Committee backs bill to subsidize food retailers in underserved areas
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Summary
A bill to create loans, guarantees, interest subsidies and grants to attract or expand food retail establishments in underserved communities was advanced out of committee and reported to the floor. Supporters said the bill aims to bolster food access and local economic development.
A Senate committee on Feb. 10 advanced a proposal to subsidize food retail establishments in underserved areas, moving the measure to the floor.
The item, recorded as "Senate Bill s 6 0 1 7" and sponsored by "Senator Baskin" in the transcript, would amend the New York State Urban Development Corporation Act to enact the "Food Retail Establishment Subsidization for Healthy Communities Act." The bill is described as authorizing loans, guarantees, interest-subsidy payments and grants to businesses, municipalities, nonprofit corporations and local development corporations to attract, maintain or expand food retail establishments in underserved communities.
Senator Baskin spoke in favor and the chair noted a need to improve food service in underserved communities. "I would just say that, you know, coming from there's a need to make sure that there's better food service in underserved communities, and I hope that this bill would make that help to make that happen," said Speaker 1 in the transcript during debate.
The committee moved the measure, it was seconded, and committee members approved the bill by voice vote; the transcript records the action as "This bill is passed and reported to the floor." The record does not include a roll-call tally or a detailed funding breakdown in the excerpt.
