New York Farm Bureau touts legislative victories

Dec. 26—The New York Farm Bureau is applauding legislative “successes” in 2024.

According to a Dec. 26 NYFB news release, “after a busy year of tracking more than 1,300 bills and actively advocating for dozens of those bills, New York Farm Bureau … today announced its successes in a legislative report shared with its members.”

“We work hard all year to advocate for agriculture across New York, from the largest dairy farms to the smallest maple producers,” said NYFB Senior Associate Director of Public Policy Renee St. Jacques. “We couldn’t do this without the grassroots support of our members, who trust us to be the voice of agriculture at the State Capitol. Gov. Kathy Hochul has taken an active interest in agricultural issues, and we have fostered an excellent working relationship with her, her staff and with legislators on both sides of the aisle.”

Hochul signed into law the following bills, all supported by NYFB:

—S2852-A / A3132-A: Authorizes the direct intrastate and interstate shipment of alcoholic beverages. Known as the “Direct to Consumer Bill,” the provision affords distilleries, cideries and meaderies the same shipping privileges enjoyed by wineries and liquor stores. This issue had been an NYFB priority for several years.

—S9232 / A10199: Amends state law to provide crop loss determination equity for farm wineries and to provide equal treatment for all producers licensed to produce New York — labeled cider.

—S9249 / A10110: Clarifies the law that requires each livestock and equine rescue facility to hold a domestic animal health permit.

—S6320 / A6821: Allows the commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation to enter into contracts for maple tree tapping and sap production on state lands.

—S9248 / A7020-A: Establishes the beginning farmer advisory board on agriculture.

—S6810 / A6854: Establishes a program to purchase fresh produce from farms in the state for incarcerated individuals.

The following bills, also supported by NYFB, were signed with minor amendments:

—S1218-B / A1080-B: Relates to the appointment for agricultural representation on the State Fire Prevention and Building Code Council.

—S1752 / A1234: Adds the definition of cannabis to Agriculture and Markets law.

—S8690 / A9259: Expands the definition of surplus agricultural products and processed products for the Nourish NY program to include New York — grown, produced or harvested whole milk, 2% fat milk and other farm produced beverages.

—S9679-A / A10398-A: Authorizes the Cannabis Control Board to issue a cannabis showcase event permits to certain licensees authorized to conduct retail sales of adult-use cannabis and cannabis products.

Hochul vetoed S6955-A / A.7264-A, which relates to the awarding of certain purchase contracts to a qualified bidder who fulfills certain values-based standards related to food procurement when such bid is not more than 10% higher than the lowest responsible bidder. NYFB opposed the provision because it would have allowed neighboring states to win such contracts, thus not ensuring New York farmers the same uniformity and opportunity enjoyed by other states, the release stated.

Hochul also vetoed S9082 / A9824, which clarifies that the farm overtime tax credit can be utilized by farms that use a management company owned by the farm for payroll and human resources purposes. While NYFB supported the bill, Hochul has instructed the Departments of Taxation & Finance and Agriculture & Markets to work with the legislature to address this issue in the next state budget. “NYFB remains optimistic that this issue with the farm overtime tax credit will be resolved in the state budget,” the release stated.

Next month, NYFB will release its 2025 state legislative priorities, followed by national priorities, according to the release.

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