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History
- Referred to environmental conservation
- Referred to environmental conservation
Companion bill
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Establishes a training program to foster awareness of laws, rules and regulations pertaining to the farming industry
In Assembly Committee · Environmental Conservation · Sponsor William Magee
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S4962
Title of bill
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to establishing a training program for owners and employees of farming operations
Purpose
To establish a training program to foster awareness of laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to the fanning industry.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends the environmental conservation law by adding a new section 17-0307, establishing the environmental regulations training program.
Section 2 provides the effective date.
Justification
Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs) are agricultural operations where animals are kept and raised in confined situations. Feed is brought to the animals rather than the animals grazing or otherwise seeking feed in pastures, fields, or on rangeland. Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) are AFOs that meet certain Environmental Protection Act criteria. CAFOs make up approximately 15 percent of total AFOs. The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the Department of Agriculture and Markets, the State Soil and Water Conservation Committee, farmers, agribusiness, and other interested parties have worked together to develop General Permits for CAFOs. These permits were generated to help meet the business needs of farmers and assist CAFO owners or operators in complying with State and Federal water quality requirements.
Fines generated from CAFO violations are currently deposited in the state's General Fund. DEC estimates that fines from CAFO violations generate $100,000-$200,000 annually. This legislation will reinvest fines paid for CAFO violations back into training and educational programs for farmers regarding environmental regulations. By using this revenue to foster awareness among owners and employees of a farming operation of state environmental laws, the state achieves the dual goals of promoting environmental conscientiousness while ensuring farmers are afforded a business climate that fosters economic success. For these reasons it is imperative that this bill is enacted.
Legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications
Minimal.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.