Bill > A02025

This bill comprehensively addresses harmful algal blooms (HABs) in New York State by establishing multiple new mechanisms for understanding, monitoring, and responding to these environmental events. The bill expands the Legislative Commission on Rural Resources to include studying pond and lake management programs and creates a new New York Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Commission within the state environmental department. This commission will have ten members from various state agencies and will be responsible for assessing the environmental, ecological, economic, and social impacts of harmful algal blooms, developing a comprehensive prevention and response plan, and providing recommendations for managing these events. The bill also establishes an advisory committee with up to 25 members from diverse environmental and scientific backgrounds, requires state agencies to develop regulations and standards for nutrient management, and mandates the creation of a peer review panel of experts to study and make recommendations about harmful algal blooms. Additionally, the bill expands the definition of "disaster" to include water contamination from harmful algal blooms, authorizes emergency response teams to handle such events, and requires the state to provide potable water during HAB-related water contamination emergencies. The overall goal is to create a comprehensive, multi-agency approach to understanding, preventing, and responding to harmful algal blooms in New York's marine and freshwater environments.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A2025