Environment (Water Quality)

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 · Senate Jun 9, 2025

S 4815: Establishes a stakeholder group in the Oswego river basin

S 4815 establishes a stakeholder group to coordinate water releases in the Oswego river basin. The bill requires the state corporation to form this group within six months, including entities controlling flood discharges, community groups, environmental experts, and the Department of Environmental Conservation. The group must review flood storage and watershed release strategies, then recommend a regulatory structure to the governor and legislative leaders within six months. This bill directly affects water management entities and communities in the Oswego basin by creating a process for coordinated flood response, without immediately changing existing water management rules.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires environmental experts and DEC involvement in watershed strategy reviews, promoting coordinated environmental management of river basin resources.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation Water Quality

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3961: Authorizes Duane Lake, in the town of Duanesburg, county of Schenectady, to participate in the septic system replacement fund

This bill authorizes Duane Lake in Duanesburg Town, Schenectady County, to join New York's existing septic system replacement fund. It directly affects property owners in Duane Lake who need to replace failing septic systems. The bill amends state law to explicitly include Duane Lake in the list of eligible locations for fund reimbursement, based on the existing criteria for water quality protection. This is a specific eligibility update to an existing program, not a new policy.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes septic replacement fund access for Duane Lake, directly supporting water quality protection by preventing pollution from failing systems.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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passed · New York · Assembly May 5, 2025

K 413: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 4-10, 2025, as Drinking Water Week in the State of New York

Bill K 413 is an Assembly Resolution that memorializes Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 4-10, 2025, as "Drinking Water Week" in the State of New York. This action aims to raise public awareness about the importance of drinking water quality and the efforts to protect water sources.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill memorializes Drinking Water Week to raise awareness about protecting water sources and quality, aligning with environmental conservation efforts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7057: Establishes the East of Hudson watershed road salt reduction task force, pilot plan and test program

Establishes the East of Hudson watershed road salt reduction task force, pilot plan and test program to conduct a comprehensive review of road salt contamination and road management best practices within the East of Hudson watershed.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes task force to review road salt contamination and management practices, targeting pollution reduction in watersheds per summary.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2415: Prohibits publicly owned treatment works from accepting wastewater associated with the exploration, delineation, development, or production of natural gas

Prohibits publicly owned treatment works from accepting wastewater associated with the exploration, delineation, development, or production of natural gas from high-volume hydraulic fracturing; provides exceptions.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyRestricts natural gas production by banning wastewater acceptance from fracking, directly limiting fossil fuel extraction infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits wastewater from fracking (a major pollution source) from treatment plants, directly protecting water resources and preventing environmental contamination.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Water Quality

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3442: Establishes the East of Hudson watershed road salt reduction task force, pilot plan and test program

Establishes the East of Hudson watershed road salt reduction task force, pilot plan and test program to conduct a comprehensive review of road salt contamination and road management best practices within the East of Hudson watershed.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes task force to review road salt contamination and implement reduction practices, directly targeting pollution control in watersheds.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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passed · New York · Senate May 19, 2026

S 4071: Includes stormwater in the definition of sewage for purposes of certain water, sewer, and water and sewer authorities

This bill amends multiple sections of New York's public authorities law to explicitly include "stormwater" in the legal definition of "sewage" for water, sewer, and water and sewer authorities. It adds a new definition stating "stormwater" means water runoff that exceeds soil absorption capacity during rain or melt events. The change directly affects these public authorities by expanding their regulatory scope to cover stormwater under existing sewage-related rules. The bill does not create new programs or funding but clarifies how stormwater is legally treated in water management frameworks. (164 words)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands sewage regulations to cover stormwater runoff, enhancing pollution control for waterways under existing authority85% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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passed · New York · Senate Apr 22, 2026

S 3581: Provides lead service line identification for certain water systems

This bill requires public water systems serving specific residential areas (like those with 15+ year-round residents or 25+ regular users) to identify lead service lines. It directly affects these water systems and property owners/tenants in those areas. Key provisions include: water systems must inspect properties for lead lines after obtaining consent, with non-owner occupants allowed to consent if owners don't respond within 30 days; inspections must occur within 60 days of consent. The bill focuses solely on identifying lead pipes - not replacing them - and clarifies that non-owner occupants aren't liable for consenting to inspections.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires lead service line identification to reduce water contamination, directly addressing pollution control in environmental protection.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAddresses lead exposure risk in public water systems, a public health concern directly impacting community health outcomes under healthcare topic.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1175: Relates to rainwater harvesting

Provides for requirements for rainwater harvesting designed to temporarily store stormwater runoff for detention or re-use through retention; may assist in meeting stormwater runoff reduction goals.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRainwater harvesting reduces stormwater runoff pollution and conserves water resources, directly supporting environmental protection goals through runoff management.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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