S 1690 New York Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Establishes the New York native plants program

Summary
Establishes the New York native plants program to conserve, promote, and enhance the native ecology of New York state by encouraging the use of native plants and ecological-friendly methods and materials on state and local land.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 13, 2025 Last action May 20, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

S1690A S1690B · 4 edits
MODERATE
This bill revision restructures the definitions and operational requirements for New York's native plants program. It adds a new definition for 'germinating seeds or other plant parts' to expand the program's scope beyond just whole plants. The definition of 'native plants' is also updated to clarify that climate-adaptive species are included. Additionally, the bill modifies how the plant list is created, requiring collaboration between the Commissioner and the Department of Agriculture, and clarifies that rebates are subject to available funding.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to explicitly include germinating seeds and plant parts used for propagation, and the process for identifying eligible plants now requires consultation with the Department of Agriculture.
DEFINITION

Added a new category to the definition of 'native plants' to include germinating seeds and other plant parts used to propagate desirable native plants.

Refined the definition of 'native plants' to clearly separate indigenous species from non-indigenous species that are likely to expand their range due to climate change.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the requirement for creating the native plant list from a unilateral action by the Commissioner to a process requiring consultation with the Department of Agriculture and Markets.

FISCAL

Clarified that offering rebates for native plants is conditional upon the availability of state appropriations.

Floor votes

How they voted

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
7
Key actions
4
Committee
3
Amendments
4
May 20, 2026
Committee
REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE
upper
Feb 26, 2026
Upper · Passed
PRINT NUMBER 1690B
upper
Feb 26, 2026
Upper · Passed
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
upper
Jan 7, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
upper
Mar 28, 2025
Upper · Passed
PRINT NUMBER 1690A
upper
Mar 28, 2025
Upper · Passed
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
upper
Jan 13, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Rachel May
Rachel May
DDemocratic/Working Families
NY
48