Environment

in committee · New York · Senate Jun 9, 2025

S 4815: Establishes a stakeholder group in the Oswego river basin

S 4815 establishes a stakeholder group to coordinate water releases in the Oswego river basin. The bill requires the state corporation to form this group within six months, including entities controlling flood discharges, community groups, environmental experts, and the Department of Environmental Conservation. The group must review flood storage and watershed release strategies, then recommend a regulatory structure to the governor and legislative leaders within six months. This bill directly affects water management entities and communities in the Oswego basin by creating a process for coordinated flood response, without immediately changing existing water management rules.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires environmental experts and DEC involvement in watershed strategy reviews, promoting coordinated environmental management of river basin resources.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

Track

passed · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2025

S 641: Enacts the "home utility weatherization jobs act"

Enacts the "home utility weatherization jobs act"; requires each gas corporation, electric corporation, or combination gas or electric corporation to submit to the public service commission for review and approval at least one and up to ten neighborhood scale weatherization and electrification-ready projects.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates weatherization (energy efficiency) and electrification-ready projects, directly advancing clean energy infrastructure and reducing fossil fuel dependence per bill language.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates weatherization and electrification projects to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions, directly advancing environmental protection goals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

Track

passed · New York · Senate Apr 22, 2025

S 3828: 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 controls, directly strengthening pollution regulations and preventing increased emissions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

Track

signed · New York · Senate Feb 14, 2025

S 807: Relates to fees for a activities undertaken pursuant to a lake program

Prohibits the department of environmental conservation from charging any application fee or any other fee for activities undertaken pursuant to a lake program.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits fees for lake program activities, reducing barriers to environmental conservation efforts under a natural resources management program.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · New York · Senate Feb 14, 2025

S 759: Extends provisions of law relating to expanding the food donation and food scraps recycling program

This bill extends existing requirements for large food generators to participate in food donation and recycling programs. It sets tiered annual waste thresholds: businesses generating 2+ tons/week of food scraps (2023-2026), 1+ ton/week (2027-2028), or 0.5+ ton/week (2029 onward) must manage food scraps recycling. The law specifically affects supermarkets, large food service businesses, colleges, hotels, food processors, and venues like sports stadiums. It clarifies that entities managing waste for multi-tenant locations (e.g., malls) are responsible for coordinating recycling from all businesses within those sites. The extension takes effect January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates food scraps recycling for large generators, reducing landfill waste and methane emissions per tiered waste thresholds.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · New York · Senate Feb 14, 2025

S 794: Establishes a native plant and seed supply, development and enhancement program

Establishes a native plant and seed supply, development and enhancement program; requires the commissioners of the departments of agriculture and markets, environmental conservation and economic development to develop a list of plants and seeds eligible for consideration in such program; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates program to develop native plant/seed supply, directly advancing conservation of natural resources and habitat protection through species enhancement.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment