Increases state assistance payments for county approved agricultural and farmland protection plans to 85% of the cost thereof

1 Co-sponsor

• John J. Bonacic

Title of bill

An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to state assistance payments for implementation of agricultural and farmland protection plans; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof

Purpose

The purpose of the bill is to encourage more participation in the State's agricultural and farmland protection program by farmers, counties and municipalities, by increasing the State share of the cost of implementing agricultural and farmland protection plans.

Summary of provisions

The bill amends Agriculture and Markets Law (AML) § 325(1) and (2), by increasing the limit on State assistance payments for implementation of approved agricultural and farmland protection plans by counties, and local farmland protection plans by municipalities, from 75 to 85 percent.

Existing law

AML § 325 limits State assistance payments to 75 percent of the cost of implementing county and municipal farmland protection plans.

Justification

For qualified farms, the State provides assistance payments to help fund up to 75 percent of the cost of conservation easements purchased by counties and municipalities pursuant to a county or municipal farmland protection plan Counties and municipalities have frequently sought out additional sources of funding, such as the federal Farmland Protection Program, to defer the remaining costs. Last year, due to conditions placed on federal grants that conflict with the goals of the State's program, the Department of Agriculture and Markets (Department) decided not to continue to allow federal monies to be used to help pay for the unfunded portion of the State program. As a result, some interested farmers and local governments did not participate in the program. By increasing the amount the State will contribute toward the cost of the acquisition of conservation easements from 75 to 85 percent, the bill provides added financial incentive for farmers and local governments to participate in the program.

Legislative history

2009-2010: S.2473 Referred to Agriculture 2007-2008: S.4333-B/A.7361-B Passed Senate

Fiscal implications

None. The number of projects that the Department could fund, however, might decrease because each farm awarded a grant would receive up to 10% more of the funds available for the program from the Environmental Protection Fund.

Effective date

This legislation is effective immediately and shall expire three years after implemented into law.