Creates climate liability for fossil fuel related activity which caused or contributed to climate change

S 4799 creates a legal right for New Yorkers to sue fossil fuel companies that contributed to climate change through their activities. It applies to companies that emitted at least one billion metric tons of greenhouse gases from 1989 until the bill's effective date, excluding public utilities and government entities. The bill establishes new provisions in state law, including definitions and a "right of action," to enable lawsuits for climate-related damages like health impacts and property loss. This would allow individuals and communities to seek compensation for harms directly linked to fossil fuel emissions.