New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York Assembly Bill A08998

Introduced
8/13/25  

Caption

Enacts the "dollars for diesels act"; directs the commissioner of environmental conservation, in consultation with the New York state energy research and development authority, to establish and administer a program to provide financial incentives to owners of heavy- and medium-duty vehicles of a model year two thousand ten or older to retire and replace such vehicles with new heavy- or medium-duty vehicles of model year two thousand twenty-four or newer that meet or exceed applicable emission standards.

Impact

If enacted, A08998 will have a marked influence on state laws surrounding environmental conservation and vehicle emissions. The legislation sets forth financial incentives, which can include cash payments, grants, or vouchers, to vehicle owners who actively participate in the retirement of older models. Such financial support will likely bolster the transition to cleaner vehicles and aid in achieving state goals regarding emissions reductions. The program will be administered by the commissioner of environmental conservation in coordination with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, utilizing existing state and federal funds for effective implementation.

Summary

Bill A08998, known as the 'Dollars for Diesels Act,' proposes to amend the environmental conservation law in New York by establishing a program designed to encourage the retirement of older heavy- and medium-duty diesel vehicles. The program facilitates the replacement of these older vehicles, specifically those manufactured in 2010 or earlier, with newer models from 2024 and onward that comply with current emission standards. This initiative aims to reduce diesel emissions significantly, contributing toward cleaner air and a healthier environment for New York residents.

Contention

While supporters of the bill emphasize the environmental benefits and improved public health outcomes associated with reducing diesel pollution, potential areas of contention may arise regarding the financial implications for state budgets allocated to these incentives. Stakeholders may voice concerns over ensuring that these funds are effectively managed and that the program does not inadvertently disadvantage certain vehicle owners or businesses reliant on older fleets.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

NY S06298

Enacts an advanced clean fleets law to reduce vehicle emissions for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.

NY A10098

Enacts an advanced clean fleets law to reduce vehicle emissions for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.

NY S07961

Directs the commissioner of the department of environmental conservation to promulgate rules and regulations establishing targets for the sales of zero emissions medium and heavy duty vehicles in the state.

NY S09910

Prohibits the establishment or enforcement of regulations on the percentage of zero-emission vehicles in manufacturers' sales fleets of medium-duty and heavy-duty vehicles until the availability of charging infrastructure, and the cost and availability of zero-emission medium-duty and heavy-duty vehicles makes the sale of such vehicles more practicable.

NY A10724

Prohibits the establishment or enforcement of regulations on the percentage of zero-emission vehicles in manufacturers' sales fleets of medium-duty and heavy-duty vehicles until the availability of charging infrastructure, and the cost and availability of zero-emission medium-duty and heavy-duty vehicles makes the sale of such vehicles more practicable.

NY S00091

Enacts the graduate outreach assistance law to exempt from state income taxation the first two hundred fifty thousand dollars, with a fifty thousand dollar cap per year, earned by a four-year college graduate and the first one hundred fifty thousand dollars, with a twenty-five thousand dollar cap per year, earned by a two-year college graduate.

NY A00304

Provides that for the two thousand twenty-four--two thousand twenty-five school year, the two thousand twenty-five--two thousand twenty-six school year, and the two thousand twenty-six--two thousand twenty-seven school year, surplus funds as used in this subdivision shall mean any operating funds in excess of five percent of the current school year budget, and shall not include funds properly retained under other sections of law.

NY A02569

Relates to providing hazard payments to essential workers during a state disaster emergency; provides that certain employers shall make hazard payments to essential workers during a state disaster emergency provided no hazard payment shall exceed twenty-five thousand dollars in any year for any essential worker earning less than two hundred thousand dollars per year or five thousand dollars for any essential worker earning more than two hundred thousand dollars.

NY A05257

Relates to including used vehicles in the drive clean rebate program; provides that such rebate for a used vehicle shall not exceed one thousand dollars.

NY S03432

Prevents certain public institutions of higher education from using the scholastic aptitude test and ACT assessment in the admissions process on and after the two thousand twenty-four--two thousand twenty-five academic year for New York resident applicants; requires SUNY and CUNY to create a new standardized test by the two thousand twenty-eight--two thousand twenty-nine academic year.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.