MidHudsonNews [dot] com is reporting the state Senate has passed a package of 10 bills intended to strengthen local code enforcement statewide. The legislation was based on a report generated by the state Senate Investigations Committee headed up by Senator James Skoufis, Democrat of Woodbury, Orange County. Included in the legislation: A bill that will prohibit the use of plywood, wood composite, wood veneer, or similar products, to board up vacant abandoned properties. A measure to make it easier for municipalities to address violations of building and fire prevent code. The creation of a residential rental registry, an increase in state code enforcement powers of the secretary of state; penalties for dangerous apartment alterations; enhanced building code penalties for repeat offenders; fire extinguisher requirements; and the imposition of escalating fines for code violations and illegal conversions. Skouflis said, "This package of bills, I believe, will make a real significant difference in making sure that our residents and first responders are safe and living in really clean, respectable, safe housing conditions throughout the state and this package is a good start and now heads to the Assembly." Read the full story at MidHudsonNews [dot] com.