Enacts the "buy from the backyard act"

12 Co-sponsors

• John J. Bonacic
• John J. Flanagan
• William J. Larkin Jr.
• Kenneth P. LaValle
• Betty Little
• George D. Maziarz
• Roy J. McDonald
• Michael H. Ranzenhofer
• Stephen M. Saland
• James L. Seward
• Dale M. Volker
• Catharine Young

Title of bill

An act to amend the state finance law and the agriculture and markets law, in relation to enacting the "buy from the backyard act"

Purpose

To require that state agencies who purchase food and food products to purchase 20% of their total contracts for food from within New York State, likely resulting in significant spending in New York State's agricultural industry.

Summary of provisions

Section 1. Designates this act to be known as the "buy from the backyard act".

Section 2. Amends §165(4) of the state finance law to require that during each fiscal year, not less than twenty percent of food products purchased through contracts on behalf of facilities and institutions of the state, be products grown, produced or harvested in New York State, or that any processing of such food products took place within New York State. This section also classifies "competitive purchasing" under the subdivision to be deemed to be established when the cost of such products are not more than ten percent higher than other food products.

Section 3. Adds a section 5-a to the agriculture and markets law to require a yearly report, on or before March 1st of each year, by the commissioner of agriculture and markets, to the governor and legislature regarding the compliance by state agencies with § 165(4) of state finance law.

Section 4. Sets the effective date as the first of April next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.

Justification

This bill expands upon an existing law, which creates a program that encourages the purchase of local food products by state agencies. These inevitable purchases by the state agencies will provide a boost to the economy within the boundaries of the New York State. This bill would require that 20 percent of the total contracts for food by a state agency during each fiscal year be bought "from the backyard".

Legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

This legislation is likely to result in significant spending in local agricultural industries, which employ many local workers. As one of the top industries in the State, agriculture is a vital part of our efforts to create new jobs. There may be a slight cost to the State due to the competitive pricing flexibility allowed in the bill.

Effective date

First of April next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.