Authorizes state assistance to municipalities containing exempt privately owned forest lands; expands categories of lands eligible for certain property tax exemptions as forest lands; authorizes tax exemptions for certain conservation easement tracts; provides for violations of certain provisions relating to filing for tax exemptions of forest lands.
S 2472 prohibits all horizontal drilling and high-volume hydraulic fracturing (using 300,000+ gallons of water per well completion) and gelled propane hydraulic fracturing statewide. It directly affects oil and gas operators, banning these specific extraction methods regardless of well type. The bill defines "high-volume hydraulic fracturing" as using 300,000+ gallons of water (fresh or recycled) across all well stages, and explicitly prohibits both methods in the state. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.
Enacts the feathered lives also count act directing the commissioner of general services to incorporate practices and strategies to reduce bird fatality resulting from collisions with certain state-owned or state-leased buildings, and for other purposes; requires the commissioner to develop a design guide that includes features, methods and strategies, and best practices for reducing bird fatalities; requires the commissioner to report to the governor and the legislature.
S 2175 exempts EPA-certified low-emission and energy-efficient vehicles from New York's retail sales tax and compensating use tax. This directly affects buyers of qualifying electric, hybrid, or other ultra-low-emission vehicles (defined by EPA certification or a 9+ score on pollution and greenhouse gas ratings). The exemption is funded by offsetting tax revenue losses with proceeds from emissions allowance auctions, capped at $27 million annually. The law takes effect in the first sales tax quarter after enactment and expires December 31, 2028.
S 5408 authorizes NYSERDA to distribute $500 million for zero-emission school buses and supporting infrastructure, requiring contractors (like dealers, manufacturers, and retrofit companies) to submit a "New York jobs plan" detailing job creation, wages, benefits, and environmental commitments. The jobs plan must include specifics on hiring displaced workers, creating jobs in disadvantaged communities, using recycled materials, and responsibly sourcing minerals like lithium and cobalt. Incentive amounts for bus purchases or conversions are determined by the jobs plan, with higher payments for meeting goals related to job quality and community benefits. This directly affects school districts purchasing buses, contractors, and their suppliers.
Enacts the "go green schools act" to assist school districts in converting to renewable energy sources as a primary source of energy; directs NYSERDA to conduct a study and make recommendations for such purpose.
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.
Establishes a recycling program for containers of adult-use cannabis sold in New York; requires such containers to be made of at least fifty percent recycled materials.
Relates to establishing extended producer responsibility for tires; provides that no later than June 30, 2027 a producer shall submit a plan for the establishment of a collection program for tires; establishes the tire extended producer responsibility fund.
Prohibits certain solid waste polluters from procuring public contracts for certain periods of time after violations and until all debts to the state are satisfied; prohibits individuals found guilty of solid waste pollution from serving as members of any board of any entity engaged in solid waste removal and disposal.
