Authorizes and directs the commissioner of environmental conservation to conduct a study on food waste initiatives and to provide recommendations based on the study's findings.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
6272
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 7, 2025
___________
Introduced by Sens. BAILEY, HINCHEY, MAY -- read twice and ordered
printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Environ-
mental Conservation
AN ACT authorizing and directing the commissioner of environmental
conservation to conduct a study on food waste initiatives and to
provide recommendations based on the study's findings
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Definitions. For the purposes of this act, the following
2 terms shall have the following meanings:
3 1. "agency" means any state department, agency, board, public benefit
4 corporation, public authority, or commission.
5 2. "food service establishments" shall include, but not be limited to,
6 the following: full-service restaurants, fast food restaurants, cafes,
7 delicatessens, coffee shops, and cafeterias.
8 3. "commissioner" means the commissioner of environmental conserva-
9 tion.
10 4. "department" means the department of environmental conservation.
11 5. "food waste" means food that is not required to meet the needs of a
12 food service establishment and which is disposed of in a manner such
13 that it will not be eaten.
14 6. "food waste initiative" means an initiative regarding the use
15 and/or disposal of food waste.
16 § 2. Study. 1. The commissioner is authorized and directed to conduct
17 a study on food waste initiatives throughout the state. Such study shall
18 include, but not be limited to:
19 a. food waste initiatives implemented or planned to be implemented by
20 non-governmental organizations, agencies, and other states and nations;
21 b. any laws, rules, or regulations proposed or implemented in any
22 municipality; and
23 c. scholarly articles and proposals for food waste initiatives.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01413-01-5
S. 6272 2
1 2. Upon request, an agency shall provide the commissioner with infor-
2 mation which may help complete the commissioner's study.
3 § 3. Report. The commissioner shall submit to the governor and the
4 legislature, no later than eighteen months after the effective date of
5 this act, a report on the findings of the study as well as the commis-
6 sioner's recommendations for reducing food waste within the state.
7 § 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
