Bill > S02443

This bill amends the General Municipal Law to expand the role of Industrial Development Agencies (IDAs) by explicitly including agriculture as a focus area for economic development. The bill modifies the state's existing policy to promote economic welfare by adding agriculture alongside commerce and industry as key sectors for governmental support. It broadens the definition of a "project" to include agricultural purposes and adds a comprehensive definition of "agriculture" that encompasses a wide range of agricultural products and activities, such as crop and livestock production, including fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat, eggs, fish, grain, honey, and other soil and water-based products grown or produced within the state. This legislative change will allow IDAs to provide technical and financial assistance to agricultural producers, potentially helping to support and expand the state's agricultural sector by offering economic development resources that were previously more narrowly focused on industrial and commercial enterprises. The bill aims to recognize agriculture as an important economic driver and provide agricultural producers with additional support mechanisms through local government development agencies.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S2443