Senate Bill S1917A

                                 BILL NUMBER:  S1917

 TITLE OF BILL :  An act to amend the environmental conservation law,
in relation to establishing a training program for owners and
employees of farming operations

 PURPOSE :

To establish a training program to foster awareness of laws, rules,
and regulations pertaining to the farming industry.

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :

Section 1 amends the environmental conservation law by adding a new
section 17-0307, establishing the environmental regulations training
program.

Section 2 provides the effective date.

 JUSTIFICATION :

Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs) are agricultural operations where
animals are kept and raised in confined situations.  Feed is brought
to the animals rather than the animals grazing or otherwise seeking
feed in pastures, fields, or on rangeland.  Concentrated Animal
Feeding Operations (CAFOs) are AFOs that meet certain Environmental
              

Protection Act criteria. CAFOs make up approximately 15 percent of
total AFOs. The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the
Department of Agriculture and Markets, the State Soil and Water
Conservation Committee, farmers, agribusiness, and other interested
parties have worked together to develop General Permits for CAFOs.
These permits were generated to help meet the business needs of
farmers and assist CAFO owners or operators in complying with State
and Federal water quality requirements.

Fines generated from CAFO violations are currently deposited in the
state's General Fund. DEC estimates that fines from CAFO violations
generate $100,000-$200,000 annually. This legislation will reinvest
fines paid for CAFO violations back into training and educational
programs for farmers regarding environmental regulations. By using
this revenue to foster awareness among owners and employees of a
farming operation of state environmental laws, the state achieves the
dual goals of promoting environmental conscientiousness while ensuring
farmers are afforded a business climate that fosters economic success.
For these reasons it is imperative that this bill is enacted.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

2015-2016: S.4962 Referred to Environmental Conservation/A7275
Referred to Environmental Conservation.

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

Minimal.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect immediately.