Call Gov. Hochul 866-583-2908 and urge her to sign the NY Tropical Deforestation Free Procurement Act.

The Tropical Deforestation-Free Procurement Act would be the first in the U.S. to regulate local companies’ supply chains and require they’re free of products sourced through deforestation. This is one of the biggest climate bills on Gov. Hochul's desk. The NY State Council of Churches has written a memorandum in support of this bill.

The NY Tropical Deforestation Free Procurement Act:

·        Requires state contractors who deal in tropical forest-risk commodities to certify that their products don’t drive tropical deforestation or degradation, by providing data to the state and the public demonstrating supply chain due diligence to their products’ points of origin.

·        Closes loopholes in existing 30-year-old state law banning the use of tropical hardwoods for government projects.

·        Provides a bidding preference for small and medium-sized businesses, minority-and-women-owned businesses, and businesses fulfilling state contracts using New York products.

·        Creates a supply chain transparency assistance program to support New York-based small and medium-sized businesses and women and minority-owned enterprises to achieve ethical and sustainable supply chains for forest-risk products. This program will be administered by Empire State Development.

·        Requires a minimum of two representatives from indigenous tropical communities within the geographic areas to be part of a Stakeholder Advisory Group.

·        Defines “tropical forest-risk commodities” to include soy, beef, palm oil, coffee, cocoa, wood pulp, paper and wood products. Other commodities may be added by the Commissioner of the Office of General Services.

Gov. Hochul has until the end of the year to sign it into law, but is considering a revised version that would render it ineffective.

Urge the governor to sign the bill as-is. Call:1-518-474-8390 or email the governor and tell her that now is the time for bold, decisive climate action. Not greenwashing and not backing down to corporate interests. The bill passed with huge, bipartisan majorities in both chambers because it's a good bill. It's ambitious while also reasonable and achievable. As written this bill will help business, gives New York businesses a leg up. We are rightly proud of the leadership role our state has taken on climate action. Yet, to fulfill our foremost responsibility to protect New Yorkers’ lives and livelihoods, the undeniable reality of the crisis requires us to continue to push the envelope to address every piece of the climate puzzle. Stopping climate change demands action on all fronts.