Environment

in committee · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 5447: Directs the department of environmental conservation to establish a composting symbol

This bill requires New York's Department of Environmental Conservation to create a standardized symbol identifying products acceptable for composting at all facilities it oversees. It mandates the department to develop the symbol, define specific product categories that must display it (such as single-use food containers, utensils, and compostable plastics - distinct from biodegradable items), and establish rules with enforcement penalties. The symbol aims to clarify which items can be safely composted, directly affecting manufacturers of these products and composting facilities. Implementation rules will govern how the symbol is used and enforced.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill standardizes compostable product identification to reduce landfill waste, promote proper composting, and clarify pollution control for single-use items, directly advancing environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Recycling

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6847: Requires that any rules or regulations promulgated by the department of environmental conservation pursuant to the climate action fund are subject to a vote of the legislature for approval

Requires that any rules or regulations promulgated by the department of environmental conservation pursuant to the climate action fund are subject to a vote of the legislature and must be approved by a majority vote prior to implementation.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill requires legislative approval for climate action fund regulations, potentially delaying or blocking implementation of energy policies related to climate action.85% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRequires legislative approval for environmental regulations, adding hurdles to implementation and weakening regulatory effectiveness of climate action fund rules.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4013: Relates to unlawfully deceptive acts or practices regarding environmental marketing claims

This bill prohibits businesses from making misleading environmental marketing claims, such as falsely claiming "net zero" emissions or using truthful statements to create a false impression about a product's environmental benefits ("paltering"). It specifically bans deceptive "net zero" claims that fail to clearly define emissions coverage, over-rely on carbon offsets, or lack supporting evidence. The law directly affects companies marketing products or services with environmental claims, requiring them to substantiate all representations. It also allows consumers to sue without proving financial harm, strengthening enforcement against deceptive practices.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits deceptive environmental marketing (e.g., false 'net zero' claims), strengthening transparency and preventing misleading claims about environmental benefits.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4831: Authorizes local water and sewerage authorities to charge fees for surface runoff

This bill allows local water and sewer authorities to charge fees based on property size and impervious area (like paved surfaces that prevent rain absorption) to fund stormwater management. Authorities can offer fee discounts for income-eligible properties or credits for installing eco-friendly solutions like permeable pavement that reduce runoff. All collected fees must directly support stormwater management programs within the district, including green infrastructure projects. Agricultural properties may be exempt from these fees, and revenue cannot duplicate existing stormwater funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates fee-based funding for stormwater management, directly supporting public infrastructure spending through targeted user fees and income-eligible discounts.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds stormwater management via fees and incentives for green infrastructure, directly reducing runoff pollution and protecting water resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

Track

passed · New York · Senate May 4, 2026

S 4030: Relates to emissions of toxic air contaminants

Bill S 4030 directs the Department of Environmental Conservation to establish ambient air quality standards for specific toxic air contaminants, such as benzene and mercury, by December 31, 2027. These standards must be based on scientific data regarding potential adverse human health effects. The bill requires that starting in 2028, these toxic air contaminants be incorporated into permits for "major sources" - large stationary air contamination sources. Additionally, the department must establish regulations by December 31, 2027, for fenceline monitoring by major sources, especially considering their proximity to disadvantaged communities.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates stricter air quality standards for toxic contaminants, requiring permits to incorporate health-based limits by 2028, strengthening pollution control.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Conservation

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4239: Creates a sustainable development task force to study the feasibility of adopting a regulatory system to achieve the goal of sustainable development

Creates a fifteen member sustainable development task force to study the feasibility of adopting a goal oriented and performance based regulatory system to achieve the goal of sustainable development in the state; sets forth certain goals and makes provision for organization of the task force.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates task force to study regulatory system for sustainable development, aligning with environmental protection goals85% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3975: Establishes an economy-wide cap and invest program to support greenhouse gas emissions reductions in the state by setting a maximum allowable amount of emissions and regulating the sale or auction of allowances

Establishes an economy-wide cap and invest program to support greenhouse gas emissions reductions in the state by setting a maximum allowable amount of greenhouse gas emissions by covered entities and regulating the sale or auction of greenhouse gas emissions allowances to covered entities.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, directly incentivizing renewable energy adoption and reducing fossil fuel dependence through emissions limits and allowance markets.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes emissions cap and allowance auctions to reduce greenhouse gases, directly advancing climate protection and pollution control per its explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

Track

passed · New York · Senate Apr 22, 2026

S 1833: Enacts the "harmful algal bloom monitoring and prevention act"

S 1833 creates New York's "harmful algal bloom monitoring and prevention act," establishing a state program to address toxic algae outbreaks in waterways. It requires state agencies to collect, consolidate, and analyze statewide data on harmful algal blooms (HABs), including water conditions and prevention efforts, and maintain a public database. The law mandates annual publication of region-specific best practices for HAB prevention and a comprehensive five-year report with public input, recommending coordinated state and local actions. This directly affects state environmental agencies and local municipalities managing water resources, focusing on data-driven prevention rather than new regulations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes monitoring/prevention program for toxic algae outbreaks in waterways, requiring data collection, public databases, and prevention practices to protect water quality and ecosystems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1260: Limits tinted green and brown to compostable plastic bags for the purposes of bag waste reduction

This bill (S 1260) requires that exempt bags - such as those used for food, pharmacy items, or bulk produce - cannot be tinted green or brown unless they are made of compostable plastic. It amends existing exemptions in environmental law to add this color restriction, ensuring only truly compostable bags can use these colors. The rule applies directly to businesses selling or using these specific bag types under current waste reduction exemptions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRestricts non-compostable plastic bags to promote waste reduction and compostable alternatives, strengthening environmental regulations on bag disposal.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

Track

failed · New York · Senate May 5, 2026

S 3652: Prohibits certain restrictions on motor vehicle sales

This bill prohibits state agencies, departments, or municipalities from restricting the sale or use of motor vehicles based on their energy source (e.g., gasoline, electric, hybrid). It directly affects vehicle buyers, dealers, and local governments by blocking regulations that target specific fuel types. The key provision amends environmental conservation law to explicitly override any existing rules limiting vehicles by fuel type, applying immediately. This changes how vehicle regulations can be structured but does not create new requirements for vehicle standards.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill prevents restrictions on electric/hybrid vehicles, removing barriers to alternative energy sources in transportation. Explicitly enables all vehicle energy types without discrimination, advancing renewable energy adoption in mobility.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill overrides environmental conservation law to block restrictions on polluting vehicle types (gasoline), weakening emissions regulations by preventing state-level bans on fossil fuel vehicles.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRemoves restrictions on electric/hybrid vehicle sales, enabling broader adoption of sustainable transport options by overriding fuel-type regulations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Conservation Electric Vehicles

Track