Environment

signed · New York · Assembly Jul 29, 2025

A 8658: Extends the authority of the department of environmental conservation to manage alewife

This bill extends the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's authority to manage alewife fish populations until December 31, 2028. It amends existing law to change the expiration date from 2025 to 2028, maintaining the department's current management powers. The extension directly affects the conservation and management of alewife, a migratory fish species, and the department's regulatory responsibilities. The bill was signed into law on July 29, 2025, and is now effective.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExtends DEP authority to manage alewife populations, sustaining conservation efforts for migratory species under existing regulatory framework.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · New York · Assembly Jul 29, 2025

A 8486: Extends the authority of the department of environmental conservation to manage bluefish

This bill extends the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's authority to regulate bluefish (a specific fish species) through 2028, instead of ending in 2025. It allows the department to continue setting rules for catch limits, size restrictions, fishing seasons, and other management measures for bluefish. These regulations must remain at least as strict as current requirements and align with both federal fishing laws and regional management plans. The extension directly affects commercial and recreational fishermen who harvest bluefish in New York waters. The bill passed the legislature and was signed into law in July 2025.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill extends strict bluefish management authority through 2028, requiring regulations to remain 'at least as strict as current requirements' and align with conservation goals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · New York · Assembly Jul 29, 2025

A 8656: Extends the authority of the department of environmental conservation to manage hickory shad

This bill (A 8656) extends the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) authority to manage hickory shad (a fish species) until December 31, 2028. It updates the expiration date in existing law from 2025 to 2028, ensuring the DEC can continue its conservation efforts for this species. The change directly affects the DEC's ongoing management of hickory shad populations and their habitat within New York waters. The bill modifies a specific provision in environmental law without altering the species' conservation status or introducing new regulations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExtends DEC authority for hickory shad conservation, maintaining habitat management efforts per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · New York · Assembly Jul 29, 2025

A 8280: Relates to the department of environmental conservation's management of hard clams, soft or steamer clams and razor clams

Extends the authority of the department of environmental conservation from December 31, 2025 until December 31, 2028 to adopt by regulation measures for the management of hard clams, soft or steamer clams or razor clams.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExtends regulatory authority for clam conservation management, enabling ongoing protection of natural shellfish resources under environmental protection framework.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · New York · Assembly Jul 29, 2025

A 8018: Relates to the management of oysters

This bill extends the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's authority to manage oyster harvesting and sales from December 31, 2025, through December 31, 2027. It directly affects oyster fishermen, commercial harvesters, and businesses involved in oyster transportation, sale, and processing by allowing the Department to set specific rules during this period. Key provisions include the ability to establish size limits, catch and possession quotas, seasonal restrictions, closed areas, permit requirements, and gear regulations - ensuring any new rules are at least as strict as current standards. The bill does not create new management policies but extends the existing framework for oyster management. The bill was signed into law on July 29, 2025 (Chapter 193).

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExtends DEC authority to set sustainable oyster harvesting rules (size limits, quotas), conserving marine resources and protecting ecosystems through regulated management.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 25, 2025

A 7454: Relates to the Mount Van Hoevenberg Olympic Sports Complex in Essex County

This bill proposes amending New York's constitution to clarify state forest preserve land management, not specifically related to the Mount Van Hoevenberg complex as the title suggests. It allows limited land exchanges and infrastructure projects while preserving the forest preserve's core purpose, including: conveying specific parcels to towns for public uses (like airport extensions, cemeteries, or water wells) in exchange for equivalent forest land; permitting up to 25 miles of ski trails on designated mountains; and allowing highway maintenance within strict acreage limits. These provisions require legislative approval before land transfers and mandate that exchanged lands must be equal in value. The bill does not create new facilities at Mount Van Hoevenberg but modifies constitutional language governing forest preserve land use statewide.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPreserves forest preserve core purpose via equivalent land exchanges, preventing degradation while permitting limited infrastructure like ski trails.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

Track

passed · New York · Senate Jun 10, 2025

S 2706: Prohibits the use of drilling fluids, brine and flowback water from gas or oil wells, pools, or fields on any highway

Prohibits the use of drilling fluids, brine and flowback water from gas or oil wells, pools, or fields on any highway for any purpose including but not limited to de-icing or dust suppression.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits hazardous waste disposal on highways, preventing soil/water contamination from oil/gas byproducts.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationProhibits hazardous substances on highways, enhancing road safety standards by banning drilling fluids for de-icing/dust suppression.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

Track

passed · New York · Senate May 22, 2025

S 187: Prohibits the sale of certain products that contain regulated perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances; and provides penalties for violations

Prohibits the sale of certain products that contain regulated perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances; requires manufacturers of products containing PFAS to provide notice of such fact to persons that offer the products for sale or distribution; provides penalties for violations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits PFAS-containing products, reducing environmental pollution from persistent chemicals linked to water contamination and ecosystem harm.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