Environment

died · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 597: Requires the public service commission and the department of environmental conservation to conduct audits of private water companies

Establishes the "small water utility transparency act"; requires the public service commission and the department of environmental conservation to conduct audits of certain private water companies; requires certain private water companies which are under certain investigations to file public updates on the status of compliance with such orders.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates environmental department audits of water companies to ensure compliance with environmental orders, strengthening oversight of water resource protection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Drinking Water

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1163: Requires piping supplies expense to be included as an acceptable expense for purposes New York State Energy Research and Development Authority energy efficiency programs

Requires piping supplies expenses to be included as an acceptable expense for purposes of calculating a financial benefit, tax credit or other incentive to an owner of real property to improve energy efficiency to a building or structure pursuant to any energy efficiency program overseen by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax credit eligibility for energy efficiency programs, providing tax relief through state incentives90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExpands eligible expenses for NY's energy efficiency programs, enabling more property owners to access incentives for building upgrades that reduce energy consumption.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill expands energy efficiency program incentives by including piping supplies, promoting building energy conservation and reducing emissions through broader financial support.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Energy Efficiency

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4425: Establishes an additional low emission zone toll in the central business district

Establishes an additional low emission zone toll in the central business district for vehicles that do not meet federal emission standards as set by the United States environmental protection agency.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill imposes toll on vehicles not meeting EPA emission standards in downtown, directly reducing urban pollution and advancing air quality goals per environmental protection indicators.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationImposes toll on high-emission vehicles in downtown zone to promote sustainable transportation infrastructure, aligning with clean transit initiatives.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5660: Establishes a carbon farming tax credit for farmers

Establishes the carbon farming certification committee for the purpose of developing a certification framework, determining qualified carbon removal practices eligible for the carbon farming tax credit, and promulgating certification standards for qualified carbon removal practices; provides for the development of educational materials to encourage carbon farming by promoting farming practices which reduce, sequester and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions on land used in support of a farm operation; establishes carbon farming tax credits.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a carbon farming tax credit, providing direct tax relief to farmers and incentivizing climate-friendly practices through fiscal policy, aligning with tax relief and funding support indicators.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyPromotes carbon sequestration through tax credits for farming practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with climate mitigation goals and reducing fossil fuel dependence indirectly.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes tax credit for carbon farming practices that sequester carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, directly advancing climate mitigation goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Climate Change

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 27, 2026

A 5289: Ensures proper administration and enforcement of the uniform fire prevention and building code and the state energy conservation construction code; and makes conforming technical changes

Ensures proper administration and enforcement of the uniform fire prevention and building code and the state energy conservation construction code; provides additional definitions; provides remedies for violations of the code; makes conforming technical changes.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyEnforces energy conservation building codes, ensuring compliance with existing efficiency standards through proper administration and enforcement.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill enforces energy conservation construction code, promoting reduced energy consumption and aligning with environmental protection through building standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Conservation

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1340: Expands the types of batteries included in the rechargeable battery recycling program

Expands the types of batteries included in the rechargeable battery recycling program to include certain car batteries and requires consumers to pay a five dollar incentive payment when purchasing a new rechargeable battery if the consumer does not return an old rechargeable battery for recycling.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands battery recycling program to include car batteries with $5 incentive for returns, reducing waste and pollution per environmental protection indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

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passed · New York · Senate May 28, 2026

S 6882: Relates to carport-mounted solar energy system siting

Prohibits local governments from prohibiting the construction, installation, or operation of carport-mounted solar energy systems with a nameplate capacity of five megawatts or less, in any non-residential zoning district or mixed commercial and residential zoning district of any such city, town or village, provided however, if the zoning district is a certified agricultural district the agricultural impacts of the projects shall be minimized to the extent practicable.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyProhibits local bans on small solar carports in commercial zones, enabling renewable energy deployment without restrictions.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits local bans on small solar carports, enabling clean energy adoption and reducing emissions per bill's explicit purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 16, 2025

A 8332: Relates to the assessment of solar or wind energy systems

This bill changes how New York property taxes are calculated for solar and wind energy systems. It requires tax assessors to include community benefit payments, decommissioning costs, and solar management expenses as deductible costs when valuing these systems. Crucially, it also specifies that federal tax credits and renewable energy credits (like those for clean energy production) must be treated as intangible assets - not counted as income - when determining a system's taxable value. This directly affects property owners with solar/wind installations and local assessors who calculate their taxes under the new rules. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill reduces taxable value of solar/wind systems via deductible costs and excludes federal credits, providing tax relief for renewable energy adoption.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill reduces property tax burden on solar/wind systems by excluding renewable credits from taxable income, directly promoting renewable energy adoption and infrastructure investment.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill reduces tax burden on solar/wind systems by excluding renewable credits from taxable income, directly incentivizing clean energy adoption and aligning with environmental protection goals.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar Wind

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died · New York · Senate Apr 21, 2026

S 1574: Establishes the electric landscaping equipment rebate program; provides for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof

Establishes the electric landscaping equipment rebate program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and reduce noise pollution by promoting the adoption of quieter, zero-emission landscaping equipment; provides for rebates at the point of sale for applicants purchasing or leasing certain equipment; provides for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates state-funded rebate program requiring budget allocation for environmental initiative, aligning with fiscal support for program funding.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyPromotes zero-emission landscaping equipment to reduce emissions, aligning with renewable energy adoption goals and reducing fossil fuel dependence.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes rebates for zero-emission landscaping equipment to reduce greenhouse gases, improve air quality, and cut pollution - directly advancing environmental protection goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Air Quality Climate Change Recycling

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 4, 2026

A 7594: Prohibits the sale of playground surfacing materials that contain PFAS, PAHs or more than ninety parts per million of lead; and provides penalties for violations

Prohibits the sale of playground surfacing materials that contain PFAS, PAHs or lead; prevents sellers of playground surfacing materials that contain PFAS, PAHs or lead from being held in violation when relying in good faith on a certificate of compliance provided by the manufacturer; provides penalties for violations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits toxic chemicals (PFAS, PAHs, lead) in playground materials, reducing environmental contamination and protecting public health through stricter product safety regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

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