NY State Senate Bill S4722A

Archive: Last Bill Status Via A5386 - Signed by Governor

Introduced
In Committee
On Floor Calendar
- Passed Senate
- Passed Assembly
Delivered to Governor
Signed by Governor

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Actions

view actions (14)

	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Dec 22, 2021	approval memo.102 signed chap.735
Dec 10, 2021	delivered to governor
Jun 08, 2021	returned to assembly passed senate
Jun 03, 2021	3rd reading cal.1382 substituted for s4722a
Jun 03, 2021	substituted by a5386a
Jun 01, 2021	ordered to third reading cal.1382 committee discharged and committed to rules
May 19, 2021	reported and committed to finance
May 13, 2021	print number 4722a
May 13, 2021	amend (t) and recommit to agriculture
Feb 10, 2021	referred to agriculture

Votes

view votes

Jun 8, 2021 - floor Vote

A5386A

floor

Aye

Nay

Absent

Excused

Abstained

Jun 1, 2021 - Rules committee Vote

S4722A

committee

Aye

Nay

Aye with Reservations

Absent

Excused

Abstained

May 19, 2021 - Agriculture committee Vote

S4722A

committee

Aye

Nay

Aye with Reservations

Absent

Excused

Abstained

show Agriculture committee vote details

Agriculture Committee Vote: May 19, 2021

aye (8)

aye wr (1)

Helming

Bill Amendments

Original

A (Active)

Original

A (Active)

Co-Sponsors

S4722 - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A5386
Law Section:: Agriculture and Markets Law
Laws Affected:: Add Art 11-B §§151-l - 151-o, Ag & Mkts L; amd §§2 & 4, Cons Dists L

S4722 - Summary

Establishes the soil health and climate resiliency act; establishes the soil health program to assist farmers in improving the health of their soil; establishes the climate resilient farming initiative to promote and encourage farmers to reduce the effects of farming on climate change and to adapt to and mitigate the impact of climate change by improving and maintaining water management systems and soil health and resiliency.

S4722 - Sponsor Memo

 
BILL NUMBER: S4722

SPONSOR: HINCHEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, the state finance law
and the soil and water conservation districts law, in relation to estab-
lishing the soil health and climate resiliency act

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

The purpose of this legislation is to enhance and maintain the health of
soil on farms to improve farm productivity, protect natural resources,
reduce the effect of farming on climate change and mitigate the impact
of climate change on farming.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

This bill would add a new Article 11-B to the Agriculture and Markets
Law establishing Soil Health, Climate Resiliency, and Soil Health Part-
nership and Research Framework programs. It would define soil health,

soil health practices, soil health project, climate adaptation and
climate mitigation.

The Soil Health program would be administered by the Department of Agri-
culture and Markets in cooperation with the State Soil and Water Conser-
vation Committee to assist farmers in adapting soil health practices to
optimize soil health through grants and incentives, subject to the
availability of funding, to farmers, with priority for beginning and
socially disadvantaged farmers, and organizations working on soil
health, training of soil health experts, and financial assistance to
local soil and water conservation districts.

The Climate Resiliency program would also be administered by the Depart-
ment and would provide matching grants, subject to the availability of
funding, to soil and water conservation districts to fund projects which
mitigate greenhouse gas emissions on farmland or promote the adaptation
of farmland to projected climate change impacts. Projects would be inte-
grated within the framework of the Soil Health program and the Agricul-
tural Environmental Management program.

The Soil Health Partnership and Research Framework program would,
subject to the availability of funding, have an institution of higher
education with expertise in soil health develop and implement a program
to research and improve the science of soil health, soil health and
climate mitigation and adaptation best practices and establish a colla-
borative working group on soil health.

The bill would amend State Finance Law to add a new section 99-ii creat-
ing a Soil Health Fund.

The bill would amend section 2 of Soil and Water Conservation District
(SWCD) Law to declare that it is the policy of the legislature to
promote the health and resiliency of New York's agricultural soils to
produce a healthy affordable food supply, protect natural resources and
respond to climate change

Section 4 of SWCD Law would be amended to authorize the State Soil and
Water Conservation Committee to coordinate and approve the participation
of the local SWCDs in the Soil Health and Climate Resiliency programs
pursuant to Article 11-B of the Agriculture and Markets Law.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Healthy soils are vital to productive farming, food security, natural
resource protection and long term climate change mitigation. For thou-
sands of years societies and nations have relied on high quality soil
and water to thrive, and when soil health was not maintained the conse-
quences could be devastating. Over 80 years ago, the federal government
established the Natural Resources Conservation Service in the wake of
soil erosion caused by dust bowls and the losses suffered by farmers and
rural communities which were considered a "menace to the national
welfare". New York followed suit, establishing the State Soil and Water
Conservation Committee in the Department of Agriculture and Markets.
Four years ago, the State funded New York's Soil Health Initiative
collaborative at Cornell to address the need to further protect and
improve soil health in New York during the era of climate change. A
"roadmap" for the State was developed as part of the Initiative with the
following goals: to institutionalize a stakeholder network and organiza-
tional framework for soil health collaboration, communication, and
priority setting; identify and take steps to overcome barriers to wider
adoption of soil health practices; integrate climate change adaptation
and mitigation research, outreach, and policy with soil health program-
ming; and, integrate water and nutrient management research, outreach,
and policy with soil health programming. This bill would establish in
law the legislature's support for State policy and programs to help
achieve the important soil health goals outlined in the roadmap.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New legislation.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

Undetermined, subject to the availability of funding.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediate.

S4722 - Bill Text download pdf

 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   4722
 
                        2021-2022 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                             February 10, 2021
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen. HINCHEY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Agriculture
 
 AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, the state  finance  law
   and  the  soil  and  water  conservation districts law, in relation to
   establishing the soil health and climate resiliency act

   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1.  This  act  shall  be  known and may be cited as the "soil
 health and climate resiliency act".
   § 2. The agriculture and markets law is amended by adding a new  arti-
 cle 11-B to read as follows:
                               ARTICLE 11-B
                    SOIL HEALTH AND CLIMATE RESILIENCY
 SECTION 151-L. DEFINITIONS.
         151-M. SOIL HEALTH PROGRAM.
         151-N. CLIMATE RESILIENT FARMING PROGRAM.
         151-O. SOIL HEALTH PARTNERSHIP AND RESEARCH FRAMEWORK.
   § 151-L. DEFINITIONS.  AS USED IN THIS ARTICLE: 1. "SOIL HEALTH" MEANS
 SOILS THAT HAVE THE CONTINUING CAPACITY TO FUNCTION AS A  VITAL,  LIVING
 BIOLOGICAL  SYSTEM THROUGH: INCREASED SOIL ORGANIC MATTER; IMPROVED SOIL
 STRUCTURE, WATER AND NUTRIENT-HOLDING  CAPACITY  AND  NUTRIENT  CYCLING;
 DIVERSITY  OF  BENEFICIAL ORGANISMS; ENHANCED RESILIENCE TO TOLERATE AND
 RECOVER FROM DROUGHT, TEMPERATURE EXTREMES, PESTS, AND  OTHER  STRESSES;
 PROTECTING  NATURAL  RESOURCES; AND ASSISTING IN REDUCING AND MITIGATING
 THE IMPACT OF GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE, INCLUDING NET LONG-TERM  GREENHOUSE
 GAS BENEFITS.
   2. "SOIL HEALTH PRACTICES" MEANS SYSTEMS OF AGRICULTURAL, FORESTRY AND
 LAND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES THAT:
   A. IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF SOILS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO CONSIDER-
 ATION OF DEPTH OF TOPSOIL HORIZONS, WATER INFILTRATION RATE, WATER HOLD-
 ING  CAPACITY,  ORGANIC CARBON CONTENT, BIOLOGICALLY ACCESSIBLE NUTRIENT
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.

                                                            LBD05460-04-1

 S. 4722                             2
 
 CONTENT, BULK DENSITY, BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY, AND BIOLOGICAL AND  MICROBI-
 OLOGICAL DIVERSITY;
   B.  FOLLOW THE PRINCIPLES OF: MINIMIZING SOIL DISTURBANCE AND EXTERNAL
 INPUTS; KEEPING SOIL COVERED; MAXIMIZING BIODIVERSITY; MAXIMIZING  PRES-
 ENCE  OF  LIVING  ROOTS;  AND  INTEGRATING ANIMALS INTO LAND MANAGEMENT,
 INCLUDING GRAZING ANIMALS, BIRDS, BENEFICIAL INSECTS  OR  OTHER  SPECIES
 BENEFICIAL TO THE SOIL, SUCH AS EARTHWORMS; AND
   C.  INCLUDE  SUCH PRACTICES AS CONSERVATION TILLAGE OR NO-TILL, COVER-
 CROPPING, PRECISION NITROGEN AND PHOSPHOROUS APPLICATION, PLANNED  GRAZ-
 ING,  INTEGRATED  CROP-LIVESTOCK SYSTEMS, AGROFORESTRY, PERENNIAL CROPS,
 INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT,  NUTRIENT  BEST  MANAGEMENT  PRACTICES,  AND
 THOSE  PRACTICES RECOMMENDED BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICUL-
 TURE NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE AND THAT  ARE  SUPPORTED  BY
 THE STATE SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION COMMITTEE.
   3.  "SOIL  HEALTH  PROJECT"  MEANS  A  SPECIFIC WORK OR IMPROVEMENT OR
 EQUIPMENT ACQUISITION THAT IS UNDERTAKEN FOR IMPROVING  SOIL  HEALTH  ON
 LANDS UTILIZED FOR COMMERCIAL FARMING AND FORESTRY.
   4.  "CLIMATE  ADAPTATION" MEANS THE PROCESS OF ADJUSTMENT TO ACTUAL OR
 EXPECTED CLIMATE AND ITS EFFECTS.
   5. "CLIMATE MITIGATION" MEANS  A  HUMAN  INTERVENTION  TO  REDUCE  THE
 SOURCES OR ENHANCE THE "SINKS" THAT ABSORB AND STORE GREENHOUSE GASES.
   §  151-M.  SOIL  HEALTH PROGRAM. 1. THERE IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED WITHIN
 THE DEPARTMENT A SOIL HEALTH PROGRAM TO ASSIST FARMERS IN IMPROVING  THE
 HEALTH  OF  THEIR  SOIL BY MANAGING AND OPTIMIZING SOIL HEALTH TO REDUCE
 NEGATIVE IMPACTS ON THE  ENVIRONMENT  WHILE  IMPROVING  LONG  TERM  SOIL
 PRODUCTIVITY, EFFICIENCY, AND PROFITABILITY OF FARMING, SUSTAINING AGRI-
 CULTURAL  PLANTS  AND ANIMALS AND A HEALTHY, AFFORDABLE FOOD SUPPLY, AND
 ADDRESSING SUCH ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS FROM THOSE OPERATIONS,  INCLUDING,
 BUT  NOT  LIMITED  TO,  SOIL, AIR AND WATER POLLUTION AND GREENHOUSE GAS
 EMISSIONS.
   2. THE DEPARTMENT, IN COOPERATION WITH THE SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION
 COMMITTEE, SHALL IMPLEMENT A PROGRAM TO ASSIST RURAL AND URBAN  AGRICUL-
 TURAL  PRODUCERS  AND  FORESTERS  IN OPTIMIZING AND MANAGING SOIL HEALTH
 THROUGH SOIL HEALTH PRACTICES THAT INCLUDE, BUT SHALL NOT BE LIMITED TO:
   (A) IMPROVING SOIL HEALTH AND QUANTITY, AND CONTROL SOIL  EROSION  AND
 SEDIMENTATION;
   (B) IMPROVING WATER INFILTRATION RATES AND WATER HOLDING CAPACITIES OF
 SOILS  FOR  IMPROVED  STORM  WATER MANAGEMENT AND FLOOD CONTROL, DROUGHT
 RESILIENCE, AND GROUNDWATER SUPPLY; AND
   (C) MANAGING AND ENHANCING THE HEALTHY CYCLING OF NITROGEN  AND  PHOS-
 PHORUS  WITHIN FIELDS, TO MINIMIZE NUTRIENT RUNOFF AND REDUCE DOWNSTREAM
 NUTRIENT LOADING, IMPROVE WATERSHED HEALTH AND RELIABLE WATER AVAILABIL-
 ITY, RESTORE AND ENHANCE WILDLIFE HABITAT, AND MANAGE WATER  RUNOFF  AND
 DRAINAGE WATER FOR IMPROVED LOCAL AND DOWNSTREAM WATER QUALITY.
   THE  PROGRAM  MAY ALSO INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO: THE TRAINING OF
 SOIL HEALTH MANAGEMENT EXPERTS WHO CAN PROVIDE EXPERTISE TO OTHER  FARM-
 ERS;  FINANCIAL  ASSISTANCE,  WITHIN  FUNDS AVAILABLE, TO SOIL AND WATER
 CONSERVATION DISTRICTS; OTHER INCENTIVES FOR PROGRAM PARTICIPATION;  AND
 EVALUATION  OF  THE  PROGRAM  AND  PROJECTS TO ASSESS EFFECTIVENESS. THE
 DEPARTMENT, IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROGRAM OR ANY SIGNIFICANT  CHANGE
 TO  THE  ESTABLISHED  PROGRAM,  SHALL  CONSULT  WITH  ONE OR MORE OF THE
 FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS, AS APPROPRIATE: THE SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION
 COMMITTEE, THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION,  AND  ORGANIZA-
 TIONS   REPRESENTING   FARMERS,   FARMLAND  PRESERVATION,  ENVIRONMENTAL
 PROTECTION, FORESTRY, THE  UNITED  STATES  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE'S
 NATIONAL  RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICES, THE NEW YORK STATE COLLEGE OF

 S. 4722                             3
 
 AGRICULTURE AND LIFE SCIENCES ESTABLISHED IN SECTION FIFTY-SEVEN HUNDRED
 TWELVE OF THE EDUCATION LAW  INCLUDING  CORNELL  COOPERATIVE  EXTENSION,
 OTHER  INSTITUTIONS  OF HIGHER EDUCATION WORKING ON SOIL HEALTH, AND ANY
 OTHER ORGANIZATION DESIGNATED BY THE COMMISSIONER.
   3.  SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDING, THE DEPARTMENT, IN COOPER-
 ATION WITH THE SOIL AND  WATER  CONSERVATION  COMMITTEE  AND  DISTRICTS,
 SHALL MAKE GRANTS, AND INCENTIVES TO FARMERS, FORESTERS AND AGRICULTURAL
 COOPERATIVES  TO  ENHANCE  THE  EDUCATION, TRAINING, EMPLOYMENT, INCOME,
 PRODUCTIVITY AND RETENTION OF THOSE WORKING OR ASPIRING TO WORK  IN  THE
 FIELD OF SOIL HEALTH PRACTICES AND TO IMPLEMENT SOIL HEALTH PRACTICES IN
 THE  STATE AND PROVIDE TECHNICAL SUPPORT IN IMPLEMENTING SUCH PRACTICES.
 AMOUNTS CREDITED TO THE SOIL HEALTH FUND SHALL  ALSO  BE  USED,  WITHOUT
 FURTHER  APPROPRIATION,  FOR THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH ADMINISTERING AND
 IMPLEMENTING THE PROGRAM AND MAY ALSO BE USED TO  PROVIDE  GRANTS  ON  A
 COMPETITIVE  BASIS TO PUBLIC, PRIVATE AND CHARITABLE ENTITIES TO FINANCE
 PROJECTS IN FURTHERANCE OF THE SOIL HEALTH PROGRAM.  THE  PROGRAM  SHALL
 ESTABLISH A STATEWIDE NETWORK OF EXPERTS OR PEER LEADERS TO PROMOTE SOIL
 HEALTH  STEWARDSHIP AND TRAINING, WHERE SUCH EXPERTS OR LEADERS ARE LAND
 MANAGERS IDENTIFIED FOR THEIR EXCELLENCE IN APPLYING AND PROMOTING  SOIL
 HEALTH PRINCIPLES, AS MODELED BY A SIMILAR PROGRAM OF A NATIONAL ASSOCI-
 ATION OF CONSERVATION DISTRICTS. THE PROGRAM SHALL BE DESIGNED TO PRIOR-
 ITIZE  INCENTIVES  TO  BEGINNING  AND SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMERS AND
 RANCHERS, AS DEFINED BY 7 U.S.C. §2279(A). UP TO FIVE PERCENT  OF  FUND-
 ING,  UNLESS  OTHERWISE  RESTRICTED,  MAY  BE  USED FOR RESEARCH IN SOIL
 HEALTH AND SOIL HEALTH MEASUREMENT.  UP  TO  FIVE  PERCENT  OF  FUNDING,
 UNLESS OTHERWISE RESTRICTED, MAY BE USED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE AND OVERHEAD
 EXPENSES OF THE DEPARTMENT.  EXPENDITURES FOR THIS PURPOSE SHALL COMPLE-
 MENT  AND  NOT REPLACE EXISTING LOCAL, STATE, PRIVATE OR FEDERAL FUNDING
 FOR RELATED PROGRAMS.
   4. THE DEPARTMENT, IN  CONJUNCTION  WITH  THE  STATE  SOIL  AND  WATER
 CONSERVATION  COMMITTEE,  SHALL  REPORT  ANNUALLY  TO  THE GOVERNOR, THE
 LEGISLATURE AND PARTICIPATING AGENCIES  ON  THE  PROGRESS  OF  THE  SOIL
 HEALTH  PROGRAM,  INCLUDING  AN  ASSESSMENT  OF PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS IN
 ACHIEVING PROGRAM OBJECTIVES, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROGRAM  PARTICIPATION,
 AND  SUCH  OTHER  INFORMATION  AS  THE DEPARTMENT AND THE COMMITTEE DEEM
 APPROPRIATE.   THE REPORT  SHALL  INCLUDE  RECEIPTS,  EXPENDITURES,  AND
 ACTIVITIES FUNDED THROUGH THE PROGRAM. THE REPORT SHALL INCLUDE INFORMA-
 TION  REGARDING  THE  PROGRAM  AND  THE RESULTS OF ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING
 DEMONSTRATED PROGRESS TOWARD MEETING THE TIMETABLE FOR ACHIEVING SPECIF-
 IC GOALS FOR LAND AREA MANAGED FOR SOIL HEALTH AND WATERSHED HEALTH, AND
 MEASURABLE IMPROVEMENTS TO SOIL AND WATERSHED HEALTH WHICH HAVE BEEN SET
 BY THE COMMITTEE.
   5. THE DEPARTMENT IS EMPOWERED TO  PROMULGATE  SUCH  RULES  AND  REGU-
 LATIONS AND TO PRESCRIBE SUCH FORMS AS IT SHALL DEEM NECESSARY TO EFFEC-
 TUATE THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION.
   §  151-N. CLIMATE RESILIENT FARMING PROGRAM. 1. THERE IS HEREBY ESTAB-
 LISHED WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT A  CLIMATE  RESILIENT  FARMING  PROGRAM  TO
 REDUCE  THE  EFFECTS  OF FARMING ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND ASSIST FARMERS IN
 MITIGATING THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE. THE PROGRAM MAY  ALSO  INCLUDE:
 FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITHIN FUNDS AVAILABLE, TO SOIL AND WATER CONSERVA-
 TION  DISTRICTS;  OTHER INCENTIVES FOR PROGRAM PARTICIPATION; AND EVALU-
 ATION OF THE PROGRAM AND PROJECTS TO ASSESS EFFECTIVENESS.
   2. SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS, A MATCHING GRANTS PROGRAM  IS
 ESTABLISHED  TO FUND PROJECTS WHICH MITIGATE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS ON
 FARMLAND OR PROMOTE THE ADAPTATION  OF  FARMLAND  TO  PROJECTED  CLIMATE
 CHANGE IMPACTS.

 S. 4722                             4
 
   3.  PROJECTS  SHALL BE INTEGRATED WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE AGRICUL-
 TURAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM ESTABLISHED IN  ARTICLE  ELEVEN-A
 OF  THIS  CHAPTER  AND SECTION ELEVEN OF THE SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION
 DISTRICTS LAW AND THE SOIL HEALTH PROGRAM  ESTABLISHED  IN  SECTION  ONE
 HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE-M OF THIS ARTICLE.
   4.  PROJECT APPLICANTS ARE THE SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT OR
 A GROUP OF SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICTS ACTING AS A REGION.
   5. STATE ASSISTANCE MAY BE PROVIDED FOR UP TO SEVENTY-FIVE PERCENT  OF
 THE  ELIGIBLE  PROJECT COSTS, WITH THE DISTRICTS PROVIDING DOCUMENTATION
 OF MATCHING FUNDS OR IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS TO MEET THE MATCHING REQUIRE-
 MENTS.
   6. PROJECTS SHALL INCORPORATE BEST MANAGEMENT  PRACTICES  FOR  CLIMATE
 AND  SOIL  RESILIENCY,  AS  INFORMED  BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF
 AGRICULTURE NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE FIELD OFFICE  TECHNI-
 CAL  GUIDE  AND  BY RESEARCH CONDUCTED BY NEW YORK STATE INSTITUTIONS OF
 HIGHER EDUCATION WITH EXPERTISE IN SOIL HEALTH AND APPROVED BY  THE  NEW
 YORK STATE SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION BOARD.
   7.  PROJECTS  SHALL  BE  APPROVED IN THREE CATEGORIES, WITH ADDITIONAL
 AREAS TO BE ADDED AS DESIGNATED BY THE COMMISSIONER TO REFLECT  EMERGING
 CLIMATE SCIENCE RESEARCH:
   A.  PROJECTS  TO  REDUCE  METHANE EMISSIONS ON LIVESTOCK FARMS WITH AN
 EMPHASIS ON DIETARY CHANGES AND MANURE HANDLING SYSTEMS;
   B. PROJECTS TO IMPLEMENT WATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS ON FARMLAND FOR  THE
 PURPOSES  OF  MITIGATING  CLIMATE CONSEQUENCES OF INCREASED RAINFALL AND
 SOIL MOISTURE AS WELL AS INCREASED DROUGHT CONDITIONS; AND
   C. PROJECTS TO ENCOURAGE SOIL HEALTH AND RESILIENCY INCLUDING BUT  NOT
 LIMITED  TO PROMOTING COVER CROPPING, NO-TILL ADOPTION, BIOCHAR INCORPO-
 RATION, CARBON SINKS AND NITROUS OXIDE EMISSIONS REDUCTION.
   8. THE DEPARTMENT, IN  CONJUNCTION  WITH  THE  STATE  SOIL  AND  WATER
 CONSERVATION  COMMITTEE,  SHALL  REPORT  ANNUALLY  TO  THE GOVERNOR, THE
 LEGISLATURE AND PARTICIPATING AGENCIES ON THE PROGRESS  OF  THE  CLIMATE
 RESILIENT FARMING PROGRAM, INCLUDING AN ASSESSMENT OF PROGRAM EFFECTIVE-
 NESS IN ACHIEVING PROGRAM OBJECTIVES, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROGRAM PARTIC-
 IPATION,  AND SUCH OTHER INFORMATION AS THE DEPARTMENT AND THE COMMITTEE
 DEEM APPROPRIATE. THE REPORT SHALL INCLUDE RECEIPTS,  EXPENDITURES,  AND
 ACTIVITIES FUNDED THROUGH THE PROGRAM. THE REPORT SHALL INCLUDE INFORMA-
 TION  REGARDING  THE  PROGRAM  AND  THE RESULTS OF ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING
 DEMONSTRATED PROGRESS TOWARD MEETING THE  TIMETABLE  FOR  ACHIEVING  THE
 SPECIFIC GOALS SET BY THE COMMISSIONER.
   9.  THE  COMMISSIONER SHALL HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO PROMULGATE RULES AND
 REGULATIONS  NECESSARY  TO  IMPLEMENT  THE  CLIMATE  RESILIENT   FARMING
 PROGRAM.
   §  151-O.  SOIL  HEALTH PARTNERSHIP AND RESEARCH FRAMEWORK. SUBJECT TO
 THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS, THE COMMISSIONER, IN COOPERATION WITH  A  NEW
 YORK  STATE  INSTITUTION  OF  HIGHER  EDUCATION  WITH  EXPERTISE IN SOIL
 HEALTH, SHALL DEVELOP  AND  IMPLEMENT  A  SOIL  HEALTH  PARTNERSHIP  AND
 RESEARCH FRAMEWORK WITH GOALS TO:
   1.  CONTINUE  ACCELERATING  THE  PERCENTAGE  OF  FARMERS  WHO ACTIVELY
 UTILIZE BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES TO FOSTER SOIL HEALTH AND RESILIENCY;
   2. PROVIDE NECESSARY RESEARCH AND  TRAINING  PROGRAMS  TO  INFORM  OUR
 SCIENTIFIC  UNDERSTANDING  OF  SOIL HEALTH AND CARBON SEQUESTRATION WITH
 VARIOUS FARMING PRACTICES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO  NO-TILL,  COVER
 CROPPING, MANAGED GRAZING, PERENNIAL PASTURE, AND PRECISE APPLICATION OF
 ADDED  NUTRIENTS  TO  ACHIEVE  NITROUS  OXIDE  EMISSIONS  REDUCTION, AND
 INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO RESEARCH ON MEASURING SOIL  ORGANIC  MATTER
 AND ON LONG-TERM SOIL HEALTH OUTCOMES; AND

 S. 4722                             5
 
   3.  ESTABLISH  A COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIP OF STATE, FEDERAL, FARMERS,
 NATURAL RESOURCE PROFESSIONALS AND COMMUNITY  STAKEHOLDERS  AROUND  SOIL
 HEALTH AND RESILIENCY AND CLIMATE ADAPTATION, RESILIENCE AND MITIGATION.
   § 3. The state finance law is amended by adding a new section 99-ii to
 read as follows:
   § 99-II. SOIL HEALTH FUND. 1. THERE IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED IN THE JOINT
 CUSTODY OF THE STATE COMPTROLLER AND THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE AND
 MARKETS A FUND TO BE KNOWN AS THE "SOIL HEALTH FUND".
   2.  SUCH  FUND  SHALL CONSIST OF: (A) ANY MONEYS APPROPRIATED AND MADE
 AVAILABLE BY THE STATE FOR THE PURPOSES OF SUCH FUND; (B)  NOTWITHSTAND-
 ING  THE  PROVISIONS  OF THIS CHAPTER OR ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, ANY
 MONEYS WHICH THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND MARKETS SHALL RECEIVE  IN
 REPAYMENT  OF  ADVANCES  MADE  FROM  SUCH FUND; AND (C) ANY OTHER MONEYS
 WHICH MAY BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND MARKETS
 FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUCH FUND FROM ANY OTHER SOURCE OR SOURCES.
   § 4. Subdivision 2 of section 2 of the  soil  and  water  conservation
 districts  law  is  renumbered  subdivision 3 and a new subdivision 2 is
 added to read as follows:
   (2) PROMOTION OF SOIL HEALTH AND RESILIENCY. IT  IS  FURTHER  DECLARED
 THE  POLICY  OF  THE LEGISLATURE TO PROMOTE THE HEALTH AND RESILIENCY OF
 NEW YORK'S AGRICULTURAL SOILS, INCLUDING THE BIOLOGICAL,  PHYSICAL,  AND
 CHEMICAL  COMPONENTS  OF  SUCH SOILS, TO SUSTAIN AGRICULTURAL PLANTS AND
 ANIMALS, PRODUCE A HEALTHY, AFFORDABLE FOOD SUPPLY, REDUCE  THE  EFFECTS
 OF  FARMING  ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND MITIGATE THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE
 ON FARMING, AND FURTHER PROTECT AND PROMOTE NATURAL  RESOURCES  AND  THE
 HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE OF THE PEOPLE OF THIS STATE.
   §  5.  Paragraph i of subdivision 4 of section 4 of the soil and water
 conservation districts law, as added by chapter 136 of the laws of 2000,
 is amended and a new paragraph j is added to read as follows:
   i.  To  coordinate  and  approve  the  participation  of  the  several
 districts  in  the  AEM  program as set forth in article eleven-A of the
 agriculture and markets law[.];
   J.  TO  COORDINATE  AND  APPROVE  THE  PARTICIPATION  OF  THE  SEVERAL
 DISTRICTS IN THE SOIL HEALTH AND CLIMATE RESILIENCY PROGRAM AS SET FORTH
 IN ARTICLE ELEVEN-B OF THE AGRICULTURE AND MARKETS LAW.
   § 6. This act shall take effect July 1, 2021.

Co-Sponsors

view additional co-sponsors

S4722A (ACTIVE) - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A5386
Law Section:: Agriculture and Markets Law
Laws Affected:: Add Art 11-B §§151-l - 151-o, Ag & Mkts L; amd §§2 & 4, Cons Dists L

S4722A (ACTIVE) - Summary

S4722A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

 
BILL NUMBER: S4722A

SPONSOR: HINCHEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the agriculture and markets law and the soil and water
conservation districts law, in relation to establishing the soil health
and climate resiliency act

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

The purpose of this legislation is to enhance and maintain the health of
soil on farms to improve farm productivity, protect natural resources,
reduce the effect of farming on climate change and mitigate the impact
of climate change on farming.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

This bill would add a new Article 11-B to the Agriculture and Markets
Law establishing Soil Health and Climate Resiliency initiatives, and
Soil Health Research promotion. It would define soil health and soil

health practices.

The Soil Health initiative would have the Department of Agriculture and
Markets in cooperation with the State Soil and Water Conservation
Committee and other partners encourage farmers in urban, suburban and
rural communities to adapt soil health practices to optimize soil
health. The Climate Resiliency initiative would encourage the mitigation
greenhouse gas emissions on farmland or promote the adaptation of farm-
land to projected climate change impacts. The Department, with input
from Cornell and other stakeholders with expertise, would develop volun-
tary soil health standards for different regions. These efforts would be
coordinated with the Agricultural Environmental Management program.  The
Department would make available to farmers practical information from
soil health research related to the science of soil health and climate
resilient farming best practices.

The bill would amend section 2 of Soil and Water Conservation District
(SWCD) Law to declare that it is the policy of the legislature to
promote the health and resiliency of New York's agricultural soils to
produce a healthy affordable food supply, protect natural resources and
respond to climate change.

Section 4 of SWCD Law would be amended to authorize the State Soil and
Water Conservation Committee to coordinate and approve the participation
of the local SWCDs in supporting soil health and climate resilient farm-
ing pursuant to Article 11-B of the Agriculture and Markets Law.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Healthy soils are vital to productive fanning, food security, natural
resource protection and long term climate change mitigation. For thou-
sands of years societies and nations have relied on high quality soil
and water to thrive, and when soil health was not maintained the conse-
quences could be devastating. Over 80 years ago, the federal government
established the Natural Resources Conservation Service in the wake of
soil erosion caused by dust bowls and the losses suffered by farmers and
rural communities which were considered a "menace to the national
welfare". New York followed suit, establishing the State Soil and Water
Conservation Committee in the Department of Agriculture and Markets.
Four years ago, the State funded New York's Soil Health Initiative
collaborative at Cornell to address the need to further protect and
improve soil health in New York during the era of climate change. A
"roadmap" for the State was developed as part of the Initiative with the
following goals: to institutionalize a stakeholder network and organiza-
tional framework for soil health collaboration, communication, and
priority setting; identify and take steps to overcome bathers to wider
adoption of soil health practices; integrate climate change adaptation
and mitigation research, outreach, and policy with soil health program-
ming; and, integrate water and nutrient management research, outreach,
and policy with soil health programming. This bill would establish in
law the legislature's support for State policy to help achieve the
important soil health goals outlined in the roadmap.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New legislation.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

Undetermined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on July 1, 2021.

S4722A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  4722--A
 
                        2021-2022 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                             February 10, 2021
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by Sens. HINCHEY, MAY -- read twice and ordered printed, and
   when printed to be  committed  to  the  Committee  on  Agriculture  --
   committee  discharged,  bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and
   recommitted to said committee
 
 AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law and the soil  and  water
   conservation  districts  law,  in  relation  to  establishing the soil
   health and climate resiliency act
 
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1.  This  act  shall  be  known and may be cited as the "soil
 health and climate resiliency act".
   § 2. The agriculture and markets law is amended by adding a new  arti-
 cle 11-B to read as follows:
                               ARTICLE 11-B
                    SOIL HEALTH AND CLIMATE RESILIENCY
 SECTION 151-L. DEFINITIONS.
         151-M. SOIL HEALTH INITIATIVE.
         151-N. CLIMATE RESILIENT FARMING INITIATIVE.
         151-O. SOIL HEALTH RESEARCH.
   § 151-L. DEFINITIONS.  AS USED IN THIS ARTICLE: 1. "SOIL HEALTH" MEANS
 SOILS THAT HAVE THE CONTINUING CAPACITY TO FUNCTION AS A  VITAL,  LIVING
 ECOSYSTEM    THAT  SUSTAINS PLANTS, ANIMALS, AND HUMANS. THE BENEFITS OF
 HEALTHY SOIL INCLUDE: SUPPORTING THE PRODUCTION OF  FOOD,  FEED,  FIBER,
 AND FUEL; FACILITATING INFILTRATION, STORAGE AND FILTRATION OF WATER AND
 PROTECTING  WATER QUALITY; ENHANCED NUTRIENT-HOLDING CAPACITY AND NUTRI-
 ENT CYCLING; PROVIDING HABITAT  FOR  DIVERSE  SOIL  ORGANISMS;  ENHANCED
 RESILIENCE   TO   DROUGHT,  EXTREME  PRECIPITATION  EVENTS,  TEMPERATURE
 EXTREMES, PESTS, DISEASES AND  OTHER  STRESSES;  BREAKING  DOWN  HARMFUL
 CHEMICALS;  REDUCING  AGRICULTURAL IMPACTS ON, AND MITIGATING THE IMPACT
 ON AGRICULTURE OF, GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE; AND  SEQUESTERING  CARBON  AND
 NET LONG-TERM GREENHOUSE GAS BENEFITS.
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.

                                                            LBD05460-08-1

 S. 4722--A                          2
 
   2.  "SOIL  HEALTH  PRACTICES"  MEANS  AGRICULTURAL AND LAND MANAGEMENT
 PRACTICES THAT IMPROVE THE FUNCTION OF SOILS THROUGH ACTIONS THAT FOLLOW
 THE PRINCIPLES OF: MINIMIZING SOIL DISTURBANCE  FROM  SOIL  PREPARATION;
 MAXIMIZING SOIL VEGETATION COVER; MAXIMIZING THE DIVERSITY OF BENEFICIAL
 SOIL  ORGANISMS;  MAXIMIZING  PRESENCE  OF LIVING ROOTS; AND INTEGRATING
 ANIMALS INTO LAND MANAGEMENT; AND IN SUPPORT OF SUCH PRINCIPLES, INCLUDE
 SUCH PRACTICES  AS  CONSERVATION  TILLAGE  OR  NO-TILL,  COVER-CROPPING,
 PRECISION NITROGEN AND PHOSPHOROUS APPLICATION, PLANNED ROTATIONAL GRAZ-
 ING,  INTEGRATED  CROP-LIVESTOCK SYSTEMS, AGROFORESTRY, PERENNIAL CROPS,
 INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT,  NUTRIENT  BEST  MANAGEMENT  PRACTICES,  AND
 THOSE  PRACTICES RECOMMENDED BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICUL-
 TURE NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE AND THAT  ARE  SUPPORTED  BY
 THE STATE SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION COMMITTEE.
   §  151-M.  SOIL  HEALTH  INITIATIVE. 1. THE DEPARTMENT, IN COOPERATION
 WITH THE STATE SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION COMMITTEE, AND OTHER PARTNERS
 WORKING ON SOIL HEALTH SHALL ENCOURAGE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS IN  URBAN,
 SUBURBAN  AND  RURAL  COMMUNITIES  TO IMPROVE AND MAINTAIN THE HEALTH OF
 FARM SOILS BY: MANAGING AND OPTIMIZING SOIL HEALTH TO MITIGATE AND ADAPT
 TO CLIMATE CHANGE, AND IMPROVE WATER QUALITY WHILE IMPROVING  LONG  TERM
 SOIL  PRODUCTIVITY, EFFICIENCY, RESILIENCY AND PROFITABILITY OF FARMING;
 ENSURING THAT SOIL IS CONSERVED AS A LIVING ECOSYSTEM MANAGED TO PROVIDE
 NUTRIENTS FOR THE GROWTH OF AGRICULTURAL PLANTS AND ANIMALS AND A  HEAL-
 THY,  AFFORDABLE  FOOD SUPPLY; AND ADDRESSING SUCH ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
 FROM FARM OPERATIONS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO ABSORBING AND  HOLD-
 ING RAINWATER FOR USE DURING DRY PERIODS, FILTERING AND BUFFERING POTEN-
 TIAL  POLLUTANTS  FROM LEAVING FIELDS, IMPROVING CLIMATE RESILIENCY, AND
 PROVIDING HABITAT FOR BENEFICIAL SOIL MICROBES TO FLOURISH AND  DIVERSI-
 FY.  SUCH  IMPROVEMENT AND MAINTENANCE SHALL ACCOUNT FOR THE DIFFERENCES
 IN SOILS IN DIFFERENT REGIONS OF THE STATE.  THE DEPARTMENT SHALL  COOR-
 DINATE  THE  SOIL HEALTH INITIATIVE WITH THE AGRICULTURAL  ENVIRONMENTAL
 MANAGEMENT PROGRAM ESTABLISHED IN ARTICLE ELEVEN-A OF THIS  CHAPTER  AND
 SECTION ELEVEN OF THE SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICTS LAW.
   2.  THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ENCOURAGE SOIL HEALTH PRACTICES THAT INCLUDE,
 BUT SHALL NOT BE LIMITED TO:
   (A) IMPROVING, ENHANCING, OR  OTHERWISE  MAXIMIZING  SOIL  HEALTH  AND
 QUALITY, AND MINIMIZING SOIL EROSION AND SEDIMENTATION;
   (B)  IMPROVING,  ENHANCING, OR OTHERWISE MAXIMIZING WATER INFILTRATION
 RATES AND WATER HOLDING CAPACITIES OF SOILS  FOR  IMPROVED  STORM  WATER
 MANAGEMENT  AND  FLOOD  CONTROL,  DROUGHT  RESILIENCE,  AND  GROUNDWATER
 SUPPLY; AND
   (C) MANAGING AND ENHANCING THE HEALTHY  CYCLING  OF  NUTRIENTS  WITHIN
 FIELDS, TO MINIMIZE NUTRIENT RUNOFF AND REDUCE DOWNSTREAM NUTRIENT LOAD-
 ING,  IMPROVE  WATERSHED HEALTH AND RELIABLE WATER AVAILABILITY, RESTORE
 AND ENHANCE WILDLIFE HABITAT, AND MANAGE WATER RUNOFF AND DRAINAGE WATER
 FOR IMPROVED LOCAL AND DOWNSTREAM WATER QUALITY.
   3. THE DEPARTMENT, IN  THE  DEVELOPMENT  OF  EFFORTS  TO  PROMOTE  AND
 ENCOURAGE  SOIL HEALTH, SHALL CONDUCT PUBLIC VIRTUALLY ACCESSIBLE STAKE-
 HOLDER MEETINGS AND PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY FOR WRITTEN PUBLIC  COMMENT  AND
 CONSULT  WITH  STAKEHOLDERS,  AS APPROPRIATE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED
 TO: THE STATE SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION COMMITTEE, THE  DEPARTMENT  OF
 ENVIRONMENTAL  CONSERVATION,  AGRICULTURAL  PRODUCERS  INCLUDING HISTOR-
 ICALLY MARGINALIZED  PRODUCERS,  NOT-FOR-PROFIT  CONSERVATION  ORGANIZA-
 TIONS,  ENVIRONMENTAL  PROTECTION  ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING ENVIRONMENTAL
 JUSTICE,  THE  UNITED  STATES  DEPARTMENT  OF   AGRICULTURE'S   NATIONAL
 RESOURCES  CONSERVATION SERVICES, THE NEW YORK STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICUL-
 TURE AND LIFE SCIENCES ESTABLISHED IN SECTION FIFTY-SEVEN HUNDRED TWELVE

 S. 4722--A                          3

 OF THE EDUCATION LAW  INCLUDING  CORNELL  COOPERATIVE  EXTENSION,  OTHER
 INSTITUTIONS  OF  HIGHER  EDUCATION  IN  NEW  YORK STATE WORKING ON SOIL
 HEALTH, AND ANY OTHER ORGANIZATION DESIGNATED BY THE COMMISSIONER.
   4.  THE  DEPARTMENT,  IN  COOPERATION  WITH  THE  STATE SOIL AND WATER
 CONSERVATION COMMITTEE, THE NEW YORK STATE COLLEGE  OF  AGRICULTURE  AND
 LIFE  SCIENCES  ESTABLISHED IN SECTION FIFTY-SEVEN HUNDRED TWELVE OF THE
 EDUCATION LAW, AND WITH INPUT FROM OTHER ORGANIZATIONS WITH EXPERTISE IN
 SOIL HEALTH AND REGIONAL  STAKEHOLDERS,  SHALL  ESTABLISH    APPROPRIATE
 VOLUNTARY  STANDARDS AND OBJECTIVES FOR SOIL HEALTH AND QUALITY, REFLEC-
 TIVE OF THE DIFFERENT GEOGRAPHIC REGIONS, SOIL TYPES, AND FARMING  OPER-
 ATIONS.  SUCH  STANDARDS  SHOULD  INCLUDE  SOIL  QUALITY  INDICATORS FOR
 BIOLOGICAL, PHYSICAL, AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SOIL  AND  REFLECT  THE
 LATEST SCIENTIFIC ADVANCEMENTS.
   §  151-N.  CLIMATE RESILIENT FARMING INITIATIVE. 1. THE DEPARTMENT, IN
 COOPERATION WITH THE STATE SOIL AND WATER  CONSERVATION  COMMITTEE,  AND
 OTHER  PARTNERS  WORKING  ON  CLIMATE  RESILIENT FARMING SHALL ENCOURAGE
 AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS IN  URBAN,  SUBURBAN  AND  RURAL  COMMUNITIES  TO
 REDUCE  THE EFFECTS OF FARMING ON CLIMATE CHANGE, SUCH AS GREENHOUSE GAS
 EMISSIONS, AND ADAPT TO AND MITIGATE THE IMPACT  OF  CLIMATE  CHANGE  BY
 IMPROVING  AND  MAINTAINING WATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND SOIL HEALTH AND
 RESILIENCY.
   2. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROMOTE BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR  CLIMATE
 MITIGATION  AND  SOIL  RESILIENCY,  AS  INFORMED BY STATE POLICY, BY THE
 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE NATURAL  RESOURCES  CONSERVATION
 SERVICE  FIELD  OFFICE  TECHNICAL GUIDE AND BY RESEARCH CONDUCTED BY NEW
 YORK STATE INSTITUTIONS OF  HIGHER  EDUCATION  WITH  EXPERTISE  IN  SOIL
 HEALTH,  AND  APPROVED BY THE NEW YORK STATE SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION
 COMMITTEE.
   3. THE DEPARTMENT  SHALL  COORDINATE  THE  CLIMATE  RESILIENT  FARMING
 INITIATIVE WITH THE AGRICULTURAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM ESTAB-
 LISHED  IN  ARTICLE  ELEVEN-A  OF THIS CHAPTER AND SECTION ELEVEN OF THE
 SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICTS LAW.
   § 151-O. SOIL HEALTH RESEARCH. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL  MAKE  AVAILABLE
 PRACTICAL  INFORMATION FROM SOIL HEALTH RESEARCH TO AGRICULTURAL PRODUC-
 ERS IN URBAN, SUBURBAN AND RURAL COMMUNITIES WITH GOALS  TO:    CONTINUE
 ACCELERATING THE PERCENTAGE OF FARMERS WHO ACTIVELY UTILIZE BEST MANAGE-
 MENT PRACTICES TO FOSTER SOIL HEALTH AND RESILIENCY; AND, PROMOTE SCIEN-
 TIFIC UNDERSTANDING OF SOIL HEALTH AND CARBON SEQUESTRATION WITH VARIOUS
 FARMING PRACTICES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO NO-TILL, COVER CROPPING,
 MANAGED  GRAZING,  PERENNIAL  PASTURE,  AND PRECISE APPLICATION OF ADDED
 NUTRIENTS TO ACHIEVE NITROUS OXIDE EMISSIONS REDUCTION.
   § 3. Subdivision 2 of section 2 of the  soil  and  water  conservation
 districts  law  is  renumbered  subdivision 3 and a new subdivision 2 is
 added to read as follows:
   (2) PROMOTION OF SOIL HEALTH AND RESILIENCY. IT  IS  FURTHER  DECLARED
 THE  POLICY  OF  THE LEGISLATURE TO PROMOTE THE HEALTH AND RESILIENCY OF
 NEW YORK'S AGRICULTURAL SOILS, INCLUDING THE BIOLOGICAL,  PHYSICAL,  AND
 CHEMICAL  COMPONENTS  OF  SUCH SOILS, TO SUSTAIN AGRICULTURAL PLANTS AND
 ANIMALS, PRODUCE A HEALTHY,  AFFORDABLE  FOOD  SUPPLY,  PROMOTE  CLIMATE
 RESILIENT FARMING AND THE REDUCTION OF AGRICULTURAL GREENHOUSE GAS EMIS-
 SIONS, AND FURTHER PROTECT AND PROMOTE NATURAL RESOURCES AND THE HEALTH,
 SAFETY AND WELFARE OF THE PEOPLE OF THIS STATE.
   §  4.  Paragraph i of subdivision 4 of section 4 of the soil and water
 conservation districts law, as added by chapter 136 of the laws of 2000,
 is amended and a new paragraph j is added to read as follows:

 S. 4722--A                          4
 
   i.  To  coordinate  and  approve  the  participation  of  the  several
 districts  in  the  AEM  program as set forth in article eleven-A of the
 agriculture and markets law[.];
   J.  TO  COORDINATE  AND  APPROVE  THE  PARTICIPATION  OF  THE  SEVERAL
 DISTRICTS IN SUPPORT OF SOIL HEALTH AND CLIMATE RESILIENT FARMING AS SET
 FORTH IN ARTICLE ELEVEN-B OF THE AGRICULTURE AND MARKETS LAW.
   § 5. This act shall take effect July 1, 2021.

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The New York State Senate

senate Bill S4722A

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Archive: Last Bill Status Via A5386 - Signed by Governor

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May 19, 2021 - Agriculture committee Vote

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S4722 - Details

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senate Bill S4722A

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Sponsored By

Archive: Last Bill Status Via A5386 - Signed by Governor

Your Voice

Actions

Votes

Jun 8, 2021 - floor Vote

Floor Vote: Jun 8, 2021

Jun 1, 2021 - Rules committee Vote

Rules Committee Vote: Jun 1, 2021

May 19, 2021 - Agriculture committee Vote

Agriculture Committee Vote: May 19, 2021

Bill Amendments

Co-Sponsors

S4722 - Details

S4722 - Summary

S4722 - Sponsor Memo

S4722 - Bill Text download pdf

Co-Sponsors

S4722A (ACTIVE) - Details

S4722A (ACTIVE) - Summary

S4722A (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

S4722A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

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