Environment

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5712: Provides for the recovery, reuse and recycling of hardcover books

This bill prohibits disposing of hardcover books (defined as books bound in cloth, cardboard, or leather) as regular trash or burning them. It requires all municipalities to establish programs within two years for collecting, reusing, or recycling hardcover books, including tracking collected volumes and recycling partners. Municipalities must report program details to the state environmental department, which will share best practices and post program information online. The law directly affects local governments and book recyclers, mandating specific recovery systems instead of landfill disposal.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates recycling/reuse of hardcover books to prevent landfill disposal and burning, reducing waste and pollution per environmental conservation goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1492: Relates to plastic carryout bags provided by restaurants

This bill removes an exemption that previously allowed restaurants, taverns, and similar food service establishments to provide plastic carryout bags without following New York's bag waste reduction rules. It directly affects these businesses by requiring them to comply with the same bag restrictions as other retailers under the state's environmental conservation law. The key change deletes the specific exemption for "plastic carryout bags provided by a restaurant" from the list of allowed bag types, meaning restaurants must now use reusable, compostable, or other approved bags for takeout. This update aligns food service establishments with the broader bag waste reduction requirements.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRemoves exemption allowing restaurants to provide plastic bags, strengthening bag waste reduction rules to reduce plastic pollution and conserve resources under environmental conservation law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Recycling

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5150: Enacts the "harmful algal bloom monitoring and prevention act"

This bill establishes New York's "harmful algal bloom monitoring and prevention act" to address toxic algae outbreaks in state waterways. It requires the environmental agency to create a public database collecting water quality data (like nutrient levels and bloom locations) and develop a report of region-specific prevention strategies within three years. The program will also launch a website portal for local governments and nonprofits to access HAB research, expert resources, and best practices. This aims to coordinate statewide efforts to protect public health, recreation, and ecosystems affected by harmful algal blooms.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires environmental agency to monitor water quality, develop prevention strategies, and create public database to address toxic algal blooms, directly protecting waterways from pollution.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1898: Prohibits using toxic ammunition in the taking of wildlife

This bill prohibits the use of toxic ammunition, including lead bullets, for taking wildlife. It requires hunters to use only federally approved nontoxic ammunition instead. The law applies directly to individuals hunting wildlife and takes effect 30 days after enactment. The key provision mandates a switch to approved nontoxic alternatives while explicitly banning lead and other toxic options.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans lead ammunition, reducing environmental pollution and protecting wildlife from toxic contamination per bill's explicit prohibition of toxic options.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5082: Authorizes the department of environmental conservation to establish the Lake DeForest Flood Control Pilot Program

This bill authorizes New York's Department of Environmental Conservation to create the Lake DeForest Flood Control Pilot Program. The program will regulate water releases from Lake DeForest reservoir (operated by a private waterworks corporation) to reduce downstream flooding while ensuring sufficient drinking water quality. The department must establish rules for when flood control measures can be used, such as during major storms, large water inflows, dam safety concerns, or seasonal weather patterns. The program is limited to a 10-year pilot period, running from 2026 through 2036. It directly affects the reservoir operator, downstream communities, and the state's flood management approach for this specific water body.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill authorizes environmental department to regulate water releases for flood control while ensuring drinking water quality - directly protecting water resources and environmental health per department mandate.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Drinking Water Water Quality

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6369: Establishes the marine electric propulsion health and environmental impact program

Establishes the marine electric propulsion health and environmental impact program to provide education, advocacy and increased awareness of the environmental and health impacts of marine electric propulsion systems.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill promotes marine electric propulsion awareness, a clean energy technology, aligning with renewable energy advocacy and environmental protection goals.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes program to educate on environmental benefits of marine electric propulsion, a clean technology, promoting pollution reduction and environmental protection through awareness and advocacy.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill promotes sustainable marine transportation by establishing education on electric propulsion systems' environmental benefits, aligning with sustainable transportation indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4444: Authorizes the legislative commission on the development of rural resources to study the effectiveness of pond and lake management programs

Authorizes the legislative commission on the development of rural resources to study the effectiveness of pond and lake management programs; provides for the comprehensive control and mitigation of harmful algal blooms in both marine and fresh water; provides for emergency response to water contaminations by algal bloom or hypoxia.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAddresses water pollution control by mitigating algal blooms and enabling emergency responses to contamination, directly protecting aquatic ecosystems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6928: Prohibits the department of environmental conservation from issuing or authorizing any permits to new or expanding large concentrated animal feeding operations

Prohibits the department of environmental conservation from issuing or authorizing any permits to new or expanding large concentrated animal feeding operations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits permits for large CAFOs, a known source of water pollution and environmental harm, directly reducing pollution and protecting natural resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 3, 2026

S 7951: Establishes the native/pollinator planting fund, the pollinator highway program and creates a distinctive license plate relating thereto

Establishes the native/pollinator planting fund and the pollinator highway program; creates a distinctive native plant and pollinator license plate with the goal of promoting the cultivation and maintenance of native flowering plants, grasses and shrubs on land bordering state highways and on other public lands.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates fund and program to promote native plants/pollinators on public lands, directly advancing habitat conservation and biodiversity protection as environmental goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Lands

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1976: Relates to regulation of toxic chemicals in pet products

Relates to regulation of toxic chemicals in pet products; requires disclosure on information on priority chemicals; establishes the interstate chemical clearinghouse; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRegulates toxic chemicals in pet products to prevent environmental pollution through disclosure requirements and chemical oversight, aligning with pollution control measures.85% confidence

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