Environment (Forestry)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4954: Prohibits the use of lead ammunition in the taking of wildlife on state-owned land and on land contributing surface water to the New York city water supply

Prohibits the use of lead ammunition in the taking of wildlife on wildlife management areas, state forests, forest preserves, state parks or any other state-owned land that is open for hunting and on land contributing surface water to the New York city water supply.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits lead ammunition, a known environmental pollutant, to protect wildlife habitats and water sources from contamination.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Wildlife

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in committee · New York · Senate May 19, 2026

S 5603: Relates to real property tax exemptions for preservation of forest lands and state assistance to municipalities

Authorizes state assistance to municipalities containing exempt privately owned forest lands; expands categories of lands eligible for certain property tax exemptions as forest lands; authorizes tax exemptions for certain conservation easement tracts; provides for violations of certain provisions relating to filing for tax exemptions of forest lands.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands property tax exemptions for forest lands and conservation easements, providing tax relief to landowners and encouraging preservation through fiscal incentives.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands tax exemptions for forest land preservation, incentivizing conservation of natural resources through municipal assistance and conservation easements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Conservation Forestry

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7550: Relates to real property tax exemptions for preservation of forest lands and state assistance to municipalities

Authorizes state assistance to municipalities containing exempt privately owned forest lands; expands categories of lands eligible for certain property tax exemptions as forest lands; authorizes tax exemptions for certain conservation easement tracts; provides for violations of certain provisions relating to filing for tax exemptions of forest lands.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands property tax exemptions for forest lands, providing tax relief to landowners while authorizing state assistance to municipalities. Aligns with tax relief indicators.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands tax exemptions for forest land preservation and conservation easements, directly supporting environmental conservation through property tax incentives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Conservation Forestry

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1614: Establishes the New York state reforest, restore and sustainable agriculture commission

Establishes a temporary state commission to be known as the New York state reforest, restore and sustainable agriculture commission to evaluate and make recommendations concerning the reforestation and restoration of forests and ecological habitats in the state of New York.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates commission for reforestation and habitat restoration, directly advancing environmental conservation and protection efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry

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signed · New York · Senate Dec 19, 2025

S 1069: Prohibits the lease of state forests, reforestation areas, wildlife management areas and unique areas for the purpose of gas and oil production

S 1069 prohibits the leasing of state-owned forests, reforestation areas, wildlife management areas, and unique natural areas for gas and oil production. The bill amends environmental conservation law to specifically ban these leases, protecting these lands from energy extraction. It directly affects state land management decisions and energy companies seeking to drill on these protected properties. The law takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill explicitly prohibits leasing protected lands for gas/oil production, restricting fossil fuel extraction and protecting natural areas from energy development.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans leasing state forests/wildlife areas for oil/gas, protecting natural habitats from extraction and strengthening conservation95% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Conservation Forestry Public Lands

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8673: Enacts the tropical rainforest economic & environmental sustainability act and establishes the supply chain transparency assistance program

Enacts the tropical rainforest economic & environmental sustainability act requiring that companies contracting with the state do not contribute to tropical forest degradation or deforestation directly or through their supply chains; establishes the supply chain transparency assistance program to assist small and medium-sized businesses and minority and women-owned businesses in achieving compliant supply chains.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates state-contracting companies avoid tropical forest degradation/deforestation in supply chains, directly protecting natural resources and promoting environmental sustainability through transparency requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 4408: Relates to agreements and easements related to renewable energy interconnection across reforestation areas

S 4408 allows New York's state environmental department to create leases or easements for renewable energy projects (like solar and wind farms) on state-owned lands designated for reforestation. These agreements must not interfere with the reforestation purposes of the land, as defined by New York's constitution. The bill requires all such agreements to be publicly recorded and posted online. It directly affects the state department, renewable energy developers, and the management of reforestation areas.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly enables renewable energy projects (solar/wind) on state lands via leases/easements, requiring public transparency while safeguarding reforestation. Directly advances renewable energy development.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEnables renewable energy projects on reforestation lands with mandatory safeguards to maintain reforestation purposes, promoting clean energy development within environmental protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar Transmission Conservation Forestry

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 11, 2025

A 1179: Prohibits the lease of state forests, reforestation areas, wildlife management areas and unique areas for the purpose of gas and oil production

This bill prohibits leasing state-owned forests, reforestation areas, wildlife management areas, and unique natural areas for gas or oil exploration, development, or production. It amends New York's environmental conservation law to explicitly exclude these specific public lands from being leased for fossil fuel activities. The policy change directly affects state land management decisions, preventing future leases for oil and gas operations on these protected areas. The law applies to lands including state forests, wildlife areas, and designated unique natural sites, with no exceptions for gas or oil projects. This represents a concrete policy shift in how certain state lands may be used for energy development.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill explicitly prohibits leasing state lands for gas/oil production, directly restricting fossil fuel development on protected areas.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits fossil fuel leasing on protected state lands, conserving natural resources and preventing pollution from extraction activities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Conservation Forestry Public Lands

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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 · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4710: Requires forest management plans for certain lands and forbids clearcutting without, and increases the jurisdiction of the Adirondack park agency over clearcutting

Requires forest management plans, subject to the approval of the department of environmental conservation, for certain lands subject to a conservation easement purchased by the state; forbids clearcutting on such lands without such forest management plan; increases the jurisdiction of the Adirondack park agency over clearcutting.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentForbids clearcutting without approved forest management plans and expands environmental agency authority, directly protecting forests and strengthening conservation regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Parks & Recreation

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