Environment (Parks & Recreation) in New York

signed · New York · Senate Oct 27, 2025

S 8047: Relates to the Mount Van Hoevenberg Olympic Sports Complex in Essex County

This law establishes specific rules for the Mount Van Hoevenberg Olympic Sports Complex on forest preserve land in Essex County. It limits the complex to using no more than 322 acres of forest preserve land for skiing trails and related facilities (like parking and maintenance buildings), while requiring the state to acquire at least 2,500 additional acres of forest land for the Adirondack Park Preserve as an offset. All development must follow Adirondack Park planning guidelines, and the law defines "necessary facilities" (e.g., trails, parking) while excluding unrelated structures like hotels or zip lines. The law implements a constitutional amendment to balance the complex’s land use with forest preserve expansion.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Forestry Parks & Recreation

in committee · New York · Assembly May 28, 2026

A 3098: Relates to potable water testing at state and local parks

This bill requires state and local parks to test their drinking water for lead contamination at least once every three years. If lead levels are found to be unsafe, park managers must provide free safe water to visitors, shut down affected outlets, post clear warnings, and share results online. The law also mandates that officials publish a biennial report on these findings and send copies to state leaders, while excluding New York City parks if they already have their own testing program.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Parks & Recreation

passed · New York · Senate Jun 3, 2026

S 2438: Relates to potable water testing at state and local parks

This bill requires state and local parks to test their drinking water for lead contamination at least once every three years. If lead levels are found to be unsafe, park managers must provide free safe water, shut down affected outlets, post warnings, and share results online. The law also mandates that officials publish a biennial report on these findings and exempts New York City parks if they already have a testing program.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Parks & Recreation

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4714: Relates to the conveyance of certain real property for open space, parks, or historic preservation purposes

Exempts the conveyance of real property for open space, parks, or historic preservation purposes to any not-for-profit tax exempt corporation operated for conservation, environmental, parks or historic preservation purposes from the state real estate transfer tax and the additional tax on real estate transfers of residential real property where the consideration is one million dollars or more.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5668: Allows industrial development agencies to make grants to municipalities for open space preservation, parkland improvements and conservation easements

Allows industrial development agencies to make grants to municipalities for open space preservation, parkland improvements and conservation easements where the municipal governing body finds that the grant encourages tourism or otherwise improves quality of life.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6071: Creates the "Pennies for Parks" program providing funds for capital expenditures at state parks and historic sites; imposes a fee on single use plastic carryout bags

Creates the "Pennies for Parks" program providing funds for capital expenditures at state parks and historic sites; imposes fee of five cents on single use carryout bags; establishes the pennies for parks fund to hold funds received from the fee on single use carryout bags.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Parks & Recreation Recycling

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1555: Prohibits the nonemergency application of pesticide or lawn care pesticide within any municipal park lands and lands under the jurisdiction of the state office of parks, recreation and historic preservation

Prohibits the nonemergency application of pesticide or lawn care pesticide within any municipal park lands and lands under the jurisdiction of the state office of parks, recreation and historic preservation; requires notice of pesticide application.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation

in committee · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 1059: Prohibits the aerial and ground application of malathion and certain pyrethroid-based insecticides

Prohibits the aerial and ground application of malathion and certain pyrethroid-based insecticides within one hundred feet of any school, day care center or park.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Parks & Recreation

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4055: Requires the office of parks, recreation and historic preservation to prohibit the use or sale of single use plastic straws and beverage stirrers in state parks

Requires the office of parks, recreation and historic preservation to prohibit the use or sale of single use plastic straws and beverage stirrers in state parks.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1433: Authorizes the county of Cattaraugus to discontinue as parklands and lease certain reforested lands in the town of Perrysburg

This bill (S 1433) allows Cattaraugus County to stop using specific reforested lands (about 64 acres in Perrysburg) as parklands and lease them for up to 30 years. The lease must support oil/gas exploration, watershed protection, timber production, and recreation, with revenues funding county park improvements or new park acquisitions. If the land is no longer used for these purposes, it reverts to the county. The bill also requires that any federal funding conditions for the land be met before leasing, and public access to facilities must remain available.

Topics ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Forestry Parks & Recreation Water Quality

All environment bills