Environment

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1532: Relates to the sale of composting bags

This bill (A 1532) requires all composting bags sold within the state - including yard waste bags, leaf bags, and similar products - to be made of paper, not plastic. It directly affects retailers selling these bags and manufacturers producing them. Violations carry a $500 penalty per offense for both retailers and manufacturers. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, and defines "compost materials" as items like leaves, grass clippings, and garden debris.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans plastic compost bags, requiring paper alternatives to reduce plastic waste and pollution in composting systems, directly advancing environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6099: Relates to credits against tax for homeowners and businesses who invest in green infrastructure

This bill creates tax credits for New York homeowners and businesses that install qualifying green infrastructure on their property. Homeowners can claim up to 50% of costs (capped at $10,000) for features like rain gardens, permeable pavement, or green roofs, while businesses get up to 50% (capped at $5,000). Eligibility requires New York residency for 24 months (homeowners) or 36 months (businesses) with property located in the state. The credit applies to specific, cost-effective stormwater management systems designed to reduce runoff and provide community benefits, such as rainwater harvesting or downspout disconnection.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credits (up to 50% cost) for green infrastructure, reducing tax liability for eligible homeowners/businesses, aligning with tax relief indicators.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill provides tax credits for green infrastructure (rain gardens, green roofs) to manage stormwater and reduce pollution, directly advancing environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 22, 2026

A 775: Establishes a tax exemption for buildings with bird-friendly design

This bill creates a tax exemption for new construction or major improvements in cities with over one million residents that meet certified bird-friendly design standards. It exempts 100% of the *additional cost* for bird-friendly features (like special glass that prevents bird collisions) during the first six years, then gradually reduces the exemption to 20% by year 10. Property owners must document the work, obtain certification from an accredited professional, and file proof with local assessors. The exemption applies only to construction starting January 1, 2025, or later, and requires a minimum $10,000 investment in qualifying features.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax exemption for bird-friendly building features, offering tax relief to property owners through reduced tax burden on certified construction costs.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes bird conservation by incentivizing collision-preventive building designs, directly supporting environmental protection through wildlife preservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives

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in committee · New York · Assembly Feb 10, 2026

A 4615: Enacts the dark skies protection act

This bill requires most outdoor lighting fixtures (like those on buildings, streets, and parking lots) to be shielded by January 1, 2028, to reduce light pollution. It directly affects property owners, businesses, municipalities, and recreational facilities, which must turn off non-essential lighting between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Exemptions include airport navigation lights, emergency lighting, and certain historical or cultural sites. The law aims to protect dark skies for wildlife and stargazing, conserve energy, and reduce carbon emissions, with implementation beginning in 2028.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directly reduces light pollution to protect wildlife and dark skies, aligning with environmental conservation goals through mandatory lighting restrictions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Wildlife

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7134: Requires the establishment of carbon capture projects

Requires the establishment of carbon capture projects in order to achieve the greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals of the climate leadership and community protection act.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires carbon capture projects to meet emissions goals under climate act, directly supporting emissions reduction efforts in energy sector.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates carbon capture projects to achieve greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals, directly advancing climate protection and pollution control as required by the climate act.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1345: Requires the department of environmental conservation to conduct a study on sea level rise in cities with a population of one million or more

Requires the department of environmental conservation to conduct a study on sea level rise in cities with a population of one million or more and to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed rules and regulations, to the temporary president of the senate, the speaker of the assembly, the chairs of senate and assembly environmental conservation committees, the chair of the senate finance committee and the chair of the assembly ways and means committee no later than December 31, 2028.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates study on sea level rise (climate adaptation) to inform future regulations, advancing environmental protection efforts per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6308: Relates to requiring reporting and verification of greenhouse gas emissions by certain entities

Requires reporting and verification of scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions by a business with total annual revenues in excess of one billion dollars ($1,000,000,000) that does business in New York; requires regulations and disclosures.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires emissions reporting for large businesses, advancing climate goals by mandating transparency and accountability in greenhouse gas reductions related to energy production and consumption.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates emissions reporting/verification for large businesses, strengthening oversight of greenhouse gas emissions under environmental protection framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 543: Establishes a forestry stewardship and habitat conservation credit for personal income and business franchise taxes

S 543 creates a tax credit for New York landowners who commit to forestry stewardship or habitat conservation on eligible land. Landowners with at least 25 contiguous acres certified as valuable wildlife habitat or suitable for recreation (e.g., fishing, hunting) can claim a credit equal to 25% of real property taxes paid on that land, up to $10,000 annually. To qualify, land must be part of a 5-year agreement with the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation, recorded publicly, and maintained under approved conservation plans. This credit directly affects private landowners managing conservation-eligible properties, reducing their personal income and business franchise tax burden.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit reducing property tax burden for qualifying landowners, aligning with tax relief support indicators.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill incentivizes habitat conservation and forestry stewardship through tax credits, directly promoting environmental protection and natural resource conservation on eligible land.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Conservation Forestry Wildlife

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4409: Relates to enacting the environmentally conscious purchasing act

Relates to enacting the "environmentally conscious purchasing act"; prohibits state agencies and political subdivisions from purchasing single-use plastic products; defines terms; provides exceptions for medical reasons and garbage collection.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits state agencies from purchasing single-use plastics, reducing pollution and advancing environmental protection goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3904: Relates to enacting the environmentally conscious purchasing act

Relates to enacting the "environmentally conscious purchasing act"; prohibits state agencies and political subdivisions from purchasing single-use plastic products; defines terms; provides exceptions for medical reasons and garbage collection.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits state agencies from purchasing single-use plastics, directly reducing plastic pollution and aligning with environmental protection goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

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