What's happening
This bill declares all waters in New York State as public trust resources, requiring the state to conserve and manage them for public benefit.
Why it matters
Establishes a legal obligation. for New York State to act as a trustee for all state waters, potentially increasing government accountability in protecting water resources for both current and future generations.
Strengthens the basis for environmental protection. , making it easier for courts or citizens to challenge activities (such as pollution or overuse) that could harm public access or the ecological health of state waters.
Could impact water rights, usage, and development. , as industries, municipalities, and private entities may face stricter scrutiny or new regulations when seeking to use or alter water resources.
Affirms water as a shared resource. for all residents, which may support broader efforts around water equity, environmental justice, and long-term sustainability planning in New York.
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Who cares
State water-resource agencies
The bill would declare all state waters public trust resources and establish the state's duty as trustee to conserve and manage them.
Environmental advocates
The bill would expressly tie the state's water-management duty to environmental protection and the use and enjoyment of present and future inhabitants.
Industries whose activities deplete or pollute state waters
The public trust designation would sit alongside existing language supporting regulation and supervision of activities that adversely affect waters and associated land resources.
Headline styles
Protect State Water for All
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to environmental conservation
- Referred to environmental conservation
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Protect Public Water Rights
In Assembly Committee · Environmental Conservation · Sponsor Deborah Glick
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
883
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by Sen. MAY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Environmental Conservation
AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to declaring the waters of the state as public trust resources
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 13 of section 15-0103 of the environmental conservation law is amended to read as follows:
13. All the waters of this state are deemed to be public trust resources. The waters of the state are valuable public natural resources and this state has a duty as trustee to conserve and manage its waters effectively for the use and enjoyment of present and future inhabitants and for the protection of the environment. It is in the best interest of the state that provision be made for the regulation and supervision of activities that deplete, defile, damage or otherwise adversely affect the waters of the state and land resources associated therewith.
§ 2. The opening paragraph of section 15-0105 of the environmental conservation law is amended to read as follows:
In recognition that the waters of the state are public trust resources, and in recognition of its sovereign duty to conserve and control its water resources for the benefit of all inhabitants of the state, it is hereby declared to be the public policy of the state of New York that:
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03189-01-5
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to declaring the waters of the state as public trust resources
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill declares the waters of the State to be public trust resources. SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS: This bill amends § 15-0103 of the environmental conservation law by adding a new subdivision 13 to declare that all waters of the state are deemed to be public trust resources.
Justification
It is in the best interest of the State that provisions are made for the regulation and supervision of activities that may deplete, defile, damage, or otherwise adversely affect the waters of the State and land resources associated therewith. The declaration of the State's water as a public trust resource will explicitly state the obligation of New York State to preserve this valuable public natural resource for the use and enjoyment of present and future inhabitants and for the protection of the environment.
Prior legislative history
2023-2024: S.5813 (May) I A.4602 (Glick)
2021-22: A.3928 - Referred to Environmental Conservation Committee
2019-20: A.2751 - Referred to Environmental Conservation Committee
2017-18: A.1494 - Referred to Environmental Conservation Committee
2015-16: A.2765 - Referred to Environmental Conservation Committee
2013-14: A.6104 - Referred to Environmental Conservation Committee
2011-12: A.9410 - Referred to Environmental Conservation Committee
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.