place called Wider Circle, the furniture bank in Silver Spring, Mary-land which our area’s Open Door Exchange is modeled after. His epic walk ended three weeks later at the Open Door Exchange’s 3,000-square-foot ware-house in Port Jefferson Station where Assemblyman Englebright was waiting to show his support.

Volunteer Firefighter Cancer Coverage Chapter 334 of 2017Volunteer firefighters risk their lives and health in service to the community every day.

Firefighters are exposed to an enormous variety of toxins and car-cinogens in the line of duty and consequently are more likely to develop cancer than the general population. This bill recognizes both their courageous service and our responsibility to give back when they fall ill or give their life as a result of their service.

Under this new law all fire districts, departments or companies would be required to provide and maintain an enhanced cancer disability benefit insurance program for each eligible volunteer firefighter. In order to be eligible, a volunteer firefighter diagnosed with cancer must have served for at least five years as an interior firefighter, passed at least five yearly certified mask fitting tests,

and must have had a physical examination upon entry into ser-vice that did not reveal any evidence of cancer. The legislation provides expanded disability benefits beyond their current limits.

Helping Volunteer Firefighters and First Responders Hurt in ServiceChapter 401 of 2016 – Taking effect in 2017Volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers who are injured in the course of their volunteer service are eligible under State law to receive workers’ compensation for their injuries. The State has enacted these benefits in recognition that these volunteers provide enormously important services to our communities.

A new law took effect this year that increases the payments for permanent disability benefits for volunteer ambulance and volun-teer firefighters from $400 to $600 a week.