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S3015Senate2017-2018 SessionSame asA9971

EBT Access for CSA Markets

Official title

“Relates to authorizing the use of electronic benefit transfer technology at community supported agriculture markets”

Sponsor Patty RitchieSD-48+2 co-sponsorsAffects Economy
Status
In Assembly Committee
Agriculture
Impact
4/10
Low
Passage
0%

Bill progress

Step 5 of 7

In Assembly · Agriculture

What's happening

This bill authorizes the use of electronic benefit transfer technology at community supported agriculture markets and other non-traditional food access points in New York.

Why it matters

  1. Expands EBT Access. By including community supported agriculture (CSA) markets and other non-traditional food access points, the bill broadens where low-income New Yorkers can use SNAP (food stamp) benefits, making healthy, local foods more accessible.

  2. Targets Food Deserts. The amendment specifically calls out “food deserts,” aiming to improve healthy food availability in underserved neighborhoods where grocery stores and fresh produce are scarce.

  3. Supports Local Producers. Facilitating EBT at CSAs and similar markets can increase business for small farmers and local producers, strengthening the local food economy and encouraging community investment.

  4. Reduces Barriers for Families. By modernizing payment options at more types of markets, the bill reduces logistical and financial barriers for SNAP recipients who might otherwise have limited healthy food choices.

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Headline styles

EBT Access for CSA Markets

Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.

Sponsors

Primary sponsor
Patty Ritchie

Senator · Senate District 48

Chair, Agriculture

History

  1. Referred to agriculture
  2. Delivered to assembly
  3. Passed senateVote 59–0
  4. Advanced to third reading
  5. 2nd report cal.
  6. 1st report cal.87
  7. Referred to agriculture
  8. Returned to senate
  9. Died in assembly
  10. Referred to agriculture
  11. Delivered to assembly
  12. Passed senateVote 60–0
Show 4 earlier actions
  1. Advanced to third reading
  2. 2nd report cal.
  3. 1st report cal.324
  4. 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.

A9971Assembly

EBT at CSA Markets

In Assembly Committee · Agriculture · Sponsor Daniel O'Donnell

Impact 4 · Low0% to pass

Full text

1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗

STATE OF NEW YORK

3015

2017-2018 Regular Sessions

IN SENATE

January 19, 2017

Introduced by Sen. RITCHIE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Agriculture

AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to authorizing electronic benefit transfer technology at community supported agriculture markets

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 262 of the agriculture and markets law, as added by section 4 of part U of chapter 60 of the laws of 2011, is amended to read as follows:

(c) equipment costs associated with improving farmers' market functions, including but not limited to expanding access to electronic benefit transfer technology for farmers' markets, community supported agriculture markets and other non-traditional food access points in food deserts in the state.

§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.

EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets

[ ] is old law to be omitted.

LBD08281-01-7

Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.

Sponsor's memo

Title of bill

An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to authorizing electronic benefit transfer technology at community supported agriculture markets

Purpose

To expand the use of electronic benefit transfer (EBT) technology to Community Supported Agriculture markets by providing EBT equipment costs.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 expands section 262 of the Agriculture and Markets law to include community supported agriculture (CSA) markets as eligible recipients of state assistance for electronic benefit transfer technology processing equipment.

Section 2 provides the effective date.

Existing law

Section 262 of the Agriculture and Markets law provides State aid for farmers' markets, specifically at subsection (c), equipment costs associated with improving farmers' market functions, including but not limited to expanding access to electronic benefit transfer technology.

Further, the U.S. Department of Agriculture provides free electronic benefit transfer equipment for eligible farmers' markets.

Justification

The NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance reported that in December of 2015 more than 2.9 million New York State residents received benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). With several million New York State residents receiving SNAP benefits, it is essential that New York continue to build on the current momentum of expanding access to fresh, wholesome produce to all residents in the state. This initiative will ensure that all residents have the opportunity to shop at local markets by expanding EBT access to Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) markets.

Residents of rural communities statewide have limited access to healthy, affordable foods. These low access communities are further limited when the nearby retailer, corner store or local market is stocked with a wealth of unhealthy food options. This problem is further exacerbated when local markets or CSA's are unauthorized to accepted EBT payment. Enabling a greater number of CSA markets to accept EBT payment will expand the availability of nutritious foods to all communities. CSA markets provide, including, fresh, locally sourced vegetables, fruits, meats and dairy products, and can offer residents year-long subscriptions or memberships in return for local, healthy foods on a regular basis throughout the farming season.

Through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Community Service Agriculture markets (CSA) can register and be authorized Electronic Benefit Transfer retailers, yet currently, in New York State electronic benefit transfer equipment is not provided to Community Supported Agriculture markets. Current law in New York provides equipment costs associated with access to electronic benefit transfer technology for farmers' markets, without mention to CSA markets. Specific inclusion of CSA markets in current state law ensures that CSA markets receive the equipment necessary to process EBT transactions by authorizing the state to provide equipment costs associated with the use of such equipment.

By permitting CSA markets access EBT processing equipment, the State is ensuring that CSA markets have the necessary tools to provide healthy foods to all residents of their communities. Authorizing and equipping CSA markets with EBT technologies will encourage and foster close relationships between farmers and the residents of their communities, thereby, strengthening local economies.

Legislative history

2016: S.7008

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

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.