Add Art 59 §§59-0101 - 59-0107, amd §§58-0303, 58-0503, 58-0703 & 58-0903, En Con L; amd §25-c, Lab L
Establishes the New York youth climate corps to support and grow climate-related service opportunities for young adults with the objective of building low-carbon and climate-resilient communities, ecosystems, and economies while providing education, workforce development, and career pathways to service members, with a focus on disadvantaged communities.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
5896
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 24, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. ZINERMAN -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Environmental Conservation
AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law and the labor law, in
relation to establishing the New York youth climate corps
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Legislative findings. 1. The legislature recognizes that
2 climate change and environmental degradation are two of the greatest
3 challenges facing the state and the world today, and that we must mobi-
4 lize New York's workforce and youth to create a clean energy economy and
5 strengthen our communities and ecosystems in the face of climate
6 impacts.
7 2. The legislature finds that service provides a unique opportunity to
8 mobilize young adults to build clean energy and climate-resilient commu-
9 nities, economies, and ecosystems. Growing equity-centered, climate-re-
10 lated service programs and addressing critical gaps in service opportu-
11 nities will broaden access to service, ensuring that young adults of all
12 backgrounds, especially from overburdened communities and vulnerable
13 populations, can serve. Doing so will also ensure that service programs
14 address the needs of communities across the state, especially those
15 communities disproportionately impacted by environmental and health
16 burdens.
17 3. The legislature further finds that as our state transitions away
18 from a fossil fuel-based economy, we must do so in a way that fosters
19 innovation, investment, and growth in clean energy technology sectors
20 and jobs so our businesses, workforce, and communities can thrive. As
21 state, federal, local, and tribal governments implement policies to
22 mitigate the destructive forces of climate change, there will be conse-
23 quences for New York's businesses, workers, and communities. Accomplish-
24 ing an equitable transition will require identification of future indus-
25 try occupations and skill needs, the existing workforce's transferable
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09525-01-5
A. 5896 2
1 skills to meet those needs, and the gaps that need to be addressed
2 through training and education. The state must provide support in the
3 transition for workers and communities experiencing declining jobs and
4 revenues associated with high emissions technologies. The state must
5 also encourage the creation of a pipeline starting in the education
6 system that leads today's youth into the clean energy careers of tomor-
7 row.
8 4. Therefore, to create pathways for young adults to help build a
9 clean energy, climate-resilient future, the legislature intends to
10 create the New York youth climate corps. State involvement in the tran-
11 sition to a climate resilient economy and the youth climate corps' role
12 in the implementation of the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs
13 Environmental Bond Act of 2022 are critical to ensuring a faster, more
14 equitable transition that benefits all.
15 § 2. The environmental conservation law is amended by adding a new
16 article 59 to read as follows:
17 ARTICLE 59
18 NEW YORK YOUTH CLIMATE CORPS
19 Section 59-0101. Definitions.
20 59-0103. Establishment.
21 59-0105. Duties.
22 59-0107. Advisory board.
23 § 59-0101. Definitions.
24 As used in this article, the following terms shall have the following
25 meanings:
26 1. "New York youth climate corps" shall mean the office established
27 under section 59-0103 of this article.
28 2. "Approved host sites" shall mean not-for-profit corporations,
29 public agencies, local governments, educational institutions, labor
30 organizations, Indian tribes, and any other entities approved by the New
31 York youth climate corps and in compliance with the corps' minimum work-
32 place requirements.
33 3. "Minimum workplace requirements" shall mean the minimum diversity,
34 workplace safety, and wage requirements set for host sites by the New
35 York youth climate corps.
36 § 59-0103. Establishment.
37 The New York youth climate corps is established to support and grow
38 climate-related service opportunities for young adults with the objec-
39 tive of building low-carbon and climate-resilient communities, ecosys-
40 tems, and economies while providing education, workforce development,
41 and career pathways to service members, with a focus on disadvantaged
42 communities as defined in section 75-0111 of this chapter. The New York
43 youth climate corps shall be an office within the New York commission on
44 national and community service, a governmental entity created by execu-
45 tive order one hundred seventy-nine, signed December thirtieth, nineteen
46 hundred ninety-three.
47 § 59-0105. Duties.
48 The New York youth climate corps shall have the following duties:
49 1. Seek funding from article fifty-eight of this chapter to further
50 the purposes of this article.
51 2. Connect, amplify, and grow climate-related service opportunities to
52 mobilize and train young adults to build clean energy and climate-resi-
53 lient communities, economies, and ecosystems, with a focus on disadvan-
54 taged communities as defined in section 75-0111 of this chapter.
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1 3. Develop and administer a service-learning program that provides
2 training to New York youth climate corps service members during their
3 tenure of service. The service-learning program must provide training
4 and learning opportunities to develop leadership skills, foster environ-
5 mental stewardship and civic engagement, and expose members to an array
6 of climate-related professional and educational opportunities. The New
7 York youth climate corps shall coordinate with the following entities in
8 the design and administration of the service-learning program: service
9 programs; Indian tribes; environmental justice organizations; labor
10 organizations; institutions that provide career and technical education;
11 and any other organizations as appropriate.
12 4. Work with approved host sites to unlock state and federal funding
13 provided approved host sites comply with the funding requirements of
14 those sources and the youth climate corps' minimum workplace require-
15 ments.
16 a. New York youth climate corps administrators shall coordinate,
17 manage, and distribute AmeriCorps grants, funds allocated through arti-
18 cle fifty-eight of this chapter, and any other sources of state or
19 federal funding, to approved host sites.
20 b. New York youth climate corps administrators shall assist approved
21 host sites in applying for the empire state apprenticeship tax credit,
22 including any preliminary requirements, such as registering as appren-
23 ticeship programs and drafting apprenticeship agreements.
24 c. Approved host sites who engage in the construction trade, as
25 defined in paragraph three of subdivision (b) of section twenty-five-c
26 of the labor law, shall not be barred from applying for the empire state
27 apprenticeship tax credit, notwithstanding paragraph one of subdivision
28 (b) of section twenty-five-c of the labor law.
29 5. New York youth climate corps administrators shall assist approved
30 host sites in applying for the New York youth jobs program tax credit,
31 including the preparation of reports required by paragraph one of subdi-
32 vision (e-1) of section twenty-five-a of the labor law.
33 6. New York youth climate corps administrators shall assist approved
34 host sites in applying, where applicable, for funding from the depart-
35 ment and the New York state energy research and development authority
36 including but not limited to the climate smart communities grant
37 program, the climate justice fellowship, and the on-the-job training for
38 energy efficiency program.
39 § 59-0107. Advisory board.
40 There shall be created within the New York youth climate corps an
41 advisory board whose members shall serve without pay, meet not less than
42 twice each year and whose sole purpose shall be to advise as to the
43 management, of such youth climate corps. Such advisory board shall
44 consist of the following representatives: the executive director of the
45 New York commission on national and community service; the director of
46 programs of the New York commission on national and community service;
47 an official partaking in the implementation of the environmental bond
48 act from the department; an official partaking in the implementation of
49 the environmental bond act from the department of parks, recreation, and
50 historic preservation; an official partaking in the implementation of
51 the environmental bond act from the department of housing and community
52 renewal; an official from the department of labor; and a representative
53 from a labor organization, to be appointed by the governor.
54 § 3. Subparagraph (B) of paragraph 1 of subdivision (c) of section
55 25-c of the labor law, as amended by section 1 of subpart B of part N of
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1 chapter 59 of the laws of 2017, is amended and a new subparagraph (C)
2 is added to read as follows:
3 (B) in lieu of the credit specified in subparagraph (A) of this para-
4 graph, for each qualified apprentice who is considered a disadvantaged
5 youth for each tax year: (1) five thousand dollars for each first year
6 apprentice; (2) six thousand dollars for each second year apprentice;
7 and (3) seven thousand dollars for each third, fourth, or fifth year
8 apprentice. The apprentice's status as a first, second, third, fourth or
9 fifth year apprentice will be determined on the last day of the calendar
10 year, or if the apprentice is no longer employed by the participating
11 employer on the last day of the calendar year, on the last day of the
12 apprentice's employment with the participating employer. If a disadvan-
13 taged youth begins an apprenticeship before the age of twenty-five, a
14 certified employer shall be eligible to continue to receive the tax
15 credit for such youth under this subparagraph until that apprentice
16 completes the apprenticeship[.]; or
17 (C) in lieu of the credits specified in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of
18 this paragraph, for youth climate corps employers: (1) five thousand
19 dollars for each first year apprentice; (2) six thousand dollars for
20 each second year apprentice; and (3) seven thousand dollars for each
21 third, fourth, or fifth year apprentice. The apprentice's status as a
22 first, second, third, fourth or fifth year apprentice will be determined
23 on the last day of the calendar year, or if the apprentice is no longer
24 employed by the participating employer on the last day of the calendar
25 year, on the last day of the apprentice's employment with the partic-
26 ipating employer.
27 § 4. Paragraph a of subdivision 2 of section 58-0303 of the environ-
28 mental conservation law, as added by section 1 of part UU of chapter 59
29 of the laws of 2021, is amended to read as follows:
30 a. The commissioner and the commissioner of the division of housing
31 and community renewal or any other department or state agency that has
32 received funds suballocated pursuant to this section may enter into
33 agreements with municipalities, [and] not-for-profit corporations,
34 public agencies, local governments, educational institutions, labor
35 organizations, and Indian tribes for the purpose of implementing a
36 program pursuant to this section.
37 § 5. Subdivision 3 of section 58-0303 of the environmental conserva-
38 tion law, as added by section 1 of part UU of chapter 59 of the laws of
39 2021, is amended to read as follows:
40 3. The department, the office of parks, recreation, and historic pres-
41 ervation [and], the department of state and the New York commission on
42 national and community service are authorized to provide state assist-
43 ance payments or grants to municipalities [and], not-for-profit corpo-
44 rations, public agencies, local governments, educational institutions,
45 labor organizations, and Indian tribes, and undertake projects pursuant
46 to paragraph a of subdivision one of this section.
47 § 6. Subdivision 4 of section 58-0303 of the environmental conserva-
48 tion law, as added by section 1 of part UU of chapter 59 of the laws of
49 2021, is amended to read as follows:
50 4. The department [and], the office of parks, recreation, and historic
51 preservation, and the New York commission on national and community
52 service are authorized to provide state assistance payments or grants to
53 municipalities [and], not-for-profit corporations, public agencies,
54 local governments, educational institutions, labor organizations, and
55 Indian tribes, and undertake projects pursuant to paragraph b of subdi-
56 vision one of this section. Culvert and bridge projects shall be in
A. 5896 5
1 compliance with the department's stream crossing guidelines and best
2 management practices, and engineered for structural integrity and appro-
3 priate hydraulic capacity including, where available, projects flows
4 based on flood modeling that incorporates climate change projections and
5 shall not include routine construction or maintenance undertaken by the
6 state or municipalities.
7 § 7. Subdivision 5 of section 58-0303 of the environmental conserva-
8 tion law, as added by section 1 of part UU of chapter 59 of the laws of
9 2021, is amended to read as follows:
10 5. The department [and], the office of parks, recreation, and historic
11 preservation, and the New York commission on national and community
12 service are authorized to provide state assistance payments or grants to
13 municipalities [and], not-for-profit corporations, public agencies,
14 local governments, educational institutions, labor organizations, and
15 Indian tribes, and undertake projects pursuant to paragraph c of subdi-
16 vision one of this section.
17 § 8. Subdivision 2 of section 58-0503 of the environmental conserva-
18 tion law, as added by section 1 of part UU of chapter 59 of the laws of
19 2021, is amended to read as follows:
20 2. The department or the office of parks, recreation and historic
21 preservation are authorized to undertake open space land conservation
22 projects, in cooperation with willing sellers pursuant to subdivision
23 one of this section and may enter into an agreement for purchase of real
24 property or conservation easements on real property by a municipality
25 [or], a not-for-profit corporation, public agency, local government,
26 educational institution, labor organizations, or Indian tribe. Any such
27 agreement shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary to ensure
28 that the purchase is consistent with, and in furtherance of, this title
29 and shall be subject to the approval of the comptroller and, as to form,
30 the attorney general. In undertaking such projects, such commissioners
31 shall consider the state land acquisition plan prepared pursuant to
32 section 49-0207 of this chapter. Further, the department or the office
33 of parks, recreation and historic preservation are authorized to provide
34 state assistance payments to municipalities and the New York commission
35 on national and community service for eligible projects consistent with
36 paragraphs a and c of subdivision one of this section.
37 § 9. Subdivision 4 of section 58-0503 of the environmental conserva-
38 tion law, as added by section 1 of part UU of chapter 59 of the laws of
39 2021, is amended to read as follows:
40 4. The department and the department of agriculture and markets are
41 authorized to provide, pursuant to paragraph b of subdivision one of
42 this section, farmland preservation implementation grants to county
43 agricultural and farmland protection boards pursuant to article [twen-
44 ty-five-aaa] twenty-five-AAA of the agriculture and markets law, or to
45 municipalities, soil and water conservation districts [or], not-for-pro-
46 fit corporations or the New York commission on national and community
47 service for implementation of projects.
48 § 10. Subdivision 7 of section 58-0503 of the environmental conserva-
49 tion law, as added by section 1 of part UU of chapter 59 of the laws of
50 2021, is amended to read as follows:
51 7. The commissioner and a not-for-profit corporation or the New York
52 commission on national and community service may enter into a contract
53 for the undertaking by the not-for-profit corporation of an open space
54 land acquisition project.
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1 § 11. Subdivision 2 of section 58-0703 of the environmental conserva-
2 tion law, as added by section 1 of part UU of chapter 59 of the laws of
3 2021, is amended to read as follows:
4 2. The department, the department of agriculture and markets, the
5 office of parks, recreation and historic preservation, the New York
6 state energy research and development authority [and], the office of
7 general services, and the New York commission on national and community
8 service are authorized to provide state assistance payments or grants to
9 municipalities [and], not-for-profit corporations, public agencies,
10 local governments, educational institutions, labor organizations, and
11 Indian tribes, or undertake projects pursuant to this section.
12 § 12. Subdivision 2 of section 58-0903 of the environmental conserva-
13 tion law, as added by section 1 of part UU of chapter 59 of the laws of
14 2021, is amended to read as follows:
15 2. The department [and], the New York state environmental facilities
16 corporation, and the New York commission on national and community
17 service are authorized to provide state assistance payments or grants to
18 municipalities, not-for-profit corporations, public agencies, local
19 governments, educational institutions, labor organizations, and Indian
20 tribes for projects authorized pursuant to paragraphs a, b, and d of
21 subdivision one of this section.
22 § 13. Subdivision 4 of section 58-0903 of the environmental conserva-
23 tion law, as added by section 1 of part UU of chapter 59 of the laws of
24 2021, is amended to read as follows:
25 4. The department [is] and the New York commission on national and
26 community service are authorized to make grants available to not-for-
27 profits [and], academic institutions, public agencies, local govern-
28 ments, educational institutions, labor organizations, and Indian tribes
29 for paragraphs b, c, and f of subdivision one of this section, and make
30 state assistance payments to municipalities, not-for-profit corpo-
31 rations, public agencies, local governments, educational institutions,
32 labor organizations, and Indian tribes and undertake projects pursuant
33 to this section.
34 § 14. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall
35 have become a law.
