Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara (D-Rotterdam) announced that a bill he sponsored streamlines the relicensing application process for chain food processing establishments has passed both the Assembly and Senate (A.7759).

“Businesses are counting on us to make New York more business friendly and that requires cutting red tape,” Assemblyman Santabarbara said. “This new application process would streamline the relicensing process and save companies precious time and money.”

Under the current relicensing process in New York State, each store that is part of a chain has to individually file for a food processing license every two years. This new legislation would allow a chain of stores to file simultaneously upon the expiration of their license. The new bill also prorates the $400 licensing fee for each store over six-month periods, allowing chain operators to save money when applying for relicensing fees for any store with a license that expires in less than two years.

“I want to thank Assemblyman Santabarbara for sponsoring this legislation and understanding the importance of changing this ineffective process,” Jerry Golub, President and CEO of the Golub Corporation said. “Price Chopper has an 81 year history in Schenectady and the broader Capital District. The new application process will allow us to continue to serve this community even more efficiently than we have in the past.”

The bill now awaits the governor’s signature and Assemblyman Santabarbara is hopeful that this legislation will soon become law.