Continues the New York state geological survey, originally established in 1836, as a bureau within the New York state science service; establishes the purposes and goals of the New York state geological survey.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
9601
IN SENATE
March 27, 2026
___________
Introduced by Sen. FAHY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to continuing the New
York state geological survey as a bureau within the New York state
science service
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. New York state geological survey. 1. The New York state
4 geological survey, originally established in the year eighteen hundred
5 thirty-six, is hereby continued as a bureau established in the New York
6 state science service established under section two hundred thirty-five
7 of this part within the state museum to inventory, research, analyze and
8 disseminate information about all rocks, minerals, geologic structures,
9 strata, geologic fluids and energy resources and the geologic framework
10 of New York state. The New York state geological survey shall:
11 (a) develop and maintain an inventory of the geological resources of
12 New York state, with special emphasis on identifying those resources
13 that are important to understanding the geological history, geologic
14 framework, geologic hazards and potential strata, rocks and minerals of
15 economic significance, or that have particular scientific, systematic,
16 or societal and environmental importance;
17 (b) conduct research on and advance the knowledge of the geological
18 materials, chronologic events, plate tectonic history, glacial history
19 and characteristics and processes that constitute or affect New York
20 state's geological framework and landscape;
21 (c) interpret and publish the results of research on New York state's
22 geological history, resources, and provide advisory services thereby
23 making information available to citizens, teachers, industry, and
24 government for educational purposes and for use in decision making;
25 (d) ensure the preservation and appropriate expansion of the state's
26 collection of scientific specimens and artifacts, conduct research on
27 such collections, and make specimens and data available for mineral
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD15360-01-6
S. 9601 2
1 resource studies, geologic hazards analyses, and other research
2 projects;
3 (e) cooperate with the department of environmental conservation,
4 office of parks, recreation and historic preservation, department of
5 transportation, and other state and federal agencies, private organiza-
6 tions and institutions, corporations, and individuals interested in
7 geological resources; and
8 (f) maintain sufficient staff with geological expertise to effectively
9 map, study, research, and curate to provide advisory services and remain
10 knowledgeable on all aspects of the geology of New York state.
11 2. The New York state geological survey shall be the recognized
12 authoritative bureau within New York state government to produce geolog-
13 ical maps. Map production shall occur under the direction of a licensed
14 professional geologist serving as the chief geoscientist. The New York
15 state geological survey shall produce geological maps and conduct
16 geological mapping projects that align with the following goals:
17 (a) addressing longstanding questions regarding the natural history of
18 New York state and aligning with the research mission of the state muse-
19 um;
20 (b) engaging in the discovery, characterization, and inventory of
21 mineral resources;
22 (c) providing geologic information to protect and preserve the proper-
23 ty and livelihood of New York state citizens, the state and industry;
24 (d) addressing potential geologic hazards associated with climate
25 change;
26 (e) fostering continued education and training for future geoscien-
27 tists and providing an authoritative source of geologic information for
28 licensed professional geologists;
29 (f) raising the knowledge and opportunity for citizens to engage in
30 geoscience literacy;
31 (g) identifying potential aggregate, building and construction
32 resources to serve as raw materials to build, maintain, and repair aging
33 infrastructure;
34 (h) characterizing the geologic framework of the state to identify and
35 protect water resources;
36 (i) aligning with the state's renewable energy goals; and
37 (j) leading to the discovery of new scientific information and data to
38 promote and enhance the earth science education curriculum in K-12
39 schools.
40 3. The New York state geological survey shall not be authorized to
41 enter any privately owned lands without the written consent of the land-
42 owner, lessee, or person in control. The New York state geological
43 survey shall be authorized to enter into agreements with landowners to
44 enter private lands on such terms as may be acceptable.
45 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
