What's happening
This bill changes the distribution of state aid for soil and water conservation districts from a competitive basis to performance standards.
Why it matters
Shifts funding from a competitive grant model to performance-based standards. , potentially making state aid more predictable and stable for soil and water conservation districts that meet established benchmarks.
Emphasizes measurable outcomes. , such as district board activity, reporting and outreach, program delivery, and the ability to leverage additional funds, which could incentivize districts to improve their operations and demonstrate effectiveness.
May reduce administrative burdens associated with competitive grant applications. , allowing districts to focus more on implementing conservation projects rather than seeking funding.
Could alter which districts receive more or less funding. , potentially benefiting those with stronger organizational performance but disadvantaging smaller or less-resourced districts that struggle to meet performance metrics.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Change Soil Aid Formula
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to environmental conservation
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.
Change Soil Aid Formula
In Senate Committee · Environmental Conservation · Sponsor Pamela Helming
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
9912
IN ASSEMBLY
February 22, 2018
Introduced by M. of A. ZEBROWSKI -- read once and referred to the Committee on Environmental Conservation
AN ACT to amend the soil and water conservation districts law, in relation to the manner state aid is distributed to districts for the conservation of soil and water resources
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph (c) of subdivision 1 of section 11-a of the soil and water conservation districts law, as amended by section 2 of part U1 of chapter 109 of the laws of 2006, is amended to read as follows:
(c) Within amounts available, provide financial assistance to each soil and water conservation district, in addition to the amounts provided under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subdivision, for the purposes of carrying out projects for the conservation of the soil and water resources of this state, and for the improvement of water quality, and for the control and prevention of soil erosion and for the prevention of floodwater and sediment damages, and for furthering the conservation, development, utilization and disposal of water, and thereby to preserve natural resources, control and abate nonpoint sources of water pollution, assist in the control of floods, assist in the drainage and irrigation of agricultural lands, prevent impairment of dams and reservoirs, assist in maintaining the navigability of rivers and harbors, preserve wildlife, protect the tax base, protect public lands, and protect and promote the health, safety and general welfare of the people of this state. Any funds made available pursuant to this paragraph shall be available for financial assistance for the purposes of carrying out such activities to each soil and water conservation district [on a competitive basis] pursuant to performance standards to be established by the soil and water conservation committee and the commissioner of the department of agriculture and markets. Such standards shall include, but not be limited to, the extent and sufficiency of district board activity; district reporting and outreach activities; delivery of state natural resource conservation programs; and the ability of the district to use such funding to leverage additional funds from local, federal and private sources.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD14027-01-7
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.