Environment

passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 3, 2026

A 11373: Extends provisions of law relating to the taking of sharks

This bill extends the legal protections against taking sharks in New York State, allowing the existing regulations to remain in effect until December 31, 2028. The measure directly affects individuals and entities that might interact with sharks, ensuring that current rules prohibiting the capture or killing of these animals continue to apply. By amending the environmental conservation law, the bill provides a temporary extension of the current framework without altering its specific requirements. This action allows the state to maintain its shark conservation efforts for an additional two years before the provisions automatically expire.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill extends legal protections against taking sharks, strengthening conservation of marine life and natural resources.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 3, 2026

A 10936: Relates to the definition of tidal wetlands

This bill updates the legal definition of tidal wetlands to explicitly include areas within the marine and coastal district. By amending the Environmental Conservation Law, it clarifies that these wetlands encompass specific features like banks, salt marshes, and swamps that border or lie beneath tidal waters. The change ensures that lands currently or formerly connected to tidal action in this district are recognized under the existing wetland protections. This adjustment affects how environmental regulations are applied to these specific coastal areas without altering other parts of the law.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens environmental protections by expanding the legal definition of tidal wetlands to ensure broader conservation coverage.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 3, 2026

A 10102: Enacts the low impact landscaping rights act

Enacts the low impact landscaping rights act, preventing homeowners' associations from adopting or enforcing any rules or regulations that would effectively prohibit, or impose unreasonable limitations on, the installation or maintenance of low impact landscaping.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPrevents HOA restrictions on low impact landscaping, promoting water conservation, native plant use, and reduced resource consumption - key environmental conservation practices.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 3, 2026

A 8617: Enacts the Mohawk River Basin management act

Establishes a Mohawk River Basin district and Mohawk River Basin management program for management of such district to preserve, protect, restore and enhance the environmental quality of the Mohawk River.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes management program to conserve, protect, and restore Mohawk River environmental quality per bill summary95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 3, 2026

A 1392: Requires the New York state energy research and development authority to develop recommendations regarding the establishment of microgrids

This bill requires New York's Energy Research and Development Authority to develop recommendations for establishing microgrids - local power networks that can operate independently during outages - at critical facilities like hospitals, fire stations, schools, water plants, and emergency shelters. It mandates the Authority to evaluate which facilities should prioritize microgrids, identify geographic areas needing them (based on past storm damage and disadvantaged communities), and propose funding solutions. The Authority must submit these recommendations to state leaders within one year of the bill's effective date. The bill focuses on enhancing grid resilience for essential services without specifying funding sources or implementation timelines.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires microgrid recommendations for critical facilities, enhancing energy infrastructure resilience and supporting renewable integration during outages.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes clean energy microgrids for critical infrastructure resilience, aligning with climate adaptation and renewable energy goals as part of environmental protection strategy.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · New York · Assembly Jun 3, 2026

A 9047: Prohibits the use of unencapsulated foam flotation in docks, buoys and floating structures

This bill prohibits the sale, offer for sale, or distribution of polystyrene foam docks, buoys, and floating structures in the state starting January 1, 2027. It directly affects businesses that manufacture, sell, or distribute these products, including manufacturers of foam docks and retailers. The law bans items made with expanded polystyrene foam, extruded polystyrene foam, or rigid polystyrene, covering structures like boat docks, navigation markers, and recreational platforms. The prohibition applies to all sales and distribution within the state, with no exceptions specified. The bill defines key terms like "dock" and "floating structure" to clarify its scope.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans polystyrene foam, a persistent pollutant, to reduce marine plastic waste and protect aquatic ecosystems95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 2, 2026

A 10117: Establishes a stakeholder group in the Oswego river basin

This bill creates a stakeholder group to coordinate water releases in the Oswego river basin, directly affecting entities managing flood discharges, local communities, and the Department of Environmental Conservation. The group must review flood storage and watershed release strategies, including modeling, and recommend a regulatory structure for coordinating water releases during high-flow events. Within six months of forming, the group must propose options to the governor and legislature, such as continuing the group, mandating coordination, or establishing a water regulating district. The bill requires the group to consider all available data and make specific recommendations on how to improve communication and water management during flood events.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates stakeholder group involving DEC to coordinate water releases and review flood storage/watershed strategies, directly supporting environmental conservation and resource management in river basin.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 2, 2026

A 9598: Relates to prohibitions on the use of certain tropical hardwoods for state contracts

Requires that companies contracting with the state do not contribute to tropical forest degradation or deforestation directly or through their supply chains.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits state contractors from using tropical hardwoods linked to deforestation, directly protecting tropical forests and natural resources through supply chain restrictions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 4574: Enacts the "PFAS discharge disclosure act"

Enacts the "PFAS discharge disclosure act"; requires certain SPDES permit holders to conduct PFAS monitoring and disclose the results from such monitoring.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates PFAS monitoring/disclosure for permit holders, increasing transparency on toxic pollutants to protect water resources and public health.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · New York · Senate May 28, 2026

S 10045: Extends the authority of the department of environmental conservation to restrict the taking of fish, shellfish and crustacea in special management areas

Extends the authority of the department of environmental conservation to restrict the taking of fish, shellfish and crustacea in special management areas.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill extends authority to restrict taking of aquatic life in special management areas, directly strengthening conservation and environmental protection.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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