S 5759 New York Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Establishes a moratorium on the sale and use of biosolids

This bill (S 5759) imposes a 5-year moratorium on spreading or selling biosolids - treated sewage byproducts used as fertilizer or soil amendment - on farmland, parks, or other non-crop areas. It directly affects wastewater treatment facilities, farmers, and businesses that sell or use biosolids for agricultural purposes. The law bans land application, permits for such use, and sales of biosolids or products containing them, with exceptions for landfill disposal and compost made from food waste, manure, or other non-biosolids materials. The ban applies statewide and includes penalties for violations, such as fines up to $2,500 per offense.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status died 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

May 2026

Senate Passage

Jun 2025

Assembly Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 28, 2025 Last action May 20, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

S5759B → S5759C · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was revised to broaden its scope from merely managing PFAS in biosolids to establishing a complete moratorium on the sale and use of biosolids. The changes remove specific requirements for testing and reporting programs and the creation of a state task force, replacing them with a strict five-year ban on applying, selling, or distributing biosolids derived from wastewater treatment plants.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a management and testing framework to a total prohibition on the sale and land application of biosolids.

SCOPE

The title and primary purpose changed from managing PFAS in biosolids to establishing a moratorium on the sale and use of biosolids.

REQUIREMENT

Provisions requiring a PFAS agricultural response program, a biosolids task force, and specific testing/reporting regulations were removed.

A new five-year ban was added prohibiting the land application, sale, offering for sale, or distribution of biosolids and related products.

DEFINITION

The definition of PFAS was added to the text, and the definition of 'permit holder' was removed as it is no longer relevant to a total ban.

ENFORCEMENT

New sections were added to define penalties for violations and to establish a severability clause for the act.

Floor votes · Senate Jun 12, 2025

How they voted

48–11

Passed · 4 other

Total votes 63

Jun 12, 2025

D Democratic41

37 Yea 1 Nay 3

90% Yea

R Republican22

11 Yea 10 Nay 1

50% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 20, 2026

Committee

REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE

upper

Jan 7, 2026

Committee

REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION

upper

Jun 12, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS

lower

Jun 12, 2025

Upper · Passed

PASSED SENATE

upper

Jun 11, 2025

Committee

COMMITTEE DISCHARGED AND COMMITTED TO RULES

upper

Jun 9, 2025

Upper · Passed

PRINT NUMBER 5759C

upper

Jun 9, 2025

Upper · Passed

AMEND (T) AND RECOMMIT TO AGRICULTURE

upper

May 29, 2025

Upper · Passed

PRINT NUMBER 5759B

upper

May 29, 2025

Upper · Passed

AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO AGRICULTURE

upper

May 13, 2025

Committee

REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO AGRICULTURE

upper

May 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

PRINT NUMBER 5759A

upper

May 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION

upper

Feb 28, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION

upper

1 primary · 11 co-sponsors