Environment (Conservation)

in committee · New York · Senate Mar 16, 2026

S 9473: Enacting the lead-free game donation act

This bill prohibits the donation of game meat harvested with lead ammunition for human consumption in New York State. It directly affects hunters, charitable food organizations, and professional game processors by restricting which types of game can be donated to those in need. The law requires that any game donated must be clearly marked with details about how it was taken and what ammunition was used, while also exempting game taken with archery or non-lead ammunition from the ban. The bill also directs the Department of Environmental Conservation to maintain a public list of recognized non-lead ammunition types and to provide guidance on safe game preparation and distribution. The restrictions take effect two years after the bill becomes law, allowing time for necessary rule changes and public education.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill restricts donation of game meat harvested with lead ammunition, which limits access to food resources and does not advance environmental protection goals.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

Track

in committee · New York · Senate May 7, 2026

S 9478: Prohibits incentives for the siting or operation of commercial renewable energy systems in sensitive environmental areas

This bill prohibits government incentives for commercial renewable energy projects like solar farms in sensitive environmental areas and on active farmland, with specific exceptions for agrivoltaic systems that combine solar power with agriculture. It removes eligibility for financial assistance, zero emission credits, and tax exemptions for such projects located in critical environmental areas, bird conservation zones, grassland bird centers, and wildlife management areas. The legislation also formally defines agrivoltaics as solar systems that simultaneously produce energy and agricultural products without displacing farming activities, while excluding certain practices like sole reliance on pollinator habitats or sheep grazing. These changes directly affect developers proposing renewable energy projects and government agencies administering agricultural and environmental programs.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill removes financial assistance, zero emission credits, and tax exemptions for renewable energy projects, restricting government spending incentives and limiting fiscal support for clean energy initiatives.85% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill prohibits incentives for renewable energy systems in sensitive areas, restricting development and limiting financial support for clean energy projects.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill restricts renewable energy projects in sensitive areas by removing financial incentives, which limits clean energy deployment and environmental protection efforts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar Conservation Public Lands Wildlife

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Mar 3, 2026

S 9344: Prohibits the issuing of major renewable energy and major electric transmission facility siting permits in designated grassland bird conservation centers

Prohibits the issuing of major renewable energy and major electric transmission facility siting permits in designated grassland bird conservation centers including, but not limited to, three such centers in Jefferson county, one center in Saint Lawrence county, the Oak-Orchard-Iroquois center, the Washington County Grasslands center, the Finger Lakes National Forest center and the Shawangunk Grasslands.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill prohibits renewable energy and transmission facility permits in conservation areas, directly blocking renewable energy development.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill prohibits renewable energy and transmission permits in conservation centers, limiting clean energy development and restricting environmental protection efforts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Conservation Forestry

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 21, 2026

A 9596: Relates to standards relating to hydrofluorocarbon substances

Relates to standards relating to hydrofluorocarbon substances; provides that any rules or regulations relating to hydrofluorocarbon substances established or implemented by the department of environmental conservation shall conform with, and shall not exceed, any applicable rules or regulations set forth in 40 C.F.R. Part 84, as in effect on October first, two thousand twenty-five.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBars state regulations from exceeding federal HFC standards (40 C.F.R. Part 84), preventing stricter environmental protections and limiting state-level climate action on potent greenhouse gases.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 28, 2026

S 9066: Relates to standards relating to hydrofluorocarbon substances

Relates to standards relating to hydrofluorocarbon substances; provides that any rules or regulations relating to hydrofluorocarbon substances established or implemented by the department of environmental conservation shall conform with, and shall not exceed, any applicable rules or regulations set forth in 40 C.F.R. Part 84, as in effect on October first, two thousand twenty-five.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentPrevents stricter state HFC regulations by capping at federal standards (40 C.F.R. Part 84), limiting environmental protections beyond federal baseline.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8693: Excludes certain amphibians and reptiles from the definition of small game; repealer

This bill amends New York's environmental conservation law to exclude bullfrogs from the definition of "small game" and update related regulations. It removes bullfrogs from lists of animals regulated under small game hunting rules (such as licensing requirements and permitted take methods) and clarifies that bullfrogs are no longer classified as "wild amphibians" under the law. The changes affect hunters, wildlife managers, and enforcement of fishing/hunting regulations by specifying that bullfrog harvesting follows separate department regulations rather than small game rules. The bill also repeals outdated references to other amphibians like native frogs and salamanders in the small game definition.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill removes bullfrogs from 'wild amphibians' classification under environmental conservation law, eliminating regulatory protections for hunting. This weakens species conservation oversight under environmental regulations.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8669: Establishes the thriving reliable inexpensive versatile energy council; repealer

Repeals the New York state climate leadership and community protection act and establishes the nineteen member common sense energy council which will prepare and approve recommendations for achieving affordable and attainable statewide greenhouse gas reductions; requires a statewide greenhouse gas emissions report by the department of environmental conservation; makes technical corrections thereto.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyRepeals CLCPA (New York's climate law with strict emissions targets), replacing it with a council focused on 'affordable' reductions, weakening climate goals.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRepeals NY's Climate Leadership Act, removing binding emissions targets and replacing it with a council focused on 'affordable' reductions, weakening environmental protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Conservation

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8621: Relates to returning the state's energy codes to earlier provisions; repealer

Returns the state's energy codes to the less expensive earlier provisions; repeals provisions of the state energy conservation construction code which relate to the state's clean energy and climate agenda.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill reverts to less expensive energy codes, reducing state spending and promoting fiscal responsibility in budget management.90% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyRepeals clean energy provisions and returns codes to less expensive earlier standards, weakening state's climate agenda and clean energy standards.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRepeals clean energy and climate agenda provisions in energy codes, weakening environmental protections and deregulating conservation standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy Conservation

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Mar 11, 2026

S 8607: Relates to the calculation of statewide greenhouse gas emission limits; repealer

S 8607 repeals Section 75-0109 of the Environmental Conservation Law, which previously required the development of regulations to achieve statewide greenhouse gas emissions reductions. This repeal removes a specific legal mandate for creating emissions-reduction regulations, directly affecting the state's regulatory framework for climate policy. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment, eliminating the requirement without establishing new provisions or altering emissions targets.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyRepeals emissions reduction regulations, removing legal mandate for greenhouse gas cuts, weakening climate policy framework.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRepeals emissions reduction mandate, removing legal requirement for regulations without replacement, weakening climate policy framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Conservation

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1101: Limits the department of environmental conservation's ability to fix special open seasons for taking wild deer

Limits the department of environmental conservation's ability to fix special open seasons for taking wild deer to ending no later than the 3rd Sunday of December of each year; allows the department to issue regulations for special seasons for particular counties or designated wildlife management units after consultation with local governments and stakeholders.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRestricts department's flexibility in deer season management, limiting adaptive conservation measures for natural resources.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

Track