What's happening
Writing a plain-English summary… Track this bill to get it by email.
Why it matters
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Amended on third reading 6620a
- Advanced to third reading cal.667
- Reported
- Referred to agriculture
- Referred to agriculture
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:A6620A
Title of bill
An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to creating an advisory board on food safety protection and inspection programs in the department of agriculture and markets
Purpose of bill
To improve State regulation of food safety.
Summary of specific provisions
Creates a thirteen Member advisory board within the Department of Agriculture and Markets on food safety and inspection programs. Seven members appointed by the Governor will include two academic food safety experts, one representative each of the retail and food processing industries and one farmer. The Speaker of the Assembly and President Pro Tempore of the Senate will each appoint one consumer and one food industry representative. The Assembly and Senate Minority Leaders would each have one appointment. Representatives of the FDA, USDA, NYS Department of Health and county or municipal health departments will be invited to participate-in meetings. The advisory board will advise the Commissioner on administration and enforcement of food safety laws and regulations, especially the adequacy of inspection and enforcement activities. The board will also review existing and proposed laws and regulations and report to the Legislature on the need for changes.
Effects of present law which this bill would alter
Adds a new section 26-b to the Agriculture and Markets Law,
Justification
Cutbacks in State funding and staffing in the Department of Agriculture & Markets have led to increased concerns about the abili- ty of-the Department's safety inspectors to-adequately monitor the near- ly 30,000 food establishments in the State. There are other public concerns about the safety and regulation of the food supply that need to be addressed by the Department.
An expert panel composed of representatives of research institutions, food industry representatives and consumer protection representatives would help determine the adequacy of the Department's food safety program and make recommendations for improvements.
In addition, this board can propose, to the Commissioner and the Legis- lature, changes in law or regulation necessary to increase protection of the food supply.
Summary of amendments
Increases the advisory board to 13 members; two more appointments for the Governor, and one appointment each for Assem- bly and Senate Minority Leaders.
Legislative history
1997-98 - A.6104-b; 1999/00 - A.5957; 2001/02 - A.2760; 2003-04 - A584; 2005-06 - A.3714; 2007/08 - A3559
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
None
Regulation impact
The advisory board may recommend changes in regu- lations.
Effective date
Immediately, provided that appointments are completed one hundred eighty days after this Act becomes law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.