BILL NUMBER: S2562
SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act establishing the New York task force on agricultural investment;
and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon the expiration
thereof
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill will establish a task force on agricultural investment, allow-
ing for the studying, evaluation, and development of budget and policy
recommendations regarding farm sustainability in New York.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Provides for the legislation to be known as the "New York
Agricultural Investment Task Force Act."
Section 2: Provides findings supporting a strong public interest in
establishing the task force.
Section 3: Delegates the task force composition.
Section 4: Establishes appointment and vacancy rulesand restrictions.
Section 5: Provides for the scope and main objectivesof the task force.
Section 6: Establishes the task force's authority tocall upon any State
agencies mission.or bodies which may provide assistance in the task
force's
Section 7: Establishes the procedure for the task force to report its
findings.
Section 8: Provides for the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The New York State agricultural industry has an annual economic impact
of over $42 million and is comprised of over 32,000 farms, which produce
high quality products; supplying New York families with nutritious food
every day. However, to encourage the growth of the agricultural indus-
try, efforts must be made to identify statewide barriers to the sustain-
able growth of New York farms. The recently released 2017 USDA Agricul-
ture Census found that New York is experiencing a serious decrease in
the number of farms, with a loss of 2,100 farms from 2012, the largest
drop in more than 2 decades and triple the national average of a 3W
loss.
The New York Task Force on Agricultural Investment will study, evaluate.
and develop policy and budget recommendations relating to the state of
agriculture in the New York and focus on issues such as workforce
developmentäeconomic conditions, environmental concerns and energy effi-
ciency. By establishing this task force, New York is taking a step
toward a more sustainable future for farming and developing policy and
budget recommendations which will stimulate the agricultural industry in
the state, and support its profitability.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2024: S1493
2022: S3786
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
This legislation will have no fiscal implications for state and local
governments.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed
repealed one year after such date.