New York Assembly Bill A06930

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/18/25
• Refer: 3/18/25
• Report Pass: 5/20/25
• Refer: 5/20/25
• Report Pass: 5/28/25
• Refer: 5/28/25
• Report Pass: 5/29/25

Caption

Prohibits the application of pesticides to certain local freshwater wetlands for local governments that have implemented a freshwater wetlands protection law; provides that any local law or ordinance adopted pursuant to this section shall take effect on the first day of January after it shall have been adopted.

Summary

A06930 would authorize local governments that already have freshwater wetlands protection laws or ordinances to adopt additional local rules banning pesticide applications in the wetlands they regulate. The bill is limited to wetlands that are hydrologically connected to reservoirs, reservoir stems, Class A waterways, or other public drinking water sources. It also allows pesticide use to continue for certain exceptions, including invasive species control, pests of significant public health importance, noxious weeds designated by the Department of Environmental Conservation, and protection of critical native plant species. The bill further clarifies that it does not restrict pesticide use in farm operations as defined under the Agriculture and Markets Law. Any local law adopted under this authority would take effect on January 1 following adoption, and the state bill itself would take effect 90 days after becoming law. In practical terms, the measure would add a new local option within the Environmental Conservation Law, giving qualifying municipalities more authority to restrict pesticide use in sensitive wetland areas tied to drinking water supplies.

Impact

This bill would amend the Environmental Conservation Law by adding a new section authorizing local governments with approved freshwater wetlands protection programs to prohibit pesticide applications in certain regulated wetlands. It would affect municipalities that choose to act under this authority, pesticide applicators, landowners, and potentially water-supply protection efforts, while expressly preserving agricultural pesticide use and several public-health and ecological exceptions. The bill does not create a statewide pesticide ban, but instead expands local regulatory power over a defined category of wetlands.

Sentiment

The available voting history suggests generally favorable support in committee, with the bill advancing 23-7 in Environmental Conservation, 15-6 in Codes, and 18-9 in Rules. That pattern indicates the measure has meaningful backing among many lawmakers, though not unanimous support. The absence of transcript discussion limits insight into detailed debate, but the committee votes show the bill was able to move forward through multiple stages.

Contention

The main points of contention likely concern the scope of local authority, the potential impact on pesticide users, and whether the restrictions could affect land management or property use near wetlands. Opponents may be concerned about added regulatory burdens or local variation in pesticide rules, while supporters likely emphasize drinking water protection, wetland conservation, and ecosystem health. The bill’s explicit carve-outs for invasive species, public health pests, noxious weeds, native plant protection, and farm operations appear designed to address some of those concerns and narrow the reach of the prohibition.