S7618A

The New York State Senate voted to reconsider passage of Senate Print 7618A, a bill to amend the Agriculture and Markets Law, sponsored by Senator Hinchey. The reconsideration motion, offered by Sen. Gianaris, passed on a roll call vote of 62 ayes. The bill was restored to the Third Reading Calendar. Sen. Gianaris subsequently offered amendments to the measure, which were received by the chamber. The specific content of the amendments was not detailed in the floor discussion. The bill remains on the calendar for further action.

The New York State Senate passed legislation amending the Agriculture and Markets Law on a 53-8 vote, advancing a measure aimed at reducing food waste through standardized date labeling requirements. Sponsor Sen. Hinchey's bill (S7618A, Calendar 215) will take effect 180 days after becoming law. The measure drew criticism from Republican senators who argued it imposes an onerous, state-specific mandate on food suppliers that could increase costs and reduce supply without federal uniformity. Sen. Borrello, voting against the bill, expressed particular concern about liability exposure for food manufacturers in New York's litigious environment, calling instead for a commonsense federal standard applicable across all states. Eight senators voted in opposition: Ashby, Borrello, Helming, O'Mara, Ortt, Stec, Walczyk and Weik.