NY S00672

Authorizes environmental restoration projects to be funded within available appropriations beginning in state fiscal year 2025-2026

Expands the definition of "contaminant" to include hazardous waste, petroleum, PFAS substances (fluorinated organic chemicals with at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom), and other emerging contaminants identified by state or federal environmental agencies

Narrows municipal exclusion from the program so that only municipalities that caused or contributed to contamination through gross negligence or willful/intentional misconduct are ineligible, rather than any municipality involved in generating, transporting, or disposing of contamination

Adds prioritization criteria for projects in disadvantaged communities and drinking water contamination sites, and includes public health benefits alongside environmental benefits when evaluating projects

Provides state indemnification for municipalities that complete environmental restoration projects in compliance with state assistance contracts, covering judgments related to pre-existing contamination or municipal actions implementing the project

Makes $20 million available from the Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act of 1996 for state assistance payments to municipalities without requiring a memorandum of understanding