What's happening
This bill aims to improve access to viable agricultural land for new and beginning farmers by supporting land transfers and providing information on available farmland.
Why it matters
Supports intergenerational farm continuity. by aiding the transition of agricultural land from retiring farmers to new and beginning farmers, which addresses challenges in farm succession and keeps land in active agricultural use.
Elevates beginning farmers’ needs in state policy. by requiring the state’s agriculture advisory council to specifically consider issues such as access to land, tax policy, and financial assistance relevant to those just starting out in farming.
Increases transparency and access to available farmland. by mandating the collection and public dissemination of information about publicly and privately owned farmland that is available for sale or lease, making it easier for aspiring farmers to find opportunities.
Promotes inter-agency cooperation for farmland identification. by requiring state agencies managing public land to coordinate with the Department of Agriculture and Markets to identify suitable land for farming, potentially unlocking underutilized state assets for agricultural purposes.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Open Farmland for New Farmers
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Substituted by S4900
- Advanced to third reading cal.420
- Reported
- Reported referred to ways and means
- Referred to agriculture
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Help New Farmers Get Land
Vetoed · Sponsor Patty Ritchie
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5060
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 6, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. MAGEE, BARRETT, MOSLEY, SANTABARBARA, SKOUFIS, CROUCH, DiPIETRO, PALMESANO -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. LOPEZ -read once and referred to the Committee on Agriculture
AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law and the public lands law, in relation to access to viable agricultural land for new and beginning farmers
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 16 of the agriculture and markets law is amended by adding a new subdivision 2-f to read as follows:
2-f. Aid in efforts supporting the successful transfer of viable agricultural land from existing owners to new owners and operators, especially beginning farmers.
§ 2. Subdivision 5 of section 309 of the agriculture and markets law, as added by chapter 79 of the laws of 1980, is amended to read as follows:
5. The advisory council on agriculture shall advise the commissioner and other state agency heads on state government plans, policies and programs affecting farming and the agricultural industry of this state including, but not limited to, advice regarding tax, financial assistance and other policies and programs that could address the needs of beginning farmers and issues related to transfer of ownership of farms. Concerned state agencies shall be encouraged to establish a working relationship with the council and shall fully cooperate with the council in any requests it shall make.
§ 3. Subdivision 6 of section 323 of the agriculture and markets law, as amended by chapter 150 of the laws of 2013, is amended to read as follows:
6. reporting biennially to the governor and the legislature regarding the activities of the commissioner, including efforts to enhance access to viable agricultural land for new and beginning farmers, the types of
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08824-01-7
A. 5060 2
technical assistance rendered to county agricultural and farmland protection boards, municipalities, soil and water conservation districts and not-for-profit conservation organizations, and the need to protect the state's agricultural economy and land resources.
§ 4. The agriculture and markets law is amended by adding a new section 329-a to read as follows:
§ 329-a. Farmland availability information. 1. The department may collect and compile information about public land that is viable for farming and is available for purchase or lease for farming and make available such information, including contact information for the office of general services, other state agencies, municipalities, and other governmental entities offering such land, on its internet website. The department shall provide guidance and assistance to the office of general services, other state agencies, municipalities and other governmental organizations that request such assistance, in identifying land that is viable for farming.
2. The department may also make available similar information about private land available for purchase or lease for farming, including contact information for the owners of such land.
§ 5. Section 2 of the public lands law is amended by adding a new subdivision 3-a to read as follows:
3-a. Land viable for farming; identification. The commissioner of general services is authorized and directed to consult, as part of the state-owned real property management program, with the department of agriculture and markets to identify land that may be viable for farming and may be made available for purchase or lease for farming and make that information available to the department of agriculture and markets to be disseminated to the public.
§ 6. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.