S1856A

The Senate laid aside legislation to amend the Environmental Conservation Law. Sponsored by Sen. Hoylman-Sigal, the bill (S1856A, Calendar No. 1135) was removed from consideration after Sen. Lanza requested the procedural action. No vote was taken.

The New York State Senate passed the Birds and Bees Protection Act on a 45-16 roll call vote, advancing legislation that would ban neonicotinoid-coated seeds for corn, wheat, and soybean crops beginning in 2027. Sponsored by Sen. Hoylman-Sigal (S1856A, Calendar No. 1135), the bill aims to protect pollinators and human health from the pesticide, which the sponsor said is linked to neurological and reproductive harm and present in 95 percent of pregnant women surveyed in New York. The measure includes safe harbors allowing the state Department of Environmental Conservation commissioner to override the ban if seed alternatives are unavailable or farmers face economic hardship. Opponents, primarily representing agricultural interests, argued the ban would force farmers to return to spraying thousands of gallons of traditional pesticides, which they contended would harm the environment more than the current seed-coating method. Sen. Borrello cited Cornell researcher Dr. Elson Shields' prediction of 40-50 percent crop yield losses from seed corn maggots without neonicotinoids and noted an ongoing three-year study on alternatives is only halfway complete. Sen. Harckham praised the compromise approach, noting Canada phased out neonicotinoids with less than 2 percent of farmers seeking yield-loss waivers. The bill takes effect 90 days after becoming law, with full implementation delayed until 2027 to allow for study of alternatives.