Environment

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1696: Preserves ecological integrity, wildlife and open space in the Adirondack park

Preserves ecological integrity, wildlife and open space in the Adirondack park; strengthens land use and development provisions in the Adirondack park so as to curtail rural sprawl.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly preserves ecological integrity, wildlife, and open space while strengthening land use regulations to curb sprawl, directly advancing environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation Wildlife

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 954: Establishes the teachers' fossil fuel divestment act

Establishes the teachers' fossil fuel divestment act; requires the New York state teachers' retirement system to divest the retirement system of any stocks, securities, equities, assets, or other obligations of corporations or companies included on an exclusion list of coal producers and oil and gas producers.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates divestment from fossil fuel producers, reducing investment in fossil fuels and advancing renewable energy transition goals.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires divestment from fossil fuel producers, reducing financial support for industries harming the environment and aligning with climate protection goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coal Oil & Gas

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 6907: Clarifies certain provisions related to prohibiting plastic carryout bags

This bill clarifies New York State's rules for plastic carryout bags by defining key terms like "compostable" (must meet ASTM D6400 standards) and "reusable" (must hold 22 pounds for 125 uses). It requires large stores (over 10,000 sq ft or part of qualifying chains) to provide visible recycling bins for plastic bags, maintain records of bag recycling, and sell reusable bags. Compostable bags must display "COMPOSTABLE BAG -- DO NOT PLACE IN RECYCLING" to prevent contamination. The law directly affects large retailers, their suppliers, and customers who receive bags at checkout.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentClarifies plastic bag rules to reduce waste, mandates reusable options, and prevents recycling contamination, directly advancing environmental protection goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

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passed both · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 4574: Enacts the "PFAS discharge disclosure act"

Enacts the "PFAS discharge disclosure act"; requires certain SPDES permit holders to conduct PFAS monitoring and disclose the results from such monitoring.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates PFAS monitoring/disclosure for permit holders, increasing transparency on toxic pollutants to protect water resources and public health.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality

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failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5395: Directs the public service commission to conduct a full cost benefit analysis on renewable energy systems; and makes changes in relation to greenhouse gas emission limits

Directs the public service commission to conduct a full cost benefit analysis of the technical and economic feasibility of renewable energy systems in the state of New York and to compare such directly with other methods of electricity generation; makes certain changes relating to greenhouse gas emissions limits.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyDirects cost-benefit analysis of renewable energy systems vs. other generation methods and adjusts greenhouse gas limits, promoting renewable energy evaluation and emissions reduction.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires cost-benefit analysis for renewable energy systems and modifies greenhouse gas emission limits, promoting clean energy adoption and emission reduction efforts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Utility Regulation Climate Change

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1904: Requires car registration forms to display the label "qualified hybrid vehicle" and the estimated MPG of such vehicle as calculated by the EPA

Requires applicants for registration of hybrid vehicles to submit proof of the make, model and model year of the motor vehicle for which registration is being applied, to the commissioner; establishes that after such proof is submitted, certificates of registration shall display the markings "qualified hybrid vehicle" and such vehicle's US EPA highway fuel economy rating of 45 mpg or more.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill promotes energy efficiency by requiring EPA-rated 45+ MPG hybrid vehicle labeling, encouraging adoption of fuel-efficient transportation per EPA standards.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentLabels hybrid vehicles with EPA fuel efficiency ratings (45+ mpg), promoting consumer awareness of low-emission vehicles to encourage adoption and reduce emissions.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires labeling hybrid vehicles with EPA MPG, promoting sustainable transportation adoption through transparent fuel efficiency information.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Roads & Highways Vehicle Registration

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4438: Establishes a hydroelectric power tax credit

This bill creates a tax credit allowing taxpayers to offset 50% of licensing or relicensing fees paid to state or federal agencies for hydroelectric power projects. It directly affects businesses and developers subject to taxes under specific sections of the tax code (articles 9, 9-A, 22, and 33). The credit can be applied against income taxes, with unused portions carried forward to future tax years if it reduces taxes below minimum thresholds. The bill modifies multiple tax code sections to implement this credit and its carryover rules.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates tax credit reducing business tax liability for hydroelectric projects, providing direct fiscal relief under tax policy.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyTax credit directly incentivizes hydroelectric (renewable) project development, aligning with renewable energy promotion and clean energy infrastructure funding indicators.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentTax credit for hydroelectric power promotes renewable energy development, directly advancing clean energy adoption per environmental protection indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Tax Incentives Hydroelectric

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6671: Relates to false claims about recyclability and plastic container labeling

Provides that it is deceptive to misrepresent that a product or package is recyclable unless it can be collected, separated or otherwise recovered from the waste stream through an established recycling program for reuse or use in manufacturing or assembling another item; requires the department of environmental conservation to develop regulations on types and forms of plastic products and packaging for which a claim of recyclability may be made; requires all rigid plastic containers sold in this state be labeled with a code that indicates the resin used to produce such container; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill prohibits false recyclability claims, requiring proper recycling standards to reduce plastic waste pollution and strengthen environmental protection regulations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Recycling

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7834: 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 to meet permit standards, supporting wetland conservation and environmental protection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 1363: Prohibits the nonemergency application of pesticide or lawn care pesticide within any municipal park lands and lands under the jurisdiction of the state office of parks, recreation and historic preservation

Prohibits the nonemergency application of pesticide or lawn care pesticide within any municipal park lands and lands under the jurisdiction of the state office of parks, recreation and historic preservation; requires notice of pesticide application.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits nonemergency pesticide use in parks, reducing chemical exposure to ecosystems and public health, aligning with environmental protection goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation

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