S 6272: Authorizes and directs the commissioner of environmental conservation to conduct a study on food waste initiatives and to provide recommendations based on the study's findings.

  
  STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 6272 2025-2026 Regular Sessions  IN SENATE March 7, 2025 ___________ Introduced by Sens. BAILEY, HINCHEY, MAY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Environ- mental Conservation AN ACT authorizing and directing the commissioner of environmental conservation to conduct a study on food waste initiatives and to provide recommendations based on the study's findings The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem- bly, do enact as follows: 1 Section 1. Definitions. For the purposes of this act, the following 2 terms shall have the following meanings: 3 1. "agency" means any state department, agency, board, public benefit 4 corporation, public authority, or commission. 5 2. "food service establishments" shall include, but not be limited to, 6 the following: full-service restaurants, fast food restaurants, cafes, 7 delicatessens, coffee shops, and cafeterias. 8 3. "commissioner" means the commissioner of environmental conserva- 9 tion. 10 4. "department" means the department of environmental conservation. 11 5. "food waste" means food that is not required to meet the needs of a 12 food service establishment and which is disposed of in a manner such 13 that it will not be eaten. 14 6. "food waste initiative" means an initiative regarding the use 15 and/or disposal of food waste. 16 § 2. Study. 1. The commissioner is authorized and directed to conduct 17 a study on food waste initiatives throughout the state. Such study shall 18 include, but not be limited to: 19 a. food waste initiatives implemented or planned to be implemented by 20 non-governmental organizations, agencies, and other states and nations; 21 b. any laws, rules, or regulations proposed or implemented in any 22 municipality; and 23 c. scholarly articles and proposals for food waste initiatives. EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. LBD01413-01-5 
 S. 6272 2 1 2. Upon request, an agency shall provide the commissioner with infor- 2 mation which may help complete the commissioner's study. 3 § 3. Report. The commissioner shall submit to the governor and the 4 legislature, no later than eighteen months after the effective date of 5 this act, a report on the findings of the study as well as the commis- 6 sioner's recommendations for reducing food waste within the state. 7 § 4. This act shall take effect immediately.