Assembly BillIntroduced
A 11637: Requires certain zoning changes that include the development of farmland or open spaces to be subject to approval under a referendum vote, approved by at least 60% of voters in the town, village, or city.
What A 11637 does, verified August 16, 2026
<p> This act amends the Town Law, Village Law, and General City Law to require a referendum vote for specific zoning changes. The legislation mandates that any local law, ordinance, or zoning change involving the development of farmland or open spaces must be approved by at least sixty percent of voters in a town, village, or city referendum. The term "open space" is defined consistently with existing provisions in the General Municipal Law. The act takes effect immediately upon passage. </p>
Bill journey
1IntroducedCurrent
2In CommitteePending
3First Chamber FloorPending
4Second ChamberPending
5GovernorPending
6ChapteredPending
Last action: referred to local governments (2026-07-29)Alert me
Quick answers about A 11637
- What is the current status of A 11637?
- As of August 16, 2026, A 11637 is recorded as "Introduced": it has been introduced and is waiting for its first committee hearing or floor vote. The last recorded action, on July 29, 2026, was "referred to local governments".
- Did A 11637 pass?
- Not yet. A 11637 has been introduced and has not passed either house.
- Who wrote A 11637, and where is it now?
- A 11637 was authored by Asm. Scott Bendett. Its committee of record is Assembly Local Government.
Author and sponsors
Full contact details, staff, and committees with Connect, $16/moUnlockRecent actions1 total · showing 1
| Jul. 29, 2026 | referred to local governments |
Latest bill textIntroduced version, July 29, 2026 · 473 words
STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 11637 IN ASSEMBLY July 29, 2026 ___________ Introduced by COMMITTEE ON RULES -- (at request of M. of A. Bendett) -- read once and referred to the Committee on Local Governments AN ACT to amend the town law, the village law and the general city law, in relation to requiring certain zoning changes that include the development of farmland or open spaces to be subject to approval under a referendum vote The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem- bly, do enact as follows: 1 Section 1. The town law is amended by adding a new section 274-c to 2 read as follows: 3 § 274-c. Development of farmland or open spaces; referendum vote 4 required. 1. For the purposes of this section, the term "open space" 5 shall have the same meaning as defined by section two hundred forty-sev- 6 en of the general municipal law. 7 2. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, any 8 local law or ordinance or other zoning changes that include the develop- 9 ment of farmland or open spaces shall be subject to approval under a 10 town referendum vote approved by no less than sixty percent of voters. 11 § 2. The village law is amended by adding a new section 7-725-c to 12 read as follows: 13 § 7-725-c Development of farmland or open spaces; referendum vote 14 required. 1. For the purposes of this section, the term "open space" 15 shall have the same meaning as defined by section two hundred forty-sev- 16 en of the general municipal law. 17 2. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, any 18 local law or ordinance or other zoning changes that include the develop- 19 ment of farmland or open spaces shall be subject to approval under a 20 village referendum vote approved by no less than sixty percent of 21 voters. 22 § 3. The general city law is amended by adding a new section 27-c to 23 read as follows: 24 § 27-c. Development of farmland or open spaces; referendum vote 25 required. 1. For the purposes of this section, the term "open space" EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [] is old law to be omitted. LBD16165-01-6A. 11637 2 1 shall have the same meaning as defined by section two hundred forty-sev- 2 en of the general municipal law. 3 2. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, any 4 local law or ordinance or other zoning changes that include the develop- 5 ment of farmland or open spaces shall be subject to approval under a 6 city referendum vote approved by no less than sixty percent of voters. 7 § 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
Text of A 11637 as introduced, from the official record. Connect Plus keeps every version and highlights what changed.Compare versions