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Bill

A 3661

Requires that any rules or regulations related to hydrofluorocarbon substances conform with any applicable rules and regulations set by the United States environmental protection agency

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Karl Brabenec and 12 co-sponsors

Requires New York HFC rules to conform to EPA standards, aligning state regulations with federal rules and guiding agencies and HVAC sectors.

REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
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Bill Summary · A 3661

Summary of Bill A 3661

Overview

Bill A 3661 would require that any New York State rules or regulations concerning hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) substances conform to applicable rules and regulations established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The measure is currently referred to the Environmental Conservation Committee.

What the bill would do

  • Establish a requirement that NY rules/regulations addressing HFC substances align with EPA standards and regulations.
  • Impose an obligation on state agencies to ensure conformity with federal EPA rules when regulating HFCs.

Key provisions

  • Applicability: Applies to all NY rules/regulations related to hydrofluorocarbon substances.
  • Conformity standard: State rules must conform to applicable EPA rules and regulations (the bill does not specify whether conformity means identical alignment or equivalence in regulatory stringency; the precise drafting would determine the exact standard).

Affected parties

  • State agencies involved in environmental regulation, particularly those regulating refrigerants and HFCs (e.g., the Department of Environmental Conservation and related agencies).
  • Businesses and industries dealing with HFC-containing equipment, refrigerants, and supply chains (e.g., HVAC, manufacturing, and energy sectors).
  • Advocates and regulators seeking consistency between state and federal environmental standards.

Relationship to federal EPA rules

  • The bill directs NY rulemaking to be consistent with EPA regulations, reflecting a preference for harmonization with federal standards on HFCs.
  • This could limit the ability of NY to adopt HFC rules that diverge from EPA rules, depending on how “conform” is interpreted in the final text.

Timeline and status

  • Introduced: January 29, 2025.
  • Legislative action: Referred to the Environmental Conservation committee on January 29, 2025 (listed twice in the record).

Sponsors and related bills

  • Primary sponsor: William Conrad. Cosponsors include Judy Griffin, William Magnarelli, Pamela J. Hunter, Jerett Gandolfo, Aron Wieder, Marianne Buttenschon, Donna Lupardo, and Jen Lunsford.
  • Related bills: S 235 (companion in the Senate); A 10577 (prior-session version). The presence of a companion bill suggests parallel consideration in the Senate.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Regulatory alignment: Could promote consistency between state and federal HFC policies, reducing confusion for regulated entities.
  • Regulatory flexibility: The degree of conformity (identical vs. equivalence) will influence the impact on NY’s ability to tailor rules to state circumstances.
  • Administrative effects: State agencies may need to review and adjust existing or proposed HFC regulations to ensure EPA conformity.

Next steps

  • Await committee hearings and potential amendments in Environmental Conservation.
  • If advanced, follow floor action and any fiscal impact analysis or regulatory impact statements.

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

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