Environment (Drinking Water)

in committee · New York · Senate Dec 1, 2025

S 4533: Relates to the water resources planning council

This bill expands New York's Water Resources Planning Council from 15 to 17 voting members, requiring the governor to appoint two members with water science expertise, two with environmental science/engineering expertise, and one with environmental justice expertise (selected from public interest groups). The council must now make recommendations on statewide water management, ensure environmental justice considerations in water decisions, review relevant state/federal laws, and develop a comprehensive water strategy by 2028. It directly affects state agencies (like environmental conservation and health departments), local water systems, and communities managing water resources, with new reporting requirements for deficiencies and financing constraints. The changes aim to improve coordination, equity, and sustainability in water planning across the state.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAdds environmental science/engineering and environmental justice expertise to council; mandates environmental justice considerations in water decisions, strengthening environmental protection focus85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Environmental Justice Water Quality

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4373: Relates to regulation of PFAS as a toxic air pollutant

Relates to regulation of PFAS as a toxic air pollutant; requires the department to ensure certain process operations use appropriate control technology for PFAS emissions; establishes a fence line monitoring program to monitor PFAS emissions in disadvantaged communities, to provide public reports, and related duties.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRegulates PFAS emissions via control tech mandates and community monitoring, directly reducing toxic air pollutants and protecting public health in disadvantaged areas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

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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 3205: Prohibits the sale or offer for sale of any cosmetic product or personal care product containing PFAS substances

This bill bans the sale or offer for sale of cosmetic and personal care products containing intentionally added PFAS substances, effective June 1, 2026. It directly affects manufacturers, retailers, and sellers of these products within the state. The law defines PFAS as fluorinated chemicals with at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom and specifically targets ingredients intentionally added to products. The prohibition covers all such products, including items like makeup, lotions, and hair care products. This is a direct regulatory change to product safety standards, not a procedural measure.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans PFAS in cosmetics, reducing environmental pollution from persistent chemicals known to contaminate water and soil.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBans PFAS in cosmetics (known health hazard) to protect public health, aligning with healthcare protection by reducing chemical exposure risks.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

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passed · New York · Senate Feb 10, 2026

S 672: Relates to environmental restoration projects; repealer

Bill S 672 updates the environmental conservation law regarding environmental restoration projects, primarily affecting municipalities and entities involved in remediating contaminated sites. It allows for project funding starting in fiscal year 2025-2026 and expands the definition of "contaminant" to include emerging contaminants and PFAS substances. The bill modifies how responsible party settlement payments are applied to project costs and adds new criteria for prioritizing projects, such as those in disadvantaged communities or addressing drinking water contamination. Additionally, it broadens state indemnification for municipalities, successors, lessees, and lenders involved in these remediation efforts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes funding for environmental restoration projects starting fiscal year 2025-2026, directly allocating state budget resources to a public service program.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands contaminant definition to include PFAS, funds restoration projects, strengthens remediation efforts under environmental conservation law90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Drinking Water Water Quality

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3253: Relates to certain mined land-plans

S 3253 requires mining operations on Long Island to maintain a minimum 10-foot buffer of undisturbed ground between active mining areas and the existing water table in counties with populations over one million that rely on aquifers for drinking water. The bill amends New York's environmental conservation law to mandate this buffer as part of all new or renewed mining plans in designated areas. This directly affects mining companies seeking permits in Long Island counties like Nassau and Suffolk, which depend on aquifers for public water supplies. The key provision ensures mining plans explicitly include this buffer to minimize potential groundwater contamination from mining activities.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates 10-foot buffer between mining and aquifers to protect drinking water sources, strengthening environmental conservation law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Drinking Water

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passed · New York · Senate Mar 25, 2026

S 7677: Permits the town of Warwick to use preservation funds for water quality improvement

This bill allows the town of Warwick to use up to 10% of its existing community preservation fund for water quality improvement projects, such as cleaning rivers or protecting drinking water sources. Previously, these funds could only be used for preserving community character (e.g., land conservation). The change explicitly adds water quality projects to the fund's permitted uses while maintaining the 10% spending limit. It does not create new funding but reallocates existing resources for environmental protection.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly permits use of preservation funds for water quality projects (river cleaning, drinking water protection), directly advancing environmental protection by reallocating existing resources toward conservation goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Drinking Water Water Quality

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1493: Relates to regulation of PFAS as a toxic air pollutant

Relates to regulation of PFAS as a toxic air pollutant; requires the department to ensure certain process operations use appropriate control technology for PFAS emissions; establishes a fence line monitoring program to monitor PFAS emissions in disadvantaged communities, to provide public reports, and related duties.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates PFAS emission controls and monitoring, reducing toxic air pollution in vulnerable communities per environmental protection indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

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