New York Assembly Bill A08163

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/2/25
• Refer: 5/2/25

Caption

Establishes the public water justice act; prohibits sale of waters of the state unless otherwise specifically authorized; establishes a public water justice fund for royalties and fees collected from persons or entities authorized to sell waters of the state.

Impact

The enactment of A08163 will transform how water resources are managed and sold in New York. By establishing stringent restraining measures on water extraction for bottled water — including requiring detailed assessments of the environmental impact of such withdrawals — the bill aims to preserve the integrity of the state’s water systems. Moreover, the generated funds from royalties will be allocated towards enhancing public water supply systems and providing affordable access to water, which is crucial for public health. This will potentially lead to improved community health outcomes and greater accountability in water resource management.

Summary

Assembly Bill A08163, known as the Public Water Justice Act, establishes significant regulations concerning the withdrawal and sale of water from the state's resources. The bill articulates that the waters of the state are held in public trust and mandates that the state governs the extraction and sale of these waters to ensure public benefits. It creates a public water justice fund that will collect royalties and fees from the sale of bottled water, further linking water sales to public health initiatives and environmental conservation efforts. These efforts are designed to protect water quality and ensure equitable access to clean drinking water for all state residents.

Contention

Discussions surrounding the bill identified several points of contention, primarily related to economic impacts on companies engaged in the bottled water business. Proponents argue that the bill enforces necessary oversight on water resources, ensuring that commercial enterprises do not exploit public waters at the expense of local communities. On the other hand, opponents, particularly representatives from the bottled water industry, warn that such regulations could create an undue burden on businesses and limit consumer access to bottled water products. Additionally, concerns were raised about the administrative workload and regulations which may slow down the permit approval process, potentially harming business interests.