Environment (Conservation)

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 667: Prohibits the use of leg-gripping traps

This bill prohibits the use of leg-gripping traps (traps that clamp onto an animal's leg with teeth or excessive jaw spread) for trapping wildlife in New York State. It directly affects trappers, wildlife managers, and anyone using traps for hunting or pest control. Key provisions ban traps with jaw spreads exceeding 7¼ inches in water during beaver/otter season or 5¾ inches otherwise, require traps on land to be covered and equipped with safety devices, and forbid traps that suspend wildlife. The law amends existing environmental conservation statutes to implement these specific restrictions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans inhumane leg-gripping traps to protect wildlife conservation, directly advancing environmental protection goals through regulated trapping practices.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1276: Provides for the regulation by the department of environmental conservation of business transaction paper containing bisphenol A

This bill prohibits the use of paper containing bisphenol A (BPA) for business transactions like receipts, bank records, and credit/debit card slips. It directly affects paper manufacturers (who must stop producing BPA paper and switch to safer alternatives) and businesses using such paper. Manufacturers must replace BPA with the least toxic alternative certified by the Department of Environmental Conservation, which must annually update its list of approved chemicals and prohibited toxins, while an independent advisory committee evaluates safer options.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits BPA in business paper (a toxic chemical), mandates safer alternatives, and strengthens environmental regulation through DEC oversight to reduce pollution and health risks.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Recycling

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3253: Relates to certain mined land-plans

S 3253 requires mining operations on Long Island to maintain a minimum 10-foot buffer of undisturbed ground between active mining areas and the existing water table in counties with populations over one million that rely on aquifers for drinking water. The bill amends New York's environmental conservation law to mandate this buffer as part of all new or renewed mining plans in designated areas. This directly affects mining companies seeking permits in Long Island counties like Nassau and Suffolk, which depend on aquifers for public water supplies. The key provision ensures mining plans explicitly include this buffer to minimize potential groundwater contamination from mining activities.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates 10-foot buffer between mining and aquifers to protect drinking water sources, strengthening environmental conservation law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Drinking Water

Track

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1532: Establishes a sea level rise mitigation and adaptation plan for cities with a population of one million or more

Establishes a sea level rise mitigation and adaptation plan for cities with a population of one million or more to be implemented by the department of environmental conservation; requires a sea level rise vulnerability and adaptation report to be submitted.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates sea level rise mitigation/adaptation plans and vulnerability reports for large cities, directly addressing climate change impacts on coastal environments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation

Track

passed · New York · Senate Mar 25, 2026

S 7677: Permits the town of Warwick to use preservation funds for water quality improvement

This bill allows the town of Warwick to use up to 10% of its existing community preservation fund for water quality improvement projects, such as cleaning rivers or protecting drinking water sources. Previously, these funds could only be used for preserving community character (e.g., land conservation). The change explicitly adds water quality projects to the fund's permitted uses while maintaining the 10% spending limit. It does not create new funding but reallocates existing resources for environmental protection.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly permits use of preservation funds for water quality projects (river cleaning, drinking water protection), directly advancing environmental protection by reallocating existing resources toward conservation goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Drinking Water Water Quality

Track

passed · New York · Senate Feb 10, 2026

S 1377: Creates a legislative task force on outdoor environmental education and recreation

Creates a legislative task force on outdoor environmental education and recreation that will benefit residents of New York state by fostering stewardship and conservation of the environment, and an appreciation of the importance of the wise use of natural resources as well as acknowledgment of the health benefits of time spent in nature.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates task force to foster environmental stewardship, conservation, and appreciation of natural resources, directly advancing environmental education and protection goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly May 5, 2026

A 5543: Provides that the department of environmental conservation place a community air monitoring system and similar systems as necessary within a one-mile radius of New York city airports

Provides that the department of environmental conservation place a community air monitoring system and similar systems as deemed necessary by the department within a one-mile radius of New York city airports; provides for publication of air quality data.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates air quality monitoring near airports to track pollution sources, directly supporting environmental protection through data collection for potential regulatory action.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Conservation

Track

in committee · New York · Senate May 22, 2025

S 3163: Enacts the monarch preservation plan

Enacts the monarch preservation plan requiring the department of environmental conservation to take feasible actions to conserve monarch butterflies and the unique habitats they depend upon for successful migration.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires conservation actions for monarch butterflies and their habitats, directly advancing environmental protection through species conservation95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 976: Requires the department of environmental conservation to promulgate rules and regulations relating to gas flow meters at natural gas well sites

This bill requires New York's Department of Environmental Conservation to create rules for gas flow meters at natural gas well sites. It directly affects natural gas well operators and gas companies, mandating they install electronic flow meters with test ports and shutoff valves, and follow specific installation standards (based on American Gas Association guidelines). Operators must conduct monthly testing during initial production (first three years) and routine testing thereafter, using approved third-party contractors, with results reported to state agencies and royalty owners. The rules aim to ensure accurate measurement of gas production for regulatory and royalty purposes.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates electronic flow meters with shutoff valves and testing to prevent gas leaks, reducing methane emissions and aligning with pollution control standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

Track

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1252: Requires forest management plans for certain lands and forbids clearcutting without, and increases the jurisdiction of the Adirondack park agency over clearcutting

Requires forest management plans, subject to the approval of the department of environmental conservation, for certain lands subject to a conservation easement purchased by the state; forbids clearcutting on such lands without such forest management plan; increases the jurisdiction of the Adirondack park agency over clearcutting.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires forest management plans, bans clearcutting without approval, and expands agency oversight to protect forests and conservation areas.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Parks & Recreation

Track