Environment

in committee · New York · Senate Jun 3, 2026

S 10040: Extends the authority of the department of environmental conservation to manage black sea bass

This bill extends the authority of the Department of Environmental Conservation to manage black sea bass populations until December 31, 2029. It allows the department to set specific rules for fishing, such as size limits, catch limits, seasonal closures, and gear restrictions, provided these rules are no less strict than current state laws and align with federal and regional fishery plans. The legislation directly affects commercial and recreational fishermen by establishing a longer timeframe for the state to implement and adjust management strategies for this species. It takes effect immediately upon passage, giving the department the flexibility to regulate how black sea bass are taken, landed, and sold within the state.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill extends authority to manage fish populations, strengthening conservation and protecting natural resources.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

Track

passed · New York · Senate Jun 3, 2026

S 9749: Requires the consideration of complete street design for certain transportation projects which receive federal or state funding

Requires the consideration of complete street design for certain transportation projects which receive federal or state funding; authorizes the department to compile and make publicly available guidance and reference material related to consideration of complete street design.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentComplete street design promotes sustainable transportation, reduces vehicle emissions, and encourages active travel, aligning with environmental protection goals.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates complete street design for funded projects, enhancing infrastructure and promoting sustainable transportation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jun 3, 2026

S 9479: Relates to the definition of tidal wetlands

This bill amends the Environmental Conservation Law to include the marine and coastal district within the official definition of tidal wetlands. The change expands the legal scope to cover areas bordering or beneath tidal waters, such as banks, bogs, salt marshes, swamps, and meadows within that specific district. By updating the definition, the bill ensures these coastal areas are recognized under existing environmental protections. The legislation takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill expands legal definition of tidal wetlands to include marine and coastal areas, strengthening environmental protections for coastal ecosystems under existing regulations.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jun 3, 2026

S 9463: Establishes the authority of the department of environmental conservation to manage Atlantic bonito and false albacore

This bill grants the Department of Environmental Conservation the authority to create and enforce management rules for Atlantic bonito and false albacore fisheries. It allows the department to set regulations on fishing seasons, size limits, catch restrictions, gear requirements, and other fishing practices until December 31, 2029. These rules must align with existing state laws and comply with federal and regional fishery management plans. The legislation affects commercial and recreational fishermen targeting these species and gives the department flexibility to adjust management measures as needed.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill grants authority to manage fisheries, establish conservation rules, and protect Atlantic bonito and false albacore populations, aligning with environmental protection and natural resource conservation.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jun 3, 2026

S 9587: Extends certain provisions relating to the repair of damaged pesticide containers

This bill extends the expiration date for a program that allows the repair of damaged pesticide containers from 2026 to 2028. The legislation directly affects pesticide users and environmental conservation agencies by maintaining the existing repair provisions under the Environmental Conservation Law. The key mechanism is an amendment to the law's effective date, ensuring the repair program remains in place for an additional two years before automatic repeal. This change provides continuity for pesticide container management without altering the underlying requirements or procedures.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill extends pesticide container repair program, reducing waste and environmental contamination from improper disposal, supporting environmental conservation goals.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jun 3, 2026

S 9588: Extends provisions of law relating to the taking of sharks

This bill extends the expiration date of existing laws that regulate the taking of sharks in New York State. The legislation amends a 2014 law that was previously set to expire in 2026, pushing the deadline to December 31, 2028. It directly affects individuals and entities involved in shark fishing, research, or conservation activities by maintaining current regulatory protections for a longer period. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage and requires no additional mechanisms beyond extending the existing statutory timeline.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill extends shark protection regulations, directly supporting marine conservation and environmental protection by maintaining existing safeguards for a longer period.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jun 3, 2026

S 7970: Enacts the Mohawk River Basin management act

Establishes a Mohawk River Basin district and Mohawk River Basin management program for management of such district to preserve, protect, restore and enhance the environmental quality of the Mohawk River.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes Mohawk River Basin management program to conserve, protect, and restore environmental quality of the river, directly aligning with environmental protection indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

Track

passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 3, 2026

A 9026: Requires the testing of baby food and infant formula for toxic heavy metals and the disclosure of such test results

This bill (A 9026, "Baby Food Safety and Transparency Act") requires baby food manufacturers sold in the state to test products for arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury at least monthly using accredited labs. Manufacturers must publicly disclose test results via QR codes on labels showing metal levels and linking to FDA health information. Products exceeding state-established safety limits (based on federal standards) cannot be sold. The law directly affects baby food manufacturers and aims to increase transparency for parents, supplementing but not replacing federal requirements.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentTests baby food for environmental pollutants (arsenic, lead, cadmium, mercury), requiring disclosure to protect public health from contamination linked to environmental pollution sources.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates toxic metal testing in baby food to protect infant health, directly advancing public health safety standards under healthcare policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

Track

passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 3, 2026

A 8617: Enacts the Mohawk River Basin management act

Establishes a Mohawk River Basin district and Mohawk River Basin management program for management of such district to preserve, protect, restore and enhance the environmental quality of the Mohawk River.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes management program to conserve, protect, and restore Mohawk River environmental quality per bill summary95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

Track

passed · New York · Senate Jun 3, 2026

S 7645: Authorizes Duane Lake, in the town of Duanesburg, county of Schenectady, to participate in the septic system replacement fund

This bill adds Duane Lake in Duanesburg (Schenectady County) to the list of eligible areas for the state's septic system replacement fund. It directly affects property owners in Duane Lake who need to replace failing septic systems, allowing them to apply for reimbursement under the existing program. The bill amends the law to specifically include this location as eligible, based on established criteria like water quality risks, without creating new funding or changing program rules.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEnables septic system replacements to prevent groundwater pollution, directly aligning with pollution control in environmental protection.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

Track