Environment

passed both · New York · Senate May 20, 2026

S 5159: Relates to providing additional duties of the community gardens task force

Requires the community gardens task force to conduct an assessment of all community gardens located on publicly owned land in the state to facilitate each garden's designation as a critical environmental area.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates designation of community gardens as critical environmental areas, promoting conservation and protection of green spaces per legislative intent.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · New York · Assembly May 18, 2026

A 9297: Provides a host community benefit for customers in a host community where data centers are expanded or placed

This bill requires new or significantly expanding hyperscale data centers (over 10,000 sq ft/5+ MW) to fund residential energy upgrades that offset their electricity demand. It directs these funds toward installing cold-climate heat pumps, rooftop solar, and battery storage in New York homes with outdated systems, prioritizing low-income and disadvantaged communities. NYSERDA will administer the program, ensuring projects align with state climate goals and provide free installations. The funds flow into a dedicated "Clean Home Energy Offset Fund" managed by NYSERDA, with data center operators required to submit annual compliance reports.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates data centers to fund residential solar, heat pumps, and battery storage installations, advancing clean energy infrastructure and climate goals.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates data centers to fund clean energy upgrades (heat pumps, solar, storage) in low-income homes, directly advancing climate goals through renewable energy adoption and energy efficiency.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrioritizes low-income communities for free energy upgrades (heat pumps, solar), reducing utility costs and enhancing housing affordability through direct funding.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · New York · Senate May 12, 2026

S 1984: Directs the commissioner to publicly publish an annual report on the environmental radiation surveillance program

Directs the commissioner to publicly publish an annual report on the environmental radiation surveillance program and analyze such report showing trends and cumulative impact, as well as notify other relevant agencies if contamination has exceeded EPA standards for maximum amounts of contamination allowed in drinking water or food.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates annual radiation surveillance reports and notification if EPA standards exceeded, ensuring compliance with environmental protection standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · New York · Assembly Apr 21, 2026

A 2657: Establishes the electric landscaping equipment rebate program; provides for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof

Establishes the electric landscaping equipment rebate program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and reduce noise pollution by promoting the adoption of quieter, zero-emission landscaping equipment; provides for rebates at the point of sale for applicants purchasing or leasing certain equipment; provides for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyPromotes zero-emission equipment adoption via rebates to reduce emissions and fossil fuel dependence, directly advancing renewable energy infrastructure goals.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes rebate program for electric landscaping equipment to reduce emissions, improve air quality, and cut noise pollution, directly advancing environmental protection goals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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signed · New York · Senate Mar 27, 2026

S 8836: Relates to certain leases for the exploration, development, and production of gas or oil in state forests, reforestation areas and wildlife management areas

Provides that the assignment, transfer, or modification of leases for exploration, development, and production of gas or oil in state forests, reforestation areas and wildlife management areas shall not allow expansion or extension of such provisions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits expanding oil/gas leases in state forests and wildlife areas, protecting these conservation zones from potential environmental harm.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

passed · New York · Assembly Mar 18, 2026

A 4716: Enacts the "washing machine microfiber filtration act"

This bill requires all new washing machines sold in the state after January 1, 2030, to include a microfiber filtration system that captures at least 90% of tiny fibers (100 micrometers or larger) released during washing. It directly affects manufacturers, retailers, and consumers by mandating these systems, requiring clear consumer labels explaining the filtration, and demanding manufacturer compliance certificates. Retailers can still sell existing inventory (acquired by December 31, 2029) without the filtration system. The law aims to reduce microfiber pollution from laundry, with penalties up to $1,000 for violations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates microfiber filtration in washing machines to capture 90% of plastic fibers, directly reducing microplastic pollution in waterways and ecosystems.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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signed · New York · Senate Feb 13, 2026

S 8823: Relates to the department of environmental conservation's regulation of crabs

Extends DEC's authority to regulate management of crabs; authorizes the department of environmental conservation to take any actions necessary to ensure any quota limiting the taking of horseshoe crabs does not exceed certain thresholds.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill extends DEC authority to regulate horseshoe crab quotas, preventing overharvesting to conserve species and maintain ecosystem balance, aligning with conservation protections.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · New York · Assembly Feb 13, 2026

A 9436: Relates to finding alternatives to the use of pesticides in the monarch preservation plan

Relates to finding alternatives to the use of pesticides in the monarch preservation plan and allowing agricultural lands that are not in active production be used to enhance the monarch butterfly habitat.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill seeks pesticide alternatives to protect monarch habitat, reducing chemical use and enhancing conservation efforts per its title and summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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

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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