Bill > A07980

This bill expands the authorized purposes of Industrial Development Agencies (IDAs) to include environmental pollution mitigation projects, addressing systemic environmental racism and its health impacts on minority communities. The legislation defines "environmental pollution mitigation" as proposals that provide equipment, improvements, or low/zero-emission vehicles to control, prevent, or reduce pollution in industrial, manufacturing, warehousing, and commercial facilities. The bill aims to help IDAs support projects that improve environmental quality, particularly in communities disproportionately affected by industrial pollution. By allowing IDAs to offer financial incentives for pollution reduction, the legislation seeks to address long-standing health disparities, particularly in African-American and Hispanic neighborhoods that have historically been located near polluting industries. The bill recognizes that such pollution leads to respiratory illnesses, economic hardship, and perpetuates race-based income disparities. Specifically, the legislation amends the General Municipal Law to explicitly include environmental pollution mitigation as part of IDAs' core purposes, with the ultimate goal of improving job opportunities, health, economic welfare, and overall quality of life for New York state residents.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A7980