Environment

Delays the zero-emission school bus mandate for a period of five years; requires school districts to only purchase or lease zero-emission school buses by 2032 and requires school districts to only operate and maintain zero-emission school buses by 2040.

Enacts the "sustainable affordable housing and sprawl prevention act"; exempts or limits environmental review under SEQR for the construction of certain new residential units to avoid creating unnecessary housing sprawl; limits certain rights to action under SEQR; makes related provisions.

S 8463 provides a one-year exemption from utility taxes and specific surcharges for all residential and commercial utility customers, effective 14 days after enactment. It also creates a two-year exemption from tariffs for renewable energy systems, electric vehicle infrastructure, and charging stations. During these periods, utility companies must reduce customer prices by the exact amount of the exempted taxes and surcharges. The state will reimburse lost revenue to utility funds within 45 days after the one-year period ends. This bill directly affects all utility ratepayers and impacts how utilities price services for renewable energy investments.