Bill > A06181

This bill establishes the Senior Environmental Corps (SEC) within the Department of Environmental Conservation as a volunteer program for individuals aged 55 and older to contribute their professional skills and expertise to environmental conservation efforts. The bill creates a coordinating council comprising representatives from various state departments, including health, education, family assistance, aging, and veterans' affairs, to oversee the program. The SEC's primary goals include providing resources for environmental projects that would otherwise go unimplemented due to limited funding, offering meaningful volunteer opportunities for seniors, assisting agencies with their statutory assignments, enhancing community understanding of environmental issues, and expanding the state's ability to provide public services in urban and rural settings. The program will operate through written volunteer agreements that specify work descriptions, performance standards, potential benefits, and agreement terms. Importantly, the bill stipulates that corps volunteers cannot be used to replace current workers. The department will be responsible for recruiting volunteers, developing budgets, providing training and support, maintaining records, and facilitating inter-agency cooperation. The bill emphasizes leveraging seniors' knowledge and skills to address environmental challenges while providing seniors with opportunities to continue contributing to society in meaningful ways.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A6181