NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A1967
SPONSOR: Crouch (MS) TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, the
environmental conservation law and the tax law, in relation to estab-
lishing the equine industry assistance act of 2017, including the New
York horse grazing program and providing an appropriation therefor
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
Establishing the equine industry assistance act of 2017; appropriation.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1. This act shall be known and cited as the "equine industry
assistance of 2017"
Section 2. Legislative findings and intent.
Section 3. The agriculture and markets law is amended by adding a new
section 23-a Equine industry webpage
Section 4. The agriculture and markets law is amended by adding a new
article 24-a New York Horse Grazing Program
Section 5. Section 326 of the agriculture and markets law, as added by
chapter 797 of the laws of 1992
Section 6. Subdivision 2 of section 9-0105 of the environmental conser-
vation law, as amended by chapter 351 of the laws of 1983
Section 7. Paragraph (i) of subdivision 11 of section 210-b of the tax
law, as added by section 17 of part A of chapter 59 of the laws of 2014
Section 8. Paragraph 8 of subsection (n) of section 606 of the tax law,
as amended by chapter 384 of the laws of 2013
Section 9. The sum of $250,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary,
is hereby appropriated to the department of agriculture & markets out of
any moneys in the state treasury in the general fund to the credit of
the state purposes account, not otherwise appropriated and made imme-
diately available to establish a New York horse grazing program pursuant
to article 24-A of the agriculture and markets law.
Section 10. This act shall take effect immediately.
JUSTIFICATION:
The horse industry in the United States contributes $112.1 billion to
the United States' Gross Domestic Product in a variety of ways. There
are 7.1 million Americans involved in the horse industry as owners,
service providers, employees and volunteers. New York's horse industry
factors heavily in that contribution, but in an exponentially decreasing
capacity.
Along with the continued decrease in family farms in New York, comes a
decrease in the number of horses in the state. There are 168,000 horses
of all types in New York according to the Department of Agriculture and
Markets 2000 Equine Survey. These horses can be found on farms, at
riding stables and even pulling horse drawn carriages. The majority of
these horses are kept primarily for pleasure, and the protection and
addition of horseback riding trails on state land would serve to provide
pleasure for residents and visitors alike. The equine industry is very
vital, and through the efforts outlined in this legislation, it is hoped
that the industry will continue to persevere for the sake of the indus-
try, for the idyllic pasture that accompanies the industry and for the
pleasure that it provides so many people in this state and those who
visit.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that section
four of this act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day
after it shall have become law. Effective immediately the commissioner
of agriculture and markets is authorized to promulgate any and all rules
and regulations necessary for the timely implementation of section four
of this act on or before the effective date of such section.
