Environment

died · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6581: Excludes amphibians and reptiles from the definition of small game; repealer

This bill updates environmental conservation law regarding amphibians and reptiles. It redefines "small game" to exclude most native frogs (except bullfrogs), native salamanders, native lizards, and native snakes (except common snapping turtles). These species are instead added to the definition of "protected wildlife," subjecting them to different conservation measures. The bill also clarifies that only bullfrogs and common snapping turtles remain under specific regulations for taking, with the department determining the methods for bullfrogs.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentReclassifies amphibians/reptiles to protected wildlife, strengthening conservation measures instead of allowing hunting under small game rules.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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signed · New York · Senate Dec 19, 2025

S 7359: Establishes a New York native plants designation

Directs the commissioner of agriculture and markets, acting by and through the department of economic development, in cooperation with the department of environmental conservation, to establish a New York native plants designation, and offer seals or logos identifying native plants as grown in New York state and certified for their quality, for product labeling, advertising, and displays.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes conservation of native plants through certification, supporting local biodiversity and sustainable practices in product labeling.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

vetoed · New York · Senate Dec 12, 2025

S 4263: Relates to the availability of technical assistance grants in brownfield site remedial programs

Relates to the availability of technical assistance grants in brownfield site remedial programs; provides that the commissioner of environmental conservation shall provide grants to the New York city community board with jurisdiction over the site or to any not-for-profit corporation exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code at any site which may be affected by a brownfield site remedial program.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProvides grants for brownfield remediation, directly funding cleanup of contaminated sites to protect environmental health.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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signed · New York · Assembly Dec 12, 2025

A 1819: Enacts the monarch preservation plan

Enacts the monarch preservation plan requiring the department of environmental conservation to take feasible actions to conserve monarch butterflies and the unique habitats they depend upon for successful migration.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires department to conserve monarch butterflies and habitats, directly advancing species protection and ecosystem conservation under environmental policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

vetoed · New York · Senate Dec 5, 2025

S 1126: Directs the department of environmental conservation to conduct a study of ecological restoration needs of Jamaica Bay

Directs the department of environmental conservation to conduct a study of ecological restoration needs of Jamaica Bay; imposes a five-year moratorium on placing sediment or fill in the borrow pits in Jamaica Bay.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDirects ecological study and imposes moratorium on sediment/fill in Jamaica Bay, protecting habitat restoration needs and preventing further environmental disturbance.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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signed · New York · Senate Nov 12, 2025

S 1704: Relates to reduction of air pollution from petroleum bulk storage facilities

Expands the options for shell color and roof color of petroleum bulk storage tanks to either white or beige/cream or which limits volatile emissions to the same or to a greater extent as a shell color and roof color of white or beige/cream as determined by the department of environmental conservation.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates tank colors (white/beige) to limit volatile emissions, directly reducing air pollution from petroleum facilities per environmental department standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · New York · Senate Oct 27, 2025

S 8047: Relates to the Mount Van Hoevenberg Olympic Sports Complex in Essex County

This law establishes specific rules for the Mount Van Hoevenberg Olympic Sports Complex on forest preserve land in Essex County. It limits the complex to using no more than 322 acres of forest preserve land for skiing trails and related facilities (like parking and maintenance buildings), while requiring the state to acquire at least 2,500 additional acres of forest land for the Adirondack Park Preserve as an offset. All development must follow Adirondack Park planning guidelines, and the law defines "necessary facilities" (e.g., trails, parking) while excluding unrelated structures like hotels or zip lines. The law implements a constitutional amendment to balance the complex’s land use with forest preserve expansion.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires 2,500-acre land acquisition for Adirondack Park Preserve as offset, mandating conservation while limiting complex footprint to 322 acres per Adirondack guidelines.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · New York · Senate Sep 5, 2025

S 2457: Establishes the mechanical insulation energy savings program

Establishes the mechanical insulation energy savings program to provide grants for qualified mechanical insulation expenditures to school districts, public hospitals, public housing buildings, and political subdivisions that have completed a qualified audit.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides state grants for energy efficiency in public buildings (schools, hospitals), directly funding essential services through budget allocation.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides grants for school district mechanical insulation, improving school infrastructure and energy efficiency as part of funding support.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyProvides grants for mechanical insulation to improve energy efficiency in public buildings, directly advancing energy savings goals through infrastructure investment.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds energy efficiency upgrades in public buildings, reducing energy consumption and associated emissions through mechanical insulation grants.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides grants for insulation in public housing buildings, directly funding housing infrastructure improvements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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 | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · New York · Assembly Jul 29, 2025

A 8278: Extends the authority of the department of environmental conservation to manage weakfish

This bill extends the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's existing authority to manage weakfish (a type of fish) through December 31, 2028. It allows the department to continue setting specific fishing regulations, such as size limits, catch quotas, seasonal closures, and gear restrictions, for weakfish. These rules must remain at least as strict as current requirements and align with federal and regional fishery management plans. The bill directly affects commercial and recreational fishermen who target weakfish in New York waters.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExtends strict fishing regulations for weakfish conservation, maintaining current protections per bill language.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment