What's happening
This bill changes how state aid is distributed to soil and water conservation districts, removing the competitive basis requirement.
Why it matters
Shifting away from a competitive model. means that all soil and water conservation districts could now receive state funding based on meeting certain performance standards, rather than having to compete against each other—potentially increasing stability and predictability of funding for all districts.
Maintaining a focus on performance standards. ensures that while competition is removed, districts will still need to demonstrate effectiveness, engagement, and the ability to leverage additional funds, keeping accountability and program quality in place.
Broader access to resources. could enable smaller or less-resourced districts to access state aid they might not have previously qualified for under competitive rules, potentially leading to more equitable conservation efforts across New York State.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Change Soil Aid Formula
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
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 Assembly Committee · Environmental Conservation · Sponsor Kenneth Zebrowski
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7198
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 3, 2018
Introduced by Sen. HELMING -- (at request of the Legislative Commission on Rural Resources) -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed 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;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD14027-01-7
S. 7198 2
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.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
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
Purpose
To allow soil and water conservation districts to make amendments to applications for performance-based Part C funding.
Existing law
Current law requires that applications be reviewed on a competitive basis, which precludes any amendments to applications following submission to the Department of Agriculture and Markets for review.
Summary of provisions
Section one would eliminate the phrase "competitive basis" within the paragraph directing the method by which applications are reviewed.
Justification
Soil and water conservation districts receive funding from the State for their activities as set forth under the Soil and Water Conservation District Law. Part C funding references a pool of funding that is equal- ly divided among all districts that meet annual performance standards set forth by the soil and water conservation committee and the commis- sioner of the department of agriculture and markets. These standards are updated annually and measure excellence in a districts' operations as well as innovation within their programs.
Currently, the law requires that applications for Part C funding be reviewed on a competitive basis. This direction does not allow an appli- cation to be returned in the event information is missing or a technical error on the application has been made. Thus, applications for Part C funding can be-and have been-declined to otherwise eligible districts because of a technical error in the application. In the wake of recent, significantly increased funding under the Part C program, eligible districts risk losing an important financial resource. In addition, the phrase "competitive basis" serves no useful purpose in existing law, because all districts that meet the performance measures qualify for an equal share of Part C funding. This legislation ensures that all districts that have met performance standards have every opportunity to obtain their equal share of Part C funding.
Legislative history
This is a new bill.
Fiscal implications
None. Part C funding is distributed fully and equally among soil and water conservation districts that meet threshold requirements. This
legislation would ensure that all eligible districts receive their due share.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.