What's happening
This bill expands the Wood Products Development Council's focus and allows certain timber contracts under $50,000 without comptroller approval.
Why it matters
Expanding the Council’s Mandate. By explicitly adding the "timber industry" to the Wood Products Development Council’s focus, the bill underscores the importance of not just general forestry but also the broader timber sector—potentially leading to more targeted support, policy coordination, and industry advocacy.
Streamlining Small Timber Sales. Allowing timber or forest product contracts under $50,000 to bypass comptroller approval could make it faster and simpler for smaller forestry operations and state agencies to conduct business, potentially supporting local economies and reducing bureaucratic delays.
Potential for Enhanced Economic Development. The changes may encourage greater private investment in New York’s working forests and timber industries, fostering job creation, rural economic activity, and new market opportunities for local producers.
Implications for Oversight and Transparency. While the exemption for smaller contracts could increase efficiency, it also means less financial oversight on these transactions, raising possible concerns about transparency and accountability in public resource management.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Support Local Wood Industry
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to agriculture
- 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.
Support New York Wood Industry
In Senate Committee · Agriculture · Sponsor Betty Little
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5196
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 6, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. MAGEE, DiPIETRO -- read once and referred to the Committee on Agriculture
AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to the wood products development council; and to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to contracts for timber or other forest products
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 2 of section 225 of the agriculture and markets law, as added by chapter 325 of the laws of 2009, is amended to read as follows:
2. The council shall work with wood-using manufacturers to increase the economic contributions and employment opportunities related to the practice of forestry and manufacture of wood products in New York state. The council shall give priority to increasing private investment in working forests; maintaining access to working and family forests; coordinating policy and permitting issues with state agencies, academia and the private sector; working to improve public understanding of and appreciation for forestry, the timber industry and forest products; and increasing export and market opportunities for New York forest products. The council shall deliver an annual report outlining its work and making recommendations with regard to economic development and marketing initiatives and research and development initiatives consistent with the purposes of the council. The report shall be delivered to the governor, the speaker of the assembly, the temporary president of the senate, the minority leader of the assembly and the minority leader of the senate.
§ 2. Section 9-0505 of the environmental conservation law is amended by adding a new subdivision 5 to read as follows:
5. Notwithstanding subdivision three of section one hundred twelve of the state finance law, if the value or estimated value of the trees, timber or other forest products does not exceed fifty thousand dollars, the contract may be executed by the department and shall be valid and enforceable without first being approved by the state comptroller and filed in his or her office.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00288-01-7
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.