Ritchie, Aubertine Work Together on First Ag Bill

Measure helps streamline government, eases burden on small business

 State Senator Patty Ritchie announced that the Senate Tuesday passed newly named Agriculture Commissioner Darrel Aubertine's “Departmental Bill Number One,” a measure that streamlines the agency’s operations and helps small businesses.
 
The bill allows nursery growers and dealers to file their biennial registrations on a rolling schedule during the year, instead of the current requirement, which mandates that all businesses file by the same day. That deadline created an undue burden on small businesses and created internal administrative problems for the agency.
 
“As the chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I am very pleased to work with Commissioner Aubertine to make state government more efficient and provide relief for small businesses,” Senator Ritchie said.

“This legislation smooths out the way the Department handles registrations by creating a rolling deadline throughout the year, instead of forcing every owner in the state to file forms by just one date. And it helps small business people by making filing more convenient.

“One of my top goals is finding ways to help state government become more efficient, while also helping New York become more business friendly environment. I look forward to working closely with Commissioner Aubertine to help farmers, small businesses and residents of our state.”
 
The bill, S.4144, was sent to the Assembly.