Environment

in committee · New York · Senate Jun 3, 2026

S 9133: Enacts the low impact landscaping rights act

Enacts the low impact landscaping rights act, preventing homeowners' associations from adopting or enforcing any rules or regulations that would effectively prohibit, or impose unreasonable limitations on, the installation or maintenance of low impact landscaping.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPrevents HOA restrictions on low-impact landscaping, promoting water conservation and reduced chemical use, aligning with environmental protection goals.85% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Mar 11, 2026

A 10353: Relates to the zero emissions vehicle and clean burning fuel vehicle rebate program

This bill (A 10353) doubles rebates for zero emissions and clean burning fuel vehicle purchases under New York's existing rebate program. It increases the maximum rebate to $4,000 for vehicles with a 200+ mile EPA range, $2,000 for 40-199 mile range vehicles, and $1,000 for under 40 mile range vehicles. The bill also limits rebates to $1,000 for vehicles priced over $42,000 regardless of range. These changes directly affect eligible vehicle buyers seeking to reduce emissions, with the program taking effect 90 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases state spending by doubling rebates under the vehicle program, directly allocating more funds to incentivize zero-emission vehicle purchases.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyDoubles rebates for zero-emission vehicles, directly promoting renewable transportation and reducing fossil fuel dependence through increased financial incentives for clean energy adoption.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDoubles rebates for zero-emission vehicles, increasing incentives for lower-emission transportation and directly reducing vehicle emissions per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles

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in committee · New York · Senate Feb 27, 2026

S 9304: Prohibits the use of trawling, gill nets, and trammel nets except for scientific purposes; repealer

This bill prohibits commercial and recreational fishing using trawls, gill nets, and trammel nets in most New York coastal waters, including Long Island Sound, specific bays (like Great South Bay), and designated shoreline areas. It exempts only scientific research activities authorized by the environmental department. The ban applies to all waters listed in the law, such as coastal zones near Rockaway Point, Fire Island, and Lake Erie. Fishermen in these areas would need a scientific research permit to use these nets instead of standard fishing licenses.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits destructive fishing methods (trawling, gill nets) in coastal waters to protect marine ecosystems, aligning with conservation and natural resource protection goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 2, 2026

A 10117: Establishes a stakeholder group in the Oswego river basin

This bill creates a stakeholder group to coordinate water releases in the Oswego river basin, directly affecting entities managing flood discharges, local communities, and the Department of Environmental Conservation. The group must review flood storage and watershed release strategies, including modeling, and recommend a regulatory structure for coordinating water releases during high-flow events. Within six months of forming, the group must propose options to the governor and legislature, such as continuing the group, mandating coordination, or establishing a water regulating district. The bill requires the group to consider all available data and make specific recommendations on how to improve communication and water management during flood events.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates stakeholder group involving DEC to coordinate water releases and review flood storage/watershed strategies, directly supporting environmental conservation and resource management in river basin.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation Water Quality

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 10354: Establishes the New York State grid reliability and energy affordability transition (GREAT) act

Establishes the New York State grid reliability and energy affordability transition (GREAT) act; establishes the virtual power plant program to help reduce energy costs and grid reliability risks; provides incentives to participants for supporting the grid by investing in distributed energy resources and reducing net energy costs.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill creates virtual power plant program with incentives for distributed energy resources to reduce costs and improve grid reliability, directly advancing renewable energy infrastructure and consumer affordability.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes distributed energy resources and grid reliability through clean energy incentives, aligning with environmental protection and clean energy goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Grid

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 9115: Relates to the management of PFAS in biosolids

Relates to the management of PFAS in biosolids in the state by requiring testing and reporting of certain groundwater, biosolids, and soil and establishing a moratorium on the sale and use of biosolids; establishes the PFAS agricultural response program and fund to assist farms found to have levels of PFAS contamination which exceed regulatory standards.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires PFAS testing, moratorium on contaminated biosolids, and funds cleanup to protect soil/water from pollution95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

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in committee · New York · Assembly Mar 2, 2026

A 10138: Relates to the management of PFAS in biosolids

Relates to the management of PFAS in biosolids in the state by requiring testing and reporting of certain groundwater, biosolids, and soil and establishing a moratorium on the sale and use of biosolids; establishes the PFAS agricultural response program and fund to assist farms found to have levels of PFAS contamination which exceed regulatory standards.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires PFAS testing/reporting, moratorium on biosolids use, and establishes fund for contamination remediation - directly addresses pollution control95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

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failed · New York · Assembly May 20, 2026

A 10238: Relates to exempting school buses from certain regulations on the percentage of zero-emission vehicles in manufacturers' sales fleets

Exempts school buses from certain regulations relating to the percentage of zero-emission vehicles in manufacturer's sales fleets of medium-duty and heavy-duty vehicles.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts school buses from zero-emission vehicle fleet requirements, weakening emissions regulations and reducing pressure for cleaner transportation.90% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationExempts school buses from zero-emission vehicle requirements, weakening sustainable transportation mandates in vehicle regulations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles

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in committee · New York · Senate Feb 27, 2026

S 9324: Changes the state's metrics for measuring greenhouse gas emissions

S 9324 changes how the state measures greenhouse gas emissions by updating the timeframe used to calculate "carbon dioxide equivalent" from 20 years to 100 years. This means emissions will now be assessed based on their long-term warming impact over a century, rather than a shorter 20-year period. The bill directly affects state environmental agencies and programs that track emissions, as they must use this new metric for reporting and analysis. The change modifies a specific definition in environmental law without altering emission reduction targets or creating new regulations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentChanges emissions metric to 100-year timeframe, aligning with long-term climate impact assessment, strengthening environmental reporting accuracy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

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passed · New York · Senate Apr 28, 2026

S 9311: Directs the department of environmental conservation to conduct a study of ecological restoration needs of Jamaica Bay

Directs the department of environmental conservation to conduct a study of ecological restoration needs of Jamaica Bay; imposes a five-year moratorium on placing sediment or fill in the borrow pits in Jamaica Bay.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDirects study of ecological restoration and imposes moratorium on sediment/fill in Jamaica Bay, protecting habitat and preventing degradation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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