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S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
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8901
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
June 16, 2025
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Introduced by M. of A. TORRES -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Agriculture
AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to provid-
ing additional duties of the community gardens task force
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
1 Section 1. Section 31-j of the agriculture and markets law is amended
2 by adding a new subdivision 6 to read as follows:
3 6. (A) THE TASK FORCE SHALL CONDUCT AN ASSESSMENT OF ALL COMMUNITY
4 GARDENS LOCATED ON PUBLICLY OWNED LAND IN THE STATE TO FACILITATE EACH
5 ELIGIBLE GARDEN'S DESIGNATION AS A CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL AREA (CEA)
6 PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH ONE OF SUBDIVISION (G) OF SECTION 617.14 OF TITLE
7 SIX OF THE OFFICIAL COMPILATION OF CODES, RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE
8 STATE OF NEW YORK. THE TASK FORCE SHALL PROVIDE A STATUS REPORT ON THE
9 ASSESSMENT TO THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE ON OR BEFORE JANUARY
10 FIRST, TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-SIX, AND SHALL COMPLETE SUCH ASSESSMENT ON OR
11 BEFORE JANUARY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-SEVEN. THE TASK FORCE SHALL
12 CONDUCT ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENTS OF ANY NEW COMMUNITY GARDENS ON PUBLICLY
13 OWNED LAND ON OR BEFORE JANUARY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND THIRTY-ONE AND ON OR
14 BEFORE JANUARY FIRST OF EACH FIFTH YEAR THEREAFTER. IN CONDUCTING THE
15 ASSESSMENT, THE TASK FORCE SHALL:
16 (I) CONSULT, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT POSSIBLE, WITH MEMBERS OF EACH
17 COMMUNITY GARDEN REGARDING THE GARDEN'S CHARACTERISTICS;
18 (II) CONSULT, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT POSSIBLE, WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF
19 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION REGARDING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR CEA DESIG-
20 NATION; AND
21 (III) PREPARE A WRITTEN SUMMARY OF ITS FINDINGS REGARDING EACH COMMU-
22 NITY GARDEN THAT SHALL INCLUDE:
23 (A) THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE GARDEN;
24 (B) THE NAME OF THE STATE OR LOCAL AGENCY THAT HAS JURISDICTION OVER
25 THE GARDEN;
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06082-01-5
A. 8901 2
1 (C) A DESCRIPTION OF ALL THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE GARDEN THAT COVER
2 THE FACTORS IN PARAGRAPH ONE OF SUBDIVISION (G) OF SECTION 617.14 OF
3 TITLE SIX OF THE OFFICIAL COMPILATION OF CODES, RULES AND REGULATIONS OF
4 THE STATE OF NEW YORK;
5 (D) THE TASK FORCE'S CONCLUSION AS TO WHETHER THE CURRENTLY UNDESIG-
6 NATED GARDEN MEETS THE REQUIREMENT FOR CEA DESIGNATION; AND
7 (E) ANY OTHER INFORMATION THE TASK FORCE DEEMS APPROPRIATE.
8 (B) UPON COMPLETION OF THE ASSESSMENT, THE TASK FORCE SHALL, TO THE
9 EXTENT POSSIBLE, PROVIDE THE WRITTEN SUMMARIES OF ITS FINDINGS TO A
10 MEMBER OF EACH GARDEN'S LEADERSHIP AND, FOR THE COMMUNITY GARDENS THAT
11 ARE CURRENTLY UNDESIGNATED AND THAT MEET THE REQUIREMENT FOR CEA DESIG-
12 NATION, PROVIDE THE WRITTEN SUMMARIES OF ITS FINDINGS TO THE AGENCIES
13 WITH JURISDICTION OVER THE GARDENS, ALONG WITH A RECOMMENDATION THAT THE
14 AGENCIES DESIGNATE THE GARDENS AS CEAS.
15 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.