Environment

in committee · New York · Senate May 18, 2026

S 6931: Directs state agencies to adopt a waste diversion plan

This bill requires New York state agencies (including SUNY, CUNY, and other entities overseen by the governor) to create waste diversion plans aimed at reducing landfill waste. Agencies must achieve a 10% annual reduction in waste disposal every five years, targeting a 75% overall decrease from 2018-2019 levels by 2033. Plans must detail strategies for diverting recyclables, compostables, and organics from landfills, eliminating single-use plastics where safe, and implementing dual-stream recycling where feasible. The GreenNY Council will oversee implementation and review plans, which must be publicly posted online.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates 75% landfill waste reduction by 2033 via diversion plans, targeting pollution control and conservation through recyclables/compostables and single-use plastic elimination.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6798: Directs the New York state energy research and development authority to conduct a feasibility study on carbon recapture

Directs the New York state energy research and development authority to conduct a feasibility study and prepare a report on the benefits and implementation of carbon recapture.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill directs feasibility study on carbon recapture, a clean energy technology advancing emissions reduction and infrastructure development.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDirects feasibility study on carbon recapture, a climate mitigation technology to reduce emissions, advancing environmental protection goals.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4059: Relates to prohibitions on single-use food service items

Provides that restaurants and third-party food delivery service may provide single-use food service items to customers when explicitly requested by the customer; prohibits certain plastic single-use items.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits plastic single-use items, reducing plastic pollution and waste in line with environmental protection goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5515: Relates to providing transparency to residential utility and municipality ratepayers on the cost impact of the climate action council's scoping plan

Requires utility corporations and municipalities to ensure that bills for service to residential customers include a line item for cost impact measures taken in accordance with the climate action council's final scoping plan; requires the department of public service to establish a formula to enable utility corporations and municipalities to calculate the cost impact on each residential customer's bill attributed to measures taken in accordance with the climate action council's final scoping plan.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires cost transparency for climate action council measures, enabling public awareness of environmental initiative costs and supporting implementation of climate policies.85% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 261: Prohibits the idling of any passenger vehicle for more than 3 consecutive minutes

Prohibits the idling of any passenger vehicle, with certain exceptions, for more than 3 consecutive minutes; establishes the first violation is a warning and subsequent violations of such section are traffic infractions punishable by a fine of $150.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyProhibiting vehicle idling reduces unnecessary fuel consumption, promoting energy efficiency and conserving fossil fuels, aligning with energy conservation goals.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits vehicle idling to reduce emissions, directly supporting pollution control and environmental protection goals.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationProhibits vehicle idling, directly regulating vehicle operation under transportation topic; aligns with enhancing transportation safety and environmental goals through emissions reduction.85% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5366: Provides a tax credit to corporations that purchase qualified green construction equipment

Provides a tax credit to corporations that purchase qualified green construction equipment equivalent to thirty percent of the total expenses incurred during the taxable year in purchasing such equipment.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesProvides corporate tax credit (30% of equipment costs), creating a tax break for businesses, aligning with 'oppose' indicator of tax breaks primarily for wealthy entities.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyTax credit for green construction equipment directly incentivizes renewable energy infrastructure investment, aligning with support indicators for clean energy funding.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentTax credit for green construction equipment directly incentivizes eco-friendly corporate practices, aligning with environmental protection and pollution reduction goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Tax Incentives

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died · New York · Senate May 20, 2026

S 5759: Establishes a moratorium on the sale and use of biosolids

This bill (S 5759) imposes a 5-year moratorium on spreading or selling biosolids - treated sewage byproducts used as fertilizer or soil amendment - on farmland, parks, or other non-crop areas. It directly affects wastewater treatment facilities, farmers, and businesses that sell or use biosolids for agricultural purposes. The law bans land application, permits for such use, and sales of biosolids or products containing them, with exceptions for landfill disposal and compost made from food waste, manure, or other non-biosolids materials. The ban applies statewide and includes penalties for violations, such as fines up to $2,500 per offense.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans biosolids land application to prevent soil/water contamination, directly protecting environmental quality and pollution control.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Waste Management

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6192: Establishes a moratorium on the sale and use of biosolids

This bill (A 6192) establishes a 5-year moratorium on the land application, sale, and distribution of biosolids and products containing them for agricultural or landscaping use (like fertilizer or soil amendment). It directly affects wastewater treatment facilities, farmers, and businesses using biosolids-derived products, banning their use on crops, parks, golf courses, and similar non-crop lands. The moratorium excludes landfill disposal of biosolids and certain composts made from food waste, manure, or crop residues (not biosolids). Violations carry fines up to $2,500 per offense plus daily penalties.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill bans biosolids use to prevent soil/water contamination, directly protecting environmental resources and reducing pollution risks.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Waste Management

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passed · New York · Senate Feb 3, 2026

S 1187: Authorizes certain local municipal agencies to use surveillance cameras to combat illegal dumping

This bill allows local municipal agencies responsible for waste management to install and use surveillance cameras to identify people illegally dumping waste. It directly affects towns and cities with authority over sanitation, enabling them to review camera footage as evidence. The key provision authorizes these agencies to deploy cameras in areas prone to illegal dumping and use the footage to track down violators. The law takes effect immediately upon passage, focusing solely on expanding local enforcement tools for waste management.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill targets illegal dumping (a pollution source) by enabling enforcement via surveillance cameras, directly reducing environmental pollution through waste management enforcement.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1635: Prohibits the sale or offer for sale of any cosmetic product or personal care product containing PFAS substances

This bill prohibits the sale or offer for sale of cosmetic and personal care products (like lotions, makeup, or shampoos) containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals. It directly affects manufacturers and retailers by banning the use of these substances in such products. The law defines PFAS as fluorinated chemicals with at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom. The prohibition will take effect on June 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans PFAS chemicals in cosmetics, reducing environmental pollution from persistent toxic substances that contaminate water and soil.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBans PFAS in cosmetics/personal care products to prevent health risks (cancer, immune issues), directly protecting public health under healthcare policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water

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