Authorizes the manufacture of beer, spirits, cider, wine and mead at the community college in Broome county and the Cornell university, acting on behalf of the New York state college of agriculture and life sciences and the New York state agricultural experiment station.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A7293
SPONSOR: Bronson TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the alcoholic beverage control law, in relation to
authorizing the manufacture of beer, spirits, cider, wine and mead at
the community college in Broome county and Cornell university, acting on
behalf of the New York state college of agriculture and life sciences
and the New York state agricultural experiment station
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill would authorize SUNY Broome County Community College and
Cornell University's New York State College of Agriculture and Life
Sciences located in Ithaca and the New York State Agricultural Exper-
iment Station located in Geneva to obtain a license from the State
Liquor Authority that enables these two higher education institutions to
help prepare students for entry into farm and craft-based beverage
career pathways.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Bill section 1: amends section 101 of the alcoholic beverage control law
to enable Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
and the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station to manufacture
wine, beer, distilled spirits, cider and mead, experimental fermented
products and to conduct research, sensory analysis, educational and
other programs on its campus relating to farm and craft beverages.
Bill section 2: amends section 101 of the alcoholic beverage control law
to enable the Community College in Broome County to manufacture, and
sell at retail wine, beer, distilled spirits, cider and mead.
Bill section 3: provides a severability clause. Bill section 4: effec-
tive date
JUSTIFICATION:
This legislation is similar to licenses created for other higher educa-
tion or educational institutions, such as the New York Wine and Culinary
Center and the Culinary Institute of America. Using data from John
Dunham & Associates economic impact analysis of each sector from 2019,
2020, and 2022, respectively, it's clear that these farm and craft-based
beverages are contributing to economic growth. The wine industry is
estimated to contribute $6.6B, the 160 distillers are estimated to
contribute $2.7B, the craft brewers $5.4B and cideries $1.7B in direct
economic activity. With this astonishing growth of the farm and craft
beverage industries, it's never been clearer that higher education
institutions like SUNY Broome County Community College and Cornell
University need to ensure that workforce preparation needs are met; and
that students have the skills they need to succeed in the industry. This
legislation enables the New York State College of Agriculture and Life
Sciences and the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, both
home to existing research and teaching winery, brewery, and distillery
facilities, to conduct research and provide important analytical
services to the farm-based beverage community in order to 'keep improv-
ing the quality of New York State's farm and craft-based beverages. It
also authorizes the continuation of the usage of space on Cornell's
campus for educational events, workshops, industry trainings, and
student activities. The legislation ensures that the SUNY Broome County
Community College can continue developing its program to teach students
how to manufacture, and retail, craft beverage products, and to provide
experiential learning opportunities for such students in real-life
catering and conference settings as part of the culinary program. As
Cornell University and SUNY Broome County Community College have an
articulation agreement for transfer students, students beginning their
studies in culinary arts and farm and craft beverages can earn an asso-
ciate's degree at Broome County, and with the requisite academic quali-
fications and coursework, transfer into Cornell's viticulture and enolo-
gy or food science program, should they chose to do so. This legislation
would help foster new pathways to careers in the farm and craft based
and culinary arts by providing additional opportunities for students at
higher education facilities, while also ensuring that Cornell Universi-
ty's research, teaching, and extension and outreach mission can continue
for students as well as industry participants.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
