New York Senate Bill S00659

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/8/25
• Refer: 1/8/25
• Engrossed: 3/26/25
• Refer: 3/26/25
• Refer: 1/7/26
• Engrossed: 2/25/26
• Refer: 2/25/26

Caption

Relates to the general civil penalty of the environmental conservation law; provides that in addition to the fines, such person may be enjoined from continuing such violation and any permit or certificate issued to such person may be revoked or suspended, or a pending renewal application may be denied.

Summary

S00659 amends the Environmental Conservation Law’s general civil penalty provision. Under current law, a person who violates the law, related regulations or orders, or the terms of a permit can be fined up to $1,000, plus up to $1,000 for each day the violation continues. This bill keeps those monetary penalties in place but clarifies and expands the enforcement tools available to the state by expressly allowing injunctive relief and authorizing revocation or suspension of an issued permit or certificate, or denial of a pending renewal application. The bill also makes clear that these remedies may be imposed after a hearing or an opportunity to be heard, and it applies immediately upon enactment. In practical terms, it strengthens the Department of Environmental Conservation’s ability to respond to ongoing violations by pairing fines with non-monetary consequences that can directly affect a regulated party’s ability to continue operating under state environmental permits.

Impact

The bill would amend ECL section 71-4003, the general civil penalty section, to add explicit authority for courts or the agency to enjoin continued violations and to revoke, suspend, or deny renewal of permits or certificates issued under the Environmental Conservation Law. It broadens the enforcement consequences for regulated entities beyond civil monetary penalties, while preserving the existing hearing/opportunity-to-be-heard requirement before penalties or other remedies are assessed. The affected parties are individuals, businesses, and other permit holders subject to environmental regulation, especially those whose compliance status could affect licensing or permitting.

Sentiment

The available voting history suggests generally favorable sentiment toward the bill, with clear majority support in both committee and on the Senate floor. The measure passed the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee by 9-2 in 2025 and 8-1 in 2026, and it passed the Senate floor by 48-13 in 2025 and 45-11 in 2026. That pattern indicates broad support for stronger environmental enforcement, though not unanimous agreement.

Contention

The main point of contention appears to be whether the state should expand enforcement beyond fines to include injunctive relief and permit consequences. Supporters likely view the bill as a needed compliance tool to stop ongoing violations and protect environmental standards, while opponents may be concerned about giving regulators or courts broader leverage over permits and business operations, potentially increasing regulatory burden or enforcement discretion. The recorded nays in committee and on the floor indicate some resistance, but the bill still drew substantial bipartisan or cross-faction support.