Environment (Conservation)

in committee · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2025

S 7768: Relates to the department of environmental conservation's management of hard clams, soft or steamer clams and razor clams

Extends the authority of the department of environmental conservation from December 31, 2025 until December 31, 2028 to adopt by regulation measures for the management of hard clams, soft or steamer clams or razor clams.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExtends regulatory authority for clam management under environmental conservation, maintaining natural resource protection efforts without weakening measures.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 11, 2025

S 7862: Extends the authority of the department of environmental conservation to manage blackfish

This bill extends the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's authority to manage blackfish (Tautoga onitis) until December 31, 2028. It allows the department to set regulations on size limits, catch quotas, fishing seasons, gear restrictions, and other management rules, while requiring all rules to be at least as strict as existing state requirements and compliant with federal and regional fishery plans. The bill directly affects commercial and recreational blackfish fishing operations by maintaining current regulatory frameworks for the next three years.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill extends DEP authority to manage blackfish with regulations requiring at least existing strict standards, ensuring continued conservation protections for a fishery resource.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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signed · New York · Assembly Jul 29, 2025

A 8428: Relates to the authority of the department of environmental conservation to manage fish

Extends provisions of law relating to the authority of the department of environmental conservation to fix by regulation open seasons, size and catch limits and manner of taking fish from December 31, 2025 until December 31, 2028.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExtends regulatory authority for fish conservation, maintaining existing protections without weakening environmental management standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

passed · New York · Senate Mar 9, 2026

S 4995: Designates water development representatives for each environmental region of the state

Directs DEC to designate a representative for each environmental conservation region of the state to serve as the point of contact for municipalities to aid in the acquisition of resources and funding for water projects.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill designates DEC representatives to aid municipalities in securing resources/funding for water projects within environmental conservation regions, facilitating environmental resource management and conservation efforts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Water Quality

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1835: Prohibits the use of primates in entertainment acts

Prohibits the use of primates in entertainment acts; prohibits the department of environmental conservation for issuing any license or permit that would authorize the use of a primate in an entertainment act.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits primate use in entertainment, protecting wildlife conservation under environmental department's authority, aligning with conservation indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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signed · New York · Senate Mar 20, 2025

S 801: Relates to standards for electric vehicle charging stations and electric vehicle ready parking spaces in certain new buildings

Directs the state energy conservation construction code to set standards for electric vehicle charging stations and electric vehicle ready parking spaces in certain new buildings.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates EV charging standards in new buildings to advance electric vehicle adoption and clean energy infrastructure, aligning with renewable energy promotion.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires EV charging infrastructure in new buildings, promoting electric vehicle adoption and reducing transportation emissions per energy conservation code standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Energy Efficiency Conservation

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5512: Relates to the regulation of live restraint cable devices to take wildlife

This bill regulates the use of live restraint cable devices for capturing wildlife, primarily affecting trappers who target coyotes and other species permitted by the Department of Environmental Conservation. It requires these devices to include specific safety features: a swivel (allows animal rotation), relaxing lock (stops tightening when animal stops moving), deer stop (prevents closure beyond a size allowing deer to escape), and breakaway device (opens under force). Trappers must check devices every 24 hours and complete department-approved training on device use. The regulation expires February 16, 2028.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates safety features (deer stop, breakaway) in wildlife capture devices to prevent animal injury and allow non-target species escape, promoting wildlife conservation as a natural resource.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2025

S 7769: Relates to the management of oysters

This bill extends the New York Department of Environmental Conservation's authority to manage oyster fisheries until December 31, 2027 (previously set to expire in 2025). It allows the department to continue enforcing existing regulations on oyster size, catch limits, seasons, closed areas, permits, and transportation rules without new legislative changes. The extension directly affects oyster harvesters, processors, and coastal communities relying on regulated oyster management. The bill does not alter the types of rules the department can set, only the duration of its current regulatory authority.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExtends existing oyster management authority, maintaining current conservation regulations on size, catch limits, and habitats without weakening protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3972: Directs the department of environmental conservation to establish an installation grant program and a maintenance rebate program for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances removal treatment

Directs the department of environmental conservation to establish a perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances removal treatment installation grant program, providing a one-time grant to private well users for the installation of PFAS treatment or service connection to a public water system; directs the department of environmental conservation to establish a perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances removal treatment maintenance rebate program, providing a rebate to private well users for the maintenance of PFAS treatment equipment.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds PFAS removal treatment for private wells, directly reducing water pollution and protecting environmental health.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePFAS removal prevents exposure to health-harming chemicals, reducing public health risks from contaminated water, aligning with healthcare protection goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Drinking Water

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7366: Requires the public service commission and the department of environmental conservation to conduct audits of private water companies

Establishes the "small water utility transparency act"; requires the public service commission and the department of environmental conservation to conduct audits of certain private water companies; requires certain private water companies which are under certain investigations to file public updates on the status of compliance with such orders.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires audits of private water companies to ensure environmental compliance, strengthening oversight of water quality and pollution control under environmental conservation authority.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Drinking Water

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