Environment (Air Quality)

passed · New York · Senate May 12, 2026

J 2048: Commemorating the 30th Anniversary of Greenest Block in Brooklyn, an annual contest by Brooklyn Botanical Garden

This bill is a Senate resolution that officially recognizes the 30th anniversary of the "Greenest Block in Brooklyn" contest organized by the Brooklyn Botanical Garden. The measure highlights the contest's role in encouraging residents to add plants to their neighborhoods, which can improve air quality, increase property values, and boost community pride. The resolution does not change any laws or allocate new funds but instead directs the state legislature to pause briefly to honor the event and sends a copy of the document to the botanical garden.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill honors a contest promoting urban greening and air quality improvement, aligning with environmental protection goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality

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in committee · New York · Senate Apr 8, 2026

S 9856: Imposes corporate fines for violations of certain provisions of law

This bill amends New York's environmental conservation laws to establish significantly higher monetary fines for corporations that violate specific environmental regulations. It directly affects businesses by increasing the maximum penalties for criminal convictions and civil penalties related to hazardous waste and air pollution violations. Under the new rules, corporate fines for serious offenses can reach up to three million dollars, which is ten times the previous limit for individuals, and civil daily penalties for ongoing violations are also substantially raised. The legislation ensures that corporate punishments remain proportional to the severity of the crime and the potential financial gain from the violation.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens environmental protections by imposing significantly higher fines for corporate violations of hazardous waste and air pollution regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Conservation Hazardous Materials

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 723: Requires the installation of air quality monitors in all subway stations

Requires the installation of air quality monitors in all subway stations; requires data from the air quality monitors to be accessible to the public; requires remedial action to improve air quality when it is found to exceed safe levels.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires air quality monitoring in subways with public data access and remedial action for unsafe levels - directly strengthens pollution control measures.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates air quality monitors in subway stations to ensure safety standards, directly enhancing public transit safety as per transportation topic indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Public Transit

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 14, 2026

A 8766: Relates to the standards for openable windows in residential units

This bill (A 8766) changes requirements for new residential buildings by allowing mechanical ventilation systems to satisfy the openable window rule. It requires newly built or converted residential units to meet ASHRAE Standard 62.1 for indoor air quality instead of having operable windows. Local governments are prohibited from enforcing openable window rules for units that comply with this mechanical ventilation standard. The law applies to all new residential developments, including conversions of non-residential buildings, and takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentReplaces natural ventilation (open windows) with energy-intensive mechanical systems, potentially increasing building energy use and emissions, weakening environmental protections.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 980: Provides for the protection of the air quality at day care centers licensed by the state and head start day care centers funded pursuant to federal law

Provides for the protection of the air quality at licensed day care centers and head start day care centers funded pursuant to federal law; requires the office of children and family services to consult with the commissioners of environmental conservation and health regarding the air quality and environmental hazards that may be involved with any new day care center or head start day care center; requires such office to consult with the department of health if any new environmental or environmental health hazard arises.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates environmental conservation consultation for day care air quality, directly protecting children from environmental hazards per title/summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Conservation

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6609: Relates to water contamination, lead paint and air quality testing in New York city housing authority buildings

S 6609 requires New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) to conduct annual testing for lead paint, water contamination (lead/copper), and indoor air quality in all its buildings. NYCHA must report results to the health commissioner, notify tenants if lead is found or air quality exceeds standards, and becomes liable for health damages caused by failures in these areas. The bill also criminalizes employee falsification of test records, with penalties including criminal charges and law enforcement referrals. This directly affects NYCHA operations and the health safety of its approximately 400,000 tenants across 170,000 units.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates annual testing for lead/water contamination and air quality in public housing, holds NYCHA liable for failures, and criminalizes falsification - strengthening pollution control and environmental health protections.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires NYCHA to test for hazards, notify tenants, and be liable for health damages - directly strengthening tenant protections in public housing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Water Quality

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4541: Relates to air quality in schools and student health

Authorizes the department of health to establish an indoor air quality inspection, measurement and evaluation program; defines terms; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes air quality inspections in schools to protect student health, enhancing school infrastructure and safety for learning environment.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes indoor air quality inspection program to measure and evaluate pollutants in schools, directly addressing pollution control within the environment topic.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Air Quality

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5618: Implements several programs to improve indoor air quality

Implements several programs to improve indoor air quality, including establishing photo-catalytic air scavenging technology certification centers and a weatherization and energy efficiency training program; establishes the office of workforce development and indoor air quality management training, minimum wage rates for indoor air quality workers, and the indoor air quality fund.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes programs to improve indoor air quality, directly reducing pollution and aligning with environmental protection indicators.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes minimum wage rates for indoor air quality workers and creates workforce development training programs, directly advancing wage standards and employment training.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Minimum Wage Professional Licensing Workforce Development

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5347: Relates to air quality in schools and student health

Authorizes the department of health to establish an indoor air quality inspection, measurement and evaluation program; defines terms; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill improves school infrastructure via indoor air quality inspections, directly supporting student health and learning environments per education topic criteria.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes indoor air quality inspections in schools to reduce pollutant exposure, directly supporting pollution control under environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5078: Establishes an indoor air quality inspection and evaluation program

Establishes an indoor air quality inspection and evaluation program which shall: promulgate regulations for inspections, evaluations, acceptable levels of hazardous air pollutants, ventilation standards, notifications and best practices to improve indoor air quality in covered entities; enter into any necessary interagency agreements to coordinate the indoor air quality inspection and evaluation program; inspect a covered entity, upon their own initiative or upon complaint to the department regarding indoor air quality; provide results of an inspection with any appropriate local health authority, and any other person or department the department deems necessary; assist covered entities in developing reasonable plans to improve indoor air quality conditions including but not limited to those found during inspection; and develop and implement community outreach programs to educate the public on indoor air quality and risk reduction.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes regulations for indoor air pollutants, ventilation standards, and inspections to improve indoor air quality, directly advancing environmental protection and pollution control.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality

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