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Senate Finance Committee advances bill to create Office of Resilience, seeks initial funding
Summary
The Senate Finance Committee advanced S3590a, the Climate Resilient New York Act, to create an Office of Resilience and a task force to coordinate climate threat assessments and a statewide resilience plan; proponents said an initial appropriation of at least $1 million would be needed to stand up the office.
The New York State Senate Finance Committee advanced S3590a on Jan. 20, 2026, a bill to establish an Office of Resilience and a statewide resilience task force charged with assessing climate-related threats and coordinating adaptation planning across state agencies.
Proponents told the committee that the office would bring an umbrella approach to work currently spread across the Department of Environmental Conservation, NYSERDA, NYPA and the Public Service Commission. A committee presenter said an initial appropriation of no less than $1,000,000 would be needed to cover early salaries — including a chief resilience officer — and startup administrative costs.
"Everything's in its own silo," Chair Liz Krueger said during the discussion, arguing an umbrella office could better coordinate funding and implementation across agencies and avoid duplicative efforts. Krueger noted the state's recent project- and grant-driven work has created new revenue streams that require coordinated planning.
Committee members asked whether existing agencies already perform resilience planning and whether the proposed office would assume permitting authority. A bill representative responded the office would not review permit applications but would coordinate stakeholder outreach and planning to make permitting and funding decisions more efficient.
Sen. Michelle Hinchey moved the bill and it was reported to the floor after a voice vote in committee; the recorded tally included two members who registered a "nay." The committee did not adopt an amendment during the session.
The bill sponsor (listed in the clerk's summary) and committee staff said further fiscal details and implementation plans would be provided in follow-up briefings as the bill moves through the legislative process.
