S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
10056
I N A S S E M B L Y
March 13, 2018
___________
Introduced by M. of A. MAGEE -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Agriculture
AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to access
to viable agricultural land for new and beginning farmers
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 16 of the agriculture and markets law is amended by
adding a new subdivision 2-f to read as follows:
2-F. AID IN EFFORTS SUPPORTING THE SUCCESSFUL TRANSFER OF VIABLE AGRI-
CULTURAL LAND FROM EXISTING OWNERS TO NEW OWNERS AND OPERATORS, ESPE-
CIALLY BEGINNING FARMERS.
§ 2. Subdivision 5 of section 309 of the agriculture and markets law,
as added by chapter 79 of the laws of 1980, is amended to read as
follows:
5. The advisory council on agriculture shall advise the commissioner
and other state agency heads on state government plans, policies and
programs affecting farming and the agricultural industry of this state
INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ADVICE REGARDING TAX, FINANCIAL ASSIST-
ANCE AND OTHER POLICIES AND PROGRAMS THAT COULD ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF
BEGINNING FARMERS AND ISSUES RELATED TO TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP OF FARMS.
Concerned state agencies shall be encouraged to establish a working
relationship with the council and shall fully cooperate with the council
in any requests it shall make.
§ 3. Subdivision 6 of section 323 of the agriculture and markets law,
as amended by chapter 150 of the laws of 2013, is amended to read as
follows:
6. reporting biennially to the governor and the legislature regarding
the activities of the commissioner, INCLUDING EFFORTS TO ENHANCE ACCESS
TO VIABLE AGRICULTURAL LAND FOR NEW AND BEGINNING FARMERS, the types of
technical assistance rendered to county agricultural and farmland
protection boards, municipalities, soil and water conservation districts
and not-for-profit conservation organizations, and the need to protect
the state's agricultural economy and land resources.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD15115-01-8
A. 10056 2
§ 4. The agriculture and markets law is amended by adding a new
section 329-a to read as follows:
§ 329-A. FARMLAND AVAILABILITY INFORMATION. 1. THE DEPARTMENT MAY
COLLECT AND COMPILE INFORMATION ABOUT PUBLIC LAND THAT IS VIABLE FOR
FARMING AND IS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE OR LEASE FOR FARMING AND MAKE
AVAILABLE SUCH INFORMATION, INCLUDING CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE OFFICE
OF GENERAL SERVICES, OTHER STATE AGENCIES, MUNICIPALITIES, AND OTHER
GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES OFFERING SUCH LAND, ON ITS INTERNET WEBSITE. THE
DEPARTMENT SHALL PROVIDE GUIDANCE AND ASSISTANCE TO THE OFFICE OF GENER-
AL SERVICES, OTHER STATE AGENCIES, MUNICIPALITIES AND OTHER GOVERNMENTAL
ORGANIZATIONS THAT REQUEST SUCH ASSISTANCE, IN IDENTIFYING LAND THAT IS
VIABLE FOR FARMING.
2. THE DEPARTMENT MAY ALSO MAKE AVAILABLE SIMILAR INFORMATION ABOUT
PRIVATE LAND AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE OR LEASE FOR FARMING, INCLUDING
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE OWNERS OF SUCH LAND.
§ 5. Paragraph (c) of subdivision 3 of section 309-a of the agricul-
ture and markets law, as added by chapter 129 of the laws of 2017, is
amended to read as follows:
(c) identify issues, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, EFFORTS TO ENHANCE
ACCESS TO VIABLE AGRICULTURAL LAND FOR NEW AND BEGINNING FARMERS, relat-
ing to young and beginning farmers in the state and provide timely
advice to the commissioner, the governor and the relevant state agen-
cies, with regard to the promotion of agriculture as a career path and
the economic development of young and aspiring farmers;
§ 6. This act shall take effect immediately.