Environment

signed · New York · Senate Aug 14, 2026

S 10072: Extends the authority of the department of environmental conservation to manage winter flounder

This bill extends the Department of Environmental Conservation's authority to manage winter flounder fisheries until December 31, 2029. It allows the department to set and update regulations regarding fishing seasons, catch limits, gear restrictions, and permit requirements for this specific fish species. These rules must remain consistent with existing state laws and federal fishery management plans. The legislation applies directly to commercial and recreational fishermen targeting winter flounder in the state's waters.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill extends authority to manage winter flounder fisheries, enabling conservation of natural resources and sustainable fishing practices.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · New York · Senate Aug 14, 2026

S 10071: Extends the authority of the department of environmental conservation to manage whelk and conch

This bill extends the Department of Environmental Conservation's authority to manage whelk and conch fisheries until December 31, 2029. It allows the department to set regulations such as size limits, catch limits, seasonal closures, and gear requirements for these species. The new rules must remain consistent with existing state laws and federal fishery management plans. The legislation takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill extends regulatory authority to manage shellfish harvesting, strengthening conservation efforts and protecting natural resources.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · New York · Assembly Aug 14, 2026

A 10692: Establishes the authority of the department of environmental conservation to manage Atlantic bonito and false albacore

This bill grants the Department of Environmental Conservation the authority to create and enforce management rules for Atlantic bonito and false albacore fisheries. The department can set regulations such as size limits, catch limits, seasonal closures, and gear restrictions, but must align these rules with existing state laws and federal fishery management plans. The authority applies to fishing activities and remains in effect until December 31, 2029. This change allows the department to better control these specific fish species through targeted conservation measures.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill grants authority to manage fisheries and set conservation rules like size limits and catch limits, which protects natural resources and supports environmental conservation.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · New York · Assembly Aug 7, 2026

A 8515: Enacts the whale awareness act

Enacts the whale awareness act directing the department of environmental conservation to establish recommendations and educational materials for reduction of marine mammal interactions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates educational materials to reduce marine mammal interactions, directly advancing conservation efforts for protected species.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · New York · Assembly Jul 6, 2026

A 10341: Authorizes and directs the conveyance of a conservation easement over certain state-owned lands in the hamlets of Setauket and Port Jefferson Station, Suffolk County

Authorizes and directs the commissioner of transportation to grant a perpetual conservation easement to certain entities over certain state-owned lands in the hamlets of Setauket and Port Jefferson Station, Suffolk County.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill authorizes a conservation easement to protect state-owned lands, directly advancing environmental conservation by preserving natural habitats and open space in Setauket and Port Jefferson Station.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

passed both · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 9506: Adds Lake Oscawana and Roaring Brook Lake in Putnam county to the definition of inland waterways

This bill adds Lake Oscawana and Roaring Brook Lake in Putnam County to the official list of major inland lakes in New York State. The change updates the legal definition of inland waterways by including these two specific lakes in the state's existing list of protected water bodies. This amendment affects state environmental regulations and conservation efforts related to these lakes, ensuring they receive the same protections as other major inland lakes already covered by the law. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage and does not create new restrictions but rather expands the scope of existing waterway protections.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill expands legal definition of protected inland waterways to include two lakes, strengthening environmental protections and conservation efforts for these water bodies.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · New York · Assembly Jun 4, 2026

A 11556: Relates to energy efficiency and weatherization

Directs NYSERDA to issue a request for proposals to identify cities, towns, or villages that are interested in participating in municipal-level energy efficiency and weatherization pilot projects to help decrease residential energy usage and reduce future capital costs for utilities; directs NYSERDA to identify three pilot areas focusing on the ability to replicate projects elsewhere and the costs and benefits to ratepayers both in the affected area and in the rest of the utility service territory.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill promotes energy efficiency and weatherization to reduce residential usage and utility costs.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes energy efficiency and weatherization to reduce residential energy usage, directly supporting environmental protection and conservation.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 4, 2026

A 11392: Extends provisions relating to the establishment of the mercury thermostat collection act

This bill extends the deadline for the Mercury Thermostat Collection Act to January 1, 2028. It directly affects the program responsible for collecting and recycling mercury-containing thermostats, ensuring the initiative continues for an additional year. The key provision simply amends the existing law to update the expiration date, allowing the collection efforts to proceed without interruption. This change is procedural in nature, as it only adjusts the timeline of an already established environmental program.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill extends the Mercury Thermostat Collection Act to ensure continued recycling of hazardous materials, directly supporting pollution control and environmental protection.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 4, 2026

A 11377: Extends provisions related to the regulation of the amount of Jonah crabs that may be taken

This bill extends the authority to regulate the number of Jonah crabs that commercial fishermen can catch for an additional two years, keeping the limit in place until December 31, 2028. It allows state officials to set specific catch limits for commercial crab and lobster license holders, provided these rules follow federal and regional fishery management plans. The law applies directly to businesses holding commercial crab permits or New York commercial lobster licenses. By delaying the expiration of current regulations, the bill ensures continuity in managing the Jonah crab fishery without immediate changes to the existing framework.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill extends regulations on Jonah crab catch limits to conserve natural resources and protect marine ecosystems.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 4, 2026

A 9590: Authorizes the dormitory authority to provide financing to The New York Climate Exchange Inc. for the construction of facilities on Governor's Island

This bill authorizes the New York Dormitory Authority to provide financing to The New York Climate Exchange Inc. for the construction of facilities. It amends the Public Authorities Law to specifically include this organization as an eligible recipient for such financing. The bill directly affects The New York Climate Exchange Inc. and the Dormitory Authority by enabling this targeted project.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes financing for climate-focused facility construction, directly supporting climate initiatives through targeted funding for The New York Climate Exchange Inc.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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