Environment

passed · New York · Senate Mar 9, 2026

S 4369: Provides for memorial land facilities

This bill establishes a new permit requirement for "memorial lands facilities," which are areas primarily used for the respectful disposition of cremated and naturally organically reduced human remains. Operators of these facilities must be not-for-profit corporations and obtain a permit from the cemetery board. To receive a permit, they must file an operation plan that includes evidence of a perpetual conservation easement or that the lands are cemetery lands, and commit to not constructing crematories or columbariums on the site. The bill ensures these facilities conform to local zoning and are subject to regulatory oversight by the cemetery board.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates perpetual conservation easements for memorial land facilities, directly requiring land preservation and conservation, aligning with environmental protection and natural resource conservation.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · New York · Senate Mar 9, 2026

S 4995: Designates water development representatives for each environmental region of the state

Directs DEC to designate a representative for each environmental conservation region of the state to serve as the point of contact for municipalities to aid in the acquisition of resources and funding for water projects.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill designates DEC representatives to aid municipalities in securing resources/funding for water projects within environmental conservation regions, facilitating environmental resource management and conservation efforts.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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died · New York · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 2292: Enacts the whale awareness act

Enacts the whale awareness act directing the department of environmental conservation to establish recommendations and educational materials for reduction of marine mammal interactions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directs environmental department to reduce marine mammal interactions via education, directly advancing conservation of protected species per environmental protection indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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died · New York · Senate Mar 2, 2026

S 4403: Authorizes the attorney general to approve certain state land acquisitions made for the purposes of land conservation

Authorizes the attorney general to approve certain state land acquisitions made for the purposes of land conservation, and to accept a title policy from a commercial insurer to cover any title defects that would otherwise render the title unmarketable.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly authorizes land acquisitions for conservation, directly advancing natural resource protection and land conservation efforts.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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died · New York · Senate Feb 25, 2026

S 1529: Establishes a carbon farming tax credit for farmers

Establishes the carbon farming certification committee for the purpose of developing a certification framework, determining qualified carbon removal practices eligible for the carbon farming tax credit, and promulgating certification standards for qualified carbon removal practices; provides for the development of educational materials to encourage carbon farming by promoting farming practices which reduce, sequester and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions on land used in support of a farm operation; establishes carbon farming tax credits.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates tax credit for carbon farming, providing direct tax relief to farmers, explicitly impacting state tax policy and revenue.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill provides tax credit for carbon farming to increase sequestration, directly reducing emissions and advancing climate goals through agricultural practices.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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died · New York · Senate Feb 24, 2026

S 6307: Relates to the prevention and mitigation of marine and coastal debris

Relates to the prevention and mitigation of marine and coastal debris; defines terms; requires the department of environmental conservation to prepare and annually update a marine and coastal debris action plan.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates an action plan to prevent/mitigate marine debris, directly reducing pollution and protecting coastal ecosystems per environmental conservation goals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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signed · New York · Assembly Feb 13, 2026

A 9436: Relates to finding alternatives to the use of pesticides in the monarch preservation plan

Relates to finding alternatives to the use of pesticides in the monarch preservation plan and allowing agricultural lands that are not in active production be used to enhance the monarch butterfly habitat.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill seeks pesticide alternatives to protect monarch habitat, reducing chemical use and enhancing conservation efforts per its title and summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · New York · Assembly Feb 13, 2026

A 9478: Establishes a New York native plants designation; repealer

Directs the department of agriculture and markets, in cooperation with the department of environmental conservation, to establish standards for designation of native plants, to develop a list of native plants that indicates and differentiates between native plants that are indigenous to New York state and those that are native plants found elsewhere in the United States that are likely to shift or expand their range into NY, to establish a New York native plant designation, and to offer seals or logos identifying native plants as grown in New York state; defines "native plants".

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes native plant standards to conserve biodiversity and promote ecosystem health through designated native species, aligning with environmental conservation goals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

passed · New York · Senate Feb 10, 2026

S 9074: Enacts the "emission tampering act"

Prohibits the disabling, removal or interference with emission control devices and the use of emission tampering devices; provides remedies for the violation of such provisions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits tampering with emission control devices, directly reducing pollution and strengthening emissions regulations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · New York · Senate Feb 10, 2026

S 4513: Requires applicants for major projects located near an environmental justice community to submit an enhanced public participation plan

Senate Bill S 4513 requires applicants for major projects located in or within one mile of a disadvantaged community to submit an enhanced public participation plan. This plan, submitted to the environmental department, must describe the project's potential impacts, the affected community, and how public information and input will be managed. Key provisions include holding at least three public meetings, providing information in plain language, and offering translations into common non-English languages to ensure meaningful community involvement in the permit process.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires enhanced public participation plans for projects near environmental justice communities, ensuring community input on potential environmental impacts and strengthening protections for vulnerable areas.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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