Bill > S03658

This bill, known as the "Feathered Lives Also Count Act", directs the New York State Commissioner of General Services to develop and implement strategies to reduce bird fatalities from collisions with state-owned and state-leased buildings. The bill requires the commissioner to create a comprehensive design guide that outlines features, methods, and best practices for minimizing bird deaths, such as eliminating non-essential lighting during migration seasons, using bird-safe film or bird-friendly glass, incorporating architectural design elements that reduce collision risks, and strategically placing landscaping. The guide must be developed in consultation with environmental conservation experts and updated every five years. The bill applies to newly constructed, acquired, or substantially altered buildings, excluding historical buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The commissioner must also annually certify to state leadership that the design guide is being used and must provide information on citizen science efforts to document bird collisions. The goal is to protect bird populations by making state buildings more bird-friendly through proactive design and maintenance strategies.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S3658