Directs the department of agriculture and markets to inspect the condition of certain horse stalls in cities with a population of one million or more

BILL NUMBER:S8068A

Title of bill

An act to amend the agriculture and markets law and the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the inspection of certain horse stables in cities of one million or more

Purpose

To direct the department of agriculture and markets to inspect the condition of certain horse stalls in New York City.

Summary of provisions

Section one amends the agriculture and markets law by adding a new section 359-b: Inspection of certain horse stables in cities of one million or more.

Section two amends section 17-330 of the Administrative Code of the City of New York.

Section three is the effective date.

Justification

The past two decades have seen a tremendous loss of recreational equine facilities and opportunities within New York City. New York State must, at this time, protect, promote, and stabilize what is left of the equine industry within our great state. By doing so, this industry will contin- ue to contribute to the City and State economy.

This bill is intended to halt the devastating depletion of recreational horse industries by giving authority over inspection, health and safety to New York State's Department of Agriculture and Markets. Action must be taken to stabilize and stimulate the horse industry for the enjoyment of our next generation of horse enthusiasts, continued equine attractions for the enjoyment of the public and availability of this great recreation for the people of the City of New York.

The equine community/industry of the City of New York has proven, with- out question, their ability to govern themselves without incidents; including but not limited to protecting the health of the public, ensur- ing biological security and preventing contagious zoonotic diseases or the possibility of epidemics.

This bill will create one statewide uniform standard governing the inspection, health and safety of the recreational horse industry in New York State. This measure will relieve the City of New York and its agen- cies including the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene from the burdensome enforcement of unique standards upon Rental Horses,

Lesson Horses and Boarding/Lesson Stables. Due to the decrease in the size of the industry within New York City there is a financial drain on the city for the continuing involvement of the various city bureaus. With this bill, standards will be determined and applied by agencies staffed, tasked and capable of providing such standards including the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

Undetermined.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the first day of January next succeeding the date on which it shall have become law, provided that if the amend- ments to subdivision c of section 17-330 of the administrative codes of the city of New York made by local law number 10 of the city of New York for the year 2010, shall not have taken effect on or before such date, section two of this act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as such amendments take effect.