Environment (Conservation)

failed · New York · Assembly May 5, 2026

A 2003: Enacts the Rural Energy Freedom Act

This bill exempts wood burning used for recreation, building heating, cooking, or food preparation from certain greenhouse gas emissions regulations. It directly affects rural residents and small communities who rely on wood-burning for these everyday purposes. The law modifies environmental conservation rules to exclude these specific wood-burning activities from compliance requirements tied to New York's 2019 climate law. The exemption applies immediately upon the bill's enactment.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyExempts wood burning from greenhouse gas regulations, weakening emissions standards under New York's climate law enforcement.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts wood burning from greenhouse gas regulations, weakening New York's 2019 climate law compliance requirements for rural activities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Conservation

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in committee · New York · Senate Mar 10, 2026

S 7410: Directs the department of environmental conservation to conduct a study on retrofitting certain schools

This bill directs New York's Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to study retrofitting air filtration, ventilation, and building sealing in public and charter schools located within 500 feet of major highways. The study will assess existing systems, identify gaps, evaluate feasibility, and estimate costs for improving indoor air quality near traffic pollution. It specifically requires the DEC and Education Department to examine building envelopes (like windows and walls), air systems, and prioritize schools based on pollution exposure and student vulnerability. The study is a preliminary step - no funding or immediate action is provided - and must be completed within one year for review by state leaders.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill improves school infrastructure (air quality systems) to enhance student health and learning environments, aligning with 'improves school infrastructure' support indicator.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates study to improve indoor air quality near traffic pollution, directly addressing pollution control and environmental protection in schools.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Conservation

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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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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3345: Grants private citizens broad authorization to commence civil judicial actions under certain titles of the environmental conservation law

Enacts "private environmental law enforcement act"; authorizes any private citizen who has an interest which is or may be adversely affected to commence civil judicial actions for injunctive or declaratory relief to remedy environmental harms under certain circumstances; provides that such action may be commenced against any person for any violation of an administrative or court order compelling an investigation or remediation of an inactive hazardous waste disposal site.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes private citizens to sue for environmental harms, strengthening enforcement of conservation laws and holding violators accountable.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Hazardous Materials Waste Management

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in committee · New York · Assembly Feb 3, 2026

A 3091: Relates to environmental restoration projects; repealer

This bill modifies New York's environmental conservation law to clarify funding and definitions for cleanup projects. It requires that environmental restoration projects (starting in 2025-2026) be funded within available state appropriations and adds detailed definitions for terms like "contaminant" (including PFAS substances) and "municipality." Key provisions allow municipalities to use settlements from responsible parties to cover their share of project costs without triggering state fund recalculations, and prioritize projects in disadvantaged communities or brownfield areas. It also mandates that remediation standards meet existing public health and environmental protections, while providing state indemnification for municipalities that follow cleanup agreements.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentClarifies funding for environmental cleanup projects, includes PFAS in definitions, and allows municipalities to use settlements for costs - strengthens enforcement and resource allocation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Drinking Water Hazardous Materials

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2352: Relates to enacting the New York deforestation protection act

Relates to enacting the "New York deforestation protection act"; provides that the department of environmental conservation shall adopt rules to protect forest resources related to timber, pests and invasive species and water and land management.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates rules to protect forest resources from deforestation, pests, and invasive species, directly advancing conservation efforts per its title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Public Lands

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2162: Enacts the "pollinator promotion act" to promote the health and viability of pollinators in the state

Enacts the "pollinator promotion act" to authorize the commissioner of environmental conservation to promote the health and viability of pollinators in the state and to make municipal adoption and implementation of pollinator promotion plans eligible for climate adaptation and mitigation projects under the climate smart communities program; requires consideration of certain pollinator health initiatives on SUNY campuses; directs the departments of education and environmental conservation to develop guidelines for school districts to implement certain pollinator friendly practices; directs the implementation of certain pollinator friendly practices on highway verges.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directly promotes pollinator health via state initiatives and climate adaptation programs, advancing environmental conservation and biodiversity protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1109: Prohibits the hunting or taking of wildlife with the aid of an unmanned aerial vehicle

This bill (A 1109) prohibits hunting or taking wildlife using unmanned aerial vehicles (drones). It directly affects hunters who might use drones to locate or pursue animals, making such activity illegal under New York's environmental conservation law. The key provision bans the use of drones for hunting, defining "unmanned aerial vehicle" as any aircraft operated without direct human control from within the device. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans drone hunting to prevent wildlife disturbance, directly advancing conservation under environmental law by restricting harmful practices.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 906: Relates to state policy regarding the preservation of the unique qualities of the nighttime sky

This bill amends New York's environmental conservation law to explicitly include preserving the "unique qualities of the nighttime sky" as a state policy goal. It directs state agencies to prioritize protecting natural night skies in designated areas like the Adirondack and Catskill forest preserves, state parks, farms, and open spaces. The policy change requires agencies to consider nighttime sky preservation when managing land use and development, alongside existing environmental goals. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly adds nighttime sky preservation to environmental policy, directing agencies to prioritize it in land management alongside conservation goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry

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in committee · New York · Assembly Mar 27, 2026

A 3026: Relates to the disposition of certain fines and penalties

Bill A 3026 redirects fines and penalties from environmental conservation law violations (such as those under titles 19, 21, and 27 of the environmental conservation law) into a dedicated "conservation enforcement account" within the state conservation fund. It affects environmental law enforcement officers and the Department of Environmental Conservation by requiring all such fines to fund enforcement activities like staffing, scientific work, and legal support. The bill mandates that these funds must supplement - rather than replace - existing enforcement budgets and requires annual expenditure reports to legislative leaders. Courts collecting fines must remit payments directly to this account, streamlining how penalty revenue supports environmental protection efforts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects environmental fines to conservation enforcement fund, explicitly directing budget allocation for enforcement activities like staffing and legal support.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRedirects environmental violation fines to conservation enforcement fund, directly funding enforcement activities like staffing and scientific work to strengthen environmental protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending Conservation

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