Bill > A05254

This bill establishes the New York Open Water Data Act, which requires a group of state agencies and academic institutions (called "conveners") to collaborate on comprehensively collecting, standardizing, and publicly sharing water-related data across New York State. The bill defines "water data" broadly, including measurements of streamflow, groundwater, water quality, infrastructure, and usage in agriculture, industry, and municipal systems, covering fresh, inland, and coastal waters. By January 1 two years after becoming law, the agencies must identify key water datasets, develop common data standards, make data publicly accessible through the state's OpenNY platform and GIS mapping, and create an annual plan detailing water data needs, goals, and resources. The conveners (Cornell University's Water Resources Institute and Stony Brook University's Sea Grant) will help organize meetings, provide expertise, and support the agencies in developing standardized, publicly accessible water data. The agencies are also required to collaborate with regional and national water management efforts and update collected data annually. The bill aims to improve water resource management by creating a comprehensive, accessible, and standardized approach to water data collection and sharing.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A5254