S. 8936 Summary

• Requires thermostat manufacturers to submit collection program plans to the Department of Environmental Conservation within 180 days for approval, either individually or through a producer responsibility organization.

• Establishes a minimum $20 incentive per mercury thermostat collected for contractors and New York state property owners who attest the thermostat was removed from a state building.

• Mandates collection sites be conveniently located within 15 miles of at least 90% of state residents and requires at least one site per county and municipality with 10,000+ residents.

• Creates the mercury thermostat stewardship fund to collect fees from manufacturers (beginning April 1, 2026) to cover the department's administration, implementation, and enforcement costs.

• Extends the mercury thermostat collection program's effectiveness from January 1, 2025 to January 1, 2048.