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Senator Bruno with Governor Pataki in the Senate Chamber after passage of the anti-terrorism legislation. |
Tuesday, February 11, 2003
The New York State Senate today approved legislation to give New York the toughest, most comprehensive anti-terrorism laws in the nation, including bills that would fight agri-terrorism, bio-terrorism and cyber-terrorism.
"We must help prevent future terrorist activities and give law enforcement the tools they need to pursue, capture and punish terrorists," said Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno. "This five bill package we are adopting includes Governor George E. Pataki�s plan, developed with Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, that would combat terrorism in this state as well as Senate bills to fight Cyber-terrorism, Agri-terrorism and criminalize the placing of a false hazardous substance which creates havoc and puts innocent lives at risk."
"The Senate is enacting this legislation now given the recent increase in the Homeland Security Threat Level and the need for ongoing vigilance. It is critical that the Assembly enact them as well so that all the resources of the state and federal governments can be utilized to help prevent future terrorist attacks," continued Senator Bruno.
"We live in a time when we have to be ready for the unthinkable," said Senator Michael Balboni (R-Mineola), Chair of the Senate Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committee. "As legislators we have a responsibility to do all that we can to protect our citizens. This legislation would strengthen law enforcement�s authority to investigate and prosecute those who possess and use chemical and biological weapons. The fact that we depend on our computers is what makes them so vulnerable to a cyber-attack. This legislation would also protect our computer-operated infrastructure networks. Our best defense against terrorism is to be prepared, not scared."
"New York�s $13 billion agricultural industry must be protected. A bioterrorist attack on our farms would be financially devastating and would damage the public�s faith in our food supply. We must make any use of biological weapons against agriculture a major crime in New York State" said Senator Nancy Larraine Hoffmann (R, Syracuse), Chairwoman of the Agriculture Committee and a member of the Consumer Protection Committee.
"The threat of biological agents being used as weapons is very real. That is why it�s intolerable for somebody who may think they are being funny or clever to falsely report the presence of such material. When someone threatens to use anthrax, botulin, nerve gas, or any other hazardous substance, local governments and other emergency response entities are forced to expend funds and manpower to handle such threats," said State Senator Mary Lou Rath (R-C, Williamsville). "The costs incurred and the potential for physical harm when responding to this type of threat is very high. Included in this Senate initiative is legislation which will allow the response organization to hold the perpetrator civilly liable and be able to seek financial restitution. With the fiscal difficulties the state is facing, it is essential that localities do not bear any additional burden-- particularly when they may be called upon for real emergencies."
The Omnibus Governor�s Program Bill, (S.3) sponsored by Senator Balboni, would create new anti-terrorism crimes, strengthen the authority of law enforcement officials to investigate and prosecute terrorists, and severely punish the possession and use of chemical or biological weapons.
Another bill, (S.1627) sponsored by Senator Balboni, would create the crime of cyber-terrorism, making it a class B felony to help prevent damage by launching "denial of service" attacks on local, state, and federal computer networks.
A bill, (S.180) sponsored by Senator Hoffmann, would create a first-in-the-nation package of agri-terrorism legislation which would help protect the agricultural industry and preserve the integrity of New York State�s food production industry and food supply chain by creating the new crime of agri-terrorism.
Another Governor�s Program Bill, (S.1711) sponsored by Senator Rath, would create the crime of placing a false hazardous substance. Another bill, (S.1712) sponsored by Senator Mary Lou Rath, would permit municipalities, schools, fire and ambulance companies and other public entities to seek restitution for response costs from any person convicted of falsely reporting an incident or placing a false bomb or hazardous substance.
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