Environment

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1344: Establishes the environmental sustainability education act

Requires the department of education to establish an education for environmental sustainability program to teach children the importance of conserving and protecting our environment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates environmental sustainability curriculum in schools, enhancing student educational programs and curriculum content.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates environmental sustainability education program teaching conservation and protection, directly advancing environmental awareness and education goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Recycling

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2351: Provides for the expansion of the New York bottle bill

New York's S 2351 expands the state's bottle bill to cover more beverage types, including sports drinks, teas, and juices (previously excluded), while clarifying that flavored waters with added sugar remain excluded. It requires beverage producers to accept returns of empty containers from consumers and establishes new revenue rules: 50% of collected refund fees must go to the environmental protection fund, and 5.5% must be paid quarterly to registered redemption centers. This affects beverage manufacturers, retailers, and redemption centers by broadening container return requirements and changing how refund money is distributed. The bill aims to increase recycling rates for a wider range of packaged drinks while creating new financial obligations for businesses handling container returns.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates 50% of refund fees to environmental protection fund, directly funding a state program through new revenue, aligning with fiscal management and program funding.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands bottle recycling coverage, directs 50% of refund fees to environmental protection fund, promoting waste reduction and funding conservation initiatives.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1493: Relates to regulation of PFAS as a toxic air pollutant

Relates to regulation of PFAS as a toxic air pollutant; requires the department to ensure certain process operations use appropriate control technology for PFAS emissions; establishes a fence line monitoring program to monitor PFAS emissions in disadvantaged communities, to provide public reports, and related duties.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates PFAS emission controls and monitoring, reducing toxic air pollution in vulnerable communities per environmental protection indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1189: Limits tinted green and brown to compostable plastic bags for the purposes of bag waste reduction

This bill restricts the use of green or brown tinted plastic bags for certain exempt items under New York's bag waste reduction law. It specifies that bags exempt from the bag fee (like those for meat, bulk produce, trash, or pharmacy prescriptions) cannot be tinted green or brown unless they are made from compostable plastic. The key provision requires all green or brown tinted bags to meet compostable plastic standards, aiming to prevent non-compostable bags from being disguised as eco-friendly options. This affects retailers and manufacturers selling these exempt bags by limiting their color options.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates compostable plastic for green/brown tinted bags to prevent non-compostable bags from being disguised as eco-friendly, directly reducing plastic pollution and advancing waste reduction goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 520: Establishes a forestry stewardship and habitat conservation credit for personal income and business franchise taxes

Bill A 520 creates a tax credit allowing New York landowners to deduct 25% of real property taxes paid on land enrolled in forestry stewardship or habitat conservation programs. To qualify, land must be at least 25 contiguous acres, inspected by DEC-certified biologists, and committed to a 5-year conservation agreement with the Department of Environmental Conservation. The credit is capped at $10,000 annually per taxpayer and applies to personal income and business franchise taxes. Landowners must follow approved conservation plans and record agreements with local authorities to maintain eligibility.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit reducing liability for conservation landowners, providing tax relief under fiscal policy.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates tax credit for conservation programs, incentivizing habitat protection and forestry stewardship, directly advancing environmental conservation goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Conservation Forestry

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 2086: Increases the statewide energy storage capacity

This bill amends New York's climate law to increase the statewide target for energy storage capacity from three to six gigawatts by 2030. It directly affects utilities and energy providers (load-serving entities) by requiring them to support this higher storage target alongside existing renewable energy goals. The bill updates specific sections of the public service law and environmental conservation law to reflect the new six-gigawatt storage requirement, aligning with the state's broader climate commitments. This change is part of New York's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) framework, which sets renewable energy and emissions reduction targets. The policy change is a concrete adjustment to existing targets, not a new program.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyIncreases energy storage target from 3 to 6 GW by 2030, directly advancing renewable energy infrastructure and climate goals per amended climate law.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases renewable energy storage target to 6GW by 2030, advancing climate goals and clean energy integration per amended climate law.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Storage Renewable Energy Climate Change Conservation

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4264: Requires the department of agriculture and markets to develop and maintain a database on the impact of climate change on agriculture

Requires the department of agriculture and markets to develop and maintain a database on the impact of climate change on agriculture; requires farmers to report to the department on the impact of climate change on agriculture, including but not limited to crops grown, outcomes and yield.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires climate impact database for agriculture, advancing environmental data collection on climate change effects90% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 5447: Directs the department of environmental conservation to establish a composting symbol

This bill requires New York's Department of Environmental Conservation to create a standardized symbol identifying products acceptable for composting at all facilities it oversees. It mandates the department to develop the symbol, define specific product categories that must display it (such as single-use food containers, utensils, and compostable plastics - distinct from biodegradable items), and establish rules with enforcement penalties. The symbol aims to clarify which items can be safely composted, directly affecting manufacturers of these products and composting facilities. Implementation rules will govern how the symbol is used and enforced.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill standardizes compostable product identification to reduce landfill waste, promote proper composting, and clarify pollution control for single-use items, directly advancing environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Recycling

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4013: Relates to unlawfully deceptive acts or practices regarding environmental marketing claims

This bill prohibits businesses from making misleading environmental marketing claims, such as falsely claiming "net zero" emissions or using truthful statements to create a false impression about a product's environmental benefits ("paltering"). It specifically bans deceptive "net zero" claims that fail to clearly define emissions coverage, over-rely on carbon offsets, or lack supporting evidence. The law directly affects companies marketing products or services with environmental claims, requiring them to substantiate all representations. It also allows consumers to sue without proving financial harm, strengthening enforcement against deceptive practices.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits deceptive environmental marketing (e.g., false 'net zero' claims), strengthening transparency and preventing misleading claims about environmental benefits.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4831: Authorizes local water and sewerage authorities to charge fees for surface runoff

This bill allows local water and sewer authorities to charge fees based on property size and impervious area (like paved surfaces that prevent rain absorption) to fund stormwater management. Authorities can offer fee discounts for income-eligible properties or credits for installing eco-friendly solutions like permeable pavement that reduce runoff. All collected fees must directly support stormwater management programs within the district, including green infrastructure projects. Agricultural properties may be exempt from these fees, and revenue cannot duplicate existing stormwater funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates fee-based funding for stormwater management, directly supporting public infrastructure spending through targeted user fees and income-eligible discounts.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds stormwater management via fees and incentives for green infrastructure, directly reducing runoff pollution and protecting water resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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