S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
8258
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
June 11, 2019
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Introduced by M. of A. LUPARDO -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Agriculture
AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to estab-
lishing the climate and agriculture working group
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The agriculture and markets law is amended by adding a new
section 309-b to read as follows:
§ 309-B. CLIMATE AND AGRICULTURE WORKING GROUP. 1. THERE SHALL BE
ESTABLISHED WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT THE CLIMATE AND AGRICULTURE WORKING
GROUP, TO ADVISE AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE STATE AGENCIES AND THE
LEGISLATURE ON STATE GOVERNMENT PLANS, POLICIES, AND PROGRAMS RELATING
TO CLIMATE AND AGRICULTURE, AS OUTLINED BY THIS SECTION. THE DEPARTMENT
SHALL PROVIDE NECESSARY SECRETARIAT AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO THE WORKING
GROUP.
2. THE CLIMATE AND AGRICULTURE WORKING GROUP SHALL CONSIST OF TWENTY-
FIVE MEMBERS, TWENTY-TWO TO BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, WITH THE
ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE, SELECTED FOR THEIR EXPERIENCE AND
EXPERTISE RELATED TO AREAS OF WORKING GROUP RESPONSIBILITY. THE WORKING
GROUP SHALL BE COMPRISED OF A DIVERSE GROUP OF STAKEHOLDERS AS FOLLOWS:
(A) OF THE TWENTY-FIVE MEMBERS APPOINTED TO THE WORKING GROUP:
(1) ONE SHALL BE THE COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND
MARKETS, OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE;
(2) ONE SHALL BE THE COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL
CONSERVATION, OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE;
(3) ONE SHALL BE THE PRESIDENT OF THE NEW YORK STATE ENERGY RESEARCH
AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE;
(4) ONE SHALL BE FROM THE NEW YORK FARM BUREAU;
(5) ONE SHALL BE FROM THE AMERICAN FARMLAND TRUST;
(6) ONE SHALL BE FROM THE NATIONAL YOUNG FARMERS COALITION;
(7) ONE SHALL BE FROM THE NORTHEAST ORGANIC FARMING ASSOCIATION;
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13245-01-9
A. 8258 2
(8) ONE SHALL BE FROM A REGIONAL LAND TRUST;
(9) ONE SHALL BE FROM CORNELL UNIVERSITY;
(10) TWO SHALL BE FROM A SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT;
(11) FOUR SHALL BE FROM ORGANIZATIONS WITH DIVERSE EXPERTISE RELATED
TO THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE WORKING GROUP;
(12) THREE SHALL BE FARMERS WHO ARE UNDER THE AGE OF FORTY-FIVE YEARS
OLD AT THE BEGINNING OF THEIR TERM, AND WHO DERIVE AT LEAST FIFTY
PERCENT OF THEIR PERSONAL INCOME FROM FARMING OR AGRICULTURAL ACTIV-
ITIES;
(13) FIVE SHALL BE FARMERS WHO DERIVE AT LEAST FIFTY PERCENT OF THEIR
PERSONAL INCOME FROM FARMING OR AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES, AND OF SUCH
FARMERS AND TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE, AT LEAST ONE SHALL BE A DAIRY
PRODUCER; AND
(14) TWO SHALL BE NON-OPERATING LANDOWNERS WHO LEASE LAND TO A FARMER.
(B) EACH MEMBER SHALL BE APPOINTED FOR A TERM OF THREE YEARS AND MAY
SERVE UNTIL THEIR SUCCESSORS ARE CHOSEN; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT OF THE
MEMBERS FIRST APPOINTED, EIGHT SHALL SERVE FOR A TERM OF ONE YEAR, EIGHT
SHALL SERVE FOR A TERM OF TWO YEARS AND NINE SHALL SERVE FOR A TERM OF
THREE YEARS.
(C) MEMBERS SHALL SERVE WITHOUT SALARY BUT SHALL BE ENTITLED TO
REIMBURSEMENT OF THEIR ORDINARY AND NECESSARY TRAVEL EXPENSES.
3. THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CLIMATE AND AGRICULTURE
WORKING GROUP SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
(A) ANNUALLY ELECTING FROM ITS MEMBERS A CHAIRPERSON, A VICE CHAIR-
PERSON, AND A SECRETARY OF THE WORKING GROUP AT THE GROUP'S FIRST MEET-
ING OF THE CALENDAR YEAR;
(B) MEETING NO LESS THAN BIANNUALLY AND ALLOWING FOR VIRTUAL PARTIC-
IPATION;
(C) ESTABLISHING SUB-GROUPS AS NECESSARY; AND
(D) DEVELOPING RECOMMENDATIONS ON POLICIES AND PROGRAMS ON THE FOLLOW-
ING FIVE AREAS:
(1) INCREASING ADOPTION OF PRACTICES ON NEW YORK FARMS THAT SEQUESTER
CARBON AND OTHER GREENHOUSE GASES AND BUILD SOIL HEALTH;
(2) REDUCING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS FROM NEW YORK FARMS IN WAYS THAT
PROMOTE AND PROTECT FARM VIABILITY;
(3) INCREASING RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATION ON FARMLANDS IN WAYS THAT
PROMOTE FARM VIABILITY AND PROTECT PRODUCTIVE FARMLAND FOR COMMERCIAL
AGRICULTURAL USE;
(4) PERMANENTLY PROTECTING FARMLANDS TO PROMOTE SMART GROWTH AND
REDUCE TRANSPORTATION EMISSIONS; AND
(5) OTHER AREAS OF CLIMATE AND AGRICULTURE POLICY AS RECOMMENDED BY
THE WORKING GROUP.
4. THE WORKING GROUP SHALL PROVIDE AN ANNUAL REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR,
THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY, AND THE MAJORITY LEADER OF THE SENATE ON
THE POLICIES THAT THE WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDS BE ADOPTED, AND PROGRAMS
THAT THE WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDS BE CREATED TO SUPPORT THE AREAS LISTED
IN PARAGRAPH (D) OF SUBDIVISION THREE OF THIS SECTION.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.