Environment

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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died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7899: Provides that priority shall be given to certain sites when developing renewable energy generating projects

This bill defines "agrivoltaics" as projects that simultaneously use land for solar energy generation and agriculture (like growing crops under solar panels), with specific requirements to maintain farming activities. It requires state authorities to prioritize previously developed sites - such as brownfields, landfills, parking lots, and underutilized commercial properties - for new renewable energy projects. The law directly affects agricultural producers and renewable energy developers by creating a framework for dual-use solar-farming projects on suitable land. Key provisions include mandatory planning with farmers, decommissioning plans to protect farmland, and restrictions on using pollinator habitats or sheep grazing as the sole activity.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill prioritizes renewable energy projects on developed sites (brownfields, landfills) and defines agrivoltaics, directly advancing renewable energy infrastructure development without restricting clean energy.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill prioritizes renewable energy projects on previously developed sites (brownfields, landfills) via agrivoltaics, promoting clean energy expansion while maintaining agriculture and avoiding new land disturbance.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 597: Requires the public service commission and the department of environmental conservation to conduct audits of private water companies

Establishes the "small water utility transparency act"; requires the public service commission and the department of environmental conservation to conduct audits of certain private water companies; requires certain private water companies which are under certain investigations to file public updates on the status of compliance with such orders.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates environmental department audits of water companies to ensure compliance with environmental orders, strengthening oversight of water resource protection.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4672: Requires signage on state highways designating where there are zero-emission charging and refueling stations nearby

Requires signage on state highways designating where there is a zero-emission charging and refueling station that is open and available to the public within three miles of an exit or off-ramp.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires signage for zero-emission charging/refueling stations, directly promoting renewable energy infrastructure access and adoption of clean transportation.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires signage for zero-emission charging/refueling stations, promoting EV adoption and reducing transportation emissions, directly advancing clean energy infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires signage for zero-emission charging stations on highways, promoting sustainable transportation infrastructure and EV adoption per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8003: Relates to lease terms for zero-emission school buses

This bill extends the maximum lease term for zero-emission school buses from 5 to 12 years, allowing school districts to secure long-term agreements without annual voter approval for these specific vehicles. It directly affects school districts purchasing or leasing zero-emission buses by permitting longer contracts (up to 12 years) compared to standard school buses (max 5 years). The key change adjusts budgeting rules so districts using 12-year leases for zero-emission buses must calculate related costs over the full lease period for funding purposes. The bill does not alter lease terms for conventional buses or require new voter approvals for standard bus leases.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill enables longer-term adoption of zero-emission school buses by extending lease terms, directly advancing clean energy infrastructure and reducing fossil fuel dependence in transportation.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill extends lease terms for zero-emission school buses, facilitating adoption to reduce transportation emissions and promote clean energy in public transit.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExtends lease terms for zero-emission school buses to 12 years, enabling long-term adoption of sustainable transit vehicles and reducing reliance on annual voter approvals, directly supporting sustainable transportation infrastructure.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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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 1338: Relates to emerging technology industrial classifications for clean environment and energy technologies

This bill adds a new classification for "clean environment and energy technologies" to industrial definitions. It specifically covers pollution reduction methods, renewable energy generation/storage, and energy efficiency systems like smart grids and automated energy control technology. Businesses developing these technologies will be directly affected, as the bill formally defines which innovations qualify under this new category. The legislation focuses on creating clear standards for emerging clean tech sectors without imposing new regulations or funding.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyAdds classification for clean energy tech, covering renewables, storage, and efficiency systems like smart grids, promoting industry standards for emerging innovations.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates formal classification for pollution reduction, renewable energy, and energy efficiency technologies, directly advancing environmental protection through standardized definitions for qualifying innovations.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill creates new industrial classification for clean energy tech (renewables, smart grids), promoting innovation and standardization in emerging technology sector.95% 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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