NY A08474

Establishes a Small Business Environmental Support Office within the Department of Economic Development to provide ombudsman services on pollution prevention and environmental conservation law compliance

Office will solicit input from small businesses, facilitate their participation in developing environmental regulations, and sponsor meetings with the Department of Environmental Conservation, local agencies, and industry groups

Provides services including distributing information on environmental requirements, investigating complaints and disputes between small businesses and environmental authorities, and referring businesses to specialists for affordable pollution prevention technologies

Exempts information supplied by small businesses seeking assistance from the office from Freedom of Information Law (Article 6 of Public Officers Law) to ensure confidentiality

Requires annual reports to the Governor, Senate, and Assembly beginning June 1, 2026, detailing the number of businesses assisted during the previous fiscal year and cumulative totals with regional breakdowns