Bill > S09280

This bill, known as the "New York open water data act," aims to improve the management and planning of the state's water resources by establishing a framework for collecting, standardizing, and sharing water data. The act designates "conveners," which are the New York water resources institute at Cornell University and New York sea grant at Stony Brook University, to lead and support various "agencies" – including state departments of environmental conservation, health, and agriculture, as well as the New York state canal corporation, New York city department of environmental protection, and the public service commission – in this effort. "Water data" is broadly defined to encompass measurements of streamflow, precipitation, groundwater, water quality, water use in agriculture, industry, and municipalities, as well as data on fresh and inland waters, state and municipal water infrastructure, and areas where fresh and marine waters mix, with provisions for sensitive data to be handled with discretion. The bill mandates that within two years of becoming law, these agencies and conveners will identify crucial water data, develop common standards for data collection and dissemination to make it publicly accessible through the state's OpenNY platform in standardized formats and via application programming interfaces (APIs), and identify any data gaps. Furthermore, the act requires that all water data compiled under this law be updated at least quarterly, with exceptions for security and public safety, and that the agencies collaborate with regional and international efforts. Finally, the bill mandates an annual plan submitted to the governor and legislature detailing an assessment of existing data, projected needs, budgetary requirements, and metrics for success.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S9280