Environment (Water Quality)

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 883: Declares the waters of the state to be public trust resources

Declares the waters of the state to be public trust resources; declares that the waters of the state are valuable public natural resources and the state has a duty to conserve and manage its waters effectively.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill declares state waters as public trust resources requiring state conservation and management, directly aligning with environmental protection and resource conservation indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands Water Quality

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6488: Relates to watershed mitigation

Provides that when approving proposals to enhance the existing benefits provided by a wetland or to create and maintain new wetland benefits in order to increase the likelihood that a proposed activity will meet the applicable standard for permit issuance, the mitigation may occur within the same watershed as the proposed project.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill enables watershed-based wetland mitigation, promoting conservation and protection of wetland ecosystems within permitted projects.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6099: Relates to credits against tax for homeowners and businesses who invest in green infrastructure

This bill creates tax credits for New York homeowners and businesses that install qualifying green infrastructure on their property. Homeowners can claim up to 50% of costs (capped at $10,000) for features like rain gardens, permeable pavement, or green roofs, while businesses get up to 50% (capped at $5,000). Eligibility requires New York residency for 24 months (homeowners) or 36 months (businesses) with property located in the state. The credit applies to specific, cost-effective stormwater management systems designed to reduce runoff and provide community benefits, such as rainwater harvesting or downspout disconnection.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credits (up to 50% cost) for green infrastructure, reducing tax liability for eligible homeowners/businesses, aligning with tax relief indicators.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill provides tax credits for green infrastructure (rain gardens, green roofs) to manage stormwater and reduce pollution, directly advancing environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 2053: Relates to permits and financial security for reclamation for salt mining beneath a lake

Relates to permits and financial security for reclamation for salt mining beneath a lake; requires such permits to be subject to environmental quality review procedures; requires financial security to cover any damages directly or indirectly resulting from salt mining activities beneath a lake, including, but not limited to, those resulting from collapse or water contamination.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires environmental reviews for permits and financial security for water contamination/collapse damages, strengthening protections for lake ecosystems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7325: Relates to competitive grants for water quality infrastructure projects

Requires no less than two percent of all state competitive grants for water quality infrastructure projects to be awarded to municipalities located in the Adirondack park and Catskill park.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates 2% of water quality grants for Adirondack/Catskill parks, directly funding environmental protection in sensitive ecosystems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Parks & Recreation Water Quality

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4221: Prohibits point source pollution in the Long Island Sound and Great South Bay

Bill A 4221 prohibits all point source discharges (such as pipes, outlets, or disposal systems) into the Long Island Sound and Great South Bay. It directly affects businesses, industries, or facilities currently releasing waste or pollutants into these water bodies. The law bans both new construction and existing operations of such discharge systems, requiring compliance within one year of enactment. Implementation rules must be finalized before the effective date to enforce the prohibition.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill prohibits all point source pollution in protected water bodies, directly reducing environmental harm and strengthening conservation regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8503: Relates to permits granted in coastal erosion hazard areas

Relates to permits granted in coastal erosion hazard areas; provides that as a condition of any permit issued in a coastal erosion hazard area, the department of environmental conservation shall require green infrastructure to help reduce stormwater runoff and mitigate coastal erosion.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires green infrastructure in coastal permits to reduce stormwater runoff and mitigate erosion, directly advancing environmental protection and coastal conservation measures.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation Water Quality

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passed · New York · Senate Feb 10, 2026

S 672: Relates to environmental restoration projects; repealer

Bill S 672 updates the environmental conservation law regarding environmental restoration projects, primarily affecting municipalities and entities involved in remediating contaminated sites. It allows for project funding starting in fiscal year 2025-2026 and expands the definition of "contaminant" to include emerging contaminants and PFAS substances. The bill modifies how responsible party settlement payments are applied to project costs and adds new criteria for prioritizing projects, such as those in disadvantaged communities or addressing drinking water contamination. Additionally, it broadens state indemnification for municipalities, successors, lessees, and lenders involved in these remediation efforts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes funding for environmental restoration projects starting fiscal year 2025-2026, directly allocating state budget resources to a public service program.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands contaminant definition to include PFAS, funds restoration projects, strengthens remediation efforts under environmental conservation law90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Drinking Water Water Quality

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died · New York · Senate Feb 24, 2026

S 1733: Creates a program to assist municipalities with water quality improvement of water bodies within the municipality managed by lake associations

Bill S 1733 creates a new program to help municipalities improve water quality in water bodies managed by lake associations within their jurisdiction. The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will establish this program to identify water quality concerns, determine effective remediation strategies, and assist with best practices for maintaining water quality. Additionally, the DEC will create a grant program to provide financial assistance to municipalities for remedial actions. The department is authorized to develop rules and regulations to implement these provisions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates DEC grant program for municipal water quality remediation, directly funding state budget allocation for environmental programs.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates DEC program with grants to improve municipal water quality through remediation strategies, directly advancing environmental protection of water bodies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Water Quality

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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

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