S 2438 New York Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Relates to potable water testing at state and local parks

This bill requires state and local parks to test their drinking water for lead contamination at least once every three years. If lead levels are found to be unsafe, park managers must provide free safe water, shut down affected outlets, post warnings, and share results online. The law also mandates that officials publish a biennial report on these findings and exempts New York City parks if they already have a testing program.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Jun 2026

Senate Passage

Jun 2026

Assembly Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 17, 2025 Last action Jun 3, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

S2438 → S2438A · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to streamline the lead testing requirements for state and local parks, removing the specific mandate that testing must occur in 'each' park and simplifying the language regarding who conducts the tests. The most significant change is the addition of a new exemption for New York City parks, provided they have their own testing program, which was not present in the original version.

Scope change

The bill's applicability was narrowed by adding an exemption for New York City parks if they implement their own potable water testing program.

REQUIREMENT

The requirement to conduct testing in 'each park under their jurisdiction' was removed to allow for more flexible implementation across different park systems.

The specific deadline to abate contamination was changed from 'ninety days' to an immediate requirement to take outlets out of service if they are used for drinking or cooking.

The requirement to provide safe water 'until future tests indicate lead levels' was clarified to specify that safe water must be provided 'until future tests indicate lead levels are below the action level'.

SCOPE

A new provision exempts parks managed by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, provided that the city implements its own potable water testing program for those parks.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 26, 2025

How they voted

60–1

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 63

Mar 26, 2025

D Democratic41

40 Yea 1

97% Yea

R Republican22

20 Yea 1 Nay 1

90% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jun 3, 2026

Committee

REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS

lower

Jun 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

PASSED SENATE

upper

May 27, 2026

Upper · Passed

AMENDED ON THIRD READING 2438A

upper

Feb 24, 2026

Committee

REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE

upper

Jan 7, 2026

Committee

REFERRED TO HEALTH

upper

Mar 26, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO HEALTH

lower

Mar 26, 2025

Upper · Passed

PASSED SENATE

upper

Feb 12, 2025

Committee

REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE

upper

Jan 17, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO HEALTH

upper

1 primary · 7 co-sponsors