Includes stormwater in the definition of sewage for purposes of certain water, sewer, and water and sewer authorities
This bill amends multiple sections of New York's public authorities law to explicitly include "stormwater" in the legal definition of "sewage" for water, sewer, and water and sewer authorities. It adds a new definition stating "stormwater" means water runoff that exceeds soil absorption capacity during rain or melt events. The change directly affects these public authorities by expanding their regulatory scope to cover stormwater under existing sewage-related rules. The bill does not create new programs or funding but clarifies how stormwater is legally treated in water management frameworks. (164 words)
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
May 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
Assembly Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 31, 2025
Last action May 19, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons
What changed between versions
S4071A
→
S4071B
·
3 edits
MINOR
The bill was updated to reflect its progression through the legislative process, including the addition of a sponsor and committee reports. Substantively, the bill adds a new definition for 'sewerage facilities' to the Public Authorities Law, expanding the scope to include specific infrastructure like recharge basins and back-flow prevention devices. It also adds a new definition for 'sewerage facility' in Section 1045-b, while retaining existing definitions for 'sewage' and 'stormwater' across multiple sections.
Scope change
The bill's scope is expanded by introducing a new definition for 'sewerage facility,' which now explicitly includes equipment and structures used for stormwater management, thereby broadening the regulatory framework for public authorities.
DEFINITION
Added a new definition for 'sewerage facility' in Section 1 of the Public Authorities Law to include specific stormwater management infrastructure such as recharge basins and back-flow prevention devices.
Added a new subdivision 13 in Section 1045-b defining 'sewerage facility' or 'sewerage facilities' to encompass plants and equipment for collecting and treating stormwater or sewage.
SCOPE
Updated the bill header and introductory text to reflect new sponsors and the committee's favorable report, indicating the bill has advanced in the legislative process.
Floor votes · Senate Apr 3, 2025
How they voted
57–3
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 63
Apr 3, 2025
D
Democratic41
92% Yea
R
Republican22
86% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
19
Key actions
5
Committee
4
Amendments
3
May 19, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO CORPORATIONS, AUTHORITIES AND COMMISSIONS
lower
May 19, 2026
Upper · Passed
PASSED SENATE
upper
May 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
AMENDED ON THIRD READING 4071B
upper
Jan 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
PRINT NUMBER 4071A
upper
Jan 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO CORPORATIONS, AUTHORITIES AND COMMISSIONS
upper
Jan 7, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO CORPORATIONS, AUTHORITIES AND COMMISSIONS
upper
Apr 3, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO CORPORATIONS, AUTHORITIES AND COMMISSIONS
lower
Apr 3, 2025
Upper · Passed
PASSED SENATE
upper
Jan 31, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO CORPORATIONS, AUTHORITIES AND COMMISSIONS
upper
1 primary · 22 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Rachel May
DDemocratic/Working Families
Co
Brian Kavanagh
DDemocratic
Co
Cordell Cleare
DDemocratic
Co
Dean Murray
RRepublican/Conservative
Co
Erik Bottcher
DDemocratic
Co
Jabari Brisport
DDemocratic/Working Families
Co
Jack Martins
RRepublican/Conservative
Co
James Sanders
DDemocratic
Co
James Skoufis
DDemocratic
Co
Jessica Ramos
DDemocratic/Working Families
Co
John Liu
DDemocratic
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