Environment

in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 5, 2026

A 9408: Adds Salmon Creek in Monroe County to the definition of inland waterways

This bill amends New York State law to add Salmon Creek in Monroe County to the official list of inland waterways eligible for waterfront revitalization programs. It directly affects Salmon Creek by including it in the legal definition used for state conservation and development initiatives. The key mechanism is a technical update to Section 911 of the Executive Law, expanding the existing list of designated waterways. This change enables state resources and planning efforts focused on waterfront revitalization to now apply to Salmon Creek. The bill does not create new programs but extends existing eligibility to this specific waterway.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill adds Salmon Creek to eligible waterways for state conservation programs, enabling environmental protection and revitalization efforts under existing law.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 9313: Enacts the "New York state healthy and green procurement act"

The New York State Healthy and Green Procurement Act requires state agencies to consider environmental and health impacts when purchasing goods and services, such as office equipment, building materials, and vehicles. It amends state procurement law to include "life cycle costs," meaning agencies must factor in long-term environmental and health effects - like pollution prevention and resource use - alongside initial prices. The bill establishes a state procurement council with environmental, health, and business representatives to oversee implementation and ensure purchasing decisions prioritize safer, sustainable options. This policy directly affects all state agencies making purchases and vendors supplying to the state, aiming to reduce toxic chemical exposure and promote healthier, greener products across government operations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires life cycle costing in procurement, promoting fiscal responsibility by factoring long-term environmental and health costs alongside initial prices.80% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires state agencies to factor environmental impacts and life cycle costs into procurement, promoting energy efficiency through sustainable purchasing of equipment and vehicles.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates state agencies to consider environmental impacts and life cycle costs (pollution prevention, resource use) in procurement decisions, advancing environmental protection.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires environmental consideration in vehicle procurement, promoting sustainable transportation choices through life cycle cost analysis for state agency purchases.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Hazardous Materials

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 723: Requires the installation of air quality monitors in all subway stations

Requires the installation of air quality monitors in all subway stations; requires data from the air quality monitors to be accessible to the public; requires remedial action to improve air quality when it is found to exceed safe levels.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires air quality monitoring in subways with public data access and remedial action for unsafe levels - directly strengthens pollution control measures.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates air quality monitors in subway stations to ensure safety standards, directly enhancing public transit safety as per transportation topic indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Public Transit

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6267: Increases the handling fee paid to dealers or operators of a redemption center

This bill increases the handling fee paid to redemption centers for processing empty beverage containers. Starting April 1, 2025, the fee rises from 3.5 cents to 6 cents per container, with future adjustments tied to annual minimum wage changes in New York State or federal law. The fee compensates centers for collecting, sorting, and packaging containers, and must be adjusted each year based on the percentage increase in the applicable minimum wage rate. It directly affects dealers and operators of redemption centers who handle beverage container returns. The fee cannot be reduced from previous amounts or conditioned on purchases, and adjustments follow specific wage-linked formulas.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases fee for beverage container processing, incentivizing recycling to conserve resources and reduce waste, aligning with environmental conservation goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 10, 2025

S 2706: Prohibits the use of drilling fluids, brine and flowback water from gas or oil wells, pools, or fields on any highway

Prohibits the use of drilling fluids, brine and flowback water from gas or oil wells, pools, or fields on any highway for any purpose including but not limited to de-icing or dust suppression.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits hazardous waste disposal on highways, preventing soil/water contamination from oil/gas byproducts.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationProhibits hazardous substances on highways, enhancing road safety standards by banning drilling fluids for de-icing/dust suppression.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

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in committee · New York · Senate May 28, 2026

S 5781: Relates to residential solar and energy storage permitting

Requires all authorities having jurisdiction over a population exceeding five thousand residents to adopt a residential automated solar permitting platform by June thirtieth, two thousand twenty-seven.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires automated solar permitting platforms, reducing barriers for residential solar adoption and advancing renewable energy infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires streamlined solar permitting to boost residential solar adoption, directly promoting clean energy use and reducing emissions per environmental protection indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Storage Solar

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4572: Relates to requiring the department of transportation to prepare a plan for every public transportation system to be eligible to receive assistance in the purchase of new zero-emission buses or vehicles

Relates to requiring the department of transportation to prepare a plan for every public transportation system to be eligible to receive operating assistance in the purchase of new zero-emission buses or vehicles.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates plans for zero-emission bus purchases, advancing renewable energy infrastructure and reducing fossil fuel dependence in public transit.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires plans for zero-emission bus purchases, directly reducing transportation emissions and promoting clean energy infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates DOT to create plans enabling public transit systems to access funding for zero-emission bus purchases, directly advancing sustainable transportation infrastructure funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles

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passed · New York · Senate May 28, 2026

S 8512: Relates to portable solar generation devices

S 8512 (the "Solar UP Now NY Act") defines "portable solar generation devices" as moveable photovoltaic systems under 1,200 watts that connect via standard outlets to offset household electricity use. It exempts these devices from utility interconnection rules and net metering requirements, meaning customers don’t need utility approval, pay fees for grid feedback, or install extra equipment. The bill directly affects residential and small commercial users who want to use simple portable solar units without regulatory hurdles. Utilities cannot be held liable for damage from these devices, and the law takes effect immediately.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExempts portable solar devices from utility rules, reducing barriers for residential renewable energy adoption and aligning with clean energy promotion.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExempts portable solar devices from utility rules, lowering barriers to residential clean energy adoption and promoting renewable energy use90% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Solar Transmission Conservation

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2104: Enacts the "Niagara parks reinvestment act"

Enacts the "Niagara parks reinvestment act"; requires fifty percent of parking revenue generated at state parks in the county of Niagara to be deposited in the Niagara parks reinvestment fund; establishes the Niagara parks reinvestment fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirects 50% of state park parking revenue to a dedicated fund for park reinvestment, allocating existing budget resources to a specific program.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directs park revenue to a reinvestment fund for Niagara parks, supporting conservation of natural resources through park maintenance and preservation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Parks & Recreation

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 15, 2026

A 815: Relates to ensuring net metering is a compensation floor for residential producers of energy

This bill (A 815) requires utilities to pay residential solar energy producers at least the rate provided by net energy metering. It amends New York's public service law to ensure customer-generators (homeowners with rooftop solar systems) never receive less compensation than what net energy metering would provide. The law prevents utilities from lowering payments below net metering rates during industry restructuring. This directly affects homeowners who generate their own electricity through solar panels.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates utilities pay residential solar producers at least net metering rate, protecting renewable energy compensation and advancing residential clean energy adoption.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill ensures fair compensation for residential solar producers, directly promoting clean energy adoption and reducing reliance on fossil fuels through net metering protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar

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