Bill > A03026

This bill amends various sections of the environmental conservation law to redirect fines and penalties collected from certain environmental violations into a newly established "conservation enforcement account" within the state conservation fund, rather than the general fund. It also increases some of the civil and criminal penalties for environmental offenses. The bill aims to ensure that funds generated from environmental violations are specifically used to support the enforcement of environmental laws, including funding for personnel like scientists, law enforcement officers, and attorneys, as well as other necessary administrative expenses for the Department of Environmental Conservation.