Environment

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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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 30, 2026

A 9115: Relates to a constitutional right to hunt, trap and fish

This bill proposes adding a constitutional right to hunt, trap, and fish to the state constitution. It states that these activities are part of the state's heritage and must be preserved, requiring state laws to manage wildlife while allowing traditional hunting, fishing, and trapping methods. The bill directly affects hunters, anglers, trappers, and state wildlife agencies, as it mandates that all management must balance preserving this heritage with conservation. Key provisions require state regulations to consistently protect both public access to these activities and wildlife populations, subject to reasonable state rules. The amendment must be referred to the next legislative session after the upcoming election for further consideration.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates wildlife management must balance hunting heritage with conservation, requiring conservation as a core component. This directly supports environmental conservation of natural resources per topic description.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5735: Establishes a moratorium on certain local laws, ordinances, rules or regulations, by a city with a population of one million or more, related to achieving certain reductions in greenhouse gas emissions

Establishes a moratorium on the adoption and/or implementation of certain local laws or ordinances, or certain rules or regulations, by a city with a population of one million or more, related to achieving certain reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBlocks local climate regulations that would reduce emissions, preventing cities from advancing renewable energy policies.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill blocks cities from implementing local greenhouse gas reduction measures, directly restricting environmental action to limit emissions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

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failed · New York · Senate May 5, 2026

S 5611: Establishes a climate action cost council; limits the number of rules and regulations that may be promulgated annually regarding certain climate goals

This bill establishes a 9-member Climate Action Cost Council to review climate-related regulations. State agencies must get the council’s 2/3 approval before adopting new rules to meet climate goals, and can issue no more than five such rules annually. The council must consider costs to businesses and ratepayers, grid reliability, and emissions reductions before approving proposals. Agencies must notify the council 60 days in advance of proposed rules, and the council will report annual costs and emissions data to the governor and legislature.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill limits annual climate regulations to 5, requiring council approval, restricting implementation of clean energy policies and emissions standards.85% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill requires 2/3 council approval for climate regulations and caps annual rules at five, prioritizing business costs over emissions reductions, restricting environmental regulation implementation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Grid

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passed · New York · Assembly Mar 4, 2025

K 159: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2025, as Native Plant Month in the State of New York

This bill is a symbolic resolution requesting Governor Hochul to declare April 2025 as "Native Plant Month" in New York State, aligning with National Native Plant Month. It does not create new laws or requirements but asks the Governor to formally recognize the ecological importance of native plants through a public proclamation. The resolution highlights how native plants support local wildlife, improve ecosystems, and are well-adapted to New York's environment. It directly affects the Governor's office and aims to encourage public awareness and actions like planting native species. (2 sentences, as it is a procedural resolution)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentSymbolic recognition of native plants' ecological benefits supports environmental conservation through awareness, though it lacks policy implementation.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7074: Relates to repeat violators who endanger the public health, safety or the environment

This bill (A 7074) increases penalties for individuals or entities repeatedly violating environmental laws that endanger public health, safety, or the environment. It creates a new "fourth degree" offense for those convicted of prior related crimes (like releasing hazardous substances) within the past ten years. The key change upgrades penalties: repeat violations now classified as a class A misdemeanor (up from lower offenses), while higher-level repeat offenses (third and second degree) become class E and D felonies, respectively. This directly affects businesses or individuals with prior environmental violations who reoffend, imposing stricter legal consequences for repeated harm.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill increases penalties for repeat environmental law violations, strengthening enforcement against endangering public health/safety/environment through upgraded misdemeanor classifications.95% confidence

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