Nearly 30 environmental bills passed by Senate await Assembly action as legislative session nears its close
Albany, NY — The New York State Senate has concluded its legislative work for the 2025 session with a bold, sweeping slate of environmental victories—passing legislation that tackles everything from toxic PFAS pollution to plastic waste, climate affordability, and clean transportation.
Now, all eyes turn to the Assembly.
“These are serious, thoughtful bills—passed with urgency and care,” said Katherine Nadeau, Deputy Executive Director, Policy and Programs at Environmental Advocates NY. “We thank Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Environmental Conservation Chair Pete Harckham for their leadership and commitment to protecting New Yorkers’ health, environment, and wallets. The Senate has done its job. Now it’s the Assembly’s turn—and time is running out.”
Among the Senate-passed bills awaiting Assembly action:
- The Packaging Reduction & Recycling Infrastructure Act (S.1464/A.1749): Makes polluters—not taxpayers—pay to manage packaging waste and cuts plastic use by 30%.
- The Customer Savings and Reliability Act (S.8421/A.8889): Ends the outdated and expensive 100-foot gas rule and modernizes utility obligations to support affordable, climate-aligned energy service across the state.
- Sewage Sludge Spreading Moratorium (S.5759-C/A.6192-D): Halts the dangerous practice of spreading PFAS-contaminated sewage sludge on New York farmland.
- PFAS in Consumer Products Ban (S.187-A/A.7738): Removes toxic PFAS from everyday items like cookware, textiles, and dental floss.
- The Beauty Justice Act (S.2057-A/A.2054-A): Bans toxic chemicals from cosmetics and personal care products.
- PFAS Discharge Disclosure Act (S.4574-B/A.5832-B): Requires industries and treatment plants to test for and report PFAS discharges into water.
- PFAS Drinking Water Protection Act (S.3207-A/A.8634): Codifies the current federal limits on toxic PFAS chemicals in drinking water, protecting New Yorkers from the Trump administration’s proposed rollback of clean water safeguards.
- Healthy Homes Right to Know Act (S.1280-B/A.73-B): Requires warning labels on gas stoves to alert consumers about toxic indoor air pollution from their use.
- Used EV Rebate Program (S.2032/A.349): Makes clean cars more affordable with up to $2,000 in rebates for used zero-emission vehicles.
“These bills are not symbolic—they’re substantive,” Nadeau continued. “They reduce pollution, protect public health, save families money, and advance our climate goals. The Assembly has precious few hours left to act. Failing to pass these bills now is failing New Yorkers.”
Environmental Advocates NY cautioned that inaction by the Assembly risks not only letting urgent environmental problems fester, but also short-circuiting the legislative process itself.
“The Assembly cannot serve as a default veto,” Nadeau said. “These bills deserve a vote. They deserve debate. And they deserve the Governor’s attention. Let the process play out.”
Environmental Advocates NY is calling on Assembly leadership to bring the pending environmental bills to the floor immediately.
“The people of New York need a legislature that works from both chambers,” said Nadeau. “The Senate delivered. The Assembly must not be the reason New York falls short.”
