S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   5386
 
                        2021-2022 Regular Sessions
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                             February 16, 2021
                                ___________
 
 Introduced by M. of A. LUPARDO, BARRETT -- read once and referred to the
   Committee on Agriculture
 
 AN  ACT  to amend the agriculture and markets law, the state finance law
   and the soil and water conservation  districts  law,  in  relation  to
   establishing the soil health and climate resiliency act

   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. This act shall be known and  may  be  cited  as  the  "soil
 health and climate resiliency act".
   §  2. The agriculture and markets law is amended by adding a new arti-
 cle 11-B to read as follows:
                               ARTICLE 11-B
                    SOIL HEALTH AND CLIMATE RESILIENCY
 SECTION 151-L. DEFINITIONS.
         151-M. SOIL HEALTH PROGRAM.
         151-N. CLIMATE RESILIENT FARMING PROGRAM.
         151-O. SOIL HEALTH PARTNERSHIP AND RESEARCH FRAMEWORK.
   § 151-L. DEFINITIONS. AS USED IN THIS ARTICLE: 1. "SOIL HEALTH"  MEANS
 SOILS  THAT  HAVE THE CONTINUING CAPACITY TO FUNCTION AS A VITAL, LIVING
 BIOLOGICAL SYSTEM THROUGH: INCREASED SOIL ORGANIC MATTER; IMPROVED  SOIL
 STRUCTURE,  WATER  AND  NUTRIENT-HOLDING  CAPACITY AND NUTRIENT CYCLING;
 DIVERSITY OF BENEFICIAL ORGANISMS; ENHANCED RESILIENCE TO  TOLERATE  AND
 RECOVER  FROM  DROUGHT, TEMPERATURE EXTREMES, PESTS, AND OTHER STRESSES;
 PROTECTING NATURAL RESOURCES; AND ASSISTING IN REDUCING  AND  MITIGATING
 THE  IMPACT OF GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE, INCLUDING NET LONG-TERM GREENHOUSE
 GAS BENEFITS.
   2. "SOIL HEALTH PRACTICES" MEANS SYSTEMS OF AGRICULTURAL, FORESTRY AND
 LAND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES THAT:
   A. IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF SOILS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO CONSIDER-
 ATION OF DEPTH OF TOPSOIL HORIZONS, WATER INFILTRATION RATE, WATER HOLD-
 ING CAPACITY, ORGANIC CARBON CONTENT, BIOLOGICALLY  ACCESSIBLE  NUTRIENT
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
              

                                                            LBD05460-04-1

 A. 5386                             2
 
 CONTENT,  BULK DENSITY, BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY, AND BIOLOGICAL AND MICROBI-
 OLOGICAL DIVERSITY;
   B.  FOLLOW THE PRINCIPLES OF: MINIMIZING SOIL DISTURBANCE AND EXTERNAL
 INPUTS; KEEPING SOIL COVERED; MAXIMIZING BIODIVERSITY; MAXIMIZING  PRES-
 ENCE  OF  LIVING  ROOTS;  AND  INTEGRATING ANIMALS INTO LAND MANAGEMENT,
 INCLUDING GRAZING ANIMALS, BIRDS, BENEFICIAL INSECTS  OR  OTHER  SPECIES
 BENEFICIAL TO THE SOIL, SUCH AS EARTHWORMS; AND
   C.  INCLUDE  SUCH PRACTICES AS CONSERVATION TILLAGE OR NO-TILL, COVER-
 CROPPING, PRECISION NITROGEN AND PHOSPHOROUS APPLICATION, PLANNED  GRAZ-
 ING,  INTEGRATED  CROP-LIVESTOCK SYSTEMS, AGROFORESTRY, PERENNIAL CROPS,
 INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT,  NUTRIENT  BEST  MANAGEMENT  PRACTICES,  AND
 THOSE  PRACTICES RECOMMENDED BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICUL-
 TURE NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE AND THAT  ARE  SUPPORTED  BY
 THE STATE SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION COMMITTEE.
   3.  "SOIL  HEALTH  PROJECT"  MEANS  A  SPECIFIC WORK OR IMPROVEMENT OR
 EQUIPMENT ACQUISITION THAT IS UNDERTAKEN FOR IMPROVING  SOIL  HEALTH  ON
 LANDS UTILIZED FOR COMMERCIAL FARMING AND FORESTRY.
   4.  "CLIMATE  ADAPTATION" MEANS THE PROCESS OF ADJUSTMENT TO ACTUAL OR
 EXPECTED CLIMATE AND ITS EFFECTS.
   5. "CLIMATE MITIGATION" MEANS  A  HUMAN  INTERVENTION  TO  REDUCE  THE
 SOURCES OR ENHANCE THE "SINKS" THAT ABSORB AND STORE GREENHOUSE GASES.
   §  151-M.  SOIL  HEALTH PROGRAM. 1. THERE IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED WITHIN
 THE DEPARTMENT A SOIL HEALTH PROGRAM TO ASSIST FARMERS IN IMPROVING  THE
 HEALTH  OF  THEIR  SOIL BY MANAGING AND OPTIMIZING SOIL HEALTH TO REDUCE
 NEGATIVE IMPACTS ON THE  ENVIRONMENT  WHILE  IMPROVING  LONG  TERM  SOIL
 PRODUCTIVITY, EFFICIENCY, AND PROFITABILITY OF FARMING, SUSTAINING AGRI-
 CULTURAL  PLANTS  AND ANIMALS AND A HEALTHY, AFFORDABLE FOOD SUPPLY, AND
 ADDRESSING SUCH ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS FROM THOSE OPERATIONS,  INCLUDING,
 BUT  NOT  LIMITED  TO,  SOIL, AIR AND WATER POLLUTION AND GREENHOUSE GAS
 EMISSIONS.
   2. THE DEPARTMENT, IN COOPERATION WITH THE SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION
 COMMITTEE, SHALL IMPLEMENT A PROGRAM TO ASSIST RURAL AND URBAN  AGRICUL-
 TURAL  PRODUCERS  AND  FORESTERS  IN OPTIMIZING AND MANAGING SOIL HEALTH
 THROUGH SOIL HEALTH PRACTICES THAT INCLUDE, BUT SHALL NOT BE LIMITED TO:
   (A) IMPROVING SOIL HEALTH AND QUANTITY, AND CONTROL SOIL  EROSION  AND
 SEDIMENTATION;
   (B) IMPROVING WATER INFILTRATION RATES AND WATER HOLDING CAPACITIES OF
 SOILS  FOR  IMPROVED  STORM  WATER MANAGEMENT AND FLOOD CONTROL, DROUGHT
 RESILIENCE, AND GROUNDWATER SUPPLY; AND
   (C) MANAGING AND ENHANCING THE HEALTHY CYCLING OF NITROGEN  AND  PHOS-
 PHORUS  WITHIN FIELDS, TO MINIMIZE NUTRIENT RUNOFF AND REDUCE DOWNSTREAM
 NUTRIENT LOADING, IMPROVE WATERSHED HEALTH AND RELIABLE WATER AVAILABIL-
 ITY, RESTORE AND ENHANCE WILDLIFE HABITAT, AND MANAGE WATER  RUNOFF  AND
 DRAINAGE WATER FOR IMPROVED LOCAL AND DOWNSTREAM WATER QUALITY.
   THE  PROGRAM  MAY ALSO INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO: THE TRAINING OF
 SOIL HEALTH MANAGEMENT EXPERTS WHO CAN PROVIDE EXPERTISE TO OTHER  FARM-
 ERS;  FINANCIAL  ASSISTANCE,  WITHIN  FUNDS AVAILABLE, TO SOIL AND WATER
 CONSERVATION DISTRICTS; OTHER INCENTIVES FOR PROGRAM PARTICIPATION;  AND
 EVALUATION  OF  THE  PROGRAM  AND  PROJECTS TO ASSESS EFFECTIVENESS. THE
 DEPARTMENT, IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROGRAM OR ANY SIGNIFICANT  CHANGE
 TO  THE  ESTABLISHED  PROGRAM,  SHALL  CONSULT  WITH  ONE OR MORE OF THE
 FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS, AS APPROPRIATE: THE SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION
 COMMITTEE, THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION,  AND  ORGANIZA-
 TIONS   REPRESENTING   FARMERS,   FARMLAND  PRESERVATION,  ENVIRONMENTAL
 PROTECTION, FORESTRY, THE  UNITED  STATES  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE'S
 NATIONAL  RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICES, THE NEW YORK STATE COLLEGE OF

 A. 5386                             3
 
 AGRICULTURE AND LIFE SCIENCES ESTABLISHED IN SECTION FIFTY-SEVEN HUNDRED
 TWELVE OF THE EDUCATION LAW  INCLUDING  CORNELL  COOPERATIVE  EXTENSION,
 OTHER  INSTITUTIONS  OF HIGHER EDUCATION WORKING ON SOIL HEALTH, AND ANY
 OTHER ORGANIZATION DESIGNATED BY THE COMMISSIONER.
   3.  SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDING, THE DEPARTMENT, IN COOPER-
 ATION WITH THE SOIL AND  WATER  CONSERVATION  COMMITTEE  AND  DISTRICTS,
 SHALL MAKE GRANTS, AND INCENTIVES TO FARMERS, FORESTERS AND AGRICULTURAL
 COOPERATIVES  TO  ENHANCE  THE  EDUCATION, TRAINING, EMPLOYMENT, INCOME,
 PRODUCTIVITY AND RETENTION OF THOSE WORKING OR ASPIRING TO WORK  IN  THE
 FIELD OF SOIL HEALTH PRACTICES AND TO IMPLEMENT SOIL HEALTH PRACTICES IN
 THE  STATE AND PROVIDE TECHNICAL SUPPORT IN IMPLEMENTING SUCH PRACTICES.
 AMOUNTS CREDITED TO THE SOIL HEALTH FUND SHALL  ALSO  BE  USED,  WITHOUT
 FURTHER  APPROPRIATION,  FOR THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH ADMINISTERING AND
 IMPLEMENTING THE PROGRAM AND MAY ALSO BE USED TO  PROVIDE  GRANTS  ON  A
 COMPETITIVE  BASIS TO PUBLIC, PRIVATE AND CHARITABLE ENTITIES TO FINANCE
 PROJECTS IN FURTHERANCE OF THE SOIL HEALTH PROGRAM.  THE  PROGRAM  SHALL
 ESTABLISH A STATEWIDE NETWORK OF EXPERTS OR PEER LEADERS TO PROMOTE SOIL
 HEALTH  STEWARDSHIP AND TRAINING, WHERE SUCH EXPERTS OR LEADERS ARE LAND
 MANAGERS IDENTIFIED FOR THEIR EXCELLENCE IN APPLYING AND PROMOTING  SOIL
 HEALTH PRINCIPLES, AS MODELED BY A SIMILAR PROGRAM OF A NATIONAL ASSOCI-
 ATION OF CONSERVATION DISTRICTS. THE PROGRAM SHALL BE DESIGNED TO PRIOR-
 ITIZE  INCENTIVES  TO  BEGINNING  AND SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMERS AND
 RANCHERS, AS DEFINED BY 7 U.S.C. §2279(A). UP TO FIVE PERCENT  OF  FUND-
 ING,  UNLESS  OTHERWISE  RESTRICTED,  MAY  BE  USED FOR RESEARCH IN SOIL
 HEALTH AND SOIL HEALTH MEASUREMENT.  UP  TO  FIVE  PERCENT  OF  FUNDING,
 UNLESS OTHERWISE RESTRICTED, MAY BE USED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE AND OVERHEAD
 EXPENSES OF THE DEPARTMENT.  EXPENDITURES FOR THIS PURPOSE SHALL COMPLE-
 MENT  AND  NOT REPLACE EXISTING LOCAL, STATE, PRIVATE OR FEDERAL FUNDING
 FOR RELATED PROGRAMS.
   4. THE DEPARTMENT, IN  CONJUNCTION  WITH  THE  STATE  SOIL  AND  WATER
 CONSERVATION  COMMITTEE,  SHALL  REPORT  ANNUALLY  TO  THE GOVERNOR, THE
 LEGISLATURE AND PARTICIPATING AGENCIES  ON  THE  PROGRESS  OF  THE  SOIL
 HEALTH  PROGRAM,  INCLUDING  AN  ASSESSMENT  OF PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS IN
 ACHIEVING PROGRAM OBJECTIVES, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROGRAM  PARTICIPATION,
 AND  SUCH  OTHER  INFORMATION  AS  THE DEPARTMENT AND THE COMMITTEE DEEM
 APPROPRIATE.   THE REPORT  SHALL  INCLUDE  RECEIPTS,  EXPENDITURES,  AND
 ACTIVITIES FUNDED THROUGH THE PROGRAM. THE REPORT SHALL INCLUDE INFORMA-
 TION  REGARDING  THE  PROGRAM  AND  THE RESULTS OF ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING
 DEMONSTRATED PROGRESS TOWARD MEETING THE TIMETABLE FOR ACHIEVING SPECIF-
 IC GOALS FOR LAND AREA MANAGED FOR SOIL HEALTH AND WATERSHED HEALTH, AND
 MEASURABLE IMPROVEMENTS TO SOIL AND WATERSHED HEALTH WHICH HAVE BEEN SET
 BY THE COMMITTEE.
   5. THE DEPARTMENT IS EMPOWERED TO  PROMULGATE  SUCH  RULES  AND  REGU-
 LATIONS AND TO PRESCRIBE SUCH FORMS AS IT SHALL DEEM NECESSARY TO EFFEC-
 TUATE THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION.
   §  151-N. CLIMATE RESILIENT FARMING PROGRAM. 1. THERE IS HEREBY ESTAB-
 LISHED WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT A  CLIMATE  RESILIENT  FARMING  PROGRAM  TO
 REDUCE  THE  EFFECTS  OF FARMING ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND ASSIST FARMERS IN
 MITIGATING THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE. THE PROGRAM MAY  ALSO  INCLUDE:
 FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITHIN FUNDS AVAILABLE, TO SOIL AND WATER CONSERVA-
 TION  DISTRICTS;  OTHER INCENTIVES FOR PROGRAM PARTICIPATION; AND EVALU-
 ATION OF THE PROGRAM AND PROJECTS TO ASSESS EFFECTIVENESS.
   2. SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS, A MATCHING GRANTS PROGRAM  IS
 ESTABLISHED  TO FUND PROJECTS WHICH MITIGATE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS ON
 FARMLAND OR PROMOTE THE ADAPTATION  OF  FARMLAND  TO  PROJECTED  CLIMATE
 CHANGE IMPACTS.

 A. 5386                             4
 
   3.  PROJECTS  SHALL BE INTEGRATED WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE AGRICUL-
 TURAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM ESTABLISHED IN  ARTICLE  ELEVEN-A
 OF  THIS  CHAPTER  AND SECTION ELEVEN OF THE SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION
 DISTRICTS LAW AND THE SOIL HEALTH PROGRAM  ESTABLISHED  IN  SECTION  ONE
 HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE-M OF THIS ARTICLE.
   4.  PROJECT APPLICANTS ARE THE SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT OR
 A GROUP OF SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICTS ACTING AS A REGION.
   5. STATE ASSISTANCE MAY BE PROVIDED FOR UP TO SEVENTY-FIVE PERCENT  OF
 THE  ELIGIBLE  PROJECT COSTS, WITH THE DISTRICTS PROVIDING DOCUMENTATION
 OF MATCHING FUNDS OR IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS TO MEET THE MATCHING REQUIRE-
 MENTS.
   6. PROJECTS SHALL INCORPORATE BEST MANAGEMENT  PRACTICES  FOR  CLIMATE
 AND  SOIL  RESILIENCY,  AS  INFORMED  BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF
 AGRICULTURE NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE FIELD OFFICE  TECHNI-
 CAL  GUIDE  AND  BY RESEARCH CONDUCTED BY NEW YORK STATE INSTITUTIONS OF
 HIGHER EDUCATION WITH EXPERTISE IN SOIL HEALTH AND APPROVED BY  THE  NEW
 YORK STATE SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION BOARD.
   7.  PROJECTS  SHALL  BE  APPROVED IN THREE CATEGORIES, WITH ADDITIONAL
 AREAS TO BE ADDED AS DESIGNATED BY THE COMMISSIONER TO REFLECT  EMERGING
 CLIMATE SCIENCE RESEARCH:
   A.  PROJECTS  TO  REDUCE  METHANE EMISSIONS ON LIVESTOCK FARMS WITH AN
 EMPHASIS ON DIETARY CHANGES AND MANURE HANDLING SYSTEMS;
   B. PROJECTS TO IMPLEMENT WATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS ON FARMLAND FOR  THE
 PURPOSES  OF  MITIGATING  CLIMATE CONSEQUENCES OF INCREASED RAINFALL AND
 SOIL MOISTURE AS WELL AS INCREASED DROUGHT CONDITIONS; AND
   C. PROJECTS TO ENCOURAGE SOIL HEALTH AND RESILIENCY INCLUDING BUT  NOT
 LIMITED  TO PROMOTING COVER CROPPING, NO-TILL ADOPTION, BIOCHAR INCORPO-
 RATION, CARBON SINKS AND NITROUS OXIDE EMISSIONS REDUCTION.
   8. THE DEPARTMENT, IN  CONJUNCTION  WITH  THE  STATE  SOIL  AND  WATER
 CONSERVATION  COMMITTEE,  SHALL  REPORT  ANNUALLY  TO  THE GOVERNOR, THE
 LEGISLATURE AND PARTICIPATING AGENCIES ON THE PROGRESS  OF  THE  CLIMATE
 RESILIENT FARMING PROGRAM, INCLUDING AN ASSESSMENT OF PROGRAM EFFECTIVE-
 NESS IN ACHIEVING PROGRAM OBJECTIVES, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROGRAM PARTIC-
 IPATION,  AND SUCH OTHER INFORMATION AS THE DEPARTMENT AND THE COMMITTEE
 DEEM APPROPRIATE. THE REPORT SHALL INCLUDE RECEIPTS,  EXPENDITURES,  AND
 ACTIVITIES FUNDED THROUGH THE PROGRAM. THE REPORT SHALL INCLUDE INFORMA-
 TION  REGARDING  THE  PROGRAM  AND  THE RESULTS OF ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING
 DEMONSTRATED PROGRESS TOWARD MEETING THE  TIMETABLE  FOR  ACHIEVING  THE
 SPECIFIC GOALS SET BY THE COMMISSIONER.
   9.  THE  COMMISSIONER SHALL HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO PROMULGATE RULES AND
 REGULATIONS  NECESSARY  TO  IMPLEMENT  THE  CLIMATE  RESILIENT   FARMING
 PROGRAM.
   §  151-O.  SOIL  HEALTH PARTNERSHIP AND RESEARCH FRAMEWORK. SUBJECT TO
 THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS, THE COMMISSIONER, IN COOPERATION WITH  A  NEW
 YORK  STATE  INSTITUTION  OF  HIGHER  EDUCATION  WITH  EXPERTISE IN SOIL
 HEALTH, SHALL DEVELOP  AND  IMPLEMENT  A  SOIL  HEALTH  PARTNERSHIP  AND
 RESEARCH FRAMEWORK WITH GOALS TO:
   1.  CONTINUE  ACCELERATING  THE  PERCENTAGE  OF  FARMERS  WHO ACTIVELY
 UTILIZE BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES TO FOSTER SOIL HEALTH AND RESILIENCY;
   2. PROVIDE NECESSARY RESEARCH AND  TRAINING  PROGRAMS  TO  INFORM  OUR
 SCIENTIFIC  UNDERSTANDING  OF  SOIL HEALTH AND CARBON SEQUESTRATION WITH
 VARIOUS FARMING PRACTICES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO  NO-TILL,  COVER
 CROPPING, MANAGED GRAZING, PERENNIAL PASTURE, AND PRECISE APPLICATION OF
 ADDED  NUTRIENTS  TO  ACHIEVE  NITROUS  OXIDE  EMISSIONS  REDUCTION, AND
 INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO RESEARCH ON MEASURING SOIL  ORGANIC  MATTER
 AND ON LONG-TERM SOIL HEALTH OUTCOMES; AND

 A. 5386                             5
 
   3.  ESTABLISH  A COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIP OF STATE, FEDERAL, FARMERS,
 NATURAL RESOURCE PROFESSIONALS AND COMMUNITY  STAKEHOLDERS  AROUND  SOIL
 HEALTH AND RESILIENCY AND CLIMATE ADAPTATION, RESILIENCE AND MITIGATION.
   § 3. The state finance law is amended by adding a new section 99-ii to
 read as follows:
   § 99-II. SOIL HEALTH FUND. 1. THERE IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED IN THE JOINT
 CUSTODY OF THE STATE COMPTROLLER AND THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE AND
 MARKETS A FUND TO BE KNOWN AS THE "SOIL HEALTH FUND".
   2.  SUCH  FUND  SHALL CONSIST OF: (A) ANY MONEYS APPROPRIATED AND MADE
 AVAILABLE BY THE STATE FOR THE PURPOSES OF SUCH FUND; (B)  NOTWITHSTAND-
 ING  THE  PROVISIONS  OF THIS CHAPTER OR ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, ANY
 MONEYS WHICH THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND MARKETS SHALL RECEIVE  IN
 REPAYMENT  OF  ADVANCES  MADE  FROM  SUCH FUND; AND (C) ANY OTHER MONEYS
 WHICH MAY BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND MARKETS
 FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUCH FUND FROM ANY OTHER SOURCE OR SOURCES.
   § 4. Subdivision 2 of section 2 of the  soil  and  water  conservation
 districts  law  is  renumbered  subdivision 3 and a new subdivision 2 is
 added to read as follows:
   (2) PROMOTION OF SOIL HEALTH AND RESILIENCY. IT  IS  FURTHER  DECLARED
 THE  POLICY  OF  THE LEGISLATURE TO PROMOTE THE HEALTH AND RESILIENCY OF
 NEW YORK'S AGRICULTURAL SOILS, INCLUDING THE BIOLOGICAL,  PHYSICAL,  AND
 CHEMICAL  COMPONENTS  OF  SUCH SOILS, TO SUSTAIN AGRICULTURAL PLANTS AND
 ANIMALS, PRODUCE A HEALTHY, AFFORDABLE FOOD SUPPLY, REDUCE  THE  EFFECTS
 OF  FARMING  ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND MITIGATE THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE
 ON FARMING, AND FURTHER PROTECT AND PROMOTE NATURAL  RESOURCES  AND  THE
 HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE OF THE PEOPLE OF THIS STATE.
   §  5.  Paragraph i of subdivision 4 of section 4 of the soil and water
 conservation districts law, as added by chapter 136 of the laws of 2000,
 is amended and a new paragraph j is added to read as follows:
   i.  To  coordinate  and  approve  the  participation  of  the  several
 districts  in  the  AEM  program as set forth in article eleven-A of the
 agriculture and markets law[.];
   J.  TO  COORDINATE  AND  APPROVE  THE  PARTICIPATION  OF  THE  SEVERAL
 DISTRICTS IN THE SOIL HEALTH AND CLIMATE RESILIENCY PROGRAM AS SET FORTH
 IN ARTICLE ELEVEN-B OF THE AGRICULTURE AND MARKETS LAW.
   § 6. This act shall take effect July 1, 2021.