Environment

signed · New York · Assembly Aug 7, 2025

A 8596: Extends provisions relating to the establishment of the mercury thermostat collection act

This bill extends the deadline for New York's Mercury Thermostat Collection Act from January 1, 2026, to January 1, 2027. It directly affects the state's program for safely collecting and disposing of mercury-containing thermostats, which helps prevent environmental contamination. The key change is simply updating the expiration date in the law, ensuring the program continues operating for one additional year without altering its existing requirements or processes. This is a procedural extension, not a substantive policy change.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExtends mercury thermostat collection program deadline, maintaining existing environmental protections against contamination from hazardous waste.90% confidence

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5072: Relates to the paper carryout bag reduction fee

Implements a one year phase-in period for a local law, ordinance or resolution imposing a paper carryout bag reduction fee where forty percent of such fees are returned to such county or city for the purpose of purchasing and distributing reusable bags, with priority given to low- and fixed-income communities, and after the first year, such forty percent of fees shall be remitted to the person who collected the fees.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill imposes bag fee with 40% funds directed to purchase reusable bags, reducing single-use plastic/paper waste and promoting conservation in low-income communities.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8098: Authorizes the department of environmental conservation to independently add to the lists of prohibited and regulated invasive species on an emergency basis

Authorizes the department of environmental conservation to independently add to the lists of prohibited and regulated invasive species on an emergency basis pending review by the department of agriculture and markets in consultation with the New York invasive species council.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes emergency additions to invasive species lists, strengthening environmental protection against ecological threats by enabling faster regulatory action.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5343: Provides grants for schoolyards and playgrounds; appropriation

This bill, the New York Living Schoolyards Act (A 5343), provides competitive grants to school districts, local education agencies, and partnering nonprofits to create "living schoolyards" at elementary and secondary schools. These are outdoor learning spaces featuring gardens, native trees, natural playgrounds, and climate-resilient design elements that strengthen ecological systems and support hands-on education. Grants (ranging from $25,000 to $100,000) require master plans developed with community input, including ADA accessibility, climate goals, and long-term maintenance strategies. The program specifically prioritizes schools with high percentages of students eligible for free/reduced lunch and mandates that funds cover planning, design, and construction while limiting spending on staff training and maintenance.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates state funds ($25k-$100k grants) for public school infrastructure, advancing fiscal support for education through direct budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides grants for schoolyard infrastructure to enhance hands-on education and ecological learning, directly funding K-12 educational facilities.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly strengthens ecological systems via native plant gardens, climate-resilient design, and outdoor learning spaces in schoolyards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7648: Enacts the "sustainable building materials act of 2025"

Enacts the "sustainable building materials act"; enacts into law components of legislation relating to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in construction; provides a sales tax exemption for certain low-carbon building materials (Part A); establishes a grant program for manufacturers of concrete for environmental product declarations (Part B).

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides sales tax exemption for low-carbon building materials, reducing tax burden on sustainable construction and aligning with tax relief indicators.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill reduces construction emissions via low-carbon material tax incentives and grants for sustainable manufacturing, advancing clean energy infrastructure goals.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentReduces construction emissions via tax incentives for low-carbon materials and grants for environmental product declarations, directly advancing climate goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives Climate Change

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in committee · New York · Assembly Dec 8, 2025

A 8202: Directs state agencies to adopt an embodied carbon decarbonization program

Directs state agencies to adopt an embodied carbon decarbonization program; requires the office of general services to issue operational directives and guidance for common construction materials to reduce the amount of embodied carbon in such materials.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates reduction of embodied carbon in construction materials, advancing decarbonization goals for energy infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates state agencies to reduce embodied carbon in construction materials, directly lowering emissions and advancing climate goals per environmental protection indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1537: Relates to maintaining the continued viability of the state's existing large-scale, renewable energy resources

Relates to maintaining the continued viability of the state's existing large-scale, renewable energy resources; directs the public service commission, in consultation with NYSERDA to modify the competitive tier 2 program adopted by the order modifying the clean energy standard.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill maintains viability of large-scale renewable energy resources and modifies Clean Energy Standard program, directly advancing renewable energy infrastructure per support indicators.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly maintains viability of large-scale renewable energy resources and modifies clean energy programs, directly promoting environmental protection through clean energy advancement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Utility Regulation

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 286: Establishes a historic wood window rehabilitation and energy retrofit tax credit

Establishes a historic wood window rehabilitation and energy retrofit tax credit of up to 25% of the expenditures paid or incurred within the five years preceding the year in which the tax credit is applied.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates 25% tax credit for historic window energy retrofits, providing direct tax relief to property owners through fiscal incentive.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill provides tax credit for energy retrofits (25% of costs), directly advancing energy efficiency in historic buildings per summary.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentTax credit for energy retrofits promotes building efficiency, reducing energy consumption and emissions through incentives for historic window rehabilitation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6115: Exempts from sales and use tax zero-emission school buses

This bill removes sales and use tax on zero-emission school buses and all parts or equipment needed to operate them. It directly affects school districts purchasing these buses by lowering their upfront costs. The tax exemption covers the buses themselves and any required components, such as charging systems or maintenance parts. This policy change makes zero-emission school buses more affordable for public school systems.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts school buses from sales tax, providing direct tax relief to school districts purchasing zero-emission vehicles, aligning with tax relief indicators for public services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExempts zero-emission school buses from sales tax, reducing upfront costs for school districts to adopt cleaner transportation infrastructure, directly supporting school operational improvements.92% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExempts zero-emission school buses from sales tax, directly promoting renewable energy adoption and reducing fossil fuel dependence in transportation infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExempts zero-emission school buses from taxes, reducing costs to promote cleaner transportation and lower emissions, directly advancing environmental protection.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExempts zero-emission school buses from taxes, lowering costs to promote sustainable transportation adoption by school districts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Sales Tax Tax Incentives Electric Vehicles

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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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