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Read. Follow. Verify.New York establishes a floating solar incentive and education program for water bodies
Last action · June 3, 2026: ORDERED TO THIRD READING RULES CAL.395Sponsors: Pete Harckham and 1 other
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What This Bill Would Do
New York requires the state energy authority to create a floating solar incentive and education program providing grants, technical assistance, and financing resources for projects on canals, reservoirs, and ponds, effective 180 days after becoming law.
The measure establishes state-backed financial grants and technical resources specifically for constructing solar arrays on artificial and natural water bodies, tying project eligibility to state labor law standards.
- Floating solar installations place photovoltaic panels on mounting systems that float on bodies of water such as reservoirs, lakes, and canals, helping conserve land space and reduce water evaporation. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Municipalities
Municipalities gain access to state grants, technical assistance, and financing resources for constructing floating solar projects.
Developers and Builders
Developers and builders become eligible for grant funding, industry standards access, and educational resources regarding floating solar siting.
Key Facts
- The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority must establish a floating solar incentive and education program.
- Floating solar is defined as photovoltaic systems mounted on floating structures or platforms on canals, lakes, reservoirs, and ponds.
- The program provides technical assistance, access to industry standards, and financing information to municipalities, developers, builders, design professionals, and potential owners.
- Grants are authorized for developing floating solar on canals, reservoirs, commercial and industrial ponds, and other artificially created bodies of water.
Show all 8 facts
- Projects receiving grants must adhere to section two hundred twenty-four-d of the labor law.
- The authority must identify best practices for protecting water body ecosystems and monitor impacts on water quality, water conservation, and algae control.
- The authority must consult with the Public Service Commission and the Department of Environmental Conservation to promulgate rules and regulations.
- The act takes effect on the one hundred eightieth day after becoming a law.
Frequently Asked Questions
What bodies of water are eligible for floating solar projects under the program?
Who is eligible to receive information, resources, and financing support through the program?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently passed chamber. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Law.
Procedural history
15 actions- Jun 3, 2026HouseORDERED TO THIRD READING RULES CAL.395
- Jun 3, 2026HouseSUBSTITUTED FOR A6577B
- Jun 1, 2026HouseCommitteeREFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS
- Jun 1, 2026SenateDELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY
- Jun 1, 2026SenateFloorPASSED SENATE
- Jun 1, 2026SenateORDERED TO THIRD READING CAL.1456
Show 9 earlier actions
- Jun 1, 2026SenateCommitteeCOMMITTEE DISCHARGED AND COMMITTED TO RULES
- May 26, 2026SenatePRINT NUMBER 4571B
- May 26, 2026SenateCommitteeAMEND AND RECOMMIT TO FINANCE
- May 6, 2026SenateCommitteeREPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE
- Jan 7, 2026SenateCommitteeREFERRED TO ENERGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
- Mar 6, 2025SenatePRINT NUMBER 4571A
- Mar 6, 2025SenateCommitteeAMEND AND RECOMMIT TO FINANCE
- Feb 25, 2025SenateCommitteeREPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE
- Feb 7, 2025SenateCommitteeREFERRED TO ENERGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Voting Record
Floor Vote - Version: B
Total
63
- Yes
- 39
- No
- 21
- Present
- 0
- Not voting
- 1
- Abstain
- 0
- Other positions
- 2
How they voted (62)
38 more members
Show 3 earlier roll calls
Rules Vote - Version: B
Total
21
- Yes
- 14
- No
- 6
- Present
- 0
- Not voting
- 0
- Abstain
- 0
- Other positions
- 1
How they voted (20)
Energy And Telecommunications Vote - Version: A
Total
9
- Yes
- 6
- No
- 3
- Present
- 0
- Not voting
- 0
- Abstain
- 0
How they voted (9)
Energy And Telecommunications Vote
Total
9
- Yes
- 7
- No
- 2
- Present
- 0
- Not voting
- 0
- Abstain
- 0
How they voted (9)
Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Expansion of Solar Siting to Water Bodies
The legislation formally integrates floating structures on artificial and natural water bodies into state energy incentive and educational frameworks.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.nysenate.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance60How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy20Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz40Current news / social attention level
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