Environment

in committee · New York · Assembly May 1, 2026

A 11189: Relates to the reporting and remediation of certain sites following municipal notification to the department of environmental conservation

Requires a municipality to notify the department of environmental conservation about certain sites containing illegal or hazardous substances; requires the department of environmental conservation to notify the United States environmental protection agency and create a remediation plan for the affected site.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates reporting and remediation of hazardous sites, directly strengthening environmental protection and pollution control.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Hazardous Materials

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passed · New York · Assembly May 7, 2026

K 1304: Recognizing June 8, 2026, as World Oceans Day

This bill designates June 8, 2026, as World Oceans Day in New York State to honor the global observance focused on ocean conservation. The resolution directs state officials to pause legislative proceedings on that date to acknowledge the importance of preserving marine ecosystems and educating the public about ocean health. Additionally, the bill requires that a copy of this resolution be sent to World Oceans Day events held throughout New York to encourage participation in related activities and initiatives.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill designates World Oceans Day to honor ocean conservation and promote public education on marine ecosystem preservation.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 28, 2026

A 11354: Extends the authority of the department of environmental conservation to manage blueback herring

This bill extends the Department of Environmental Conservation's authority to manage blueback herring populations until December 31, 2029. It achieves this by amending the state's environmental conservation law to update the expiration date for the department's existing management powers. The change applies directly to the department and allows it to continue regulating aspects of the fish's habitat and population without needing new legislation during the extended period. The act takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill extends authority to manage blueback herring populations, directly strengthening conservation of natural resources.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · New York · Senate May 29, 2026

S 10061: Extends the authority of the department of environmental conservation to manage sharks

This bill grants the Department of Environmental Conservation the authority to create and enforce regulations for managing sharks in state waters. Under the new rules, the department can set limits on shark size, catch amounts, and fishing seasons, while also controlling where and how sharks can be taken, transported, and sold. These regulations must align with existing state laws and comply with federal and regional fishery management plans. The changes take effect immediately and allow the department to update its approach to shark conservation until the end of 2029.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens environmental conservation by granting authority to regulate shark populations, protecting marine biodiversity and natural resources.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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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 May 21, 2026

S 10557: Relates to land owned by not-for-profit conservation organizations

Prohibits any lands owned by a not-for-profit conservation organization from being taken by adverse possession; creates a cause of action by which not-for-profit conservation organizations and public bodies may compel the removal of encroachments on open space lands, or lands subject to a conservation easement, and recover restoration costs, reasonable attorney's fees, and multiple damages as appropriate, thereby shifting the cost burden of enforcing encroachments to the responsible party and discouraging further harm to open space managed for the public's benefit.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill protects open space and conservation lands from adverse possession and encroachments, directly strengthening environmental conservation efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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signed · New York · Assembly Aug 14, 2026

A 11381: Extends the authority of the department of environmental conservation to manage sharks

This bill extends the Department of Environmental Conservation's authority to regulate sharks until December 31, 2029. It allows the department to set rules such as size limits, catch restrictions, closed seasons, and gear requirements for shark fishing. These regulations must be at least as strict as current laws and must align with existing plans from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and federal management acts. The changes take effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens environmental conservation by extending regulatory authority to protect shark populations and natural resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

in committee · New York · Senate May 15, 2026

S 10395: Creates a public education program concerning water use reduction; expands the water conservation manual and requires smart controllers for automatic irrigation systems

Creates a public education program concerning water use reduction for communities which rely on groundwater for water supply; expands the water conservation manual; requires smart controllers for automatic irrigation systems.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates smart irrigation controllers and public education to reduce water use, directly conserving natural resources and protecting groundwater supplies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 15, 2026

A 11418: Relates to land owned by not-for-profit conservation organizations

Prohibits any lands owned by a not-for-profit conservation organization from being taken by adverse possession; creates a cause of action by which not-for-profit conservation organizations and public bodies may compel the removal of encroachments on open space lands, or lands subject to a conservation easement, and recover restoration costs, reasonable attorney's fees, and multiple damages as appropriate, thereby shifting the cost burden of enforcing encroachments to the responsible party and discouraging further harm to open space managed for the public's benefit.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill protects conservation lands from adverse possession and empowers removal of encroachments, directly strengthening environmental preservation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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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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