Environment

signed · New York · Assembly Feb 13, 2026

A 9478: Establishes a New York native plants designation; repealer

Directs the department of agriculture and markets, in cooperation with the department of environmental conservation, to establish standards for designation of native plants, to develop a list of native plants that indicates and differentiates between native plants that are indigenous to New York state and those that are native plants found elsewhere in the United States that are likely to shift or expand their range into NY, to establish a New York native plant designation, and to offer seals or logos identifying native plants as grown in New York state; defines "native plants".

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes native plant standards to conserve biodiversity and promote ecosystem health through designated native species, aligning with environmental conservation goals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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

Track

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

Track

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 · 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 8428: Relates to the authority of the department of environmental conservation to manage fish

Extends provisions of law relating to the authority of the department of environmental conservation to fix by regulation open seasons, size and catch limits and manner of taking fish from December 31, 2025 until December 31, 2028.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExtends regulatory authority for fish conservation, maintaining existing protections without weakening environmental management standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · New York · Assembly Jul 29, 2025

A 8654: Extends the authority of the department of environmental conservation to manage American eel

This bill extends the New York Department of Environmental Conservation's authority to manage American eel populations from December 31, 2025, to December 31, 2026. It modifies a specific section of environmental law to update the expiration date for this management authority. The extension directly affects the DEC's ongoing efforts to monitor and regulate American eel populations, which are a species of conservation concern in New York waters.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExtends DEC authority to manage American eel populations, a species of conservation concern, maintaining ongoing protective management efforts per environmental law.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · New York · Assembly Jul 29, 2025

A 8018: Relates to the management of oysters

This bill extends the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's authority to manage oyster harvesting and sales from December 31, 2025, through December 31, 2027. It directly affects oyster fishermen, commercial harvesters, and businesses involved in oyster transportation, sale, and processing by allowing the Department to set specific rules during this period. Key provisions include the ability to establish size limits, catch and possession quotas, seasonal restrictions, closed areas, permit requirements, and gear regulations - ensuring any new rules are at least as strict as current standards. The bill does not create new management policies but extends the existing framework for oyster management. The bill was signed into law on July 29, 2025 (Chapter 193).

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExtends DEC authority to set sustainable oyster harvesting rules (size limits, quotas), conserving marine resources and protecting ecosystems through regulated management.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · New York · Senate Jul 23, 2025

S 8241: Provides reimbursement for enhanced septic system projects

This bill creates a state fund to reimburse property owners and installers for enhanced septic system projects. It defines "enhanced" systems as those reducing nitrogen to 19 mg/l or significantly cutting phosphorus/PFAS pollution in wastewater. Reimbursement covers 75% of costs (up to $25,000 per property) for enhanced systems versus 50% (up to $10,000) for standard systems. The program applies only to projects with county participation agreements after the bill’s effective date. The bill was signed into law on July 23, 2025 (Chapter 188).

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds enhanced septic systems that reduce nitrogen (19 mg/l) and cut phosphorus/PFAS pollution, with higher reimbursement (75%) for these environmentally protective systems versus standard systems.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment