Environment

passed · New York · Senate Mar 4, 2026

S 3590: Enacts the climate resilient New York act of 2026; establishes the office of resilience to assess and identify climate related threats

Enacts the climate resilient New York act; establishes the office of resilience and a resilience task force to assess and identify climate related threats and develop a statewide resilience plan.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes Office of Resilience and task force to assess climate threats and develop statewide resilience plan, directly strengthening climate adaptation efforts per title and summary.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4230: Establishes clean energy goals of reducing the annual total of vehicle miles traveled within the state by 20% by the year 2050

Establishes clean energy goals of reducing the annual total of vehicle miles traveled within the state by 20% by the year 2050; requires state and local highway projects to comply with reductions to vehicle miles traveled targets.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentReduces vehicle miles traveled by 20% by 2050, directly lowering emissions and advancing clean energy goals per bill title and summary.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates highway projects comply with 20% VMT reduction goal by 2050, promoting sustainable transportation through reduced vehicle dependency.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Roads & Highways

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6488: Relates to watershed mitigation

Provides that when approving proposals to enhance the existing benefits provided by a wetland or to create and maintain new wetland benefits in order to increase the likelihood that a proposed activity will meet the applicable standard for permit issuance, the mitigation may occur within the same watershed as the proposed project.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill enables watershed-based wetland mitigation, promoting conservation and protection of wetland ecosystems within permitted projects.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6883: Relates to establishing a mollusk shell recycling tax credit

This bill creates a tax credit for businesses that recycle bivalve mollusk shells (like oyster shells), directly benefiting businesses that donate shells to DEC-approved organizations. The credit equals up to $1,000 or 10 cents per pound of certified shells, but cannot lower taxes below the minimum required amount. To qualify, shells must be donated to entities permitted by the DEC to reuse them for oyster reef restoration. The credit applies to taxable years starting January 1, 2025, and requires the DEC to establish verification rules.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit for shell recycling businesses, providing direct tax relief under state tax policy to incentivize environmental restoration.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates tax credit for shell recycling to restore oyster reefs, directly conserving marine habitats and promoting natural resource management through DEC-approved reef restoration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Recycling

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 932: Creates a cellulosic ethanol task force to prevent and reduce the production and emanation of greenhouse gases

This bill creates a state task force to study the feasibility of growing crops for cellulosic ethanol production, a renewable fuel that substantially reduces greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional ethanol. The task force, to be formed by the Agriculture Commissioner with members from environmental and conservation agencies, must identify optimal crops and locations within the state and submit findings and recommendations within one year. The bill expires two years after enactment, making it a temporary study initiative focused on advancing renewable energy research without implementing new regulations.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyPromotes renewable energy via cellulosic ethanol task force to reduce GHG emissions, aligning with clean energy advancement.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes task force to study cellulosic ethanol, a renewable fuel that substantially reduces greenhouse gas emissions, directly advancing environmental protection goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Climate Change Conservation

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 11, 2025

A 1179: Prohibits the lease of state forests, reforestation areas, wildlife management areas and unique areas for the purpose of gas and oil production

This bill prohibits leasing state-owned forests, reforestation areas, wildlife management areas, and unique natural areas for gas or oil exploration, development, or production. It amends New York's environmental conservation law to explicitly exclude these specific public lands from being leased for fossil fuel activities. The policy change directly affects state land management decisions, preventing future leases for oil and gas operations on these protected areas. The law applies to lands including state forests, wildlife areas, and designated unique natural sites, with no exceptions for gas or oil projects. This represents a concrete policy shift in how certain state lands may be used for energy development.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill explicitly prohibits leasing state lands for gas/oil production, directly restricting fossil fuel development on protected areas.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits fossil fuel leasing on protected state lands, conserving natural resources and preventing pollution from extraction activities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Conservation Forestry Public Lands

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passed · New York · Senate Jan 28, 2025

J 261: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2025, as Native Plant Month in the State of New York

This resolution (S.261) asks Governor Hochul to officially designate April 2025 as "Native Plant Month" in New York State, aligning with National Native Plant Month. It recognizes the environmental importance of native plants - species naturally adapted to New York's ecosystems - which support local wildlife, improve soil and water health, and sustain biodiversity. The resolution does not create new laws or regulations but encourages public awareness and actions like planting native species and removing invasive plants. It directly affects New Yorkers by promoting community engagement with local environmental stewardship.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes native plant conservation to support biodiversity, soil/water health, and ecosystem protection, aligning with environmental conservation goals without regulatory changes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6553: Establishes a green new deal for New York task force

Establishes a Green New Deal for New York task force; requires such task force to develop a detailed statewide, industrial, economic mobilization plan for the transition of the New York economy to become greenhouse gas emissions neutral by 2030 and to significantly draw down greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and oceans and to promote economic and environmental justice and equality.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates task force to develop plan for NY to achieve greenhouse gas neutrality by 2030, directly advancing renewable energy transition and emissions reduction goals.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates greenhouse gas emissions neutrality by 2030, draws down emissions, and promotes environmental justice - directly advancing climate action and pollution control.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Environmental Justice

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 13, 2026

A 2055: Relates to financial assistance to small businesses for the purpose of pollution prevention, control and compliance

This bill creates a "Small Business Environmental Fund" managed by New York State's urban development corporation to help small businesses obtain loans for pollution prevention and environmental compliance. The fund guarantees up to 90% of loans (capped at $500,000) from financial institutions, targeting businesses that struggle to secure traditional financing for pollution control equipment or compliance activities. It prioritizes small businesses in distressed areas, minority-owned, women-owned, or those complying with new federal/state environmental laws like the Clean Air Act. The fund uses state appropriations, loan fees, and federal funds to provide this credit support without requiring direct state lending.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state-managed fund guaranteeing loans for small business environmental compliance, advancing fiscal support through targeted budget allocation for distressed areas and minority-owned businesses.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates fund guaranteeing loans for pollution prevention/compliance equipment, directly reducing pollution through financial assistance for small businesses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Tags Small Business

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6618: 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 explicitly promotes pollinator health through environmental conservation programs and ties to climate adaptation initiatives, directly advancing ecosystem protection and biodiversity conservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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