NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A7393
SPONSOR: Magee TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in
relation to establishing a one-stop farming hotline
PURPOSE:
To provide farmers with access to essential and valuable information on
all aspects of farming, namely, tax credit programs, beginning farmer
loans, and sustainable practices.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 adds a new provision at section 216 of the Agriculture and
Markets law to establish and administer, with the assistance of the
Cornell cooperative extension, a toll free number for the purpose of
addressing issues and questions pertaining to farming.
Section 2 provides the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
In recent years, New York State has made significant strides in invest-
ing in programs that aim to help the agriculture industry continue to
grow. And, while these resources-like support for new farmers, informa-
tion on important research, assistance with passing family farms on to
the next generation and others-exist, many aren't aware or don't know
how to utilize them in a way that can help boost their bottom lines.
Through this new measure, a "one-stop" hotline would be created to help
connect farmers with information on resources available to help them
grow their businesses. Developed under the guidance of Cornell Cooper-
ative Extension, the one-stop hotline would offer farmers and those
interested in becoming involved in the agriculture industry with free
information on various topics, including farm management, finances,
grant opportunities, research, marketing and more.
By helping farmers tap into information and resources they can use to be
successful, we can ensure that New York's leading industry continues to
grow.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
S.7273 Reported and Committed to Rules.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
7393
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
April 25, 2017
___________
Introduced by M. of A. MAGEE -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Agriculture
AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to estab-
lishing a one-stop farming hotline
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Section 16 of the agriculture and markets law is amended by
2 adding a new subdivision 49 to read as follows:
3 49. Subject to an appropriation for such purpose, establish and admin-
4 ister, together with the Cornell cooperative extension, a one-stop toll
5 free number for farmers, agricultural professionals and others to access
6 information and referral services regarding governmental and private
7 programs that assist in establishing and expanding farm and agricultural
8 related businesses. Such information shall include grant opportunities,
9 agricultural research, marketing possibilities and other agricultural
10 resources. Such one-stop service shall be provided at no charge.
11 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08304-01-7
