Bill > S00672

This bill amends environmental conservation law to allow for the funding of environmental restoration projects within available appropriations, starting in the next state fiscal year, and repeals certain existing provisions related to these projects. It clarifies the definition of "contaminant" to include hazardous waste, petroleum, specific chemicals, emerging contaminants, and PFAS substances (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which are a class of fluorinated organic chemicals). The bill also redefines "contamination" to mean the presence of a contaminant in any environmental medium, and modifies the definition of "municipality" to exclude those that caused contamination through gross negligence or willful misconduct. Furthermore, it changes how settlements from responsible parties are handled, stating that such funds will be used by the municipality to cover its share of project costs before any recalculation of state assistance, and any excess will be paid back to the state. The bill also expands the criteria for prioritizing environmental restoration projects to include properties in disadvantaged communities and drinking water contamination sites requiring action for emerging contaminants, and clarifies that remediation objectives must meet the same standards as other remedial actions under the law. Finally, it broadens the scope of state indemnification for municipalities undertaking these projects, covering common law claims related to contamination present before a contract or municipal actions during the project, and makes $20 million from the Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act of 1996 available for these projects without requiring a memorandum of understanding.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S672