Requires that any rules or regulations promulgated by the department of environmental conservation pursuant to the climate action fund are subject to a vote of the legislature for approval

Bill A 6847 — Summary

Overview

Bill A 6847 would require that any rules or regulations issued by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) under the Climate Action Fund receive a vote of approval by the Legislature. The measure is currently referred to the Environmental Conservation committee.

What the bill would do

• Mandate legislative approval for all DEC rules or regulations promulgated pursuant to the Climate Action Fund.
• Presumably, not allow such rules to take effect without an affirmative vote of the Legislature (the bill text provided indicates “subject to a vote of the legislature for approval,” though specific procedural details are not included in the summary).

Key provisions (as stated)

• Scope: Applies to rules and regulations promulgated by the DEC that are issued under the Climate Action Fund.
• Approval process: Requires a legislative vote for approval before those rules/regulations become effective or otherwise binding.
• Oversight: Increases the role of the Legislature in the rulemaking process tied to climate-related funding.

Who is affected

• Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC): Responsible for drafting and promulgating rules under the Climate Action Fund; would be required to obtain legislative approval.
• New York State Legislature: Responsible for voting on and approving DEC climate-related rules.
• Stakeholders regulated by DEC under the Climate Action Fund: Businesses, local governments, and residents affected by DEC rules implementing climate programs funded by the Climate Action Fund.

Legislative status and timeline

• Introduced: March 14, 2025.
• Current status: Referred to the Environmental Conservation committee.
• Legislative actions listed show the same referral date (March 14, 2025).
• Related legislation: A 8271 from a prior session (noted as related).

Sponsors

• Primary sponsor: Philip Palmesano.
• Cosponsors: A large list including (but not limited to) Robert Smullen, Scott H. Bendett, John Lemondes, Matthew Simpson, Brian Maher, William A. Barclay, and many others. The breadth of cosponsors suggests broad interest across multiple constituencies.

Potential impact and considerations

• Procedural impact: Introduces a requirement for Legislative approval of climate-action-related rulemaking, increasing legislative oversight and potentially delaying implementation of climate programs funded by the Climate Action Fund.
• Policy impact: Shifts final decision-making authority for climate-related regulations from the executive branch (DEC) to the Legislature, which could affect the speed and nature of climate action initiatives.
• Fiscal impact: Not specified in the available information; could influence administrative costs associated with additional legislative review.
• Relationship to prior efforts: Related in concept to A 8271 from the prior session, indicating ongoing consideration of legislative oversight over climate funding rules.

Notes: The summary reflects the information available. If enacted, the bill would represent a significant change in how climate action fund-related rules are adopted in New York.