Environment

died · New York · Senate May 20, 2026

S 5759: 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.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans biosolids land application to prevent soil/water contamination, directly protecting environmental quality and pollution control.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · New York · Senate May 20, 2026

S 5159: Relates to providing additional duties of the community gardens task force

Requires the community gardens task force to conduct an assessment of all community gardens located on publicly owned land in the state to facilitate each garden's designation as a critical environmental area.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates designation of community gardens as critical environmental areas, promoting conservation and protection of green spaces per legislative intent.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · New York · Senate May 14, 2026

S 4033: Relates to the disposition of certain fines and penalties

This bill redirects fines and penalties from environmental conservation violations (such as violations of fishing rules or pollution regulations) into a dedicated "conservation enforcement account" within the state conservation fund, rather than the general state fund. It specifies that all fines collected under Titles 19, 21, and 27 of the environmental conservation law, plus related surcharges, must be deposited into this account. The funds are exclusively for enforcing environmental laws, including paying for enforcement staff, scientists, and legal support. This ensures these penalties directly support conservation enforcement efforts without replacing existing funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects environmental fines to dedicated conservation enforcement account, ensuring funds directly support environmental programs rather than general budget, promoting fiscal responsibility.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRedirects environmental violation fines to dedicated conservation enforcement fund, ensuring resources directly support environmental law enforcement per bill's explicit language.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · New York · Senate May 14, 2026

S 2484: Directs the state energy planning board to conduct a study on time frames for preparing renewable energy facilities for clean energy storage and distribution

Directs the state energy planning board to conduct a study on time frames for replacing or upgrading battery energy storage systems at renewable energy facilities in preparation for clean energy storage and distribution across the state.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyDirects study on renewable energy storage upgrades, advancing clean energy infrastructure preparation and distribution readiness.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDirects study on renewable energy storage infrastructure for clean energy distribution, advancing environmental protection through clean energy promotion and grid modernization.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · New York · Senate May 13, 2026

S 2476: Requires the chair of the public service commission create rules, regulations, policies, and procedures for the creation of a resilient electric vehicle charging system pilot program

Requires the chair of the public service commission create rules, regulations, policies, and procedures for the creation of a resilient electric vehicle charging system pilot program to provide power through an extended outage.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyCreates EV charging infrastructure pilot program, directly advancing renewable energy adoption and clean transportation infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates EV charging infrastructure, supporting clean energy adoption and reduced transportation emissions80% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationPromotes sustainable transportation infrastructure by establishing EV charging pilot program for resilience during outages, aligning with transportation policy goals.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · New York · Senate May 13, 2026

S 8272: Includes Hague Brook in the list of inland waterways eligible for the local waterfront revitalization program

This bill adds Hague Brook to the list of waterways eligible for New York's local waterfront revitalization program. It directly affects communities along Hague Brook, allowing them to access state funding and support for projects like park improvements, erosion control, and public access. The key mechanism is an amendment to the executive law that expands the existing list of qualifying waterways, which already includes dozens of creeks and brooks across the state. The change makes Hague Brook formally eligible for the same revitalization resources available to other listed waterways.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAdds Hague Brook to waterfront program enabling erosion control and park projects, directly supporting waterway conservation and environmental protection.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · New York · Senate May 12, 2026

S 548: Authorizes the state to convey certain forest preserve land

Authorizes the state to convey certain forest preserve land; provides such sale shall be subject to legislative approval and the proceeds of such conveyance shall be used for acquisitions to the forest preserve.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directs sale proceeds to acquire additional forest preserve land, actively expanding conservation efforts rather than depleting resources.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · New York · Senate May 12, 2026

S 2493: Relates to the community air monitoring program

Requires that an assessment of the role that permit approvals for air contamination sources plays in contributing to stationary and mobile sources of air pollution be included in an addendum to the strategies for the development of community emission reduction programs; requires disclosure of last mile warehouse permits.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires assessment of permit impacts on air pollution and disclosure of warehouse permits to inform community emission reduction strategies, enhancing environmental transparency and accountability.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · New York · Senate May 11, 2026

S 4691: Prohibits the sale and distribution of certain mercury-added lamps

Prohibits the sale and distribution of compact fluorescent mercury-added lamps and linear fluorescent mercury-added lamps on and after January 1, 2029; provides exceptions; allows for sale of otherwise prohibited lamps from existing stock acquired prior to such date.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits mercury-added lamps, reducing environmental pollution from mercury emissions, a key pollution control measure in environmental protection.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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in committee · New York · Senate May 5, 2026

S 4842: Relates to the utilization of renewable energy at state-owned facilities in Albany

Enacts the "Renewable Capitol act"; requires the office of general services, in consultation with the power authority of the state of New York, to ensure that all operations that power, heat or cool the empire state plaza complex shall entirely use renewable energy systems; requires the office of general services to establish an advisory committee to advise the office of general services on the preparation, design and content of a plan for the use of renewable energy systems.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates renewable energy use for state facilities and establishes planning committee, directly advancing renewable energy adoption in public infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates 100% renewable energy for state facilities, reducing emissions and promoting clean energy use per bill's requirements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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