Environment

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 8779: 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 with EC department to conserve biodiversity and prevent invasive species spread, aligning with environmental conservation goals.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 28, 2026

S 8816: Provides for the restriction of substances in menstrual products

This bill prohibits the use of specific chemicals - including lead, mercury, formaldehyde, certain parabens, phthalates, and PFAS - in menstrual products sold in New York. It bans intentionally added restricted substances immediately and sets a 2029 deadline for establishing safe trace levels (below which products may still contain these chemicals). The law applies to all menstrual products distributed, sold, or offered for sale in New York, covering retail, wholesale, and promotional use. The Department of Health will set the trace-level thresholds within a year of the bill's effective date, with five-year reviews to potentially lower them.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans PFAS, phthalates, and other pollutants in products, reducing environmental contamination from these persistent chemicals in consumer goods.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 21, 2026

S 8773: 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 and habitat enhancement for monarch butterflies, directly protecting pollinator species and conserving natural resources through habitat management.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 20, 2026

S 8753: Relates to the mechanical insulation energy savings program

This bill amends New York's mechanical insulation energy savings program to clarify eligibility and funding details. It directly affects school districts (and potentially public housing/hospitals) with buildings over 20,000 square feet needing insulation upgrades. Key provisions include requiring free "qualified audits" by approved contractors to identify insulation needs and costs, then providing competitive grants covering 50% to 75% of approved insulation installation expenses. The program mandates the authority to establish rules within one year and prioritize applicants who complete these audits.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides state grants covering 50-75% of insulation costs for public buildings, directly funding energy efficiency upgrades through budget allocation.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides grants for insulation upgrades in school buildings, improving school infrastructure per bill's focus on school district eligibility and infrastructure funding.80% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyFunds insulation upgrades for energy efficiency in public buildings (schools/hospitals), reducing consumption through competitive grants covering 50-75% of costs.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds insulation upgrades for energy efficiency in public buildings, reducing energy consumption and emissions per program's grant structure for 50-75% cost coverage.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2347: Creates a small business grid renewable energy tax credit

Creates a small business renewable tax credit; provides the term "business related renewable energy usage" shall refer to renewable power usage used to further the economic activity of the taxpayer at the primary business location that is clearly delimited from any shared renewable energy power usage cost.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a tax credit for small businesses using renewable energy, providing direct tax relief which aligns with supporting tax relief for businesses under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill creates tax credit for small business renewable energy usage, directly promoting renewable adoption per its explicit language and title.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates tax credit for small business renewable energy usage, directly promoting clean energy adoption and reducing reliance on non-renewable sources, aligning with environmental protection goals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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signed · New York · Senate Dec 19, 2025

S 1069: Prohibits the lease of state forests, reforestation areas, wildlife management areas and unique areas for the purpose of gas and oil production

S 1069 prohibits the leasing of state-owned forests, reforestation areas, wildlife management areas, and unique natural areas for gas and oil production. The bill amends environmental conservation law to specifically ban these leases, protecting these lands from energy extraction. It directly affects state land management decisions and energy companies seeking to drill on these protected properties. The law takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill explicitly prohibits leasing protected lands for gas/oil production, restricting fossil fuel extraction and protecting natural areas from energy development.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans leasing state forests/wildlife areas for oil/gas, protecting natural habitats from extraction and strengthening conservation95% 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

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 · 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

in committee · New York · Senate Jun 11, 2025

S 7358: 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 HOAs from restricting low impact landscaping, conserving water, reducing chemical use, and supporting biodiversity - key environmental conservation practices.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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