Senate Passes Bills to Support Agriculture Industry

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R-C-I, Elma) announces the New York State Senate passed three bills Wednesday that protect New York’s family farmers and strengthen and preserve agriculture as one of the state’s most important industries. Passage of the bills coincides with the Legislature’s annual “Agriculture Day” which brought nearly 30 local businesses from across the state to the Capitol to highlight products grown in New York.

“These bills further support New York’s hardworking farmers and the important role they play in our economy,” Senator Gallivan said.  “This legislation will help to reduce operating costs, create jobs and encourage growth and investment in New York’s agriculture industry.”   

The bill package would help further support the growth of agriculture in New York and create jobs by:

• Doubling the existing Farm Workforce Retention Credit: S.2905A, co-sponsored by Senator Gallivan, would help farmers meet consumer demands with a strong and steady workforce. The bill would increase the Farm Workforce Retention Credit enacted in the 2017-18 budget to $600 per eligible employee this year, and $1,200 per farm employee when fully effective, saving farmers an estimated $60 million when fully implemented;
• Helping farmers invest in facilities and buy equipment: S.7851, co-sponsored by Senator Gallivan, provides a tax credit for dairy farmers to encourage investment in facilities and equipment that will allow them to take advantage of a growing demand for “value-added” dairy products, like flavored drinks, yogurts, and other products; and
• Lessening the burden on small farm goods transportation: S.890, co-sponsored by Senator Gallivan, creates a 10% discount on New York State Thruway tolls for trucks transporting food produced by farms. The legislation would help farmers struggling with rising costs by allowing single unit trucks or other larger vehicles to transport food and other produce to grocery stores and dinner tables across the state at a lower cost.

The measures are among the latest efforts by the Senate to focus on growing New York agriculture from the ground up. The measures build upon the leading role the Senate Majority has taken in restoring more than $68 million in proposed state funding cuts to agricultural initiatives since 2011. The Senate Majority led the way this year by including nearly $20 million in restored cuts and added funds from this year’s Executive Budget, for a total of $54.4 million in the 2018-19 Budget. The total funding includes strong investments in cutting-edge agricultural research, support for the next generation of family farmers, environmental stewardship, and protections for plant, animal, and public health.

The bills will be sent to the Assembly.