Environment (Conservation)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2145: Relates to the regulation of live restraint cable devices to take wildlife

This bill regulates wildlife capture methods by banning leg-gripping traps with teeth, suspended leg-hold traps, and traditional snares. It permits the use of live-capture cable devices (with specific safety features like swivels, deer stops, and breakaway mechanisms) for coyotes and other species, but only under Department of Environmental Conservation rules. Trappers must check devices daily, complete mandatory training, and follow strict device specifications. The law takes effect immediately and expires February 16, 2028.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans injurious traps (leg-gripping, snares), mandates safer cable devices with DEC oversight, and requires daily checks to protect wildlife conservation and reduce harm.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2536: Directs the department of environmental conservation to undertake a review of the regulations governing the permitting of landfills and transfer stations

Directs the department of environmental conservation to undertake a review of the regulations governing the permitting of landfills and transfer stations to ensure that such regulations integrate the latest scientific information.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates review of landfill regulations to integrate latest scientific data, strengthening environmental oversight and regulatory standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Recycling Waste Management

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in committee · New York · Assembly Mar 10, 2026

A 5240: Authorizes the town of Brookhaven, county of Suffolk to amend a conservation easement

This bill authorizes the town of Brookhaven to adjust a conservation easement by removing a specific parcel of land (to enable rail access) and adding another parcel to the easement to maintain conservation of natural resources and open space. The town must remove the designated land for rail infrastructure while adding new land to preserve environmental assets, ensuring the total conserved area remains unchanged. This amendment modifies the easement boundaries without altering the conservation purpose or overall land protection. The bill directly affects Brookhaven's land management and rail service planning within the conserved area.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAmends conservation easement to maintain total conserved area while enabling rail access, explicitly preserving environmental assets and natural resources.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly enables rail infrastructure access by modifying conservation easement, directly advancing transportation infrastructure through land realignment for rail.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands Rail

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4133: Relates to the general civil penalty of the environmental conservation law

Relates to the general civil penalty of the environmental conservation law; provides that in addition to the fines, such person may be enjoined from continuing such violation and any permit or certificate issued to such person may be revoked or suspended, or a pending renewal application may be denied.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens enforcement of environmental conservation law through added penalties, injunctions, and permit revocation for violations, advancing regulatory compliance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3557: Enacts the Municipal Oversight Of Natural Systems By Allowing Non-Toxic Options Act

This bill (A 3557) allows cities and towns to create their own local rules governing pesticide distribution, sale, use, and transportation, as long as those rules don't conflict with existing state laws. It directly affects municipal governments by giving them explicit authority to regulate pesticides locally, supplementing (not replacing) state regulations under the Environmental Conservation Law. Key provisions amend state law to confirm municipal authority and add a new section to the General Municipal Law enabling local pesticide regulations that align with state requirements. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill enables municipalities to adopt local pesticide regulations prioritizing non-toxic options, directly reducing chemical pollution and strengthening local environmental protections under state law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Tags Local Government

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signed · New York · Assembly Jul 29, 2025

A 8656: Extends the authority of the department of environmental conservation to manage hickory shad

This bill (A 8656) extends the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) authority to manage hickory shad (a fish species) until December 31, 2028. It updates the expiration date in existing law from 2025 to 2028, ensuring the DEC can continue its conservation efforts for this species. The change directly affects the DEC's ongoing management of hickory shad populations and their habitat within New York waters. The bill modifies a specific provision in environmental law without altering the species' conservation status or introducing new regulations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExtends DEC authority for hickory shad conservation, maintaining habitat management efforts per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7550: Relates to real property tax exemptions for preservation of forest lands and state assistance to municipalities

Authorizes state assistance to municipalities containing exempt privately owned forest lands; expands categories of lands eligible for certain property tax exemptions as forest lands; authorizes tax exemptions for certain conservation easement tracts; provides for violations of certain provisions relating to filing for tax exemptions of forest lands.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands property tax exemptions for forest lands, providing tax relief to landowners while authorizing state assistance to municipalities. Aligns with tax relief indicators.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands tax exemptions for forest land preservation and conservation easements, directly supporting environmental conservation through property tax incentives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Conservation Forestry

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3677: Enacts the New York state drinking water bill of rights

This bill establishes a legal right to safe, clean, affordable, and accessible water for drinking, cooking, and basic cleaning in New York State. It requires state agencies like the Department of Health, Environmental Conservation, and Public Service to consider this right when creating or updating policies, regulations, and grant programs. The law mandates that these agencies factor water access into their decisions, ensuring the right is integrated into relevant state actions. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes legal right to clean water, requiring environmental agencies to integrate water access into policies, directly protecting water resources and pollution control.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Drinking Water Water Quality

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6665: 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 EnvironmentDesignates DEC representatives to aid municipalities in securing resources/funding for water projects within environmental conservation regions, facilitating conservation efforts and resource acquisition.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Water Quality

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in committee · New York · Assembly Feb 4, 2025

A 442: Establishes a native plant and seed supply, development and enhancement program

Establishes a native plant and seed supply, development and enhancement program; requires the commissioners of the departments of agriculture and markets, environmental conservation and economic development to develop a list of plants and seeds eligible for consideration in such program; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates native plant/seed program for ecosystem conservation, directly aligning with environmental protection and resource sustainability goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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