Environment

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2352: Relates to enacting the New York deforestation protection act

Relates to enacting the "New York deforestation protection act"; provides that the department of environmental conservation shall adopt rules to protect forest resources related to timber, pests and invasive species and water and land management.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates rules to protect forest resources from deforestation, pests, and invasive species, directly advancing conservation efforts per its title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Public Lands

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6798: Establishes the University of the State of New York environmental sustainability office

Establishes the university of the state of New York environmental sustainability office to lead the coordination, planning and implementation of policies, programs, and processes to fulfill the university's sustainability obligations and targets cohesively, across all university campuses, and at the system level.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates dedicated office to coordinate university sustainability policies, advancing environmental conservation and obligations across campuses.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4221: Prohibits point source pollution in the Long Island Sound and Great South Bay

Bill A 4221 prohibits all point source discharges (such as pipes, outlets, or disposal systems) into the Long Island Sound and Great South Bay. It directly affects businesses, industries, or facilities currently releasing waste or pollutants into these water bodies. The law bans both new construction and existing operations of such discharge systems, requiring compliance within one year of enactment. Implementation rules must be finalized before the effective date to enforce the prohibition.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill prohibits all point source pollution in protected water bodies, directly reducing environmental harm and strengthening conservation regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2162: Enacts the "pollinator promotion act" to promote the health and viability of pollinators in the state

Enacts the "pollinator promotion act" to authorize the commissioner of environmental conservation to promote the health and viability of pollinators in the state and to make municipal adoption and implementation of pollinator promotion plans eligible for climate adaptation and mitigation projects under the climate smart communities program; requires consideration of certain pollinator health initiatives on SUNY campuses; directs the departments of education and environmental conservation to develop guidelines for school districts to implement certain pollinator friendly practices; directs the implementation of certain pollinator friendly practices on highway verges.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directly promotes pollinator health via state initiatives and climate adaptation programs, advancing environmental conservation and biodiversity protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3346: Relates to enacting the climate and community investment act

Enacts the climate and community investment act; prioritizes the allocation of public investments in disadvantaged communities; addresses climate change challenges through the expansion and growth of clean and renewable energy sources; adopts best value requirements for the solicitation, evaluation and award of renewable energy projects; establishes a community just transition program; establishes a climate pollution fee and a household and small business energy rebate; creates the climate and community investment authority.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates climate pollution fee with household energy rebates, providing tax relief for lower-income groups and funding community programs through public investment allocation.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly expands clean/renewable energy sources, establishes climate pollution fee with rebates, and creates community transition programs for clean energy growth.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands clean energy, imposes climate pollution fee, provides energy rebates - directly advances climate action and environmental protection per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Climate Change

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1109: Prohibits the hunting or taking of wildlife with the aid of an unmanned aerial vehicle

This bill (A 1109) prohibits hunting or taking wildlife using unmanned aerial vehicles (drones). It directly affects hunters who might use drones to locate or pursue animals, making such activity illegal under New York's environmental conservation law. The key provision bans the use of drones for hunting, defining "unmanned aerial vehicle" as any aircraft operated without direct human control from within the device. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans drone hunting to prevent wildlife disturbance, directly advancing conservation under environmental law by restricting harmful practices.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 906: Relates to state policy regarding the preservation of the unique qualities of the nighttime sky

This bill amends New York's environmental conservation law to explicitly include preserving the "unique qualities of the nighttime sky" as a state policy goal. It directs state agencies to prioritize protecting natural night skies in designated areas like the Adirondack and Catskill forest preserves, state parks, farms, and open spaces. The policy change requires agencies to consider nighttime sky preservation when managing land use and development, alongside existing environmental goals. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly adds nighttime sky preservation to environmental policy, directing agencies to prioritize it in land management alongside conservation goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry

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in committee · New York · Assembly Mar 27, 2026

A 3026: Relates to the disposition of certain fines and penalties

Bill A 3026 redirects fines and penalties from environmental conservation law violations (such as those under titles 19, 21, and 27 of the environmental conservation law) into a dedicated "conservation enforcement account" within the state conservation fund. It affects environmental law enforcement officers and the Department of Environmental Conservation by requiring all such fines to fund enforcement activities like staffing, scientific work, and legal support. The bill mandates that these funds must supplement - rather than replace - existing enforcement budgets and requires annual expenditure reports to legislative leaders. Courts collecting fines must remit payments directly to this account, streamlining how penalty revenue supports environmental protection efforts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects environmental fines to conservation enforcement fund, explicitly directing budget allocation for enforcement activities like staffing and legal support.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRedirects environmental violation fines to conservation enforcement fund, directly funding enforcement activities like staffing and scientific work to strengthen environmental protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending Conservation

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3205: Prohibits the sale or offer for sale of any cosmetic product or personal care product containing PFAS substances

This bill bans the sale or offer for sale of cosmetic and personal care products containing intentionally added PFAS substances, effective June 1, 2026. It directly affects manufacturers, retailers, and sellers of these products within the state. The law defines PFAS as fluorinated chemicals with at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom and specifically targets ingredients intentionally added to products. The prohibition covers all such products, including items like makeup, lotions, and hair care products. This is a direct regulatory change to product safety standards, not a procedural measure.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans PFAS in cosmetics, reducing environmental pollution from persistent chemicals known to contaminate water and soil.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBans PFAS in cosmetics (known health hazard) to protect public health, aligning with healthcare protection by reducing chemical exposure risks.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4876: Relates to interdisciplinary instruction on climate change

Requires that public schools provide instruction on climate change, including but not limited to identifying the causes and impacts of climate change on individuals, environments and communities, and learning to evaluate solutions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates climate change curriculum in public schools, expanding educational content on environmental science and solutions per bill requirements.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates climate change education in public schools, directly addressing environmental topic through curriculum requirements on causes, impacts, and solutions.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

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