Environment (Water Quality)

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 · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4036: Specifies watershed protection improvement districts may work towards the preservation of development rights

This bill amends New York's town law to explicitly allow watershed protection improvement districts to pursue "preservation of development rights" as part of their work. It adds this provision to the list of activities districts may undertake, alongside existing projects like stormwater treatment and wetland construction. The change directly affects local watershed districts established under the law, giving them new authority to support land conservation efforts. The bill does not create new requirements but expands existing options for districts to protect water quality through land use strategies. This is a technical update to district powers, not a new policy mandate.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly authorizes watershed districts to pursue land conservation via 'preservation of development rights,' directly advancing environmental protection through natural resource conservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Water Quality

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died · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2026

S 1335: Relates to the municipal sustainable energy loan program

Relates to the municipal sustainable energy loan program regarding qualifying water improvements, qualifying resiliency improvements and, in a city with a population of one million or more, the use of low carbon intensity building components.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes municipal loan program for sustainable energy projects including low carbon building components, directly advancing clean energy infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes sustainable energy loans, low carbon building components, and resiliency improvements - directly advancing environmental protection and emissions reduction goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling Water Quality

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6885: Relates to providing water utilities with access to water quality infrastructure improvement funding

This bill (S 6885) expands access to state funding for water quality infrastructure projects by clarifying eligibility for water utilities regulated by the Public Service Commission. It specifies that funding - capped at $5 million per entity annually - can only support infrastructure repair or compliance with water quality laws, and requires all water utility projects to serve a clear public purpose benefiting customers. The bill modifies existing laws to ensure funds are directed toward essential water system improvements while requiring tax relief from related exemptions to lower water rates. It directly affects water utilities seeking state financial assistance for critical infrastructure upgrades.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds ($5M cap) for water infrastructure compliance, ensuring public purpose and fiscal responsibility, aligning with funding essential services.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill provides funding for water quality infrastructure compliance with environmental laws, directly supporting pollution control and environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 2025: Authorizes the legislative commission on the development of rural resources to study the effectiveness of pond and lake management programs

Authorizes the legislative commission on the development of rural resources to study the effectiveness of pond and lake management programs; provides for the comprehensive control and mitigation of harmful algal blooms in both marine and fresh water; provides for emergency response to water contaminations by algal bloom or hypoxia.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill authorizes study and provides control/mitigation of harmful algal blooms and water contamination, directly advancing pollution control and environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5150: Enacts the "harmful algal bloom monitoring and prevention act"

This bill establishes New York's "harmful algal bloom monitoring and prevention act" to address toxic algae outbreaks in state waterways. It requires the environmental agency to create a public database collecting water quality data (like nutrient levels and bloom locations) and develop a report of region-specific prevention strategies within three years. The program will also launch a website portal for local governments and nonprofits to access HAB research, expert resources, and best practices. This aims to coordinate statewide efforts to protect public health, recreation, and ecosystems affected by harmful algal blooms.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires environmental agency to monitor water quality, develop prevention strategies, and create public database to address toxic algal blooms, directly protecting waterways from pollution.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5082: Authorizes the department of environmental conservation to establish the Lake DeForest Flood Control Pilot Program

This bill authorizes New York's Department of Environmental Conservation to create the Lake DeForest Flood Control Pilot Program. The program will regulate water releases from Lake DeForest reservoir (operated by a private waterworks corporation) to reduce downstream flooding while ensuring sufficient drinking water quality. The department must establish rules for when flood control measures can be used, such as during major storms, large water inflows, dam safety concerns, or seasonal weather patterns. The program is limited to a 10-year pilot period, running from 2026 through 2036. It directly affects the reservoir operator, downstream communities, and the state's flood management approach for this specific water body.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill authorizes environmental department to regulate water releases for flood control while ensuring drinking water quality - directly protecting water resources and environmental health per department mandate.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Drinking Water Water Quality

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4444: Authorizes the legislative commission on the development of rural resources to study the effectiveness of pond and lake management programs

Authorizes the legislative commission on the development of rural resources to study the effectiveness of pond and lake management programs; provides for the comprehensive control and mitigation of harmful algal blooms in both marine and fresh water; provides for emergency response to water contaminations by algal bloom or hypoxia.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAddresses water pollution control by mitigating algal blooms and enabling emergency responses to contamination, directly protecting aquatic ecosystems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7104: Establishes the water resiliency projects fund; appropriation

Establishes the water resiliency projects fund for flood mitigation, stormwater mitigation and other water related resiliency projects; makes an appropriation therefor.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new fund with appropriation for water resiliency projects, directly funding essential infrastructure through state budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes fund for flood/stormwater mitigation projects, directly advancing environmental resiliency and water resource protection through funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Water Quality

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