Environment

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6728: Enacts the "Great Swamp Protection Act"

S 6728, the "Great Swamp Protection Act," establishes a legal framework to protect the 6,000-acre Great Swamp wetland ecosystem in Dutchess and Putnam counties. It creates a 13-member commission (with state, county, and local representatives) to develop a land use and management plan for the area, coordinating state, county, and federal efforts. The bill designates specific lands as a "Great Swamp preserve" to safeguard wetlands, critical watersheds, and habitats for endangered species, while ensuring existing agricultural, recreational, and tourism activities continue under the plan. It directly affects landowners, local governments, and conservation agencies managing the region’s natural resources.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill designates lands as preserve to safeguard wetlands, watersheds, and endangered species habitats, directly protecting environment per summary95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4158: Enacts the NY Home Energy Affordable Transition Act; and repeals certain provisions of the public service law relating to gas service and sale

Aligns utility regulation with state climate justice and emission reduction targets; provides for a statewide affordable gas transition plan and utility home energy affordable transition programs; repeals provisions relating to continuation of gas service; repeals provisions relating to the sale of indigenous natural gas for generation of electricity.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRepeals gas service/sale provisions, aligns with climate targets, establishes affordable transition programs to reduce fossil fuel dependence and advance clean energy infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAligns utility regulation with climate targets, phases out gas services via repeal of gas continuation provisions, promoting emission reductions95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3972: Directs the department of environmental conservation to establish an installation grant program and a maintenance rebate program for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances removal treatment

Directs the department of environmental conservation to establish a perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances removal treatment installation grant program, providing a one-time grant to private well users for the installation of PFAS treatment or service connection to a public water system; directs the department of environmental conservation to establish a perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances removal treatment maintenance rebate program, providing a rebate to private well users for the maintenance of PFAS treatment equipment.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds PFAS removal treatment for private wells, directly reducing water pollution and protecting environmental health.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePFAS removal prevents exposure to health-harming chemicals, reducing public health risks from contaminated water, aligning with healthcare protection goals.85% 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 Dec 19, 2025

S 73: Relates to rechargeable battery recycling

Relates to rechargeable battery recycling; adds a battery used as the principal electric power source for an electric scooter or bicycle with electric assist to the definition of "rechargeable battery"; provides that a battery manufacturer may not sell, offer for sale, or distribute rechargeable batteries in the state unless the battery manufacturer is implementing or participating under an approved plan; allows a city with a population of one million or more to enforce through its own agencies.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires battery manufacturers to implement recycling plans, reducing waste and promoting resource conservation through mandatory recycling programs for rechargeable batteries.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

vetoed · New York · Senate Dec 12, 2025

S 4263: Relates to the availability of technical assistance grants in brownfield site remedial programs

Relates to the availability of technical assistance grants in brownfield site remedial programs; provides that the commissioner of environmental conservation shall provide grants to the New York city community board with jurisdiction over the site or to any not-for-profit corporation exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code at any site which may be affected by a brownfield site remedial program.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProvides grants for brownfield remediation, directly funding cleanup of contaminated sites to protect environmental health.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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signed · New York · Assembly Dec 12, 2025

A 1819: Enacts the monarch preservation plan

Enacts the monarch preservation plan requiring the department of environmental conservation to take feasible actions to conserve monarch butterflies and the unique habitats they depend upon for successful migration.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires department to conserve monarch butterflies and habitats, directly advancing species protection and ecosystem conservation under environmental policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

vetoed · New York · Senate Dec 5, 2025

S 5983: Prohibits the application of pesticides to certain local freshwater wetlands

Prohibits the application of pesticides to certain local freshwater wetlands for local governments that have implemented a freshwater wetlands protection law; provides that any local law or ordinance adopted pursuant to this section shall take effect on the first day of January after it shall have been adopted.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits pesticides in freshwater wetlands, directly protecting ecosystems from chemical pollution and aligning with conservation goals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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vetoed · New York · Senate Dec 5, 2025

S 1126: Directs the department of environmental conservation to conduct a study of ecological restoration needs of Jamaica Bay

Directs the department of environmental conservation to conduct a study of ecological restoration needs of Jamaica Bay; imposes a five-year moratorium on placing sediment or fill in the borrow pits in Jamaica Bay.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDirects ecological study and imposes moratorium on sediment/fill in Jamaica Bay, protecting habitat restoration needs and preventing further environmental disturbance.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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