BILL NUMBER: S4180
SPONSOR: PARKER
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to enacting
the New York state excess food act; and to amend the state finance law,
in relation to establishing the New York state excess food fund
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill would require large supermarkets to make excess edible food
available for charities and organizations that provide free food for the
needy.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1: This act shall be known and may be cited as the "New York
state excess food act".
Section 2: The article heading of article 4-D of the agriculture and
markets law, as amended by chapter 869 of the laws of 1980, is amended.
Section 3: Section 71-y of the agriculture and markets law, as amended
by chapter 869 of the laws of 1980, subdivision 1 as amended and subdi-
vision 7 as added by chapter 438 of the laws of 2010, subdivision 5 as
added by chapter 286 of the laws of 1984, and subdivision 6 as added by
chapter 182 of the laws of 1993, is amended.
Section 4: Section 71-z of the agriculture and markets law, as added by
chapter 869 of the laws of 198-, subdivision 1 as amended by chapter 438
of the laws of 2010 and subdivision 3 as added by chapter 286 of the
laws of 1983, is amended.
Section 5: Article 4-D of the agriculture and markets law is amended by
adding four new sections 71-aa, 71-bb, 71-cc and 71-dd.
Section 6: The state finance law is amended by adding a new section
97-zzzz.
Section 7: This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day
after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition,
amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the
implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be
made and completed on or before such effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
On a daily basis large supermarkets throw away food that does not meet
their standards or are reaching their "best by" date, yet the food is
still edible. In the United States an estimated 50 million Americans go
hungry each day, while 60 - 100 million tons of edible food is thrown
away. On top of that the amount of fossil fuels being burnt to transport
the food to landfills also creates environmental problems.
This legislation would help to provide the necessary food that many
hungry Americans need and depend on. Also by allowing local charities
and organizations to pick up the food, instead of transporting it to
landfills, would cut down on the harmful fossil fuel gases that pollute
our atmosphere. The legislation would also not create any new adminis-
trative or enforcement burdens while also insuring no tax revenues are
lost to the state.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24: S5854 -REFERRED TO AGRICULTURE
2021-22: S4754 - REFERRED TO AGRICULTURE
2019-20: S4435 - REFERRED TO AGRICULTURE
2017-18: S7254 - REFERRED TO AGRICULTURE
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
 
LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None to the state
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it
shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment
and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation
of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and
completed on or before such effective date.