Environment

passed · New York · Senate Feb 10, 2026

S 4513: Requires applicants for major projects located near an environmental justice community to submit an enhanced public participation plan

Senate Bill S 4513 requires applicants for major projects located in or within one mile of a disadvantaged community to submit an enhanced public participation plan. This plan, submitted to the environmental department, must describe the project's potential impacts, the affected community, and how public information and input will be managed. Key provisions include holding at least three public meetings, providing information in plain language, and offering translations into common non-English languages to ensure meaningful community involvement in the permit process.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires enhanced public participation plans for projects near environmental justice communities, ensuring community input on potential environmental impacts and strengthening protections for vulnerable areas.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Environmental Justice

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5039: Changes the definition of the word "weed"

This bill changes the legal definition of "weed" in environmental law to specifically include plants designated as invasive, harmful, or poisonous under state or federal rules. It explicitly excludes endangered species and any plants native to the state from this definition. The change directly affects environmental agencies and land managers who enforce plant control regulations, providing clearer criteria for identifying regulated plants. This is a procedural adjustment to the law's language, not a new policy requiring funding or broad implementation.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExcludes endangered/native plants from 'weed' definition while targeting invasive/harmful species, strengthening regulatory precision for ecosystem protection without weakening standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2040: Establishes the green building credit for construction or rehabilitation of property in conformity with certain energy efficiency standards

This bill creates a tax credit for homeowners who build or renovate their primary residence to meet specific energy efficiency standards (like LEED or NAHB guidelines). The credit covers up to $10,000 of eligible costs - such as construction, professional fees, and energy-efficient materials - over a 10-year period, but excludes items like computers, solar panels, or new air conditioning systems. Unused credit amounts can be carried forward for up to five years to offset future tax bills. It applies only to primary residences and takes effect for tax years beginning January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit reducing homeowner tax burden for energy-efficient construction, aligning with tax relief indicators for middle-income households.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill provides tax credit for energy-efficient home construction meeting LEED/NAHB standards, directly promoting reduced energy consumption and efficiency per bill's explicit purpose.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates tax credit for energy-efficient building construction, directly promoting reduced energy consumption and lower emissions per environmental protection indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Energy Efficiency Solar

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1984: Requires climate change and sustainability education in elementary and high schools

Requires that climate change and sustainability education be taught in elementary and high schools to educate pupils about how human activities cause climate change, the effects of climate change, the dangers associated with climate change and preventative measures that can be taken to alleviate the impacts of climate change.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates climate change education curriculum in K-12 schools, expanding required educational content and aligning with curriculum enhancement indicators.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates climate change education teaching causes, effects, and preventative measures, advancing environmental awareness and education as a core component of environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6739: Relates to eligibility under the green building tax credit

This bill amends New York's tax law to include residential buildings as eligible for the green building tax credit. It directly affects homeowners and developers constructing residential properties who may now qualify for this tax incentive. The key change adds "any residential building" to the list of eligible structures under the tax credit program, removing previous restrictions that excluded them. This adjustment simplifies eligibility by expanding the definition of qualifying buildings under the existing tax credit framework.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax credit eligibility for residential buildings, providing tax relief to homeowners and developers under New York's tax law.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExpands green building tax credit to residential properties, promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy adoption through financial incentives for sustainable construction.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands tax credit eligibility for residential green buildings, promoting sustainable construction and reducing environmental impact through financial incentives.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands green building tax credit to residential buildings, incentivizing housing development by removing eligibility restrictions for developers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Tax Incentives

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4386: Establishes an office of sustainability

Establishes a chief sustainability officer to coordinate efforts across state agencies and other state government entities to address climate change mitigation and climate sustainability efforts.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyEstablishes sustainability office to coordinate climate mitigation efforts, advancing clean energy infrastructure and sustainability goals.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes chief sustainability officer to coordinate climate mitigation and sustainability efforts, directly advancing environmental protection through cross-agency coordination.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Recycling

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in committee · New York · Senate Feb 3, 2026

S 6353: Provides a green infrastructure tax abatement for certain properties in a city of one million or more

Provides a green infrastructure tax abatement for the construction of green infrastructure projects on certain properties in a city of one million or more.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesTax abatement reduces government tax revenue, weakening budget base for public services.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyTax abatement for green infrastructure projects directly promotes renewable energy development and clean energy investment per bill language.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentTax abatement incentivizes green infrastructure projects, reducing urban pollution and enhancing environmental protection through sustainable construction.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Recycling Water Quality

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7688: Establishes the "climate safe & responsible bank procurement act"

This bill requires New York state agencies to consider climate-related criteria when selecting banks for underwriting bond issuances or refinancing. It specifically mandates that banks with $100 billion or more in assets must disclose their scope 1-3 emissions, clean energy financing ratio, and policies banning support for coal projects or new fossil fuel infrastructure. Agencies must evaluate these factors as part of "best value" decisions for banking services, including credit cards and depository accounts. The law takes effect by 2027 for emissions reporting and applies to state contracts with large financial institutions.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill requires banks to disclose clean energy financing ratios and ban fossil fuel support, directly promoting renewable energy and reducing fossil fuel dependence through procurement criteria.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates banks to disclose emissions, clean energy financing, and ban fossil fuel support, requiring agencies to prioritize climate-conscious banking services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coal Renewable Energy

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1666: Establishes a climate change education grant program

Establishes a climate change education grant program to award grants to eligible applicants to support climate change education grant programs for young people or to provide optional teacher training or professional development programs relevant to the advance of climate change literacy in young people; establishes the New York state climate change education fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a state climate change education fund requiring budget appropriations, creating new government spending on education programs.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes climate change education grants and teacher training funding, directly advancing curriculum development and educator capacity within educational programs.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds climate change education grants for youth and teacher training, advancing climate change literacy per its explicit purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Climate Change

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passed · New York · Senate Mar 17, 2026

S 879: Establishes the garden protection act

Establishes the "garden protection act", protecting the rights of individuals to cultivate home vegetable gardens, native plant gardens, and/or pollinator gardens.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProtects pollinator gardens and native plants, supporting biodiversity and ecosystem health through individual gardening rights.85% confidence

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