S 7218: Establishes the New York state equine industry board, to advise and make recommendations to the state agencies on state government plans, policies and programs affecting all aspects of equine industry, and in such areas as its experience and studies may indicate to be appropriate.

  
  STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 7218 2025-2026 Regular Sessions  IN SENATE April 4, 2025 ___________ Introduced by Sen. HINCHEY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Agriculture AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to estab- lishing the New York state equine industry board The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem- bly, do enact as follows: 1 Section 1. The agriculture and markets law is amended by adding a new 2 section 387 to read as follows: 3 § 387. New York state equine industry board. 1. There shall be estab- 4 lished within the department the New York state equine industry board, 5 to advise and make recommendations to the state agencies on state 6 government plans, policies and programs affecting all aspects of equine 7 industry, as outlined below, and in such areas as its experience and 8 studies may indicate to be appropriate. The department shall provide 9 necessary secretarial and support services to the board. 10 2. The equine industry board shall consist of seventeen members 11 appointed by the governor, selected for their experience and expertise 12 related to areas of board responsibility. Members shall include the 13 commissioner or their designee who shall act as chairperson of the 14 board, and representatives of the following stakeholder groups: Cornell 15 university college of agriculture and life sciences; Cornell university 16 college of veterinary medicine; a rescue organization or the humane 17 society; an organization involved in horse sanctuaries or racehorse 18 aftercare; an organization involved in horse therapy; an equine veteri- 19 narian; a trail or recreational riding group; the equine support indus- 20 try; an organizer of horse shows, rodeos or competitions; horse boarders 21 or riding stables; the horse breeding industry; farmers and ranchers; an 22 academic researcher; the New York state horse council or a similar 23 organization; the New York state Veterinary Medical Society or a similar 24 organization; and a youth equine organization. Members shall be 25 appointed for a term of three years and may serve until their successors EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. LBD11101-04-5 
 S. 7218 2 1 are chosen provided, however, that of the members first appointed, five 2 of the members shall serve for a term of one year, five shall serve for 3 a term of two years, and seven shall serve for a term of three years. 4 Members shall serve without salary but shall be entitled to reimburse- 5 ment of their ordinary and necessary travel expenses. 6 3. (a) The duties and responsibilities of the equine advisory board 7 shall include, but not be limited to, providing timely advice, comments 8 and recommendations to the commissioner regarding: 9 (i) equine-tourism; 10 (ii) equine industry promotion; 11 (iii) workforce development; 12 (iv) educational and training initiatives; 13 (v) humane treatment of horses; and 14 (vi) other areas of interest identified by the board. 15 (b) The commissioner may delegate to the board such additional duties 16 and responsibilities as are deemed necessary. 17 4. The duties and responsibilities of the equine industry board shall 18 include, but not be limited to, providing timely advice, comments and 19 recommendations to the commissioner and other state agency heads regard- 20 ing all aspects of the equine industry in the state. Concerned state 21 agencies shall be encouraged to establish a working relationship with 22 the board and shall fully cooperate with the board in any requests it 23 shall make. 24 5. The equine industry board may ask other individuals to attend its 25 meetings or work with it on an occasional or regular basis. The board 26 shall set the time and place of its meetings and shall hold at least one 27 meeting per year. The board may establish committees and regional work- 28 ing groups as necessary. 29 6. The equine industry board shall produce an annual report to the 30 governor and the legislature on or before the end of each calendar year 31 concerning its activities during the previous year and its program 32 expectations for the succeeding year. 33 7. (a) The equine industry board shall advise the commissioner in 34 establishing procedures for making annual awards and grants, within the 35 limits of appropriations made therefor, recognizing New York equine 36 businesses, individuals, and institutions that are successful in inno- 37 vating, marketing, and/or promoting New York equine industries. The 38 commissioner shall coordinate with the commissioner of economic develop- 39 ment to determine which department shall make awards and grants in vari- 40 ous categories identified by the equine industry board. These awards and 41 grants shall be given in recognition of exceptional performance, inno- 42 vation and support for New York equine industries by persons, firms and 43 organizations that are principally located within the state of New York 44 and engaged in the operation of New York equine farms, businesses and 45 institutions. 46 (b) The board may annually nominate and forward such nominations for 47 awards and grants to the commissioner consideration in the following 48 categories: 49 (i) veterinary practice and horse welfare; 50 (ii) equine-tourism; 51 (iii) workforce development; 52 (iv) public education; 53 (v) youth equine activities; and 54 (vi) such other awards and grants as the equine advisory board shall 55 recommend. 
 S. 7218 3 1 (c) The commissioner shall have the discretion to designate award and 2 grant winners from these nominees. Current members of the board and 3 their businesses are not eligible as nominees. 4 § 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall 5 have become a law.