New York A 6348: Establishes the University of the State of New York environmental sustainability office

Bill Text

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A06348 Summary:

BILL NOA06348 

&nbsp

SAME ASSAME AS S06798

&nbsp

SPONSORValdez

&nbsp

COSPNSR

&nbsp

MLTSPNSR

&nbsp

Add §235-c, Ed L

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Establishes the university of the state of New York environmental sustainability office to lead the coordination, planning and implementation of policies, programs, and processes to fulfill the university's sustainability obligations and targets cohesively, across all university campuses, and at the system level.

Go to top A06348 Actions:

BILL NOA06348 

&nbsp

03/04/2025referred to higher education

01/07/2026referred to higher education

Go to topA06348 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topA06348 Floor&nbspVotes:

There are no Assembly votes for this bill in this legislative session.

Go to topA06348 Text:

 STATE OF NEW YORK
 ________________________________________________________________________

 6348

 2025-2026 Regular Sessions

 IN ASSEMBLY

 March 4, 2025
 ___________

 Introduced by M. of A. VALDEZ -- read once and referred to the Committee
 on Higher Education

 AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to establishing the
 university of the state of New York environmental sustainability
 office

 The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-
 bly, do enact as follows:

 1 Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 235-c
 2 to read as follows:
 3 § 235-c. Environmental sustainability office. 1. The regents shall
 4 establish an environmental sustainability office within the university
 5 of the state of New York to lead the coordination, planning and imple-
 6 mentation of policies, programs, and processes to fulfill the universi-
 7 ty's sustainability obligations and targets cohesively, across all
 8 university campuses, and at the system level. Sustainability obligations
 9 include, but are not limited to, reduction in energy use, prevention of
 10 waste and achieving material circularity, carbon emissions reduction,
 11 social equity and justice, and engagement and outreach strategies
 12 included within these and other sustainability focus areas.
 13 2. The head of the office shall be the director of environmental
 14 sustainability who shall be appointed by the regents and have the
 15 following powers and duties:
 16 a. Lead institutional planning to fulfill university sustainability
 17 commitments and represent the university's sustainability goals in
 18 system-wide and campus level planning.
 19 b. Set consistent sustainability standards, across a multitude of
 20 related focus areas, system-wide, including but not limited to, system
 21 and campus level clean energy master plans and zero waste circularity
 22 plans.
 23 c. Leverage expertise available across university campuses to pilot
 24 and elevate sustainability programs, projects and research.

 EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
 [ ] is old law to be omitted.
 LBD07846-01-5

 A. 6348 2

 1 d. Closely collaborate and coordinate with stakeholders across state
 2 agencies to achieve operational sustainability alignment and feasibil-
 3 ity.
 4 e. Serve on state and national committees involved in creating poli-
 5 cies and making decisions concerning sustainability.
 6 f. Further the university's investment in sustainability across
 7 campuses so as to maximize its return on investment, while achieving the
 8 university's sustainability commitments.
 9 g. Develop methods and processes to monitor performance and develop
 10 and evaluate projects and programs concerning sustainability.
 11 h. Assist the office of general services, and other relevant stake-
 12 holders, in procurement of commodities and services that advance the
 13 university's mission, while achieving sustainability goals, and ensure
 14 that sustainability is a key component in the procurement of services
 15 and products.
 16 i. Direct the environmental sustainability office by setting perform-
 17 ance goals prioritizing responsibilities, developing work processes,
 18 supervising staff, creating a repository of resources, and managing the
 19 budget of the office.
 20 j. Provide expertise to campuses in need of direction and support in
 21 pursuing sustainability-related projects and programs, and deliver
 22 outreach, engagement, and training to campuses.
 23 k. Guide sustainability measu