S9268A

The New York State Senate passed legislation amending the Environmental Conservation Law to ban PFAS in consumer products such as anti-fogging sprays and wipes, with a vote of 62-0. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Fahy and designated as Calendar Number 650, Senate Print 9268A, faced a procedural challenge when Sen. Helming attempted to offer an amendment addressing PFAS in solar panels. The amendment was ruled nongermane by Acting President Mayer, and an appeal of that ruling was heard but ultimately unsuccessful. During floor debate, Sen. Helming argued that while the bill addresses PFAS in consumer products, companion legislation should be considered to ban the same chemicals in solar panels covering thousands of acres, citing risks that forever chemicals can leach into soil and contaminate drinking water and food supplies. She referenced a 2021 local law in Avon prohibiting PFAS-containing solar panels and expressed concern that the state's ORES program could override such local protections. The bill was restored to the noncontroversial calendar and passed unanimously on a voice vote.