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Bill

S 9601

Continues the New York state geological survey as a bureau within the New York state science service

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Pat Fahy

Preserves NYSGS as a bureau to inventory resources, conduct research, publish authoritative geological maps, and educate the public while coordinating with agencies and landowners.

REFERRED TO EDUCATION
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Bill Summary · S 9601

Summary of Bill S.9601 (2025-2026, New York)

Title

Continues the New York state geological survey as a bureau within the New York state science service

Purpose and Intent

  • Reestablishes and continues the New York state geological survey (NYSGS) as a bureau within the New York state science service, housed at the state museum.
  • Aims to inventory, research, analyze, and disseminate information about New York’s rocks, minerals, geologic structures, strata, geologic fluids, energy resources, and the state’s geologic framework.
  • Emphasizes informing citizens, educators, industry, and government for educational purposes and decision making.

Key Provisions

§235-c New York state geological survey

  1. Establishment and role
  2. NYSGS is continued as a bureau within the state's science service, under the state museum.

  3. Core functions include inventorying resources, researching geologic history and framework, and disseminating information.

  4. Specific duties and objectives

  5. (a) Develop and maintain an inventory of NY’s geological resources, prioritizing resources important for understanding history, framework, hazards, and economically or scientifically significant materials.

  6. (b) Conduct research on geological materials, chronologic events, plate tectonics, and glacial history affecting NY’s landscape.

  7. (c) Publish and interpret research results; provide advisory services; share information with citizens, teachers, industry, and government for education and decision making.

  8. (d) Preserve and expand the state’s collections of scientific specimens and artifacts; research on collections; make specimens and data available for mineral resource studies, geologic hazards analyses, and related research.

  9. (e) Cooperate with state agencies (e.g., Department of Environmental Conservation, Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Department of Transportation), federal partners, private organizations, institutions, and individuals interested in geological resources.

  10. (f) Maintain sufficient staff with geological expertise to effectively map, study, research, and curate geologic knowledge for advisory services.

  11. Authority to create geologic maps

  12. NYSGS is the recognized authoritative bureau to produce geological maps.

  13. Map production must be led by a licensed professional geologist serving as the chief geoscientist.

Map production and goals

  • The NYSGS shall produce geological maps and undertake mapping projects aligned with:
  • (a) Addressing longstanding questions about NY’s natural history and supporting the state museum’s research mission.
  • (b) Discovery, characterization, and inventory of mineral resources.
  • (c) Providing geologic information to protect property, livelihoods, and public/industrial interests.
  • (d) Addressing geologic hazards in the context of climate change.
  • (e) Education and training for future geoscientists; serving as an authoritative resource for licensed geologists.
  • (f) Enhancing geoscience literacy among the general public.
  • (g) Identifying aggregate, building, and construction resources to support aging infrastructure.
  • (h) Characterizing NY’s geologic framework to protect water resources.
  • (i) Aligning with the state’s renewable energy goals.
  • (j) Generating new scientific information to promote earth science education in K-12.
  1. Land access
  2. NYSGS is not authorized to enter privately owned lands without written consent from the landowner, lessee, or person in control.
  3. May enter into agreements with landowners to access private lands on mutually acceptable terms.

Effective Date

  • The act takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Who is Affected

  • State government agencies (environment, parks, transportation, etc.) that collaborate with or rely on geological information.
  • Residents, educators, and students who benefit from improved geoscience information and educational materials.
  • Private landowners and land managers, given the land-access provisions.
  • Licensed professional geologists and geoscience professionals, who would be involved in map production and advisory roles.

Timeline and Procedural Notes

  • Repeats/continues the NYSGS as a bureau; no explicit sunset or expiration date.
  • Requires ongoing staffing and collaboration with multiple agencies and stakeholders.
  • Immediate effect upon enactment; reporting and map production would proceed under the existing structure of the New York state science service within the state museum.

Summary

Bill S.9601 preserves and strengthens the New York state geological survey as a formal bureau within the state science service, dedicated to inventorying NY’s geological resources, conducting comprehensive research, producing authoritative geological maps, fostering education and public literacy in geoscience, and coordinating with state and federal partners. It emphasizes safety and public interest through hazard analysis, resource identification, and alignment with energy and infrastructure goals, while maintaining private land access protections.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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