Bill > S01869

This bill establishes a new urban reforestation initiative by imposing an annual $1,000 fee on billboard signs visible from interstate and primary highways, with exemptions for official, on-premises, and small billboard owners. The collected fees will be deposited into a newly created New York State Urban Reforestation Fund, which will provide grants to cities for urban forestry programs. For cities with over one million residents (like New York City), the city will collect the fees and receive grants equal to the amount collected, while smaller cities (between 20,000 and one million residents) will receive proportional funding for urban forestry planning, including hiring professional foresters, conducting tree inventories, and implementing tree planting, maintenance, removal, and pruning programs. The bill also defines key terms like "professional forester," "conservation," and "tree maintenance," and establishes penalties for non-compliance with the new regulations. The legislation aims to improve urban environments by supporting tree planting and maintenance, with goals of reducing air pollution, enhancing aesthetic appeal, and providing environmental and economic benefits. The act will take effect 60 days after becoming law.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S1869