STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
9043
IN ASSEMBLY
February 5, 2024
___________
Introduced by M. of A. KELLES -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Agriculture
AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to estab-
lishing a native plant seed supply, development and enhancement
program
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 142-b to read as follows:
3 § 142-b. The New York native plant seed supply, development and
4 enhancement program. 1. The commissioners of the department, the depart-
5 ment of environmental conservation, and the department of economic
6 development shall establish a New York native plant seed supply, devel-
7 opment and enhancement program.
8 2. The purpose of such program shall be to:
9 (a) increase the production of native plant seeds at plant nurseries
10 in the state;
11 (b) increase the use of native plant seeds in public land management,
12 roadside landscaping, reforestation, pollinator promotion, habitat
13 restoration, regular groundskeeping and maintenance on state lands, and
14 other projects as determined by the commissioners of the department, the
15 department of environmental conservation, and economic development; and
16 (c) ensure that native plant seeds are commercially available in the
17 state at a reasonable cost and in adequate supply.
18 3. No later than one year after the effective date of this section,
19 the commissioners shall promulgate rules and regulations for the estab-
20 lishment of the program, including an initial list of plants whose seeds
21 are eligible for consideration to participate in such program.
22 4. Funds for the program shall be subject to appropriation and may be
23 used to establish growing operations managed by the state or to support
24 private entities that can increase the state's native plant seed supply.
25 5. As used in this section, "native plant seed" means a germinating
26 seed, or other plant part, used to propagate a plant, that originates
27 from a plant species that is indigenous to New York state.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13584-02-3
A. 9043 2
1 6. Whenever possible and practicable, the state shall make use of
2 native plant seeds when engaging in public land management, roadside
3 landscaping, reforestation, pollinator promotion, habitat restoration,
4 regular groundskeeping and maintenance on state lands, and other
5 projects as determined by the commissioners of the department, the
6 department of environmental conservation, and the department of economic
7 development.
8 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
