BILL NUMBER: S5513
SPONSOR: HINCHEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to expand-
ing agricultural tourism
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill expands the definition of "agricultural tourism" to include on
farm production of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, fibers and
processed foods.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends Agriculture and Markets Law § 301(15).
Section 2 provides an effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Agricultural tourism is a growing industry in New York State. It
includes a diverse array of activities and attractions, including farm
stays, hayrides, maple syrup shacks, vegetable stands and, more recent-
ly, wineries, breweries and distilleries with tasting rooms. The New
York wine industry has been gaining in quality and reputation in the
past few decades and there has been an explosion in the number of
on-farm breweries since they were legalized in 2013. This bill will
update our legal definition of agricultural tourism to include the farm
production, processing and sale of beverages, as well as fiber and
value-added food commodities produced on-farm, to the list of agricul-
ture activities that should be protected as agricultural tourism by the
State's Department of Agriculture and Markets.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it
shall have become a law.

Statutes affected:
S5513: 301 agriculture and markets law, 301(15) agriculture and markets law