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 No ✗ Opposes 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 No ✗ Opposes 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 No ✗ Opposes 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 No ✗ Opposes 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 No ✗ Opposes 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 No ✗ Opposes Environment

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in committee · New York · Senate May 7, 2026

S 9478: Prohibits incentives for the siting or operation of commercial renewable energy systems in sensitive environmental areas

This bill prohibits government incentives for commercial renewable energy projects like solar farms in sensitive environmental areas and on active farmland, with specific exceptions for agrivoltaic systems that combine solar power with agriculture. It removes eligibility for financial assistance, zero emission credits, and tax exemptions for such projects located in critical environmental areas, bird conservation zones, grassland bird centers, and wildlife management areas. The legislation also formally defines agrivoltaics as solar systems that simultaneously produce energy and agricultural products without displacing farming activities, while excluding certain practices like sole reliance on pollinator habitats or sheep grazing. These changes directly affect developers proposing renewable energy projects and government agencies administering agricultural and environmental programs.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill removes financial assistance, zero emission credits, and tax exemptions for renewable energy projects, restricting government spending incentives and limiting fiscal support for clean energy initiatives.85% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill prohibits incentives for renewable energy systems in sensitive areas, restricting development and limiting financial support for clean energy projects.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill restricts renewable energy projects in sensitive areas by removing financial incentives, which limits clean energy deployment and environmental protection efforts.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

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passed · New York · Senate May 5, 2026

S 5014: Enacts the "Big Five African Trophies Act" relating to banning the importation, transportation and possession of certain African wildlife species and products

Enacts the "Big Five African Trophies Act" relating to banning the importation, transportation and possession of certain African wildlife species and products.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans importation/possession of African wildlife trophies to protect endangered species, directly advancing conservation goals per environmental topic definition.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

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died · New York · Senate May 5, 2026

S 1343: Establishes the "clean fuel standard of 2026"

Establishes the "clean fuel standard of 2026"; provides such standard is intended to reduce greenhouse gas intensity from the on-road transportation sector, with further reductions to be implemented based upon advances in technology.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes clean fuel standard to reduce greenhouse gas intensity in transportation, directly advancing renewable energy adoption and reducing fossil fuel dependence.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes clean fuel standard to reduce transportation GHG emissions, directly advancing climate goals per its summary.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes clean fuel standard targeting on-road transportation emissions reduction, directly advancing sustainable transportation policies per summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

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passed both · New York · Assembly May 4, 2026

A 1388: Relates to the definition of coal tar and its use in pavement products

This bill amends New York's environmental conservation law to define "coal tar" for pavement products. It specifies that coal tar is a thick liquid from coal distillation containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) above 1,000 milligrams per kilogram. The definition explicitly includes certain residues like ethylene or steam cracked residues. This change directly affects manufacturers and suppliers of pavement materials using coal tar, as it sets a clear regulatory threshold for PAH levels. The bill was advanced to third reading in April 2025 but was later substituted by S3179.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill defines coal tar with PAH threshold (1,000mg/kg) to restrict high-pollution pavement products, strengthening environmental regulations on pollution control.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

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