Provides for memorial land facilities

Latest action Mar 9, 2026

Provides a permit for a memorial lands facility.

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Where it stands

Passed one of the two chambers; it still needs the other.

Introduced
In committee
Up for a vote
Passed one chamber
Passed
Enacted

New York State Senate

Same as A5503, the matching bill in the Assembly.

Amends the Not-for-Profit Corporation Law.

Committee

Corporations, Authorities and Commissions · New York State Assembly

Also referred to Corporations, Authorities And Commissions · New York State Senate, Environmental Conservation · New York State Assembly, Environmental Conservation · New York State Senate.

Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

This legislation would authorize an innovative approach to final dispo- sition of human remains by providing for the placement of the cremated or naturally organically reduced remains in natural areas conserved specifically for such a purpose. The offering of such an affordable interment option would be subject to the same regulations and consumer protections available for traditional cemetery burials and would also permit traditional cemeteries to operate conserved lands to provide this additional option for New York families.

Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)

Recorded votes

Vote: Floor vote
NY SenateMar 9, 2026Result: passed
(58) (2) (0) (3)
Vote: Committee vote · Environmental Conservation
Senate Environmental ConservationJan 20, 2026Result: passed
(9) (0) (0) (1)
Vote: Floor vote
NY SenateApr 28, 2025Result: passed
(58) (2) (0) (2)
Vote: Committee vote · Environmental Conservation
Senate Environmental ConservationFeb 25, 2025Result: passed
(11) (0) (0) (0)

Cosponsors

Andrew Hevesi, Chantel Jackson and 14 more on Agora

Democratic15
Republican1

Show all 16 on Agora

See the full list on nysenate.gov

The sponsor's argument

Why Leroy Comrie says this is needed

New York law allows families to spread cremated human remains on private property or in a specific area of a cemetery developed for such purpose. This legislation clarifies that these remains may also be spread on land that is permanently protected via a non-profit perpetual care easement specifically for this purpose, also known as memorial lands. In 2022, the state legislature and governor authorized natural organic reduction under existing cemeteries law cremation statutes. Today, we as a state have another end-of-life option that is known as being more environmentally friendly and offers folks the option to have their remains continue the cycle of life as nutrient-rich soil. Forested or other natural lands provide a unique space for families to spread or inter cremated and naturally organically reduced remains. Forests store more than 1 trillion tons of carbon, and more carbon sequestration in forests can help combat climate change. New York forests also provide space for residents to preserve their health and wellness. The global pandemic caused tragic loss of life, and has highlighted the need for greater consumer choice in the disposition of cremated and naturally organically reduced remains.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.

Full history

Mar 9, 2026
Sent to the executive
DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY
NY Senate
Mar 9, 2026
Passed a chamber
PASSED SENATE
NY Senate
Mar 9, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO CORPORATIONS, AUTHORITIES AND COMMISSIONS
NY Assembly
Jan 27, 2026
Advanced to Third Reading
ADVANCED TO THIRD READING
NY Senate
Jan 21, 2026
2ND Report CAL.
2ND REPORT CAL.
NY Senate

Show full history (12 earlier events)

Jan 20, 2026
1ST Report CAL.104
1ST REPORT CAL.104
NY Senate
Jan 7, 2026
Died in Assembly
DIED IN ASSEMBLY
NY Assembly
Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO CORPORATIONS, AUTHORITIES AND COMMISSIONS
NY Assembly
Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
NY Senate
Apr 28, 2025
Sent to the executive
DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY
NY Senate
Apr 28, 2025
Passed a chamber
PASSED SENATE
NY Senate
Apr 28, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO CORPORATIONS, AUTHORITIES AND COMMISSIONS
NY Assembly
Mar 3, 2025
Advanced to Third Reading
ADVANCED TO THIRD READING
NY Senate
Feb 26, 2025
2ND Report CAL.
2ND REPORT CAL.
NY Senate
Feb 25, 2025
1ST Report CAL.398
1ST REPORT CAL.398
NY Senate
Feb 14, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO CORPORATIONS, AUTHORITIES AND COMMISSIONS
NY Assembly
Feb 4, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
NY Senate

About this record

Summary: The summary comes from NY Open Legislation, the New York State Senate's public record. For more, see How we handle summaries.
Cosponsors: The list shows the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.
Party colors: Parties are shown in the same neutral colors.
Source: From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Nov 2, 2026. About our data

Read the record

Read on NY Senate (opens in a new tab) The official record on nysenate.gov.

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