Dear Chairman Gaughran & Assemblyman Stern:

On behalf of the Association for a Better Long Island, Long Island Association, Long Island Builders Institute, New York Solar Energy Industries Association, and Commercial Industrial Brokers Society of Long Island, the leading advocates of the region’s economic development and solar community, we write again in support of NYS S1003C bill, that would establish a self-certification program for building permit applications with local governments.

Self-certification programs will be instrumental in protecting our region’s economic viability. In existence in New York City (since 1995), self-certification programs are used to make the permitting process more efficient for projects, save municipal resources and applicant time, as well as generate increased municipal revenue. As a result, the program spurs economic development by increasing investment in the municipality, creating jobs and economic activity. On Long Island, this bill narrows the scope of self certification by limiting it to only building permit applications that have not be approved or denied after 45 days. Furthermore, this bill ensures that all inspections, including electrical, fire, etc., still occur, as well as site plan reviews and certificates or occupancy, etc.

Several Long Island municipalities strongly support the establishment of self-certification programs. In fact, Suffolk County Supervisors Association, a bipartisan association, wrote a May 3, 2022 letter in support of the bill, as well as the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County. The Clean Energy Coalition also wrote a letter in support of the bill as well. Please find these letters attached.

This legislation makes government more efficient, creates additional jobs & municipal revenue, and spurs economic activity. Therefore, the Association for a Better Long Island, Long Island Association, Long Island Builders Institute, New York Solar Energy Industries Association and Commercial Industrial Brokers Society of Long Island fully support NYS S1003C.

Sincerely,

Kyle Strober, Executive Director, Association for a Better Long Island

Matthew Cohen, President & CEO, Long Island Association

Mitch Pally, CEO, Long Island Builders Institute

Zachary Dufresne, Executive Director, NY Solar Energy Industries Association

Daniel Weiner, President, Commercial Industrial Brokers Society of Long Island