Environment

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 May 7, 2026

A 11032: Directs state agencies to adopt a waste diversion plan

This bill requires state agencies and public authorities to create and submit waste diversion plans aimed at significantly reducing how much trash they send to landfills. Affected entities must set a goal to cut waste disposal by ten percent every five years, starting from a 2018-2019 baseline, with a long-term target of a seventy-five percent reduction. The plans must include strategies for recycling and composting, a timeline for auditing waste, steps to eliminate single-use plastics where safe, and consideration of better recycling sorting methods. A council of top state officials will oversee these efforts, review progress every five years, and update the goals as needed. All submitted plans must be made available to the public on the environmental department's website.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates waste diversion plans to reduce landfill use, promote recycling, and cut waste by 75%.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

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signed · New York · Senate Aug 14, 2026

S 10046: Extends the authority of the department of environmental conservation to manage the American eel

This bill extends the Department of Environmental Conservation's authority to manage the American eel until December 31, 2029. The change updates the expiration date in the Environmental Conservation Law to ensure the department can continue its oversight of this species for several more years. Once passed, the law takes effect immediately without requiring further administrative steps.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill extends DEC authority to manage American eel, strengthening conservation of natural resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

signed · New York · Senate Aug 14, 2026

S 10072: Extends the authority of the department of environmental conservation to manage winter flounder

This bill extends the Department of Environmental Conservation's authority to manage winter flounder fisheries until December 31, 2029. It allows the department to set and update regulations regarding fishing seasons, catch limits, gear restrictions, and permit requirements for this specific fish species. These rules must remain consistent with existing state laws and federal fishery management plans. The legislation applies directly to commercial and recreational fishermen targeting winter flounder in the state's waters.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill extends authority to manage winter flounder fisheries, enabling conservation of natural resources and sustainable fishing practices.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

in committee · New York · Senate May 15, 2026

S 10404: Directs the department of transportation and the New York state thruway authority to identify sites along all highways, thruways and parkways in the state for wildlife crossings

Enacts the "New York wildlife crossing act"; directs the department of transportation and the New York state thruway authority, in consultation with the department of environmental conservation and the department of motor vehicles, to identify sites along all highways, thruways and parkways in the state where wildlife crossings are most needed to increase public safety and improve habitat connectivity and create a priority list of wildlife opportunity areas where federal grant monies may be available to implement the top five projects identified.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates identification of wildlife crossings to improve habitat connectivity and protect biodiversity, directly supporting environmental conservation.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates identifying sites for wildlife crossings to enhance public safety and improve habitat connectivity on highways.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 28, 2026

A 11353: Extends the authority of the department of environmental conservation to manage Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon

This bill extends the authority of the Department of Environmental Conservation to manage Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon until December 31, 2029. The change allows state officials to continue regulating these specific fish species, which are important to the local ecosystem. By updating the expiration date in the Environmental Conservation Law, the legislation ensures ongoing oversight without altering the core management rules. The act takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill extends authority to manage sturgeon, a key species for ecosystem conservation, ensuring ongoing protection and regulation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 28, 2026

A 11361: Extends the authority of the department of environmental conservation regarding the management of fluke-summer flounder

This bill extends the Department of Environmental Conservation's authority to manage fluke and summer flounder fisheries until December 31, 2029. It allows the department to set and adjust regulations such as size limits, catch quotas, closed seasons, and gear requirements for these fish species. The new rules must remain consistent with existing state laws and federal fishery management plans to ensure compliance. The legislation takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens environmental conservation by extending authority to manage and regulate fluke and summer flounder fisheries, protecting natural resources.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · New York · Senate May 15, 2026

S 10487: Enacts the "data center water stewardship and reuse act"

Enacts the "data center water stewardship and reuse act" to reduce reliance on potable public water supply systems and increase use of recycled or reclaimed water; provides for data center water use management into the state's environmental conservation framework, ensuring sustainability, watershed protection, and technological innovation; establishes the dataácenter water stewardship fund.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates water reuse and conservation for data centers, directly protecting natural resources and reducing strain on public water supplies.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill promotes technological innovation and sustainability for data centers by funding water reuse and stewardship.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Water Quality

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in committee · New York · Senate Apr 30, 2026

S 10114: Prohibits the public service commission authority to order collection of charges from ratepayers for greenhouse gas reduction unrelated to the electric grid

Prohibits the public service commission authority to order collection of charges from ratepayers for greenhouse gas reduction unrelated to the electric grid.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill restricts utility charges for greenhouse gas reduction unrelated to the grid, limiting clean energy initiatives and potentially weakening energy transition efforts.85% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill restricts the ability to charge ratepayers for greenhouse gas reductions, limiting funding for environmental initiatives.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Renewable Energy Utility Regulation Climate Change

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in committee · New York · Assembly Apr 8, 2026

A 10891: Exempts school districts located within a nuclear emergency planning zone from zero-emission school bus requirements

Exempts any school district located wholly or partially within a ten-mile plume exposure pathway emergency planning zone surrounding a nuclear power facility from the requirements of only purchasing or leasing zero-emission school buses and only operating and maintaining zero-emission school buses.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill exempts districts from zero-emission bus mandates, weakening clean energy adoption in schools.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill exempts districts from zero-emission bus mandates, weakening emission reduction efforts and environmental protections.85% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationBill exempts specific school districts from zero-emission bus requirements, limiting the expansion of sustainable transportation and clean vehicle adoption.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Nuclear Electric Vehicles Public Transit

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