Establishes the New York state equine industry board, to advise and make recommendations to the state agencies on state government plans, policies and programs affecting all aspects of equine industry, and in such areas as its experience and studies may indicate to be appropriate.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
7218--A
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
April 4, 2025
___________
Introduced by Sen. HINCHEY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Agriculture -- committee
discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted
to said committee
AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to estab-
lishing the New York state equine industry board
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The agriculture and markets law is amended by adding a new
2 section 387 to read as follows:
3 § 387. New York state equine industry board. 1. There shall be estab-
4 lished within the department the New York state equine industry board,
5 to advise and make recommendations to the state agencies on state
6 government plans, policies and programs affecting all aspects of equine
7 industry, as outlined below, and in such areas as its experience and
8 studies may indicate to be appropriate. The department shall provide
9 necessary secretarial and support services to the board.
10 2. The equine industry board shall consist of seventeen members
11 appointed by the governor, selected for their experience and expertise
12 related to areas of board responsibility. Members shall include the
13 commissioner or their designee who shall act as chairperson of the
14 board, and representatives of the following stakeholder groups: Cornell
15 university college of agriculture and life sciences; Cornell university
16 college of veterinary medicine; a rescue organization or the humane
17 society; an organization involved in horse sanctuaries or racehorse
18 aftercare; an organization involved in horse therapy; an equine veteri-
19 narian; a trail or recreational riding group; the equine support indus-
20 try; an organizer of horse shows, rodeos or competitions; horse boarders
21 or riding stables; an urban equestrian organization; the horse breeding
22 industry; farmers and ranchers; an academic researcher; the New York
23 state horse council or a similar organization; the New York state Veter-
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11101-05-5
S. 7218--A 2
1 inary Medical Society or a similar organization; and a youth equine
2 organization. Members shall be appointed for a term of three years and
3 may serve until their successors are chosen provided, however, that of
4 the members first appointed, five of the members shall serve for a term
5 of one year, five shall serve for a term of two years, and seven shall
6 serve for a term of three years. Members shall serve without salary but
7 shall be entitled to reimbursement of their ordinary and necessary trav-
8 el expenses.
9 3. (a) The duties and responsibilities of the equine advisory board
10 shall include, but not be limited to, providing timely advice, comments
11 and recommendations to the commissioner regarding:
12 (i) equine-tourism;
13 (ii) equine industry promotion;
14 (iii) workforce development;
15 (iv) educational and training initiatives;
16 (v) humane treatment of horses; and
17 (vi) other areas of interest identified by the board.
18 (b) The commissioner may delegate to the board such additional duties
19 and responsibilities as are deemed necessary.
20 4. The duties and responsibilities of the equine industry board shall
21 include, but not be limited to, providing timely advice, comments and
22 recommendations to the commissioner and other state agency heads regard-
23 ing all aspects of the equine industry in the state. Concerned state
24 agencies shall be encouraged to establish a working relationship with
25 the board and shall fully cooperate with the board in any requests it
26 shall make.
27 5. The equine industry board may ask other individuals to attend its
28 meetings or work with it on an occasional or regular basis. The board
29 shall set the time and place of its meetings and shall hold at least one
30 meeting per year. The board may establish committees and regional work-
31 ing groups as necessary.
32 6. The equine industry board shall produce an annual report to the
33 governor and the legislature on or before the end of each calendar year
34 concerning its activities during the previous year and its program
35 expectations for the succeeding year.
36 7. (a) The equine industry board shall advise the commissioner in
37 establishing procedures for making annual awards and grants, within the
38 limits of appropriations made therefor, recognizing New York equine
39 businesses, individuals, and institutions that are successful in inno-
40 vating, marketing, and/or promoting New York equine industries. The
41 commissioner shall coordinate with the commissioner of economic develop-
42 ment to determine which department shall make awards and grants in vari-
43 ous categories identified by the equine industry board. These awards and
44 grants shall be given in recognition of exceptional performance, inno-
45 vation and support for New York equine industries by persons, firms and
46 organizations that are principally located within the state of New York
47 and engaged in the operation of New York equine farms, businesses and
48 institutions.
49 (b) The board may annually nominate and forward such nominations for
50 awards and grants to the commissioner consideration in the following
51 categories:
52 (i) veterinary practice and horse welfare;
53 (ii) equine-tourism;
54 (iii) workforce development;
55 (iv) public education;
56 (v) youth equine activities; and
S. 7218--A 3
1 (vi) such other awards and grants as the equine advisory board shall
2 recommend.
3 (c) The commissioner shall have the discretion to designate award and
4 grant winners from these nominees. Current members of the board and
5 their businesses are not eligible as nominees.
6 § 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall
7 have become a law.
