Environment

in committee · New York · Senate Feb 27, 2026

S 9304: Prohibits the use of trawling, gill nets, and trammel nets except for scientific purposes; repealer

This bill prohibits commercial and recreational fishing using trawls, gill nets, and trammel nets in most New York coastal waters, including Long Island Sound, specific bays (like Great South Bay), and designated shoreline areas. It exempts only scientific research activities authorized by the environmental department. The ban applies to all waters listed in the law, such as coastal zones near Rockaway Point, Fire Island, and Lake Erie. Fishermen in these areas would need a scientific research permit to use these nets instead of standard fishing licenses.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits destructive fishing methods (trawling, gill nets) in coastal waters to protect marine ecosystems, aligning with conservation and natural resource protection goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 2, 2026

A 10117: Establishes a stakeholder group in the Oswego river basin

This bill creates a stakeholder group to coordinate water releases in the Oswego river basin, directly affecting entities managing flood discharges, local communities, and the Department of Environmental Conservation. The group must review flood storage and watershed release strategies, including modeling, and recommend a regulatory structure for coordinating water releases during high-flow events. Within six months of forming, the group must propose options to the governor and legislature, such as continuing the group, mandating coordination, or establishing a water regulating district. The bill requires the group to consider all available data and make specific recommendations on how to improve communication and water management during flood events.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates stakeholder group involving DEC to coordinate water releases and review flood storage/watershed strategies, directly supporting environmental conservation and resource management in river basin.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation Water Quality

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 10354: Establishes the New York State grid reliability and energy affordability transition (GREAT) act

Establishes the New York State grid reliability and energy affordability transition (GREAT) act; establishes the virtual power plant program to help reduce energy costs and grid reliability risks; provides incentives to participants for supporting the grid by investing in distributed energy resources and reducing net energy costs.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill creates virtual power plant program with incentives for distributed energy resources to reduce costs and improve grid reliability, directly advancing renewable energy infrastructure and consumer affordability.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes distributed energy resources and grid reliability through clean energy incentives, aligning with environmental protection and clean energy goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Grid

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 9115: Relates to the management of PFAS in biosolids

Relates to the management of PFAS in biosolids in the state by requiring testing and reporting of certain groundwater, biosolids, and soil and establishing a moratorium on the sale and use of biosolids; establishes the PFAS agricultural response program and fund to assist farms found to have levels of PFAS contamination which exceed regulatory standards.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires PFAS testing, moratorium on contaminated biosolids, and funds cleanup to protect soil/water from pollution95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

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in committee · New York · Assembly Mar 2, 2026

A 10138: Relates to the management of PFAS in biosolids

Relates to the management of PFAS in biosolids in the state by requiring testing and reporting of certain groundwater, biosolids, and soil and establishing a moratorium on the sale and use of biosolids; establishes the PFAS agricultural response program and fund to assist farms found to have levels of PFAS contamination which exceed regulatory standards.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires PFAS testing/reporting, moratorium on biosolids use, and establishes fund for contamination remediation - directly addresses pollution control95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

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in committee · New York · Senate Feb 27, 2026

S 9324: Changes the state's metrics for measuring greenhouse gas emissions

S 9324 changes how the state measures greenhouse gas emissions by updating the timeframe used to calculate "carbon dioxide equivalent" from 20 years to 100 years. This means emissions will now be assessed based on their long-term warming impact over a century, rather than a shorter 20-year period. The bill directly affects state environmental agencies and programs that track emissions, as they must use this new metric for reporting and analysis. The change modifies a specific definition in environmental law without altering emission reduction targets or creating new regulations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentChanges emissions metric to 100-year timeframe, aligning with long-term climate impact assessment, strengthening environmental reporting accuracy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

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passed · New York · Senate Apr 28, 2026

S 9311: Directs the department of environmental conservation to conduct a study of ecological restoration needs of Jamaica Bay

Directs the department of environmental conservation to conduct a study of ecological restoration needs of Jamaica Bay; imposes a five-year moratorium on placing sediment or fill in the borrow pits in Jamaica Bay.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDirects study of ecological restoration and imposes moratorium on sediment/fill in Jamaica Bay, protecting habitat and preventing degradation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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signed · New York · Assembly Jul 6, 2026

A 10341: Authorizes and directs the conveyance of a conservation easement over certain state-owned lands in the hamlets of Setauket and Port Jefferson Station, Suffolk County

Authorizes and directs the commissioner of transportation to grant a perpetual conservation easement to certain entities over certain state-owned lands in the hamlets of Setauket and Port Jefferson Station, Suffolk County.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill authorizes a conservation easement to protect state-owned lands, directly advancing environmental conservation by preserving natural habitats and open space in Setauket and Port Jefferson Station.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

in committee · New York · Senate Apr 21, 2026

S 9294: Relates to the availability of technical assistance grants in brownfield site remedial programs

Relates to the availability of technical assistance grants in brownfield site remedial programs; provides that the commissioner of environmental conservation shall provide grants to the New York city community board with jurisdiction over the site or to any not-for-profit corporation exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code at any site which may be affected by a brownfield site remedial program.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProvides grants for brownfield remediation, directly funding cleanup of contaminated sites to protect environmental health and safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Hazardous Materials

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failed · New York · Assembly Apr 28, 2026

A 10321: Requires financial security for reclamation for solar and wind electric generating systems

New York's Senate Bill A 10321 requires solar and wind energy companies to provide financial security - such as bonds from licensed sureties - before receiving permits for their projects. This security must cover the estimated cost of restoring land after the project ends and remains in effect until reclamation is approved by the commission or office. Companies must replace canceled security within 30 days, and remain personally liable for any reclamation costs not covered by the security. Government entities like municipalities are exempt from these requirements.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates financial security for solar/wind reclamation, ensuring environmental responsibility and enabling sustainable renewable energy development without restricting projects.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires financial security for land reclamation after solar/wind projects, ensuring environmental protection and conservation of natural resources.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar Wind

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