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

passed · New York · Senate Feb 10, 2026

S 9074: Enacts the "emission tampering act"

Prohibits the disabling, removal or interference with emission control devices and the use of emission tampering devices; provides remedies for the violation of such provisions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits tampering with emission control devices, directly reducing pollution and strengthening emissions regulations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · New York · Senate Feb 10, 2026

S 4513: Requires applicants for major projects located near an environmental justice community to submit an enhanced public participation plan

Senate Bill S 4513 requires applicants for major projects located in or within one mile of a disadvantaged community to submit an enhanced public participation plan. This plan, submitted to the environmental department, must describe the project's potential impacts, the affected community, and how public information and input will be managed. Key provisions include holding at least three public meetings, providing information in plain language, and offering translations into common non-English languages to ensure meaningful community involvement in the permit process.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires enhanced public participation plans for projects near environmental justice communities, ensuring community input on potential environmental impacts and strengthening protections for vulnerable areas.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · New York · Senate Feb 10, 2026

S 672: Relates to environmental restoration projects; repealer

Bill S 672 updates the environmental conservation law regarding environmental restoration projects, primarily affecting municipalities and entities involved in remediating contaminated sites. It allows for project funding starting in fiscal year 2025-2026 and expands the definition of "contaminant" to include emerging contaminants and PFAS substances. The bill modifies how responsible party settlement payments are applied to project costs and adds new criteria for prioritizing projects, such as those in disadvantaged communities or addressing drinking water contamination. Additionally, it broadens state indemnification for municipalities, successors, lessees, and lenders involved in these remediation efforts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes funding for environmental restoration projects starting fiscal year 2025-2026, directly allocating state budget resources to a public service program.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands contaminant definition to include PFAS, funds restoration projects, strengthens remediation efforts under environmental conservation law90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · New York · Senate Feb 10, 2026

S 1377: Creates a legislative task force on outdoor environmental education and recreation

Creates a legislative task force on outdoor environmental education and recreation that will benefit residents of New York state by fostering stewardship and conservation of the environment, and an appreciation of the importance of the wise use of natural resources as well as acknowledgment of the health benefits of time spent in nature.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates task force to foster environmental stewardship, conservation, and appreciation of natural resources, directly advancing environmental education and protection goals.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · New York · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 600: Requires certain municipal planning boards and zoning boards of appeals to receive environmentally conscious planning training

Requires certain municipal planning boards and zoning boards of appeals to receive at least one hour of environmentally conscious planning training annually.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates environmentally conscious training for planning/zoning boards to improve environmental decision-making, directly advancing conservation and protection goals.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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in committee · New York · Senate Feb 3, 2026

S 6353: Provides a green infrastructure tax abatement for certain properties in a city of one million or more

Provides a green infrastructure tax abatement for the construction of green infrastructure projects on certain properties in a city of one million or more.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesTax abatement reduces government tax revenue, weakening budget base for public services.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyTax abatement for green infrastructure projects directly promotes renewable energy development and clean energy investment per bill language.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentTax abatement incentivizes green infrastructure projects, reducing urban pollution and enhancing environmental protection through sustainable construction.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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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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died · New York · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 6286: Establishes the agrivoltaics viability pilot program within the farmland viability program

Establishes the agrivoltaics viability pilot program to provide grants to identify the best practices and strategies for agrivoltaics and dual-use solar energy projects that protect soil health during construction and decommissioning of solar arrays, utilize sustainable agricultural production practices, monitor any benefits solar energy may have on farms and to the state, track economic viability, study the commercialization of dual-use solar energy projects, and encourage equitable engagement of stakeholders.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill creates grants for dual-use solar projects (agrivoltaics), promoting renewable energy infrastructure and sustainable agricultural practices within energy policy.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes clean energy (solar) and sustainable agriculture via agrivoltaics grants, protecting soil health and monitoring environmental benefits.95% 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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