S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   6879
 
                        2025-2026 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                              March 25, 2025
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen.  RAMOS  -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee 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:
 
   Section  1.  Legislative  findings. 1. The legislature recognizes that
 climate change and environmental degradation are  two  of  the  greatest
 challenges  facing the state and the world today, and that we must mobi-
 lize New York's workforce and youth to create a clean energy economy and
 strengthen our  communities  and  ecosystems  in  the  face  of  climate
 impacts.
   2. The legislature finds that service provides a unique opportunity to
 mobilize young adults to build clean energy and climate-resilient commu-
 nities,  economies, and ecosystems. Growing equity-centered, climate-re-
 lated service programs and addressing critical gaps in service  opportu-
 nities will broaden access to service, ensuring that young adults of all
 backgrounds,  especially  from  overburdened  communities and vulnerable
 populations, can serve. Doing so will also ensure that service  programs
 address  the  needs  of  communities  across the state, especially those
 communities disproportionately  impacted  by  environmental  and  health
 burdens.
   3.  The  legislature  further finds that as our state transitions away
 from a fossil fuel-based economy, we must do so in a  way  that  fosters
 innovation,  investment,  and  growth in clean energy technology sectors
 and jobs so our businesses, workforce, and communities  can  thrive.  As
 state,  federal,  local,  and  tribal  governments implement policies to
 mitigate the destructive forces of climate change, there will be  conse-
 quences for New York's businesses, workers, and communities. Accomplish-
 ing an equitable transition will require identification of future indus-
 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
              

 S. 6879                             2
 
 skills to meet those needs, and the  gaps  that  need  to  be  addressed
 through  training  and  education. The state must provide support in the
 transition for workers and communities experiencing declining  jobs  and
 revenues  associated  with  high  emissions technologies. The state must
 also encourage the creation of a  pipeline  starting  in  the  education
 system  that leads today's youth into the clean energy careers of tomor-
 row.
   4. Therefore, to create pathways for young  adults  to  help  build  a
 clean  energy,  climate-resilient  future,  the  legislature  intends to
 create the New York youth climate corps. State involvement in the  tran-
 sition  to a climate resilient economy and the youth climate corps' role
 in the implementation of the Clean Water,  Clean  Air,  and  Green  Jobs
 Environmental  Bond  Act of 2022 are critical to ensuring a faster, more
 equitable transition that benefits all.
   § 2. The environmental conservation law is amended  by  adding  a  new
 article 59 to read as follows:
 
                                ARTICLE 59
                       NEW YORK YOUTH CLIMATE CORPS
 
 SECTION 59-0101. DEFINITIONS.
         59-0103. ESTABLISHMENT.
         59-0105. DUTIES.
         59-0107. ADVISORY BOARD.
 § 59-0101. DEFINITIONS.
   AS  USED IN THIS ARTICLE, THE FOLLOWING TERMS SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING
 MEANINGS:
   1. "NEW YORK YOUTH CLIMATE CORPS" SHALL MEAN  THE  OFFICE  ESTABLISHED
 UNDER SECTION 59-0103 OF THIS ARTICLE.
   2.  "APPROVED  HOST  SITES"  SHALL  MEAN  NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATIONS,
 PUBLIC AGENCIES,  LOCAL  GOVERNMENTS,  EDUCATIONAL  INSTITUTIONS,  LABOR
 ORGANIZATIONS, INDIAN TRIBES, AND ANY OTHER ENTITIES APPROVED BY THE NEW
 YORK YOUTH CLIMATE CORPS AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE CORPS' MINIMUM WORK-
 PLACE REQUIREMENTS.
   3.  "MINIMUM WORKPLACE REQUIREMENTS" SHALL MEAN THE MINIMUM DIVERSITY,
 WORKPLACE SAFETY, AND WAGE REQUIREMENTS SET FOR HOST SITES  BY  THE  NEW
 YORK YOUTH CLIMATE CORPS.
 § 59-0103. ESTABLISHMENT.
   THE  NEW  YORK  YOUTH CLIMATE CORPS IS ESTABLISHED TO SUPPORT AND GROW
 CLIMATE-RELATED SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG ADULTS WITH  THE  OBJEC-
 TIVE  OF  BUILDING LOW-CARBON AND CLIMATE-RESILIENT COMMUNITIES, ECOSYS-
 TEMS, AND ECONOMIES WHILE PROVIDING  EDUCATION,  WORKFORCE  DEVELOPMENT,
 AND  CAREER  PATHWAYS  TO SERVICE MEMBERS, WITH A FOCUS ON DISADVANTAGED
 COMMUNITIES AS DEFINED IN SECTION 75-0111 OF THIS CHAPTER. THE NEW  YORK
 YOUTH CLIMATE CORPS SHALL BE AN OFFICE WITHIN THE NEW YORK COMMISSION ON
 NATIONAL  AND COMMUNITY SERVICE, A GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY CREATED BY EXECU-
 TIVE ORDER ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY-NINE, SIGNED DECEMBER THIRTIETH, NINETEEN
 HUNDRED NINETY-THREE.
 § 59-0105. DUTIES.
   THE NEW YORK YOUTH CLIMATE CORPS SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING DUTIES:
   1. SEEK FUNDING FROM ARTICLE FIFTY-EIGHT OF THIS  CHAPTER  TO  FURTHER
 THE PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE.
   2. CONNECT, AMPLIFY, AND GROW CLIMATE-RELATED SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES TO
 MOBILIZE  AND TRAIN YOUNG ADULTS TO BUILD CLEAN ENERGY AND CLIMATE-RESI-
 LIENT COMMUNITIES, ECONOMIES, AND ECOSYSTEMS, WITH A FOCUS ON  DISADVAN-
 TAGED COMMUNITIES AS DEFINED IN SECTION 75-0111 OF THIS CHAPTER.
 S. 6879                             3
 
   3.  DEVELOP  AND  ADMINISTER  A SERVICE-LEARNING PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES
 TRAINING TO NEW YORK YOUTH CLIMATE CORPS SERVICE  MEMBERS  DURING  THEIR
 TENURE  OF  SERVICE.  THE SERVICE-LEARNING PROGRAM MUST PROVIDE TRAINING
 AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP LEADERSHIP SKILLS, FOSTER ENVIRON-
 MENTAL  STEWARDSHIP AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, AND EXPOSE MEMBERS TO AN ARRAY
 OF CLIMATE-RELATED PROFESSIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES.  THE  NEW
 YORK YOUTH CLIMATE CORPS SHALL COORDINATE WITH THE FOLLOWING ENTITIES IN
 THE  DESIGN  AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE SERVICE-LEARNING PROGRAM: SERVICE
 PROGRAMS; INDIAN  TRIBES;  ENVIRONMENTAL  JUSTICE  ORGANIZATIONS;  LABOR
 ORGANIZATIONS; INSTITUTIONS THAT PROVIDE CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION;
 AND ANY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AS APPROPRIATE.
   4.  WORK  WITH APPROVED HOST SITES TO UNLOCK STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDING
 PROVIDED APPROVED HOST SITES COMPLY WITH  THE  FUNDING  REQUIREMENTS  OF
 THOSE  SOURCES  AND  THE YOUTH CLIMATE CORPS' MINIMUM WORKPLACE REQUIRE-
 MENTS.
   A. NEW YORK  YOUTH  CLIMATE  CORPS  ADMINISTRATORS  SHALL  COORDINATE,
 MANAGE,  AND DISTRIBUTE AMERICORPS GRANTS, FUNDS ALLOCATED THROUGH ARTI-
 CLE FIFTY-EIGHT OF THIS CHAPTER, AND  ANY  OTHER  SOURCES  OF  STATE  OR
 FEDERAL FUNDING, TO APPROVED HOST SITES.
   B.  NEW  YORK YOUTH CLIMATE CORPS ADMINISTRATORS SHALL ASSIST APPROVED
 HOST SITES IN APPLYING FOR THE EMPIRE STATE APPRENTICESHIP  TAX  CREDIT,
 INCLUDING  ANY  PRELIMINARY REQUIREMENTS, SUCH AS REGISTERING AS APPREN-
 TICESHIP PROGRAMS AND DRAFTING APPRENTICESHIP AGREEMENTS.
   C. APPROVED HOST SITES  WHO  ENGAGE  IN  THE  CONSTRUCTION  TRADE,  AS
 DEFINED  IN  PARAGRAPH THREE OF SUBDIVISION (B) OF SECTION TWENTY-FIVE-C
 OF THE LABOR LAW, SHALL NOT BE BARRED FROM APPLYING FOR THE EMPIRE STATE
 APPRENTICESHIP TAX CREDIT, NOTWITHSTANDING PARAGRAPH ONE OF  SUBDIVISION
 (B) OF SECTION TWENTY-FIVE-C OF THE LABOR LAW.
   5.  NEW  YORK YOUTH CLIMATE CORPS ADMINISTRATORS SHALL ASSIST APPROVED
 HOST SITES IN APPLYING FOR THE NEW YORK YOUTH JOBS PROGRAM  TAX  CREDIT,
 INCLUDING THE PREPARATION OF REPORTS REQUIRED BY PARAGRAPH ONE OF SUBDI-
 VISION (E-1) OF SECTION TWENTY-FIVE-A OF THE LABOR LAW.
   6.  NEW  YORK YOUTH CLIMATE CORPS ADMINISTRATORS SHALL ASSIST APPROVED
 HOST SITES IN APPLYING, WHERE APPLICABLE, FOR FUNDING FROM  THE  DEPART-
 MENT  AND  THE  NEW YORK STATE ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
 INCLUDING BUT  NOT  LIMITED  TO  THE  CLIMATE  SMART  COMMUNITIES  GRANT
 PROGRAM, THE CLIMATE JUSTICE FELLOWSHIP, AND THE ON-THE-JOB TRAINING FOR
 ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAM.
 § 59-0107. ADVISORY BOARD.
   THERE  SHALL  BE  CREATED  WITHIN  THE NEW YORK YOUTH CLIMATE CORPS AN
 ADVISORY BOARD WHOSE MEMBERS SHALL SERVE WITHOUT PAY, MEET NOT LESS THAN
 TWICE EACH YEAR AND WHOSE SOLE PURPOSE SHALL BE  TO  ADVISE  AS  TO  THE
 MANAGEMENT,  OF  SUCH  YOUTH  CLIMATE  CORPS.  SUCH ADVISORY BOARD SHALL
 CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING REPRESENTATIVES: THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF  THE
 NEW  YORK  COMMISSION ON NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE; THE DIRECTOR OF
 PROGRAMS OF THE NEW YORK COMMISSION ON NATIONAL AND  COMMUNITY  SERVICE;
 AN  OFFICIAL  PARTAKING  IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL BOND
 ACT FROM THE DEPARTMENT; AN OFFICIAL PARTAKING IN THE IMPLEMENTATION  OF
 THE ENVIRONMENTAL BOND ACT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, RECREATION, AND
 HISTORIC  PRESERVATION;  AN  OFFICIAL PARTAKING IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF
 THE ENVIRONMENTAL BOND ACT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND  COMMUNITY
 RENEWAL;  AN OFFICIAL FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR; AND A REPRESENTATIVE
 FROM A LABOR ORGANIZATION, TO BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
   § 3. Subparagraph (B) of paragraph 1 of  subdivision  (c)  of  section
 25-c of the labor law, as amended by section 1 of subpart B of part N of
 S. 6879                             4
 
 chapter  59  of the laws of 2017,  is amended and a new subparagraph (C)
 is added to read as follows:
   (B)  in lieu of the credit specified in subparagraph (A) of this para-
 graph, for each qualified apprentice who is considered  a  disadvantaged
 youth  for  each tax year: (1) five thousand dollars for each first year
 apprentice; (2) six thousand dollars for each  second  year  apprentice;
 and  (3)  seven  thousand  dollars for each third, fourth, or fifth year
 apprentice. The apprentice's status as a first, second, third, fourth or
 fifth year apprentice will be determined on the last day of the calendar
 year, or if the apprentice is no longer employed  by  the  participating
 employer  on  the  last day of the calendar year, on the last day of the
 apprentice's employment with the participating employer.  If a disadvan-
 taged youth begins an apprenticeship before the age  of  twenty-five,  a
 certified  employer  shall  be  eligible  to continue to receive the tax
 credit for such youth under  this  subparagraph  until  that  apprentice
 completes the apprenticeship[.]; OR
   (C)  IN  LIEU OF THE CREDITS SPECIFIED IN SUBPARAGRAPHS (A) AND (B) OF
 THIS PARAGRAPH, FOR YOUTH CLIMATE CORPS  EMPLOYERS:  (1)  FIVE  THOUSAND
 DOLLARS  FOR  EACH  FIRST  YEAR APPRENTICE; (2) SIX THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR
 EACH SECOND YEAR APPRENTICE; AND (3) SEVEN  THOUSAND  DOLLARS  FOR  EACH
 THIRD,  FOURTH,  OR  FIFTH YEAR APPRENTICE. THE APPRENTICE'S STATUS AS A
 FIRST, SECOND, THIRD, FOURTH OR FIFTH YEAR APPRENTICE WILL BE DETERMINED
 ON THE LAST DAY OF THE CALENDAR YEAR, OR IF THE APPRENTICE IS NO  LONGER
 EMPLOYED  BY  THE PARTICIPATING EMPLOYER ON THE LAST DAY OF THE CALENDAR
 YEAR, ON THE LAST DAY OF THE APPRENTICE'S EMPLOYMENT  WITH  THE  PARTIC-
 IPATING EMPLOYER.
   §  4.  Paragraph a of subdivision 2 of section 58-0303 of the environ-
 mental conservation law, as added by section 1 of part UU of chapter  59
 of the laws of 2021, is amended to read as follows:
   a.  The  commissioner  and the commissioner of the division of housing
 and community renewal or any other department or state agency  that  has
 received  funds  suballocated  pursuant  to  this section may enter into
 agreements  with  municipalities,  [and]  not-for-profit   corporations,
 PUBLIC  AGENCIES,  LOCAL  GOVERNMENTS,  EDUCATIONAL  INSTITUTIONS, LABOR
 ORGANIZATIONS, AND INDIAN TRIBES  for  the  purpose  of  implementing  a
 program pursuant to this section.
   §  5.  Subdivision 3 of section 58-0303 of the environmental conserva-
 tion law, as added by section 1 of part UU of chapter 59 of the laws  of
 2021, is amended to read as follows:
   3. The department, the office of parks, recreation, and historic pres-
 ervation  [and],  the department of state AND THE NEW YORK COMMISSION ON
 NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE are authorized to provide  state  assist-
 ance  payments  or grants to municipalities [and], not-for-profit corpo-
 rations, PUBLIC AGENCIES, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS,  EDUCATIONAL  INSTITUTIONS,
 LABOR  ORGANIZATIONS, AND INDIAN TRIBES, and undertake projects pursuant
 to paragraph a of subdivision one of this section.
   § 6. Subdivision 4 of section 58-0303 of the  environmental  conserva-
 tion  law, as added by section 1 of part UU of chapter 59 of the laws of
 2021, is amended to read as follows:
   4. The department [and], the office of parks, recreation, and historic
 preservation, AND THE NEW YORK  COMMISSION  ON  NATIONAL  AND  COMMUNITY
 SERVICE are authorized to provide state assistance payments or grants to
 municipalities  [and],  not-for-profit  corporations,  PUBLIC  AGENCIES,
 LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS,  LABOR  ORGANIZATIONS,  AND
 INDIAN  TRIBES, and undertake projects pursuant to paragraph b of subdi-
 vision one of this section.   Culvert and bridge projects  shall  be  in
 S. 6879                             5
 
 compliance  with  the  department's  stream crossing guidelines and best
 management practices, and engineered for structural integrity and appro-
 priate hydraulic capacity including,  where  available,  projects  flows
 based on flood modeling that incorporates climate change projections and
 shall  not include routine construction or maintenance undertaken by the
 state or municipalities.
   § 7. Subdivision 5 of section 58-0303 of the  environmental  conserva-
 tion  law, as added by section 1 of part UU of chapter 59 of the laws of
 2021, is amended to read as follows:
   5. The department [and], the office of parks, recreation, and historic
 preservation, AND THE NEW YORK  COMMISSION  ON  NATIONAL  AND  COMMUNITY
 SERVICE are authorized to provide state assistance payments or grants to
 municipalities  [and],  not-for-profit  corporations,  PUBLIC  AGENCIES,
 LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS,  LABOR  ORGANIZATIONS,  AND
 INDIAN  TRIBES, and undertake projects pursuant to paragraph c of subdi-
 vision one of this section.
   § 8. Subdivision 2 of section 58-0503 of the  environmental  conserva-
 tion  law, as added by section 1 of part UU of chapter 59 of the laws of
 2021, is amended to read as follows:
   2. The department or the office  of  parks,  recreation  and  historic
 preservation  are  authorized  to undertake open space land conservation
 projects, in cooperation with willing sellers  pursuant  to  subdivision
 one of this section and may enter into an agreement for purchase of real
 property  or  conservation  easements on real property by a municipality
 [or], a not-for-profit corporation,  PUBLIC  AGENCY,  LOCAL  GOVERNMENT,
 EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION, LABOR ORGANIZATIONS, OR INDIAN TRIBE.  Any such
 agreement  shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary to ensure
 that the purchase is consistent with, and in furtherance of, this  title
 and shall be subject to the approval of the comptroller and, as to form,
 the  attorney  general. In undertaking such projects, such commissioners
 shall consider the state land  acquisition  plan  prepared  pursuant  to
 section  49-0207  of this chapter. Further, the department or the office
 of parks, recreation and historic preservation are authorized to provide
 state assistance payments to municipalities AND THE NEW YORK  COMMISSION
 ON  NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE for eligible projects consistent with
 paragraphs a and c of subdivision one of this section.
   § 9. Subdivision 4 of section 58-0503 of the  environmental  conserva-
 tion  law, as added by section 1 of part UU of chapter 59 of the laws of
 2021, is amended to read as follows:
   4. The department and the department of agriculture  and  markets  are
 authorized  to  provide,  pursuant  to paragraph b of subdivision one of
 this section, farmland  preservation  implementation  grants  to  county
 agricultural  and  farmland protection boards pursuant to article [twen-
 ty-five-aaa] TWENTY-FIVE-AAA of the agriculture and markets law,  or  to
 municipalities, soil and water conservation districts [or], not-for-pro-
 fit  corporations  OR  THE NEW YORK COMMISSION ON NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY
 SERVICE for implementation of projects.
   § 10. Subdivision 7 of section 58-0503 of the environmental  conserva-
 tion  law, as added by section 1 of part UU of chapter 59 of the laws of
 2021, is amended to read as follows:
   7. The commissioner and a not-for-profit corporation OR THE  NEW  YORK
 COMMISSION  ON  NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE may enter into a contract
 for the undertaking by the not-for-profit corporation of an  open  space
 land acquisition project.
 S. 6879                             6
 
   §  11. Subdivision 2 of section 58-0703 of the environmental conserva-
 tion law, as added by section 1 of part UU of chapter 59 of the laws  of
 2021, is amended to read as follows:
   2.  The  department,  the  department  of agriculture and markets, the
 office of parks, recreation and  historic  preservation,  the  New  York
 state  energy  research  and  development authority [and], the office of
 general services, AND THE NEW YORK COMMISSION ON NATIONAL AND  COMMUNITY
 SERVICE are authorized to provide state assistance payments or grants to
 municipalities  [and],  not-for-profit  corporations,  PUBLIC  AGENCIES,
 LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS,  LABOR  ORGANIZATIONS,  AND
 INDIAN TRIBES, or undertake projects pursuant to this section.
   §  12. Subdivision 2 of section 58-0903 of the environmental conserva-
 tion law, as added by section 1 of part UU of chapter 59 of the laws  of
 2021, is amended to read as follows:
   2.  The  department [and], the New York state environmental facilities
 corporation, AND THE NEW  YORK  COMMISSION  ON  NATIONAL  AND  COMMUNITY
 SERVICE are authorized to provide state assistance payments or grants to
 municipalities,  NOT-FOR-PROFIT  CORPORATIONS,  PUBLIC  AGENCIES,  LOCAL
 GOVERNMENTS, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, LABOR ORGANIZATIONS,  AND  INDIAN
 TRIBES  for  projects  authorized  pursuant to paragraphs a, b, and d of
 subdivision one of this section.
   § 13. Subdivision 4 of section 58-0903 of the environmental  conserva-
 tion  law, as added by section 1 of part UU of chapter 59 of the laws of
 2021, is amended to read as follows:
   4. The department [is] AND THE NEW YORK  COMMISSION  ON  NATIONAL  AND
 COMMUNITY  SERVICE  ARE  authorized to make grants available to not-for-
 profits [and], academic institutions,  PUBLIC  AGENCIES,  LOCAL  GOVERN-
 MENTS,  EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, LABOR ORGANIZATIONS, AND INDIAN TRIBES
 for paragraphs b, c, and f of subdivision one of this section, and  make
 state  assistance  payments  to  municipalities,  NOT-FOR-PROFIT  CORPO-
 RATIONS, PUBLIC AGENCIES, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS,  EDUCATIONAL  INSTITUTIONS,
 LABOR  ORGANIZATIONS,  AND INDIAN TRIBES and undertake projects pursuant
 to this section.
   § 14. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after  it  shall
 have become a law.