Environment

in committee · New York · Senate Apr 2, 2025

S 3456: Establishes the climate corporate data accountability act

Establishes the climate corporate data accountability act requiring certain business entities within the state to annually disclose scope 1, scope 2 and scope 3 emissions; establishes the climate accountability and emissions disclosure fund.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates corporate emissions disclosure (scopes 1-3) and creates climate accountability fund, directly advancing emissions transparency and reduction efforts.95% confidence

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6893: Relates to transition feasibility analysis for zero-emission buses

Requires every school district to conduct a transition feasibility analysis within the next succeeding school year as of the effective date of this act, and every five years thereafter, to determine the feasibility of using zero-emission school buses on current routes.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates feasibility analyses for zero-emission school buses, directly advancing renewable energy adoption in transportation infrastructure and reducing fossil fuel dependence.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates feasibility studies for zero-emission school buses, directly targeting emission reduction in transportation sector.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires feasibility analysis for zero-emission school buses, promoting sustainable transportation infrastructure and aligning with clean energy transit initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7210: Relates to requiring notice to neighboring landowners of intention to develop in wetland areas

Relates to requiring notice to neighboring landowners within one thousand feet of intention to develop in wetland areas; requires a public hearing on a wetland application.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires notice and public hearing for wetland development, adding safeguards to protect wetland ecosystems from unreviewed development.95% confidence

Track

passed · New York · Senate May 19, 2026

S 4071: Includes stormwater in the definition of sewage for purposes of certain water, sewer, and water and sewer authorities

This bill amends multiple sections of New York's public authorities law to explicitly include "stormwater" in the legal definition of "sewage" for water, sewer, and water and sewer authorities. It adds a new definition stating "stormwater" means water runoff that exceeds soil absorption capacity during rain or melt events. The change directly affects these public authorities by expanding their regulatory scope to cover stormwater under existing sewage-related rules. The bill does not create new programs or funding but clarifies how stormwater is legally treated in water management frameworks. (164 words)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands sewage regulations to cover stormwater runoff, enhancing pollution control for waterways under existing authority85% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

Track

signed · New York · Assembly Aug 7, 2025

A 8596: Extends provisions relating to the establishment of the mercury thermostat collection act

This bill extends the deadline for New York's Mercury Thermostat Collection Act from January 1, 2026, to January 1, 2027. It directly affects the state's program for safely collecting and disposing of mercury-containing thermostats, which helps prevent environmental contamination. The key change is simply updating the expiration date in the law, ensuring the program continues operating for one additional year without altering its existing requirements or processes. This is a procedural extension, not a substantive policy change.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExtends mercury thermostat collection program deadline, maintaining existing environmental protections against contamination from hazardous waste.90% confidence

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5072: Relates to the paper carryout bag reduction fee

Implements a one year phase-in period for a local law, ordinance or resolution imposing a paper carryout bag reduction fee where forty percent of such fees are returned to such county or city for the purpose of purchasing and distributing reusable bags, with priority given to low- and fixed-income communities, and after the first year, such forty percent of fees shall be remitted to the person who collected the fees.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill imposes bag fee with 40% funds directed to purchase reusable bags, reducing single-use plastic/paper waste and promoting conservation in low-income communities.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8098: Authorizes the department of environmental conservation to independently add to the lists of prohibited and regulated invasive species on an emergency basis

Authorizes the department of environmental conservation to independently add to the lists of prohibited and regulated invasive species on an emergency basis pending review by the department of agriculture and markets in consultation with the New York invasive species council.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes emergency additions to invasive species lists, strengthening environmental protection against ecological threats by enabling faster regulatory action.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5343: Provides grants for schoolyards and playgrounds; appropriation

This bill, the New York Living Schoolyards Act (A 5343), provides competitive grants to school districts, local education agencies, and partnering nonprofits to create "living schoolyards" at elementary and secondary schools. These are outdoor learning spaces featuring gardens, native trees, natural playgrounds, and climate-resilient design elements that strengthen ecological systems and support hands-on education. Grants (ranging from $25,000 to $100,000) require master plans developed with community input, including ADA accessibility, climate goals, and long-term maintenance strategies. The program specifically prioritizes schools with high percentages of students eligible for free/reduced lunch and mandates that funds cover planning, design, and construction while limiting spending on staff training and maintenance.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates state funds ($25k-$100k grants) for public school infrastructure, advancing fiscal support for education through direct budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides grants for schoolyard infrastructure to enhance hands-on education and ecological learning, directly funding K-12 educational facilities.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly strengthens ecological systems via native plant gardens, climate-resilient design, and outdoor learning spaces in schoolyards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7648: Enacts the "sustainable building materials act of 2025"

Enacts the "sustainable building materials act"; enacts into law components of legislation relating to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in construction; provides a sales tax exemption for certain low-carbon building materials (Part A); establishes a grant program for manufacturers of concrete for environmental product declarations (Part B).

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides sales tax exemption for low-carbon building materials, reducing tax burden on sustainable construction and aligning with tax relief indicators.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill reduces construction emissions via low-carbon material tax incentives and grants for sustainable manufacturing, advancing clean energy infrastructure goals.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentReduces construction emissions via tax incentives for low-carbon materials and grants for environmental product declarations, directly advancing climate goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives Climate Change

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Dec 8, 2025

A 8202: Directs state agencies to adopt an embodied carbon decarbonization program

Directs state agencies to adopt an embodied carbon decarbonization program; requires the office of general services to issue operational directives and guidance for common construction materials to reduce the amount of embodied carbon in such materials.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates reduction of embodied carbon in construction materials, advancing decarbonization goals for energy infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates state agencies to reduce embodied carbon in construction materials, directly lowering emissions and advancing climate goals per environmental protection indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

Track