What's happening
This bill requires the Department of Agriculture and Markets to provide pollinator-friendly vegetation management guidelines for property development, especially solar projects.
Why it matters
Expands guidance for pollinator-friendly development. By requiring the Department of Agriculture and Markets to provide information (rather than develop strict guidelines), the bill aims to make pollinator-friendly practices more accessible and adaptable for property developers, especially for solar projects.
Signals a shift toward voluntary compliance. The new language focuses on making information available rather than imposing mandates, potentially encouraging broader adoption of pollinator-supportive landscaping without creating additional regulatory burdens.
Broadens the types of developments covered. The amendment clarifies that guidelines are for anyone intending to develop property in a pollinator-friendly manner (not just those making public claims), which could increase the number of projects incorporating pollinator habitats.
Supports biodiversity and agriculture. By promoting the use of native perennial vegetation and pollinator-friendly management, the bill could help sustain pollinator populations, which are essential for crop production and overall ecosystem health.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Share Pollinator-Friendly Guidelines
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Substituted by S2044
- Advanced to third reading cal.85
- Reported
- 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.
Share Pollinator-Friendly Guidelines
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Patty Ritchie
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5312
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 8, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. LUPARDO -- read once and referred to the Committee on Agriculture
AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to the department of agriculture and markets making available information concerning minimum guidelines for vegetation management plans in a manner that is pollinator friendly
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 49 of section 16 of the agriculture and markets law, as added by chapter 399 of the laws of 2018, is amended to read as follows:
49. [Develop] Make available, in consultation with the department of environmental conservation and institutions of higher education with expertise in pollinator protection, information concerning minimum guidelines for vegetation management plans used by any person[, corporation, partnership, association or other organized group of persons who make public claims that their property or commercial enterprise on a property, including, but not limited to solar electric generating systems,] who intends to develop their property or commercial enterprise, such as solar electric generating systems, in a manner that is pollinator friendly or provides benefits and protection to pollinators. Such information may include guidelines [shall provide guidance] for short-term and long-term property management practices that provide and maintain native perennial vegetation to protect the health and well-being of pollinators including, but not limited to the percentage of the property that may be covered with native perennial vegetation; the type, amount, and diversity of native perennial vegetation that may be maintained on the property; the number of seasons and the minimum number of species of native perennial vegetation that may be in bloom; maintenance practices to be used; the use of pesticides; the width and composition of buffers adjacent to the property; and any other guidelines estab-
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07038-01-9
A. 5312 2
lished by the department. [Nothing in this subdivision shall be deemed to restrict any farming practices by any person, corporation, partnership, association or other organized group of persons not making such public claims.]
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as section 1 of chapter 399 of the laws of 2018, takes effect.
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.