Bill > A08420

This bill amends the New York Agriculture and Markets Law regarding the produce security fund, which is a financial protection mechanism for agricultural producers. Currently, when the fund exceeds a certain amount of money on the 120th day before the next licensing year, the commissioner of agriculture and markets must suspend collecting fees from producers. The bill increases the threshold for suspending fee collection from four million dollars to six million dollars. Additionally, the bill introduces a new provision that allows the commissioner to continue collecting fees even if the fund exceeds six million dollars if the fund's value, when adjusted for inflation, does not provide the same level of financial protection to producers as previously established. The bill also makes minor language modifications, such as replacing "he or she" with "such commissioner" when referring to the commissioner's decision-making process. The changes aim to ensure the produce security fund remains adequately funded to protect agricultural producers while potentially reducing unnecessary fee collection when the fund is sufficiently robust.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A8420