What's happening
This bill directs the development of a plan to reinstate New York's barn grant program, including a report on implementation options and safeguards.
Why it matters
Emphasizes oversight and accountability. The bill requires the implementation plan to address how grants are distributed (reimbursement vs. up-front), grantee access to legal counsel, and potential requirements for business plans or audits—measures that could reduce misuse and ensure grant effectiveness.
Considers administrative capacity and partnerships. It directs an evaluation of whether state agencies or pre-vetted private entities can handle title searches and project management, as well as whether the National Heritage Trust can serve as a conduit for grant funds, especially to private recipients.
Encourages flexibility in grant eligibility. The bill calls for exploring different application tracks, not just for historic preservation but also for projects that improve barns’ resilience to extreme weather or adapt buildings for modern agricultural needs, broadening the program’s relevance.
Seeks best practices and guidance. By recommending consultation with the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s resources, the bill aims to align New York’s program with national standards and innovative approaches for preserving and utilizing historic barns.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Study Restarting Barn Grants
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to cultural affairs, tourism, parks and recreation
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to tourism, parks, arts and sports development
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 63–0
- Ordered to third reading cal.1533
- Reported and committed to rules
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to cultural affairs, tourism, parks and recreation
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.
Study Restarting Barn Grants
In Assembly Committee · Tourism, Parks, Arts And Sports Development · Sponsor William Magee
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1470
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 9, 2017
Introduced by Sen. RITCHIE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation
AN ACT to direct the commissioner of the office of parks, recreation and historic preservation to develop a plan for the reimplementation of the barn grant program
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The commissioner of the office of parks, recreation and historic preservation is hereby authorized and directed to work with the state comptroller and the board of the natural heritage trust to develop a plan for the reimplementation of the barn grant program of the year two thousand.
§ 2. The commissioner is directed to deliver a report to the chair of the senate agriculture committee within three months of the effective date of this act. The report shall make reference to previous audits of the former program and shall address the overall mandate of this act. The report shall address the following points:
(a) the viability of giving funds as reimbursement for costs incurred as opposed to giving funds up-front;
(b) ways to ensure grantees have access to appropriate legal counsel, or that grantees will be encouraged to seek legal counsel at all stages of their grant;
(c) the possibility of requiring that grantees submit business plans, undergo an audit, or otherwise demonstrate the viability of their venture as a condition of being awarded a grant;
(d) the availability of resources within state agencies to perform title searches and evaluate deed records;
(e) which, if any, private title search companies and independent project management groups have already been vetted by the office of general services;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06755-01-7
S. 1470 2
(f) the appropriateness of utilizing the national heritage trust to receive and administer grant funds, particularly funds that might be given to private individuals and businesses.
§ 3. The report shall also explore the viability of using multiple application tracks such as:
(a) a strict reimplementation of the barn grant program using its original criteria; projects on properties listed in, or eligible for listing in, the National Register of Historic Places;
(b) projects that increase a facility's adaptability to extreme weather events;
(c) projects that will maintain the distinct architectural features of a barn or outbuilding though they will repurpose the structure to meet the current needs of the associated farm's business plan, so long as the building would not be used for human habitation.
§ 4. The commissioner is encouraged to consult the National Trust for Historic Preservation's "Historic Barns: Working Assets for Sustainable Farms" white paper for additional guidance.
§ 5. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to direct the commissioner of the office of parks, recreation and historic preservation to develop a plan for the reimplementation of the barn grant program
Purpose
To direct the Commissioner of the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation ("Parks") to work with the Office of the State Comptroller ("OSC") and the New York State Natural Heritage Trust ("NHT") to develop a plan for the reimplementation of the Barn Grant program of 2000.
Summary of provisions
The bill requires the Commissioner of Parks to take steps to ensure that several proposed improvements to the original Barn Grant Program, made by the OSC, the NHT, and Parks staff, can be utilized if it was re-implemented. The Commissioner is directed to evaluate new application tracks that would accommodate project types not contemplated by the original program.
Justification
Re-implementing the Barn Grant program would help to preserve a cherished part of New York State's rural landscape. For many farm families their barn is a source of pride that has been a part of their home for generations. Financial stressors might have forced upgrades and associated maintenance to be de-prioritized. The OSC, NHT, and Parks all agree that the Barn Grant program was valuable to the state and contributed to the public good; however, they noted that some aspects of the Barn Grant program's implementation could be improved. With planning, these improvements could be made. If the Barn Grant program can be re-implemented, then more of the working agricultural structures that are an iconic part of New York State's rural landscape will be maintained for future generations.
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.