Environment

died · New York · Senate Feb 24, 2026

S 6307: Relates to the prevention and mitigation of marine and coastal debris

Relates to the prevention and mitigation of marine and coastal debris; defines terms; requires the department of environmental conservation to prepare and annually update a marine and coastal debris action plan.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates an action plan to prevent/mitigate marine debris, directly reducing pollution and protecting coastal ecosystems per environmental conservation goals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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signed · New York · Assembly Feb 13, 2026

A 9436: 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 to protect monarch habitat, reducing chemical use and enhancing conservation efforts per its title and summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · New York · Assembly Feb 13, 2026

A 9478: Establishes a New York native plants designation; repealer

Directs the department of agriculture and markets, in cooperation with the department of environmental conservation, to establish standards for designation of native plants, to develop a list of native plants that indicates and differentiates between native plants that are indigenous to New York state and those that are native plants found elsewhere in the United States that are likely to shift or expand their range into NY, to establish a New York native plant designation, and to offer seals or logos identifying native plants as grown in New York state; defines "native plants".

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes native plant standards to conserve biodiversity and promote ecosystem health through designated native species, aligning with environmental conservation goals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

passed · New York · Senate Feb 10, 2026

S 672: Relates to environmental restoration projects; repealer

Bill S 672 updates the environmental conservation law regarding environmental restoration projects, primarily affecting municipalities and entities involved in remediating contaminated sites. It allows for project funding starting in fiscal year 2025-2026 and expands the definition of "contaminant" to include emerging contaminants and PFAS substances. The bill modifies how responsible party settlement payments are applied to project costs and adds new criteria for prioritizing projects, such as those in disadvantaged communities or addressing drinking water contamination. Additionally, it broadens state indemnification for municipalities, successors, lessees, and lenders involved in these remediation efforts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes funding for environmental restoration projects starting fiscal year 2025-2026, directly allocating state budget resources to a public service program.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands contaminant definition to include PFAS, funds restoration projects, strengthens remediation efforts under environmental conservation law90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · New York · Senate Feb 10, 2026

S 1377: Creates a legislative task force on outdoor environmental education and recreation

Creates a legislative task force on outdoor environmental education and recreation that will benefit residents of New York state by fostering stewardship and conservation of the environment, and an appreciation of the importance of the wise use of natural resources as well as acknowledgment of the health benefits of time spent in nature.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates task force to foster environmental stewardship, conservation, and appreciation of natural resources, directly advancing environmental education and protection goals.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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passed · New York · Senate Feb 3, 2026

S 1187: Authorizes certain local municipal agencies to use surveillance cameras to combat illegal dumping

This bill allows local municipal agencies responsible for waste management to install and use surveillance cameras to identify people illegally dumping waste. It directly affects towns and cities with authority over sanitation, enabling them to review camera footage as evidence. The key provision authorizes these agencies to deploy cameras in areas prone to illegal dumping and use the footage to track down violators. The law takes effect immediately upon passage, focusing solely on expanding local enforcement tools for waste management.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill targets illegal dumping (a pollution source) by enabling enforcement via surveillance cameras, directly reducing environmental pollution through waste management enforcement.85% 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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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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