Bill > S07951

This bill establishes a "Native/Pollinator Planting Fund" and a "Pollinator Highway Program" to promote the planting and maintenance of native flowering plants, grasses, and shrubs along state highways and on other public lands, with the goal of improving environmental health and supporting pollinators like bees and butterflies. The fund will be supported by legislative appropriations, grants, and revenue from a new distinctive license plate featuring native plants or pollinators, with an additional annual service charge of twenty-five dollars for these plates. Money from the fund will be used for grants to municipalities and partnerships with environmental organizations for green infrastructure projects, such as rain gardens and bio-swales, to manage stormwater runoff and filter pollutants. The Department of Transportation will oversee the program, consulting with other state agencies and environmental groups to identify suitable locations, develop standards for plant selection, and encourage community engagement through educational materials and volunteer programs. The bill also requires the department to report annually on the program's progress and effectiveness, including metrics like stormwater runoff reduction and increases in pollinator populations.

Budget and Finance

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S7951