Loading chat...

NY S02162

Bill

Status

Introduced

1/15/2025

Primary Sponsor

Rachel May

Click for details

Origin

Senate

2025-2026 General Assembly

AI Summary

  • Requires state agencies to implement pollinator-friendly landscaping on state-owned lands including parks, forests, wildlife management areas, and campgrounds by increasing native plants, reducing mowing and pesticide use, and adding educational signage

  • Adds climate-resilient landscaping, native species use, and pollinator-friendly planting as eligible activities under the Climate Smart Communities program for municipal funding

  • Directs SUNY campuses to consider policies promoting pollinator health, including establishing standing committees, increasing native plant habitats, adopting integrated pest management plans, and offering educational opportunities

  • Requires the Department of Education, in consultation with the Department of Environmental Conservation, to develop guidelines for school districts on pollinator-friendly landscaping and reduced pesticide use on school grounds

  • Expands existing highway pollinator requirements to include road verges in addition to medians, directing the commissioner to develop policies for native pollinator-friendly plants and reduced mowing along state and local highways

Legislative Description

Enacts the "pollinator promotion act" to authorize the commissioner of environmental conservation to promote the health and viability of pollinators in the state and to make municipal adoption and implementation of pollinator promotion plans eligible for climate adaptation and mitigation projects under the climate smart communities program; requires consideration of certain pollinator health initiatives on SUNY campuses; directs the departments of education and environmental conservation to develop guidelines for school districts to implement certain pollinator friendly practices; directs the implementation of certain pollinator friendly practices on highway verges.

Last Action

REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION

1/7/2026

Committee Referrals

Environmental Conservation1/15/2025

Full Bill Text

No bill text available