Bill > A08673

This bill enacts the Tropical Rainforest Economic & Environmental Sustainability Act, which aims to prevent tropical deforestation and forest degradation by establishing new requirements for state contracts and creating a support program for businesses. The legislation requires state contractors to certify that their products do not contain commodities sourced from land where tropical deforestation occurred after January 1, 2023, with large contractors needing to develop and publicly share a comprehensive tropical forest policy. The bill defines key terms like "tropical forest-risk commodities" (which include palm oil, beef, coffee, and cocoa) and establishes penalties for non-compliance, such as contract voiding or financial penalties. Additionally, the bill creates a Supply Chain Transparency Assistance Program to help small, medium-sized, and minority- or women-owned businesses develop more ethical and sustainable supply chains by providing technical assistance, helping with regulatory compliance, identifying funding resources, and conducting market analysis. The provisions will initially apply to contracts valued at $1 million or more, or involving contractors with annual revenues of $10 million or more, with a goal of eventually covering all relevant state procurement by 2032.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A8673