NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
 
BILL NUMBER: A7696
SPONSOR: Barrett
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public authorities law, in relation to prohibiting
development of build-ready sites on viable agricultural land
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This legislation prohibits the development of viable agricultural land
by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSER-
DA) as part of the build-ready program. As administrator of the build-
ready program, NYSERDA is authorized to acquire rights and development
interests to parcels of land that are deemed suitable for the develop-
ment of major renewable energy facilities. After getting the site
"build-ready", NYSERDA transfers the rights to the site to a developer
for facility construction. This bill clarifies that viable agricultural
land is not to be found suitable for the development of a build-ready
site.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 - Amends paragraphs (a) and (b) of subdivision 1 of section
1902 of the Public Authorities Law to prohibit development by NYSERDA of
viable agricultural land under the build-ready program.
Section 2 - Effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Agriculture, and by extension, farmland, is an essential part of our
economy and our culture in New York State. Unfortunately, many of our
farms and much of our viable agricultural land, including small and
mid-size family farms, is at risk of development. Legislation such as
this will help to ensure that our world class farmland is preserved and
local sources of nutritious food are protected for future generations.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
This is a new bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.